a bird in a cage

With her hands cuffed behind her back, Lovell smiled sweetly, tilting her head up to gaze at Soke, her first student, now the kingdom's most renowned conditioner. Just as she had when first teaching him magic, she softly posed the question that would follow them both for a lifetime. "Soke, do you know what magic is?" Soke sat awkwardly on the wooden chair opposite Lovell, his hands clasped tightly in front of him, his legs trembling uncontrollably. He dared not look at Lovell, his gaze fixed on the grain of the wooden table, his eyes betraying a clear panic. "Don't be nervous, Soke... Just listen to me." Lovell twirled a lock of silver-white hair around her finger, a hint of helplessness in her smile, and answered her own question. "Magic isn't control, nor is it enslavement... Magic is a contract. Magic is a contract formed between a mage and a magical object. The mage provides the spiritual power, and the most common magical objects, the elements, provide the corresponding magical effects. Combinations of different elements, or different magical objects, can further construct more complex spells... Of course, these are not things a beginner needs to worry about for now." As Lovell spoke, she gradually became immersed in her own world, her voice tinged with a certain excitement. "However, I believe the word 'contract' is not enough to describe the entirety of magic. Magic is a contract, but it's more like a communication. When a mage uses this place," Lovell pointed slightly outside the corner of her right eye, "the mind-heart, to establish a contract with a magical object, if they are willing to calm themselves and feel the process, they will find it very similar to communicating with another person through language and actions. The mage transmits words imbued with spiritual power, commonly known as mana, through their mind-heart. The other party responds to your communication, and the content of that response, along with the response itself, forms the magic." Lovell paused, suddenly breaking free from her excited state, a faint blush quickly crossing her cheeks. "Hmm... this might be a bit difficult to understand, as Soke is just beginning to learn magic. In reality, magic can be used even without this understanding. Just like when people deal with problems, threats, coercion, signing contracts, and deep communication can all achieve the goal, only the final outcome differs. It's just that I hope Soke can first remember that deep communication is the best path for magic, and even more so, the best way to interact with people... But there's no need to rush. It's okay if you don't understand it now; we can recall what I've said as we learn magic." Lovell smiled at Soke, who finally looked up at her. Looking at his thin, shadowed face, Lovell felt a deep stirring within her once more. "Also... before we officially begin learning magic, I want to say one more thing. Soke, I can sense your feelings towards those nobles... However, I still hope that you won't let it consume your entire heart. I'm not forcing you to forget those things, it's just... a person's life shouldn't be solely defined by hatred... Can you understand, Soke?" By the end, Lovell's eyes held a profound light. Soke's throat bobbed. His gaze drifted back to the wooden table, his hands clenching even tighter, his fingers almost digging into the back of his hands. This demeanor reminded Lovell of the first time she had met Soke – he was always subconsciously hiding his inner self. Lovell sighed inwardly again. Hatred... When will you ever understand, Soke... Understanding is one thing, and acting on it is another. So much lies between them: time, responsibility, love... Soke murmured in his mind. To have come this far, revenge is no longer just my own affair... It's just... I still think of my teacher... But I can no longer return to your side.

"Aren't you going to tie my fingers, Grand Master?" Loviette twisted her arms, bound behind her back into a cuffed position with her hands clasped behind her neck, producing a jingle of chains. "You haven't improved much in ten years." "I will tie them," Sork produced a metal blindfold. "Close your eyes first, Teacher." "You still call me Teacher? Loviette is already your prisoner... " Loviette cast a mournful glance at Sork. "Speaking of which, this blindfold is quite nostalgic. Isn't it, Grand Master?" "...Loviette, close your eyes first and put on the blindfold." "Yes... yes..." Loviette rolled her eyes at Sork, closed them, and felt the familiar cool touch of the metal blindfold against her eyelids. "By the way... Loviette can't use magic anymore, why are you still giving her a magic-sealing blindfold, Grand Master?" "The nobles don't know that Loviette can't use magic due to the contract. This is for their eyes." After locking the magic-sealing blindfold, Sork began to use a thin rope to tie Loviette's fingers together one by one. "When they mention the 'White Witch,' almost no noble in Croya isn't afraid. So Loviette must appear harmless, otherwise, someone will demand more restraints, and that won't be under my control." "Mmm~ So comfortable..." The sensation of the rope winding around her fingers made Loviette moan. "Then... it doesn't matter, does it? Loviette is already a slave, and can't resist no matter what you do... By the way, Grand Master, is it really okay to talk to