Aldric stared at Draven for several seconds.
Then—
He sighed.
"Actually..."
"I should tell you something first."
Draven raised an eyebrow.
Aldric's expression became slightly more serious.
"The truth is..."
"I'm not able to hypnotize you."
Draven blinked.
"...Hmm?"
Aldric pointed toward him.
"This is one of those times when your bloodline gives you an advantage."
He folded his arms.
"Those of lower blood cannot hypnotize someone whose blood is higher than their own."
"I'm High Blood."
He pointed toward himself.
"And you're Royal Blood."
Draven's eyes narrowed slightly.
"So no matter how hard you try..."
"It simply won't work."
Draven stared at him for a moment.
"So you were testing me?"
"Not exactly."
Aldric shook his head.
"I was showing you how it works."
He paused.
"But yes..."
"You were never actually in danger of being hypnotized by me."
Draven nodded slowly.
"Okay. So how do I do it?"
Aldric's expression became serious again.
"First, understand this."
"You don't hypnotize someone by asking them to let you control them."
"You impose your control."
Draven listened carefully.
"Think about it."
"Do you honestly think someone would willingly allow you to control their mind?"
Aldric shook his head.
"Only an idiot would do that."
Draven smirked slightly.
"Yeah. Makes sense."
Aldric continued.
"What you do is impose dominance."
"Your will against theirs."
"You force your presence into their mind, making it so their resistance can't stop you."
"Whether they like it or not..."
"They'll have no choice but to obey."
Draven's expression became more focused.
"So the first step is dominance."
"Exactly."
Aldric raised one finger.
"And the first way you establish that dominance..."
"Is through eye contact."
Draven looked directly into his eyes.
Aldric pointed toward his own eyes.
"When you make eye contact with someone, you're not simply looking at them."
"You're creating an opening."
"You breach their mental guard."
Draven remained silent.
"The moment their eyes meet yours..."
"Your mana can reach their mind."
"You use that opening to establish a connection."
Aldric slowly moved his hand toward his temple.
"Once that connection is established..."
"You push your will through it."
"Not all at once."
"Gradually."
"First, your presence."
"Then your mana."
"Then your dominance."
Draven's eyes narrowed.
"And after that?"
Aldric smiled.
"Then you give them a command."
"Simple."
"Direct."
He lowered his hand.
"The important part is..."
"You don't wait for them to accept it."
"You make them accept it."
Draven remained silent.
Aldric continued.
"If they resist..."
"You push harder."
"If they try to break the connection..."
"You reinforce it."
"If their mind is stronger than yours..."
Aldric shrugged.
"Then you fail."
Draven nodded slowly.
"So it's basically a battle of wills."
Aldric nodded.
"Exactly."
He paused for a moment.
"Most people only look strong on the outside."
"Even those with strong wills..."
His expression became serious.
"Fear can shake them."
"Fear creates openings."
"Once their mind is shaken, maintaining control becomes much easier."
Draven listened carefully.
"But there are exceptions."
Aldric's eyes narrowed.
"The Holy Empire, for example."
"Those who possess holy energy."
"Against them, hypnosis is different."
Draven stared at him.
"Yeah. I know. Because of the holy energy?"
"Exactly."
Aldric nodded.
"Holy energy naturally purifies dark mana."
"So even if you try to make eye contact..."
"That holy energy will interfere with it."
"It will purify the dark mana before you can properly breach their mental defenses."
Draven's expression became thoughtful.
"Against someone with enough holy energy..."
"It doesn't matter how strong their will is."
Aldric nodded.
"Correct."
"Your hypnosis simply won't work."
Draven stared at him.
Aldric suddenly smiled.
"Now..."
"Let's bring out a test subject."
Draven looked at him.
Before he could say anything—
Aldric suddenly disappeared.
**WHOOSH!**
A gust of wind swept through the area.
A moment later—
Aldric was already standing in front of the vehicle.
He reached toward the front door.
**CLICK.**
The door opened.
Inside—
Kaelira was sleeping beside Nia.
Aldric reached down.
He grabbed Kaelira by the arm.
Then—
He pulled.
**SCRAPE!**
Kaelira was dragged out of the vehicle.
Her eyes snapped open immediately.
"What the—"
She looked around in confusion.
"What is it?!"
"What do you want?!"
Aldric didn't even bother answering.
"Just shut the hell up."
He dragged her forward.
"Look over there."
Kaelira frowned.
"Look at what?"
"Just look."
She finally turned her head.
Her eyes landed on Draven.
Draven was already staring at her.
He remained completely still.
His expression was calm.
But inwardly—
*Remember what Aldric did.*
*His eyes...*
*The way they glowed.*
Draven focused his mana.
Then—
His crimson eyes began to glow.
Kaelira stared directly into them.
For a brief moment—
Nothing happened.
Then—
Her eyes widened slightly.
Because she saw it.
The same crimson glow.
The same oppressive feeling.
Draven's gaze remained fixed on hers.
Aldric stepped back.
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"Good."