The university library towered like a cathedral of silence and secrets. Warm afternoon light filtered through tall windows, spilling across endless rows of ancient tomes, whispering knowledge from ages past. But Charles wasn't here for knowledge.
He was here for Isabella Vance.
The system pulsed in his mind like a radar, homing in on her presence.
> [Target Locked: Isabella Vance – Sync Potential: High] [Trait Preview: "Virgin Ice Queen" / "Secret Exhibitionist"] [Warning: Interference Signature Detected – Rogue User Nearby]
Charles moved like a shadow between the aisles. A few students glanced at him, but no one paid close attention. His presence had become... magnetic. The more Sync progressed, the more invisible the rules of normal life became.
He spotted her in the west wing, third floor — right where Lust Sync predicted.
Isabella sat near a towering window, back straight, posture flawless, her platinum-blonde hair cascading over her shoulders like strands of silk. A porcelain doll in the flesh. Her designer uniform blouse hugged her curves tightly, just a fraction too tight to be regulation, and her legs—barely hidden beneath a navy pleated skirt—were crossed with practiced elegance.
She was typing something on her laptop, surrounded by books she wasn't really reading.
> [Arousal Level: 14% – Mild Boredom, Repressed Curiosity] [Emotional Block: High Pride / Social Pressure] [New Optional Objective: Breach Her Public Persona Without Causing Scene]
Charles took a slow breath and approached, his smile relaxed, casual. The predator cloaked in charm.
"You look bored out of your mind," he said softly.
Isabella glanced up. Her icy blue eyes locked with his—and narrowed.
"Excuse me?"
"I said you look like you're dying inside. Which means this is either homework or some family obligation."
She stared at him flatly. "Do I know you?"
"No," Charles said, dropping into the seat across from her, "but you will."
There was a flicker in her eyes—disdain, then surprise, then something else.
Amusement?
> [Arousal Spike: +3% – "Unexpected Boldness Detected"] [Sub-Trait Unlocked: "Craves Disruption"]
Isabella tilted her head slightly. "Let me guess. You're one of those arrogant scholarship cases who thinks confidence makes up for lack of breeding."
Charles leaned in. "And you're one of those glass princesses waiting for someone brave enough to knock on the walls of your little tower."
That earned the smallest twitch of her lips.
Progress.
"I don't play games," she said.
"Neither do I. Not unless the stakes are worth it."
> [Passive Aura: Attraction Build-up – Active] [New Passive Activated: "Tease Threshold" – Raises Desire in Reserved Targets Through Verbal Pressure]
He let the silence stretch, watching her shift slightly in her chair. Her fingers paused over her laptop keys. Her thighs pressed together subtly.
"You know what your problem is?" Charles asked.
"I'm sure you'll tell me."
"You've never been allowed to want something for yourself. It's all image. Status. Daddy's politics. Mommy's rules. So now you fake it."
She narrowed her eyes again. But this time, she didn't respond.
He smirked.
> [Emotional Crack Forming – Persona Weakening] [Command Word 'Submit' Primed – 64% Effective] [Warning: Second Signature Detected – Interference at 32% Range]
Suddenly, his pulse spiked. The system flared red.
> [System Alert: Interference Rising] [Attempting Lock-on to Unknown Signal…]
"Something wrong?" Isabella asked.
Charles shook his head, forcing calm. "Not yet."
She stood abruptly, gathering her books. "Walk with me," she said, voice sharp but uncertain.
> [Arousal: 28% – Curiosity High / Control Slipping]
They left the library together, her heels clicking quickly against the polished floors as she led him toward the secluded garden patio behind the west dormitories. It was a known private space—few used it.
Once they were alone, she turned.
"You don't talk like the others."
"That's because I'm not trying to win points. I'm trying to see you."
Her breath hitched.
"You think you can read me?"
He stepped close, close enough to brush her arm with his.
"I already am."
His hand reached up, brushing a loose strand of hair from her cheek. She didn't flinch. Instead, she tilted her face into his touch.
> [Command Word Effective – Say 'Submit' to Activate Sync Bond]
But Charles didn't rush it. No, she wasn't the kind to obey because of words.
She needed permission to lose control.
He leaned in, lips inches from hers. "Tell me what you want, Isabella."
She stared at him, trembling slightly, lips parted.
"I want to stop pretending."
There it was.
> [Trait Unlocked: Hidden Exhibitionist – "Desires to Be Seen Losing Control"] [Bonus Objective: Public Sync (Hidden) – Optional]
Charles didn't hesitate. He pushed her gently against the ivy-covered wall, capturing her lips in a searing kiss. She gasped, then returned it, hands clutching his shirt, body arching against his.
She tasted like danger and vanilla, fire wrapped in ice.
> [Arousal: 74% – Rapid Climb] [Bonus Ability Unlocked: Public Pulse – Briefly Hide Physical Reactions from Non-Targets]
Her breath came fast as his hands slid beneath her skirt, finding silk and heat.
"Do you want to stop me?" he whispered.
She shook her head furiously. "No. Don't stop. Just… take it."
He kissed her neck, biting lightly, feeling her hips buck against him.
> [Sync Initiated – Bond Level 1: Isabella Vance] [Emotion: Shame + Desire Fusion Detected – High Instability] [Effect: Mind Shatter Risk – First Orgasm Will Permanently Bind Emotional Attachment]
Charles held her tighter as she began to tremble, biting her lip to keep quiet as the waves built.
Then—
> [New Alert: SYNC OVERRIDE ATTEMPTED] [Rogue Signature Engaged on Isabella Vance]
Charles's vision blurred.
> [Message Incoming: "She was supposed to be mine."]
He froze.
"What…?" Isabella looked up at him, dazed and flushed. "What's wrong?"
> [System Hijack Prevention Activated] [Force Bond Stabilized – Countermeasure Unlocked: "Claim Mark"]
Charles didn't think. He kissed her again—harder this time—his fingers sliding along the nape of her neck as his thumb pressed behind her ear.
> [Claim Mark Activated – Isabella Bound to Charles] [System Integrity Holding at 87%]
She moaned into his mouth, the final wave crashing through her.
Then… silence.
The rogue signal vanished.
Isabella slumped into his chest, panting, her voice weak. "What was that? What did you do to me?"
Charles held her, but his eyes were scanning the empty garden.
He wasn't alone in this game anymore.
> [New Objective Added: Locate Rogue Sync User Before They Strike Again] [Next Target: Transfer Student Arriving Tomorrow – Identity Unknown] [System Warning: Lust Sync Evolution Accelerating]
Charles looked down at the girl in his arms—the once untouchable princess, now clinging to him, lips swollen, thighs trembling.
And then, without warning, the system whispered one last message:
> "The rogue is not alone. They're building a harem of their own."
His heart pounded.
The war had just escalated. And Charles wasn't the only player on the board.