Late morning.
Vael left a note for his mom and stepped out.
He rocked:
A fitted black undershirt showing off his gains
An unzipped jacket with bold detailing and premium accents
Black suede slides to match
Effortless drip.
He skipped cologne.
Didn't need it.
His incubus pheromones already did the work.
He walked toward the city, hands in pockets, relaxed.
A luxurious carriage rolled up beside him.
A knight stood at the front.
"The young miss asks if you'd like a ride."
Vael waved him off casually.
"Ehh, nah. I'm enjoying the view."
Not really.
The knight's face hardened.
"Fool. This carriage belongs to House Abel. Disrespect will not be tolerated."
He unsheathed his sword.
Vael looked at him confused.
This guy serious? I just answered.
He turned and kept walking.
Unbothered.
The knight leapt down and slashed.
Vael stepped aside effortlessly.
Didn't even tense.
He glanced at him and—
Velvet Reality activated.
Inside the Knight's Mind
The world shifted.
Red sky.
Endless horizon.
Hundreds of Vaels surrounded him.
Silent. Smiling.
The knight attacked wildly.
Swing after swing.
But every Vael vanished and reappeared.
Again.
Again.
Again.
He panicked.
Faster. Sloppier. Desperate.
Reality
Vael stood there watching the knight exhaust himself.
Then—
The carriage door opened.
A voice called out.
"That's enough."
It was the dragonkin girl from school.
Vael snapped his fingers twice.
"Oh yeah. It's you… uh…"
She rolled her eyes.
"Veronica. Veronica Abel."
She looked at her knight.
"You used that weird thing from the arena, didn't you? He's high-rank. Illusions shouldn't affect him that easily."
Vael chuckled.
"Well shawty, it ain't an illusion spell."
"That's all you get to know."
She clicked her tongue.
"Whatever. Can you release him before he gives himself a heart attack?"
Vael smirked.
"Only 'cause you asked nice."
He canceled Velvet Reality.
The knight dropped to his knees, drenched in sweat.
He looked around wildly.
"So many… endless you…"
Vael shrugged.
"I just stood here. Don't know what you talking about."
The knight tried to speak.
Veronica cut him off with a glare.
"That's enough. You lost."
He immediately shut up.
She looked back at Vael.
"So where you heading?"
"To the city. Exploring."
She smiled.
"Exploring, huh? Want a ride?"
Vael thought for a second.
Fuck it.
"Sure."
The knight looked like he wanted to protest.
One stare from Veronica silenced him.
They boarded the carriage.
Vael leaned back, hands behind his head, relaxed.
Looking out the window.
Unbothered.
Veronica kept glancing at him.
He smells good…
His incubus scent.
Her eyes drifted to his arms.
Were his muscles always that defined?
A faint blush crept onto her cheeks.
She looked away quickly.