When the truck hit me, my last thought was:
At least I won't have to pay rent next month.
Then everything went white.
...
I woke up staring at a sky the color of spilled ink, twin moons hanging overhead like watchful eyes.
"…So this is either heaven," I muttered, sitting up in the middle of a grassy field, "or I finally snapped during midterms."
A translucent blue screen flickered into existence before my face.
[Congratulations, Host!]
You have been selected for the Supreme Harem Conquest System.
Objective: Conquer hearts. Grow stronger. Dominate the world.
Failure to comply may result in mild discomfort.*
"Mild discomfort?" I repeated. "Define mild."
[Penalty Example: Electric shock.]
Boom*
A bolt of lightning exploded a tree twenty feet away.
"…Understood."
I stood up slowly, brushing dirt from my hoodie, except it wasn't my hoodie. I was wearing black leather armor, fitted perfectly to my body. My reflection shimmered in a nearby pond.
Sharp jaw. Silver eyes. Slightly messy black hair that somehow looked artfully styled.
"Oh no," I whispered. "I reincarnated into The Overpowered Academy Heartbreaker, as the villainous extra who dies in the third chapter!."
[Host has received Beginner Pack.]
– Skill: Observe (Lv. 1)
– Skill: Natural Charisma (Lv. MAX)
– Title: Protagonist Aura
"I have Max Charisma,what can that do?" I sighed.
A rustling came from the treeline.
I turned just in time to see her step out.
Long crimson hair cascading over silver armor. A sword at her hip. Sharp golden eyes locked onto mine with immediate suspicion.
And, for absolutely no logical reason, a faint blush.
[Target Detected!]
Name: Seraphina Valcrest
Class: Royal Knight Captain
Affection Level: 5/100 (Intrigued)
Capture Condition: Impress her with strength.
She pointed her blade at my throat.
"Identify yourself," she demanded. "No one enters the borders of the Kingdom of Aerth without permission."
"Kingdom of Aerth?" I muttered.
[Location: Outskirts of Aerth.]
I straightened.
Okay. System. Overpowered charisma. Hot knight girl. This was a definitely a set up wasn't it.
"My name is… Kael," I said, because I was too embarrassed to say my old name. "And I believe I was summoned."
Her eyes narrowed. "Summoned? By whom?"
As if on cue, the ground trembled.
A massive wolf-like beast burst from the trees, Three meters tall, black fur crackling with violet lightning.
Seraphina spun toward it instantly.
"Thunderfang," she hissed. "An A-Rank monster, why is it this close to the capital?!"
The beast roared, charging.
She moved to intercept, and the System chimed in.
[Emergency Quest!]
Protect Seraphina Valcrest.
Reward: +20 Affection, Skill Unlock.
Failure: Lightning Strike (Severe).
"Severe?!" I shouted.
No time to argue.
"Observe!" I activated my skill instinctively.
Stats appeared over the monster.
> Thunderfang
Level: 47
Weakness: Underbelly (Lightning Core)
"And what level am I?" I demanded.
Host Level: 1
"That is NOT reassuring!"
Thunderfang lunged.
The ground cratered beneath its paws. Violet lightning tore through the grass in branching veins, the air snapping and popping with heat.
The smell of ozone burned my nose.
Seraphina stepped forward, blade flashing.
Steel met claw.
The impact rang out like a struck bell. Sparks scattered across the field as she skidded back, boots carving trenches through the dirt.
Her jaw tightened but she did not break stance.
"Stay back!" she ordered.
The wolf twisted midair with unnatural grace and slammed its tail into her shield arm. Lightning detonated on impact. She was thrown sideways, rolling once before forcing herself upright.
Her breathing grew heavier.
Okay. She was strong.
Just not strong enough.
Thunderfang's chest swelled. Energy gathered in its throat, condensing into a sphere of blinding violet light.
"That's bad," I muttered.
The beam fired.
Seraphina crossed her blade in defense. The blast swallowed her in a storm of crackling light. The shockwave knocked me flat, dirt pelting my face.
When the light faded, she was still standing.
Barely.
Her armor smoked. A thin line of blood traced down her temple.
Thunderfang roared in triumph and leapt for the finishing blow.
Something in my chest snapped.
Not fear.
Something else.
The world slowed.Wind curled around my blade, wait, when did I get a blade?
[Weapon Granted: Beginner's Fatebound Sword.]
"Sure, why not," I muttered, leaping.
I drove the sword upward as the beast soared over me.
There was resistance, then a burst of violet light.
The Lightning Core shattered.
Thunderfang froze midair… and exploded into glittering particles.
Silence fell over the field.
I landed, slightly off-balance by trying to look cool.
Behind me, Seraphina stared.
Her golden eyes were wide. Her lips parted faintly.
[Affection Increased!]
Seraphina Valcrest: 5 → 35
Status: Impressed.
She sheathed her sword slowly.
"That monster…" she said quietly. "A full squad of royal knights would struggle against it."
I coughed. "Beginner's luck?"
She stepped closer.
Up close, she was even more unfairly beautiful. Her armor glinted in the moonlight her breast, supple and of a perfect size. A faint warmth radiated from her presence—confidence, strength… and now curiosity.
"You are no ordinary wanderer," she said. "If you truly were summoned… then perhaps you are the hero spoken of in the prophecy."
I blinked. "There's a prophecy?"
"Of course there is."
Right. Naturally.
She extended her hand.
"Kael. If you are willing, come with me to the capital. The King must hear of this. And…" her gaze softened just slightly, "I would like to have your assistance. With you by my side there would be nothing to fear."
[New Main Quest Unlocked!]
Build Your Harem of Destiny.
Current Members: 0/???
I stared at the screen.
"This is so shameless," I whispered.
[Reminder: Lightning Strike.]
"Right. Yes. Destiny."
I took Seraphina's hand.
Warm. Firm. Strong.
As she pulled me toward the distant glow of the capital city, the twin moons shining above us, I couldn't help but grin.
Okay.
If I was going to be stuck in a cliché power fantasy with a suspiciously aggressive romance algorithm,
I might as well win.
And judging by the way Seraphina kept glancing at me when she thought I wasn't looking…
This world wasn't ready.