That Night / Academy Celebration Banquet
The Grand Hall was decorated with banners of gold and crimson, the Academy crest shining proudly at the center.
Long tables overflowed with roasted meats, sweet breads, fresh fruit, and barrels of frothy ale.
At the center table, the heroes of the day sat:
Kain lounged lazily like a king.
Lyla, sitting prim and proper at his side, stealing glances at him with burning eyes.
Finn, practically vibrating with excitement, was holding his "fire sword" in the air while retelling the story for the fiftieth time.
"And then I dashed forward, sword blazing, and blocked the boss's attack while Kain and Lyla were...uh...strategizing!"
Finn beamed.
The nearby students and teachers clapped politely, a few girls sighing at how "brave" Finn sounded.
They clearly hadn't heard the real story.
Kain just chuckled under his breath, sipping his drink like a bored wolf in a flock of sheep.
Meanwhile—
Under the table—
A soft, teasing hand brushed over Kain's thigh.
Lyla.
Her wand was tucked under the tablecloth, hidden.
With every movement, she traced delicate circles higher and higher, her fingers trembling but determined.
She bit her lower lip, pretending to innocently nibble on a strawberry.
Kain shifted slightly in his seat, giving her silent permission.
She took it eagerly.
Finn, still oblivious, leaned over, holding out a mug.
"Cheers, bro! To teamwork!"
Kain clinked his glass lazily against Finn's, masking the smug smirk creeping up his face as Lyla's hidden hand grew bolder.
He leaned down just enough for Lyla to hear him murmur:
"Good girl. Keep going"
She shivered delightfully, her cheeks flaming.
Pressing her thighs together under the table, her heart hammering like a drum.
Finn raised his mug higher.
"To brotherhood!"
Kain raised his mug too, voice rich with hidden amusement.
"To... unforgettable nights"
The music picked up, and students started to dance.
Some even tried pulling Kain into the crowd, but he waved them off coolly.
He had much better entertainment under the table right now.
Minutes passed.
Tension built.
At one point, Lyla almost let out a whimper but caught herself, stuffing a napkin in her mouth to muffle the sound.
Kain, ever the composed bastard, just carried on casual conversation like nothing was happening, occasionally giving Lyla a little affectionate pat under the table to reward her effort.
Finn, meanwhile, was now bragging to a group of wide-eyed girls about "holding the boss at bay."
Eventually, the Academy Headmaster himself stood up, banging a fork against a glass.
"A toast! To Kain, Lyla, and Finn! The youngest trio to ever clear a Rift at A-rank difficulty!"
The hall erupted into cheers.
Finn pumped his fist into the air like an idiot.
Lyla practically melted against Kain under the table, whispering, "Please, Master... more later...?"
Kain simply leaned back in his chair, cocky and calm, eyes glinting with the promise of later punishment.
"Of course," he whispered.
"I'm just getting started with you"
Later That Night / Kain's Room
The heavy door shut behind them with a soft click.
Kain barely had time to turn around before Lyla practically threw herself into his chest, her wand clattering uselessly to the floor.
"Master... please..." she whispered, voice trembling with need.
Her hands fumbled with his coat, desperate, hungry, no hesitation, no shame.
Only lust.
Kain caught her wrists easily, smirking down at her.
"So impatient, little Lyla," he teased, voice dripping with amusement.
"Didn't even wait for my permission"
She whimpered, practically melting under his gaze.
"Punish me..." she breathed.
And so he did.
Properly.
Thoroughly.
The room was filled with the soft sound of rustling sheets, breathless gasps, and Lyla's soft cries of ecstasy, muffled against Kain's chest and lips.
He took his time, savoring every second, rewarding her loyalty with every caress, every kiss, every firm grasp that left her shivering for more.
There was no awkwardness.
No guilt.
Only pure submission and pleasure.
When Kain was finally satisfied, for now, Lyla lay sprawled out, marked with his affection, glowing in the dim candlelight, a blissful, satisfied smile tugging at her lips.
She clung to him even in her sleep.
The Next Morning
Kain awoke feeling refreshed, as he always did.
