Farmboy becomes King with the Lust System

Byun and the principal walked side by side down the dimly lit corridor, their steps slow and heavy. Both looked worn out, clothes scuffed, hair slightly disheveled. The quiet between them wasn't awkward, just the natural lull that came when energy had finally run out.

Byun broke it first with a grin. "I had a fun time," he said, his voice carrying a tired warmth. "You make a pretty good partner, you know."

The principal glanced over at him, the corners of his mouth curling into a small, indulgent smile. "Do I now?"

Byun nodded, still smiling. "Yeah. I think we make a great team."

The principal gave a soft huff, shaking his head as they reached the doorway to his office. "Go rest, Byun. You've earned it."

Byun leaned against the frame for a moment, his grin turning playful. "You should rest too. You look like you could use it more than me."

"Unfortunately," the principal replied, a touch of dry humor in his voice, "rest isn't on my schedule tonight. I've got a stack of administrative work waiting for me, and possibly a long list of meetings to survive tomorrow."

Byun tilted his head. "Meetings? That sounds worse than what we just went through."

"It might be," the principal said with a faint chuckle, then his tone shifted, growing quieter. "Also… about our mission, keep it to yourself. No unnecessary talk."

Byun straightened and gave a small, almost mock-serious salute. "Of course. My lips are sealed."

The principal gave a satisfied nod before stepping into his office. Byun lingered a moment longer, then turned and headed down the hall, already thinking about the comfort of his bed.

Xxxxx

It had been weeks since the dungeon quest, and life in the academy had finally settled back into something resembling normal. The corridors were once again filled with the hum of routine, students rushing to classes, sparring in the courtyards, or lounging in the gardens with books and gossip.

The chaotic urgency of survival had been replaced by the steadier rhythm of training and preparation.

Right now, Jae found himself in one of the side training hall with Elise. They had been sparring for nearly an hour, sweat glistening on their skin, the sound of movements and the clashing of weapons filling the air.

Elise had advanced considerably in the weeks since their last major fight. Her movements were faster, cleaner, each strike sharper than the last.

The once hesitant, almost rigid form she had relied on was gone, replaced with a confident, fluid style that was equal parts disciplined martial arts and instinctive adaptability.

She circled him lightly on her toes, strands of hair sticking to her damp forehead, eyes locked on him with laser focus.

Jae gripped his dragon blade in both hands and stepped forward. The polished edge caught the light as he swung in a smooth, downward arc.

Elise pivoted to the side at the last possible second, his blade slicing harmlessly through the air where she had been.

Before he could readjust, she slid in close with two quick bursts of movement and was suddenly beside him.

Her fist shot toward his ribs, quick and precise, but Jae twisted his torso just enough that her knuckles grazed only the edge of his training shirt.

"You've gotten quicker," he remarked, pulling back. "But tell me, what happens if I use molten skin? Would your mana pierce through, or would you take the hit?"

A faint grin tugged at her lips. "Why don't we find out?" she said, and without waiting for a reply, she rushed him again.

They met in the center of the training ground, exchanging blows in a fast, rhythmic pattern. Jae's blade whistled through the air, forcing Elise to duck, weave, and step inside his reach whenever she could.

She retaliated with a mix of quick punches and sudden kicks, her movements a blur of speed and precision.

Then she broke her usual rhythm, twisting low and sending an unexpected kick toward his shoulder.

The moment her foot connected, Jae's molten skin ability flared to life. Heat radiated off him in waves, a faint reddish glow outlining his body.

The kick landed with a sharp hiss, steam curling up from the point of impact.

Elise's mana flared in response, forming a thin, shimmering layer along her leg that kept the heat from searing her flesh.

Still, her mana failed to pierce through his molten defense. Her eyes widened briefly, then narrowed with renewed determination.

Before she could pull back, Jae stepped into her guard and swept her legs out from under her. She hit the training mat with a soft thud, the air leaving her lungs in a quick gasp.

For a few seconds she stayed there, lying flat and breathing hard, the ceiling of the open training hall spinning slowly above her.

Jae planted his blade tip-down into the ground and extended a hand toward her. "Need a hand up?"

Her eyes flicked to his outstretched palm, and then in one sharp motion, she lunged at him.

The sudden movement caught him off guard. She hooked her arm around his and triggered a paralyzing mana strike. A faint tingling numbness spread through his left arm almost instantly, the limb going slack at his side.

"Cheap trick," he muttered under his breath, but there was no bite in his tone.

Elise didn't waste the opening. She pressed forward relentlessly, forcing him to block and dodge using only his right arm.

Her fists and feet came at him in a flurry, short jabs aimed at his midsection, sweeping kicks meant to take him down, and quick feints to bait his reactions.

Despite the handicap, Jae seemed almost bored. He pivoted lightly on the balls of his feet, sidestepping blows, deflecting kicks with the flat of his blade, or simply leaning out of range.

His breathing was steady, movements economical, every dodge just enough to avoid her strikes without wasting energy.

Elise's frustration began to show in her eyes. No matter how much she increased her speed or changed her angles, she couldn't land a clean hit. Her attacks grew sharper, more aggressive, each strike punctuated by a faint grunt.

"Still can't touch me," Jae said lightly, his tone dripping with just enough smugness to make her grit her teeth.

She lunged in again, aiming a spinning kick toward his side.

This time, he stepped forward instead of back, catching her off balance and hooking his leg behind hers. With a quick twist, he tripped her a second time.

She hit the mat harder than before, breath rushing out of her in another startled gasp.

For a moment she just sat there, blinking up at him in disbelief.

Jae chuckled, the sound warm but undeniably teasing. "You're getting better," he said, "but you've still got a ways to go."

Her gaze flicked to his left hand and she noticed it was moving again, flexing easily as if the paralysis had never happened. She gaped at him. "You.."

"Recovered a while ago," he finished for her, offering his hand again. "I just wanted to see how long it would take you to notice."

This time, she didn't lunge or try to catch him off guard. She huffed, muttering something under her breath, and accepted his hand.