The next day dawned with silver fog curling around the academy's spires, soft light bleeding through dew-beaded glass.
I arrived early again. Same table. Same setup.
A new book.
This one was carefully chosen: "Arcane Structures and the Fragility of Power." A dry, heavy read, but Nia had highlighted it as a favorite in her recommendation list scrawled in the margin of her notebook yesterday.
Subtle things. Subtle traps.
System Notice: Target Behavioral Pattern Confirmed – "Comfort in Familiar Texts"
Chance of Continued Interaction: High
Affection Level: 41% → Potential Growth Detected
The sun had barely begun to rise when I heard her soft steps—hesitant, precise, almost afraid to disturb the garden gravel.
She peeked around the corner, clutching a worn book close like armor. I didn't turn. Just flipped a page and muttered:
"…fragility, indeed. The author clearly never met my uncle."
That got a tiny giggle. Barely audible.
But it was there.
She stepped closer. Closer.
And then, sat across from me again. A little faster this time. A little less tremble in her hands.
"…g-good… m-m-morning…"
I looked up slowly.
"Nia," I said warmly. "Good to see you."
She fidgeted.
"…y-you're… r-reading T-Telleson…?"
"I am," I said, tapping the book. "Or trying. But it feels like he's hiding meaning behind three layers of pretentiousness."
She blinked. Then lowered her book, her voice slightly steadier.
"…i-it's… b-because h-he d-doesn't… trust… readers…"
I leaned in a little, feigning interest.
"Oh?"
"…s-so… h-he m-makes y-you w-work for i-it…"
I hummed. "Well, I'm lazy. Guess that's why I keep asking you for help."
She blushed. "I-I-I d-don't m-mind…"
System Notification: Emotional Openness Increasing
Affection: 48%
Tag Progress: "Trusted Confidante" – 71%
Scene: The Garden Shadows Whisper
Across the courtyard, two first-year sat under a crimson-leafed arbor, supposedly studying.
But mostly?
Watching.
"…he talks to her every day now."
"Isn't she that commoner girl who follows Raelar around?"
"She doesn't look like she's following him anymore."
"…you think they're…?"
"No way. She's not his type. But him? He's dangerous when he's charming."
System Passive: Social Ripples Activated
Raelar's Narrative Position: Minor Cracks Forming
Raelar: Still Unaware
Scene: The Smallest Gifts
After we finished our reading—well, her reading and my observing her read like it was art—I slid a small object across the table.
She blinked.
"…w-what's… t-this…?"
It was a delicate, hand-carved bookmark — a wooden slip inlaid with soft silver. Inscribed at the base:
"Your words matter."
I said nothing.
She stared at it like I had handed her a crown.
"…I-I-I can't… I-I mean… th-this is…"
"You like books," I said softly. "And this one looks like it's had enough paper scraps stuck in it to start a second library. Consider it... a gift from a fellow student."
System Notification: Personal Token Delivered
Effectiveness: Amplified by Relevance to Target's Core Interests
Affection Increased: 48% → 57%
Emotional Bond Strengthening: Now Approaching Dependency
She stared at the bookmark.
Then at me.
And in a voice barely louder than the breeze, said:
"…t-thank y-you…"
Meanwhile – Raelar's Perspective (Afternoon)
The clang of fists against stone echoed in the north yard. Raelar stood alone in the sparring circle, frost condensing over his shoulders, sparks flickering through his veins.
He exhaled.
Nia didn't show up again.
The thought struck deeper this time.
She always watched. Always brought him water. Always waited just beyond the ring with that shy little smile that said "you did well."
But lately? Nothing.
Maybe she was busy.
Maybe she needed space.
Or maybe—just maybe—he was too wrapped in training to notice things slipping.
Raelar Inner Monologue:
"I'm doing this for us. For all of them. But… when's the last time I asked how she was doing?"
Little did he know, something very wrong was going on
Theo's Room – That Night
The curtains were drawn. The moonlight painted soft silver over the floor.
I lay on the edge of my extravagant bed, hands folded behind my head, the system window floating before me like a crown.
[System Update – Target Progress]
Nia's Affection: 57%
Status: Gentle Dependency Forming
New Title Unlocked:
"Velvet Spider" – You've begun weaving trust with no suspicion. You don't need traps. You are the net.
Optional Mission Unlocked:
"Break the Support Pillar" – Emotionally isolate the Hero.
Objective: Shift Nia's emotional reliance from Raelar to You.
Reward: 250 System Points + Unlock [Interpersonal Exploits Tree]
I smiled.
Not wide. Not smug.
Just pleased.
Like a spider watching a thread go taut.
Heroes build towers.
Villains learn where to place the chisel.