(21) How the Ring rewrites Manhood - Eva and Mike

 

Introduction

In the nation of Svendalia, a bold and revolutionary measure has been introduced to promote self-discipline and societal harmony: the "Ring of Virtue" or "Spikeguard". For the past two months, all men aged 16 and older have been legally required to wear this ring, designed to curb impulsive behavior and encourage a life of respect and self-control. The ring has quickly become a symbol of a new era of restraint, though it remains highly controversial—reshaping not only personal freedoms but also the relationship men have with their own sexuality.

Eva Withers, a 48-year-old seasoned journalist from California, heard about the implementation of the Ring of Virtue in Svendalia and was compelled to uncover the human stories behind this extraordinary law. Her curiosity focuses on how men like Mike, a 26-year-old Svendalian who was recently subjected to the measure, are adjusting to such a dramatic shift in their lives. Through her interview, she seeks to explore how the ring has impacted not only the daily existence of those who wear it but also its broader implications on their personal, social, and moral worlds.

Mike, who has been wearing the ring for two months, begins their conversation visibly marked by the initial pain and profound upheaval the device has caused in his life. Yet, as the interview unfolds, it becomes clear that the ring has not only transformed his behavior but also deeply influenced his worldview and his relationships with others—most notably, with women.

Read more about feministic considerations of the Ring...

The Ring of Virtue

How It Works and What It Aims to Achieve

Eva: “To help our readers understand what we’re discussing: the Ring of Virtue is a small mechanical device that every man in Svendalia is required to wear. It is placed tightly behind the glans, has sharp inwardly pointing spikes and is secured with a specialized lock that can only be opened by authorized personnel. The ring has no effect as long as the wearer remains disciplined and avoids unwanted thoughts or physical reactions. However, if the rules are broken—whether through arousal or an uncontrolled situation—the swelling tissue creates significant pressure, leading to intense pain. The goal is straightforward: men are to learn to control their impulses and make conscious choices to behave respectfully.”

Mike: “That’s right. It might sound radical, but the ring is purely mechanical—very simple and minimalistic. It’s a tool designed to force us men to think about our actions and maintain control."

The First Month

Eva: “Mike, thank you for taking the time to speak with me today. It’s been two months now since you started wearing the Ring of Virtue. How were those first few days for you?”

Mike: (inhales sharply) “In a word? Hell. I thought I knew what I was getting into, but the pain—and that overwhelming sense of losing control over my own body—it completely blindsided me. The early mornings were the worst. I had to use ice packs constantly just to make it through.”

Eva: (visibly taken aback) “Ice packs?”

Mike: (nods, offering a strained smile) “Yeah. The erection... the pressure against those sharp spikes. It was almost unbearable. And it wasn’t just the physical part. The awareness that there was nothing I could do about it—it ate away at me. I kept asking myself how long I could possibly endure it.”

Eva: (gently) “That sounds incredibly overwhelming. Did you feel like you had any support during that time?”

Mike: (shakes his head) “Not really. There’s no real guide for how to get through something like this. It was an internal battle—me versus my body, my mind, my impulses. But deep down, I knew there was no way out.”

Eva: “Mike, can you explain in more detail how the pain is triggered?”

Mike: (sighs, as if recalling the sensation) “It often starts with something small—a thought, an image, a glance at someone you find attractive. You don’t notice it right away, but your body reacts. Arousal kicks in, and then... then the erection starts. The tissue presses against the thorns, and the pain quickly becomes unbearable. It’s sharp and deep, like everything in your lower body is constricting at once.”

Eva: “That sounds like a constant struggle. What triggers it?”

Mike: “It’s incredible how little it takes. A harmless thought, a fleeting glance—maybe a pretty coworker standing a bit too close, or the feeling of lying in bed alone. Even if I don’t want it to happen, my body starts reacting.” (nods thoughtfully) “The arousal sets in immediately, and then comes the pressure. The ring forces you to battle with every impulse.”

Eva: “How did you learn to manage it?”

