Morning sunlight slipped through the curtains, spreading across Damon Jubo’s bedroom.
Damon opened his eyes slowly, his body feeling lighter than it had in days. The weakness that had plagued him after his awakening was gone, and even the lingering aches from his earlier mana backlash had disappeared.
The two Beginner’s Body Tempering Potions had done their job. His body had recovered to its peak for his current stage of development.
But the most memorable part of the previous night had nothing to do with potions.
Melissa.
A faint smile touched his lips as memories returned. Their intimacy had changed something between them. They were no longer merely two people drawn together by curiosity or circumstance. They had crossed that boundary, and neither could honestly pretend their feelings were insignificant.
Damon was attracted to her—her warmth, her courage, and the way she could meet his gaze without shrinking away. From the tenderness Melissa had shown him, he knew the attraction was mutual.
He had no intention of treating what happened between them as a meaningless encounter.
Their relationship deserved more than that.
A familiar notification appeared before his eyes.
[Universal Desire System Activated.]
[Host's Current Status]
Name: Damon Jubo
Strength: 8
Agility: 5
Constitution: 6
Intelligence: 8
Perception: 7
Spirit: 10
Unallocated Stat Points: 0
Desire Points: 100
System Level: 1
System EXP: 80/100
Skills: Basic Swordsmanship, Basic Mana Stabilization Technique, Desire Perception
Mana Condition: Obstructed
Mana Control: Severely Deficient
Physical Condition: Peak for Current Development Stage
Damon studied the information before dismissing it.
His attributes were still modest. The potions had restored his physical condition, not magically transformed him into a powerful warrior. If he wanted to survive in a world where strength determined a person's freedom, he would have to earn his power.
And that meant training.
Before leaving his room, he paused as a subtle warmth stirred in his chest.
The Harem Resonance link.
The system had described its initial effect as mild stamina recovery support. It wasn't an endless supply of energy, nor could it replace proper rest. Still, the connection made him curious about what it could eventually become.
More importantly, it reminded him of Melissa.
He wondered whether she was awake yet. He wanted to see her again, to speak with her, and to discover whether their relationship could grow beyond the intimacy they had shared.
For now, however, he had a sword to learn how to use.
The Jubo household's training grounds were already alive with activity when Damon arrived.
Steel clashed against steel. Soldiers moved through coordinated drills while others practised footwork, thrusts, and defensive stances. The sound of boots striking packed earth echoed across the grounds.
Damon watched carefully.
He had acquired Basic Swordsmanship through the system, but possessing a skill did not mean he had mastered it. He understood fundamental movements, yet his body still needed repetition before those movements would become natural.
Captain Roderick noticed him approaching.
"Young Master Damon. You're early."
"I wanted to observe the training before my formal lessons begin next week."
Damon selected one from the rack. It felt heavier than he expected, and the balance was unfamiliar in his hand.
"Show me your stance," Roderick instructed.
Damon positioned his feet and raised the sword.
"Your grip is too tight. Relax your shoulders. Keep your balance beneath you instead of leaning forward."
Damon adjusted his posture.
"Again."
He repeated the movement.
"Better. Now, a basic strike."
Damon swung.
The sword cut through the air, but Roderick immediately pointed out the flaws in his movement. His shoulders carried too much tension, his footwork was clumsy, and his weight shifted at the wrong moment.
Damon listened without arguing.
He had no intention of confusing a system-granted skill with genuine experience.
They repeated the drill.
Again.
And again.
Sweat soon gathered along Damon's forehead. His arms grew heavy, and his breathing became less steady. His body might have recovered, but it was still far from trained.
Then something unexpected happened.
Just as fatigue began to slow his movements, the familiar warmth in his chest returned.
His breathing gradually steadied. The exhaustion did not disappear, but its grip loosened slightly, allowing him to recover faster than he otherwise might have.
Damon's eyes narrowed.
Harem Resonance?
[Harem Resonance: Initial Link Stabilized.]
[Marked Partner: Melissa]
[Effect: Mild stamina recovery support.]
The notification confirmed his suspicion.
The effect was subtle, but real. His muscles were still tired, and his technique still needed work. However, the connection seemed to help him regain his composure between drills.
So this is what the resonance can do.