Loviette like this? Loviette doesn't feel like a slave at all..." "You will. Come, Loviette, open your mouth." Sork finished tying her hands and produced a cloth ball, touching it to Loviette's lips. "Too gentle, Grand Master..." Loviette's final complaint was met with her obediently opening her mouth, waiting for Sork to insert the gag. Sork sighed softly, stuffed the cloth ball into Loviette's mouth, then wrapped strips of cloth around her cheeks several times, tying them tightly behind her head, pressing the ball firmly into her mouth so she couldn't spit it out. "Mmmph..." Loviette whimpered softly through the gag, shaking her head, appearing distressed by the gag, but Sork knew she was enjoying the feeling of being bound. Everything about Loviette before him stirred Sork's memories: Loviette's exquisitely made-up face was completely hidden by the metal blindfold and cloth strips, but her near-perfect hairstyle and delicate accessories still hinted at her stunning beauty. She was still wearing that deep purple backless gown, but it was now creased from the crisscrossing ropes, losing its original elegance, yet revealing glimpses of skin that added a seductive allure. Her silk-clad chest was pushed forward by the ropes, her arms bound behind her in an extreme position, even her fingers tied together side-by-side, unable to separate. And now he was about to wrap her hands again with cloth strips... A flood of familiar feelings, long absent, washed over him. Sork had a sudden epiphany: the inexplicable sense of familiarity he sometimes felt when disciplining slaves wasn't from his years as a master, but from that time spent with Loviette in the White Mountains, learning magic and playing master and sex slave. Wait a moment. Perhaps... this was a more perfect role-playing game? Sork looked down at Loviette's abdomen, where a small patch of lustful markings above her pubic bone faintly shimmered through the silk skirt. That's right... Back then, Loviette always liked to wear the magic-sealing blindfold and have me tie her up tightly... But she always complained about the blindfold then, saying it couldn't truly restrict her magic, and sometimes she couldn't help but use it... But this "slave contract" this time, isn't it a bit too much... As Sork wrapped Loviette's palms with cloth strips, reinforcing her restraints, he continued to refine this astonishing idea in his mind. Moreover, if this were the case, the gamble included in the contract would be meaningless. He had the right to flip the table – whether his training was successful or not, he could directly destroy Loviette's mind and heart with magic. If Loviette wanted to hinder my revenge, she would never give me such an opportunity. So it could only be that Loviette came to find me to experience the perfect life of a sex slave... But this still doesn't explain the gamble and the overly exaggerated "slave contract"... Sork found himself in a dead end, and he couldn't figure it out even after he had almost completely wrapped Loviette's upper body with cloth strips. ...Unless she believes I would never destroy her mind and heart.

"It is thus, Your Highness. We have reached a divergence of opinions regarding the future disposition of the 'Pure White Witch': some believe she should be broken in as a public courtesan for the nobility, available for the use of all lords; others advocate for subjecting her to various cruel tortures, and after she has endured extreme torment, executing her to commemorate the nobles who died by her hand." "Heh heh, not far from what I was thinking... And what are your thoughts, Sok?" Gweilin nodded with a smile that didn't reach his eyes, his gaze falling meaningfully on Sok. After a moment of thought, Sok spoke, "Yes... Regarding the disposition of the 'Pure White Witch,' I have my own perspective. There are also some matters I wish to clarify with everyone on this occasion. I was indeed a student of the 'Pure White Witch,' Lovell, but I now sincerely serve the nobility of Kroya, a fact Your Highness can attest to." Gweilin nodded, gesturing for Sok to continue. "My success in capturing her was based on my understanding of her. Under her negligence, I used contract magic combined with a magic-sealing blindfold to restrain her power. However, because her magic is so potent, these seals are not perfect and require my constant reinforcement. Initially, it will take a month to completely seal her magic. On the other hand, as everyone knows, under excessive stimulation or the threat of death, mages can cause their minds and hearts to overload, unleashing exponentially amplified magical power. Therefore, subjecting a mage whose magic is not fully sealed to torture is extremely dangerous. Not to mention, based on my understanding, the 'Pure White Witch' is undoubtedly equipped with trigger-based magic, and such magic, activated by the threat to life, is almost impossible to detect by other means. Thus, I propose that for the next month, I will undertake the task of enslaving and reinforcing the magical seals of the 'Pure White Witch.' During this period, I will guarantee appropriate and stringent restraints to prevent her escape. After one month, based on the status of her magical seals and everyone's opinions, we will decide on her further disposition. Of course, my suggestion leans towards the direction of a sex slave—execution might