CHAPTER 55: TRUE LOVE?

The campus was alive with the hum of students moving between classes, but the quad had a quieter, more intimate energy around the usual bench where Alex, Danny, Sarah, and Mike often gathered.

Alex had arrived only at lunch. He’d slept straight through, after helping Tisha reach her home the previous night and letting her recover in peace.

The memory of her exhaustion... her body finally yielding after the euphoric intensity of last night... was still vivid, lingering at the edges of his mind.

Danny, unsurprisingly, had been calling relentlessly all morning, trying every route to reach him.

By the time Alex finally arrived, lunch hour was in full swing, and Danny was practically vibrating in anticipation.

"Finally!" Danny exclaimed as Alex reached the bench, dropping his bag at his feet. "Where the hell have you been? Sleeping the morning away like a king, huh?"

Alex leaned back against the bench, a lazy smirk tugging at his lips. "Yeah... needed it," he said casually. "Long night, long morning."

Sarah raised an eyebrow, grinning. "Uh-huh... sleeping? Really? That’s your excuse?"

Danny ignored her, leaning forward with a mischievous glint in his eye. "And... last night! Alex... come on! About Dr. Wells... how? Tell me!"

Alex chuckled, stretching his arms behind his head, unconcerned. "Danny... patience. You know I don’t do full exposés in public."

Danny’s hands landed on his knees, composed but insistent. "I’m not asking for an exposé. Just... a little context. Enough to understand how you managed to land the hottest professor in college. That’s all."

Mike sat slightly apart from the trio, eyes glued to his phone. He was busy, engrossed in something else entirely, scrolling and typing with focused precision.

He shot a faint smirk at Danny’s restless energy but didn’t lift his attention from the screen.

"So... spill it, man," Danny said, leaning slightly toward Alex. " how did it all happen?"

"Alright," Alex began, a playful smirk tugging at his lips as he leaned back slightly, "I’ll give you the short version..."

"After the whole mess with Marcus and Sophia, it was Tisha who stepped in. I was this close to getting expelled, but she made sure that didn’t happen."

"Later, I ended up joining Victoria Blackwood’s company... our relationship was good and she trusted me. I worked there last month. She even took me to that party her husband James Blackwood organized. That’s where I met Tisha again. We connected... and you know the rest."

Danny blinked, eyebrows shooting up. "Victoria Blackwood? Really, man?"

"Yeah," Alex said, casual but confident. "Back when I was dating Sophia, I was on good terms with her. When she found out about Sophia’s actions, she even froze all her accounts to teach her a lesson."

"Good for you, man!" Danny said, impressed. "But... there’s more to it, isn’t there?"

Alex chuckled, shaking his head. "Yes, there is. But I’ll tell you when I think it’s the right time. Okay?"

Danny smiled, nodding. "Alright. I believe you." He couldn’t help but be impressed by how much his friend had transformed... calm, collected, in control.

The trio started moving toward their class, lunch trays in hand. Mike, however, didn’t join them.

He gave a quick wave, grinned faintly, and said, "I’ll catch up later... I’ve got somewhere to be," before disappearing down the quad.

Alex raised an eyebrow as they walked. "What’s up with him today? Acting weird?"

Danny shrugged casually. "Beats me. He’s probably wrapped up in... whatever he’s wrapped up in."

They continued toward their classroom, conversation fading into the usual chatter of students around them.

Alex headed for their usual bench as they entered the classroom. Madison sat beside William, her eyes flicking toward him with a spark of interest.

He glanced briefly at her, acknowledging her gaze, but didn’t linger... his attention shifted elsewhere.

Almost immediately, a familiar, velvety voice curled into his mind.... Lilith.

"Look at her..." Lilith murmured, her voice teasing... silk wrapped around authority. "Those eager little eyes... all they want is you. Desire burning bright."

Her tone shifted, smooth and sultry, as she continued, "Last night, you were absolute fire. So bold, so daring, so hungry. You’re learning beautifully, darling."

He smirked, leaning back slightly, letting her words sink in. "Is that... praise, Lilith?" he murmured, though he already knew the answer.

"Yes," she purred, the affection in her tone laced with undeniable authority. "But remember... control, darling, is everything. You must master it, or it will master you."

Alex let out a low chuckle, savoring the familiar thrill of her voice. It wasn’t just guidence... It was power, attention, and a delicious warmth that made his pulse quicken.

