Alex read the list once.
"Six skills to pick three and Appraisal Eye is just sitting in the middle of it like any other option."
He rubbed his temple.
"Seriously?" he muttered. "Every hero in every story gets Appraisal for free. And I have to spend a pick on it. That’s a little stingy, don’t you think?"
The screen did not answer.
But he could not stay annoyed for long, it gave him three picks. One would go to Appraisal Eye, but that still left two skills he would never have had otherwise.
He straightened and went through them one by one.
’Appraisal Eye.’
With this, every woman in his harem would open up like a book. And it did not stop there. The same eyes could read a rival or an enemy. Daniel, if the system allowed.
’Knowing what the other side can do is a heavy advantage in a fight.’
"Sensory Overload.’
He paused here, smiling slowly.
Touch a person, and their senses surged past their limits. He could already picture it. A swordsman lunging at him, a single touch on the wrist, and the whole world slams into the man’s skull at ten times its volume.
But that was not why he was taking it. The fact he could control the intensity made it more interesting.
’With one touch, I can heighten a woman’s senses.’
His smile deepened.
’If I want a growing harem, I can’t skip that. Next is Desire Gauge.’
He tilted his head. It was cute but he had eyes, he could see signs from a woman that told him where he stood. A good skill but not worth one of three choices.
"Skip. Next is Harem Nexus."
This one made him stop.
If he meant to grow stronger, his harem would grow with him. And he would not always be at their side. Knowing where each woman was, and knowing the moment one of them was in danger, was worth more than any number on a screen.
’A man should always know where his people are.’
"Keep."
Mind Control.
He did not even finish the description.
In his old life, he had read hundreds of web novels, and the moment the hero picked Mind Control, the story died. He had always hated it.
He had very few principles. This was one.
"Skip."
’Golden Seed.’
It sounded impressive. But the longer he read, the more he frowned.
’I’m a man and I can already do that ninety percent of that myself.’
"Skip."
He sat back and nodded.
"System. I choose Appraisal Eye, Sensory Overload, and Harem Nexus."
[SELECTION CONFIRMED]
[SKILLS LOCKED]
[SKILLS: Appraisal Eye, Sensory Overload, Harem Nexus]
He opened the status window again. A new line had appeared near the top.
[Class: Mage]
[Affinity: Water]
"I’m a water Mage now? Is that because of the new feature that was just added. So that means Lena is a Mage with the water Affinity, she is my only harem member so that’s the reasonable explanation. "
"Well. I know my class now. The public awakening exists to reveal your class. I already know mine so there’s no point in conducting that ceremony."
Just at that, the screen jolted.
[NO]
[NO. THE HOST SHOULD NOT DO THAT]
The letters came fast, nearly stumbling over one another.
[THE HOST MUST UNDERGO THE AWAKENING PROCESS]
He stared.
"That’s definitely not the system, the system doesn’t panic. That’s her, the goddess."
A slow, crooked smile crossed his face.
"No. I’m still not going. "
The screen went silent for half a second. Then a bright red frame flashed around the window.
[NEW MISSION]
[UNDERGO THE AWAKENING PROCESS]
[REWARD: 1,000 DEFILEMENT POINTS]
[FAILURE: THE HOST’S MEMBER WILL BE REDUCED FROM 9 INCHES TO 3 INCHES]
Alex read it.
Then he read it again.
Then, very slowly, he looked down at his lap.
’Three.’
His head snapped back up. "You petty, vindictive..." He pointed a trembling finger at the screen. "Of all the things to threaten! My food! My allowance! My sleep! Why would you go for that?"
The red frame blinked innocently.
’On the other hand, she was so flustered when I said i wasn’t going that means there is some benefit for her if I don’t go. Let’s push a little more.’
"But 1,000 defilement points? I got that from just one night from Lena. It’s not an enticing reward, I might have to skip it."
[GODDESS IS CONSIDERING]
[NEW REWARD: 3,000 DEFILEMENT POINTS + 1 BLESSING FROM THE GODDESS]
"Now that’s a reward. I’m already there."
[MISSION ACCEPTED]
He slumped back against the headboard, breathing hard, when a soft sound came from beside him.
Lena rolled onto her back, stretched slowly, and drifted her gaze towards Alex. Her eyes widened.
She sat up so quickly that the blanket slid off her shoulders. Her lips parted, and she stared at him with a look he had never seen on her.
"Young master..."
Her voice shook.
"Your mana. You... you have mana."
Alex’s heart skipped. He had not thought about this. Of course she could feel it. Everyone here could.
He kept his face calm, shrugged lightly, and gave her a lazy smile.
"Umm... I guess I’m a late bloomer."
"A... late bloomer?"
"It happens." He scratched his cheek. "Maybe it just needed time."
Lena looked at him for a long moment.
Then her eyes began to shine.
She pressed her hands to her mouth, and a tear slid down her cheek, followed by a soft, trembling laugh. She had clearly decided to believe him.
’The system stays secret. She doesn’t need to know about that.’
He cleared his throat.
"Lena. What happened after I passed out?"
She wiped her cheek. "I was very frightened, young master. You collapsed, and I could not wake you. So I called Elena."
"Elena came?"
"Yes. She healed you."
"Healed me?"
Alex’s eyes widened.
"Wow." He grinned. "Does that mean she kissed me?"
Lena blinked.
"Kiss?" She tilted her head. "For what?"
"Doesn’t healing require a kiss?"
The room fell silent.
Lena stared at him. Then she covered her mouth with her hand, and a bright laugh spilled out between her fingers.
"Young master, you must still be sleepy."
She wiped her eyes, still giggling.
"Why would anyone use a kiss to heal?"
Alex did not answer.
His smile froze, and then, slowly, it changed.
’Wait, there’s no such thing? Then in the corridor she was lying?!’
All of it had been a lie.
A sly smile crept across his face, and he shook his head in quiet admiration.
’Elena. So my second target is a naughty one too.’
He was still smiling when he felt a tug at his waist.
He looked down.
Lena had shifted closer. Her fingers had curled around the waistband of his trousers, and in one smooth motion, she pulled them down.
His erect 9 inch dick sprang out forcefully.
A faint blush colored her cheeks. But her gaze did not waver.
"I am sorry, young master."
Her voice was soft.
"But I will be eating before you."
Alex’s smile widened.
He leaned back against the headboard, folded his hands behind his head, and gave her a lazy nod.
"Go on."
She gave a perverted smile, her eyes focused on his cock. She circled her fingers around it, stuck out her tongue and circled it around the head his cock.