Another day, another victory.
Meanwhile, Finn, the dumb bastard, was already knocking at the door.
"Kain! Bro! Are you awake?!"
Kain sighed, running a hand through his hair lazily.
From the bed, Lyla peeked out from under the sheets, blushing, but Kain just grinned at her.
"Stay put," he said gently.
She nodded, pulling the covers tighter.
Opening the door, Kain came face-to-face with Finn's wide, eager grin.
"Bro, I was thinking! Since we got all these awesome new weapons—"
Finn practically hugged his useless B-rank sword like a newborn.
"We should totally have a training session! You know, test them out!"
Behind Finn, a few curious students watched, whispering.
Kain, ever the composed devil, gave a lazy shrug.
"Sure, why not?"
Finn pumped his fist in the air.
"Yes! Team Bonding Round Two, baby!"
Kain couldn't help but smirk behind his hand.
'If only you knew'
Training Grounds
The sparring field was busy, students training and sparring, but all eyes turned toward Kain, Lyla, and Finn as they stepped onto the field.
Finn was practically bouncing with excitement.
"Alright, alright, watch this!" he shouted, swinging his flashy, decorative sword like an idiot.
The blade made a cool humming sound.
It looked good.
It sounded good.
It was absolutely pathetic.
Meanwhile—
Kain simply flexed his new SSS-rank gauntlets; they hummed with raw destructive power.
The earth itself seemed to tremble under each movement.
The two squared up.
Finn charged forward, yelling some nonsense about "friendship power"—
And Kain, with one lazy flick of his wrist, blasted Finn into the dirt.
The poor fool lay there groaning, a perfect Finn-shaped crater forming beneath him.
Students gasped, laughed, and quickly pretended they didn't see anything when Kain's lazy red eyes swept over them.
Lyla, sitting primly on the sidelines, kicked her feet back and forth and clapped politely like a proud wife.
Kain stood over Finn, gauntlet still humming.
"You might want to upgrade," Kain said dryly.
Finn, face buried in the dirt, just gave a thumbs-up.
"Y-yeah, bro...awesome...training..."
[ System Notification ]
[ Finn – Friendship (Hopeless Fool) Level: MAX ]
[ Status: Absolutely Clueless ]
After Class / Academy Mess Hall
The afternoon sun bathed the Academy grounds in golden light as students poured into the mess hall, chatting, laughing, and fighting over tables.
Kain, Ruby, and Lyla strolled through the crowd, drawing more than a few stares.
Even more than usual, given the way Lyla clung to Kain's arm and Ruby walked proudly beside him like a queen.
Of course, Kain made the bullshit excuse that close friends often cling to each other so they wouldn't think that the girls were cheating on Finn.
Ruby glanced around, a slight frown on her pretty lips.
"Should we have waited for Finn?" she asked casually.
Kain shrugged.
"We tried. If he's too dumb to keep up, that's on him"
Lyla giggled behind her hand, leaning even closer.
"Maybe he got lost?" she teased.
But when they entered the mess hall proper, they found him, and it was not what they expected.
At one of the far tables, Finn sat laughing awkwardly, scratching the back of his head, cheeks flushed redder than a tomato.
Across from him sat a striking woman.
She had long black hair, sleek and shining like polished obsidian.
Piercing crimson eyes that watched Finn with rare, genuine fondness.
She wore a partially unbuttoned royal knight's uniform, elegant, crisp, and tailored perfectly to her mature curves.
Beatrix Vesper.
A living legend at the Academy, calm, cold, composed.
Known to break bones with a stare alone.
And right now... she was smiling warmly at Finn like he was the most precious thing in the world.
Finn babbled about something dumb (probably swords), swinging his hands around like a drunken bard, and Beatrix simply listened, nodding, an amused little tilt to her lips.
Ruby blinked.
Lyla blinked.
Kain... grinned darkly.
"Well, well," Kain muttered under his breath.
"Didn't think the dumbass had it in him"
Ruby put a hand on her hip, a teasing smirk rising.
"That's Beatrix. I knew her back when I first enrolled," she said softly.
