---
[Aric's POV]
Out of the corner of my eye, a soft-blue digital clock floated midair:
> 1:59... 1:58...
The effect was ticking. Instant Attraction had locked onto her.
Her na—Nora Bennett—was already burned into my mind.
Level 12. Earth Mage. Two stars.
Stronger than . Smarter than .
But right now?
Vulnerable.
I couldn't waste ti. I stepped forward through the crowd with energy in my voice and light in my eyes.
> "Hello, ma'am!"
I reached out and gently grabbed her hand.
She flinched slightly, caught off guard, her face confused—but she didn't pull away.
> "I've always wanted to beco a mage," I said breathlessly. "And you're a two-star mage! Please—can I have so tips?"
Her cheeks flushed. I could see it happening in real ti—like heat rising behind her ears.
Her expression flickered between confusion and embarrassnt. My skill was twisting her senses, making her lower her guard without even knowing why.
> "O-Oh... tips?" she stuttered, her voice softer than before.
I nodded eagerly, making sure my voice sounded young, excited, helpless.
> "Yes! Please!"
She smiled a little—still unsure why—but her tone softened.
> "Well... uh... practice. A lot. ditation helps. Helps you feel mana flow. Y-You know..."
> "I'm Aric!" I added quickly. "Really glad I t you!"
> "O-Oh. Hello, Aric..."
"So you want to be a mage?"
I nodded, stepping a bit closer. The crowd moved around us, but I felt like I was pulling her into a bubble—just the two of us.
> "Yes! I've wanted to for years."
> "Then... try ditation, like I said. Every day. Morning and night. It helps you... connect to your core."
Her voice was still shaky, like she wasn't sure what she was saying. Her body language was mixed—nervous and warm.
And I?
I was watching the countdown tick.
> 0:30... 0:29...
I closed the distance between us even more. She didn't back away.
I wrapped my arms around her in a sudden hug.
Tight. Warm. Intentional.
> "Thank you, ma'am. I'll work really hard! For real."
She stiffened at first, then let her arms hover awkwardly before lightly resting her hands on my back.
> "N-No worries..."
Her voice was so small.
> 0:10... 0:09...
And then—I activated it.
> [Skill: Slave Will – Activated]
Target: Nora Bennett
Contact Confird. Bond Initiated.
In my mind, the system chid:
> [Slave Will: 50%]
I let go of her casually, acting as if nothing happened, but I was already grinning inside.
Fifty percent.
That was a crack.
And from here, I would turn it into a fracture. Then into a break. Then into complete submission.
---
[Nora's POV]
She hated crowds. She always had. But today, she'd needed to restock her herbs.
Fumas was louder than usual.
Children ran past. n bargained aggressively. And as she walked, her boot suddenly caught sothing—soone.
> "Oof—!"
She stumbled forward and barely caught herself.
> "No... no no, shit—was that a noblewoman?"
Nora's heart pounded. Her eyes darted up—and yes. It was.
A richly dressed noblewoman now glaring down at her with burning eyes.
> "How dare you—"
> "I-I'm sorry!" Nora bowed deeply, quickly. "I didn't an to! Forgive , ma'am!"
There was a strange chill that shot up her spine then. Like a prickle. A whisper.
The noblewoman stopped. Looked her up and down.
Her eyes paused—on the Mage Emblem. Two silver stars.
Nora saw her pride get swallowed.
The noblewoman walked away.
Nora exhaled slowly.
> "Hah... Today's a lucky day, I guess..."
She straightened up, feeling relieved—until her eyes caught soone.
A boy. A young man, not older than his early twenties, wearing simple traveler clothes.
He wasn't flashy. He wasn't rich.
But sothing about him—
His smile.
His presence.
Her heart skipped.
> "What... what is this...?"
He walked toward her, smiling.
And spoke with excitent, like a child eting their hero.
> "I've always wanted to be a mage! Can you give tips?"
She blinked. What was this sudden softness in her chest?
> "O-Oh... okay, sure... tips..."
Her words stumbled out of her mouth without thought. Her mind felt foggy, like part of her had already decided to trust him.
His voice was full of admiration.
> "My na's Aric."
Even his na sounded gentle. Comforting.
Why did she feel like she had to respond?
Why did her cheeks feel warm?
Why couldn't she look away?
They talked. She gave advice. It was automatic.
And then—
He hugged her.
Without warning.
Tight. Firm. Real.
Her brain froze for a second. Her hands trembled before she touched his back lightly, instinctively.
> "T-Thank you, ma'am."
> "No worries," she whispered.
But sothing inside her shifted.
A flicker. A thread. A tug.
Like part of her wanted to obey him.
To listen.
To please.
She didn't know where the feeling ca from—but it lingered, even as he stepped away and smiled.
But even as she stood still... her heart beat faster. Her thoughts raced.
> "Aric..."
She said his na without realizing it.
Sothing had changed.
And she didn't know what.
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