The Academy courtyard buzzed with the chatter of bright-eyed students.
Fresh uniforms. New friendships. Dreams of becoming heroes.
Kairen walked among them like a wolf wearing sheep's wool.
He remembered this day — the first day of orientation. He remembered the fake smiles, the secret agendas, and how they cheered when he fell.
But today, he had one mission.
> [Mission: Corrupt a Pure Soul]
[Target must have "Purity Trait" or "Innocence Affinity."]
ZERO's voice echoed again, monotone and clinical:
> [Scanning campus... 1 target found.]
[Name: Elira Dorne.
Age: 16.
Class: Cleric (Light).
Affinity: Holy.
Trait: Purity Lv.3.
Status: Top of class. Untouched by corruption.]
Kairen spotted her easily.
She sat beneath the garden archway, white-blonde hair catching the sunlight, a book on healing magic in her hands. Her aura glowed faintly — pure light energy. She looked like a saint in training.
Perfect.
> [Sin Reap activated: Target locked.]
[Corruption Potential: Moderate.]
[Recommended Method: Psychological Approach.]
Kairen sat on the bench across from her without asking.
She blinked, startled.
"Oh! Uh… hello?"
"New student?" he asked smoothly.
She nodded. "Elira. Cleric class. And you?"
"Kairen. Combat class."
Former Demon King, soon-to-be worst nightmare, but sure — we'll start small.
"You seem... intense," she said, studying him. "Like you've seen war."
Kairen gave a hollow smile. "You could say that."
---
For the next few days, he kept it simple.
Kind words. Helping her carry books. Small favors. Casual conversations. He didn't manipulate — not yet. He let her trust grow naturally.
> [Trust Level: 43%]
[Suspicion: 0%]
[Corruption Status: Dormant]
But even light casts shadows.
One evening, they trained in the practice yard. Elira healed a bruised sparring partner with a soft chant. Light magic glowed from her palms.
"You never get tired of helping them?" Kairen asked.
She smiled. "Why would I?"
"They'll use you," he said. "Someday, when it's inconvenient, they'll let you bleed out to save themselves."
Her expression dimmed. "That's… dark."
"It's honest."
He stepped closer, his voice dropping. "Light is beautiful. But what protects it when the darkness comes?"
She hesitated.
> [Psychological Impact: Registered]
[Purity Trait destabilized by 2%]
He didn't smile. Not yet.
Instead, he looked at the stars.
"You'll understand someday," he said softly. "And when you do, I'll be there."
---
That night, the system whispered:
> [Mission Progress: 21%]
[Trait weakening. First fracture formed.]
[Bonus Skill Unlocked: Veil of Trust – Makes your lies sound like truth.]
Kairen leaned back in his dorm chair, hands behind his head.
"So even saints can fall."
And he would make sure they all did.
---
End of Chapter 2