Mike: “It was a tough process. Recognizing the stimuli early and avoiding them before they led to arousal was the key. It was difficult at first, but over time, it became a habit—controlling myself before the pain could even start.”

Eva: “Mike, it sounds like those first weeks with the ring were an enormous burden for you. Was there a moment when you felt you had truly hit rock bottom?”

Mike: (his expression darkens, gazing thoughtfully) “Yes, that moment came sooner than I expected. It wasn’t just the physical pain—it was the constant control I had to relinquish over things I once enjoyed. It was as if I had to force myself to avoid things that used to come so naturally—just a glance, a thought, a fleeting moment of pleasure.”

Eva: (sympathetically) “What exactly did you have to avoid?”

Mike: “Everything. A glance, a memory, a thought—they all led straight to that swelling, that unbearable pressure. And the ring... the ring turned it into a physical punishment. I had to learn to look away, to suppress thoughts immediately, to banish images from my mind. And it wasn’t just mental. I had to practice breathing exercises, distract myself constantly, keep busy at all times. Every little spark of desire I once felt—whether from a glance, a memory, or even physical touch—was now a risk. It was a constant battle with myself.”

Eva: “That must have been an exhausting experience, having to be limp and remain on guard all the time. Did you feel like this constant control stripped away part of your identity?”

Mike: (looks down at the table, then back at Eva) “Yes. It felt like I wasn’t the man I used to be anymore. I never realized how much my desires, my impulses, were a part of me. And now? I couldn’t enjoy anything—not a glance, not a touch, not even a fantasy. Everything I did was about suppressing myself. It was... more brutal than I ever imagined. It pushed me to my mental and physical limits.”

The Transformation

Eva: “It sounds like you’ve undergone an enormous inner struggle, Mike. But you recently said that you’re no longer the man you used to be. What exactly has changed?”

Mike: (pauses thoughtfully, then exhales deeply) “That’s where the ring truly starts to show its effect. At first, I was so focused on the pain and the control that I didn’t understand what the ring was really doing to me. It forces a kind of... penile defocusing. You don’t deny your desires—that’s not the point. It’s not about hating or suppressing yourself. But the ring makes you release those desires in a gentle, almost imperceptible way. They fade without you even realizing it. It stops feeling like a battle and becomes more like a natural part of the process.”

Eva: “That sounds almost liberating—a loss, but also a form of freedom. Do you feel that this change has made you stronger or more mature as a man?”

Mike: (nods slowly, a small smile forming on his face) “Yes, absolutely. It wasn’t an easy path, but at some point, I realized that this self-control wasn’t just physical—it was mental and emotional, too. And it brought a new kind of freedom with it. The ring helps you find inner balance. The desires that used to drive me—they’re no longer a burden. They haven’t disappeared; they’ve transformed. They’re no longer what they used to be—a constant impulse controlling everything. Now they feel like a kind of calm, a serenity I never knew before. It’s like I’ve discovered a part of myself I didn’t fully understand.”

Eva: “It almost sounds like the ring has led you to a deeper form of self-discipline. But also, perhaps, a new kind of fulfillment. Would you agree?”

Mike: (nodding affirmatively) “Yes, exactly. Fulfillment on a completely different level. I used to think fulfillment came from satisfying my desires. But now I see that true fulfillment comes from control—from the ability to master yourself without losing who you are. The ring hasn’t taken away my masculinity or diminished me. It’s helped me realize that real strength lies in self-control, not in following every impulse that arises.”

Mike: (thoughtfully, with a faint smile as if he’s just realized something important) "It’s really amazing how much my mind has changed. At first, it was a constant battle. For almost two months, I had to fight against every stimulation—thoughts, images, glances. It drained so much energy. I was always on alert, constantly reminding myself to push away thoughts or look away. It was exhausting. And the pain triggered by the ring was a constant reminder of how much I had to control myself."

Eva: "That sounds like an incredible burden. How did you manage to keep going?"

