Chapter 10: Shot in the Butt

Silas bolted from behind the desk just as the third arrow formed fully. It was longer and brighter this time, humming with a predatory vibration that made his bones rattle. The diary hovered higher, angling itself with slow, terrifying precision.

"Hey- HEY- let’s talk about this!" he shouted, his arms flailing as if negotiation might suddenly be a valid defense. He was getting crazier and crazier. Talking to a book was pretty solid evidence.

The diary offered him all the compassion of a hungry vulture.

THRUM!

The arrow fired, and Silas dodged left. The arrow corrected itself mid-flight.

"What-" he yelped, spinning on his heel to sprint toward the door. He didn’t make it two steps. The arrow came for him like a guided missile with personal issues, streaking across the room in a blazing arc of pink light. He twisted, but it moved with him. He tried twisting his body again, but the arrow was faster. It hit him squarely at the back, but he’d managed to twist a bit, and it ended up shooting him into the wall, headfirst.

Silas instantly saw stars flying in his vision as he was completely stunned by the attack. Unfortunately for him, his current condition, and most especially the position he was in, was the ideal thing for the arrow. It brightened as if smiling at its assured victory.

He was current with his head down and his butt stuck high up in the air... unconsciously. When he realized, it was too late. The arrow hit him square in the... butt, through his trousers. He let out a silent scream as his mind clouded over.

He felt the impact not as pain but as an invasion, a rush of something, a blend of heat, sound, light, and emotion, slammed into him like a tidal wave. He tried standing, but his knees buckled while his vision went white. His breath was stuck in his throat, trapped between a gasp and a scream.

For a whole, long second, he felt a whole lot of things ranging from desire, rage, sorrow, euphoria, control, mischief, to heartbeats that weren’t his own. Voices sang in a language he instinctively understood yet had never heard. He felt the texture of wings brush his spine, a thousand lovers kissing across lifetimes.

The room tilted sharply, and his legs gave out entirely. He collapsed face-first into the floor with an unceremonious thud, his fingers twitching as the last of the pink light sank into his skin.

The diary dimmed as its glow faded to a soft ember. It drifted gently to the ground, landing exactly where it had been that morning, as if it had never moved. Silas didn’t see any of it. He was already unconscious, sprawled on the cold dormitory floor as something ancient curled into him like a seed finally recognizing its soil.

***

Silas slowly regained consciousness. His vision was hazy, his body heavy as if he was being weighed down by some invisible force. That was when he noticed a glowing screen suspended in the air in front of him, pulsing softly with a pink and purple light. Symbols scrolled across it in Greek, unfamiliar yet familiar and strangely intelligible.

Κύριος Σύστημα Ενεργοποίησης: ΕΠΙΛΟΓΗ ΔΙΑΔΡΟΜΟΥ

"Main System Activation: Select Path"

Silas blinked in shock and confusion. He could read it perfectly. Another line appeared beneath it, brighter than the rest:

[Cupid System: Conquer Desires, Command Hearts, Claim Destiny]

[Available Paths: Initiating Selection]

A calm voice that sounded more like the voice of a scammer and seducer combined resonated in his head. Unlike most system books he’d read online on his phone, this one wasn’t mechanical, but human.

[User Detected!]

[Silas Cupid Ashard]

[Core System Fully Operational]

[Select Evolution Path To Begin]

[Failure to select will result in default initialization]

Silas hesitated as he read and heard what the system said. He swallowed hard and muttered.

"System... what exactly do you do?"

The system’s screen moved quickly, answering his question.

[Core functions: Influence attraction, manipulate desire, induce loyalty and obsession, manipulate emotions related to love and lust across targets.

Advanced modules unlock cross-dimensional applications.

Risks: Psychological strain, social instability, dependency on system output. Potential for ascension dependent on user decisions.]

His brow furrowed as he read: Cross-dimensional, lust targets, he shivered with part excitement and part ease. His gaze then fell on the screen again. A list of options had appeared in neat columns.

[Initiate Basic Functions – Target minor emotions, single individuals]

[Awaken Core Cupid Powers – Begin full activation of influence, reflexive charm, and attraction manipulation]

[Advanced Conqueror Mode – Multi-target influence, global-scale interactions (Requires system rank-up)]

He reached out instinctively, his fingers brushing the holographic interface. The moment he touched Awaken Core Cupid Powers, a wave of energy pulsed through him, while a small pop-up scrolled across the screen:

[System Alert!]

[Core Abilities Pending Activation]

[User Query Required]

[Confirm: Yes/No]

Silas exhaled sharply, his heart pounding in anticipation. "Yes... I’m ready."

Instantly, a structured cascade of notifications appeared, each one detailing the abilities he was about to acquire.

[Desire Manipulation – Influence emotional attraction at will]

[Targeted Obsession: Temporarily dominate the attention of single targets]

[Charm Reflex: Reflexive influence in high-stress situations]

[Fated Connection: Mark an individual as ’bound’ to the user for future interaction]

[System Interface Access: Visual and auditory cues for emotional feedback]

The screen blinked rapidly, confirming his selection.

<System Log:>

<User: Silas Cupid Ashard>

<Core Abilities: Active!>

<Status: Initialization Completed!>

A subtle warmth spread through his chest, pulsing with each heartbeat. It wasn’t raw energy; it was data, instructions, and potential, flowing into him in a controlled and systemized fashion. He felt his senses heighten and his mind open to the slightest emotional fluctuations around him.

"Alright. Let’s see if this works," he muttered as he moved close to his window. He spotted a student in the courtyard playing with a can of soda with his ability. The can hovered above his hand, probably an effect of the wind ability or telekinesis. He extended his hand and called out the skill.

<Desire Manipulation>

Nothing happened.

Just then, the system’s voice sounded in his head.

[Action failed! The user’s level is insufficient for the target and advanced functions. Core abilities are partially restricted. Maximum executable functions are only the Basic Functions.

Recommendation: Increase the level through experience after activating Basic Functions]