With a thought, he summoned the system interface, the familiar translucent display unfurling before him.

••••

[DOMINION SYSTEM – LEVEL 1]

[Core Stats – All Set to PEAK HUMAN]

• Body - 20

• Mind - 20

• Charm - 20

[Note: 20 is peak performance achievable by elite human specialists]

[Wealth: $25,000,000+]

[Harem Members]

• VICTORIA BLACKWOOD (100%)

Status: Completely Devoted.

• TISHA WELLS (80%)

Status: Loyal.

[Skills]

• Bullet Veil

• Golden Touch

• Alpha Stamina Core

• Elite Presence Mastery

• Silver Tongue Protocol

[Conquest Points: 9,500]

Earned through successful domination of Victoria Blackwood.

Currency for System Shop purchases

••••

Alex’s eyes scanned the latest updates.

Harem section increased. Tisha had been added, her dependency level: 80%, and he had received 1000 CP for it.

A small grin tugged at his lips. Things were moving fast and he was ready for whatever came next.

He let a slow, satisfied smile tug at his lips. The system wasn’t just tracking him... it was feeding him, making him sharper, hungrier, more focused.

Lilith’s voice slid through his mind, playful and intoxicating. "Not bad at all, my darling... but don’t underestimate yourself. Every glance, every bond, every point... it’s yours to command. Use them wisely, sweetheart. I’m always watching."

Alex let his hand rest lightly on his lap, the warmth of last night still lingering, while her teasing presence thrummed through his mind.

"My dear Alex," she murmured once more, "you’re advancing beautifully... and watching you grow is simply exquisite."

___

While Alex immersed himself in the system, analyzing stats and savoring Tisha’s growing loyalty, the campus bustled quietly in the midday sun.

Across the quad, Mike followed the directions she had sent him.

The campus felt quieter on this side, the midday chatter fading into distant echoes. His heart thumped with a mix of nerves and excitement he hadn’t felt in a long time.

Then he saw her... a figure waiting near the edge of the quad, leaning casually against a lamppost. The sun caught her hair just right, giving her an almost ethereal glow. Mike froze for a moment, heart skipping a beat.

He still couldn’t wrap his mind around the fact that she liked him... that someone like her, so confident and vibrant, had actually waited for him. It felt unreal, almost like a dream he wasn’t supposed to be part of.

She spotted him immediately, her face lighting up with a wide, genuine smile.

"Mike! You actually came!" she said, her voice bright, teasing, and full of warmth.

Mike’s chest tightened, a grin tugging at his lips. Her name is Lila. She had been his junior in the department, the one he’d helped with a project last semester.

So quiet back then, yet there was always something... earnest about her.

"Lila, You look even more beautiful up close," he said, his voice low but sincere, stepping toward her. "Far better than in the photos."

Her eyes widened slightly, a laugh bubbling out of her. "Oh, wow... you really mean that?" she said, her tone a mix of disbelief and delight. She brushed a strand of hair behind her ear, her cheeks flushing faintly.

"Absolutely," he replied, his gaze locked on hers. "I’ve been talking to you all night... but this, seeing you here... it’s... different."

She stepped closer, her enthusiasm unabated. "I’m glad you came! Honestly, I’ve been waiting for this moment for a while. I’ve had a crush on you for so long, and I just... couldn’t keep it to myself anymore."

Mike felt a jolt of warmth and a dizzying thrill ripple through him. Her honesty, her energy... it was intoxicating. He smiled, letting himself get caught up in it.

"You know," she continued, her voice softer now, coaxing, teasing, "I kept wondering if you’d actually say yes. And now that you’re here... I can’t stop smiling."

Mike chuckled, shaking his head slightly. "You’ve got a dangerous way of making someone’s heart race." he said, amusement and something deeper threading through his tone.

She laughed again, bright and teasing. "Well... after talking last night, I just thought it was time to see if this... works in person too."

Mike’s heart raced, the world narrowing to just the two of them standing in the quiet campus quad.

For the first time since the movie night, he felt like something real... something thrilling was finally starting to happen.

She tilted her head, eyes sparkling with mischief. "So... Mike, what’s the plan now? Are we just standing here awkwardly, or are you actually taking me somewhere?"

___

Author’s Note:

So, readers... do you think Mike has finally found the love of his life?

And more importantly, who do you guys think she is?

Stay tuned... things are about to get interesting!