The campus was quiet under a pale crescent moon. Blackthorn Academy, a fortress of discipline by day, had turned into something else entirely by night—a breeding ground of secrets, shame, and unseen hands pulling at the threads of sanity.
Cain stood at the top of the bell tower, eyes locked on the girl walking alone beneath him.Arielle Knox.
Captain of the martial arts club. Prefect of dormitory enforcement. She was known as the school's shield—always stepping in when things got out of hand. People respected her. Trusted her. Even feared her a little.
Cain hated her.
She had stood by and watched as he was humiliated. She didn't laugh. Didn't film. Didn't join.
But she did nothing.
And in Cain's eyes, that was worse.
The next morning, Cain arrived at the training grounds. Martial arts practice had begun. Students lined up on the mat, barefoot, in white uniforms, all eyes forward. Arielle stood at the center, arms crossed over her chest, instructing.
She didn't see Cain walk in.
But when he stepped onto the mat, the room quieted.
Heads turned.
Arielle looked over, frowning. "This is a closed session."
Cain didn't blink. "I'm joining."
Arielle's voice hardened. "You don't have clearance."
Cain stepped closer, locking eyes with her. "Then clear me."
Gasps fluttered through the crowd.
Arielle's eyes narrowed. "You think this is a joke?"
"No," Cain said calmly. "But I think you are."
The room held its breath.
She strode toward him in two sharp steps, standing face to face now. She was taller than him by an inch, but Cain didn't flinch. Her aura radiated control, command, power.
But Cain's?Cain's aura bled corruption.
He activated Mask of Control.
Then whispered, "Fight me."
Arielle stared.
"If I win, you shut your mouth and let me train here. If you win…"He smirked. "I'll leave."
The students murmured. Someone laughed nervously. No one ever challenged Arielle.
"You sure?" she asked. "You'll get hurt."
Cain smiled coldly. "I've bled before."
The sparring ring cleared.
Cain removed his shirt. The faint glow of runes across his chest flickered once, then dimmed. Arielle rolled her shoulders, bouncing lightly on her heels.
"First to yield," she said.
"Sure," Cain replied. "I'll let you scream it."
She lunged.
Fast. Clean. A roundhouse kick aimed at his temple. Cain ducked just enough and twisted sideways, narrowly avoiding a follow-up elbow. She was strong—trained, focused, brutal. Everything Cain wasn't supposed to be.
But he wasn't playing by her rules.
He waited. Let her throw three more strikes.
Then he stepped inside her guard.
His hand brushed her collarbone. A faint glow flared between them.
Arielle's body froze. Her pupils dilated.
Cain activated Emotion Drain.
She stumbled back, breath catching. "Wha… What did you—?"
Cain surged forward, grabbing her wrists and pinning her in one swift motion.
He whispered into her ear: "I don't need to win with fists."
[Temptation Pulse Activated]
It hit her hard. Too hard.
Arielle's body tensed, then relaxed. Her legs trembled. Her breathing quickened. Her mind screamed commands—resist, fight, control—but her body no longer obeyed.
Cain leaned down, lips grazing her ear.
"You're not afraid of me, are you?" he murmured.
She closed her eyes. "I should be…"
"But you're not."
"No…"
"Why?"
Her silence said it all.
Because part of her wanted this.
Cain stepped back. Released her.
Arielle dropped to her knees, panting.
The room was dead silent.
Cain turned to the stunned students. "I won."
Then he walked away—shirtless, calm, victorious.
That night, Arielle knocked on his door.
He opened it slowly.
She didn't speak. Just stepped inside, shut the door, and leaned back against it.
Cain watched her silently.
"I don't know what you did," she said, "but it's messing with my head."
"You came here," he replied.
"I know."
She looked down at her hands. "I'm supposed to be stronger than this."
"You are," Cain said. "But strength means knowing when to kneel."
She looked up sharply.
Cain walked over to her slowly. Placed a hand beneath her chin.
"Are you ready to stop pretending you're invincible?"
Her lips trembled.
"Yes."
[Hunger reduced to 35%][Seduction increased to 7][Aura increased to 7][New Passive Acquired: Breaking Point] –Targets with high moral resistance can now be emotionally unraveled over time through indirect emotional engagement and forced moral conflict.
Later, Cain stood by the window of his room, watching the stars.
Four down.
One remained.
Serena Vale.
The Queen.
The final flame in his crown of ash.
He smiled.
Because the hunt was almost over.
And then?
The real fun would begin.