Damon remained in the bathing chamber for a while after the Universal Desire System revealed its newest function.
Melissa sat beside him, her expression relaxed now that the nervousness of her earlier confession had faded. Their conversation had taken an unexpected turn, but Damon didn't regret letting her into his life. For the first time since arriving in this world, he felt that not every new development had to be a battle for survival.
Unfortunately, the system had other plans for his attention.
A familiar chime sounded inside his mind.
[QUEST REWARDS READY FOR COLLECTION.]
Damon's eyes brightened.
Finally.
He had completed two quests, and the system had kept him waiting long enough.
"Let's see what you've prepared for me."
He focused on the interface.
Two separate notifications appeared before him, each accompanied by a golden border.
[QUEST COMPLETION CONFIRMED.]
[QUEST 1: BEGIN YOUR KNIGHTHOOD JOURNEY]
[REWARDS AVAILABLE.]
Unallocated Stat Points × 5
Basic Swordsmanship
Beginner's Body Tempering Potion × 2
System EXP +30
Damon read the list twice.
"Five stat points, a swordsmanship skill, two potions, and thirty experience points?"
A satisfied smile spread across his face.
Now these were rewards he could appreciate.
The stat points alone were valuable. He could decide where to allocate them instead of having the system dictate his development. The swordsmanship skill would help him build a foundation in combat, while the potions promised something he desperately needed: a stronger body.
His current physical condition had been improving, but he was still recovering from the mana backlash that had nearly killed him.
If he wanted to become a knight, he needed more than determination.
He needed a body capable of supporting his ambitions.
"System, explain the stat points."
[STAT POINTS ARE UNALLOCATED ATTRIBUTE POINTS.]
[THE HOST MAY DISTRIBUTE THEM AMONG ELIGIBLE ATTRIBUTES.]
[CURRENT ELIGIBLE ATTRIBUTES INCLUDE STRENGTH, AGILITY, AND CONSTITUTION.]
[ATTRIBUTE EFFECTS VARY ACCORDING TO THE HOST'S PHYSICAL CONDITION AND DEVELOPMENT.]
Damon nodded.
That was straightforward enough.
He opened his status panel.
[HOST STATUS]
Name: Damon Jubo
Age: 18
Race: Human
Soul Origin: Earth
[ATTRIBUTES]
Strength: 5
Agility: 5
Constitution: 4
Intelligence: 8
Perception: 7
Spirit: 10
Unallocated Stat Points: 5
Desire Points: 0 DP
System Level: 1
System EXP: 0/100
Mana Condition: Obstructed
Mana Control: Severely Deficient
Basic Mana Stabilization Technique: Acquired
Damon examined his physical attributes.
Strength and Constitution were the obvious priorities.
Agility mattered, too, especially for swordsmanship. However, improving his strength and constitution would give him a better foundation for physical training and recovery.
He had no intention of spreading his limited points too thinly.
"Allocate three points to Strength and two to Constitution."
[ATTRIBUTE ALLOCATION CONFIRMED.]
[STRENGTH: 5 → 8]
[CONSTITUTION: 4 → 6]
[UNALLOCATED STAT POINTS: 0]
A subtle warmth spread through his body.
It wasn't a dramatic transformation. His muscles didn't suddenly swell, and he didn't develop the ability to shatter rocks with his bare hands.
Instead, he felt a slight improvement in the way his body responded to him. His limbs seemed a little more responsive, and maintaining his posture felt marginally easier.
Damon flexed his fingers.
"Interesting."
The difference was noticeable, but modest.
He would need to train consistently if he wanted to turn those numbers into practical strength.
His attention returned to the remaining rewards.
"System, where are the potions?"
[BEGINNER'S BODY TEMPERING POTION × 2 HAS BEEN TRANSFERRED TO INVENTORY.]
Damon paused.
"Inventory?"
Before he could ask another question, the system displayed a brief notification.
[INVENTORY FUNCTION: AVAILABLE.]
[ITEM STORAGE AND RETRIEVAL: ENABLED.]
A new icon appeared beside his status panel.
Damon focused on it.
A simple interface opened, revealing two small bottles filled with a dark amber liquid. Each bottle was sealed with a silver cap, and a faint shimmer moved through the liquid whenever he looked closely.
The system provided a short description.
[BEGINNER'S BODY TEMPERING POTION]
Grade: Beginner
Quantity: 2
Effect: Supports physical conditioning by assisting the body in adapting to training and improving its overall physical foundation.
