[ Harem Force: 110/100 ]
[ Requirements Met ]
[ Initiating Upgrade… ]
[ Congratulations! The Chaotic Harem Sword has been upgraded to stage: E ]
[ You have received a new special trait: Touch of Lust ]
Touch of Lust: Your hands are now imbued with magical aphrodisiac properties. They infiltrate the target's physical defenses without notice, then invoke lust. The effect also provides a soothing influence on both body and soul.
Limits: No cooldown. But it uses ether as a source till it lasts.
[ You have received your first Sword Art: Relentless Thrust.
> A high-speed linear assault that allows the user to unleash consecutive thrusts without loss of momentum. Each successful hit accelerates the next, making defense increasingly impossible.
Usage: 10 EP (Ether Points) per activation.
Cooldown: 5 seconds.
--
After a few hours of "punishment," Adonis finally stopped as he threw the boulder off his shoulder. "Thud."
His shoulder felt stiff, but it didn't matter. He felt himself growing stronger.
His personal stats also received a slight boost.
[ Name: Adonis Kingsbane ]
[ Level: 1 | Exp: 23/100 ]
[ Age: 18 ]
[ Health: 80 ] (↑1)
[ Strength: 8 (↑2) ]
[ Agility: 8 (↑1) ]
[ Intelligence: 15 (↑0) ]
[ Defense: 9 (↑2) ]
[ Charm: 15 (↑3) ]
[ Luck: 23 (↑0) ]
[ Ether: 101 (↑0) ]
---
The increase was minimal, but it was proof that intense physical exercise really bears fruit.
It means he can grow stronger not only by grinding EXP and leveling up.
More than that, the earlier notifications made him more pleased. It seemed his assumption wasn't wrong. Harem Force can be harvested just by impressing the females.
As a result of this show-off to Claudia, his sword had upgraded to stage E.
'But what the hell is wrong with the Sword Art's name? Relentless Thrust? Seriously, Vexa, who came up with this name? If I accidentally shout it loud, wouldn't I be laughed to death?'
He was seriously dumbfounded when he saw the name. But it was real.
But he also couldn't deny that this Art was overpowered.
Vexa replied with a melodic laugh, "It's named Chaotic Harem Sword for a reason, Master. Where would be the fun in life if there wasn't a little chaos? >
Adonis sighed, understanding there would be no result in complaining.
As such, he summoned the Harem Sword from his chest, then noted its upgraded stats:
[ CHAOTIC HAREM SWORD (Taboo) ]
[ Current Stage: E | 10/500 HF (Required Harem Force for next Stage) ]
[ Attack Power: 21 (↑15) ]
[ Defense: 25 (↑15) ]
[ Special Traits: Infinite Stamina, Touch Of Lust (Upgrade for more) ]
'So I need 500 to upgrade the sword to the next stage. It's a little high, but manageable. Especially since I now have this Touch Of Lust trait.'
He revealed a perverted smile.
'With my pair of hands I can harvest as much Harem Force as I want.'
Thinking like this, he glanced at Claudia's resting figure on the lounge.
"And I have the perfect target for it now."
He went toward the exhausted Claudia.
She was still lying on the lounge, chest rising and falling with heavy breaths, sweat glistening along her collarbone and the deep valley between her massive breasts.
Her usually impeccable Royal Knight posture had given way to relaxed mode, with one arm draped lazily over her eyes as if shielding them from the light or perhaps from the memory of the last few hours.
Adonis approached quietly, footsteps soft on the stone floor.
Claudia sensed him immediately. She lowered her arm and sat up straight. Some purple strands of purple hair were clinging to her sweaty neck.
She looked tired but forced herself to behave like a proper instructor.
"Your stamina is very impressive, Adonis," she said, voice still a little hoarse. "Most beginners would have collapsed after half that regimen. But you carried that boulder like it weighed nothing by the end."
Adonis offered a modest smile while rubbing the back of his neck as if embarrassed.
"Thank you, Lady Hellitrix. But honestly, you look like you could use some rest too. All that supervising must have been tiring."
She let out a short, tired laugh. "Supervising? I was matching your pace half the time just to keep up appearances."
He took another step closer, eyes flicking briefly over her tense shoulders and the way she unconsciously rolled her neck to ease the stiffness.
"Actually, I know a secret technique. It's a kind of massage I learned from an old book. It relieves all the hidden pains, the ones deep in the muscles that normal rest can't touch. Would you allow me to try it on you? Just your shoulders and back. Nothing improper."
Claudia raised an elegant brow, studying him.
Her instinct as a Royal Knight screamed caution. Yet the boy in front of her had already proven himself unusually resilient, earnest, and strangely trustworthy in his innocence.
Besides, her body really did ache. The thought of even temporary relief was tempting.
"Alright, but just shoulders and back," she said at last. "And if I say stop, you stop immediately."
"Of course, my lady. I promise."
Adonis bowed his head slightly as a picture of deference.
Claudia turned around on the lounge, presenting her alluring back to him. Next, she gathered her long purple hair and pulled it over one shoulder, exposing the graceful line of her neck and the broad, toned expanse of her upper back.
Even through the leather armor, the outlines of her muscles were clear. Years of wielding sword and shield had sculpted her into something both powerful and undeniably feminine.
Adonis knelt behind her.
He placed both hands lightly on her shoulders first. Soft and gentle.
As soon as his palms made contact with her skin, the Touch of Lust activated silently.
From his fingertips, warmth seeped in like invisible silk, sliding beneath skin and armor alike, completely unnoticed.
It didn't burn or shock; it simply infiltrated without any obstruction.
This soothing current loosened knots before she even realized they were being touched. And beneath that soothing layer, something hotter stirred, slow, patient, and curling low in her lower belly like a secret she hadn't yet acknowledged.
Claudia let out a small sigh as the first real pressure eased.
"That actually feels good," she admitted, almost surprised.
[ Harem Force +10 ]
Adonis smiled faintly behind her.
"I'm glad. Just relax, my lady. Let me take care of the rest."
His hands began to move, slow circles at first, then deeper strokes down the length of her trapezius, thumbs pressing into the tight ridges beside her spine.
Each press released more of the soothing ether-laced warmth.
However, each glide awakened something else.
Claudia's breathing gradually deepened.
Her shoulders dropped. Her head tilted slightly forward.
And somewhere beneath her iron discipline, a faint flush began to creep up the back of her neck.
[ Harem Force +15 ]
[ Target's guard lowered: Curiosity → Mild Trust ]
Adonis kept his expression perfectly innocent.
But inside, the perverted grin from earlier only grew wider.
"It seems I'm right on track," he thought inwardly.
"There's so much more I can harvest from you, Claudia."
Very soon, this female Royal Knight would learn what real craving means.