Shatter the Dream
"Hello."
I flashed a bright smile and greeted Bridget along with Minerva, and the eyebrow of Bridget, who had been maintaining an impassive expression, twitched.
I have no idea what thoughts or ideals she's lived by, but there's no way an NPC could escape the scope of my abilities...
The way Bridget acted before my eyes was a bit weaker than usual, but it was straight out of the textbook reactions I'd seen countless times from women affected by my Incubus skill. But Minerva, no matter how much her appearance and personality mimicked a woman's, was fundamentally an AI—both in her current holographic form and her very origins—so unlike Bridget, she just stared at me with eyes full of plain curiosity.
I had some hopes she'd transcend species boundaries or whatever, like the skill name implies... but guess a bitch without a physical body is immune after all.
Any lingering expectations about the Incubus's species-transcending breeding ability faded, leaving a pang of regret. Even I knew banging an AI was a pipe dream, but wasn't chasing impossible fantasies the birthright of every man?
While I subtly smacked my lips without the women around noticing, Bridget snapped out of it after hearing my greeting and strode forward with brisk steps.
"Yes, nice to meet you. I apologize for not even properly introducing myself after rescuing a civilian, given the chaotic circumstances."
"No need. I already got a full explanation and tour when I boarded, so don't worry about it."
"In that case..."
Even in this ordinary exchange between rescuer and rescued, Bridget's eyes rapidly scanned me from head to toe. From her perspective, I was her surprise direct superior, so it was natural for her to gather intel on my reactions, capabilities, ideology, and more.
She could've been captaining this ship and flying free if I hadn't shown up... no way it doesn't bug her.
The strong ego and ambition radiating from Bridget's expression and demeanor made one corner of my mouth curl up. That rigid, austere facade hid a driving force in her life, and if I teased it just right or satisfied it, I could make her mine in a snap.
Already picturing this emotionally restrained woman impassively sucking my cock and bobbing her head, my chest swelled with anticipation.
"Well, even if it's a bit late, allow me to introduce myself. I'm Bridget Midas, student council president at the officer academy, currently managing the cadets aboard."
-I'm Minerva!
Minerva, who had been quietly watching our exchange, picked up on the lull and shot her hand up like an eager kid, chiming in. Her vibe—like observing some exotic creature—suddenly made me feel like a monkey at the zoo.
Fuck, does this thing have scanners worse than Orange's peepers...?
This was a warship capable of sparking interstellar conflict, so logically, its sensors would be top-of-the-line tech from the era's pinnacle. Beyond Orange's emotion-reading eyes, it might even analyze my physical condition, and cold sweat broke out as my brain spun for excuses.
She's probably already scanned the cadets and Orange's enhancements... what if she freaks seeing superhuman stats from someone who looks unenhanced?
She seemed to be holding back for now due to priorities like captain appointment and ship registration, but I had a feeling she'd grill me about my strength the moment we were alone. To avoid dragging it out and sparking trouble, I spoke up quick.
"Nice to meet you both. This is my bodyguard and aide, Linda, and I'm Ban Ramuel."
She bowed politely.
Linda stepped forward at my introduction, dipping her head to greet Bridget and Minerva. But while Linda was unusually courteous, the two reacted polar opposites to my name.
"..."
-Oh...!
Bridget shifted from sizing me up to eyeing me like an insurmountable mountain. Minerva went from zoo monkey to spotting a dragon in a fantasy world—pure awe.
Their instant change reminded me afresh of the halo from my game avatar's father—the admiral who was still my dad in this world—warming me like spring sun.
That's right. This is the social status that comes from daddy's spoon. Heh.
Even in the wuxia world, where I'd climbed the highest socially, how much effort had that taken? Hauling around that stinky horse-nosed Taoist's corpse across the central plains with full-method acting... kidnappings, live-in son-in-laws... Why hadn't I started with this background sooner? Regret mixed with grins imagining folks buttering me up and groveling ahead.
-Ban... as in the Ban family, right?
"Yes, it's a common surname, but we're that well-known clan."
-Oh... oh!
Combining her scans of my superhuman physique with my lineage as the son of the federation's top military predator, the admiral, Minerva's eyes widened as she buzzed around me like a fan meeting an idol.
From initial unease to scanned admiration to fangirl mode, I smirked, figuring I'd keep good relations with Minerva regardless of whether I could fuck an AI or not.
Suddenly, Bridget suppressed her competitive glare, reverted to blank-faced, and reined in the hyperactive Minerva before speaking slowly.
"From what I know, unlike Admiral Ban, you haven't received any special military education or connections. May I confirm if that's true?"
Her competitive spike right after I revealed myself, and the blatant intent in her words, drew a snort from me as I nodded.
"Yeah... pretty much. Dad's position draws eyes if I join the military, and I don't vibe with the chain-of-command culture anyway, so no real military history like you said."
"Still, as Admiral Ban's son, you must grasp the intent behind what I'm saying."
"Of course. I got briefed on the ship's emergency en route here, so I fully understand why you're asking."
As I nodded along with her words, affirming her point, Bridget's face softened for a split second—mistaking me for some sensible guy with common sense and principles.
By the current vibe, this was her golden chance to reclaim the captain spot I'd supposedly vacated voluntarily, fueled by her rivalry to sideline me.
No matter how much I hate being top dog in an org, letting her scheme so openly pisses me off.
I'm the type who can't stand others succeeding without me benefiting, and I'd rather die than follow orders for someone else's gain—a total contrarian. Handing her the captain role, with her rank-obsessed vibe, would stress me into baldness like that academy principal in no time, so I smirked and curled one lip.
"Still, as the admiral's proxy with that badge, I won't put you under me—I'll grant you an honorary position instead. Sound good?"
Already lost in her pipe dream, the major-wannabe was dictating my terms like it was her call. Deciding to wake her ass up quick, I shook my head at her, now muttering to herself about org charts, ignoring me.
"Nah, I don't like that. Even without military training or connections, handing over captaincy of a clearly elite ship like this based on looks alone? That's absurd."
Bridget's face twisted ever so slightly, and my lower half throbbed hot.
Emotionless bitches like her are best when you rattle 'em and toy with the cracks. Heh.