trigger dangerous magic. However, if she can be thoroughly subjugated and made to serve the kingdom, restoring a suitable amount of her magic would undoubtedly benefit Kroya's magical endeavors." After finishing, Sok secretly took a breath. He had finally had the chance to deliver the prepared speech he had formulated during the nobles' bickering. Fortunately, Gweilin had arrived... This way, things could proceed in the most favorable direction, and it seemed Gweilin trusted him more, so the plan should progress more smoothly... "Trainer Sok, how do we know you're not coveting the 'Pure White Witch's' body and wishing to monopolize her? If you tell us a month later that her magic is still not completely sealed, will we have to keep waiting? I believe we should have the right to personally verify these circumstances you speak of..." "Trainer Sok, will your training of the 'Pure White Witch' still take place in your dungeon as before, completely hidden from outsiders? If it remains so, it's difficult for us not to suspect that you haven't completely severed ties with this witch, your former teacher, and are planning some clandestine dealings..." As soon as Sok finished speaking, two nobles raised their doubts. "Um... this..." Sok broke out in a cold sweat, inwardly cursing these damned nobles. "I've said it, you don't need to doubt Trainer Sok's loyalty. I can guarantee it." Just as Sok was struggling to concoct a plausible excuse, an unexpected person, Gweilin, spoke. "If you doubt Sok, you doubt me." "...Prince Hollandt, we have overstepped."

Loverne shook her head in terror, but was quickly stopped by Soke. "Love, don't shake your head. I know, you still want an orgasm—at least, your body does. Right now, the only thing stopping you from seeking an orgasm is fear." Soke walked in front of Loverne and gently lifted her right nipple ring. Loverne dared not shake her head, nor speak, and because the collar couldn't be moved away from her chest, she could only hold her breath and stare at Soke's hand. "Love, there's no need to be so afraid. That's a punishment—as long as Love is good, she won't be punished. There's also a chance to get an orgasm, as a reward for being a good sex slave—but." Soke released the hand holding the nipple ring and stroked Loverne's cheek. Loverne had shown a flicker of anticipation when she heard "you can have an orgasm," but as Soke's tone shifted, that expression vanished, replaced by trembling fear. "But—a good sex slave cannot desire an orgasm on her own. You see, Love, you were just anticipating. Anticipating the reward of an orgasm—that's not allowed. Only when Master permits it, and bestows it upon you, can you enjoy it. But it's okay, I won't punish Love for this, after all, we haven't started training this yet. Don't be scared, Love, it won't be like last night. That was a punishment, and it won't always be used on Love, unless Love is naughty... Here, we'll start training later. Let's eat something first." Saying this, Soke began to unfasten the last few restraints and the collar that secured Loverne, leaving only the metal high heels on her feet. "Ah, right, Love can speak... You don't have to be so scared. Here, this is Love's breakfast." Released from the metal frame, Loverne collapsed onto the ground, looking at the dog bowl Soke pushed in front of her. "...Master... Love... can I put my hands behind my back... last time when I ate... Love wasn't allowed to use her hands..." Loverne's voice was even softer, trembling slightly. "...Alright." Soke paused, said nothing, and crouched down to help Loverne move her cuffed hands from under her to behind her back. With her hands now cuffed behind her, Loverne crawled on her knees to the dog bowl filled with broth and began to lap it up. Many strands of her hair fell into the broth as she lowered her head, but Loverne paid no mind, continuing to lick the meager broth. Soke watched for a moment before turning away, no longer looking. "...Love, I'm going to prepare your training for today. You need to be good, and if you perform well today, you'll have a chance for an orgasm tomorrow." "Love will be good, Master." Loverne looked up, only to find Soke already walking out of the cell. Soke arrived at another area of the dungeon where sex slaves were kept, heading towards a familiar cell. Soon, he spotted the golden hair. "Mia, come with me." "Woof...?" Mia tilted her head, causing the bell on her collar to jingle. "Speak, Mia." "...Master... have there been new slaves these past two days?" "Hmph, how do you know it's not to take you to the punishment room for discipline?" Mia immediately shivered, folding her restrained limbs and quickly retreating to the deepest corner of the cell. "Master... Mia doesn't want to..." "Mia's courage is as small as ever. Yes, there is a new slave, and she is willing to be trained. She just enjoyed an electric shock the night before last, and I'm here to find you to be a teaching material for orgasm endurance training. How about it, you get a reward again, are you happy, Mia?" Mia's eyes flickered, showing no sign of happiness, but rather a hint of fear. "There is, there is a new slave willing to be trained, that's good... It's just, Master, can... can you find someone else? There's... there's more than just Mia who is willing... to have relations with Master... Mia... feels like her period is coming..."

