Asmodeus System: Stealing My Bully's Mother

​The morning air at Zenithar Academy was always bone-chilling. Yet, inside the VIP Room of the Main Tower, the magical fireplace flickered dimly.

Ethan Valen was already awake. He sat leaning casually against his black leather sofa. His dark brown hair was slightly tousled. He wore only a long-sleeved white dress shirt—the top two buttons deliberately left undone, exposing his collarbone.

His left hand held a porcelain cup, occasionally sipping the bergamot-scented black tea. Meanwhile, his right hand supported an ancient grimoire. His clear brown eyes traced the strings of dead runes on the worn pages.

That peaceful atmosphere was shattered.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

Ethan paused his reading. The knocks were firm, rhythmic, and incredibly formal.

"Come in," Ethan said flatly.

The oak door opened. Kaelia von Ashford stepped inside.

The Fire Queen looked stunning, but her aura was different. She wore her red-and-gold Student Council uniform, ironed to perfection. Her fiery red hair, which usually cascaded wildly, was tied back in a stiff ponytail this morning.

Her posture was perfectly straight, radiating the aura of bureaucratic professionalism. Yet, one thing was incredibly striking: her golden-yellow eyes kept looking away. She stared at the floor or the corner of the desk, reluctant to collide with Ethan’s gaze.

In her arms, Kaelia carried a thin stack of documents.

"Good morning, My Master," Kaelia greeted. Her tone was far too neutral for a girl whose lower abdomen had been carved with Ethan’s Lust Brand. "I bring several documents requiring your approval."

Ethan placed his cup on the table, then closed the grimoire on his lap. He scanned Kaelia from the top of her head down to her boots.

"What documents?"

Kaelia stepped forward, placing the papers one by one onto the mahogany desk. Her movements were too neat, too rigid.

"These are reports from the Council, My Master," Kaelia began explaining. Her eyes were busy staring at the papers. "First, your regular class attendance has been empty for the past few days. Several instructors have begun questioning it. Second, your borrowed books from the VIP Library are past due. And third, there is an exhibition sparring request from—"

Kaelia spoke rapidly and rambled on, even though her eyes weren’t focused on reading the text there at all.

"Kaelia."

A single word. The baritone flowed calm and deep.

Kaelia’s mouth snapped shut instantly. She swallowed hard. All her administrative sentences evaporated into thin air.

Ethan stood up. His footsteps were soundless against the plush carpet. He circled the desk, stopping exactly a handspan in front of the girl. Close enough that Kaelia could catch the masculine scent lingering on his shirt.

"You came here so early in the morning," Ethan began, his voice dropping low. "You tied your hair up. Brought trivial documents that could be handled by low-tier staff. Your tone is far too formal, and most importantly... you are avoiding my gaze."

Ethan leaned his face in slightly. "Something is bothering you."

Kaelia turned her face away. Her fingers crumpled the hem of her skirt. "N-nothing, My Master. I am merely fulfilling my duties as a Council member—"

"You are lying."

Ethan raised his hand. He touched Kaelia’s chin with the tips of his index finger and thumb, forcing the girl’s face up. Kaelia’s golden eyes could no longer run away. The touch was feather-light, but the absolute authority behind it was impossible to resist.

"Tell me, Kaelia," Ethan whispered. His voice now pierced deep into the recesses of the girl’s soul.

Kaelia tried to hold out. Three seconds. That was all the time it took before her aristocratic walls and pride crumbled to pieces.

"You summoned Valera... twice..." Kaelia’s voice hitched, her breath trembling. "Madam Isolde... visits this room every single day..."

Kaelia bit her lower lip hard. "I... I feel neglected. I feel like I am no longer of use to you, My Master. Did... did I do something wrong?"

Her pale cheeks flushed a deep, furious red. She was ashamed of begging for attention, yet also angry for appearing so pathetic.

Ethan let Kaelia wrestle with her own ego in silence.

"You are jealous," Ethan stated calmly.

"No!" Kaelia denied it quickly, her eyes blinking in panic. "I am not jealous—I just... feel useless as your servant."

The Fire Queen’s face was now as red as a tomato. Tears welled up in her eyes. Kaelia absolutely hated herself right now. She was a Duke’s daughter, yet before this F-Caste youth, she was crying simply because she hadn’t been summoned to his room.

Ethan didn’t answer with words.

His fingers shifted from her chin, tracing Kaelia’s jawline, before moving up to her burning cheek. His thumb brushed softly, wiping away a stray teardrop.

"You feel useless?" Ethan asked. There was a hint of amusement at the edge of his voice.

Ethan’s eyes locked onto the girl. "Your blood-red fire is the only thing that can pierce through holy shields. You stood by my side when I stepped on Prince Edward’s chest—and chose to kneel before me, rather than become an Empress."

Kaelia’s breath hitched in her throat.

"Did you really think I would let an asset as lethal and as beautiful as you sit idle and useless?" Ethan whispered, caressing Kaelia’s cheek.

Kaelia’s knees went weak. Both her hands reflexively gripped the sleeves of Ethan’s white shirt to keep from collapsing.

"Then..." Kaelia looked up with a pleading gaze. "...why have you never summoned me here, My Master?"

"Because I was waiting for you to come see me of your own volition, Kaelia," a faint smirk etched itself onto Ethan’s face. "And you actually came... albeit with a terribly lame administrative excuse."

A small sob slipped past Kaelia’s lips. A mixture of a relieved laugh and stifled tears. All the anxiety crushing her chest evaporated without a trace. Her Master had never thrown her away. Her Master was simply toying with her mind.

Ethan took a single step back.

He turned his body, walking toward the large bed in the center of the room, and sat casually on the edge. His brown eyes stared at Kaelia with an absolute dominance that was no longer concealed.

