Training Grounds - Later That Morning
Ruby was absolutely demolishing the training dummies.
Punching, kicking, snarling under her breath like a damn beast.
Kain found her easily, just followed the sounds of furious violence.
He leaned casually against a tree, arms crossed, watching her.
'God, she was hot when she was angry'
[ Passive Skill: "Appreciation of Chaos" Activated ]
He waited until she paused to catch her breath.
Her chest heaving, face flushed, sweat glistening on her skin, before strolling up behind her.
Real slow.
Real easy.
"Training hard to impress me?" he drawled, voice a lazy purr.
Ruby jumped like she'd been caught doing something illegal.
"I—No!" she snapped, spinning on him, fists up.
But she immediately regretted it because Kain was close.
Too close.
"Careful," he said smoothly, catching one of her wrists.
"You're telegraphing again"
Ruby opened her mouth, probably to cuss him out, but Kain wasn't feeling patient.
Not today.
Instead, he yanked her forward, firm but not rough.
One hand sliding to the small of her back, the other tilting her chin up.
Ruby gasped—
And he kissed her.
Hard.
Hot.
Devouring.
She froze, just for a heartbeat, and then melted against him with a whimper she would deny until her dying breath.
Kain grinned against her mouth, deepening it, savoring how she clutched at his shirt, how her knees almost gave out.
The system blazed:
[ Ruby's Affection: 56% → 65% ]
[ Ruby's Lust: 48% → 62% ]
[ Status Effect: Mind-Numbed ]
It was getting messy, heat sparking off them like wildfire, Ruby practically clawing at him now—
And then.
The door creaked open.
"Hey, Ruby!" Finn's cheerful voice called.
"Coach said you forgot your water—"
Kain and Ruby ripped apart like they'd been shot, both stumbling backward.
Ruby was panting, lips swollen, hair a wreck, looking like she'd just barely survived a tornado.
Kain just wiped his mouth lazily with his thumb, smirking.
Finn blinked at them.
"Wow, you guys look like you've been training really hard!" he said, beaming proudly.
"Good teamwork!"
Ruby made a sound that was 100% pure, undiluted suffering.
Kain shoved his hands casually in his pockets, throwing Ruby a wink before sauntering past her.
He whispered low enough that only she heard:
"Next time, princess, maybe lock the door"
Ruby was too stunned to even punch him.
The system dinged again:
[ Hidden Achievement Unlocked: "Stolen Breath" ]
[ Bonus Skill: "Stealth Make-Out" Learned ]
Later That Day – The Academy Courtyard
Ruby had been avoiding Kain all day.
She was embarrassed, flustered, and worst of all, completely damned by what had happened between them earlier.
But every time she tried to focus, he was there.
That damn smirk.
That damn cocky stride.
He was everywhere.
As if the universe had decided that she needed to be tortured.
Kain was leaning against a stone pillar in the courtyard, casually chatting up three girls at once.
Megan, a tall, athletic blonde with piercing green eyes, was laughing at something he said.
Sarah, the cute redhead from class, was blushing and twirling her hair while looking up at him like he was the sun.
And in the middle of it all, there was Lia, the fiery brunette who had a thing for bad boys.
Her eyes were fixed on Kain like he was a trophy she wanted to take home.
Ruby was watching from a distance, trying to ignore the jealous rage bubbling inside her.
But there was no denying it.
Kain was enjoying this.
The attention.
The power.
The pull he had over every girl in sight.
He was practically wallowing in it.
And then he saw her.
Ruby was standing across the courtyard, arms crossed, looking like she was trying to keep her cool.
Kain's lips curled into a smirk.
"Excuse me, ladies," he said, his voice smooth and commanding.
"I'll be right back. Got a little... unfinished business"
Ruby's heart skipped, but she didn't move.
She just stood there, refusing to give him the satisfaction of seeing her flustered.
He sauntered over to her, making a show of brushing past the other girls with a wink, leaving them giggling and practically fighting over his attention.
Ruby couldn't help the bitter taste that rose in her mouth as she watched them all watch him leave.
She steeled herself, narrowing her eyes at him as he approached.
"You're something," Ruby muttered, trying to keep her tone neutral.
Kain just grinned.
"You look tense," he said, voice dripping with amusement.
"You should relax"
"I'm fine," Ruby snapped, looking away.
"I don't need you—"
"Of course you don't"
His voice was soft, almost a mockery.
"But you want me. You just can't decide whether you want to punch me or… something else"
Ruby glared at him, blood rushing to her face.
