**Chapter 49: The Poisoned Chalice**

The Lunar Ring Station loomed like a barbed crown around the moon's pale surface, its docking bays bristling with Celestial League insignias. Ibukun watched through the shuttle's viewport, his expression unreadable.

Nyx sat across from him, her gold-threaded dress hugging every curve, her fingers idly spinning a vial of shimmering liquid between them. **"First day jitters?"** she asked, her voice smooth as poisoned honey.

Ibukun said nothing.

The System's scan had already run its analysis.

**>> SUBSTANCE DETECTED: NEURO-COMPLIANCE SERUM

>> EFFECTS: GRADUAL NEURAL REPROGRAMMING (LONG-TERM SUGGESTIBILITY +78%)

>> ORIGIN: BLACK MARKET PSYCHOTROPIC (CLASS 12 RESTRICTED)

>> WARNING: HOSTILE INTENT CONFIRMED <<**

He had expected betrayal. Just not this soon.

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### **The Welcome**

Celestial League veterans lined the training complex tunnel like wolves circling prey. Darius Voidstep, his bionic arm gleaming, smirked as Ibukun passed.

**"Obsidian Throne's golden boy,"** he drawled. **"Let's see how golden you are after *this*."**

A hidden console beeped. The gravity spiked without warning.

Ibukun's knees buckled—just slightly. Enough to sell the illusion.

**>> GRAVITY SPIKE: 5X STANDARD

>> COUNTERMEASURES: QI REINFORCEMENT (DISGUISED AS STRAIN) <<**

He gritted his teeth, forcing himself to move sluggishly.

Nyx watched from the shadows, her golden eyes unblinking.

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### **The Training Gauntlet**

They put him through hell:

- **Zero-gravity dribbling** with EM-pulse disruptors

- **Sonic-scrambled passing drills** that left his ears bleeding

- **"Friendly" sparring** where veterans fouled with clinical precision

Ibukun played the part—skilled but *just* human enough. When a sneak elbow cracked his ribs, he let the pain show.

**>> INJURY DETECTED: MINOR FRACTURE

>> INTERNAL QI REDISTRIBUTION ENGAGED (HIDDEN) <<**

Nyx's vial weighed heavy in his pocket.

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### **The Trap Sprung**

That night, she came to him.

**"You'll need this tomorrow,"** she murmured, pressing the vial into his palm. **"The fitness tests scan *everything*."**

Ibukun held it up to the light, feigning curiosity. **"What's in it?"**

**"Proprietary blend,"** she lied smoothly. **"Qi stabilizers. Neural buffers."**

The System's warnings flared crimson:

**>> LIE DETECTED

>> PRIMARY COMPOUND: NANITE-BASED COGNITIVE SUPPRESSANTS

>> LONG-TERM EFFECTS: VOLITIONAL OVERRIDE <<**

He pocketed it with a nod. **"Thanks."**

Nyx smiled, mistaking his calm for trust.

---

### **The Countermove**

The moment she left, Ibukun crushed the vial underfoot.

**>> NEURO-SERUM NEUTRALIZED <<**

Jay-Jay's hologram flickered to life. *"She's trying to *own* you!"*

Ibukun stared at the glittering residue. **"I know."**

He pulled up Nyx's contract on his wrist-display, highlighting Clause 7.3 again.

**>> CONFIRMED: DATA RIGHTS INCLUDE NEURAL MAPPING ACCESS <<**

She wasn't just his agent.

She was a thief.

And he would let her steal—*just* enough to hang herself.

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### **The Promise**

At dawn, Ibukun stood before the mirror, adjusting his training gear.

**"System,"** he murmured. **"Begin covert countermeasures."**

**>> COUNTER-INTELLIGENCE PROTOCOLS ENGAGED <<

>> OBJECTIVE: FEED FALSE DATA TO NYX'S MONITORING SYSTEMS

>> LONG-TERM GOAL: ESTABLISH DOMINANCE OVER USER: NYX <<**

He would play her game.

But the rules?

Those would be *his*.

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