"Teacher, the scroll's markings are all done... I've recorded every girl I saw in the dungeon. All that's needed is to infuse it with the magic for positioning, and then all designated individuals can be teleported to the basin below." "Minasri, thank you... for all your trouble." "Teacher, I'm fine. Rather, I'm grateful to witness such an intricate magic scroll... Also, I hope you won't be jealous of me enjoying Master's cock..." "Who's jealous! You little slut, get back to where you belong!" "Teacher... how long until you come to see Master...?" "Within three days... I still have one last step to complete on this double-layered scroll." ... "Is that so... Mia..." Soke sighed. "But... what is this double-layered scroll you speak of?" "Soke, you only need to remember one thing, and you'll understand," Lovell smiled. "That long golden needle, it's actually my hairpin." "...!" Soke's mouth fell open. He suddenly realized that many memories of the golden needle flooded back... "This... how could I have forgotten...? I was the one who took off Loff's hairpin myself..." "Soke didn't notice at all. Beneath the 'Servitude Contract' we signed back then, there was another layer of magic array to implant psychological suggestions into you... so that Soke would naturally hand over the needle without anyone suspecting... not even yourself." "What...?" Soke's eyes widened. "Psychological suggestion...? Double-layered magic scroll...? That's impossible..." "Hmph," Lovell snorted. "Your Loff is the foremost magic genius in a century..." "Haha... My Loff is the best..." Soke laughed for a while, then suddenly stopped. "But I... Loff... I'm sorry." "Soke... what's wrong now?" "... I... completely rendered Loff unable to use magic... even though Loff is so powerful..." "It's alright, Soke... I told you, I've already planned this path. Don't be sad." Soke stared blankly at the exquisite shackles on Lovell's wrist. "If only I could have become stronger, this wouldn't have happened..." Lovell smiled. "Soke, it really is alright... How about this, Soke, would you like to hear Loff's past story? Don't dwell on those things..." Soke held Lovell tighter and nodded. "It's a very long, long story..." Lovell's gaze drifted. "My mother's name was Mil, and she was just a slave in the Cavens Imperial Palace..." The story was long, very long... Outside the castle, the purplish-black storm still raged. The sunlight in the sky struggled to pierce through the purplish-black mist, leaving only a barely perceptible brightness. But it was a real brightness, preventing those within the storm from completely losing their way... ... "Finally... all that's left is to put on the 'Stubborn Angel' and everything will be ready..." Lovell tidied her hair, which was tied up with her hairpin, adjusted the crystal necklace around her neck, and took out the "Stubborn Angel." "Minasri's teleportation magic is truly amazing..." Lovell infused a bit of magic into the interior of the shackles, and they immediately clung to her wrist as if attracted. Feeling the tight embrace around her wrist, Lovell was suddenly overcome with a deep sadness. She looked at herself in the full-length mirror. It was a magician dressed in a purple evening gown, adorned in her finest, with breathtaking beauty – but she held her hands up, a delicate pair of handcuffs restraining them in front of her, unable to separate. Tears instantly welled up in her eyes. "Don't... don't cry, Lovell... or you'll have to reapply your makeup," Lovell muttered, but she could no longer suppress the surging sorrow within her. She looked at herself in the mirror, enduring, enduring, but ultimately couldn't help but burst into tears. "Mama... Mama... look, I... I have my own bracelet now..." ... As she reached this point, Lovell's eyes welled up again. "My... my mother..." "Loff... don't cry... we are free now..." Soke said softly, stroking the hair of Lovell, who sat facing him in his embrace. His eyes were also moist. "I'm sorry to Loff too... I couldn't, like that knight, shatter the 'bracelet' on your hand..." As he spoke, Soke reached out to Lovell, cupped her hands, and caressed the shackles on her wrists. Lovell sobbed a few times and took a deep breath. "No... Soke... that's not a 'bracelet,' it's just the princess's little hobby... You already shattered my 'bracelet.' My 'bracelet'... is here." Lovell tilted her head to the left, revealing a part of her right eye corner. "You are my knight, Soke..." Soke closed his eyes and held Lovell tightly in his arms. "Loff..." "Soke..." After a long while, Lovell gently broke free from Soke's embrace and sat up, looking at him. "And, Soke... I have one more thing to ask of you."