Harem System In A fantasy World

Elion appeared at one of the paved landing ports in Grimholt, accompanied by three others. Those manning the ports did not even question how a group of four had suddenly appeared without mounts, or perhaps their attention had simply been diverted elsewhere.

"I still cannot believe the stone actually allows you to perform instant teleportation just like that," Elion said as he looked at Zenith, who was standing side by side with the beautiful pair of Isla and Tessa.

Zenith smiled. Of course, she was in her human form right now. "It is indeed quite useful," she replied.

Tessa had decided to come with them after sending a disgruntled Kiki home, of course. Elion smiled at the three women and then looked across the roads leading into the city.

His eyes focused. He took a deep breath and concentrated on the link connecting him to the others through the Harem Seal.

The link was always vague and unreliable from long distances, but now that they were so close, he had no trouble pinpointing where everyone was.

However, he frowned when he noticed that there were only two presences rather than the four he had expected. It did not help that the seal could not pinpoint who was who.

Of course, he had no doubt that one of those presences was Mira, since there was no way she would leave Grimholt. At least, that was if he took Tessa’s words to heart.

The only way to find out who it was would be to go to them individually, and they were not even in the same place.

He looked back toward the others and beckoned forward, "Let us go."

Before long, they were inside the city.

However, Elion did not think it was a good idea to walk around with a group of obviously conspicuous people, even with Zenith’s illusion and attention-redirection spell.

So he decided to go to his manor first. It was also odd that none of the presences he was tracking led to the manor.

After all, Mira was supposed to be staying there with Esme and Ophelia, meaning the place was unmanned right now.

They headed in easily. The gate formation recognised Elion without any problems, and they were allowed inside when they reached the doors, which opened without difficulty as well.

After looking around for a bit, Elion confirmed that there was no one at home, but he still remained calm. She had probably gone out to get something.

It would be weird for Mira to stay at home all day, every day, especially since one needed to restock on basic necessities and the like. But he would be lying if he said a part of him was not anxious.

He could sense that the two presences were not very far, so it would not be too long before they reunited.

"Well, make yourselves at home," he said with a smile, looking at Tessa and Isla.

The pair had already gotten acquainted, but the shy Isla did not seem too eager to ingratiate herself with the red-haired, tanned beauty.

That was not surprising given that their personalities were not very compatible. Isla would probably get along better with Isolde. At least, that was what Elion thought.

Mira, on the other hand, seemed like the type to put in the effort to get along with everyone. Everyone, meaning anyone close to him, that is.

He had no doubt she would have no problem treating anyone else who had nothing to do with him like air.

Regardless, he sighed and made sure they were comfortable, "I will go and find the others." Zenith was about to follow him out as well, but he shook his head and told her to stay.

"I will be fine. It would put my mind at ease if I know they are safe here with you while I bring the others."

He glanced toward the entrance.

"Though I doubt just any random person would be able to get past the protective formation, I would still prefer that you stay. Better safe than sorry."

Zenith pouted, but she nodded, "Of course, Hubby." She sat down in the lounge with the other two, and then Elion departed.

He exited through the main gate and walked onto the paved road.

Honestly, he was also curious to see if anyone would recognise him without Zenith there to keep him from being noticed with her tricks.

Considering his exploits at the academy tournament, where thousands had been watching, it would be odd if no one recognised him.

But a lot about him had changed. Perhaps they would simply mistake him for a similar-looking person or something.

He slipped his hands into his pockets and made his way toward the closest Harem Seal link.

Perhaps it would have been better and safer to come with Zenith and direct her to get there instantaneously, but, well, it was too late for that now.

In retrospect, the streets of Grimholt felt both familiar and strangely distant.

Elion had not been gone for that long in the real world, at least not compared to the time he had spent inside the trials, but as he walked through the paved roads and saw the familiar floating-city’s architecture around him, it still felt as though he had returned after several years.

He felt out of place.

He had gone through so much in so little time. Honestly, it was amazing how much a person could change given the right opportunities.

Elion lowered his gaze slightly and looked at his own hands; they looked human right now, with no visible trace of the Dragon bloodline beyond the faintly sharper shape of his fingers and the unusual quality of his skin.

It was no wonder people occasionally glanced at him as he passed. Some looked only once, while others stared for a little longer, as though something about him seemed familiar, but they could not quite place it.

Elion found that amusing.

He had expected someone to shout his name by now. Perhaps the changes really were enough to confuse them.

Or perhaps news of his disappearance had muddied things so much that no one expected Elion Nova to casually walk through Grimholt in broad daylight with his hands in his pockets.

If he heard that someone branded a heretic had returned to the academy city, he would probably not expect that person to stroll around like a tourist either.

His steps slowed slightly as he focused on the nearest seal link. It was very close, but the presence was moving.

Elion frowned. From the direction, it did not seem to be heading back to the manor. Instead, it was moving along one of the inner streets, closer to the market district.

’Who is this?’

The fact that he could not tell them apart through the link was irritating. He really needed to find a way to improve that.

A few minutes later, he turned onto a wider street lined with shops. There were a few students, but just like before, he didn’t bother hiding.

Some were likely taking advantage of the school break before the Legacy World opened, while others seemed to be preparing for the same opportunity. Shops selling weapons, robes, potions, talismans, and storage pouches were far busier than usual.

Most of them would not be venturing into the legacy world, but the excitement around the event spurred the rest of them on, or maybe they were preparing for some other affair not connected to the legacy world.

Elion moved through the crowd with ease, and his gaze swept across the street. He stopped when he spotted a familiar face within the crowd.

One of his classmates, rather, one of Aria’s friends, Lianne.

She was probably one of the few people who would quickly recognise him, so he avoided crossing paths with her, but he was close enough to eavesdrop on her conversation.

"You cannot possibly expect me to believe that these herbs doubled in price within a single week."

The elderly shopkeeper scratched his cheek awkwardly, "Well, young lady, supply has been rather troubled recently..."

"Troubled by what? Greed?"

The shopkeeper coughed.

Elion chuckled at the sight. Haggling and deceit were a common occurrence when visiting the market, but that didn’t make the sight any less funny.

Lianne sighed and placed one hand on her hip, "Fine. I will pay the price, but if I return next time and hear another ridiculous excuse, I will assume you are personally trying to rob me."

The old man quickly nodded, "Of course, of course."

Lianne handed over the coins with a faintly displeased expression, then turned around. She looked around for a moment before walking down the street and vanishing from Elion’s line of sight.

He left the scene not long after as well, following the pull of the Harem Seal through the inner streets of Grimholt, but the farther he went, the more his brows began to draw together.

The direction was strange, but he kept walking until the streets slowly became more luxurious as he moved deeper into this particular district.

Elion’s gaze swept across the surroundings, noticing how a few people glanced at him, but it was probably just because of his height and appearance.

Soon, he reached a wide street lined with several lavish inns. Each one looked expensive enough to make an average student’s monthly allowance vanish in a single night.

At the end of the street stood one particular inn that immediately drew the eye.

It had tall white walls, dark polished beams, and large windows framed with gold trim. Attendants in neat uniforms stood near the entrance, and two armed guards watched the street with practised calm.

Elion stopped across from it and stared at the building for a moment, "So this is where you are."

Elion’s eyes narrowed slightly as he crossed the street. The attendants noticed him approaching, and one of them stepped forward with a polite smile.

"Welcome, honoured guest. Do you have a reservation?"