The Morning of the Practice Date
Kain stood in the courtyard, tossing a silver coin lazily between his fingers.
Ruby and Lyla stood before him, arms crossed.
"You want us to... kidnap Finn for the day?" Ruby said, smirking.
"Not kidnap," Kain said, grinning wide.
"Just... occupy"
Lyla giggled, catching on fast.
"Got it. Leave the fool to us"
Ruby cracked her knuckles, grinning wildly.
"Finn won't even know the world exists after we're done with him"
The deal sealed, the two girls sauntered off in the direction of Finn's dorm.
Kain watched them leave, satisfaction blooming in his chest.
No Finn.
No distractions.
Today...
Was all about Beatrix.
Kain's Dorm
He stood before the mirror, adjusting his black button-up shirt, sleeves rolled just enough to show off lean muscle.
He pulled a dark crimson vest over it, letting it hug his frame perfectly.
His silver pendant caught the light.
Hair slightly tousled.
The collar was teasingly loose.
Dark pants fitted perfectly to his long legs.
[ System Notification: LOOK Stat increased! Current Level: 45 ]
Kain smirked at his reflection.
"Let's see you survive this, Beatrix"
He grabbed his jacket and headed for the meeting spot, the gardens behind the academy, where roses bloomed like spilled blood under the afternoon sun.
Garden / The Practice Date Begins
Beatrix was already waiting.
She wore a simple sundress, plain white with small blue flowers, looking awkward and stiff in it, like she didn't know what to do with her hands.
Her face turned crimson the second she spotted him.
Her mouth opened.
Closed.
Opened again.
"You... you look..." she stammered.
Kain tilted his head innocently.
"Handsome?" he offered casually.
Beatrix's ears turned bright red.
She clenched her fists at her sides, trying to maintain the tough persona she always wore.
"...Y-Yeah," she muttered.
Too easy.
Kain offered his arm.
"Shall we?"
She hesitated for a moment.
Then, stiff as a board, she slipped her hand into the crook of his elbow.
It was like shocking a deer.
Beatrix practically vibrated with nervous energy.
Kain smiled warmly down at her, the very picture of patience and kindness.
"So," he said gently, "on a real date, what's the first thing you'd do?"
Beatrix swallowed hard.
"...Uhh... m-make sure he's comfortable?"
"Good answer," Kain praised, steering them slowly through the flowered pathways.
As they walked, he asked easy questions:
What were her favorite foods?
What kinds of things made her smile?
Has she ever been to a festival before?
Each time, Beatrix answered more shyly, more awkwardly, her cheeks a permanent shade of pink.
And each time Kain responded warmly, attentively, smiling as if he were absolutely fascinated by every clumsy word that spilled from her lips.
'She was falling faster than he even expected'
[ System Notification: Beatrix's Affection toward Kain has increased! ]
[ Affection: 50% → 55% ]
Kain hid his grin behind a soft laugh.
At one point, a soft breeze kicked up, tugging at her hair.
Without thinking, Kain reached out, tucking a stray lock behind her ear with slow, deliberate fingers.
Beatrix froze.
Then, trembling slightly, she looked up at him with wide, shining eyes.
Kain's smile turned almost... tender.
'She's practically trembling in my hand'
'Perfect'
Later / Sunset Over the Gardens
They sat beneath a tree, watching the sky bleed into deep orange and gold.
Beatrix sat close.
Too close.
Their shoulders brushed.
Every time it happened, she blushed deeper, stealing little glances at him when she thought he wasn't looking.
Kain decided to end it perfectly.
He turned slightly, meeting her gaze head-on.
"Beatrix," he said, voice low, almost vulnerable.
"You're stronger than you think"
She sucked in a shaky breath.
"Really...?"
He nodded, smiling softly.
"And... whoever wins your heart... is going to be the luckiest idiot in the world"
Beatrix clutched the fabric of her dress tightly in her fists.
Tears pricked the edges of her eyes, overwhelmed, confused, emotional.
She shook her head rapidly.
"I-I don't deserve someone like Finn... or someone like you..." she whispered.
Kain reached out, cupping her cheek lightly.