"Always serious... I never saw her look at anyone like that"
Lyla tilted her head, whispering close to Kain's ear, voice dripping mischief:
"Maybe our little Finn's finally growing up"
Kain chuckled.
"Or maybe," he murmured, eyes glinting dangerously.
"He's just lucky enough to have idiots and angels lining up to save him from himself"
Across the hall, Finn burst out laughing at something Beatrix said, nearly falling backward out of his chair.
Beatrix reached out instinctively, catching him by the wrist and steadying him with surprising tenderness.
For a moment, their hands lingered, and Finn actually looked... bashful.
The scene was enough to make nearby students gasp and whisper.
After all—
Beatrix Vesper didn't touch anyone.
Beatrix Vesper didn't smile.
Beatrix Vesper certainly didn't blush while holding hands with a grinning moron.
And yet... here they were.
[ System Notification ]
[ New Character Unlocked: Beatrix Vesper ]
[ Beatrix. Affection Toward Finn: 75% (High) ]
[ Loyalty: 90% (Very High) ]
[ Potential Harem Candidate: ??? (Hidden) ]
Kain couldn't help but laugh as he pushed Ruby and Lyla forward.
"You girls should probably give your boyfriend a nice hug, you know? For giving you two another potential sister in love"
Ruby and Lyla stumbled forward, laughing under their breaths, while Kain leisurely followed behind, hands tucked in his pockets, watching the disaster about to unfold with pure amusement.
Finn, ever the oblivious fool, waved when he spotted them, grinning widely like a golden retriever.
"Hey guys! Over here!" he called, nearly knocking over his cup of water in excitement.
Beatrix, composed as ever, simply glanced up and nodded toward Kain, Ruby, and Lyla.
Her gaze lingered just a fraction longer on Kain, as if sensing something deeper... but dismissing it in favor of focusing on Finn.
Ruby plopped herself down beside Finn with an exaggerated sigh.
"Making new friends without us already, dummy?" she teased, bumping her shoulder against him.
Finn laughed sheepishly.
"Haha, well, you guys were busy and, uh, Bea found me!"
Beatrix's left eye twitched slightly at the nickname, but she didn't correct him.
Lyla slid into the seat on Finn's other side, resting her chin on her hand and giving Beatrix a knowing little smile.
"You must be very patient," she said sweetly, "Finn's... a handful sometimes"
Beatrix chuckled, a low, surprisingly affectionate sound, and gently adjusted Finn's slightly crooked collar.
"I don't mind," she said simply.
"I like taking care of people like him"
Kain bit the inside of his cheek to hold back a grin.
'Oh, this was rich. Delicious, even'
[ System Notification ]
[ Beatrix. Affection Toward Finn: 77% → 80% ]
[ Loyalty: 90% → 92% ]
[ Potential Harem Candidate: Awakening in Progress... ]
Kain almost wanted to clap.
A few moments passed in a weird, oddly cozy silence, Finn happily babbling about their recent Rift clear.
Ruby and Lyla snickering behind their hands, Beatrix listening with that soft, rare smile.
Finally, Finn turned to Kain, eyes shining.
"Hey, Kain! We should do a group training session!"
He slapped his chest proudly.
Kain leaned back in his chair, arms folded behind his head, pretending to think it over.
"Sure, sure," he said lazily.
"Sounds... fun"
Translation: Kain was going to obliterate Finn so badly it would be a public execution.
Ruby and Lyla struggled not to laugh.
Even Beatrix allowed herself a tiny smirk behind her gloved hand.
Finn, the poor idiot, beamed with pride, totally unaware he was about to get steamrolled by an SSS-rank monster wearing a human face.
Training Field / Academy Grounds
The sun dipped lower in the sky, casting long shadows across the Academy training grounds.
Students gathered around the open arena, whispering eagerly.
Rumors had already spread, and the Rift Clearers were about to spar.
Again… but a bit more serious this time.
Kain stood lazily in the center, rolling his shoulders, flexing his SSS-rank gauntlets with a slow, ominous grin.
Across from him stood Finn, proudly holding his shiny B-rank sword.
