The following days were a masterclass in subterfuge. Michael Grandevore, the once-invisible loser, became the most eager errand boy Class S had ever seen. He leaned into his role completely, his shoulders perpetually slumped, his eyes downcast. It was the perfect disguise.
His target was Cindy, Kaito's girlfriend. Her habit of bossing around the F-class students was well-known. Specifically, she hated carrying her own gear to the training grounds.
"Grandevore!" her sharp voice cut across the courtyard. "My water bottle and towel. Now. And don't dally."
Perfect. "Of course, Miss Cindy," Michael mumbled, scurrying over to take the items. His heart wasn't pounding with fear, but with excitement. This was the routine he'd been counting on.
The plan was simple, yet brilliant. He couldn't spike her drink out in the open; the training grounds were riddled with CCTV. But the elite Class S had private locker rooms, and the hallway leading to Cindy's was a blind spot. The only catch was getting inside without being seen.
As he carried her things, he discreetly palmed the small, unmarked vial he'd purchased from the Lust System. [ Item: 'Passion Potion' - A mild, fast-acting relaxant that lowers inhibitions and increases suggestibility. Limited Time Discount: 5 LP! ] It was a steal.
He followed at a respectful distance until Cindy reached the locker room door. "Leave them there," she ordered, not even granting him a glance as she headed inside for a pre-training cool-down.
This was his moment. As the door swung shut, he acted. He pretended to fumble with the water bottle, uncapping it and pouring the clear liquid in with a swift, practiced motion. He recapped it and placed it neatly with the towel, just as the door clicked closed.
Phase one, complete, he thought, a thrill running through him. Now for the hard part.
He didn't walk away. Instead, he slipped into the men's locker room next door. It was empty at this hour. With a deep breath, he used the last of his points on a new skill. [ Skill: 'Vent Crawler' - Allows user to navigate ventilation systems silently for a short duration. Cost: 10 LP. ] He was now broke, but it was a necessary investment.
A few minutes of cramped, dusty maneuvering later, he dropped silently into Cindy's private locker room. It was pristine and smelled of expensive perfume. He hid himself in a shower stall, the curtain drawn, his heart hammering against his ribs. Now, he waited.
Soon, the door opened. Cindy walked in, sighing in annoyance. "Stupid training. So tedious." She picked up the water bottle and took a long, deep drink.
Michael watched through a crack in the curtain. Drink up, princess. It's specially made for you.
Cindy stretched, then paused. A slight flush crept up her neck. "Whew, is it hot in here?" she mumbled to herself, taking another sip. She fanned her face, her movements becoming slightly looser, more languid. The potion was working.
She started unbuttoning her training top, intending to change. Her movements were slow, unfocused. This was it.
Michael stepped out from the shower stall, a harmless, concerned look plastered on his face. "Miss Cindy? Are you okay? You look a little... flushed."
Cindy jumped, whirling around. "Grandevore?! What are you doing in here?!" she slurred, her anger undercut by the dazed confusion in her eyes. She tried to summon a shard of ice, but it fizzled into a pathetic puff of mist.
"I was just worried," Michael said, taking a step closer, his voice a low, smooth purr that was entirely new. "You seemed unwell. I thought you might need... assistance."
Cindy's eyes widened, a mix of fear and the potion's forced intrigue battling on her face. She took a wobbly step back, hitting the lockers. "Get out... or I'll scream."
Michael smiled, a slow, predatory expression that finally revealed the monster hiding behind the meek facade. He took another step, closing the distance.
"Go ahead," he whispered, his voice dropping even lower. "But who do you think they'll believe? The beloved, powerful S-class student... or the traitless nobody who somehow managed to get you alone in your locker room?"
The horrifying truth of his words, amplified by the potion clouding her judgment, left her paralyzed. Her mouth opened, but no sound came out.
Michael reached out, his fingers gently brushing a strand of hair from her face. She flinched but didn't pull away, her body betraying her mind.
"The game has changed, Cindy," he said, his eyes gleaming with triumphant lust. "And you're about to learn the new rules."
The air in the locker room grew thick and heavy. Cindy's mind was a foggy battleground. One part of her screamed in pure, unadulterated panic, recognizing the predatory glint in Michael's eyes. The other part, a warm, sluggish wave pushed by the potion, whispered that his attention wasn't entirely unwelcome.
"Don't… touch me," she managed to slur, her voice lacking its usual sharp command. She tried to push him away, but her arms felt like lead, the movement ending as a weak press against his chest.
"I'm just making sure you're okay," Michael cooed, his voice a mask of false concern. His hand, which had brushed her hair, now trailed down the side of her neck. Her skin was feverishly warm.
A soft ding echoed in his mind.
[ Lust Points +10! ]
[ New Action: 'Intimate Caress' - Status: Successful! ]
A surge of power, both literal and metaphorical, shot through him. This is it. This is the currency of my revenge.
Emboldened, he let his other hand settle on her waist, his thumb stroking the bare skin between her top and her training shorts. Cindy shuddered, a confused gasp escaping her lips. Her head lolled back against the cold metal lockers.
"S-stop…" she whispered again, but it was a feeble protest, swallowed by the pounding of her own heart. The potion was a skilled liar, convincing her body that this proximity was thrilling, not terrifying.
"Shhh," Michael murmured, leaning closer. "Wouldn't want anyone to hear, would we? What would Kaito think?"
The mention of her boyfriend's name sent a jolt of clarity through the haze. Her eyes widened in fresh horror. "Kaito… he'll…"
"He'll what?" Michael interrupted, his smile cruel. "Believe that you willingly invited the traitless nobody into your locker room? That you drank something he gave you? Cindy, is so very… fragile."
As he spoke, his hands grew bolder. One slid down to her thigh, squeezing lightly. The other tangled in her hair, tilting her head back to force her to look at him.
Ding! Ding!
[ Lust Points +15! ]
[ Lust Points +20! ]
[ Actions: 'Assertive Grip' & 'Dominant Maneuver' - Status: Highly Successful! ]
The points flooded in, each notification a sweet chime of victory. He watched the conflict raging in her glassy eyes—the revulsion fighting a losing war against the artificial desire. She was trying to form words, to scream, but all that came out were ragged breaths and weak, token struggles that only pressed her body more firmly against his.
He was no longer the invisible errand boy. In this small, tiled room, he was the one in control. He was the hunter, and the prized S-class girl was his prey, succumbing to a poison she herself had willingly drunk.
He brought his lips close to her ear, his breath hot against her skin. She squeezed her eyes shut, a single tear tracing a path through her flush.
"You and all the others looked down on me," he whispered, the words dripping with years of pent-up bitterness. "But look at you now. So powerful, yet so… helpless."
He paused, letting the humiliation sink in, savoring the moment. The system interface glowed brightly in his vision, a testament to his triumph.
"The fun," he hissed, his voice full of dark promise, "is only just beginning."