"Don't say that"
[ System Notification: Beatrix's loyalty to Finn wavers... ]
[ System Notification: Affection toward Kain: Rising ]
[ Affection: 55% → 60% ]
Kain leaned back smoothly, withdrawing his hand with a warm smile, as if he hadn't just shattered a piece of her heart and rebuilt it in his image.
"Come on," he said, standing and offering her his hand.
"I'll walk you back"
Beatrix stared up at him, lip trembling slightly.
Then, slowly, she placed her hand in his.
The trap was set.
The seeds were planted.
The wolf had entered the fold.
Next Day / Academy Courtyard
The sun was high, and the students were buzzing like bees around the grounds.
Finn, poor, oblivious Finn was finally back, laughing loudly as Ruby and Lyla clung to his arms, keeping him far, far away.
Kain?
He was the very picture of calm confidence, standing near the center fountain, chatting with another girl.
A noble's daughter, pretty, polished, and laughing at every sly comment he made.
Kain's white hair shimmered in the light.
His smile, sharp and warm, cut through the crowd like a blade.
He was charming, effortless, untouchable.
[ Passive Skill Activated: Forbidden Fruit ]
[ Targets of Affection will experience a heightened emotional response when seeing Kain desired by others ]
Kain felt the shift even before he turned his head.
Beatrix stood across the courtyard, frozen mid-step, her books clutched to her chest.
Her eyes, wide, betrayed, locked onto him.
Her fingers curled into fists.
Her chest tightened painfully.
"Why does it hurt...?"
"I have Finn... I'm supposed to be happy..."
Beatrix bit her lip until it almost bled.
But the jealousy, the burning, ugly, clawing jealousy, was already poisoning her veins.
Every soft laugh the other girl gave Kain was a dagger.
Every slight lean toward him was a chain tightening around Beatrix's heart.
And Kain?
The bloody bastard saw it all.
His eyes flicked toward her, just a split second, and in that moment, he smirked.
Not obviously.
Not cruelly.
Just a soft, subtle twitch at the corner of his mouth.
A private smile.
A message only Beatrix could see.
"I see you, little knight"
"I know you're breaking inside"
Beatrix's face flushed hot, shame, anger, and confusion swirling like a storm inside her.
She turned away sharply, almost dropping her books.
Her breathing was uneven.
Her heart screamed.
"I shouldn't care. I shouldn't care. I shouldn't—"
But she did.
Oh, she did.
And Kain watched her walk away, his hands slipping casually into his pockets, as the noble girl beside him prattled on uselessly.
Inside, he was laughing.
Laughing at how easy it was.
Laughing at how she didn't even know she was already slipping.
Laughing because another crack had formed in her loyalty to Finn.
Later / Beatrix's Room
Beatrix sat on the edge of her bed, hands pressed tightly over her chest.
Tears pricked her eyes.
"Why...? Why him...?"
"I love Finn. I... I have to love Finn..."
She thought about the practice date.
The way Kain's hand had brushed her cheek.
The soft strength in his voice.
The way he looked at her, like she mattered.
Unlike Finn, who was always busy, distracted, and joking around.
Beatrix hated herself for thinking it.
She buried her face in her hands and sobbed quietly, heart breaking into pieces, she didn't know how to hold anymore.
And Kain, far away, sitting in his room with the moonlight bathing his face, smiled to himself in the dark.
"Piece by piece, little knight"
"You'll crumble right into my hands"
[ System Notification: Affection toward Kain: Rising ]
[ Affection: 60% → 65% ]
[ System: Beatrix's Loyalty to Finn has dropped! ]
[ Loyalty: 30% → 25% ( Low) ]
Later That Week / Training Field
The sun blazed overhead, the field echoing with grunts, the clash of wood against wood, the thudding sound of fists striking training dummies.
Finn laughed, sweaty, out of breath, waving at Kain after another brutal spar.
"Oi! Kain! Let's grab food later, bro! Ruby and Lyla say it's on them!"
Kain wiped his blade clean, giving a lazy wave in return.
"Sure. I'll catch up"
Finn jogged off toward the mess hall, completely oblivious.
Kain, however, wasn't alone.
Beatrix lingered by the shade of a tree, armored lightly today, hair loose around her shoulders, a subtle pink dusting her cheeks.
She looked... conflicted.
Shy.
Eager.
