Harem System In A fantasy World - Chapter 165: Humble Origins

Chapter 165: Humble Origins

Elion could do nothing but watch as Celeste dragged him off to who knows where. Of course, he wasn’t bored; his eyes were more than preoccupied with watching the sway of her ample hips as she led him through the quiet street.

There was a high chance he could regain control of his body by circulating mana and breaking whatever spell this was.

It didn’t feel that complex. But he didn’t try. If he forced his way out of her hold, she might only get angrier at him. And judging by how easily she had restrained him, that wouldn’t end well.

So he simply floated after her while she walked ahead without looking back.

After a few blocks, they stopped in front of a very popular, very expensive-looking restaurant.

Before he could properly take it in, the tension around his body vanished.

And then—

He was dropped hard onto the ground. Right onto his backside.

“Ouch,” he complained, rubbing it as he got up awkwardly with a wry smile. “Be gentler, will you?”

“Follow.”

Celeste didn’t even look at him. No regret and no apology. She simply walked inside.

Elion sighed and followed.

From the outside alone, he could tell this place was high-end. The buidling went quite high up so it had multiple floors, and elegant glass panels, as well as soft lighting spilling from within onto the street.

The moment they stepped inside, the atmosphere changed. The bottom floor was dimly lit with warm lights. Round tables were spaced out neatly.

Only a couple dozen or so guests were present, despite the size of the floor and from their clothing alone, it was obvious they were influential people.

Unlike the noisy inns Elion was used to, this place was quiet and calm. No one even spared them a glance as they entered.

He even noticed a couple of senior academy students seated at a table near the back.

So this was one of those places the privileged liked to visit.

A few waiters walked around in pristine white uniforms.

One of them approached and bowed lightly. “Hello, young miss, sir—”

Her expression shifted slightly when she noticed Elion’s simple clothes, and then his more pleasing face.

Then she turned fully to Celeste, as if Elion didn’t exist at all.

Her thoughts were quite easy to read. A rich young miss treating her boy toy.

How rude.

Elion kept his face neutral, but he noticed it. Judging him based on his appearance was disappointing, though not surprising.

The fact that he was here with Celeste should have hinted at something. Well, it did hint at something, and she had come to a reasonable assumption.

But there was no need for her to show open disdain. What if Celeste took offense to that attitude and used her influence to get her in trouble?

Would that waitress regret it?

People really were shallow sometimes.

Not like he wasn’t used to it.

“We would like a private booth on the second floor,” Celeste said calmly.

“Right this way, ma’am.”

Instead of stairs, the waiter guided them to an elevator.

Elion blinked slightly.

This was the first elevator he had seen outside the academy.

They stepped inside. The doors closed with a soft hiss, and within seconds, they arrived at the second floor.

The atmosphere here was even quieter.

A wide corridor stretched ahead, branching into several smaller corridors lined with closed doors.

“This way.”

They walked to the end of the corridor. She waiter used a black card with an elm tree insignia to unlock one of the doors.

It opened smoothly.

When Elion stepped inside, he was greeted with cream-colored plush couches arranged around a glass table at the center. Matching cushions were placed neatly on the seats. The walls were white and clean, almost too perfect.

“You may take your seats,” the waiter said with a polite smile and bow.

Then she turned and walked out.

Elion glanced at the door curiously. Wasn’t she going to take their order?

“Enjoy your stay.”

The door closed behind her.

Celeste settled onto the couch without hesitation, crossing her legs elegantly, and making the fabric of her lovely outfit hug her curves just right.

Elion looked around again, clearly confused.

As if sensing it, Celeste reached forward with her slender fingers and pressed the surface of the glass table.

A holographic interface flickered to life above it.

She glanced up, and her red gemstone-like eyes met his briefly. “These rooms are self-service.”

Elion blinked.

“Ohhh…”

He nodded slowly, staring at the floating menu with interest.

Celeste calmly tapped through the floating interface, her fingers moving smoothly as different holographic menus shifted in front of her. Elion waited patiently, leaning back slightly on the couch.

After a moment, she stopped and looked up at him from behind the glowing screen.