Warning: May cause temporary discomfort during the tempering process. Effects depend on the user's physical condition and compatibility.
Damon studied the description.
"Body tempering. So this is meant to strengthen the body rather than repair my mana."
[CORRECT.]
"Will it help with my recovery?"
[THE POTION MAY SUPPORT PHYSICAL RECOVERY AND DEVELOPMENT.]
[IT WILL NOT REMOVE THE OBSTRUCTION IN THE HOST'S MANA CIRCULATION.]
Damon's expression grew thoughtful.
He had hoped the system might offer a direct solution to his mana problem, but he wasn't disappointed.
Not every reward needed to solve every problem.
If these potions could restore his physical condition and prepare him for serious training, they were already valuable.
"Retrieve one potion."
The bottle appeared in his hand.
Damon examined it carefully before removing the cap.
The liquid smelled faintly herbal, with a sharp medicinal note beneath its sweetness.
He hesitated for a moment.
Then he remembered the warning.
"Temporary discomfort," he muttered. "That sounds reassuring."
He drank it.
The taste was bitter enough to make his face twist.
"Whoever invented this potion needs to rethink the recipe."
He barely had time to complain before warmth spread from his stomach through his chest and into his limbs.
His muscles tightened.
A dull ache settled into his arms and legs, growing stronger over the next several moments. It wasn't the familiar pain caused by his obstructed mana. This sensation was different, as though his body were being pushed to adapt to something it had never experienced before.
Damon gritted his teeth and remained still.
The system's warning appeared again.
[PHYSICAL TEMPERING IN PROGRESS.]
[REMAIN CALM.]
He concentrated on breathing.
The discomfort gradually eased, leaving behind a pleasant warmth and a feeling of renewed energy.
He looked at his hands.
They appeared unchanged, but when he flexed his fingers, his movements felt more controlled.
His breathing was easier, and the lingering soreness from his morning exercises had diminished.
"That's more like it."
He retrieved the second potion.
After a short pause, he drank it as well.
The warmth returned, this time spreading more deeply through his body. His muscles ached as the potion worked, but he endured the discomfort without panicking.
He followed the system's instructions and allowed the process to finish naturally.
Minutes passed.
Eventually, the pain faded.
Damon took a deep breath and slowly stood.
The difference was remarkable.
His previous weakness had been holding him back more than he had realized. Now his body felt stable, his breathing was steady, and the exhaustion that usually followed even modest exercise had largely disappeared.
He rolled his shoulders, bent his knees, and tested his balance.
Everything felt better.
Not merely refreshed.
Stronger.
More responsive.
He took several steps across the chamber, then raised his arms and performed a few controlled movements he had learned during his training.
His body followed the instructions with surprising ease.
Damon smiled.
"So this is what a proper physical foundation feels like."
He could hardly wait to return to the training grounds.
But the system wasn't finished.
[PHYSICAL TEMPERING COMPLETE.]
[THE HOST'S PHYSICAL CONDITION HAS RECOVERED TO ITS PEAK POTENTIAL FOR HIS CURRENT DEVELOPMENT STAGE.]
Damon's smile widened.
He checked his status again.
[HOST STATUS]
Strength: 8
Agility: 5
Constitution: 6
Intelligence: 8
Perception: 7
Spirit: 10
Unallocated Stat Points: 0
Physical Condition: Peak for Current Development Stage
Mana Condition: Obstructed
Damon stared at the numbers.
"Wait a minute. I feel much stronger, but my attributes haven't changed as much as I expected."
[THE POTIONS IMPROVED THE HOST'S PHYSICAL CONDITION AND DEVELOPMENT POTENTIAL.]
[THEY DID NOT DIRECTLY GRANT ADDITIONAL STAT POINTS.]
[ATTRIBUTE VALUES AND PHYSICAL CONDITION ARE RELATED BUT DISTINCT MEASURES.]
Damon considered that explanation.
It made sense. His body had recovered, but the system wasn't going to inflate his attributes simply because he had used two potions.
Still, he wanted more.
He had five stat points in total, and he had already spent all of them. If he wanted his Strength and Constitution to reach fifteen, he would need additional rewards.
For now, he would have to earn them.
"Fine," he said. "I'll get stronger the proper way."
He dismissed the status panel and returned his attention to the rewards.
The first quest had also granted him Basic Swordsmanship.