She fidgeted, then hurried forward before she could lose her nerve.
"Kain...!"
He turned, cocking an eyebrow in that lazy, devil-may-care way that made her heart lurch painfully.
She clutched the strap of her training bag tighter, steeling herself.
"W-Would you... maybe... want to go out again? Another practice date?"
Kain tilted his head.
"Practice date?"
Beatrix flushed deeper.
"I... I thought maybe... a movie this time. A... a romantic one. To, um... g-get used to... emotions and stuff...! For Finn!"
Poor girl. Even she didn't believe her own excuse.
Kain's lips curled into a smile.
Soft.
Patient.
He stepped closer, lowering his voice so only she could hear, keeping the casual distance that made it seem harmless.
"Of course, Beatrix"
"Anything to help you… get used to love"
"How about tomorrow evening? Is that good?"
Her eyes widened, a storm of feelings flashing behind them.
Guilt.
Excitement.
Fear.
But she nodded anyway, almost desperately, clutching onto him like a lifeline she didn't understand.
[ System Notification: Affection toward Kain: Rising ]
[ Affection: 65% → 72% ]
[ Loyalty to Finn: 25% → 19% (Critical Low) ]
'Perfect! A bit more…'
Night / Kain's Room
Kain leaned back against his chair, tossing a dagger up and down lazily.
Ruby watched him with mild amusement.
"You're really going to go through with this?"
Kain's eyes gleamed.
"A broken heart clings to whoever's kind to it"
He caught the dagger midair without even looking.
Second Practice Date / Evening
The air was warm, buzzing with the energy of the town.
Lanterns lit the cobbled streets, and couples wandered hand-in-hand under the faint glow.
Beatrix stood nervously near the fountain, wearing a simple white blouse and a flowing skirt, nothing extravagant, but it made her look painfully adorable in a way that gnawed at her own self-esteem.
She tugged the hem of her blouse.
"J-Just a practice date... for Finn... Just practice...!"
Then she saw him.
Kain.
God help her.
He looked... devastating.
A black button-up, sleeves rolled up to his forearms, the first two buttons undone, revealing just the hint of collarbone.
Simple black pants, clean boots, nothing too flashy.
But it was the confidence that radiated off him, the lazy, predatory smile that turned her knees into water.
Beatrix nearly dropped her purse.
"S-Sorry for making you wait!!"
She blurted, practically bowing.
Kain chuckled lightly, stepping forward, offering his arm.
"Shall we, Lady Beatrix?"
Her face ignited as she shyly slipped her hand into the crook of his arm.
Movie Theater
The lights dimmed.
Soft music played.
The tragic couple on screen whispered sweet words, kissed under moonlight, and fought desperately against fate.
And Beatrix…
She wasn't watching the movie.
Not really.
Her eyes kept drifting sideways.
To Kain.
To his relaxed posture.
His slight smirk whenever the couple said something cringy.
The way he rested his chin on his hand, almost looking bored.
It hurt.
It physically hurts.
She wanted him to look at her.
She wanted him to whisper sweet words.
And the realization made her clutch her seat harder.
'What's wrong with me...? I have Finn…'
'I have Finn! I... I love Finn... right?'
'...Then why does it feel so empty?'
The main character died on screen, the girl sobbing over his body, but Beatrix didn't cry for them.
She cried inside for herself.
Outside the Theater
Kain stretched lazily.
"Pretty sad movie, huh?"
Beatrix hugged herself, her voice small.
"I... I didn't like it"
He looked at her eyes more softly, pretending to be a concerned friend.
He reached out and so gently tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
The move was natural.
Easy.
Like he'd done it a thousand times before.
Beatrix froze, heart hammering in her chest like a war drum.
She looked up at him, and for a moment.
Just a moment —
She almost leaned in.
Almost.
Kain's smirk twitched, cruel, knowing.
He didn't move.
He let her battle herself.
And when she didn't close the gap, when she pulled back, cheeks aflame, guilt tearing her apart.
He just chuckled warmly.
"You'll get there, Beatrix"
"Love takes practice, after all"
Beatrix stared at him, wide-eyed, hurting, confused.
And completely unaware of the system screaming in the background.
