Chapter 9: Continuous Taunts

The morning sun filtered through the tall, arched windows of the academy, casting long golden beams across the polished marble floors.

Students bustled through the hallways, their chatter echoing off the high ceilings.

Cain, however, was not among the lively crowd. He had made it his mission to remain as inconspicuous as possible.

He sat in the farthest corner of the cafeteria, his back pressed against the cold stone wall, his hood pulled low over his face.

His tray held a modest breakfast a slice of bread, a boiled egg, and a cup of lukewarm tea. He kept his head down, his eyes darting occasionally to the entrance, scanning for any sign of her.

"If I just lay low, she'll get bored and move on," he thought, clutching his cup of tea. It was a reasonable plan. A logical one.

Too bad it was already doomed to fail.

The moment he lifted his cup to take a sip—

*SLAM!*

The tray hit the table with a deafening clatter, and Cain nearly choked on his tea. He looked up, his heart sinking as he met a pair of gleaming golden eyes.

Victoria, the academy's most notorious noblewoman and self-proclaimed huntress, had found him. Again.

She plopped down across from him, her crimson hair cascading over her shoulders like a fiery waterfall.

Her lips curled into a mischievous grin as she leaned forward, resting her chin on her palm.

"Cain~" she purred, her voice dripping with amusement.

Cain's grip on his cup tightened. SHE FOUND ME ALREADY?! he screamed internally. Outwardly, he forced a smile, though it looked more like a grimace.

"I'm not avoiding you," he lied, his voice strained. "You're just… very hard to miss."

Victoria's smirk widened. "Good. That means you won't forget me."

Cain ignored the whispers of the nearby students, who were already casting curious glances their way.

He cleared his throat, trying to steer the conversation away from whatever dangerous territory Victoria was leading him into.

"Listen, about yesterday—" he began, but Victoria cut him off by grabbing his wrist. Her grip was firm, her fingers warm against his skin.

"You awakened something in me, Cain," she said, her voice low and intense.

Cain yanked his hand back, his cheeks flushing. "I REALLY don't want to know what."

Victoria sighed dreamily, her golden eyes sparkling with excitement. "That power… the way you moved… it's exhilarating."

Cain tried to stand up, but Victoria was faster. She shifted her weight, blocking his path with effortless grace.

"Let's spar again," she demanded, her tone leaving no room for argument.

"No," Cain replied flatly.

"A duel, then?" she pressed, undeterred.

"Still no."

"Then a—"

Cain sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Victoria, do you do anything other than fight?"

Victoria tilted her head, actually considering the question. After a moment, she shrugged. "No."

Cain groaned. "Of course you don't."

Cain managed to escape for now. He slipped into an empty hallway, leaning against the cool stone wall as he let out a long, relieved sigh.

"Alright," he muttered to himself. "As long as I stay out of sight, she'll—"

[New Event Triggered: "Fated Clash – The Red Demon's Obsession!"]

Cain's eye twitched. "Oh, come on."

He turned the corner, hoping to put as much distance between himself and Victoria as possible, only to collide headfirst into a soft yet muscular figure.

"Oof," he grunted, stumbling backward. Strong arms wrapped around him instinctively, steadying him before he could fall.

His face was buried in something warm and firm(boobs), a fact that registered a second too late.

"…Wait."

A dangerous chuckle rumbled above him. Cain looked up, his stomach sinking as he met Victoria's gleaming golden eyes.

"Cain," she said, her voice dripping with amusement.

Cain slowly backed away, his hands raised in a placating gesture. "We really have to stop meeting like this."

Victoria's grin widened. "No. Let's meet like this more."

Cain shuddered. "I need to escape."

He turned to run, but Victoria was faster. She grabbed his arm with practiced ease, her grip like iron, and before he could react, she tossed him over her shoulder.

"Wha—" Cain's protest was cut short as he hit the ground with a loud crash, the impact knocking the air out of his lungs.

The students passing by paused, their eyes widening as they took in the scene.

"…Did she just suplex him?" one whispered.

"Bro, that was brutal," another muttered.

"Wait, why does she look… excited?" a third added, pointing at Victoria's triumphant grin.

Cain groaned, his body aching as he lay sprawled on the floor. He raised a finger weakly, his voice barely above a whisper. "I would like to formally request a restraining order."

Victoria leaned down, her face inches from his. "I accept. But only if you fight me again."

Cain sighed, closing his eyes. "I am so tired."

From the academy's upper floors, Selene observed the scene below with a smirk. Her sharp violet eyes followed Cain's every move, her expression one of mild amusement.

Lyra stood beside her, her arms crossed over her chest. Her silver hair glinted in the sunlight, and her icy blue eyes were narrowed in disapproval.

"Why aren't we stopping this?" Lyra asked, her voice laced with irritation.

Selene chuckled, her gaze never leaving Cain. "Because this is hilarious."

Ravena, perched on the windowsill, snickered. "And informative. Cain's instincts are resurfacing. He dodged half of Victoria's blows without even trying."

Lyra frowned, her lips pressing into a thin line. "But he still refuses to accept it."

Selene's smile faded slightly, her expression growing more serious. "He will. Soon."

Elsewhere, in a dimly lit room hidden deep within the academy's labyrinthine corridors, a hooded figure sat before a crystal screen.

The footage replayed Cain's battle with Victoria, his power surging as he unleashed a devastating blow.

A distorted voice broke the silence. "The Tyrant's successor is waking up."

A second figure, cloaked in shadows, scoffed. "Then we should kill him before he does."

Silence stretched between them, heavy and tense. Then, a low chuckle.

"No. Let him awaken further. Then he will be useful."

The crystal dimmed, the screen going dark. The plan had begun.

Cain collapsed into his dorm bed, his body aching from the day's events. The System's notification flashed before his eyes, a constant reminder of his predicament.

[System notice: Event Progress at 50%]

Cain groaned, burying his face in his pillow. "I hate everything."

A knock on his door interrupted his moment of despair. He didn't move, hoping whoever it was would go away.

Another knock, more insistent this time. "Cain~"

His soul left his body. "NOPE."

Without a second thought, he jumped out the window, his instincts screaming at him to flee.

[System Response: Escape Attempt Detected.]

Behind him, the door crashed open, and Victoria's voice echoed through the room. "There you are~"

Cain ran for his life, the sound of her laughter chasing him into the night.