Before she could respond, Finn appeared from behind them, his cheerful face lighting up as he caught sight of Ruby.
"Hey, Ruby!" Finn called, waving.
"I was just telling the coach how strong you've been lately. You're really impressing everyone, you know? You're amazing!"
Ruby forced a smile, trying to hide the frustration in her eyes.
"Thanks, Finn," she said, her voice not quite masking the edge.
Kain, meanwhile, leaned against the pillar, arms crossed, watching Finn and Ruby like they were some kind of comedy show.
He let Finn and Ruby exchange a few more words.
Finn was babbling about how proud he was of her, talking about the teamwork they were showing.
Kain, with a casual smirk, walked right up to Ruby and placed a hand on her shoulder, just barely brushing against her skin.
The touch was light.
Almost playful.
But it made her shiver.
"You know, Finn," Kain said loudly, looking at him with that easygoing grin.
"You shouldn't let her fool you. She's got a lot more fire in her than she lets on"
Finn blinked at Kain, not understanding the tension between them at all.
"Yeah! Yeah, Ruby, that's right! You're incredible!" Finn said enthusiastically.
"I'm glad to call her my friend!"
Ruby was already half out of her mind with frustration.
She couldn't understand why Finn couldn't just see it.
She couldn't tell him what she was feeling.
It would be too awkward.
And then Kain did something that made her freeze.
He leaned down, close enough that his breath tickled her ear.
He whispered, low enough for only her to hear:
"Maybe next time, you'll let me show you what I'm really capable of"
Her stomach somersaulted.
He gave her one last playful squeeze of the shoulder and strode off with Finn, chatting like everything was normal.
But Ruby just stood there, mouth dry, heart racing in that confusing mix of anger, longing, and something darker that she refused to acknowledge.
Later That Evening – Ruby's Room
She sat on her bed, staring out the window into the fading light of the setting sun.
It had been hours since Kain had walked away from her with that cocky smile, and yet, she could still feel him.
His hands.
His breath.
His voice in her ear.
Every little touch, every word.
And worse, she could feel her own desire.
That gnawing, aching desire for something she knew she shouldn't want.
But she was distracted because there was Finn, clueless as ever.
He knocked softly at her door and entered with that wide grin of his.
"Hey, Ruby! Just wanted to say... uh... thanks again for the awesome training today. I feel like we're... uh... getting stronger together, huh?"
Ruby smiled at him, even though her heart wasn't in it.
"Of course, Finn. You did great today"
He beamed, completely oblivious to the war that was brewing inside her.
He walked closer, sitting beside her on the bed, his hand brushing hers just casually enough for her heart to flutter.
But it didn't last long.
Because Kain had to ruin it.
Outside the door, Kain's voice could be heard, muffled through the wood.
"You know, Finn... if you need some real advice on women, I'm your guy"
Finn blinked, confused.
"Huh? What do you mean?"
Kain's voice dropped, a teasing edge to it.
"Well, you've got to learn how to read the room, my friend. You're trying way too hard with Ruby"
"It's obvious she's not looking at you like that"
Finn opened his mouth to protest, but Kain was already gone.
Ruby sighed, feeling the pang of frustration bubble up again.
The system pinged.
[ Quest Update: Get Ruby to Admit Her Feelings → Progressing ]
[ New Affection Score: 65% → 70% ]
[ New Lust Score: 62% → 75% ]
That Night
The academy had quieted down for the night, the moon casting a pale light through the windows as the halls grew eerily silent.
But Ruby wasn't asleep.
She couldn't.
Not after everything that had happened.
Her mind was racing.
Every touch from Kain.
Every teasing word.
Every look he gave her.
The heat that flared up in her chest when he got too close, the way her pulse quickened at his whispers.
And then there was Finn.
Sweet, oblivious Finn.
He had no idea what was going on in her head.
He was trying so hard, so innocently trying to get close to her, but it just made the tension with Kain worse.
Ruby couldn't get him out of her head.
Not after he'd toyed with her all day, made her feel things she wasn't ready to confront.
She needed to get it out of her system, to know once and for all what was happening between them.
So, she made a decision.
Kain's Room – A Few Minutes Later
Kain had been lounging on his bed, half-drunk on the beer he had earlier.
He didn't have much planned for the night, just a few thoughts to entertain himself with, a few schemes to set into motion.
Until a knock echoed through his door.
He raised an eyebrow, a smirk tugging at his lips.
"No way," he muttered, sliding off the bed and opening the door.