[ System Notification: Affection toward Kain: Rising ]
[ Affection: 72% → 80% (Danger Zone) ]
[ System: Loyalty to Finn has dropped!! ]
[ Loyalty: 19% → 12% (CRITICAL) ]
Following Day — Training Grounds
The sun beat down on the worn dirt arena.
Finn, ever the idiot, was grinning ear-to-ear, waving around a practice sword, trying to challenge Kain to a sparring match.
Ruby and Lyla, bless them, kept dragging Finn away with various "urgent missions" (like chasing a cat, finding a "mystery snack," or guarding a puddle from imaginary enemies).
Meanwhile...
Beatrix stood at the edge of the field, clutching her sword tightly, watching Kain from afar.
Every movement he made was graceful.
Effortless.
Beautiful.
Every smile he gave to Ruby or Lyla, teasing, casual, sent a sharp pain through her chest.
'Why does it hurt?'
'Why do I want him to look at me instead?'
Later / Kain's Room
A gentle knock.
Kain, polishing a dagger casually, smirked.
He already knew.
"Come in," he called, voice smooth like silk.
Beatrix peeked inside, cheeks pink, hands wringing the hem of her tunic nervously.
"C-Can I talk to you...?"
He set the dagger down, motioned lazily to the chair across from him.
"Always"
She shuffled in, sat, but couldn't meet his eyes.
Silence stretched, unbearably heavy.
Finally, she blurted, voice cracking:
"C-Can we... Have another practice date?"
Kain tilted his head slightly, pretending surprise.
"Another? Didn't think you liked them that much"
He was laughing internally.
Beatrix fidgeted, twisting her fingers together.
"I-I just... I wanna be better for Finn... I think…"
"But when I'm with you, it feels... easier"
'Oh, how sweet. How tragic'
Kain leaned forward slightly, dropping his voice to a low, intimate rumble.
"Where do you want me to take you, Beatrix?"
She gulped.
Her heart screamed one answer:
Anywhere.
Anywhere you go.
[ System Notification: Passive — Forbidden Fruit Activated]
[ Affection toward Kain: 80% → 88% ]
[ Loyalty to Finn: 12% → 7% (Near Broken) ]
The third date was set.
This time...
It would not be a movie.
No.
Beatrix shyly suggested a quiet café, "somewhere... more private."
Kain agreed without hesitation.
And in the shadows of his room, as she left, flustered and hopeful.
He picked up his dagger again, twirling it lazily.
"The heart is a fragile thing..."
"...and once broken... it never goes back to the way it was"
Café / Late Afternoon
The setting was perfect.
A quiet, cozy little café tucked away near the academy walls.
Soft music played.
Only a few other couples were there, all too busy in their own little worlds.
Kain leaned back lazily in his chair, legs crossed, a smug half-smile playing on his lips.
Beatrix sat across from him, fidgeting with her cup, eyes darting everywhere except at him.
Every time he leaned closer, she would stiffen, her cheeks burning.
Kain was merciless.
He threw casual smiles.
Soft chuckles.
Light teases.
Beatrix clutched her chest, feeling her heart hammering wildly.
'This isn't right'
'I have Finn'
'I love Finn'
'But why does Kain make me feel like this?'
A waitress, pretty, bold, winked at Kain while taking his order.
Kain, being the glorious bastard he was, smirked and tossed out a careless, charming line:
"Maybe next time, you can join me for coffee too"
The waitress giggled and left.
Beatrix. Was. Boiling!
Her hands clenched tightly in her lap.
Her throat tightened painfully.
Jealousy, pure, raw, animalistic, tore through her.
'He shouldn't smile at her like that'
'He should only smile at me'
[ System Notification: Affection toward Kain Skyrocketing ]
[ Affection toward Kain: 88% → 95% ]
[ Loyalty to Finn: 7% → 0% ]
[ Loyalty to Finn: BROKEN ]
As they left the café, the sun casting long shadows across the street, Kain walked just a little ahead.
Beatrix snapped.
Without thinking.
Without even wanting to think.
She grabbed his arm, spun him toward her, and crushed her lips against his.
Warm.
Soft.
Desperate.
The kiss was short, clumsy, full of panic and heartbreak.
As soon as her mind caught up to what her body did, her eyes widened in horror.
She yanked herself away, trembling.
