Chapter 878-Twisted Minds.

As she walked by, Valdris's mind was in a frenzy. Austin knew better that he couldn't fully control her. The inner depth of her character, placed by a being higher than him, would always prevail over him for the moment, so Austin had to devise another way to fully control Valdris.

The only thing Austin can't do in the scenario is fully take control of Valdris, making her his corrupted fellow. Other than that, he has full control over how he can break her mental spirit or twist Valdris's mind into something Austin can use for his own goals, and that is what he has done with some simple direction.

Austin knew better than others on how Valdris's mind would flow. The mind of someone like that sees reality very highly, and not to mention the effect of the bond he has with Valdris, which leaves to his hand a moderate amount of influence he can exert over Valdris. Everyone has their own personality and the things that make them tick, you just had to press the right one.