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The King's Road to Eldoria stretched like a silver ribbon through Aetheria's heartland, flanked by golden wheat fields and ancient oaks whispering secrets to the wind. Aiden Blackwood's caravan rumbled along—three enchanted carriages pulled by mana-charged stallions, guarded by elite Blackwood knights. Inside the lead coach, Aiden lounged on velvet cushions, his silver hair catching the sunlight filtering through silk curtains. At 14, his violet eyes held the wisdom of two worlds, his aura a subtle hum that made the air shimmer.
Elara knelt beside him, her auburn locks brushing his knee as she poured spiced tea from a silver samovar. "My lord Aiden, more honey? You've barely touched breakfast." Her emerald eyes flicked up adoringly, freckles dancing on her blush.
Sylva, the raven-haired archer, perched opposite, restringing her bow with deft fingers. Gray eyes sharp as her arrows, she stole glances at Aiden. "The road's too quiet. My instincts scream ambush."
Sera, the orange-braided swordswoman, leaned against the door, polishing her flame-etched blade. Sun-kissed skin gleamed, her curves straining her new Blackwood tabard. "Let 'em come. I'll cleave 'em for you, milord." She winked, loyalty burning hotter than her slashes.
**[System Status: Harem Bonds - Elara (99%), Sylva (98%), Sera (97%). Morale: Peak. New Targets Proximity: 87% (Academy Arrival ETA: 12 hours). Threat Scan: Ambush Incoming - 8km Ahead. Enemy Composition: 15 Bandits (D-C Rank), 1 Leader (A-Rank Assassin). Abilities: Poison Darts, Illusion Fog. Weaknesses: Poor coordination, fear of overwhelming force. Predicted Casualties: Zero.]**
Aiden smirked, patting Elara's hand—sparks of passive affection rippled through her, deepening the bond. "Ambush? Perfect warm-up. Ladies, stay sharp but safe. This system's got us covered."
The caravan halted at a narrow defile, mist rolling unnaturally thick from the treeline. **[Illusion Fog Deployed.]** Phantom wolves howled, knights drawing swords in confusion. Then, darts whistled—poison barbs glinting green.
Aiden stepped out, aura flaring. Reality bent; the fog shredded like paper, revealing fifteen ragged bandits in hooded cloaks, crossbows raised. Their leader, a wiry A-Rank elf with scarred olive skin and dual daggers, sneered from a branch. "Blackwood whelp! Your head fetches gold from the cults. Die in delusion!"
**[Scan: Kael Shadowveil - A-Rank. Abilities: Venom Strike (Paralyzes in 3s), Mirage Clone (3 duplicates). Weakness: Overreliance on stealth; mana surge disrupts clones. Cult Affiliation: Blood Lord Outer Circle. Intel Value: High.]**
"Pathetic," Aiden murmured. He clapped once—sonic wave rippled, shattering every dart mid-air and stunning the bandits. Kael leaped, clones blurring, daggers aiming for Aiden's throat.
Time slowed. Aiden sidestepped, wind aura coiling like invisible serpents. One palm to a clone—poof, illusion popped. Another to the real Kael's wrist—bones cracked, dagger flying. Sera charged, but Aiden waved her back. "Mine."
Kael hissed, venom spraying. Aiden inhaled—system purified it instantly, converting to mana boost. He grabbed Kael's throat, lifting him effortlessly. **[Compulsion Activated: Spill All.]**
"The Blood Lord... demands essence! Woods rituals... thousands sacrificed already. Earl Slade funds us—Victor was bait!" Kael gasped, eyes glazing.
Aiden's eyes narrowed. *Slade connection confirmed. Building to Chapter 100.* "Traitorous elf scum." A gentle squeeze—Kael's mana core ruptured painlessly, body slumping. Bandits fled screaming; Sylva's arrows downed three for questioning.
**[Quest Complete: Road Ambush Neutralized. Rewards: Cult Intel (Blood Lord Progress: 12%), Harem Aura Boost (+5% Charm). New Item: Shadowveil Dagger (Upgraded to SS-Rank via System).]**
The harem swarmed him. Elara healed minor knight scratches with glowing hands. "My hero," she whispered, pressing close. Sylva nocked an arrow playfully. "Teach me that wind trick?" Sera laughed, clapping his back. "You're a god among men!"
Interrogated bandits spilled more: Cults hid in Eldoria's underbelly, harvesting vagrants for the Blood Lord's resurrection. Royal Academy was a hotspot—nobles corrupted, promising more fodder.
By dusk, Eldoria sprawled ahead: a glittering metropolis of spires piercing the clouds, walls enchanted against dragons, the Royal Palace a diamond atop the central hill. Twin moons rose as the caravan passed triumphal arches, crowds cheering "Blackwood Heir!"—news of Victor's defeat had flown on raven scrolls.
At the Academy gates—massive obsidian portals carved with heroic friezes—a reception committee awaited. Dean Valeria Frost, a stern S-Rank ice mage in her thirties with platinum hair and glacial blue eyes, appraised Aiden. "Young Blackwood. Your feats precede you. Top class awaits."
**[Scan: Dean Valeria - S-Rank. Abilities: Absolute Zero, Frost Domain. Weakness: Hidden loneliness. Harem Potential: 45% (Long-term). Noted.]**
Flanking her: three prodigies. First, Elf Princess Lirael Sylvara—ethereal beauty with waist-length silver-green hair, emerald eyes, pointed ears adorned in vines. S-Rank archer, bow of living wood slung across her back. "The human who shames gods? Intriguing." **[Harem Target: 96%.]**
Second, Fiona Iceheart—A-rank ice mage prodigy, 16, with short sapphire locks, porcelain skin, and a form-hugging academy robe accentuating her lithe figure. "Prove your power isn't luck." **[Harem Target: 94%.]**
Third, Kira Drakenscale—dragonkin warrior, 18, towering and toned with crimson scales tracing obsidian horns, golden slit-eyes, and muscle rippling under minimal armor. "Fight me later, pretty boy." **[Harem Target: 97%.]**
Aiden bowed smoothly, aura washing over them—subtle charm spiking potentials to 98%+. "Honored. Let's make history."
Inside the grand hall, orientation buzzed with noble heirs: arrogant princes, scheming daughters, whispers of cults. Aiden's group claimed a table; harem girls mingled seamlessly, Elara serving, Sylva/Sera guarding. Lirael slid beside him uninvited. "Your eyes... they see truths. Dance with me at the ball tomorrow?"
Fiona huffed, conjuring ice sculptures competitively. Kira arm-wrestled a prince into submission, glancing Aiden's way.
**[System Alert: Dorm Assignment - Elite Suite (Shared with Harem). First Class: Combat Trials Tomorrow. Hidden Threat: Rival Heir Lucius (A-Rank, Cult Ally) Plots Poisoning. Neutralize? Y/N]**
Dean Valeria announced: "Academy life forges legends. Blackwood—expect trials befitting your hype."
As Aiden unpacked in the lavish suite—marble baths, mana fountains, harem rooms adjoining his—Elara drew a bath, Sylva scouted, Sera sparred in the courtyard. The new girls visited under pretense: Lirael with elven wine, Fiona with spell tomes, Kira with sparring gauntlets. Bonds simmered; passive aura did the work.
Night fell. Aiden stood on the balcony, scanning Eldoria's undercity glow. Red eyes flickered distantly—cult activity. *Harem at 6 soon. Academy domination next. Blood Lord, your end nears.*
But a shadow slipped into his room—poison vial glinting.
**To Be Continued!**