"I-I'm sorry!!" she gasped, tears pooling in her eyes.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry—!!"
And like a wounded animal, she ran, bolting into the evening streets, leaving Kain standing there, silent, victorious.
He exhaled slowly, smirking to himself.
He could still feel the faint warmth of her lips against his.
He looked up at the darkening sky, the last rays of sunset dying behind the academy towers.
"And thus..."
"My new record is three dates"
[System Update:]
[ Beatrix's Affection for Finn: 94% → 80% ]
[ Beatrix's Affection for Kain: 95% (Devotion Approaching) ]
"Hah, I can finally seal the deal tomorrow, I can't wait!"
The Next Day
The cafeteria was unusually packed.
The air buzzed with the noise of students chatting, laughing, and the clatter of trays and silverware.
Sunlight spilled through the windows, giving everything a soft, almost golden glow.
Kain sat lazily at a table near the back, idly twirling a fork between his fingers.
Ruby and Lyla sat across from him, poking at their lunches and gossiping half-heartedly.
But he wasn't listening.
His eyes were fixed on the small stage set up at the front of the room.
Finn stood there awkwardly, a guitar slung over his shoulder, muttering something to the tech guy adjusting the mic.
Kain's lip curled into a lazy, mocking smile.
"This should be good," he muttered under his breath.
Ruby glanced at him.
"You're really gonna sit there and gloat when he bombs?"
"Of course," Kain said with a grin.
"What kind of best friend would I be if I didn't?"
Lyla shook her head, smiling faintly.
"You're terrible"
"I know," Kain said, resting his chin in his hand, utterly relaxed.
The microphone screeched once, making a few students flinch.
Finn cleared his throat, face red, but he pushed through.
He plucked the guitar strings a few times.
Wobbly at first.
Then he started playing.
The cafeteria slowly quieted.
The first notes were soft, unsure.
But as Finn sang, the shakiness faded, replaced by something raw.
Something real.
The song wasn't perfect.
His voice cracked once.
He hit the wrong chord twice.
It didn't matter.
Because the words.
The words were his.
Simple.
Honest.
Vulnerable.
"You stayed when no one else would..."
"I don't want to just say 'thank you' anymore..."
"I want to say, stay with me!"
At their table, Kain's hand stilled.
The fork spun off the edge of the table and clattered onto the floor.
He didn't even glance at it.
Ruby and Lyla exchanged a glance, their smiles fading slightly as they watched Kain's expression tighten.
He leaned back, his arms crossing, the easy-going smirk slipping off his face bit by bit.
He watched, silent, as across the room.
Beatrix rose slowly from her seat.
Her hands clutched over her heart.
Her eyes were wide, shimmering with tears she didn't even seem to realize were falling.
Every word Finn sang dragged her closer to him, like a moth helpless before a flame.
[ System Notification ]
[Loyalty toward Finn: 0% → 100% (MAXED)]
[ Affection toward Finn: 80% → 100% (MAXED) ]
[ Affection toward Kain: 95% → 30% (COLLAPSED) ]
Kain barely registered the faint ding in his mind.
It was just noise.
White static behind the roaring in his skull.
He watched, hollow and motionless, as Beatrix rushed forward when Finn finished the last line, throwing her arms around him, hugging him like he was her whole world.
The cafeteria erupted into cheers, claps, and whistles.
Students banged their hands on tables.
Friends shouted Finn's name.
Some girls squealed into their hands.
Saying how lucky he is to add a third girl to his harem.
Ruby leaned closer, whispering just loud enough for Kain to hear.
"Looks like you lost this one"
Lyla, a little more hesitant, added softly, "Are you... Okay?"
Kain smiled.
Slow.
Sharp.
"Of course," he said, voice like silk stretched too thin.
"Congratulations are in order, aren't they?"
He clapped his hands lazily, slow enough to drip sarcasm but fast enough no one else would notice.
Ruby didn't look convinced.
Lyla looked worried.
But Kain didn't care.
He kept smiling even as the scene in front of him twisted the knife deeper.
Beatrix… his Beatrix, was looking at Finn like there was no one else left in the world.
'Fuck! It was supposed to be me!'
'She was supposed to fall for me'
'I was supposed to win!'
The anger boiled up, sharp and toxic, but he buried it deep under layers of charm.
