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POV: Lin Yue (Crown Princess Candidate)
The sun shimmered across the jade-tiled roofs of Huaqing Academy, but the warmth did little to melt the frost between her and the nobles who whispered like snakes in embroidered robes. Lin Yue stood at the edge of the Combat-Seduction Courtyard — the arena where the infamous Lustbound Entrance Trials were held. Her black robes clung to her silhouette like shadows woven in silk. Her silver waist chain glimmered with every step, every breath, every intention.
Today was her first test.
It wasn't just about battle. Or seduction. It was about breaking illusions — about proving that the fallen minister's daughter was no longer the disgraced girl they remembered. She was reborn, and this trial would be her debut.
In the stands above the arena, murmurs buzzed like hornets.
"She's just a name... a scandal."
"Didn't the Crown Prince break the betrothal himself?"
"She must've bribed her way in."
"She'll never survive this round. Look at her — all curves, no power."
Lin Yue didn't need to hear it. She felt it — the sting of judgment in the eyes of princes, daughters of generals, envious concubines-in-training.
Her lips curled into a smile.
Good. Let them underestimate her.
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POV: Instructor Mei Hua (Headmistress of Huaqing Academy)
"She's here," the Headmistress muttered, folding her arms under crimson sleeves. Her sharp eyes trailed the young woman gliding into the center. "Lin Yue… the one who had a scandal shadow her name. Let's see what you truly are."
A parchment fluttered in Mei Hua's hand. On it, Yue's ranking evaluation had been marked as "unfit."
"She should not be in this batch," a noblewoman beside her sneered.
"And yet," Mei Hua whispered, eyes narrowing, "she's here."
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POV: Crown Prince (Rui Shen)
He watched from the royal tower, fingers clenched. Her presence stabbed at something buried — lust, regret, obsession. The red mark of their broken engagement still burned across the empire, and yet she stood here, unbowed, untamed.
He leaned forward.
"Don't disappoint me, Lin Yue," he whispered, voice low and tight. "I want to see how you earn the throne beneath you."
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Scene: The Arena
"Contestant Lin Yue, step forward!" called Instructor Li, his voice booming.
Her opponent was a third-year senior — tall, muscled, and cruel in the eyes. He bowed mockingly, voice slick.
"I'll go easy on you, darling. Wouldn't want to bruise the newest academy toy."
Yue's smirk was wicked.
"You should worry about your pride, not my face."
A ripple of shocked laughter followed.
The trial began. Magic danced in the air — threads of seduction clashing with spells of restraint, illusions weaving between strikes. Her opponent conjured a lust fog — meant to daze her, weaken her will.
Lin Yue walked through it.
Unaffected.
System Activation: Lustbound Core Reactivated
Status: Immune to Charm Class D
With a flick of her hand, she sent her own spell — a whisper of desire laced with illusion. Her opponent froze, stunned, a puppet lost in his own fantasies.
One strike.
Two.
Three.
He fell, dazed and aroused, body twisted in submission.
Gasps echoed.
"She defeated Senior Jin in under a minute!"
"She countered a Class D seduction spell!"
"Who… who the hell is she really?"
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POV: Second Prince (Liu Yan)
Watching from behind a silk veil, the sadistic Second Prince grinned. "Oh... she's going to be fun."
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POV: Lin Yue
As she stood in the center of the arena, victorious, the magical glyph beneath her feet glowed. A reward appeared in her mind.
System Update: Skill Earned — Whisper of Obedience
Effect: Temporary submission of opponents who doubt you
Lin Yue looked up at the Crown Prince. Their eyes locked.
She bowed.
Not low.
Not submissively.
Just enough to say:
I'm coming.
And next time, you'll kneel.
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End of Chapter 12