Mike: (smiling faintly, then continuing) "It was tough, but eventually, I noticed it wasn’t as hard anymore. The ring trained me so intensely that reflexes started developing. What used to be a conscious struggle now happens almost automatically. I don’t have to actively fight my thoughts or the triggers anymore—my mind has developed a kind of protective mechanism. When I’m in a situation where stimulation occurs, I don’t have to consciously think about distracting myself or looking away. It just happens on its own."

Eva: "It sounds like you’ve gained a new kind of control that’s less draining and much more natural."

Mike: "Yeah, exactly. It almost feels like my body and mind have agreed on a new language. The ring didn’t just command me to control myself—it rewired my mind in such a way that I don’t have to constantly fight against my impulses. It happens automatically. Avoiding stimulation and unwanted thoughts is no longer a struggle, but a natural reaction."

Eva: "That’s incredible. It almost sounds like you’ve found a new kind of freedom—a freedom from the constant burden of fighting yourself."

Mike: (nods in agreement, with a deep, satisfied look) "Exactly. The energy I used to spend on the constant struggle is now free. I feel calmer, clearer, and much less dominated by my own impulses. The ring hasn’t just controlled my external actions—it’s changed my internal response to the world around me. I think that’s the real power of self-discipline—not the constant effort, but the freedom that comes when that control becomes second nature."

A completely different Relationship with Women

Eva: “Mike, one final question: How has wearing the ring changed your relationship with women?”

Mike: (pauses thoughtfully, then looks directly at Eva) “It’s profoundly changed my relationship with women. I used to have these constant impulses—always desire, always the stimuli driving me. Interactions with women were often colored by this need for fulfillment or validation. Now... it’s different. I don’t perceive women with that inner compulsion driving me anymore. It’s as if I can see them now in their full depth, without my initial thoughts being clouded by physical urges.”

Eva: “Do you feel that it has led to a greater understanding of the women in your life?”

Mike: (nods, with a calm smile) “Yes. I see them as lovable, respectable individuals, not constantly influenced by my own desire. It’s hard to describe, but there’s more respect, more mindfulness. It’s as if I can approach them with clarity and inner peace, rather than with that incessant drive that used to control me. The ring hasn’t just taught me self-control, but how to see others in their full complexity and dignity.”

Eva: (smiles, a little surprised) “That’s an interesting perspective. It sounds like wearing the ring hasn’t just changed your behavior, but also your perception of women.”

Mike: “It’s definitely changed it. But I think it’s not just a difference in behavior—it’s a difference in the way I understand myself and the world around me. The women in my life, whether colleagues, friends, or family—no longer are they objects of desire, but valuable people whom I respect, appreciate, and honor with deep inner joy. And that’s what has really brought me the peace and fulfillment I never thought possible.”

Eva: (leans forward slightly, her voice almost excited) “Mike, what you’re saying is truly fascinating. You’re describing a man who has not only mastered himself but has reached a whole new level of respect and mindfulness in his relationship with women. Your words sound almost like the ideal of feminists everywhere—a man who controls his impulses, sees women as equals, complex individuals, not as objects of his desire.”

Mike: (surprised, but also thoughtful) “That’s an interesting perspective. I’ve never thought of it that way, but it makes sense. The ring hasn’t just turned me inward; it’s changed my attitude toward others, too. It’s not about suppressing or ignoring women—in fact, it’s the opposite. It’s about meeting them as human beings, without my own needs and desires overshadowing everything.”

Eva: (smiling, processing Mike’s words) “It’s almost a kind of revolution, if you think about it. The ring has turned you into a man who isn’t driven by his impulses but who views the world with a calmer, more conscious attitude. This form of self-control could really serve as a model for many, not just for men, but for society as a whole.”

Mike: (nods, appearing both thoughtful and calm) “Maybe. All I can say is that it’s been a profound change for me personally. I no longer feel controlled by my impulses, and that’s given me a whole new perspective on life and relationships with others. Perhaps that’s the real value of the ring—not the pain or the control, but the freedom that comes from it.”