The first thing Charles noticed as he stepped into Professor Delilah Rowe's office wasn't the wall of ancient tomes or the looming portraits of past scholars glaring down at him—it was the scent.
Soft and feminine, like lavender and warm parchment. It clung to the air and soaked into his skin, lulling and arousing him all at once.
Delilah sat behind her mahogany desk, legs crossed in a skirt that rode high enough to hint, but not reveal. Her glasses balanced perfectly on the edge of her nose as she peered at him, expression unreadable.
"You came," she said, voice smooth as melted chocolate.
"I'm a curious guy," Charles replied, shutting the door behind him. The click echoed like a gunshot.
> [Environment Secured: Door Locked] [Target Arousal Level: 42% – Rising] [Emotional Repression Detected: High] [Optional Trigger: Break the Wall – Flirt with Intellect]
Delilah rose slowly from her chair, smoothing her blouse. "You're not like the others."
"I've been told," he said with a smirk.
She walked toward him—each step deliberate, heels tapping like a metronome counting down to something inevitable. Her black pencil skirt hugged her hips tightly, and Charles's pulse quickened as Lust Sync flared.
> [Passive Effect Triggered: Charm Aura Lv. 2] [+10 Arousal to Nearby Female Targets] [Command Word 'Obey' Primed – Not Yet Spoken]
"I see potential in you, Charles," she said, brushing imaginary lint off his jacket. "But potential isn't enough. You need... refinement."
Charles leaned in just enough to feel the warmth of her breath.
"I'm very open to new methods of learning."
That earned a flicker of a smile from her. Not shy. Calculated. But beneath it, he could sense it—restraint, tightly coiled.
She walked past him, pulling the blinds closed with a snap. The light in the office dimmed to a soft amber glow.
Then she turned.
"Tell me, Charles... have you ever participated in an experiment?"
> [Sync Level 1 Engaged – Professor Delilah Rowe] [New Ability Detected: "Controlled Passion" – When Released, All Inhibitions Drop for 60 Seconds] [Optional Command Word Available: 'Release']
His grin returned.
"I'm starting to think I signed up for the right class."
She reached into her desk drawer and pulled out two items: a silver stopwatch, and a thin velvet ribbon.
Charles arched an eyebrow. "We timing something?"
Delilah stepped close again, wrapping the ribbon loosely around his wrist. "We're measuring control."
The stopwatch clicked.
Instantly, Lust Sync lit up like a firestorm behind his eyes.
> [Timed Sync Trial Initiated – 60 Seconds to Complete Task] [Task: Break Delilah's Control Without Saying Command Word]
The thrill surged through his body. Charles leaned in, one hand slipping lightly around her waist, his voice brushing her ear.
"You're the most fascinating professor I've ever had," he murmured. "But I have a confession."
Delilah's breath hitched. Just slightly.
"Yes?"
"I don't want control."
She blinked.
"I want to see what you look like when you lose yours."
That crack—barely noticeable—appeared in her armor.
Charles kissed the edge of her jaw, letting the heat between them rise like a tide. She didn't push him away.
> [Target Arousal 63%... 68%... 74%...] [Emotional Wall Cracking] [Command Word 'Release' Charge at 80%]
"You're playing with fire," she whispered.
"Then burn with me."
Her lips crushed into his with surprising hunger, and suddenly, the woman who had stood so cool and composed was clawing at his shirt, nails dragging down his chest. Her breath was ragged, restrained for far too long.
> [Effect: Inhibitor Wall Shattered] [Delilah's Trait Revealed: "Discipline Collapse – Craves Being Broken by Her Students"] [New Ability Acquired: Roleplay Authority – Passive Boost When Subverting Power Dynamics]
She pushed him into the desk with more strength than expected. Her hands gripped his belt, and her eyes glinted with a mix of fury and desire.
"You don't get to top me," she growled.
He smirked. "Then why are you the one losing control?"
Her pupils dilated.
> [Time Remaining: 14 Seconds] [Bonus Task: Do Not Say Command Word – Earn Permanent Trait Access]
Charles cupped her face gently, thumb brushing her flushed cheek. "Let go, Delilah."
"Don't tell me what to—"
He pressed his lips to hers again, deeper this time. When they broke apart, she looked dazed, breathless.
The stopwatch beeped.
Time's up.
> [Sync Complete – Delilah Rowe: Bond Level 1] [Trait Gained: Controlled Passion (Toggle)] [Bonus Success: Permanent Passive – "Authority Unraveled"] [Next Target Suggestion: College Princess – Isabella Vance]
Delilah blinked rapidly, then stepped back, adjusting her glasses with shaking hands. Her chest rose and fell in shallow waves. Her lips were swollen, face flushed.
"You… shouldn't have been able to do that," she said hoarsely.
Charles chuckled. "Maybe you learned something today."
Her fingers tightened on the desk. "You're dangerous."
"I'm motivated."
She took a breath, steadying herself. "This changes everything."
> [New Alert: System Message Incoming]
Lust Sync buzzed sharply. A different kind of energy pulsed through him.
> [ALERT: Unauthorized Scan Detected] [Warning: Another User Has Accessed Lust Sync Parameters] [Tracing Source... Failed] [Message Received: "You're not the only one syncing, Charles. I see you."]
Charles's blood ran cold.
> [System Integrity: 92% – Vulnerable to Exploitation]
"Delilah," he said slowly, eyes narrowing, "is there anyone else in this university working on tech like this?"
She blinked. "Not publicly... but the university has deep research ties. Private contracts. If you're involved in something sensitive, there are people who might take interest."
He clenched his fists. The confidence, the thrill—it all flickered beneath the surface as a shadow passed over his mind.
Another user. Someone else with Lust Sync? Or something worse?
The message replayed in his vision:
> "I see you."
Charles forced a smile as Delilah watched him cautiously. He grabbed his jacket, but not before planting one last kiss on her cheek.
"I'll be seeing you again, Professor."
She swallowed hard, unable to hide her reaction.
But as he stepped into the hallway, Lust Sync buzzed again.
> [New Alert: Target Interference Detected on Next Suggested Sync] [Warning: Isabella Vance is being watched]
Charles looked down the hallway toward the dorms.
Someone was watching his targets.
Someone who knew how Lust Sync worked.
And they weren't playing nice.
> [New Objective: Uncover the Rogue Sync User] [Optional Side Quest: Seduce Isabella Before the Other User Does]
Charles cracked his knuckles, a smirk returning to his lips despite the dread simmering in his gut.
The game was no longer his alone.
Now… it was war.