It gleamed beautifully.
Too bad it was about as useful as a butter knife.
Beatrix, Ruby, and Lyla sat together on a nearby bench, watching with varying degrees of amusement and pity.
"Ready, bro?!" Finn shouted, practically bouncing on his feet.
Kain smirked.
"Sure," he drawled.
"I'll even let you hit me first. Free shot"
The students gasped.
Beatrix frowned slightly.
Ruby and Lyla exchanged evil grins.
Finn grinned, charged forward like an overeager golden retriever, and swung with all his heart.
Clang!
The B-rank sword shattered like cheap glass the instant it hit Kain's gauntlet.
A gust of force rippled outward, knocking Finn flat on his ass in a dazed heap.
The crowd exploded in laughter.
Ruby cackled.
Lyla clapped politely, pretending to be impressed.
Even Beatrix, normally the picture of discipline, covered her mouth to hide a giggle.
Kain just stood there, arms crossed, looking down at Finn like a disappointed older brother.
"You're dead already?"
Finn groaned, dazed.
"I... I think I bruised my soul..."
Kain walked over, leaned down, and, in a rare moment of mercy, hauled Finn up by the back of his collar like a wet kitten.
"Come on. Let's get you a band-aid before you embarrass yourself further"
As they walked back, the System chimed softly in Kain's mind:
[ System Notification ]
[ Beatrix. Affection Toward Kain: +5 (Hidden) ]
[ Beatrix. Affection Toward Finn: 85% → 88% (Very High) ]
[ Potential Harem Candidate: NOT FOR FINN, FOR KAIN. ]
[ Kain has the option to 'steal' Beatrix when the time is right. ]
Kain nearly burst out laughing on the spot.
He covered his mouth with his hand, shoulders shaking with silent amusement.
Oh... this was evil.
So twisted.)
So damn perfect.
Finn, clueless, beamed up at him, his face all scratched and dirty but proud.
"Thanks, bro... Beatrix saw, right? I looked pretty cool... right?"
Kain patted Finn's head condescendingly, ruffling his hair like he would a child.
"Yeah, buddy. You looked... incredible"
Ruby sauntered up, hands behind her back, voice dripping with sarcasm.
"This was rather impressive, don't ya think?"
Lyla leaned down, whispering to Beatrix with an innocent smile:
"Isn't he just so brave~?"
Beatrix blushed faintly, but her eyes were distant, as if she were watching someone else altogether.
Namely, Kain.
Standing there, laughing silently to himself.
Finn, oblivious, just gave a thumbs-up to the girls.
Meanwhile, in Kain's mind, evil plans were already brewing.
He could already see it:
Finn was crying into his hands, heartbroken.
Beatrix was kneeling before Kain, pledging loyalty with flushed cheeks.
Kain chuckled darkly under his breath.
He almost felt bad for the bastard.
Almost.
Training Field - After countless hours of sparring
Finn sat on the bench, battered and bruised but beaming proudly like a dog who just fetched a stick.
Ruby and Lyla approached, arms crossed, tapping their feet with mock impatience.
"You dummy," Ruby sighed, but there was warmth in her voice.
"You're lucky you're cute"
Before Finn could ask what she meant, both Ruby and Lyla leaned in and gave him a quick, tight hug.
One from each side, Ruby pressing into his left shoulder, Lyla into his right.
It lasted only a second or two, the barest minimum "good job, idiot" hug they could muster without dying of embarrassment.
But for Finn?
It might as well have been heaven.
He sat there afterward, stunned, wide-eyed, a goofy smile stretched across his face like he had just been crowned king.
Nearby, Beatrix watched silently.
Her fingers twitched just slightly against her armored skirt.
A flicker of... something passed through her usually unreadable crimson eyes.
Jealousy?
Longing?
Pity?
Whatever it was, it vanished almost instantly, replaced by her usual calm.
She straightened her jacket and walked over, clearing her throat gently.
"If you three are free," she said, voice smooth and formal.
"I would like to treat you to dinner. As a thank you for today"
Ruby raised an eyebrow.
Lyla immediately smiled mischievously.
