MTL - Study Days at Hogwarts - Chapter 45 Late... self-study?

“Look, I don’t need to be the strongest — I just need to be slightly stronger than the guy trying to kill me.”---Zayn Eldrake was nothing more than a nameless extra in the grand tale of summoned heroes — a disposable swordsman in the legendary Hero of Light’s party, fated to die in an early battle against the monsters of the Apocalypse.But when he awakens in this doomed body with memories of his past life, he refuses to meet the same pathetic end.He knows the story. He knows the heroes. He knows their strengths, their weaknesses… and most importantly, their women.With the power of [Devourer’s Pact], Zayn can consume the abilities of those he defeats, transforming himself into something far greater than a mere extra.Strength, magic, divine blessings — everything in this world is his for the taking. And if fate itself stands in his way? He’ll devour that too.

Elia is a poor university student until the night she’s taken to the world of the Anima—ruled by humans whose ancient hearts pulse with the blood of animals. There she’s forced into a battle to the death. But when Elia survives, and refuses to kill her final opponent, the King must either kill Elia himself, or take her as his mate.

Reth, the brutal King of the Beasts with the blood of lions, shocks everyone when he chooses the weak, human Elia to become his Queen. He promises her every comfort of his wealth and position—but he is clear: She will not warm his bed. He chose her to defeat those that were trying to corner him into blending his Leonine line with the Wolves.

Elia needs the help of the Anima to become stronger and rule them well. But the vengeful Wolves see only a weak human that brought them shame. As Elia and Reth grow closer, the wolves are determined to destroy her. Will Reth and Elia admit their feelings for each in time to fight for the Kingdom—and their lives—against the villainous wolf-tribe? Or will the wolves kill Elia and steal the throne?

[Mature content - no sexual violence]

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He stalked towards her, chin low so the shadow cast by his hard jaw cut across the thick fur collar of his vest. His hair had fallen over his eyes in the scuffle, so he peered at her through it like a lion in the grass. With each step, his graceful, rolling gait reminded her of a predator stalking its prey. Despite the forest floor littered in twigs and leaves, he didn’t make a sound.

“Wh-who are you?” Elia stammered, backing away, her hands up. He met her step for step until she came up hard against the tree behind her—and didn’t stop until he loomed over her, so broad his shoulders and chest made a wall in front of her. She could feel the heat rising off his skin in the cool, night air.

“I am the Leonine King.” His voice was a dark, husky gravel. Behind him a chorus of wheezes, howls, and chirps of agreement rose from the people watching. “And you are?”

“Elia,” she breathed.

“Elia,” he growled, leaning in closer, bringing with him the scent of pine and rain and the musk of something distinctly male. “I am Reth.” He said the name with a strange, guttural roll in his throat. “I am King of Beasts. I am Clan Leader, and I am Alpha of WildWood.” Several snarls rose from the crowds behind him then, but he ignored them.

Elia swallowed as he leaned in until the scruff on his jaw rasped her cheek. “I am the King,” he said, “And you will be my mate.”

The forest behind him erupted.

**Updates Paused Temporarily to Resume on the First Week of March; Check Chapter 292 Author’s Note For More Information.[Warning: Contains Mature Content]“Beware of the tongue of a wicked woman. For it may tell a lie that would slay the world.”Eighteen-Year-old rejected, wolfless and blind Zina is summoned to the capital to tell a vision for the ruthless and feared Alpha King of the North notoriously known as ‘The King Who Crowned Himself’.The result of Zina’s ‘false’ vision has the Alpha Prince and future Alpha Supreme, Daemon, banished from the capital to fight wars at the borders where only death awaits him in the hands of the famed Arising Rogues, and the even more famed Deformed.But Daemon survives fire, blood and claw, and not only does he survive, but six years later, he is back as Alpha Supreme, driven by vengeance against those who brought him down. Starting from his cunny siblings, to the eighteen-year old girl now twenty-four who spelt his destiny with just mere words, Daemon vows to leave no one unscathed.However Zina is well aware of her own treachery. Now the Theta to the same powerful werewolf house she told the dangerous lie against, and having tasted the bitter pill of betrayal from the very people she told the dangerous lie for, she is unwilling to resign to her fate just yet.But how do you melt the heart of a man that you once ruined? And how do you destroy a woman loved by all the common people, and perhaps, even the gods?Daemon will learn the hard way that not all vengeance can be taken, and not all debts can be collected.Secrets abound, the Deformed Werewolves are set to rise, and a rare chance at second mating befalls the two most unusual people. And now, one thing has become for sure—Daemon must first defeat the enemy outside, before he can truly confront her, who has become the enemy of his heart.****Zina's back pressed against the wall as a taut body pinned her, their warmth mingling together. Four years of deadly anticipation had culminated into that very moment.His whispers caressed her ear, sending shivers that had nothing to do with the chill in the air down her spine. “Since you see visions so well, tell me Theta of my house, do you see the day you will die?” His breath ghosted over her skin, reminding her of a debt to be collected.Swallowing and maintaining a tight grip on her staff despite the body that burned against hers, she answered firmly. “I am afraid the gods haven’t shown me yet.”The man over her smiled shrewdly. His lips grazed her ear, his hot breath sending waves of sensation. “I believe in all of the names I have been called, one of them is god. So let me tell you that which you do not know…“…today is the day you will die.”

“I'm going out to do something, so I can't take care of you any more. You can go down the mountain and have fun. But if you can't find someone who matches your Innate Pure Yang Body in three years, you're finished!”These were the last words the old man, who was Lionel Yeager's teacher, threw to him before he vanished. Meanwhile, having mastered most of his master's skills, Lionel Yeager went down the mountain and took his first step into civilization for the first time in years.With his unparalleled medical and martial arts, he sets forth on a journey, befriending new allies and crushing all the enemies that stand in his way, as he attempts to resolve his Pure Innate Yang Body constitution, and cultivate to the top of the world!