He picked up a grape from his tray, tossing it into his mouth like he didn't have a care in the world.
"Heh," Kain muttered to himself.
"Guess miracles do happen"
He pushed away from the table, standing up with a stretch.
"Well," he said, flashing Ruby and Lyla a grin sharp enough to cut glass, "time to find another strategy"
He shoved his hands in his pockets and strolled toward the door, humming under his breath.
The applause still thundered behind him.
The golden light still shone.
But in Kain's heart.
All he felt was bloody rage.
[ System Update ]
[ Kain's Status Effect: "Spiteful Resolve" Activated ]
[ You refuse to accept defeat. Your cunning and charm have been boosted temporarily ]
[ New Objective: "Reclaim the Crown" ]
[ Target: Beatrix. Status: Fallen to Finn ]
He smirked as he saw the new notifications.
Because he was already planning.
Already scheming.
Already setting the next stage.
Later That Night / Kain's Dorm Room
The room was dim, lit only by the lazy flicker of a single desk lamp.
Papers were scattered across the floor, maps, diagrams, and event schedules.
Notes scribbled half-illegible, furious, in Kain's tight, slanted handwriting.
Kain sat at his desk, hunched over, tapping a pen rhythmically against his bottom lip.
His eyes gleamed with a cold, burning light.
On his bed, Ruby and Lyla lay sprawled, their bodies tangled in lazy exhaustion, both half-asleep, their hair a mess from hours of playful distraction.
Kain didn't even glance at them.
He was too deep in it now.
Too focused.
Too obsessed.
A wicked grin pulled at the corner of his mouth as he wrote down the final piece of his plan:
A-rank Rift. "Mistwood Abyss."
Finn volunteers.
Team split mid-mission.
Finn isolated.
'Accident' happens.
Beatrix sees his failure firsthand.
He leaned back in his chair, hands behind his head, staring at the ceiling with a look that was almost serene.
"Pathetic," he said aloud, the word dripping with contempt.
"You're not good enough for her, Finn. You never were"
He tilted his head, feeling the rage settle into something colder.
Sharper.
More productive.
He would orchestrate the whole thing perfectly.
Finn's downfall.
Beatrix's heart.
Everything.
All of it.
Him.
A soft, sleepy voice stirred behind him.
"Mmh… Kain…" Ruby murmured, stretching out like a cat.
"Come back to bed..."
"You're obsessed," Lyla mumbled into a pillow, her voice heavy with drowsiness but tinged with amusement.
Kain smiled lazily without turning.
"Obsession is just ambition in heat," he said smoothly.
Neither girl understood what he meant.
He didn't expect them to.
This was his game.
And he would win.
No matter how dirty he had to play.
He flicked the final note onto his growing pile of plans and stood, stretching out his arms.
Tomorrow, he will start setting the bait.
And soon, Finn would be nothing more than a fond memory in Beatrix's heart.
Just another stepping stone.
The Next Day / Academy Field Training Grounds
The day was bright, the sky a vivid, endless blue.
Students gathered in teams, all wearing their expedition gear, light armor, cloaks, and weapons at the ready.
Chatter buzzed through the air, the excitement of an upcoming Rift dive making everyone antsy.
Kain leaned against a tree at the edge of the grounds, arms folded, watching everything with a cool gaze.
Finn stood nearby, chatting animatedly with Beatrix and a few others.
He looked confident.
Too confident.
Kain smiled.
'Good. The higher you climb, the harder you fall'
Professor Graystone, the head of Rift Studies, blew a sharp whistle, calling everyone to attention.
"Alright! Today's special training mission will take place inside an A-rank Rift. Mistwood Abyss!"
"You'll be entering in teams of four. Objectives: survive, secure the beacon crystal, and return. Clear?"
A loud chorus of "Yes, Professor!" rang out.
Kain stepped forward, casually slinging an arm around Finn's shoulder like the best friend he pretended to be.
"Yo, partner," he drawled.
"Mind if I hop on your team? Wouldn't wanna miss seeing your big heroic moment"
Finn laughed, slapping Kain's back.
"Wouldn't be the same without you, man!"
Kain grinned, teeth sharp.
"No," he said under his breath, "it really wouldn't"