After the first customer, Knight Commander Yuris, left.
I looked over the now-inactive magic circle, recalling the illusion she experienced.
Reviewing the service provided to a customer and giving feedback is essential for improving future videos.
"Thanks to the test run, the first customer's video turned out better than expected."
Indeed.
It came out better than expected.
The illusion magic was executed well enough to deceive the senses of a Knight Commander, and the magic circle's quality was high enough to influence the video through slight sensory changes.
This was no ordinary person—it was Yuris, the Knight Commander known as a Swordmaster.
It meant that, within the magic circle, most people would fall for it.
But it wasn't perfect.
"She definitely said at the start that she recognized the area."
Most of the backgrounds in the illusion were created from my memories.
So, if the scenery was too familiar, it could break the immersion of the illusion.
While familiarity could deepen immersion, I realized I'd need to tailor the settings to the customer's perspective when using real backgrounds in the future.
Moreover.
"The lack of tools definitely limited the variety of scenes."
It was mostly nipple torment.
Lightly teasing her areola, smearing her juices on her breasts, or occasionally touching her crotch—that was it.
With proper tools, I could've tormented her in more diverse ways, but since it was the first day, all I had were a chair and my two hands.
Honestly, I didn't expect a customer to show up right away during the soft opening.
Using my mana was quite a burden too.
It's fine now with few customers, but if three or more come in a day, I might collapse from mana depletion.
"I can't recover all the mana I use in a single day."
Efficient mana consumption was another issue to address.
"Being able to control only one character at a time is also a drawback."
Of course, pre-programmed characters could move on their own, but that would consume too much mana, making it likely I couldn't finish the video properly.
"Fixing mana efficiency is the priority."
If I could address that, I wouldn't need to control every character, allowing for more diverse videos.
"Or maybe make the characters part of the background? Not as moving entities but as effects."
For example, just the feeling of being watched from beyond a window.
No need to act as separate characters.
In sports games like soccer, the crowd doesn't consume much processing power, right?
If I pre-program actions and have them repeat in fixed positions, I wouldn't need to allocate much resources to extra characters.
Just giving the impression of people being there would suffice.
"But I'd need to ensure the viewer can't interact with them too much."
Like creating an impassable wall, limiting visibility to just voices, or showing only vague shapes from a distance.
"Not bad."
Making mocking voices audible.
No one actually watching, but making it feel like someone is.
"This could be used in many ways. If programmed well, it's definitely doable."
Lastly, I looked at the bandit Yuris faced.
A typical bandit you'd see roaming the empire's mountains.
Sunburned dark skin, scruffy beard, unkempt hair, thick arms, and scars all over.
It felt like a default design, almost disappointing.
It was like the design I programmed as "Bandit A" came out as is.
But that was exactly the image she wanted.
A common bandit you'd see anywhere.
"But it lacks impact."
She probably didn't want that kind of impact anyway.
"Who would've thought such a great knight wanted to be defeated by an ordinary man?"
She denied it, but the illusion magic circle projects the user's true desires.
If Yuris really just wanted to experience defeat, the magic circle's spell wouldn't have produced this outcome.
It would've chosen ordinary torture and pain.
But the magic circle showed a different result.
[Yuris's Desire: She wants a bandit to ravage her completely.]
Deep within, it was clear Yuris harbored a desire to be dominated by an ordinary man.
"You can't judge a person by their appearance."
Who would've thought the symbol of victory, the empire's guardian, had such a desire?
"Well, always winning must get boring."
Even constantly successful people have their struggles.
Digging into a customer's personal issues stops here.
Anything more would be disrespectful to her.
Finishing my thoughts, I looked at the spot where Yuris sat.
Even after cleaning with magic, there was still a wet stain where she sat.
It wasn't sweat.
If it was sweat, the magic would've removed it already.
"How much did she feel…?"
That's how satisfied she was with our video.
She left firmly saying she'd never return.
"I've had enough of defeat."
Yet I have a feeling we'll see her again soon.
***
Yuris went to the training grounds at her usual time today.
Arriving at 6:30 AM to build basic stamina was an essential part of her routine she never skipped.
"Hup! Hah!"
She trained in basic swordsmanship, swinging, thrusting, and striking with a training sword made of black steel weighing over 30kg.
