"Frankly, I’d rather just be an ordinary person… This body of mine is such a hassle. Ugh..."

Lili let out a long sigh, her face clouded with a troubled expression.

That look of hers… I've seen it countless times. Every time my mom returns from work, she’d wear the same exhausted look too—rubbing her shoulders, grumbling about how tired she was, then giving me a meaningful glance, subtly hinting that I should give her a shoulder massage.

Right now, Lili was no different. She squinted her eyes, sneaking a look at me, as if waiting for the perfect moment to unburden her worries.

Okay, fine, I’ll hear you out. Not that I can guarantee I’d be much help anyway.

"So, uh, what exactly do you mean?"

"Well, it’s because I’m a succubus. Every time a male being sees my true form, they… react poorly. It’s super embarrassing. I've got to use minor illusions to keep my real form concealed just so things don’t get out of hand."

Oh. So that's why she looked so hideous before—it was all for everyone else's benefit. I mean, sparing people from unseemly… *reactions* does seem noble enough.

"But wouldn’t just being seen be fine, though? I mean, as long as they don’t—"

"Even just looking is a problem!" Lili interrupted. Her voice grew slightly higher, exasperated. "When I was in elementary school, I didn’t know how to use those illusions yet. Once—ugh, I’ll never forget it—a man driving down the street just *stared* at me. And then crashed his car. He could’ve died!"

"Built-in allure… got it."

So she was already *that* dangerous back in elementary school? That’s terrifying! I’d wager for any lolicon uncle, even just a glimpse of young Lili would have a multiplied effect. …Dangerous thought. I wouldn’t mind seeing what she looked like as a kid, if I’m being completely honest.

Whoever taught Lili how to conceal her looks deserves a national award. Without that spell, she’d literally be walking around as a weapon of mass distraction. Just existing in public would plunge the whole city into chaos.

"And if someone actually touches me? Things can escalate. Back in middle school, my deskmate brushed against my hand once and—uh—"

"…Ahem."

Lili cleared her throat awkwardly. I coughed as well, just because it felt like the thing to do.

Yeah, no need to finish that thought. I already have a pretty good idea of how that situation ended. That poor guy. A tragic blow to anyone's dignity… and in middle school, no less. Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if he spent the rest of his life known as "Speedy Hands" or something equally humiliating.

Permit me a moment to show a sympathetic face.

At this point, Lili seemed to have a revelation. With the expression of someone realizing a forgotten secret, she cocked her head, examining me curiously.

"Wait a minute… Cheng, you haven't been reacting to me that much, have you?"

"Uh?"

How do you mean “haven’t been reacting”?! I mean, the current Lili standing before me oozes with such… allure. Even I can’t look her directly in the eyes! I'm just… handling it better, right?

"Oh, I feel it. Look, I’m not even daring to stare straight at you."

"Liar. You're not blushing at all!"

"That's just because I’ve mastered the art of keeping it in."

"So… what about, well, *down there*? Is it… has it?" Her eyes dipped briefly before darting back to my face.

"It hasn’t!"

"You see? That means it’s not working at all! You don't even have a normal physiological reaction, Cheng… you’re not, uh, impotent, are you?"

"Shut up! I’m totally fine! My control is just better than you realize!"

Excuse me?! Impotent?! I’m a healthy high school boy, okay? I’m just good at keeping myself in check!

But wait… she suddenly fell silent.

Why isn't she saying anything now? Don’t tell me it was because of me telling her to "shut up"? Could the contract between us be so binding that she can’t even talk when I tell her not to?

…This is oddly disappointing.

"You can talk again."

"Ugh, you're so mean!"

Lili puffed out her cheeks in childish frustration, sticking her tongue out at me. I have to admit, she looked pretty adorable… But then again, it might just be *that* spell messing with my brain.

Honestly, though, it's amazing how someone can seem so different with just a new face. If she did something like that with her old, witch-like form… no offense, but I would’ve been running for a bucket right about now.

"Speaking of… you still haven’t told me how you know my real name."

"Oh, that…"

I scratched my head, debating whether to tell her. But maybe being honest was for the best...

"Well, last night, something hit me on the head while I was at the park. When I came to, I realized I could see people’s names and titles above their heads. For instance, yours says, 'Purehearted Succubus,' and Lili is your true name. It’s written right there, floating above you."

