The sun filtered soft gold through the marble arches of the eastern garden, its warmth weaving through the wind-swept ivy and half-forgotten statues. Most students avoided this place — too quiet, too easy to get lost in your own thoughts.
Perfect.
I wasn't looking for attention today.
I was looking for her.
The quest hadn't left my screen since that fateful afternoon.
[Quest: Break the Righteous]
Bonus Objective: Steal the affection of Nia.
Time Limit: 7 Days.
Progress: 0%
Not that I'd rush it.
No, this wasn't the kind of mission you completed with force. This required patience. Subtlety.
A smile here.
A gesture there.
An emotional wedge... delicately placed.
And then I saw her.
Tucked into a stone bench half-swallowed by roses, a massive book trembling slightly in her lap.
Nia.
Even now, she looked like she was apologizing to the air for taking up space. Her fingers fidgeted at the hem of her sleeve, her eyes darting between words like they might bite her.
She was so... small.
Not just physically — but the way she held herself, like she expected the world to collapse the moment she looked it in the eye.
No wonder Raelar was so obsessed with her.
System Note: "Shyness Level – 97%"
Dialogue Likelihood: Low unless startled. Approach gently.
Protagonist's Emotional Anchor Detected.
I smiled.
Right.
Time to begin.
The 'Accidental' Encounter
I didn't storm in like some smug heir.
No villain smirk. No threatening aura. Not even dramatic cloak flapping.
Just slow steps. Careful steps. Almost hesitant.
She didn't see me coming around the vine-covered pillar.
But she did notice when I tripped over the edge of a root and half-collapsed toward her bench.
Thunk.
"Ow—by the stars, who designs gardens with invisible tree traps—"
The book in her hands slipped from her fingers, pages fanning wide.
She gasped—eyes wide—like she'd just witnessed a noble commit a crime in front of her.
"I-I'm s-so s-sorry—d-did I—"
"No, no, gods, please don't apologize," I said quickly, waving my hands. "That was entirely my fault. Honestly, I should be banned from walking."
She blinked. Stared.
Not speaking.
Trembling a little.
System Scan: Emotional State – High Anxiety. Social Overload. Risk of Retreat: 81%
Time to soften.
I crouched beside the scattered book.
Did not use magic.
Did not summon blood threads to pick it up.
I picked it up the old-fashioned way.
Carefully. Slowly. As if it were made of glass.
Then handed it to her.
"You dropped this," I said gently. "Looks... heavy. Is it good?"
She stared at it.
Then at me.
Her mouth opened.
Nothing came out.
Then finally—
"I-I-I… y-yes… i-it's ab-bout… m-m-moral e-ethics in m-mythical l-lore…"
I nodded like I'd heard the finest thesis in the realm.
"That sounds amazing."
She blinked again. No one had ever said that to her about this book.
Then—so softly I barely heard it—
"…th-thank you…"
System Notification: Rapport Progress +7%
Current Affection Level: Neutral → Unsettled Curiosity
I didn't stay long.
Didn't ask questions.
Didn't force anything.
Just offered a kind smile, bowed slightly, and walked away.
Later – My Dorm, That Night
I lay back on my velvet-drowned bed, arms crossed behind my head, grinning at the flickering system screen above me.
Quest Progress: +7%
Nia now remembers your face.
New Tag Added: "Kind Mystery"
Perfect.
The most dangerous move a villain could make wasn't cruelty.
It was empathy.
Fake, manufactured empathy, of course—but no one had to know that part.
Raelar? He'll notice nothing. Not yet.
Nia? She'll just think someone finally saw her.
Meanwhile – Across Campus
Raelar was deep in practice again, his blade glowing with pulsing arcane veins of lightning. Dust swirled around his feet as his Earth aura locked into place. Ice shimmered in the air.
Focused. Determined.
And utterly unaware.
He'd see her again later.
She'd still smile, still thank him...
But maybe, just maybe...
She'd blink a little faster.
Talk a little less.
Because someone else had made space in her world—even if she didn't realize it yet.