[SKILL ACQUIRED: BASIC SWORDSMANSHIP.]
The moment the notification appeared, information began settling into his mind.
He gained an understanding of basic sword grips, stable stances, simple strikes, defensive positioning, and the principles behind maintaining balance while wielding a weapon.
It wasn't the same as years of actual practice. He still needed to train his muscles, develop timing, and learn to react to an opponent.
But he no longer had to rely entirely on memory and imitation.
The skill gave him a foundation.
Damon let out a quiet laugh.
"Captain Roderick is going to notice a difference tomorrow."
Then he remembered something.
"System, what about the experience points?"
[QUEST REWARD: SYSTEM EXP +30.]
[CURRENT SYSTEM EXP: 30/100.]
Damon nodded.
Thirty points brought him a little closer to the first system level-up.
He had been curious about the system's own progression ever since it introduced its level in the previous chapter. If levelling up unlocked new functions or stronger rewards, then completing quests would be one of his priorities.
He opened the status panel again.
[UNIVERSAL DESIRE SYSTEM]
System Level: 1
System EXP: 30/100
Desire Points: 0 DP
"Good. Now show me the second quest."
The display changed.
[QUEST COMPLETION CONFIRMED.]
[QUEST 2: BREAK THE DOUBLE VIRGINITY RECORD]
[REWARDS AVAILABLE.]
Desire Points: +100 DP
System EXP: +50
Bonus Skill: Desire Perception
Harem Resonance: Initial Link Stabilized
Damon's eyebrows rose.
"A hundred Desire Points?"
That was the system's currency, and he had none before completing the quest.
Now he had enough to make his first purchase—assuming the shop offered something affordable.
[DESIRE POINTS AWARDED: +100 DP.]
[CURRENT BALANCE: 100 DP.]
[ SYSTEM EXP AWARDED: +50.]
[CURRENT SYSTEM EXP: 80/100.]
Damon grinned.
"Twenty more points until the first level-up."
He was getting closer.
Then he noticed the next reward.
"Desire Perception. Explain."
[SKILL ACQUIRED: DESIRE PERCEPTION.]
[DESIRE PERCEPTION ALLOWS THE HOST TO SENSE CERTAIN CHANGES IN ATTRACTION, EMOTIONAL TENSION, AND DESIRE.]
[THE SKILL DOES NOT REVEAL PRIVATE THOUGHTS, GUARANTEE ACCURATE INTERPRETATION OF EMOTIONS, OR OVERRIDE AN INDIVIDUAL'S WILL.]
Damon considered the ability.
It sounded useful, especially in a world where noble families concealed their intentions behind polite smiles and carefully chosen words.
However, he understood the limitations.
Sensing attraction wasn't the same as knowing someone's intentions. Emotional tension could arise from suspicion, fear, embarrassment, or countless other reasons.
He couldn't treat every sensation as proof that someone wanted him.
"Useful," he decided. "But I'll need to learn how to interpret it properly."
[SKILL REGISTERED.]
He looked at Melissa.
She was watching him with a curious expression.
"Is everything all right, Young Master?"
Damon smiled.
"Everything is fine. I'm just thinking about the future."
Melissa's expression softened.
"Then I hope it brings you good things."
He appreciated the sincerity in her voice.
He also knew that the system had registered her as his first Marked Partner. This chapter was taken from g.com without permission.
"System," he asked silently, "what about Harem Resonance?"
[HAREM RESONANCE: INITIAL LINK STABILIZATION IN PROGRESS.]
A violet sigil appeared on the interface.
[MARKED PARTNER: MELISSA.]
[RESONANCE RANK: INITIAL.]
[LINK STATUS: STABILIZED.]
[CURRENT EFFECT: MILD STAMINA RECOVERY SUPPORT.]
Damon studied the notification.
So the link had stabilized.
The benefits remained modest, but the system had established a connection between them that could develop further.
He didn't yet know how far that development could go.
He also didn't intend to rush it.
Melissa was a person, not a collection of statistics. Whatever the system made possible, the nature of their relationship would still depend on their choices.
He dismissed the interface.
Then another notification appeared.
[NEW SYSTEM FUNCTIONS UNLOCKED.]
[ SYSTEM SHOP: AVAILABLE.]
[INVENTORY: AVAILABLE.]
Damon's eyes widened.
"Now we're talking."
He immediately opened the system shop.