“What would you like to have?” she asked.

Elion waved her off lightly. “I’ll order myself.”

He wasn’t about to let her place his order for him like some clueless country bumpkin with no exposure. He reached forward and tapped the surface of the table.

A new menu appeared in front of him.

It was simple enough.

Beverages. Starters. Full meals. Custom orders. Desserts.

He skimmed through it quickly.

First, he selected red wine.

Then steak with sauce.

After that, a glass of water to wash it all down.

He paused for a second before confirming the order.

Since he probably wasn’t the one paying, he didn’t want to appear gluttonous or like he was trying to milk her generosity. So he kept it light and pressed [place order].

The interface dimmed.

Elion leaned back and looked at Celeste.

She had been watching him, and she gave a small nod of approval, as if she were a mother pleased with watching her child achieve something she hadn’t expected him to.

Elion smiled wryly.

Does she look down on me that much?

After all, she had read his entire file. She knew exactly where he stood. His background. His status. His so-called worth.

He held her gaze calmly, even if that small nod bothered him more than he expected.

Celeste let out a small sigh as they waited for their food.

“So… were you following me?” she asked, her red eyes sharpening as they locked onto him.

“Of course not,” Elion replied instantly.

“I just happened to see you while heading to my home. I thought I’d say hello. The timing was just… unfortunate.” He tilted his head slightly and added with a teasing smile, “Who knew you were into… that kind of stuff?”

Celeste’s ears turned bright red.

She shot up from her seat and slammed her hands lightly on the table. “I-I was just— They sell normal underwear too!” she said quickly. “I just… I—”

“You don’t have to explain,” Elion cut in, laughing. “I’m just messing with you. I know they sell all kinds of things. Don’t worry.”

He wiped at the corner of his eyes, which had grown slightly wet from laughing.

Celeste puffed out her cheeks in a pout.

It was… very cute.

Elion rested his head in his palm and watched her with clear amusement. He couldn’t help the stray thoughts that slipped into his mind. Now he was curious about what she wore under that expensive dress of hers.

What kind of underwear was she into? The innocent plain cotton? or the ones printed with cute stuff. Or was she into the more mature dark coloured lace underwear?

Or maybe, was she into the more lewd pieces? Maybe something that exposed her intimate parts, leaving a lovely gap around her slit and her nipples.

The thoughts made Elion’s body tingle in anticipation.

Fuck, I’m so horny! He suddenly realised he was looking at her with a heated gaze.

[…]

Celeste cleared her throat, forcing her expression back to neutral.

“You said you have a house somewehere here?” she asked suddenly, clearly trying to change the subject.

“Yeah,” Elion replied, clearing his throat slightly.

He had originally planned to visit Esme and Ophelia at his “house” later that night—for obvious reasons.

The bath earlier had cleared his head a little, but after holding himself back with Ceryn, Kaia, and Ymir, he was still very horny and still needed someone to vent on.

The needy succubi were… convenient for a situation like this. It would probably mean spending the whole night there, but he didn’t mind.

Not in the least.

“I bought an estate in the upper district a few weeks ago,” Elion said smoothly.

Celeste’s brows lifted in surprise.

She wasn’t someone who liked prying into other people’s business. Still, she was at least a little invested in Elion.

The fact that she had personally recommended him for the DC said enough. She respected him, at least to some degree.

And she knew his humble background.

She knew where he came from.

“That’s… impressive,” she said honestly.

Money had never been something Celeste worried about. She came from far more affluent origins.

But that didn’t mean she didn’t understand its value. Estates in the upper district—especially in Grimholt’s flying city—were absurdly expensive, even for her.

For someone like Elion to own one?

It was no small feat.

Elion noticed her reaction and hid his amusement behind a calm expression. He had expected that response. Technically, he hadn’t personally paid for the house himself.

But he owned it.

And if it earned him a few extra points in Celeste’s eyes, was it really so wrong to be a little shameless?

He leaned back casually. “It’s not too big. Just comfortable.”

Celeste studied him quietly for a moment, as if trying to read whether he was bragging or simply stating a fact.

“And you bought it yourself?” she asked.