The scandal of Elara's public breakdown reached the highest levels. Kael was summoned, not by an instructor, but by the Dean's Office, a tower reserved for the most formidable administrative power.
Waiting for him was not the Dean, but his daughter, Avelyn Valerius. She was older, closer to Lysandra's age, and possessed an intimidating, controlled beauty. Unlike the raw force of Elara or the analytical fervor of Sienna, Avelyn exuded the cold, calculated power of institutional authority. She was a Silver Hand—a personal enforcer for the Dean and heir to the Valerius political dynasty.
"Kael Varis," Avelyn stated, her voice as smooth and cold as polished ice. She remained seated, observing him with narrowed, intelligent eyes that showed none of the immediate, chaotic desire of the others, but a deeper, more dangerous possessiveness. "You are a disturbance. The Vance girl is destroyed, the Thorne scholar is compromised, and the Institute's reputation is sinking with every fevered glance from the student body."
"I've simply demonstrated my Core strength," Kael shrugged, feeling the pressure of her institutional gaze.
Avelyn laughed, a soft, dry sound. "You've done more than that. Your Core isn't just powerful; it's an Authority Core. It overrides the free will of every female within range. That makes you either a weapon to be controlled or a rival to be eliminated."
She stood up, tall and commanding. "My father, the Dean, sees you as a threat to order. I see you as a priceless asset." She walked around the desk, stopping just inches away. Her eyes, usually reserved, finally betrayed a deep, smoldering heat.
"Lysandra Thorne wants you for her own private experiments. Sienna wants you for data collection. Elara wants to be your slave. I, however, want to legitimize your presence. The Arcana Institute needs a stable hierarchy."
Avelyn reached out, her cool hand gripping his arm with surprising strength. "As of this moment, Kael Varis, you are officially assigned as my Personal Arcane Attendant. This is a direct order from the Dean's Office. It grants me exclusive, mandatory access to you for all institutional matters—and all private matters, as they pertain to your 'stabilization.'"
This was the most dangerous claim yet: a political one, backed by the highest authority in the Institute. He couldn't refuse without challenging the Dean himself.
"Consider this a safety measure, Varis," Avelyn whispered, pulling him closer until the scent of rare perfumes and official parchment filled his nostrils. "It keeps the other women at bay, and it ensures that when your Core finally settles, it settles only on me."
She then pressed a cold, official seal—the Valerius family crest—into his palm. "Report to my private residence tonight. We have much to discuss about our new arrangement."
Kael left the Dean's Office, the official seal in his hand feeling heavier than any Mana Core. He was now a political pawn, caught between the terrifying dominance of Lysandra, the demanding intellect of Sienna, the broken pride of Elara, and the cold, institutional authority of Avelyn Valerius. The Secret Harem was growing, and every new member escalated the stakes of his survival.