Joy woke to the faint scent of Melissa's perfume still clinging to the sheets. Morning light spilled through the half‑drawn curtains of her flat. She lay beside him, hair tousled, one bare shoulder peeking out from under the blanket. Last night hadn't just shifted their bodies closer — it had re‑written where Joy stood in her world.
The Charm System pulsed into view before his eyes.
[New Major Quest Unlocked: Harem Ascension]
Objective: Build an influence network of 5 female allies across social, academic, and authority circles.
Initial Targets:
Melissa Torres (Status: Warm — Already secured)
Priya Sinha — Cultural Committee President (Status: Neutral, Distrustful)
Anita Verma — Arts Department Gossip Broker (Status: Mildly Hostile)
Professor Sen — Media Club Faculty Head (Status: Professional, Cold)
Mrs. Meera Kapoor — Guest Lecturer in Business Law (Status: Unknown)
Bonus Condition: Turn at least one active enemy into a loyal, intimate ally.
Rewards: +20 Charm Points, Skill Unlock (Advanced Social Control Lv.1), ₹100,000 Credits.
Penalty: Public humiliation if 3 missions fail in a row.
Joy stared at the panel, pulse quickening. The list wasn't random — each of these women either stood in a place of influence… or had been part of the cold wall he'd been slamming against for two years.
Melissa stirred, her leg brushing his under the blanket. "Mmm… you're staring at me," she murmured, voice still husky from sleep.
He smiled faintly. "Planning my next move."
She arched an eyebrow. "Against who? Or… for who?"
He didn't answer directly — but in his mind, the names from the panel burned bright.
This wasn't just about sex anymore. This was revenge by seduction, and power by attraction.
The day on campus felt different. People looked at him — really looked — some in surprise after seeing him with Melissa that morning in the café, her hand casually brushing his when they ordered coffee. Raghav's smirk looked tighter now, his eyes flicking between them. Good. Let him watch.
By noon, Joy spotted two of his new targets.
Priya — cool, polished, surrounded by her committee girls — gave him a polite nod that didn't reach her eyes.
And Anita — leaning against the arts block wall — looked him up and down before whispering something to her friend, both laughing.
The System pinged softly:
[Target Proximity – Optional Engagement Window Open]
Recommendation: Initiate contact with one secondary target today to activate mission thread.
Joy didn't have to decide immediately… but the thought of stepping into both women's worlds — especially when they'd always looked down on him — was exactly the kind of fire the System seemed to want.
And then, as if fate was stacking the board, Professor Sen walked past near the library steps, discussing something with another lecturer. Behind them, the curvy silhouette of Mrs. Meera Kapoor — the MILF target from his panel — moved with quiet authority in her saree, a folder tucked under one arm.
Joy's lips curved.
If the first mission with Melissa had been a spark, this was going to be an inferno.
The cultural committee meeting was already heated by the time Joy walked in. Students were arguing over budget allocations for the upcoming intercollege fest. Priya Sinha sat at the head of the table, arms crossed, trying to keep order while her committee drowned in bickering.
Joy slipped into the room without announcement. Several heads turned — and a few whispers passed between the girls who had seen him with Melissa that morning. Priya's sharp eyes flicked to him for a second, cool and unimpressed.
The System pulsed gently.
[Target: Priya Sinha]
Trust Level: Low – Opportunity: Resolve group conflict, gain public acknowledgment.
He leaned casually against the wall, listening for a moment, then spoke in a tone calm enough to cut through the noise.
"Why not break the budget into priority tiers — finalize the must‑haves today, and vote on the nice‑to‑haves next week? That way nothing essential gets lost in the shouting."
The room quieted. Priya studied him for a beat before nodding faintly. "That… actually makes sense." She glanced at the committee. "Let's test that idea now."
The System chimed:
[Influence +8% | Public Impression: Positive]
As the meeting wrapped, Priya approached him outside. "You were… helpful. Don't make it a habit," she added with the faintest smirk before walking away. Joy just smiled — the hook was in.
On his way back toward the main building, he slowed. Mrs. Meera Kapoor stood under the shade of a neem tree, speaking on the phone. Even from across the courtyard, her presence was magnetic — mid‑30s perhaps, sharp features framed by her hair tied in a low bun, her saree wrapping over curves that commanded attention without effort.
The System flared in his vision:
[Target: Mrs. Meera Kapoor]
Affinity: Unknown – Opportunity: Impress via competence during guest lecture tomorrow.
She ended her call just as he passed. Her eyes met his briefly — appraising, unreadable — before she turned away.
Joy's mind was already spinning connections. Tomorrow's guest lecture could be the perfect entry point. And once she was talking to him one‑on‑one… well, the System had already made its intent clear.
The arts block lawn was brisk with students, laughter spilling out as people met in cliques. Anita Verma, always surrounded by followers, stood in the center, dramatically recounting one scandal after another. Her reputation preceded her: sharp-tongued, quick to judge, dismissive of anyone below her social rank.
Joy approached with measured calm, the Charm System quietly buzzing:
[Target: Anita Verma]
Affinity: Hostile – Opportunity: Flip gossip in your favor, start a rumor that boosts your reputation.
He chose his moment—Anita was in mid-story about a failed club audition. "Surprised you haven't heard the latest about yourself, Anita," Joy said, raising his brows just enough to draw curiosity from her crowd.
