The next morning arrived with a chill in the air.
I was up before the sun, seated at the edge of the bed, lacing up my boots. The room was quiet except for the faint hum of the enchanted crystal on the ceiling. My uniform—pressed and plain—fit snugly, a reminder that I was still just a number among many.
[Status Update:
Target – Lily: 12%
Last Night Behavior: Dream Interference
Effect: Confused Guilt + Submissive Curiosity
]
She dreamed of me. The system didn't show the images—just the result. Her subconscious was already folding inward, tugging her toward thoughts she didn't understand.
I stepped outside. The campus was still half asleep, but the noble dormitory was already stirring. Servants lit magical lamps while young scions of great houses emerged one by one, polished and proud. Carriages arrived for those too important to walk.
I ignored them. My path led to the western lecture hall—Class F.
That's where they sent people like me.
The interior was simple but clean. Stone benches, wooden desks, faint magical runes engraved into the floor for reinforcement. About twenty students filled the room, mostly commoners and a few fallen nobles clinging to relevance. Some glanced at me. Most didn't.
I sat in the back, leaned back, and waited.
Then she walked in.
She was late—intentionally, probably. Everyone turned as she entered. Long red hair, cut short at the chin. Sharp golden eyes. Her walk was confident, rebellious. She didn't wear her uniform properly; her jacket was slung over one shoulder, and the buttons of her blouse were undone just enough to stir whispers.
I recognized her immediately.
Seraphina Graye.
[System Detected:
Target Identified – Heroine #2
Trait Compatibility: High
Base Resistance: Medium
Desire Type: Aggressive/Competitive
Current Reaction: Mild Interest
Corruption Progress: 0%
]
She scanned the room, chewing a piece of dried fruit between her lips.
Her eyes landed on me.
And held.
Only for two seconds. Then she smirked and sat at the opposite end of the room, dropping her bag onto the desk with a loud thump.
A few boys tried talking to her. She didn't even respond.
[System Update:
Target: Seraphina Graye
Reaction Modifier: Spark of Curiosity
Progress: 1%
Passive Alert: Craving for tension detected
]
The professor entered shortly after. An old man with a beard too long and voice too tired. He began explaining the basic principles of mana theory, how channels worked, and how overloading one's core could cause permanent nerve damage. Most students tried to focus.
I didn't need to.
I'd played this game before.
I knew how every lecture would go, every skill tree would unfold. But now, I had one advantage the player never did.
I could corrupt them all.
---
Lunchtime came. I didn't follow the others to the mess hall. Instead, I headed toward the academy's rear garden—rarely used except by upperclassmen or lovers in secret. The hedges were thick, trimmed neatly. A few fountains trickled softly.
I didn't expect company.
But footsteps came behind me.
"Hey."
I turned.
Seraphina stood there, arms folded, her shirt still partially unbuttoned, a toothpick between her lips.
"You're not eating?" she asked.
"No appetite."
She raised an eyebrow. "You that boring, or just trying to look cool?"
I didn't answer.
She took a step closer.
"You were staring earlier," she said, golden eyes narrowing. "During class."
"You walked in like you owned the room."
"Maybe I do."
Her confidence wasn't fake. It was armor. Loud, fast, hard to pin down. The kind of girl who bit first and thought later.
I didn't flinch.
"You're new," she added.
"You're predictable."
That made her pause. Just a second. Then she smirked.
"Cute."
She stepped past me, brushing my shoulder with hers, heading deeper into the garden. She didn't look back.
[Target: Seraphina Graye
Corruption Progress: 3%
Passive Effect: Flirtation with Defiance
System Note: She'll return sooner than she thinks
]
---
Later that evening, I returned to the dorm.
Lily was waiting.
Not in my room—but in the hallway, pretending to clean the window near my door. Her cloth moved in slow circles, but her eyes flicked toward me as I approached.
"You didn't show up for breakfast… or lunch," she said softly.
"You were keeping track?"
She looked down quickly. "I… I just noticed."
I didn't answer. I took out my key and opened my door.
But I didn't close it behind me.
And I knew she was still standing there.
A moment passed.
Then I heard the footsteps.
Slow. Guilty.
She stepped inside and closed the door behind her.
"I shouldn't be here," she whispered.
"But you are."
She stood near the wall, clutching her cloth, trembling faintly.
"I had a dream," she muttered. "About you."
I stepped closer. Just enough that she had to tilt her head up.
"I'm not supposed to dream about students," she whispered.
"But you did."
Her throat moved as she swallowed. Her fingers clenched tighter.
"I think something's wrong with me."
"No," I said. "Something's finally right."
[Target: Lily
Corruption Progress: 17%
Emotional State: Guilt-Ridden Submission
System Advisory: First touch opportunity unlocked
]
I reached up slowly. Brushed her cheek with the back of my fingers.
She flinched.
But she didn't move away.