Kain opened his mouth to politely decline, but Finn grabbed his sleeve in desperation.
"Bro," Finn whispered frantically, pulling him close like they were planning a heist.
"Please. You have to come. I can't survive alone. Two girlfriends and Beatrix?! That's suicide!!"
Kain stared at him.
What an idiot.
What a hilarious, lovable idiot.
Finn's puppy-dog eyes practically shimmered.
It was pitiful.
It was pathetic.
It was glorious!
Kain sighed, smirking lazily.
"Fine," he muttered, shoving his hands in his pockets.
"But you owe me, dumbass"
Finn lit up like a Christmas tree.
"You're the best, bro!!"
Beatrix smiled faintly, the kind of smile that could kill a weaker man on the spot, and turned, leading the way toward the Academy gates.
Ruby and Lyla followed, snickering quietly.
Finn bounced along between them, blissfully unaware that Kain was already plotting ten different ways to turn the dinner into utter chaos.
After all...
If Beatrix was going to be stolen...
He might as well enjoy the slow destruction of Finn's blissful ignorance.
And Kain?
Oh, he was going to enjoy it immensely.
Outside the Academy / Small Restaurant Patio
The dinner setting was almost too perfect.
A cozy little restaurant just off the Academy grounds, lit by soft golden lamps.
The breeze was warm.
The food smelled amazing.
And somehow… somehow, Finn had gotten a table between Ruby and Lyla, while Beatrix sat directly across from him.
The setup was ideal for Kain.
Perfect for sabotage.
Perfect for chaos.
If it weren't for one tiny, devastating flaw:
Beatrix was genuinely, deeply fond of Finn.
Like a proud older sister.
Like a budding crush.
Like a disaster for Kain's schemes.
Kain leaned back in his chair lazily, sipping water as he observed the battlefield.
His target sat prim and proper, slicing her meal with elegant, practiced motions.
Her long, black hair framed her sharp, beautiful face perfectly.
Kain struck first, a light, confident compliment, casual and sharp:
"You know, Beatrix," Kain said smoothly.
"I always thought the Royal Knights were terrifying, but seeing you like this... you're almost cute"
Most of the other girls in the academy would've stumbled.
Blushed.
Maybe even giggled.
But Beatrix?
She didn't even blink.
Instead, she glanced up calmly, eyes gleaming with amusement, and said:
"Careful, Kain. If you flirt too much, I might tear you apart"
She said it completely seriously.
Yet somehow, her hand slid across the table, not toward Kain, but lightly brushing Finn's knuckles as she smiled softly at him.
Finn, poor dumb Finn, turned scarlet.
Nearly dropped his fork.
Ruby and Lyla both leaned in immediately, perfectly on cue, eyes narrowing at Beatrix.
"Our Finn," Ruby said sweetly, voice dripping with mock venom.
"Is very delicate"
"Extremely delicate," Lyla added, pouting as she clung to Finn's arm.
Finn looked between them, panicked, flustered, and absolutely radiating joy inside.
The dumb bastard thought he was the luckiest man alive.
He wasn't.
He just didn't realize it yet.
Kain tried a different angle.
Subtle.
Deadly.
"So, Beatrix," Kain said.
"You're single, right? No secret fiancés? No admirers hiding under your bed?"
A dangerous question.
The type that was meant to stir hidden emotions.
Make her fluster.
Make her hesitate.
Beatrix only tilted her head thoughtfully.
"I have no fiancé," she said, smiling faintly.
"But I do have someone I care about deeply"
She looked straight at Finn.
Direct.
Unwavering.
Obvious.
Finn, still recovering from the earlier attacks, didn't even realize it.
He just smiled awkwardly and stabbed a dumpling with his fork.
"Wow, lucky guy," Finn said cheerfully.
He was the guy.
Kain nearly choked on his drink.
Ruby and Lyla both covered their mouths to hide their laughter.
The night went on.
Kain kept trying.
Complimenting Beatrix's strength?
She smiled and said Finn was stronger than he knew.
Asking about her ideal man?
She casually described Finn without naming him.
Bringing up relationships?
