A flicker of emerald light flashed through.
Accompanied by the appearance of a vertical pupil-like mark on the palm, an invisible psychic force spread out.
Ivyst watched Lynn intently.
Under her gaze, the black-haired boy before her gradually ceased his futile struggle.
Moments later, his hands fell powerlessly to his sides, his entire body hunched over as if he had lost all strength.
Not only that, but Lynn's once bright and lively sapphire eyes also, under the hypnosis effect, gradually lost their luster.
Until in the end, they became completely dim, vacant, and soulless.
In just a few seconds, he swiftly transformed from a rebel into a servile existence akin to a slave.
Seeing this, Ivyst felt a complete sense of relief.
It seemed like Milani's experiment indeed made significant progress this time.
Ivyst extinguished the Eye of the Soul mark in her hand, then slowly sat on the edge of the bed, looking down at Lynn who knelt before her.
For some reason, a faint smile appeared at the corner of her mouth.
This obedient manner made her feel a little unaccustomed.
However, Ivyst had accumulated quite a few questions in her heart, eager to ask this guy.
As she pondered, she casually twirled a lock of hair around her pale fingers.
Unfortunately, no one was fortunate enough to witness this scene.
At this moment, only Ivyst and Lynn remained in the room, just the right time for an interrogation.
According to Milani, once a person is hypnotized, their subconscious will be revealed.
Then, she would be able to see the most candid side of Lynn.
Recalling how he forcefully removed her mask that night, Ivyst couldn't help but let out a cold chuckle.
Whether it was genuine or an act, it would soon be clear.
With this in mind, she parted her red lips, ready to speak.
But before she could utter a word, a knock on the wooden door from not far away suddenly interrupted her.
A deep voice followed.
"Guest, I'm the inn's attendant. I just heard you mention someone intends to harm you. Do you need assistance?"
Damn it.
Hearing the inquiry from the door, Ivyst frowned deeply.
She silently raised her right hand, a blood-red energy slowly appearing in her palm, ready to transform into sharp thorns to shred anyone at the door who dared disturb her peace.
But if she really did so, it would likely cause a significant commotion, then she would have to take this guy and leave the place.
Yet it seemed hypnosis had a time limit.
Although she didn't know the principle, it probably was related to the mental will of the hypnotized person.
If she had to wait to return to Augusta Manor, she might not be able to use hypnosis to question him tonight.
She didn't want to wait all night, so she could only choose to compromise.
With that thought, Ivyst reluctantly extinguished the Transcendent power in her hand.
Sensing the unusual quietness inside the room, the attendant outside seemed to realize something.
He knocked on the door with increased frequency and volume.
"Guest? Guest? If you don't speak up, I will open the door and come in!"
The attendant dutifully asked.
Although this place was on the border, due to its industrial feature, many local nobles and merchants would come to the town each year for celebrations, tasting the newly uncorked fruit wines.
So at this time, the management of public order in the small town would be more stringent.
If such a heinous act like rape happened in the inn, it might have to suspend operations for rectification the next day.
Just as he was about to take out the key to open the door and check, a cold, clear, pleasant voice came from inside the room.
"What, do you have something to say?"
The attendant halted his actions.
A woman's voice?
Even without seeing her appearance, he could imagine her dignified and imposing figure in his mind.
Could it be...
The attendant suddenly realized, a hint of apology appearing on his face.
"I'm sorry for disturbing your rest. I'll leave now."
With that, he sighed with pity and quickly left the floor.
The plea he heard earlier was clearly from a young boy, judging from the voice's age, it shouldn't have been too old, yet the woman's voice from the room seemed mature.
It seemed she was the dominant one.
The attendant couldn't help but think of certain noble ladies' wicked preferences, instantly sweating for the boy.
Little did he know, he was the one who just walked off the edge of danger.
In the room, feeling the unrelated person leave, Ivyst finally relaxed her tightly knit brows.
She refocused her attention on the hypnotized Lynn.
...
Damn, thank goodness I reacted fast.
Feeling Ivyst's gaze returning to him, Lynn didn't dare breathe deeply.
In fact, he had hoped that attendant would come in, at least it could have helped him out of his predicament.
Unfortunately, Lynn didn't expect Ivyst to retreat in order to advance, suppressing the urge to act, and accepting the implication of misconduct, completely refreshing his understanding.
This woman probably truly believed he was hypnotized, thus slightly lowering her guard.
Normally, she might have just killed that attendant instead of using such words as an excuse in front of him.
Feeling the sluggish response from his body, Lynn's consciousness couldn't help but sigh.
In fact, the moment he saw the Eye of the Soul, he realized what Ivyst intended to do to him.
Fortunately, he reacted by using Lie Swallowing's ability, transforming himself to his current state, thus avoiding exposure.
Though the first time required the use of a mirror for assistance, this time he managed it quite comfortably.
He was afraid he'd get better at it in the future.
Thinking about Ivyst's dangerous gaze, Lynn helplessly thought.
He was still a bit naive.
According to the original setting, this woman, if unable to obtain something, would rather have it destroyed than let it fall into others' hands.
And with her showing such strong interest in him, how could she let him go so easily?
But the only good news at the moment was, she didn't know he could remain rational under hypnosis.
Although it seemed the day he could escape from this woman's clutches was far off, at least there was still a glimmer of hope.
Time would tell.
For now, the most important thing was to first overcome the current crisis.
Lynn lowered his head in a daze, pretending to be clueless and foolish.
Seeing him like this, Ivyst, sitting on the bed, lifted her slender, fair right foot and pressed the toe of her high heel against Lynn's chin, making him look this way.
Then she gently removed the mask from her face, revealing the visage covered by the Evil Curse marking a considerable part of her cheek.
Feeling the crossing of their gazes, Ivyst suppressed a hint of vexation about the unknown within herself.
"Look at my face, and then tell me..." her eyes teased danger, "What exactly are you thinking now?"