A strange-looking book, faintly glowing with a soft blue aura, rested on the edge of my nightstand, as if it had been waiting all day for me to pick it up.
The Rare Skillbook.
My reward for earning Iris's "respect." Which, honestly, had been a hell of a lot easier than I'd expected.
Skillbooks weren't something you could just buy from the campus store. They were rare, stupidly expensive, and usually only found in the hands of the wealthiest nobles. In my family, they were practically tossed at the gifted children like candy… but me? I'd been left to rot. Too talentless to "waste resources on," according to them.
That changed today.
I ran my fingers across the cover, heart thudding in my chest.
'Please give me something good. No garbage utility skill. Something broken. Something game-changing.'
Skillbooks were a gamble. You didn't get to choose what you got — the system spun a wheel and spat out whatever cruel joke or miracle it felt like giving you. And even then, your innate skill didn't guarantee compatibility. Some people drew skills they couldn't even use.
But this was a Rare Skillbook. The odds weren't hopeless. Legendary Skills were still a long shot — less than 0.5% — but I'd take any chance I could get.
[Do you wish to open this Rare Skillbook?]
"Yes."
The book split open in my hands, blinding blue light spilling out as an interface materialized in the air before me. It looked exactly like a loot box animation from those Counter Shoot skin case openings I used to waste hours watching.
The wheel spun.
Gold. Purple. Blue. Gold again.
"Come on… come on… Gimme gold, dammit!"
"Gold, gold, gold!"
The ticking slowed.
My eyes widened. My breath caught.
It landed.
[Congratulations. You have obtained the Legendary Skill: Mind Control.]
My heart nearly stopped.
[Skill Level: 1]
[Skill Exp: 0/100]
[Skill Comprehension: E-]
[Description: Influence weak-minded individuals. More effective on those with positive relationships toward you. Effectiveness scales with Charm and Intelligence.]
A Legendary. And not just any Legendary — a Psychological Type. Exactly the kind of skill I'd been praying for.
I reread the description twice, a slow grin spreading across my face. The wording was vague, sure, but the implications…? Terrifying.
'Mind Reading and Mind Control… that's one hell of a combo.'
Maybe my Authority had tilted the odds in my favor. Maybe I'd just rolled the luckiest 0.5% of my life. Either way, I didn't care.
Now, there was only one thing left to do.
Test it.
And I already knew who my first test subject would be.
The rest of the day passed in a haze. I barely paid attention in class, mind turning over every possible scenario for how I could use the new skill. Mind Control wasn't the kind of thing you just "tested" without a plan — one mistake and I'd burn the element of surprise.
Which made Iris the perfect candidate.
She already owed me daily duels. She was emotionally tangled up in our history. And, most importantly… she was not the type to admit when she was being influenced.
By the time classes ended, my anticipation had sharpened into something electric. I made my way to her dorm and knocked.
The door opened almost instantly.
I froze for a split second.
She was wearing makeup. And a dress.
'Oh, she's definitely trying to hide it.'
"Ready to get beaten up?" she said, a blush already betraying her attempt at a smirk.
Without [Mind Reading], I might have actually believed her act.
We started walking toward the training grounds. Whispers followed us like shadows.
"Why is Iris hanging out with him?"
"Is that… a date outfit?"
"Wait… are they—?"
'Great. The rumor mill's already grinding.'
Iris noticed my unease. "Worried about gossip? Don't be. If anyone bothers you, just tell me. I'll deal with it."
I raised an eyebrow. "Really?"
She hesitated, then nodded. "…Yes."
It was almost disarming — enough that I had to look away before I smirked too obviously.
When we reached the training grounds, the crowd doubled just from her presence alone. And when she scanned them and clicked her tongue, I knew what she was about to do.
-Beep!
Her student card unlocked a private training room. Collective groans rippled through the onlookers. No more free entertainment.
Inside, I let the door shut behind us.
"Couldn't you have worn more normal clothes?" I asked, letting my eyes flick over her again. "Everyone's going to think something's going on between us."
Her blush flared before she crossed her arms. "Don't flatter yourself. I just grabbed the first thing in my closet."
"Sure," I said with a small smile.
'Perfect. Let's see how much of that defiance is real.'
I stepped closer — just enough to close the gap without touching her. Her eyes narrowed, but she didn't move back.
'Good,' I thought, feeling the edges of the new skill pulse in my mind like a muscle I'd never used before.
"Shall we begin?" I asked.
[Mind Control — Active]
My grin widened.