Lily took out her own notebook, which was full of cramped writing and drawings. "Simple spells for light."
"I can make light appear, but I can't change how bright or long it lasts."
"Mom says it's about focus and intention, but I don't get what that means."
Rex read the notes and then remembered what Helena had said about how energy flows. "Your mom told me today that magic is all about changing the way energy flows."
"Instead of trying to make the light act right, maybe you should think about how to guide it?"
"For example... you're not making light, but you're changing energy that already exists into a form that can be seen?"
Lily's eyes got bigger. "That makes sense, actually!"
"I thought of it as making something out of nothing, but if I'm just changing what's already there..."
She put her hand out and whispered the spell. A weak, flickering glow appeared in her palm. But as she focused, clearly trying to follow Rex's advice, the light steadied and got a little brighter.
Lily shouted, "Oh my god!"
"That's the steadiest light I've ever held it!"
"Look! All you needed was a different way to think about it!"
"You're really a great help, Rex!" Lily hugged him tightly before he could say anything. "Thanks a lot!"
Rex hugged back for a short time, knowing that Evelyn was watching from across the field and Helena was looking over from where she was teaching a group of older students.
"Happy to help as always," he said as he carefully pulled away. "You did all the real work, though. I just pushed you in a different direction."
[RELATIONSHIP STATUS: LILY VON STARLIGHT - GRATEFUL AND TRUSTING]
[DESIRE LEVEL: 12/100]
[OBSERVATION: SUBJECT SEES YOU AS HELPFUL MENTOR FIGURE]
[WARNING: SUBJECT IS YOUNG AND IMPRESSIONABLE]
[RECOMMENDATION: MAINTAIN APPROPRIATE BOUNDARIES]
Twelve percent. It made sense that the percentage was higher than Helena's, even though it required less effort.
Lily was naive, wanted to please others, and clearly felt like her successful family was better than her. Every time Rex told her she was worth something, it made her need to feel valued even more.
The warning from the system was noted, but it wasn't very concerning. Rex didn't want to rush things with Lily.
She was a long-term investment, as she gained more power and influence, she would become more useful.
Also, going after Elliot's youngest sister would make everyone in the group suspicious of him, so it's better to let her get attached to him naturally, seeing him as a trusted friend and mentor until the time is right to change things.
The rest of the afternoon continued in the same manner, consisting only of training, brief conversations with various party members, and careful observation of how the group worked together.
Rex maintained his role as a serious student, remaining polite, humble, and always grateful for their time and attention.
He was worn out in the best way possible by the end of the day. He was tired from having to stay alert all the time, and his body hurt like crazy, but at least he had made good progress in many areas.
...
That night, dinner was again a group event. Garrett had successfully caught a large fish, and Mara skillfully prepared it to delight everyone at the table.
Rex saw that she was blushing a little at the praise and that Garrett was proud of how good his wife was at what she did.
The best couple ever. They are devoted, comfortable, and safe in their relationship.
If only they knew that the cracks were already spreading below the surface.
As people started to go to bed after dinner, Rex helped clean up like he always does. He and Mara worked in practiced silence, where their movements were perfectly in sync after days of working together.
"You're doing well with the training," Mara said softly as they washed the dishes. "Thanks."
"Your son-in-law is a good teacher."
"Son-in-law...?" Mara said without thinking, and then she stopped. "Hold on, Elliot isn't my relative."
Rex realized what he just said, and he screamed in his mind. "FUCK!"
"Ah! Sorry, I got confused for a sec there because of how worn out I am." Rex smiled. "And there are also too many new people to keep track of."
Mara smiled a little, and for a moment the tension between them went away. Then Garrett's voice came from upstairs, asking for her help with something, and... the moment was over.
"I should go," Mara said.
"Of course." Rex nodded.
At the bottom of the stairs, she stopped and looked back at him. Rex's chest tightened when he saw her face, but he couldn't say what emotion it was.
Then she left to go back to her husband and her normal life.
Rex cleaned up by himself and then went to his small room. The inn became quiet at night, with floorboards creaking as people moved to their rooms.
He could hear people talking softly upstairs, doors closing, and the sounds of many people getting ready for bed.
He lay on his cot and thought about how the day had gone. Helena was interested and started talking about her problems.
Lily was becoming more and more attached to him and saw him as a wise friend and helpful teacher. Diana had grown to like him a little more because she appreciated that he valued her work.
Evelyn appeared to be less suspicious, but she continued to monitor him closely.