"Take off your uniform, Fire Queen," Ethan commanded absolutely.

Kaelia’s eyes widened, the blush on her cheeks spreading all the way to her ears. "R-right now? But it’s still morning, My Master—"

"Didn’t you say you wanted to feel useful?" Ethan cut in. It wasn’t an insult, but a challenge to the Fire Queen’s ego. "Prove it to me this morning... that you are still worthy of being called my servant."

Kaelia swallowed hard. That challenge triggered something utterly feral in her blood.

With slightly trembling fingers, Kaelia unbuttoned her uniform one by one. The red-and-gold uniform slipped off her shoulders, falling to the carpet. In a matter of seconds, she was stripped of her clothes.

Her flawless, pale white skin was exposed, creating a stark contrast with her fiery red hair.

Ethan stared at her hungrily yet with undeniable class. Like a collector of dark arts admiring a masterpiece.

"Come here," Ethan beckoned softly.

Kaelia stepped forward obediently. The moment she was within reach, Ethan grabbed her wrist, pulling her in with a gentle tug, before pushing Kaelia’s back onto the silk sheets.

Ethan followed, hovering over the girl. His white shirt fell open even wider, exposing the Horned Crown tattoo positioned right over his heart.

Down below, Kaelia’s Lust Brand commanded attention. The thorny black rose tattoo on her lower abdomen began to glow a deep, dark red. Pulsing in sync with the girl’s wildly racing heartbeat.

Yet, Ethan didn’t take her roughly.

Ethan lowered his face. He kissed Kaelia’s forehead softly. Trailed down to her tear-stained eyelids, then the tip of her nose. Slow, calculated, a stark contrast to the man who had crushed the Prince’s chest.

"My Master..." Kaelia’s breathing was erratic, her eyes closed as she felt the sting of pleasure.

Ethan’s index finger touched Kaelia’s trembling lips.

"Shh," Ethan whispered intoxicatingly. "Today you don’t need to think, Kaelia. You don’t need to plan anything. You don’t need to be jealous. Today, on this bed... you only need to feel owned."

Kaelia’s mental defenses completely collapsed. She surrendered her body and soul entirely.

A dance of emotional dominance. Ethan used no force, but rather a psychological seduction that seeped straight into her bone marrow. Every touch was an absolute claim of ownership.

Crimson Sin Mana flowed profusely, merging with Kaelia’s fire circuit. Searing heat filled the room. The rose tattoo on the girl’s stomach glowed blindingly. Kaelia writhed intensely, her fingers softly clawing the back of Ethan’s shirt.

Her sanity evaporated. Noble titles ceased to exist.

"Ahh... Ethan... Ethan!" she moaned repeatedly. Her voice was saturated with euphoria and a love entirely corrupted by darkness.

A symphony of perfect union. The Fire Queen burned herself purely to warm her Master.

One hour later.

Ethan lay casually staring at the ceiling, his breathing steady. Beside him, Kaelia was completely drained of energy. Her red hair, which had been tied back earlier, was now scattered across the pillow like crushed rose petals. Her golden eyes were puffy, but a satisfied smile curved on her lips.

"My Master..." Kaelia’s hoarse voice broke the silence. "I... apologize. For being jealous... and doubting you."

Ethan turned his head, planting a brief kiss on the girl’s lips.

"Never apologize for that," he wiped a bead of sweat from Kaelia’s temple. "Jealousy is a sign that you care. And I... appreciate it."

Ethan propped himself up into a half-sit. His eyes once again radiated the sharp glint of a conspirator.

"Now listen to me. I have a special task for you."

Hearing that, Kaelia forced her body to sit upright. "Whatever it is, My Master."

"Find information regarding a rare illness," Ethan instructed carefully. "A disease that paralyzes the patient’s mana circuit, but... exhibits a bizarre reaction to ancient energy. Something that cannot be explained medically."

Ethan looked at her seriously. "Use your Council access. Ransack the VIP Library, the secret archives, or steal the records of the Church of Light if you must. I need your brains and your meticulousness."

Kaelia furrowed her brow. Her brilliant mind processed the request, though she didn’t dare ask who the patient was.

"I understand, My Master," her eyes blazed with renewed purpose. "I will begin the search this afternoon."

The girl climbed out of bed. Although a bit wobbly, she hastily put her scattered uniform back on. Before stepping out, she turned around at the threshold with a genuine smile.

"My Master... thank you."

Ethan merely responded with a slight nod.

The moment the door clicked shut, Ethan leaned back again.

"Fufufu... The Lust Brand on that girl’s stomach glowed incredibly bright today," the voice of the Asmodeus System echoed in his head. Her ancient tone was now laced with a hint of possessiveness. "You certainly know how to spoil your toys."

Ethan didn’t respond.

"But you know the risks, don’t you?" the System lowered her voice. "The deeper this emotional bond grows, the harder it will be for you to—"

I know, Ethan cut her off coldly in his mind.

The Asmodeus System chuckled. "Of course you do. You’re a monster far worse than I am."

Ethan closed his eyes. He could feel three faint pulses connected directly to his Sin Mana core. Three Lust Brand anchors.

Isolde’s back rose, pulsing purple.

Kaelia’s stomach rose, pulsing dark red.

Valera’s neck rose, pulsing gold.

The three of them gripped their souls deeper by the day, making it absolutely impossible for them to live without him.

Ethan’s thoughts drifted far through the blizzard outside. To an isolated village that existed on no map.

A new pawn he would soon snatch away from the hands of fate.

Ethan smirked faintly. His fingers softly tapped against the empty porcelain cup.

"We’ll handle that tomorrow," he murmured, staring out the window. "But for today... I am quite satisfied."