Honestly though, I don't mind the first mission.
Morally questionable? Absolutely.
Emotionally conflicted? Not really. Ellie was so pretty that the mission was more like a reward than a job.
Mission or not, I probably would've gone for it anyway.
But before anything else, I needed information. Especially about what I could actually do in my current limited condition
Sure, mind control sounded cool. But in reality, expecting instant results right away would be wishful thinking.
It was safer to assume the skill operated closer to enhanced real-world brainwashing, relying on repeated reinforcement to reshape a person's thoughts.
Kind of how cult leaders managed to get their followers to worship them as gods.
This means that, in the early stages, I also need to be careful not to make outrageous demands.
It has to feel natural. One command leading to the next, slowly slipping into their mind.
Just as I was considering how to test the skill's effectiveness, a young nurse stepped into the room.
Her soft brown hair was neatly tied in a bun, and her hazelnut eyes matched it perfectly.
I looked her up and down—no joke, she was a solid eight out of ten, and that was without even trying. No heavy makeup, just natural beauty.
And when she turned around?
Oh man, that ass was a game changer, a total plot twist in the best way possible.
Holy shit. If the average nurse looked this good, I wouldn't be surprised if the female doctors were straight-up runway models.
"Oh! Mr. Axel, you're finally awake . I'll go call your physician."
"Wait—hold on," I called her out. "Can I ask you something first?"
She paused mid-step and looked back at me.
"What is it?" she asked, tilting her head slightly.
"About my condition… what did the doctor say?"
She glanced around nervously. "I don't think it's my place to say. I need to follow protocol and call your assigned doctor."
My first attempt at using mind control didn't work, but it wasn't a total loss—I still picked up some useful information.
"Go on... you can tell me," I said, looking her straight in the eyes while secretly triggering my ability again.
"I really can't do that." She shook her head firmly.
"Don't worry. It'll be our little secret."
This time, I triggered a reaction. Her eyes emitted a faint white glow for a split second, followed by a change in her expression.
"Alright… I suppose it's fine." She took a deep breath.
Based on how that played out, it seemed the ability was most effective when the command stayed within reason. Repeating it also seemed to make it stronger.
Now I had a better sense of how to use my ability without coming off as too creepy.
"I overheard them talking… you're recovering , slowly, but the chances of you ever walking again are still really low."
"I understand…," I let just enough sadness seep into my tone.
I wanted to see if pretending to be vulnerable would make her easier to sway.
She looked both concerned and guilty, maybe because she was the one who told me.
Exactly what I been aiming for. That first question? Just a way to get the conversation rolling.
"May I ask your name, Miss...?"
"It's Claire." Her voice was warm and honest.
"Miss Claire… thank you for being upfront with me."
I made sure to use her name right away. Establishing a subtle connection early on.
"Looks like I'm stuck in this place… for good."
Tears began to fall in my cheeks, slowly at first before pouring all at once.
She quickly leaned in, and gently dabbed the tears from my cheeks with a tissue.
"Please, don't give up. I'm sure the doctor will find a way to cure you."
"You're too kind, Miss Claire...But I'm just… tired of all this. If I regret anything, it's never getting the chance to feel what love's really like."
Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed the look of pity on her face. This was my chance.
"I know this might sound weird…" I paused midway and kept my eye shut.
"What is it?" she asked, gently pressing my shoulder.
I kept quiet on purpose, letting the silence stretch a bit.
"Tell me… what is it? Maybe I can help."
That was my cue. Time to go big.
"Would it be selfish of me to ask for just one favor?"
"Of course not," she shook her head gently, still wiping the tears from my cheeks.
"I just… I don't want to leave this world without ever knowing how a real kiss feels. Could you… kiss me? On the lips?"
She paused, taken aback by my request, but her eyes soon lit up.
In an instant, a bittersweet smile bloomed across her lips.
"Sure" she whispered.
Jackpot. My theory was spot on.
A few well-placed words, and she agreed to what she would usually refuse.
Once the ability slipped through an opening, it did the rest on its own.
That said, if I started making outrageous commands, like asking her to kill someone, the effect could fall apart.
This was only meant to be a small test. A way to gauge my limits before I tried it on my stepmother.
But now that I was at it… might as well use the chance to practice kissing.
She leaned in, her soft pink lips slowly descending toward my face.
Warm. Soft. Slightly moist. Her breath carried a faint sweetness—mint.
Her lips moved softly against mine—kind of awkward at first, but after a few moments, we both started to get into it, feeling more comfortable with each second.
"Use your tongue"
Then I felt it. Her mouth opened a bit more, her tongue brushing lightly against my bottom lip before slipping inside.
'Oh shit!'
My crown jewel was going wild, pulsing hard, and I had to focus just to keep my heart rate steady.
I had always been curious about what a girl's lips would taste like, and the real thing was sweeter than anything I had imagined. It left me lightheaded.
For a moment, it was like my paralyzed body was trying to move. Every part of me wanted to break free, just to do more things to her.