Damien stood there frozen, the system prompt glowing in his vision like a taunt.
Shit, system. Why now? Can't you see she's literally broken? That much shock losing a family just because of a Potential rank is definitely cruel.
He stayed longer than he meant to, watching Mira on her knees in the cold dirt path.
The Awakening Ceremony was still raging inside the auditorium cheers, gasps, rank announcements echoing through the open doors. No one had come out yet.
The snow kept falling, soft and relentless, dusting her black hair like ash.
After a long silence, Mira lifted her head slightly, voice raw but calmer now.
"Why are you still here? To watch me get humiliated wasn't enough? You watched my family throw me away too. Why?"
Damien exhaled through his nose. What do you mean 'why'? I wouldn't care about what you do... but I can't leave you if I want to survive.
Out loud he said, "Umm... well, let's talk somewhere else. It'll get crowded here in a bit the ceremony is almost over."
Mira's voice cracked with fury. "I asked why are you here."
Damien knelt beside her, close enough that she could feel his coat brushing her arm.
"Let's talk somewhere else. This isn't a good place to discuss what I'm about to tell you.
Come with me. It's almost evening let's just go to my house. I'll tell you everything."
Mira stood slowly, wiping her face roughly with her sleeve, purple eyes blazing.
"Are you after my body? After all, E-rank women only have one use selling their bodies."
Damien rose too, expression unchanging. "Let's go." He started walking forward, coat swaying in the wind.
"I'll give you a chance to rise. Only I can give you that chance. I can give you a chance for revenge, if that's what you want. So follow me."
He didn't look back.
Mira stared at his back for several heartbeats.
After all, an E-rank has nothing to lose. And if Damien Crowe the most handsome guy in Midger says he can give me a chance... I'll follow him and hear it.
But what does he want from me? Isn't he also E-rank? How can he give anyone a chance?
She followed.
They walked straight to District 9 in Midger. The city had nine districts, and the 9th was the border zone.not luxurious like 1–3, not a complete footpath slum like 7–8.
It was the middle: modest apartments, small shops, footpaths lined with women who had D or C-rank Potential.
Strong enough to survive gate overflows, not strong enough to matter in high society.
They got glances curious, envious, some predatory but no one approached.
Damien's house was a modest single-story unit squeezed between two similar buildings.
Plain dark door, one small window with a single hardy plant on the sill. Nothing flashy.
"Come inside. We'll talk there."
The interior was bare-bones: one bedroom visible from the entrance door, a tiny bathroom, a kitchenette that doubled as living space. Mid-class at best.
"Sit there," he said, nodding to the worn couch. "I'll get some coffee."
Mira sat stiffly, arms crossed, watching him move around the kitchen with practiced ease.
This is where he lives? Alone?
Damien thought as he measured grounds: Shit, I really brought her here.
I didn't think the lines from anime would work that well, but yeah this is my house.
A year ago the original host was dying from a monster chase.
That's when I transmigrated in.
I would've died too if a really strong Trait holder hadn't saved me.
After that, I started over: day job at a store, nights streaming gates, reactions, the usual types. Face covered, of course.
Grew the channel to 4 million followers. Decent money. Couldn't stop.
He poured the coffee effortlessly, like a veteran who'd done it a thousand times.
"Here. Drink it. It's so cold outside."
She took the mug, staring. "You live alone? How do you manage this house? It's small, but..."
Damien sipped his own, leaning against the counter. "I do live alone, yes. I work, so it's no big deal managing a small house as small as this." He deliberately said small twice, voice flat.
Mira noticed. "I didn't mean that "
Damien cut her off gently. "I know. This house isn't some family inheritance.
It's mine."
Mira stopped talking and started drinking. This coffee... it's surprisingly good. No it's even better than what I used to drink back home.
She glanced at him again. He lives alone, works, manages everything. That's why he always leaves first. It does Makes sense now.
"So," she said quietly, setting the mug down.
"What were you going to talk about? What was the chance you were going to give me?"
Damien placed his cup on the table.
"My Bond skill. You know about it, right?"
Mira nodded. "Yes. Everyone knows. You have a bond taming skill. It was something new unlike all the old ones in history. That's why you were in the news too."
Damien grimaced. "I remember. Reporters swarmed my house for weeks."
Mira took another sip, savoring it. "So what about it?"
"Well... you see, my Bond Trait is to make bonds with women. After the bond, I can buff them temporarily."
The cup slipped from her fingers. Damien caught it mid-fall with one hand, reflexes sharp.
Mira stared. "What the ? What do you mean you can buff? And what does that have to do with anything about my E-rank Potential?"
Damien continued calmly. "The thing I buff... is Potential. But the bond has to be with an E-rank."
Mira's eyes widened. "So that's why you were following me.
I was the only E-rank woman in the whole school, huh? Is that the reason?"
"Correct."
She leaned forward. "So you'll buff my Potential and give me a chance. What do you get in return, though?"
Damien looked at her, focused and serious. "If you grow stronger, I grow too. And you know without strength, you can't survive if a gate overflows."
Mira's expression turned serious. "Hmm. So you get stronger as the bond gets stronger."
"Pretty much expected."
Damien leaned back. "So... will you form a bond with me?"
Mira replied immediately, without a pause or ounce of hesitation. "Of course I will."
The system pinged instantly.
[Ascendant Bond]
Host: Would you like to initiate bond with Mira Voss?
First-time enhancement: Duration 2 days
Potential rank temporarily elevated to S-rank
[Confirm / Decline]
He clicked Confirm.
A soft pink light enveloped Mira, sinking into her skin immediately, warm and tingling like static electricity.
Mira gasped. "So... is this the buff?"
Damien shook his head, face flushing a bit red. "No. That's not the buff."
"Well... the condition to activate the buff is kinda..."
Mira leaned in, eyes narrowing. "Tell me what it is."
Damien looked away for a second, then met her gaze. "Well... it's through sex."