The forest clearing was quiet except for the sound of steel meeting wood as Sylvara drilled Hiroto with basic sword forms.
"Again," she said, voice steady. "Your footwork is still too slow. If an orc swings at you like that, you'll be on the ground before you can blink."
Hiroto wiped sweat from his brow, breathing hard.
"Easy for you to say. You're not the one swinging a sword that weighs more than my entire future."
Alyra leaned against a nearby tree, arms crossed under her chest, tail flicking lazily.
"Don't be so dramatic, handsome. You're getting better. Slowly. Like a baby deer learning to walk… while drunk."
Sylvara shot her a warning glance.
They had been at it for almost an hour when the bushes rustled violently.
Six orcs burst into the clearing, crude axes and clubs in hand. Their muscular bodies were covered in crude leather and war paint. Their eyes lit up with savage hunger the moment they spotted Hiroto.
"Male! A real male!"
"Fresh meat!"
Sylvara's sword was out in an instant.
"Stay behind me. Alyra, flank left."
But Hiroto stepped forward, gripping his sword with both hands.
"No. I'm not hiding this time."
Alyra grinned, drawing her shortsword.
"Oh? Look at you getting all bold. Try not to die too quickly, okay? I still want to tease you later."
The orcs charged.
Chaos erupted.
Sylvara became a silver whirlwind, cutting down the first orc with two clean strikes. Alyra danced through the fray, slashing at legs and taunting.
"Come on big guys, is that all you've got? My grandma hits harder than you!"
Hiroto was right in the middle of it.
An orc swung a heavy club at his head. He barely dodged, the wind brushing his hair. His counterattack was clumsy but landed — a shallow cut across the orc's thigh.
The orc roared in rage and swung again. Hiroto blocked desperately, the impact jarring his arms. He stumbled back, heart pounding.
Not enough. I need more!
Desperation and raw stubbornness surged through him. He reached deep for the bond with Sylvara and tried to activate Sync on his own for the first time.
Come on… just a little… give me something!
[ Bond Sync Attempted – Sylvara 94% ]
A surge of power flooded his body. His movements sharpened. For a few precious seconds he felt stronger, faster.
He dodged the next swing and drove his sword into the orc's side with real force. The orc staggered, blood pouring from the wound.
But it wasn't dead yet. It roared and lunged at him one last time.
Hiroto didn't retreat. With everything he had, he sidestepped and brought his sword down in a heavy, two-handed strike — right into the orc's neck.
The orc dropped like a sack of stones.
Hiroto stood there, breathing hard, staring at the body he had just killed.
Holy shit… I actually did it.
Alyra whistled from the side as she tripped another orc.
"Not bad! Look at you actually finishing one off!"
But the Sync hit him with its usual side effect. Heat rushed through his veins. He felt himself hardening fast, and he noticed Sylvara's own bulge straining noticeably against her armor as she fought beside him.
Perfect timing. Really. Nothing says 'heroic moment' like a surprise erection in combat.
The System chimed, voice dripping with sarcasm.
[Oh wow. The aspiring Harem Lord is finally trying to take the wheel.
How touching. Just don't trip over your own excitement mid-swing.]
Hiroto gritted his teeth.
"Shut up and help, you sadistic floating box!"
With the boost, he helped finish the remaining orcs. When the last one fell, the clearing fell silent except for heavy breathing.
Hiroto dropped to one knee, exhausted but alive. He had actually killed one himself.
Sylvara lowered her sword, a hint of genuine approval in her eyes.
"You didn't run. You landed real hits… and you finished one. That's progress."
Alyra walked over, wiping her blade with a proud grin.
"My brave boy is finally growing up. I almost didn't have to save your cute ass this time."
Hiroto gave a tired, breathless laugh.
"Yeah… almost."
The System chimed again, this time more serious but still mocking.
[Combat Encounter Completed.
First meaningful contribution — and first kill — recorded.
Skill Point awarded: 1
Skill Tree unlocked.]
A glowing blue screen appeared in Hiroto's vision.
Harem Lord Skill Tree
Dominance Tree
• Commanding Presence (Passive)
• Alpha Aura (Active)
Harmony Tree
• Shared Strength (Passive)
• Empathic Link (Active)
Pleasure Tree
• Sensitive Bond (Passive)
• Pleasure Sync (Active)
[You have 1 Skill Point.
Choose wisely, oh great Harem Lord.
Or don't. Watching you struggle is half the fun anyway.]
Hiroto stared at the options, chest still heaving.
Dominance… that's what I need if I want to stop being the one getting pushed around. But if I go too hard on control, I might push them away. Harmony sounds safer for keeping the peace… but then I'll never actually lead. Pleasure would make bonding faster, but I'd just be digging myself deeper into the mess I'm already in.
He took a deep breath.
If I want any chance of controlling this chaos instead of being controlled by it… I need to start somewhere.
"I choose… Commanding Presence from the Dominance Tree."
The System let out a low, amused whistle.
[Bold choice. Straight for Dominance.
Let's see how long it takes before they start calling you "Master" instead of "cute little human." Good luck with that.]
Sylvara tilted her head, noticing his distant look.
"Something wrong?"
Hiroto stood up slowly, a small but real spark of determination in his eyes.
"Nothing. Just… realizing I can't keep being the weak link forever."
Alyra stepped closer, golden eyes shining.
"Good. Because I like my men with a little fire."
Hiroto looked at both of them and felt the weight — and the ridiculousness — of his path settling on his shoulders.
This was only the beginning.