The Lust System: Hunt beyond worlds
Chapter 45: YOU WANT TO BE A MAGE

Chapter 45 - YOU WANT TO BE A MAGE

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[Aric's POV]

Out of the corner of my eye, a soft-blue digital clock floated midair:

> 1:59... 1:58...

The effect was ticking. Instant Attraction had locked onto her.

Her name—Nora Bennett—was already burned into my mind.

Level 12. Earth Mage. Two stars.

Stronger than me. Smarter than me.

But right now?

Vulnerable.

I couldn't waste time. I stepped forward through the crowd with energy in my voice and light in my eyes.

> "Hello, ma'am!"

I reached out and gently grabbed her hand.

She flinched slightly, caught off guard, her face confused—but she didn't pull away.

> "I've always wanted to become a mage," I said breathlessly. "And you're a two-star mage! Please—can I have some tips?"

Her cheeks flushed. I could see it happening in real time—like heat rising behind her ears.

Her expression flickered between confusion and embarrassment. My skill was twisting her senses, making her lower her guard without even knowing why.

> "O-Oh... tips?" she stuttered, her voice softer than before.

I nodded eagerly, making sure my voice sounded young, excited, helpless.

> "Yes! Please!"

She smiled a little—still unsure why—but her tone softened.

> "Well... uh... practice. A lot. Meditation helps. Helps you feel mana flow. Y-You know..."

> "I'm Aric!" I added quickly. "Really glad I met you!"

> "O-Oh. Hello, Aric..."

"So you want to be a mage?"

I nodded, stepping a bit closer. The crowd moved around us, but I felt like I was pulling her into a bubble—just the two of us.

> "Yes! I've wanted to for years."

> "Then... try meditation, like I said. Every day. Morning and night. It helps you... connect to your core."

Her voice was still shaky, like she wasn't sure what she was saying. Her body language was mixed—nervous and warm.

And I?

I was watching the countdown tick.

> 0:30... 0:29...

I closed the distance between us even more. She didn't back away.

I wrapped my arms around her in a sudden hug.

Tight. Warm. Intentional.

> "Thank you, ma'am. I'll work really hard! For real."

She stiffened at first, then let her arms hover awkwardly before lightly resting her hands on my back.

> "N-No worries..."

Her voice was so small.

> 0:10... 0:09...

And then—I activated it.

> [Skill: Slave Will – Activated]

Target: Nora Bennett

Contact Confirmed. Bond Initiated.

In my mind, the system chimed:

> [Slave Will: 50%]

I let go of her casually, acting as if nothing happened, but I was already grinning inside.

Fifty percent.

That was a crack.

And from here, I would turn it into a fracture. Then into a break. Then into complete submission.

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[Nora's POV]

She hated crowds. She always had. But today, she'd needed to restock her herbs.

Fumas was louder than usual.

Children ran past. Men bargained aggressively. And as she walked, her boot suddenly caught something—someone.

> "Oof—!"

She stumbled forward and barely caught herself.

> "No... no no, shit—was that a noblewoman?"

Nora's heart pounded. Her eyes darted up—and yes. It was.

A richly dressed noblewoman now glaring down at her with burning eyes.

> "How dare you—"

> "I-I'm sorry!" Nora bowed deeply, quickly. "I didn't mean to! Forgive me, ma'am!"

There was a strange chill that shot up her spine then. Like a prickle. A whisper.

The noblewoman stopped. Looked her up and down.

Her eyes paused—on the Mage Emblem. Two silver stars.

Nora saw her pride get swallowed.

The noblewoman walked away.

Nora exhaled slowly.

> "Hah... Today's a lucky day, I guess..."

She straightened up, feeling relieved—until her eyes caught someone.

A boy. A young man, not older than his early twenties, wearing simple traveler clothes.

He wasn't flashy. He wasn't rich.

But something about him—

His smile.

His presence.

Her heart skipped.

> "What... what is this...?"

He walked toward her, smiling.

And spoke with excitement, like a child meeting their hero.

> "I've always wanted to be a mage! Can you give me tips?"

She blinked. What was this sudden softness in her chest?

> "O-Oh... okay, sure... tips..."

Her words stumbled out of her mouth without thought. Her mind felt foggy, like part of her had already decided to trust him.

His voice was full of admiration.

> "My name's Aric."

Even his name sounded gentle. Comforting.

Why did she feel like she had to respond?

Why did her cheeks feel warm?

Why couldn't she look away?

They talked. She gave advice. It was automatic.

And then—

He hugged her.

Without warning.

Tight. Firm. Real.

Her brain froze for a second. Her hands trembled before she touched his back lightly, instinctively.

> "T-Thank you, ma'am."

> "No worries," she whispered.

But something inside her shifted.

A flicker. A thread. A tug.

Like part of her wanted to obey him.

To listen.

To please.

She didn't know where the feeling came from—but it lingered, even as he stepped away and smiled.

But even as she stood still... her heart beat faster. Her thoughts raced.

> "Aric..."

She said his name without realizing it.

Something had changed.

And she didn't know what.

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