Harem System In A fantasy World - Chapter 105: Diminishing Returns
Chapter 105: Diminishing Returns
Some of the professors raised their brows at the sheer audacity of this young man. Flirting openly and showing physical affection with not one, but two girls simultaneously in their presence!
That in itself required a certain level of finesse that none of them here could even claim to have.
They could not even imagine how he managed to convince that pair to fall for him at the same time.
Elion, for his part, had already told Mira and Aria his level days ago, so their lack of surprise was genuine. That didn’t stop the smug smiles forming on their faces as they noticed the way other students stared at Elion in awe—and at them in envy.
“Damn,” one girl whispered bitterly. “Those two really have it easy. I would give anything to be in their position right now.”
“Do you think he’d mind a third?” another muttered, half-joking, half-not. “I mean, three is not much different from two, no?”
She wasn’t the only one thinking it. Similar thoughts were running through most of the ladies looking at the trio.
Tessa and Isolde, however, were far less shocked. Tessa had sparred with Elion enough times to have a rough idea of where he truly stood, and Isolde… well, Elion had already told her during a casual conversation, though she hadn’t quite believed it at the time.
She felt that it would be better for her sanity if she didn’t really take his claims to heart. But now that it had been confirmed for all to see, she couldn’t help but see him in a new light.
He wasn’t just talented and powerful now; he was not only on the same level as the very best of their year, but he had also even leapfrogged right over all of them at some unknown time! His talent was just that peerless now!
Sensing the growing awkwardness, Randall finally cleared his throat again, deciding he’d let the moment stew long enough.
“Of course,” he said, “there are also honorable mentions for those who managed to break the level twenty threshold and make it into the novice mage ranks this past month.”
He looked down again.
“Aria Moon,” he announced. “Level twenty-two.”
Another ripple of surprise passed through the hall. How was this bimbo suddenly so talented! This time, Aria didn’t miss the opportunity. She straightened slightly, puffing her chest out with unmistakable pride, as if silently declaring: Yes, my boyfriend is exceptional—but look at me too.
Randall let the surprised grunts subside before moving on to the next person.
“Jared Holt,” Randall continued. “Level twenty.”
“Lyra Ladenfang,” he finished. “Level twenty-one.”
More murmurs followed, impressed and surprised.
Elion, however, had gone still when Aria’s level was announced.
His eyes narrowed slightly with suspicion. It couldn’t be a coincidence, right? He hadn’t though much of it, but now there was no denying it.
Both Mira and Aria had shown unusually fast progress this month. And it somehow began when he started pounding them reguarly.
System, he questioned inwardly.
[…]
A familiar response sounded in his head.
[System may have forgotten to mention that the Harem System also passively improves the mana cultivation of partners during your intimate sessions, though at a slower rate.]
Elion almost choked.
How? he demanded internally. I thought I was supposed to pay system points to advance my own level. So how are Mira and Aria improving passively? Does this apply to Beatrice as well?
[No. This feature only applies to permanent partners. You can consider it a bonus function. However, the progress is not free. This is the system’s way of maintaining balance.]
Balance?
[You may have noticed that the more sessions you have with your partners, the fewer points you receive in subsequent sessions.]
Elion froze.
What? Really?
He coughed lightly to cover his reaction, keeping his expression neutral. In truth, he hadn’t noticed at all. He’d been far more focused on the act of love-making itself than on tracking diminishing returns.
The system remained silent.
That silence stretched just long enough to feel… judgmental.
[…Well, now you know.]
Right, Elion thought stiffly. Just make sure you keep me updated on the system’s full range of capabilities from now on.
[…Sure. Uh…]
Why does it sound like there’s something else? he asked.
No response came.
The system was intentionally ignoring him. Which meant there was something else of note about the system that he didn’t know of yet.
At the front of the hall, Randall continued, openly praising the group that had been called out and even noting that, as a whole, this first-year class had surpassed their seniors at the same stage of their careers as mages.
“The future is bright,” he declared proudly.
Then he stepped back, gesturing toward Eveline. “I’ll leave the more important matter to Professor Eveline.”
The hall went quiet again.
That wasn’t the important part? Every single student had the same thought at the exact same time.
Eveline stepped forward once Randall finished, her heels clicking softly against the polished floor as she faced the gathered students.
She smiled warmly, her gaze sweeping across the hall, and she offered subtle nods toward the standout students who had just been named. “Once again,” she said, her voice clear and confident, “congratulations to all of you. Your progress this month has exceeded expectations, and you should be proud of yourselves.”
The atmosphere in the hall was already charged, and whatever she was about to say only added to that growing tension.
“Now,” Eveline continued, folding her hands lightly in front of her, “you may have already heard some rumors.” She paused deliberately. “Considering that this is a major event that only occurs once every century, it is only natural that such rumors would spread. Still, I can say this much with certainty—this year, you are very fortunate to be students of this academy.” She let that sink in for a moment before delivering the announcement. “In a few months’ time, the Primordial Sage’s Hidden Legacy World will open.”
For a heartbeat, the hall was silent.
Then all hell broke loose.
