Farmboy becomes King with the Lust System

Byun stood tense, his blond hair catching the light like molten sunlight, his shadows coiling restlessly around him, dark tendrils curling around his arms and legs, their edges shimmering with faint, eerie mana.

Across from him stood Dae, his older brother, his dark hair meticulously combed, his luxurious silk robes adorned with intricate silver embroidery that glinted in the sunlight, a sly smirk playing on his sharp features.

"You're young and foolish, Byun," Dae said, his voice smooth but laced with a cutting edge, his green eyes glinting with a condescending sharpness that pierced through the warm air. "You'll understand life soon enough."

Byun's jaw tightened, his scowl deepening, the sting of Dae's words striking harder than any blow he'd taken in the tournament, his heart thudding with a mix of anger and frustration.

"Leave me alone," He snapped, his tone sharp and biting, his shadows swirling faster around his clenched fists, their dark forms pulsing with barely restrained energy.

Dae's smirk widened, his brow arching in a taunting challenge as he stepped closer, completely unfazed by his brother's rising anger. "Or what?" he goaded, his voice low and daring, the words dripping with provocation.

Byun surged to his feet, his fists glowing darker, the shadows coiling around them like writhing snakes ready to strike, their mana crackling faintly in the tense air.

The courtyard's serene calm shattered, the atmosphere thick with the weight of their confrontation, the distant rustle of leaves barely audible over the hum of mana.

Moon, their younger brother, rushed between them, his hands raised in a frantic gesture, his green eyes wide with worry. "Hey, stop it, both of you!" he urged, his voice sharp with urgency, his small frame tense as he tried to diffuse the brewing fight.

Dae's smirk didn't waver, his piercing gaze locked on Byun with unrelenting disdain. "He won't do anything," Dae said, his tone dripping with scorn. "He's just a weak boy."

Byun's eyes flashed with fury, his shadows flaring brighter, their dark tendrils pulsing with raw power. "I'm more powerful than you ever were at my age," he retorted, his voice low but fierce, his fists trembling with the effort to hold back his anger, the words cutting through the air like a blade.

The courtyard seemed to hold its breath, the tension so thick it felt almost tangible, the faint rustle of leaves the only sound breaking the heavy silence.

Just then, a maid hurried into the courtyard, her plain dress swishing softly, her head bowed low in deference. "I'm sorry for interrupting," she said, her voice soft but clear, carrying through the charged atmosphere, "but the Duke has returned from his trip."

Byun and Dae froze, their anger pausing as the weight of their father's return settled over them like a heavy cloak. They stepped apart, Byun's shadows fading into wisps that dissolved into the air, Dae's smirk softening into a neutral, composed expression.

They turned, their boots scuffing the smooth stone tiles, and headed toward the main hall to meet the Duke, their footsteps echoing in the quiet.

Moon sighed deeply, his shoulders slumping with relief, the tension dissolving as the courtyard returned to its peaceful stillness, the jasmine scent lingering in the warm air.

xxx

Back at the academy, the day's classes had drawn to a close, and the stone paths winding through the grounds were alive with the chatter of students, their voices blending with the crisp, earthy scent of autumn leaves scattered across the cobblestones.

Jae walked beside Princess Yuna, her blonde hair swaying gently, catching the fading rays of the setting sun, her blue eyes sparkling with a mischievous glint that made his heart feel light.

They had stayed back in the study room after class, the warmth of the cramped space still clinging to their clothes, the faint scent of old books and flickering mana lanterns lingering in their minds.

Yuna's steps were lively, her uniform slightly askew, the hem of her skirt wrinkled from sitting too long, and out of the blue, she turned to him, her voice playful and teasing. "I feel like kissing you right now," she said, her lips curving into a bright, impish smile, her eyes locking onto his with a bold intensity that sent a flush of warmth through him.

Jae's grin faltered for a moment, a flicker of sadness crossing his face as Yuna's words stirred a bittersweet memory. She reminded him of Clara, his neighbor back home.

His heart ached, the memory of Clara's gentle, caring eyes tugging at him, making the academy feel distant from the home he'd left behind.

Yuna noticed the shift, her smile fading, her brow furrowing with concern as she stepped closer. "What's wrong?" she asked, her voice softening, her hand brushing lightly against his arm, her touch warm and grounding.

Jae sighed, his gaze dropping to the cobblestones, their uneven surfaces glinting faintly in the lantern light. "I was thinking about Clara, my neighbor," he said, his tone quiet, heavy with memory. "She's special to me."

Yuna's eyes narrowed, a spark of jealousy flashing as she crossed her arms tightly, her pout barely hiding her feelings. "What's so special about her?" she asked, her voice sharp but tinged with curiosity, her cheeks puffing out slightly.

Jae's lips twitched, a faint chuckle escaping as he looked at her. "She was there for me when I was at my lowest," he said, his voice warm with the weight of those memories, his eyes softening.

Yuna scoffed, her cheeks puffing out further as she mumbled, "I could be there for you at your lowest too, you know." Her words were half-joking, half-serious, her eyes flicking to his, searching for a reaction, her fingers twisting the hem of her uniform nervously.

Jae laughed, the sound light and teasing, his sadness easing as he met her gaze. "If you want to be there for my lowest," he said, his voice dropping to a playful, mischievous tone, his grin widening, "come to my room tonight."