A broad interface unfolded before him, divided into several categories. Each category contained a list of resources, equipment, techniques, and other items that could be purchased with Desire Points.
[UNIVERSAL DESIRE SYSTEM SHOP]
Available Balance: 100 DP
Categories:
1. Cultivation Resources
2. Cultivation and Combat Techniques
3. Weapons and Armor
4. Recovery Pills
5. Spiritual Materials
6. Lust Items
7. Spiritual Roots
8. Talismans
9. Bloodlines and Constitutions
10. Miscellaneous
Damon stared at the list.
The range of possibilities was staggering.
Cultivation resources could help him develop his mana. Combat techniques could improve his swordsmanship. Recovery pills and spiritual materials might support his long-term progress.
Bloodlines and constitutions sounded particularly intriguing, although he suspected that anything truly valuable in those categories would cost far more than he could afford.
He opened the first category.
The interface displayed a selection of items, each accompanied by a description and price.
Damon scanned the listings.
Then he looked at his balance.
100 DP.
He returned to the category list and opened another section, hoping to find something affordable.
The same problem appeared again and again.
The resources he wanted were priced beyond his current budget.
He could probably find a minor item within his means, but he didn't want to spend his entire balance without understanding which purchases would benefit him most.
"Of course," he muttered. "The system finally opens its shop, and I'm too broke to enjoy it."
[DESIRE POINTS ARE EARNED THROUGH QUALIFYING MISSIONS, ACHIEVEMENTS, AND OTHER DESIGNATED ACTIVITIES.]
"Yes, thank you. I understood the first time."
The system offered no further comment.
Damon continued browsing briefly, noting the categories that interested him most.
He was particularly curious about cultivation resources and physical enhancement items. If the shop offered anything that could help him manage his obstructed mana without risking another backlash, he would want to save for it.
But he wasn't going to make a purchase simply because he could.
Not yet.
He closed the shop.
[SHOP CLOSED.]
[CURRENT BALANCE: 100 DP.]
The inventory icon remained available beside his status panel.
Damon opened it again.
The two potion slots were now empty, confirming that both Beginner's Body Tempering Potions had been consumed. He could see the inventory's basic storage interface, ready to hold eligible items he acquired in the future.
That alone would be useful.
He wouldn't need to carry every reward around physically, and the system could keep his acquired items organized.
He closed the inventory and checked his status one final time.
[UNIVERSAL DESIRE SYSTEM]
System Level: 1
System EXP: 80/100
Desire Points: 100 DP
Unallocated Stat Points: 0
Skills:
Basic Mana Stabilization Technique
Basic Swordsmanship
Desire Perception
Harem Resonance:
Melissa — Initial Rank, Link Stabilized
Physical Condition: Peak for Current Development Stage
Mana Condition: Obstructed
Damon read through the information carefully.
He had made meaningful progress in a single morning.
His physical condition had recovered to its current potential. He had gained a foundation in swordsmanship, unlocked a new perception skill, and established his first Resonance Link. The system shop and inventory were now available, and he was only twenty experience points away from his first system level-up.
Yet the most dangerous problem remained untouched.
His mana was still obstructed.
The system had not identified the precise cause, and the potions had done nothing to remove the interference.
Someone had tampered with his awakening potion.
Someone had wanted Damon Jubo's mana circulation to fail.
And until he discovered who was responsible, he couldn't afford to become complacent.
Damon dismissed the status screen and leaned back.
His body felt stronger, his mind was clearer, and his plans were beginning to take shape.
Tomorrow, he would return to Captain Roderick's training grounds and put his new swordsmanship knowledge to use.
He would continue practising mana stabilization, investigate the suspicious potion, and complete more missions to earn experience and Desire Points.
As for the system shop, he would wait until he could afford something genuinely useful.
There was no point spending a hundred Desire Points on a purchase he might regret.
Damon smiled faintly.
For the first time since awakening in this world, his future seemed to offer more opportunities than threats.
That didn't mean the threats had disappeared.
It simply meant he was finally gaining the tools to face them.
Outside the bathing chamber, the Jubo estate continued its morning routine. Guards trained, servants carried out their duties, and the household remained unaware of the changes taking place in its young heir.
Far away, the Gassi House still concealed the secret behind Damon's mana obstruction.
They believed time was working in their favour.
They had no idea that the heir they had tried to weaken was already beginning to rebuild himself.
And Damon Jubo had no intention of wasting his second life.