Ruby stood there, her cheeks flushed and her eyes wide with uncertainty.
She wasn't looking at him, but rather at the floor, her hands fidgeting with the hem of her shirt.
"Ruby?"
Kain said, feigning surprise.
"What brings you here at this hour?"
She bit her lip, hesitation flickering across her face.
"I need to talk to you," she murmured, voice soft, almost vulnerable.
"Alone"
Kain's smirk widened, and he stepped aside to let her in.
The moment Ruby crossed the threshold, the tension between them felt tangible.
The air seemed thicker.
Every step she took brought her closer to him, and the sound of her breathing seemed louder, faster.
Ruby shut the door behind her, glancing at him before crossing her arms over her chest, trying to steady herself.
But the heat in her body was undeniable.
"I'm... I'm not sure why I came here," she started, voice shaking slightly, her cheeks still pink.
"I just... I need to understand what's going on between us. I need to know why I'm feeling like this when I shouldn't"
Kain leaned against the desk, watching her with a mix of amusement and curiosity.
"Feeling like what?" he asked, his voice low, teasing.
Ruby's breath hitched.
"You know exactly what I mean," she said, trying to sound confident.
"You've been playing with me all day, and now you're making me feel... things I didn't want to feel"
She clenched her fists, staring him down.
Kain chuckled darkly, stepping closer to her.
His presence seemed to swallow up the space between them.
"Oh, sweetheart," he murmured, his voice dropping an octave, sending a shiver down her spine.
"You don't have to pretend. You want this just as much as I do"
Ruby's pulse spiked at his words.
She opened her mouth to retort, but Kain wasn't done.
Before she could speak, he grabbed her wrist, pulling her closer.
The movement was sudden, and she found herself pressed up against his chest, her breath coming in quick, shallow bursts.
"I don't know why you're fighting it," Kain whispered, his lips brushing against her ear.
"But trust me... you're not fooling anyone. Not even yourself"
Her heart raced, her body trembling, not from fear, but from a burning desire she couldn't ignore.
She wanted to pull away, wanted to escape the intensity of it all, but she couldn't.
She felt herself falling into him, the tension between them electrifying.
Kain chuckled softly, knowing exactly what effect he was having on her.
His hand slid down her arm, fingers grazing her skin just enough to make her gasp.
"Tell me, Ruby," he said softly, his lips hovering near her ear.
"What do you really want?"
Ruby's breathing was erratic now, her body betraying her as she felt a dangerous heat coil in her stomach.
She closed her eyes, struggling to suppress the feeling.
But then Kain's hand moved lower, brushing against the side of her waist.
He barely touched her, but it was enough to set her nerves ablaze.
"I... I don't know," she whispered, her voice barely audible.
Kain grinned, his lips finally pressing against hers.
It was soft at first.
A brush of lips that sent fire coursing through her veins.
But then, as her body responded, as the heat between them grew, Kain deepened the kiss, his hands sliding around her waist, pulling her closer.
Ruby's heart pounded in her chest as she kissed him back, her mind losing focus as his lips moved with a ferocity she wasn't prepared for.
But just as quickly as it had started, the kiss broke.
Both of them were breathing heavily, their lips parted just enough to allow their breaths to mingle.
Before she could react, the sound of a door creaking open echoed through the room.
"Ruby?" Finn's voice called out, full of confusion and concern.
"I couldn't find you in your room. Is everything okay?"
Ruby's heart sank, and she pulled away from Kain in a panic.
Kain stood still, smirking as he watched Finn walk into the room, oblivious to what had just transpired.
Ruby, still breathless, turned to Finn with a weak smile.
"I... I'm fine," she said quickly, her voice strained.
"Just... thinking"
Finn, completely clueless, grinned at them both.
"Okay, well, I just wanted to make sure everything's alright. You know... with all the stress of the match and stuff"
Ruby nodded, barely able to focus on Finn.
Her mind was still reeling from what had just happened.
Finn was oblivious.
Completely oblivious to the heat, to the passion that had just passed between Ruby and Kain.
Kain, on the other hand, was smirking like the cat who ate the canary.
He stepped back, leaning casually against the desk again as he met Finn's gaze.
"Don't worry about it, Finn," Kain said, voice dripping with sarcasm.
"We're just talking. Right, Ruby?"
Ruby clenched her fists, trying to ignore the mess of emotions tearing her apart.
But deep down, she knew something had changed tonight.
Kain had just made sure she couldn't forget.