"Hmmm…"

Oh, also, your dangerous red name disappeared. It didn't turn green though—just blue, like Yuhui’s.

Anyway, Lili crossed her arms, looking pensive for a moment as she closed her eyes. Then, after some consideration, she opened her eyes, nodding in sudden realization.

"Oh, so that's how it is. You awakened some kind of power, like in an urban fantasy novel? I mean, being able to see people’s names and titles… that's a pretty niche ability. But honestly, knowing true names? You could be some sort of devil-busting demon king in disguise! Mwahaha! …Hey, stop glaring at me—it’s just a joke, okay?!"

I sighed heavily, largely unimpressed.

I thought she might actually have answers to what was happening to me, but instead, all I got was her saying it sounded like "one of those abilities from novels." What a disappointment.

Guess figuring this out is all on me after all.

So, let’s recap. I first gained this ability after—what exactly? Ah, right, it was past midnight in a park. I’d been folding those little slips of paper when something fell from above and knocked me out. When I woke up… suddenly, I could perceive these… titles and names.

That leaves me with three possibilities:

1. I hit my head and triggered latent abilities. Classic awakening scenario.

2. Whatever hit me (a meteorite, perhaps?) sparked some kind of superpower.

3. …The reverse pentagram on the back of that note.

Wait a second! The reverse pentagram—Lili gave me that note! But now the design’s gone! It has to have been some kind of magic circle, right?!

Clicking into place, everything suddenly made sense. I grabbed Lili's shoulders in a slight panic.

"Do you remember those paper slips you gave me yesterday? The ones with the reverse pentagram on them? What did you do?!"

"Ahh, well, uh…" Lili stammered, looking caught off guard. "You… you noticed that, huh?"

"It *was* you!"

"Okay, yeah, it was me! But listen—it was just a low-level enchantment circle, that's all! It’s a charm spell designed to make someone a little more, you know, *appealing* to the opposite gender. Barely noticeable! And even then, I intentionally weakened it by splitting the circle to make sure it didn’t mess with your life too much. It was just supposed to slightly raise your charisma score…"

Her voice trailed off as she glanced awkwardly at my increasingly deadpan expression.

"I see. And why would you even *do* something like that?"

"Well… you’ve helped me out so much, Cheng. Organizing books, carrying stuff for me; I wanted to repay you somehow. And I thought, you know… you’re always kind of a loner. I just wanted you to make some friends. That's all. I swear, I wasn’t trying to harm you or anything!"

Her words rang with sincerity. Not just because of her earnest expression, but also due to that whole master-servant contract thing. If she’d been lying… I think the backlash from the curse would’ve hit her already. So, she wasn’t lying.

This was her way of repaying my "help"? How unnecessary. While her intentions might’ve been good, all she’s done is throw my social life into chaos.

"Wait… did the magic circle vanish after being used?"

"Nope," she said with a shrug. "It works as long as the owner has it. If you hadn’t attended evening self-study, you’d have handed in that note, and the enchantment would’ve naturally worn off by then. I figured you’d have made friends by that point, anyway."

"But the thing is… the magic circle on the note disappeared just after I got hit on the head last night."

I pulled the note out of my pocket, flipping and turning it to show her only the blank side where the reverse pentagram had been.

Lili gaped in shock, pinching the note between her fingers and bringing her face close, scrutinizing every corner.

"What in the world—?! How is this possible? Hold on… let me sense something real quick—wait, what the—"

"What is it?"

"The magic circle… it seems like it’s *inside* you now…"

"Come again?"

With a trembling finger, she pointed right at my forehead.

"To be precise… it’s in your head somewhere. I have no idea why the enchantment transferred to you like that."

"What the hell…?"

I slapped my hand to my forehead in disbelief. I knew it was useless, but I did it anyway.

The charm spell… in my brain? Am I… more charming now?

For some inexplicable reason, my thoughts flitted to Jilianbing.

Could it be… Was *that* the reason for her sudden interest in me?

A dark foreboding crept over me, twisting into a knot in my stomach.

I had a sinking feeling—like I’d crossed some dividing line, and the life I'd known up to now was slipping further and further out of reach.