The courtyard was alive with chatter, students gathered under tall marble arches, servants carrying trays of food. Nobles sat together at shaded tables, their laughter sharp and exclusive, while common-born students ate at the far edges like shadows.
Eran carried his tray to an empty bench, keeping the act of the quiet loner. His bowl of soup steamed, untouched.
Now… how does this skill work? he wondered.
[Skill Activated: Whisper of Suggestion]
Effect: Words laced with subtle allure. Targets are more likely to comply, depending on their emotional state.
A soft hum brushed his ears, as if the system itself was purring.
"Is this seat taken?"
Eran looked up. A girl stood before him, tray in hand. She was beautiful in the way only nobles were allowed to be—silken blonde hair tied in ribbons, lips like rose petals, her uniform tailored to show off her slender waist.
He recognized her: Lady Miyu Valerane, daughter of a viscount. She wasn't the most powerful noble, but she carried herself with the arrogance of someone who thought commoners should kneel.
Normally, she would never lower herself to sit near him. Which meant… she was here to mock him.
Eran smiled faintly. "It isn't."
She sat, smoothing her skirt, her eyes glinting with amusement. "So, you're the one who embarrassed himself in Professor Selene's class. How bold, to flirt with her."
The nearby nobles giggled, clearly watching for sport.
Eran didn't flinch. Instead, he leaned just slightly closer, his voice low, activating the skill.
"You sound jealous, Lady Miyu."
Her spoon froze midway to her lips. "J-jealous?"
[+7 Charm Points.]
Whisper successful. Target mildly flustered.
Her cheeks colored, though she quickly hid it behind a scoff. "Ridiculous. Why would I be jealous of a commoner?"
Eran smirked. "Because… you've never been brave enough to say such words yourself, have you?"
The courtyard fell silent around them. Nobles stared, wide-eyed.
Miyu's lips parted, but no words came. Her ears burned red, her eyes darting away.
[+10 Charm Points. Target intrigued.]
The nobles whispered in shock. "Did he just—?"
"He made her blush!"
"Impossible…"
Eran leaned back, sipping his soup casually like nothing had happened.
Miyu finally slammed her spoon down. "Y-you're insufferable!" she snapped, standing abruptly. Her tray nearly toppled, but she caught it, storming off.
But Eran noticed. The way her steps faltered. The way she glanced back once, cheeks still pink.
And From the far archway, Professor Selene stood half-hidden, arms crossed, pretending to be on her way elsewhere. But her eyes had been fixed on Eran the entire time.
She had wanted to see if the boy who dared speak to her so brazenly would cower before his peers. Instead, she saw Lady Miyu the proud, untouchable Miyu—reduced to blushing and fleeing in less than five minutes.
Selene's jaw tightened. Her heart skipped, though she quickly suppressed it.
What are you doing, boy…?
SYSTEM UPDATE!
[Achievement: First Noble Girl Flustered.]
Reward: +20 Charm Points.
Harem Potential: Miyu Valerane – Interest Sparked (12%).
Eran leaned back against the bench, his smirk faint but sharp.
So this is how it works. One by one, their pride will crumble. And each time they resist me, they'll only fall harder when they break.
He stirred his soup idly, eyes lifting toward the classroom windows where Selene's shadow had just disappeared.
Professor… don't worry. I haven't forgotten you. You'll be mine too. Slowly, sweetly, until the day you realize you can't live without me.
Next day morning, The great bell tolled again, summoning students to their seats. The morning sun streamed through the tall stained windows, lighting the hall in pale gold.
Eran entered quietly, carrying only a single worn book, his posture that of a boy who wanted no attention. But whispers still followed him.
"That's him the commoner who made Miyu blush yesterday."
"No way, she must've been sick."
"He dared flirt with Professor Selene, too. Reckless fool."
Eran kept his head lowered, lips curling faintly.
The louder they whisper, the deeper I've planted myself in their minds.
He sat near the back as Miyu walked in with her entourage of noble girls. Her chin was raised higher than usual, her cheeks faintly colored when her eyes flickered toward him. She quickly looked away, sitting down with unnecessary force.
