Theo's Room
Sunlight broke over the windows like a blade through velvet.
I stood at the mirror in my chamber, watching my reflection.
Sharp collar.
Monogrammed cufflinks.
Smile like a secret crime.
In the background, the system quietly hummed its seductive little lullaby.
[System Points Available: 470]
[Affection Tracker: Nia – 78%]
[Passive Status: "Guilt-Bond" Forming]
[Main Mission In Progress: "Hero's Weak Point"]
Objective: Deepen emotional gap between Nia and Raelar.
Reward: +250 Points, +1 Charisma Tier, Unlock Title.
Time to prepare for Act Two.
I stretched once — casually, like a predator who hadn't hunted in a while.
"System," I said, lazily buttoning the last clasp on my coat. "Open the Shop."
System Shop
The interface opened with a flicker of scarlet and blue, like a magician pulling back velvet curtains.
[SYSTEM SHOP - CATALOGUE]
Stat Enhancer: Strength (Tier E→D) – 120 Points
Stat Enhancer: Agility (E→D) – 120 Points
Stat Enhancer: Endurance (E-→D-) – 90 Points
Stat Enhancer: Arcane Control Serum (F+→E) – 75 Points
Passive Booster: Minor Regeneration (Rank F) – 60 Points
Charm Fragment: "Subtle Presence" – 40 Points
Item: Silkblood Sash (Increases villainous presence) – 65 Points
Bonus Bundle Detected: Purchase 3 or more = +10 Free Points
I whistled low.
"Look at you, evolving from gacha trash to aristocratic luxury."
I selected:
Strength Enhancer
Agility Enhancer
Arcane Control Serum
Silkblood Sash
Subtle Presence Charm
[Points Spent: 120 + 120 + 75 + 65 + 40 = 420]
[Bonus Earned: +10 Points]
[Remaining: 470 – 420 + 10 = 60 Points]
A surge ran through my body — like silk-threaded lightning. My muscles tightened, but not bulkily. Controlled. Precise.
[Strength: E+ → D]
[Agility: E → D]
[Arcane Power: F+ → E]
Passive Gained:"Subtle Presence" – Increases aura impression subtly. Others feel slightly beneath you without knowing why.
Item Equipped:Silkblood Sash – A refined villain's touch. Enhances presence in noble social interactions.
I flexed one hand, admiring the way the veins along my wrist pulsed with just a bit more clarity.
Stronger.
Faster.
More dangerous.
And still smiling like I had nothing but time.
The Training Yard
Midday found me drifting toward the training courtyards — not to spar, obviously. That was for people with no imagination.
But it was a good place to find him.
And there he was.
Raelar.
Golden-boy stance. Lightning crackling faintly across his palm as he struck forward again and again, ice lacing the ground under his footwork in deliberate bursts. Focused. Intense.
Predictable.
A small crowd watched. Not huge. But enough.
He'd just finished a final strike — sweat misting off his shoulders — when I clapped slowly from the shadows of a stone arch.
"Bravo," I said. "If I didn't know any better, I'd say you're training to impress someone."
He turned slowly.
His expression barely shifted. Calm, but colder than usual.
"Is there something you need, Theo?"
I sauntered forward.
Silkblood sash fluttering slightly, sleeves pristine, aura dialed to just slightly unbearable.
"Need?" I echoed. "No, no. Just admiring your form. So… focused. So precise. So…"
I tilted my head, letting my smile stretch a bit too wide.
"…alone lately."
There it was — the faintest twitch in his brow.
He turned back toward the training dummy.
"I prefer quiet."
"Mmh. Don't we all."
I stepped to the side, watching his next strike.
"And yet… funny, isn't it? Some people chase silence. Others just… find it happening around them. Bit by bit."
Raelar's fist paused an inch from the target.
He didn't move for a second.
Then resumed.
[System Alert: Rival Emotional Disturbance Triggered]
Target: Raelar
Status: Self-Doubt - Early Spark
Optional Objective Unlocked: "Echo of Doubt"
Trigger a second emotional micro-fracture within 3 days.
Reward: +90 Points, Rival Reaction Scene
I bowed slightly.
"Well. Don't let me disturb your stormy solitude, hero."
And turned to walk away.
But just before I left earshot, I tossed over my shoulder:
"By the way, Nia's new essay on ice-guided airflow? Absolutely brilliant. You should read it. If you still remember her handwriting."
And then I left him in silence.
Theo's Balcony
I leaned against the marble railing outside my room, watching the stars blur above Ascension Academy's towers.
The night air smelled faintly of parchment, lightning, and roses.
From here, I could see the dormitory towers. Lights flickered in Nia's window.
She hadn't come to the garden today.
Of course not.
She was still unraveling.
Still thinking about the note she left me.
Still wondering how to earn a smile.
Good.
Let her twist herself into knots.
Let the hero falter in focus.
Let the world spiral while I stand still.
[Affection: Nia – 78% → 79%]
Emotional Status: Passive Yearning
Target Status: Checking hallway five times per hour
Scene: System Notice – Private
[System Message: Hero's Weak Point – 65% Progress]
Subject Raelar: Initial fracture forming
Target Nia: Emotional priority shifting
New Passive Unlocked:"Young Master's Momentum" – When rivals emotionally fracture, your charisma subtly increases during every interaction involving shared targets.
Current Charisma Tier: D+
Next Unlock: Charisma (C) at 80% Affection or Hero Undermining Event
Scene: Theo's Room – Final Beat
The Silkblood Sash hung elegantly on the back of my chair. The shop still flickered in the background.
I scrolled idly through the next tier of rewards.
[Locked Shop Item Preview – Tier D Unlock]
Artifact -"Throne Mirror"
Description: Reflects a twisted version of yourself.
Warning: Not all reflections remain illusions.
Price: 300 Points
Unlocks at: Charisma (C) or 80% Affection milestone
I raised an eyebrow.
"Oh?"
Something to look forward to.
I sat down. Wrote exactly two lines on parchment. Folded it carefully.
Tomorrow, I'd leave it on her desk.
"Still thinking about that book.
I'll return it when I'm done remembering."
Let her read that five times.
Let her believe it means something.
Because it does.
To her.
And that's all that matters.