And once again, the System Ping:
[ New Affection Score: 70% → 90% ]
[ New Lust Score: 75 → 85% ]
[ Ruby's Heart: Conflicted ×2 ]
The Next Day – Lunch in the Academy Dining Hall
The dining hall was filled with students, the usual chatter and clatter of trays echoing off the walls.
Ruby sat alone at her usual corner table, staring blankly at her food.
She wasn't hungry.
Her mind was still caught up in the events from last night.
Kain's unexpected kiss, the way his hands had felt on her body.
She couldn't get his smirk out of her head, and it made her feel... conflicted.
She was jolted from her thoughts by the sound of the door opening.
Ruby glanced up, her heart skipping a beat when she saw Finn and Kain walking in, trays in hand.
Finn was his usual self.
Smiling, cheerful, completely unaware of the undercurrent of tension that followed Kain.
Kain, on the other hand, had that unmistakable cocky air about him, his gaze flicking briefly toward Ruby before he moved to sit next to Finn.
"Let's sit with Ruby," Kain said, his voice casual but with an edge to it.
Ruby swallowed hard as Kain's eyes landed on her again.
Finn, ever the optimist, was quick to agree.
"Sure, let's join her!" he said, smiling brightly.
As they made their way over to her table, Ruby suddenly felt a rush of nerves.
She forced a smile, trying to act normal.
"Hey, Ruby," Finn greeted her warmly as he sat down across from her.
"You don't mind if we sit here, do you?"
She hesitated for a moment, feeling the pressure in the air.
"No, it's fine," she replied, her voice quieter than usual.
Kain slid into the seat next to her, close enough that she could feel the heat radiating off his body.
She tried not to look at him, but the sense of his presence was impossible to ignore.
For a while, the conversation flowed around her.
Finn was talking animatedly about their classes, but Ruby wasn't listening.
Her mind kept drifting back to Kain.
The way he'd touched her, his teasing words...
She couldn't shake the feeling that things between them had changed in a way she didn't fully understand.
Then, unexpectedly, Finn looked at her seriously, his smile faltering slightly.
"Ruby," he began, his voice suddenly a lot more cautious than usual.
"I've been thinking... and I need to tell you something"
Ruby blinked, caught off guard.
"What is it, Finn?"
Finn took a deep breath, his usual carefree demeanor replaced by something more serious.
"I... I like you, Ruby," he said, his words slow and deliberate.
"I've liked you for a while now. More than just a friend"
Ruby's eyes widened, and her heart skipped a beat.
She wasn't sure how to respond, her mind racing.
"What do you mean?" she whispered, unsure if she had heard him right.
"I mean," Finn continued, his gaze steady on her, "I like you a lot. I... I want to be with you"
His voice was earnest, almost desperate, as he reached for her hand, but hesitated before actually touching her.
Ruby's breath hitched in her throat.
Her mind was a whirlwind of conflicting emotions.
She didn't know what to say.
She hadn't expected this.
Not from Finn, not after everything with Kain.
Before she could respond, Kain's lazy drawl cut through the tension.
"Are you going to say something, or are you just going to sit there and stare?"
He leaned back in his chair, smirking like he owned the room, completely at ease while the air around them turned heavy.
Ruby turned toward him, her face flushing.
"Kain—" she started, but he interrupted smoothly.
"Why don't you answer him, Ruby?"
He teased, voice soaked in mockery and amusement.
"You've already made your choice, haven't you?"
Ruby's heart thudded painfully in her chest.
She glanced between Finn and Kain, the weight of her decision nearly crushing her.
She knew what she wanted... even if her heart screamed otherwise.
Slowly, painfully, she turned back to Finn.
"I... I like you too, Finn," she whispered, guilt strangling every word.
"A-and I want us to be a c-couple"
Her voice trembled, but Finn didn't seem to notice.
His face lit up with pure relief, his hand tightening around hers, full of naive joy.
"I'm so glad you feel the same!" he said brightly.
Ruby forced a smile, trying to ignore the guilt clawing at her insides.
But she couldn't bring herself to meet Kain's eyes.
Couldn't face the warmth he left burning inside her.
Couldn't explain why it hurt so much to say those words.
Kain, meanwhile, stayed silent, like a predator waiting for the perfect moment.
The smirk never left his face.
After a long moment, he spoke, voice velvet-smooth and smug.
"Guess I didn't need to ask," he said, biting into a piece of fruit with casual indifference.
His eyes never left her.
"Don't worry," he added, smiling wickedly.
"I can wait"
Ruby's heart twisted painfully.
She wanted to scream at him, slap that infuriating smirk off his face, but she couldn't.
