Chapter 10: Amusements

The morning sun filtered through the tall windows of the academy, casting long golden streaks across the polished marble floors. Cain Ashford, the academy's most reluctant prodigy, stood in the shadow of a towering statue, his mind racing. He had a new plan, a brilliant plan.

Avoid Victoria at all costs.

"If I'm not there, she can't find me," he muttered to himself, nodding as if to reassure his own logic.

It was a solid plan. Simple. Effective. Foolproof.

Too bad the universe hated him.

Just as he took his first confident step toward the library, a place he was certain Victoria would never venture a familiar chime echoed in his mind.

[System Notice: "New Passive Skill Unlocked: Predator's Attraction!"]

Cain froze mid-step, his blood running cold.

"...I don't like that name," he said, his voice trembling slightly.

The system, as always, was unbothered by his discomfort.

[Effect: The stronger the pursuer's obsession, the easier they will find you.]

Cain's eye twitched.

"I REALLY don't like that name."

He turned the corner, hoping against hope that this was some kind of cruel joke. But there she was Victoria, leaning casually against the wall, her crimson eyes gleaming with predatory delight.

"Cain~" she purred, her voice dripping with a mix of amusement and menace.

Cain's heart skipped a beat. He spun on his heel, ready to bolt in the opposite direction, only to find Victoria standing there as well.

"HOW?!" he screamed, his voice cracking in panic.

Victoria tilted her head, a sly smile playing on her lips.

"Instinct."

Cain's soul nearly left his body. He groaned, slumping against the wall in defeat.

"Even the system is against me."

High above the academy grounds, perched on the edge of a rooftop, three figures observed Cain's desperate escape attempts with varying degrees of amusement.

Selene, the ever calm and composed leader of their little faction, stood with her arms folded, her silver hair shimmering in the sunlight. Beside her, Ravena leaned casually against a gargoyle, her sharp grin betraying her delight at Cain's suffering. Lyra, the most empathetic of the trio, sighed as she watched Cain dart around like a cornered animal.

"Should we tell him that his own power is making her find him faster?" Ravena asked, her voice laced with mock innocence.

Lyra shook her head, her expression a mix of pity and exasperation.

"He wouldn't believe us."

Selene's lips curved into a faint smile.

"Let him suffer a little longer."

Ravena chuckled, her golden eyes glinting with mischief.

"Agreed."

The three of them continued to watch as Cain's frantic movements grew increasingly erratic, their laughter echoing softly in the crisp morning air.

After what felt like an eternity of running, Cain finally found refuge in an abandoned training hall. The room was dimly lit, the air thick with dust and the faint scent of old wood. He leaned against the wall, his chest heaving as he tried to catch his breath.

"Finally Safe," he whispered, closing his eyes in relief.

But the universe, it seemed, wasn't done with him yet.

Footsteps.

Cain's eyes snapped open, his body tensing as the sound grew louder.

"No. No way," he muttered, his voice barely above a whisper.

He turned slowly, his heart pounding in his chest, only to find himself face to face with a group of masked figures. They stood in perfect formation, their movements eerily synchronized. The leader stepped forward, his voice cold and commanding.

"Cain Ashford. You have been chosen."

Cain blinked, his mind struggling to process the situation.

"Chosen for what?" he asked, his voice tinged with both confusion and dread.

The masked figures didn't answer. Instead, they attacked.

Cain's body moved before his mind could catch up. He dodged the first strike with ease, his instincts taking over. He countered with a swift punch, but at the last second, he hesitated.

"Wait—!" he shouted, realizing too late the danger of unleashing his power.

But it was no use. His power flared, a brilliant burst of energy erupting from his body. A single shockwave rippled through the room, sending the masked figures crashing into the walls. The training hall fell silent, the only sound the faint crackling of energy dissipating in the air.

Cain stared at his hands, his breath coming in short, panicked gasps.

"…Crap."

In a hidden chamber deep beneath the academy, a group of hooded figures gathered around a crystal screen. The image of Cain's power erupting in the training hall flickered across its surface, casting an eerie glow over the room.

The first figure, his voice low and gravelly, broke the silence.

"He is waking up."

The second figure, a woman with a sharp, angular face, sneered.

"Then we strike now."

The first figure chuckled, a sound that sent shivers down the spines of the others.

"No. Let him awaken fully, we would get useful information from him."

The crystal dimmed, the image of Cain fading into darkness. The trap was set.

Cain returned to his dorm that evening, his body aching and his mind exhausted. He collapsed onto his bed, staring up at the ceiling as the system's chime echoed in his mind once more.

[System Notice: "Event Progress: 80%"]

Cain groaned, covering his face with his hands.

"I hate this."

A knock at the door shattered the fragile peace. Cain froze, his blood turning to ice.

"Cain~" Victoria's voice sang from the other side.

His soul left his body. He glanced at the window, blocked. Hiding? Pointless.

The door flew open with a resounding crash, and there she stood, her grin wide and her eyes gleaming with excitement.

"Training time!" she declared, cracking her knuckles.

Cain screamed internally.

The universe, it seemed, had a cruel sense of humor.