He couldn't rely on it to carry him through every battle. Nevertheless, even a small advantage could matter when combined with disciplined training.
"Young Master?" Roderick asked. "Are you listening?"
Damon immediately straightened. "Yes, Captain. I was thinking about my breathing."
"Then think less and practise more."
Damon almost laughed.
"Understood."
He resumed the exercise.
This time, he paid closer attention to his breathing, foot placement, and the path of the blade. His movements gradually became more controlled, although they remained far from impressive.
The system could give him a starting point.
The rest was up to him.
By the time Damon left the training grounds, the sun had climbed higher in the sky.
His arms ached, and his clothes were damp with sweat. Yet beneath the exhaustion was a quiet satisfaction. For the first time since his awakening, he felt he was moving forward rather than merely reacting to one disaster after another.
He had taken his first real step toward knighthood.
As he approached the residence, his thoughts returned to Melissa.
The memory of her smile brought an involuntary warmth to his expression. He was curious about how she was feeling after their night together, and he wanted to see her—not because of a quest or a system reward, but because he genuinely desired her company.
He also wondered whether she could sense anything through their connection.
The system had not explained every aspect of Harem Resonance, and he wasn't going to assume that their link allowed him to understand her thoughts.
Melissa had her own feelings, her own decisions, and her own life.
If their relationship was going to become something meaningful, he would have to communicate with her instead of relying on a magical connection.
He decided he would seek her out once he had cleaned up.
But first, another matter demanded his attention.
Later that morning, Damon met his father in a private sitting room.
Marcel Jubo looked up from the documents on his desk. His stern expression softened slightly when he saw his son.
"How was your visit to the training grounds?"
"Humbling," Damon admitted. "Knowing the basics is very different from performing them properly."
"Good. A person who recognizes his weaknesses can improve. A person who believes himself talented enough to ignore them eventually pays the price."
Marcel gestured for him to sit.
"Your formal training with the household guards will begin next week. Until then, you may observe their exercises and practise under Roderick's supervision. I'll also arrange for you to receive proper instruction concerning the knight's path."
Damon nodded, then hesitated.
"Father, have you discovered anything about my awakening?"
Marcel's expression grew serious.
"The healers confirmed that your mana is obstructed. They also found irregularities in the ingredients used to prepare your awakening potion."
Damon's hands tightened slightly.
"Does that mean someone tampered with it?"
"It means there are questions that need answers," Marcel replied firmly. "We have no conclusive proof that anyone deliberately sabotaged you. I will investigate, but until we have evidence, you must not accuse anyone."
Damon understood.
The Gassi family remained a possibility in his mind, but suspicion wasn't proof. Accusing a powerful household without evidence could create problems his family wasn't ready to face.
"I understand, Father."
"Good. Focus on your recovery and training. Leave the investigation to me for now."
Damon agreed, though he knew he couldn't remain ignorant forever.
His mana problem affected his future. If someone had deliberately obstructed it, he needed to understand why—and who was responsible.
Back in his room, Damon summoned the Universal Desire System.
A new notification appeared.
[QUEST: THE FIRST THREAD OF SUSPICION]
Objective: Investigate the circumstances surrounding the host's obstructed mana without revealing your suspicions.
Requirement: Obtain one verifiable clue concerning the awakening incident.
Reward: System EXP and additional quest opportunities.
Warning: The investigation may lead to individuals beyond the host's current ability to confront.
Damon read the notification twice.
The system wasn't telling him who had caused his problem. It was offering a path toward finding out.
That distinction mattered.
He dismissed the notification and looked toward the window, where the household grounds stretched beneath the morning sun.
He had three immediate priorities: strengthen his body, learn to stabilize his mana, and uncover the truth about his awakening.
There was also Melissa.
He wasn't going to pretend she meant nothing to him simply because their relationship had begun under unusual circumstances. Whatever the system intended for their connection, his feelings were his own—and he wanted to discover where their growing attraction might lead.
Damon clenched his fist.
He was still weak. His mana remained obstructed, his swordsmanship was elementary, and the people who might stand behind his misfortune could be far beyond his reach.
But he was no longer standing still.
Tomorrow, he would train again.
And somewhere within the shadows surrounding his awakening, there was a first thread waiting to be found.
He only had to be clever enough to follow it.