Not with Finn clinging to her so happily.
"I'm really happy, Ruby. I've been waiting for this for so long," Finn said, squeezing her hand again.
She nodded, mechanically, feeling like she was watching herself from far away.
Meanwhile, Kain just watched.
Enjoying it.
Feeding off it.
Finally, Kain lifted his glass lazily and tapped it against Ruby's.
"Cheers to your new relationship," he said, voice dripping with something almost cruel.
Ruby's stomach twisted again.
Everything about Kain felt dangerous, intoxicating, and worst of all, inevitable.
But she had made her choice.
She had to stick with it.
"I guess... we're a couple now," she said, voice hollow.
Finn beamed like he had won the lottery.
"Yeah, we are!"
System Ping:
[ Ruby's Affection: 90% → 95% ]
[ Ruby's Lust: 85% → 90% ]
[ Ruby's Heart: Conflicted ×3 ]
[ New Status Effect: Emotional Turmoil ×2 ]
Kain licked his lips slowly, savoring the chaos.
'This is going to be fun'
Later, during Class / Magical Training
Kain found himself surrounded by a sea of women, each one vying to be his study partner.
He raised his hands lazily.
"Ladies, please," he said with a devilish grin.
"There's plenty of me to go around"
He barely spared Ruby another glance.
If she thought he'd chase after her like some lovesick fool, she was dead wrong.
Instead, he turned his full attention to the swarm of girls gathering around him in class.
Laughing, joking, and flirting without a care in the world.
Every sweet smile he gave them.
Every playful wink.
Every casual touch.
It was deliberate.
He didn't miss the way Ruby's shoulders tensed, how her fingers curled slightly at her side.
He didn't miss the way Finn, noticing her falter, tightened his hold on her hand possessively.
Kain's smirk deepened.
'Cling to her all you want, little hero. You're just holding my prize for me'
He tilted his head back, laughing at something one of the girls whispered in his ear.
His gaze, though, flickered toward Ruby for just a second —
Hot, knowing, cruel.
And Ruby?
She looked away immediately, her heart twisting painfully in her chest.
But Finn didn't notice.
Of course, he didn't.
He was too busy basking in the glow of what he thought was victory.
Kain, meanwhile, was patient.
Oh, so patient.
He knew how to play this game.
He wasn't going to rush.
He was going to make her come to him.
Begging.
Burning.
Crying his name.
He licked his lips slowly, savoring the thought.
Already imagining how sweet her fall would be.
And for now?
He'd keep smiling, keep flirting, keep ignoring her—
Letting the cracks in her heart grow deeper all on their own.
Night
The dorm halls were quiet, save for the occasional creak of wood or distant chatter.
Finn, grinning widely, knocked on Kain's door, Ruby nervously at his side.
"I figured we could invite him out for a drink! Y'know, celebrate!"
He said cheerfully, squeezing Ruby's hand.
Ruby forced a smile, her heart oddly tight in her chest.
Maybe… maybe if they all hung out, things wouldn't feel so awkward anymore.
Maybe she could forget the way Kain had ignored her all day.
Another knock.
No answer.
Finn shrugged, about to try again when—
Thump.
A muffled groan slipped through the door.
Not a groan of pain.
A groan of pleasure.
Finn froze, blinking.
Ruby's face went pale.
Before they could react, the door cracked open.
Kain stood there, shirtless, a lazy, dangerous smirk tugging at his lips.
Behind him, in the dim room, the outline of two girls sprawled across his bed was unmistakable.
Their bare shoulders peeking out from tangled sheets, their flushed faces half-hidden by the pillows.
Ruby's heart stopped.
"Sorry, dude," Kain drawled, running a hand through his messy hair.
"I'm a bit busy"
His eyes, dark, glinting, amused, slid over Ruby's stunned face like he barely even recognized her.
Like she was just another face in the crowd.
Finn coughed awkwardly, scratching the back of his neck.
"O-oh! Uh, s-sorry, man! We'll just—"
He grabbed Ruby's hand and practically dragged her away from the door, laughing nervously.
Ruby didn't laugh.
She didn't even breathe.
She just stared straight ahead, feeling like she was going to be sick.
Back inside, Kain chuckled to himself, kicking the door shut without another word.
He turned back to the girls waiting for him, his blood simmering with victory.
Let her think about it all night.
Let her squirm.
Let her wonder why she's not the one lying in his bed right now.
He didn't need to chase her.
She would come to him.
Broken, desperate, needy.
Just like he wanted.