Anita stopped, annoyance flashing across her face. "And what, exactly, does a nobody like you know about me?"
Joy smiled. "Only that you secretly helped Priya nail the fest budget last semester. Probably saved the entire committee from collapse." The story wasn't true—but he'd seen Anita arguing for cuts once, and with a little twist, it sounded plausible.
The girls around Anita looked at her, then at Joy. Anita's glare softened for a split second; the hint of pride—and uncertainty—showed on her face.
Anita tossed her hair. "Why are you so interested in me suddenly?" she asked, voice quieter.
Joy leaned in. "Because everyone's more interesting up close. Especially the ones with secrets worth knowing."
The System pulsed:
[Gossip Influence: +24% | Target Curiosity: Elevated]
Anita's mouth curved as she regarded Joy differently. The attention from her circle shifted—whispers and glances now included him rather than excluded.
As Joy walked away, his phone pinged with a new message:
[System Alert: Professor Sen – Engagement Opportunity Tonight at Club Office]
Prepare a question or insight about event logistics to impress faculty.
Joy grinned. Each move was laying foundations for further conquest—not just of hearts, but reputations and alliances.
Joy found Professor Sen late evening in the Media Club office, surrounded by event flyers and cluttered notebooks. The professor's expression was focused and serious, a stark contrast to the casual campus chatter outside. Joy approached cautiously but with a purpose.
"Professor Sen," Joy began, voice steady, "I've been reviewing the logistics for the fest. There's a potential bottleneck with vendor coordination that might delay setup by a few hours."
The professor looked up, eyebrows raised. "You noticed that?"
"I ran the numbers after last year's reports," Joy continued, pulling out his tablet to show a quick summary of vendor schedules and suggested alternatives. "If we assign additional helpers to Gate 3 during peak times, it should balance out the workload."
Sen studied the screen, nodding slowly. "This is impressive, Joy. You're thinking beyond your role."
The Charm System chimed softly:
[Respect +12% | Professor Sen – Increased Trust]
Opportunity: Request mentorship or assistance on media publicity.
Seizing the moment, Joy added, "If you need, I can help draft press releases or coordinate with student journalists. I want to ensure the event's success."
Professor Sen paused, then smiled—rare and genuine. "Very well. Tomorrow, meet me in the media room after classes. We'll go over the publicity strategy."
Joy's heart raced. This was more than just strategy—it was a foothold in a place of power, and the first step toward winning the respect of a gatekeeper who had been indifferent, even cold.
As he left, his phone buzzed with a System Message:
[Skill Unlock: Advanced Persuasion Lv.1]
[New Mission Stage: Engage Mrs. Meera Kapoor – Guest Lecture Approach]
Joy's mind was already racing. The day ahead was wearing down, but the game was heating fast. The princesses, the professors, even the queen bees—they were all pieces. And he was the player rewriting the rules.
Joy arrived early for Mrs. Kapoor's guest lecture, wearing his sharpest clothes—well-ironed shirt, neat trousers, hair combed. The air in the lecture hall buzzed with anticipation; most students had only heard rumors about the dynamic new lecturer with city connections and unmissable style.
Mrs. Kapoor entered with effortless grace: a rich blue saree, gold earrings, perfume hinting of jasmine and spice. She scanned the room and caught Joy's eye—noticing, perhaps, that he was one of the few not whispering or giggling.
As she began her session, Joy focused—taking notes, asking thoughtful questions, and, when the opportunity presented itself, offering a precise insight into case law from her open debate. Mrs. Kapoor's attention lingered at each clever comment, her appreciation guarded but clear.
Near the lecture's end, she invited questions about event planning and business ethics. Joy raised his hand. "Ma'am, I read your article on negotiation tactics. There's a point about mutual leverage—I'd like to know how you balance maintaining authority while still being approachable, especially in campus settings."
Mrs. Kapoor smiled, surprised at the nuance. "That's a rare perspective, Joy. Most notice only surface power, not the ties beneath it." Her gaze was steady—curious, probing, almost testing.
After class, Joy lingered, packing slowly as students trickled out. Mrs. Kapoor paused beside him. "You're different from the usual crowd. Perhaps we should speak further about internship scenarios, if you're interested."
The Charm System rewarded him instantly:
[Major Harem Mission: Mrs. Kapoor – Stage 1 Complete]
Affinity: Intrigued
Private Meeting Opportunity: Tomorrow, Main Office.
Joy's heart raced—a cocktail of nerves and anticipation. Winning her would mean more than another conquest. It was a leap into elite circles, maturity, and undeniable status. The System hummed—every piece clicking precisely where Joy wanted.
That evening, Melissa sent a teasing message:
"Heard Mrs. Kapoor liked her sharp new student. Taking over the world already?"
Joy smirked, thinking of all the queens and judges who once looked down on him—now watching, maybe wanting, or soon to be part of his empire.
A new notification appeared:
**[Next Major System Mission:
Consolidate your harem network for political and social leverage
Defeat Raghav's clique at the upcoming campus debate
Unlock additional advanced skills in seduction, persuasion, and protection
]**
Tomorrow, Joy would meet Mrs. Kapoor one-on-one, step deeper into the power game, and set the stage for rivals' public humiliation and harem consolidation.
The game board expanded.
And Joy—once the punchline—now held all the cards.