[System Notice: Target Miyu Valerane ] Flustered State prolonged. Charm influence growing.
Eran smirked.
And then...
Professor Selene Enters
Click. Click!.
Every sound of her heels commanded silence. Professor Selene strode in, her emerald eyes sweeping the room, her gown hugging her tall, voluptuous frame with effortless authority.
"Open your texts," she said. Her voice was calm, controlled but Eran noticed the way her gaze hesitated on him for half a heartbeat too long.
He met her eyes.
And he smiled.
Just enough for her to notice.
Her lips pressed into a thin line as she turned sharply back to the board.
[+5 Charm Points.]
[Selene's composure cracked.]
Selene began lecturing on elemental resonance, chalk striking the board. She asked questions—challenging, technical ones. Nobles leapt to answer, eager to display their knowledge.
Then her eyes flicked back to Eran.
"You."
The class snickered. "Again? She'll crush him today."
Selene tilted her chin, eyes narrowing. "If elemental resonance is unstable, what happens when a spell is forcibly cast through it?"
He stood, pretending to hesitate, lips pursed as though uncertain. Inside, he whispered to the system.
Help me out.
Answer: Resonance backlash – spell collapses, causing recoil damage to caster.
Eran lifted his head. "The resonance collapses, and the spell backfires hurting the caster."
The room quieted again.
Selene's eyes narrowed further. "Correct. Again."
She fired another question. He answered. Another. He answered.
By the fifth, even the nobles were staring.
Miyu's pen-like spoon slipped from her fingers.
Selene's lips pressed tight, her control faltering with each correct response.
Eran bowed slightly. "Thank you, Professor. I only remembered because… your explanation yesterday was so clear."
[+15 Charm Points. Quest Progress: 47%]
Her eyes widened ever so slightly. The nobles looked between them, sensing an undercurrent they couldn't name.
Selene turned away quickly, chalk biting into the board harder than before.
By Break time—Between Classes, The students dispersed into chatter. Some crowded Miyu, laughing about yesterday, while others whispered about Eran's sudden knowledge.
Eran closed his book slowly.
Then he activated Whisper of Suggestion.
He leaned sideways toward Miyu, his voice low enough for only her to hear.
"You kept glancing at me, Lady Miyu. Did you want to sit together at lunch again?"
Her body jolted, her face flushing instantly. "W-what nonsense are you " she cut herself off, noticing the curious stares of her entourage. She snapped her book shut, storming out of the room.
But as she passed, her hand brushed the edge of his desk—barely a second, but deliberate.
[+12 Charm Points.]
Target Miyu – Desire Awakened: 20%
Eran smiled faintly.
As the students left, Selene's voice rang out.
"Eran. Stay."
The room emptied, leaving them alone again. Her heels clicked slowly as she approached.
"Yesterday I let your insolence slide," she said, her tone cold. "But today you answer like you've been studying for years. That is… suspicious."
Eran kept his gaze low, his voice soft. "You told me knowledge is power. I wanted to show you I listened."
Her jaw tightened. His words shouldn't have affected her, but her chest rose just a little quicker, her emerald eyes sharpening.
"You're clever with your tongue," she said. "Too clever. Be careful, boy. If you step out of line… I will discipline you personally."
Eran lifted his gaze, lips curling faintly.
"I think I'd like that, Professor."
Her eyes widened, her cheeks warming before she turned sharply, hiding it.
"Dismissed."
He walked out, his smirk unseen by her trembling hands gripping the edge of the desk.
SYSTEM UPDATE!!
> Quest Progress: Selene the Ice-Serpent Professor – 63%.
Secondary Target: Miyu Valerane – Lust Awakening (20%).
Reward Pending: Unlock [Shared Ecstasy] after first intimate conquest.
Eran stepped into the hallway, students brushing past him.
His hand tightened into a fist.
Yesterday was my first spark. Today I stoked the flame. Tomorrow… they'll start to burn.