Everything went as planned. The manipulation was slow, steady, and patient, fostering connections and trust without causing alarm.
The system had been silent since this morning, but Rex was aware that it was monitoring every interaction, measuring every desire, and determining the most effective path to achieve his objectives.
He was just starting to fall asleep when he heard a noise that made him suddenly alert.
A noise from above.
It's not very loud but clear, like a woman's voice, then deeper sounds.
Rex's eyes opened wide, and his mind was instantly awake.
The noise happened again. Now it felt like there were two noises at the same time. One has an angry noise that was definitely Mara's voice.
"Are you fucking... kidding me?" Rex whispered. "Why the fuck are they arguing so loud...!?"
The noises of their arguments kept going, getting a little louder than before. Garrett's voice was soft and encouraging, trying to calm his wife, while Mara's answers were shaky, like she was just tired of her husband, leaving her all frustrated and horny.
Rex instantly knew that they were having a fierce argument right now, and it was right above his room.
Rex lay there, hearing their arguments that led to him knowing Garrett doesn't want to have sex with Mara, just because he always feels tired at night and wants to just sleep straightaway while leaving Mara all frustrated without any touching.
He had spent days getting ready to seduce Mara, and he had given her the best night of her life. Now he had completed his mission and unlocked the desire manifestation system.
And now, just when he needed to stay connected to get energy, she was having an argument with her husband who didn't want to have sex with her.
There was a long moment of silence. Then Garrett spoke, sounding sorry. "I'm sorry, Mara, but I couldn't do it... I'm all tired from the fishing."
"Maybe we can do it some other time?"
Hearing that answer for the last time, Mara gave up and just sighed. "Alright..."
"It's fine," Mara's voice responded, but there was an undertone that suggested something more—perhaps disappointment or resignation.
"I'll do it next time, I promise!"
"I said it's fine, Garrett. Let's just sleep for now..."
Then comes more silence. Then Rex could hear someone getting out of bed, footsteps moving across the room, and water being poured.
Rex lay there in the dark, thinking about what he had just heard.
Garrett was avoiding intimacy with his wife, acting like the pathetic fool he is, which left Mara completely frustrated. And from what he can tell, this wasn't a rare thing.
Rex smiled.
This was just right. This was just what he needed.
Mara had just remembered the difference between what Garrett did and what Rex had given her. The difference would be very clear and hard to miss.
She might have stayed away because she felt guilty, but being frustrated with her body was a strong reason for her to go.
Rex waited for fifteen minutes, listening to the inn's sounds as it fell dead silent. After that, he got up quietly and walked to the door.
"Maybe I really need to break her now so that all she can think about is my cock... and also I'm going to test that Desire Manipulation system thing..." Rex said while already on the move to her room.
Rex saw the hallway was dark, with only the light from the moon coming through a window at the end. Rex knew where every creaky board was and where to stay away from.
He quietly made his way to the stairs.
The door to Mara's room was always slightly open to let in air during the hot summer months. It was on the second floor.
Rex could see a small part of the inside through the gap. Moonlight lit up Mara lying on her side, with her back to where Garrett was sleeping.
She was staring at the wall with her eyes open.
Rex stood in the hallway and looked through the small space. He could go back to his room, let this moment pass, and wait for a better one.
Or...
He could also choose to act now, while she was feeling weak and unhappy, likely reflecting on how poorly things had gone between them tonight in contrast to how well they had been before.
[OPPORTUNITY DETECTED]
[TARGET IS EMOTIONALLY VULNERABLE]
[TARGET IS PHYSICALLY UNSATISFIED]
[RECOMMENDATION: PROCEED WITH CAUTION]
[OR WAIT FOR SAFER OPPORTUNITY]
Rex's hand moved toward the door, and his fingers barely touched the wood.
This was the time. The moment when he had to either take the risk or play it safe.
Mara's eyes closed, and the moonlight made a single tear on her cheek visible.
"Let's fucking do it... I'll break her until she's completely fallen with me." Rex said in his mind.
He slowly pushed the door open until it was just wide enough for him to get in.
The hinges were well-oiled from Garrett's work, so they didn't make any noise. Rex moved into the room like a shadow, quiet as death, and his eyes were on Mara.
She felt something, and her body tensed up. She began to turn her head.
Rex stood at the foot of her bed, where it was hard to see him in the dark, and she waited to see what she would do.
"Aww... look at you... feeling all frustrated like that, Mara."
"R-Rex...?"
"You're craving for some good sex, huh...?"