NOVEL WEB Chapter 4: False Loyalty
Location: Skyflare Academy – Combat Arts Courtyard
The sun shone bright and arrogant above the marble pillars of the training yard. Dozens of students clashed swords, conjured flame glyphs, and launched each other through the air in a mess of sparks and testosterone.
Riven Kael watched from the shade, leaning lazily against a column like a bored predator in a zoo of prey.
His thoughts weren't on combat.
They were on manipulation.
On trust.
On turning loyalty into a leash.
> "Time to earn another puppet," he murmured, the system interface glowing faintly beside him.
---
[System Objective Updated]
→ Unlock: False Loyalty
Requirement: Earn the genuine trust of a pure-hearted target.
Warning: Target must truly believe in your goodness.
Reward: Ability to bind them to your will without their knowledge.
---
Target Selected: Seris Valen
Healer Class
First-year Saint Candidate
Known for her naivety, kindness, and… optimism.
Last life? Brutally used and discarded by others.
This time? She'd serve the villain instead.
Riven found her just as he remembered — a silver-haired girl kneeling beside an injured sparring student, her hands glowing with warm green light.
"You shouldn't overexert," she told the boy softly. "Healing costs more than energy."
"Th-thank you, Lady Valen," he muttered before limping off.
"Lady Valen," Riven said, stepping forward. "Such grace. Such virtue. Are you secretly writing holy scriptures at night?"
Seris blinked, caught off guard. "Um… excuse me?"
Riven bowed dramatically, one hand to his chest.
> "Forgive me, my lady. I'm new to the art of light, and your divine presence blinded me."
A few passing students snickered.
Seris tilted her head. "Are you... mocking me?"
Riven blinked. Then grinned. "Would you believe me if I said no?"
She stared at him for a moment. Then… giggled.
"I would. But only because you're bad at flirting."
---
Location: Infirmary Garden – 1 hour later
"Let me guess," Seris said, brushing her hair back as they walked along the shaded stone path. "You want free healing."
"On the contrary," Riven said. "I came to heal you."
"Oh? And what exactly do you think is broken?"
> "Faith," he replied, voice softer now. "People like you… don't last long in places like this."
Seris looked at him carefully, smile fading. "I know. But if I change because of it… what would be the point of being me?"
> "You'll die," Riven said bluntly.
"I'll live," she replied, equally blunt. "Even if I die."
For a moment, Riven paused.
This girl was a problem.
Not because she was strong.
But because he almost believed her.
> "This world will use you up," he said. "So let me help you use it first."
"...You're weird," she said with a small smile.
"You have no idea."
---
System Notification:
> [Target emotional trust: 42% and rising]
[Progress toward unlocking False Loyalty: Moderate]
---
Location: Student Cafeteria – Later That Evening
Elric gawked as Riven dumped three full trays on their table.
"Who are you feeding? A dragon?"
"I'm stress-eating," Riven said as he chomped into a glowing mana steak.
"You don't get stressed."
"I do when I'm pretending to be nice all day."
"Oh… you're trying to get Seris to like you?" Elric wiggled his eyebrows. "Are we in the 'oh no the villain's catching feelings' arc already?"
Riven tossed a glowing blue bun at his head.
"Relax. It's all strategy," he muttered. "I need her trust to unlock something useful."
"You sure it's not the way she smiles at you?"
Riven paused.
> "...Shut up, Elric."
---
Location: Healer's Dormitory – Two Nights Later
A thunderstorm shook the windows. Rain hammered down. Most students were asleep. But Riven was standing outside the healer's wing — soaked, silent.
Not because of drama.
Because he had a plan.
Seris opened the door in a robe, eyes wide.
"Riven?! What are you doing out here?! You're drenched!"
He gave a soft, trembling laugh.
"I needed to… talk to someone who didn't lie."
Her eyes softened.
"Come in."
---
Scene Break: Her Room
Steam from the herbal tea drifted between them as Riven sat on the edge of a warm chair, towel over his head.
"I remember things that… haven't happened yet," he said.
Seris blinked. "You mean dreams?"
He shook his head.
> "I've seen people I care about… betray me. People I trust. Friends. Teachers. They smiled, then stabbed me."
He let the silence settle. She said nothing.
"I don't know why I'm telling you this," he lied, beautifully. "I just… felt like if anyone would believe me, it'd be you."
Seris looked at him, lips parted in shock. Then she smiled.
A real one.
"I believe you."
---
SYSTEM INTERFACE
> [Trust Level: 100% Genuine Emotional Bond Achieved]
[New Ability Unlocked: False Loyalty]
---
🔒 FALSE LOYALTY (Lv.1)
> Bind a trusting target's subconscious.
They remain unaware, but begin to follow your commands as if by choice.
Limit: 1 target per 50 Sin Points.
> [Seris Valen – Bound by False Loyalty]
Riven stood up.
> "Thank you… Seris."
"Are you okay now?" she asked softly.
He nodded. "Much better."
---
Location: Rooftop – An Hour Later
Riven stared at the rain-soaked academy below.
> "One down," he muttered. "The angel now sings my songs."
He felt the power in his mind hum. The leash was invisible… but firm.
Seris would now act in his favor. Even against her own morals.
> "False loyalty. Real control."
---
BUT SOMEWHERE…
A terminal lit up deep underground in the academy's surveillance chamber. A single eye-shaped crest glowed crimson.
A watcher stirred.
> "System signature detected…"
> "...and he's already begun to use it."