The campus had a unique rhythm, bustling with energy during the day and falling into a serene lull by night. Adrian used this shift to his advantage, knowing the quieter moments allowed for better observation. His mind was constantly working, strategizing his next steps.
Iris was a promising lead, but Adrian knew he needed more than one thread to pull. The System had mentioned another heroine—a shy, reclusive girl who rarely interacted with others. If Iris was a fortress, this girl was a locked door, hidden deep in the shadows.
[Ready for your next assignment, hotshot?]
"Let me guess," Adrian said, leaning against a bench outside the dormitory. "Another impossible task?"
[Oh, absolutely. Meet Lily Graves. Quiet, reserved, and avoids people like the plague. But she's got layers—if you can get her to open up.]
"And where do I find her?"
[The art studio. Late evening. She's usually sketching or painting when no one's around. And before you ask, no, barging in and acting charming won't work. You'll scare her off.]
"Great," Adrian muttered, standing up. "Subtlety it is."
---
The art studio was tucked away in a quieter part of the campus, its entrance framed by ivy-covered walls. Adrian pushed open the door carefully, stepping into a space that felt like a sanctuary. The faint scent of paint and charcoal filled the air, and the soft hum of classical music played from a corner speaker.
There she was.
Lily Graves sat near the back, her slender frame hunched over a canvas. Her long, dark hair cascaded around her shoulders, partially obscuring her pale face. She wore a loose sweater that seemed to swallow her, and her hands moved with delicate precision as she painted.
Adrian stayed near the door, watching silently. The System chimed in.
[Don't just stand there like a creep. Find a way to ease in.]
"She's in her zone," Adrian whispered. "I need to wait for the right moment."
[Fine. Just don't wait too long.]
After a few minutes, Lily sat back, studying her work. It was a landscape painting—ethereal and haunting, with muted colors that seemed to bleed emotion. Adrian seized the moment, stepping closer but keeping his voice soft.
"That's incredible," he said.
Lily flinched, her brush slipping from her fingers. She turned, her wide, gray eyes filled with a mixture of surprise and fear.
"S-sorry," Adrian said quickly, raising his hands. "I didn't mean to startle you."
Lily stared at him, her lips pressed into a thin line. She didn't respond.
[Smooth. She already thinks you're a serial killer.]
"I just… I couldn't help but notice your work," Adrian continued, keeping his tone gentle. "It's beautiful. The way you capture emotion—it's really impressive."
Lily's gaze flicked to her painting, then back to Adrian. "Th-thank you," she murmured, her voice barely audible.
---
Adrian didn't push further. He stepped back slightly, giving her space.
"I'm Adrian," he said, introducing himself but not extending a hand. He had a feeling physical contact would only make her retreat. "I just transferred here."
Lily nodded faintly but didn't offer her name.
[She's testing you. Don't screw this up.]
"I won't keep you," Adrian said, glancing at the painting. "But I mean it—you've got real talent. I'd love to see more of your work sometime."
With that, he turned and walked away, resisting the urge to look back. The System chimed in.
[Interesting approach. You didn't push too hard. Maybe you're learning.]
"Subtlety is key," Adrian muttered.
[Sure, but don't get cocky. You've barely scratched the surface.]
---
Over the next few days, Adrian made a point of visiting the art studio during the same time slot. He didn't always engage Lily directly—instead, he worked on sketching at a nearby table. His drawings were amateur at best, but that wasn't the point.
Slowly, Lily grew accustomed to his presence. She stopped flinching when he walked in and even offered him a small nod one evening.
Progress.
It was on the fifth evening that she finally spoke to him.
"You… like to draw?" she asked hesitantly, her voice barely above a whisper.
Adrian looked up from his sketchpad, surprised. "I'm terrible at it," he admitted with a sheepish smile. "But it's relaxing."
Lily's lips twitched, almost forming a smile. "It's not… that bad."
"Coming from someone as talented as you, I'll take that as a compliment," Adrian said lightly.
Lily's cheeks flushed, and she looked away.
[Favorability slightly increased. Don't celebrate yet.]
Adrian set his pencil down, deciding to push a little further. "Do you paint professionally? Or is it just a hobby?"
"Hobby," Lily said softly. "But… I'd like to… maybe one day…"
"You absolutely should," Adrian said, his tone sincere. "Your work deserves to be seen."
Lily glanced at him, her expression a mix of shyness and uncertainty. "Thank you."
---
As the days passed, Adrian and Lily's interactions grew more frequent. She began to open up, albeit slowly, sharing small details about her life and her art.
One evening, as they worked side by side, Adrian noticed a faint scar on her wrist. He didn't comment on it, but it added another layer to her mysterious aura.
[Careful with this one, Adrian. She's fragile. One wrong move, and you'll lose her for good.]
"I know," Adrian murmured.
That night, as Adrian walked back to his dorm, he couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt. Manipulating Lily felt different from his calculated approach with Sophia or Iris. There was a vulnerability to her that made him hesitate, even as his darker instincts urged him to press on.
The System interrupted his thoughts.
[Feeling conflicted, are we? Don't forget, this is a game. You can't afford to get sentimental.]
Adrian scowled. "I don't need a lecture."
[Fine. But remember—Lily isn't the only one at risk. The villain's not sitting idle, and Alexander's luck will screw you over if you're not careful.]
Adrian's jaw tightened. "Let them try. I'll take them all down—hero, villain, and anyone else in my way."
[That's the spirit. Now, let's see if you can keep it up.]
---