Adrian's cautious advances had begun to yield results, but Damian Crowe wasn't one to sit idle. While Adrian focused on building connections with the heroines, Damian devised a plan to undermine him.
The campus was abuzz with excitement about the upcoming Annual Gala, a formal event hosted by the university that brought together students and faculty for a night of networking, performances, and social maneuvering. For Adrian, it was an opportunity to consolidate his gains. For Damian, it was the perfect stage to set a trap.
---
In the dimly lit lounge of his dormitory, Damian sat with his System's holographic interface glowing faintly before him.
[The Annual Gala is the ideal stage. Use the event to isolate Adrian and target the heroines directly.]
"I already know that," Damian muttered, his fingers drumming against the armrest. "Blake's been a thorn in my side for too long. It's time to humiliate him."
[Careful. He's more resourceful than you give him credit for. Direct confrontation might not work.]
"I don't plan to confront him directly," Damian said with a cold smile. "I'll let him dig his own grave. All it takes is the right nudge."
---
Adrian's System was less enthusiastic about the event.
[A gala? Seriously? Who thought a bunch of spoiled rich kids dancing in tuxedos would be a good idea?]
"It's not about the dancing," Adrian said, adjusting the cufflinks on his borrowed suit. "It's about the connections. The heroines will all be there, and so will Damian. I need to make sure he doesn't gain any more ground."
[You mean you're hoping to score points with the girls while that smug bastard isn't looking?]
"That too," Adrian admitted. "But this is also about showing I can hold my own. If I look weak in front of the heroines, it's game over."
[Bold of you to think you don't already look weak. But fine, let's pretend you know what you're doing.]
Adrian ignored the System's snark and focused on his plan. He had one key advantage: Damian was predictable. The villain always operated with flair, which meant he'd use the gala as a stage for some grand gesture. Adrian's job was to anticipate it and counter it without getting caught in the crossfire.
---
The university's grand ballroom was a dazzling sight, filled with glittering chandeliers, flowing dresses, and sharp suits. Adrian entered quietly, scanning the crowd for familiar faces.
Sophia stood near the bar, a glass of sparkling water in hand. She was stunning in a crimson gown that matched her fiery personality. Adrian could see a faint scowl on her face—she clearly wasn't enjoying herself.
Iris was seated at a table near the center, engrossed in conversation with a professor. Her silver dress shimmered under the light, emphasizing her poised and elegant demeanor.
Lily was harder to spot. Adrian eventually found her near the art display, dressed in a simple yet graceful black gown. She was quietly admiring a painting, her usual aura of shyness keeping most people at bay.
Damian, of course, was the center of attention. He stood near the stage, laughing and chatting with a group of students. His presence was magnetic, and Adrian could already see several heroines glancing his way.
[All right, genius. What's the plan?]
"Divide and conquer," Adrian murmured. "Damian can't be everywhere at once. I'll start with Sophia."
---
Adrian approached Sophia cautiously, his tone casual. "You look like you're having the time of your life."
Sophia glanced at him, her scowl softening slightly. "This isn't exactly my scene."
"I figured," Adrian said, leaning against the bar. "You'd rather be out training or sparring, right?"
"Obviously," she muttered, taking a sip of her drink.
Adrian smirked. "Well, if you're looking for an excuse to ditch, I could use a partner for a walk outside. Too much noise in here."
Sophia raised an eyebrow. "And why would I do that?"
"Because you'd get to escape this circus," Adrian said. "And maybe because you don't hate me as much as you pretend to."
Sophia hesitated, then let out a soft laugh. "You're lucky I hate this gala more than I hate you."
She set her glass down and followed him toward the garden.
---
Meanwhile, Damian had his sights set on Iris. He approached her table with his signature confidence.
"Miss Vale," he said, bowing slightly. "You're as radiant as ever."
Iris looked up, her expression neutral. "Damian. To what do I owe the pleasure?"
"I was hoping to steal you away for a moment," Damian said smoothly. "There's someone I'd like you to meet—an influential figure in the field of economics."
Iris's interest was piqued, but she remained cautious. "And why would you go out of your way to introduce me?"
"Because talent deserves recognition," Damian said. "And because I admire your intellect. It's rare to find someone who sees the world as clearly as you do."
Iris studied him for a moment, then nodded. "Lead the way."
[Favorability with Iris slightly increased. Well played.]
---
While Adrian and Damian maneuvered, Lily found herself in an uncomfortable situation. A group of students had cornered her near the art display, mocking her work under the guise of critique.
"This one's so… basic," one of them sneered. "Did you run out of inspiration halfway through?"
Lily clutched her sketchbook tightly, her face pale.
Adrian spotted the scene from across the room. Without hesitation, he moved to intervene.
"Problem here?" he asked, his tone deceptively calm.
The group turned to him, their expressions shifting from mockery to mild annoyance.
"Just sharing some constructive criticism," one of them said.
"Funny, it sounded more like garbage to me," Adrian shot back. "If you're done wasting everyone's time, you should move along."
The group hesitated, then dispersed under Adrian's sharp gaze.
Lily looked up at him, her eyes wide. "Th-thank you…"
Adrian smiled softly. "Don't let them get to you. Your work speaks for itself."
[Favorability with Lily slightly increased. Well done, hero.]
---
As the night progressed, Damian's trap began to unfold. He had orchestrated a "coincidental" power outage, plunging the ballroom into darkness. In the confusion, he intended to isolate Adrian and sabotage his growing connections with the heroines.
Adrian, however, was ready.
The moment the lights went out, he grabbed Sophia's hand, leading her back toward the main hall. "Stay close," he whispered.
"What's going on?" she asked.
"Damian," Adrian replied grimly. "This has his fingerprints all over it."
In the chaos, Adrian also managed to spot Lily, her small frame frozen near the art display. Without hesitation, he guided her toward safety as well.
By the time the lights came back on, Damian's plan had failed. Adrian stood in the center of the room, Sophia and Lily at his side, while Damian seethed silently from across the ballroom.
[Favorability with Sophia and Lily slightly increased. Damian looks like a fool. Nice work.]
---