The buzz of the city's late-night chaos echoed faintly through the thin walls of Elias's room. He sat at the edge of his bed, staring down at the silver watch. It no longer looked just like a watch—it shimmered faintly in the dark, the ticking almost like whispers threading through the air.
New Task: Sleep with someone out of your league. Time remaining: 72 hours.
What kind of messed up system is this? Elias thought.
But then he remembered Julian's laugh. The look in Scarlett's eyes. The way people suddenly noticed him—how the shift had already begun. The watch wasn't just magic. It was a twisted mirror of reality. A path forged by pain, temptation, and cruel opportunity.
He didn't have time to think too much about it. By morning, the campus was already buzzing. Elias had made it into the school gossip pages—an anonymous blog that exposed drama, hookups, betrayals, and confessions. And there it was, right on top:
> "Who was the mystery guy with Scarlett last night? New money? New sponsor? Or new obsession?"
The comments were brutal. Jealous boys, salty girls, thirsty onlookers. Some even mentioned his name. One said he used to mop floors in the IT department. Another swore he begged for leftover fries at Burger Boss near the back gate.
Scarlett didn't comment. But she posted a photo from the party—her hand resting on Elias's shoulder. No caption.
By the time Elias reached campus, the whispers had multiplied. Some girls gave him long looks. Some boys sneered. A few influencers followed him on social media. But the ones who noticed him the most… were the ones who used to ignore him completely.
Including her.
Her name was Anika Blaze.
Campus beauty. Number 5 in the Top 15 Campus Queens list. Host of a livestream channel with over 2.3 million followers. Rich, untouchable, and infamously savage.
She wore a cream backless dress to class like it was a casual hoodie. Gold chains, red nails, sharp eyebrows. Her walk made silence. Her rejection rate was a meme.
And she had just slipped him a look. One that lasted a second too long.
"Hey," she said, catching him outside the commerce block near the fountain where all the rich kids sat between lectures. Her voice was smooth, but bored. "You're Elias, right?"
Elias turned. "Yeah."
"You were with Scarlett last night."
"I was."
She tilted her head. "You know, I watched your little edit. Not bad. A bit desperate, but catchy."
He smiled. "Thanks. You're not bad yourself."
That caught her. "Excuse me?"
"I mean—your channel. I've seen it. Fake, but catchy."
Silence.
Then she smiled. And it wasn't fake.
"Touché," she whispered. "Come to the Wraith House tonight. I'm streaming a night challenge. I could use someone… interesting."
Before he could reply, she walked away, hips swaying, her friends gasping and whispering.
Wraith House. One of the five elite dorm mansions on the upper hills of campus. Owned by billionaires. Only top-tier students or influencers ever got invited there.
Elias could feel it already.
The task had begun.
---
That night, the mansion was glowing.
Lights draped down like vines of fire. Supercars lined the gates. Loud bass thundered through the walls. Girls in silk. Boys in suits. Influencers doing push-up challenges for cameras. Half-naked dares on balconies. Bottles popping every second. Screams. Kisses. Chaos.
And there, in the heart of it all—Anika Blaze.
She wore a blood-red crop top, matching skirt, and heels sharp enough to kill. She waved at him like they'd known each other for years. He stepped into a den of desire, jealousy, and hidden cameras.
"Ready for the challenge?" she asked, a mic clipped to her top. "Tonight's game is One Night Questions. You answer. You drink. Or you kiss."
Elias grinned. "What if I do all three?"
She laughed. "Then you're not as boring as you look."
The stream began. The room filled with students—some familiar, some infamous. One of them was Melvin, the finance prodigy. Another was Cassie, the art girl who painted nude bodies with gold. Then there was Jay, the closeted athlete who hooked up with rich boys in secret. Campus rumors were all real here—this house was proof.
Round after round, Elias kept up. Witty answers. Sharp dares. One kiss. Two. Laughter. Tension. Sweat. The watch pulsed on his wrist, silently approving.
Then the final round.
"Elias," Anika said, moving closer. "Last question. What would you do to sleep with someone completely out of your league?"
Silence.
Everyone watched.
Elias stood, walked over, leaned close.
"I'd make her forget anyone else existed," he said, voice low. "And I'd do it without saying another word."
The room gasped.
Anika stared.
Then she stood. Took his hand. Pulled him upstairs.
---
They entered a black room with only moonlight dripping through silk curtains. The bed was massive. Velvet. Gold-framed.
She sat on the edge. Crossed her legs.
"Are you trying to complete some twisted dream, Elias?"
He didn't blink. "Maybe."
"Then show me."
He did.
It wasn't gentle. It wasn't romantic. It was fire and fury, teeth and tongue, shadows and heat. It was desperation wrapped in lust. A boy becoming a storm, and a queen letting herself drown in it.
---
When it was over, the watch glowed.
Task Complete.
Reward: Unlocked—Social Aura: Level 1.
New Task: Seduce a staff member within 96 hours.
Elias lay beside her, chest rising. The room still echoing with moans and shadows.
Anika lit a cigarette. "Who are you really?"
He looked at the watch. Then at her.
"Someone worth remembering."