She kept circling back to Finn's kindness.
Every arrow Kain shot, Beatrix effortlessly deflected.
Not even realizing she was doing it.
She was too focused on Finn.
Only Finn.
Meanwhile, Ruby and Lyla kept feeding the fire, pretending to glare, pouting, clinging to Finn, whispering fake threats into his ear.
Finn's face was permanently red.
His grin stretched so wide it looked painful.
He was in heaven and completely unaware he was being protected like a dumb golden retriever surrounded by rabid wolves.
As they finished dessert, Kain leaned forward, giving it one last go.
One last deadly shot.
"You know, Beatrix," he said, voice low and dangerous.
"If you ever get tired of babysitting idiots..."
He flashed a devil-may-care grin.
"...there's always room at my side"
The tension snapped.
Finn looked up, confused.
Ruby and Lyla pretended to gasp.
Students at nearby tables even turned to listen.
Beatrix set down her fork.
Rose slowly from her chair.
Her crimson eyes blazed, not with anger, but with a terrifying, elegant finality.
She placed a hand lightly on Finn's head, ruffling his hair.
Smiled fondly.
And said sweetly, loud enough for everyone to hear:
"Why would I ever leave someone I want to protect forever?"
Kain leaned back, defeated.
For now.
Ruby and Lyla hugged Finn tightly from both sides again, whispering fake jealous curses.
Finn laughed nervously, his soul floating somewhere above the clouds.
The dumbass didn't even realize he had just survived a full assault from Kain "Heartbreaker" Crowhurst.
Kain chuckled darkly to himself.
He couldn't break her tonight.
Kain's Dorm / Late Night
The room was dimly lit, only the soft red glow of a dying ember in the ashtray keeping it from total darkness.
Kain sat alone at his desk, one hand lazily twirling a cigarette between his fingers.
The window was cracked open, letting the night air breathe through the room.
On the bed behind him, Ruby and Lyla lay asleep, their bodies curled against the warm sheets, faces peaceful.
Completely spent.
They had worked hard tonight.
Very, very hard.
Kain took a long drag of his cigarette, letting the smoke curl lazily from his lips.
The night's failure, if he could call it that, replayed in his mind.
Beatrix.
So blindingly affectionate.
So impossibly fixated on Finn.
Even with all of Kain's skill, all his experience, every trick in the book.
She hadn't budged.
And yet...
[ System Notification ]
[ Beatrix. Affection Toward Kain: 5% → 10 % ]
[ Beatrix. Affection Toward Finn: 85% → 88% (Very High) ]
[ Loyalty: 92% → 95% (Very High) ]
"Heh. Not bad... for one day, but her loyalty to him is rather high"
He flicked the ash into the tray, leaned back in his chair.
Was he discouraged?
Hell no.
He was Kain Rei Crowhurst.
Every girl in the academy's dream man.
His words were so sweet that even monsters would fall to their knees for him.
He was the complete package, so if anything, the challenge made the blood in his veins run hotter.
He turned his head slightly, glancing back at the bed.
Ruby clung to the blanket, her white hair spilling like silk across the pillow.
Lyla had curled herself partly on top of Ruby, their breathing soft, even.
Their cheeks were still faintly flushed from earlier.
A small, genuine smile, rare and hidden, crossed Kain's lips.
Job well done.
Girls are well-loved.
Future battles ahead.
He snuffed out the cigarette, stripped down lazily, and crawled between Ruby and Lyla.
The warmth of their bodies pressed against his sides almost immediately.
Without hesitation, they moved instinctively, Lyla throwing a leg over his hip, Ruby burrowing into his shoulder.
Kain closed his eyes.
Beatrix.
Her laughter.
Her playful touches toward Finn.
Her fierce gaze.
Finn's idiotic, blissful, completely undeserving grin.
Kain chuckled again under his breath, this time softer.
"I'm not gonna yield," he whispered into the darkness.
"No matter how stupid that bastard is"
Sleep finally took him.
Deep, easy, confident sleep.
The battle was lost today.
Tomorrow, the war will continue.
And Kain Rei Crowhurst never lost wars.