Chapter 14: White Stockings, Boots, and the Princess

Chapter 14: White Stockings, Boots, and the Princess

The sky was bright and blue, dotted with fluffy clouds. A soft breeze carried away the lingering summer heat.

The air buzzed with activity, filled with the chatter and laughter of countless girls.

Shia walked with the flow of the crowd, heading toward the freshman ceremony.

As he moved, his fingers absentmindedly played with the simple silver ring on his hand. Its dull sheen and unremarkable design made it appear like an ordinary trinket, even poorly maintained.

Yet, with his subtle motions, the Charm Ring released invisible ripples of energy, projecting a virtual interface that only Shia could see.

On the screen, a single name was recorded: Ella.

Next to her name was a progress bar, mostly empty but partially filled—a mere 5%.

[Taming Progress]

It was just a small start, but it marked progress nonetheless.

This was the true power of the Charm Ring.

Once the taming progress reached 80%, absolute loyalty was guaranteed. The target would be completely devoted to him.

That was Shia's true goal.

Sure, bullying "bad women" was entertaining, but his ultimate aim was to tame them—mind, body, and soul.

In a chaotic world like this, individual strength wasn't enough. Influence and alliances were just as critical.

When the Twilight Empress plunged the land into war and the Demon Race brought devastation, having a loyal faction under his control would be the key to survival and power.

And who better to recruit than these "bad women"? They were easy targets, and he didn't feel guilty about it.

If the story didn't claim them, he might as well.

They could serve their true purpose and reduce his burden of sin.

But taming them required more than just the Charm Ring. The artifact was only an aid, not a cheat code.

Before it was fully unsealed, its effects were limited and superficial.

For example, it had no effect on a protagonist like Lilith. Her innate "plot armor" and protagonist buffs made her immune to its influence.

Even against side characters like Tia and Ella, the ring's effects were slow and subtle, like boiling a frog in warm water.

Any reckless moves could trigger a bad ending.

How did Shia know all this?

Hard-earned experience from countless failed playthroughs, of course.

It painted a grim picture: if he couldn't even handle supporting characters, what chance did he have with the main heroines?

Still, Shia was confident. He didn't need the Charm Ring to handle Lilith. She'd bend to his will eventually.

Absolutely confident.

---

The freshmen wore identical uniforms—sailor tops with short skirts and stockings. Yet each girl found her own way to stand out, subtly showcasing their unique charm.

Shia stood amidst the crowd, his gaze wandering casually. He was looking for a certain succubus princess, all while admiring the scenery of youthful beauty around him.

Who wouldn't enjoy the sight of so many cute girls?

---

Suddenly, a clear, aristocratic voice echoed through the microphone, commanding the crowd's attention.

"Hello?"

It was only a sound check, but it immediately drew every gaze toward the stage.

On the platform stood a girl with shimmering silver hair that glowed under the sunlight. Her slender, shapely legs were wrapped in white stockings that hinted at a soft fullness, and knee-high white boots added an air of elegance and authority.

Though her uniform was identical to everyone else's, her noble demeanor made her shine like a beacon.

Violet, the princess of the Silver Moon Kingdom, stood tall, her expression calm and composed.

The murmurs began almost instantly.

"Who is that? She's stunning."

"You don't know her? She's the star of our freshman class!"

"Yeah, I heard she's the princess of the Silver Moon Kingdom."

"Silver Moon Kingdom? Where's that?"

"I'm not sure. It's a small nation, I think? But she's a 'princess'! Do you even know how valuable that title is? She smashed records during the entrance exam. Even before classes started, the professors were fighting to recruit her."

"No way…"

Violet heard the whispers but didn't react, her confidence unwavering. She was proud of her talent and achievements.

It took only an instant, a single sound, for her to become the center of attention.

"Good morning, teachers and fellow students. I'm Violet, your freshman representative."

Her self-introduction was succinct, devoid of unnecessary details about her glowing achievements. She didn't need to boast—her excellence spoke for itself.

Some people were born to stand in the spotlight, admired and pursued by all.

Violet may not have been born that way, but she was determined to make herself such a figure.

As she stood on the stage, clad in her white stockings and boots, her poise and elegance turned her into the undisputed focal point of the crowd.

"It is an honor to serve as the freshman representative and speak on this important occasion."

Her voice was steady, her pace deliberate. Her composure only heightened the admiration of the crowd.

Violet's gaze swept across the audience. She saw the awe and adoration in the students' eyes and the satisfaction in the faces of the faculty.

Everyone's attention was on her, their emotions guided by her words.

She was the standard to aspire to, the brightest among the students.

But then her gaze faltered.

Amidst the sea of admiring faces, one stood out—a boy with dark hair and a calm, indifferent demeanor.

His head was slightly bowed, his features barely visible from the distance. His upright posture and detached air set him apart from everyone else.

While all eyes were on her, his weren't.

It annoyed her.

Violet frowned slightly, a flicker of displeasure crossing her composed face.

He wasn't looking at her?

For someone as exceptional as her, this was unacceptable. She was meant to be admired by everyone—'everyone'.

How dare he ignore her?

Who was he? What was he looking at? What was he thinking?

She couldn't shake the unsettling thought: 'Did I not do enough? Was I not perfect?'

It was baffling. What kind of boy could resist the allure of white stockings and boots?

Her best friend had assured her that no one could.

Unintentionally, Violet found herself fixating on this strange, indifferent boy.