It was a full-body workout, engaging her arms, upper body, and lower body to maintain balance.
She swung, thrust, and struck as if in real combat, then rolled to the side, stood up, and swung again.
An ordinary person would struggle just to lift such a sword, but as a Swordmaster far beyond human limits, she could handle it.
People see Yuris in her elegant uniform on the podium and assume she uses refined swordsmanship, but she prioritizes practical combat techniques.
Covered in dirt, sweating profusely.
"Hoo, hoo."
Today, Yuris's training was far more intense than usual.
Was it to shake off yesterday's memories?
"Hah!"
She shouted louder than ever, swinging her sword.
"Ha, ha."
It was intense enough to make even a Swordmaster like her sweat buckets.
"The memories of that day still won't leave."
Last night, she couldn't sleep properly.
Every time she closed her eyes, the memories from the illusion kept resurfacing.
The sensations were so vivid she couldn't fall asleep easily.
Her helpless, bound self.
The bandit's hands violating her.
His mocking gaze and the increasingly intense male scent.
Slap!
She slapped her cheeks so hard they stung.
"Get a grip."
Still caught up in those thoughts?
Forget the memories of that day.
It never happened.
I experienced defeat once, so there's no need to go further.
I've experienced everything I wanted.
The humiliation of that day.
The shame.
And the pleasure.
"…"
She looked down at her chest.
The chest that bandit endlessly violated in the illusion.
"Wait! Not again!"
No.
This can't go on.
She sighed.
Looking around, she noticed many knights had joined her at the training grounds for morning practice.
Most were from the First Knight Order.
They came to train, following Yuris's example.
"My subordinates are here. I'm the Knight Commander they trust and rely on. I must set an example."
No more pointless thoughts.
Just as she steeled her resolve.
"Commander."
Someone tapped her shoulder from behind.
"Eek!"
Startled by the touch, Yuris twisted her body and stepped back.
It was Jeko, her deputy from the First Knight Order, his hair gleaming with sweat.
He looked at Yuris with a surprised expression.
"Oh, Jeko, it's you."
"What's that? Commander, you can make sounds like that?"
"Sorry. I'm a bit tired today."
"Haha, it's fine. Everyone gets tired. I'm just glad to see a new side of you, Commander! Haha!"
Jeko, flustered, stammered and avoided her gaze.
"What's the matter?"
Composing herself, she asked why Jeko called her.
"Oh, there's a mock battle scheduled with the Second Knight Order."
"A schedule? When?"
"Two weeks from now, at the central imperial training grounds, I heard."
"A jousting match?"
"No, I heard it's a duel between commanders and a group battle between members."
"A duel between commanders. The Second Knight Commander's been sharpening his blade. Got it, I'll keep it in mind."
Jeko suddenly stepped closer after his report.
"Commander, you'll crush the Second Knight Commander this time too, right?"
At that moment, the scent of a sweaty man made her head spin.
She bit her lip unconsciously, overwhelmed by the sweat and male pheromones.
The moment she smelled it, a man's face flashed in her mind.
The illusion mage, and the bandit he created.
The overwhelming presence that rendered her powerless.
Why is that man's face coming up now?
"Commander?"
"Y-yes?"
"Are you feeling unwell today?"
"…?"
She realized belatedly.
Her body had unconsciously leaned toward Jeko.
Her body had naturally gravitated to catch more of that potent pheromone scent.
"N-no, don't worry about the Second Knight Commander. I won't lose."
"Haha! I trust you, Commander!"
"I-I'm going to wash up."
"Take care!"
Stepping back, she looked around.
While some women joined the First Knight Order following her, most were male knights.
She realized the intense male scents they emitted were strong enough to fill the training grounds.
A pungent smell that made her nose wrinkle.
She had never noticed it before.
That men's scents were different.
She had always fought alongside them, shedding blood and sweat together.
It was all because of that man that she suddenly became aware of it.
The bandit who made her powerless.
His scent was different from the knights'.
His was more intense, yet the more she smelled it, the more she craved it…
A strong male scent.
"That man? Am I thinking of that bandit from the illusion…?"
Grabbing a towel and heading to the women's locker room, Yuris didn't realize her body was flowing with something other than sweat.
"I'll never go back there."
Yuris vowed repeatedly.