Chapter 16: Resonance Awakens
The morning sun touched the camp with soft golden light. The night of passion was gone, but the warmth of it still lingered in Seris's body and soul. She walked beside Arjun now, her cheeks still faintly pink, her heart calm but burning with a new kind of fire.
On the open ground near the tents, Arjun stood with Seris. His hands rested on his hips, his eyes sharp as he looked at her.
"We will test the new bond," he said calmly.
Seris nodded. She tightened the gloves on her hands, her hair flowing in the light breeze. She could already feel it a strange warmth that connected her chest to Arjun's, like an invisible thread pulling her toward him.
Her voice was soft but firm. "I can feel you inside me, Arjun. It's like my strength is not mine alone anymore."
He smiled faintly. "That is the Bond Resonance. Let's see what you can do with it."
Seris took her stance. The ground was flat, marked by stones and a circle drawn earlier. Arjun had prepared the place for this trial.
"Begin," he said.
Seris moved first. She pushed forward, her fist striking the air. To her shock, the air itself cracked like glass, a sharp whum sound echoing. The pressure of her strike sent dust flying. She stumbled back, staring at her hand.
"This… this is not the strength I had before…" she whispered.
Arjun stepped closer. "Because your strength is now joined with mine. Try again."
She nodded quickly. Her next strike was even stronger. This time, the earth under her feet split in a thin line, stones jumping from the shock. The ground trembled. Seris's eyes widened in disbelief, her chest rising and falling quickly.
Arjun's smile grew. "Good. The system wasn't lying. Your power has multiplied."
From a distance, near the tents, Lira had woken. She stepped outside, stretching, her long hair catching the sunlight. She froze when she saw Seris and Arjun together. Her sharp eyes narrowed, watching the scene.
Seris moved with unusual grace, her blows breaking the air. And Arjun… he was smiling at her, guiding her every movement.
Why are they so close…? Lira thought, her heart twisting strangely.
She folded her arms and leaned against a pole, pretending to watch casually, but inside she felt something she didn't want to admit jealousy.
Back on the field, Seris tried a kick. To her shock, a faint glow of energy burst from her foot, striking a tree nearby. The trunk cracked, wood splintering.
"Arjun…! Did you see that?" she gasped.
"I did," he said calmly, though inside he too was impressed. "Bond Resonance is not just theory. Our strength is truly shared."
He stepped close, placing a hand on her shoulder. As he did, Seris felt a sudden rush of energy flow into her body. Her eyes glowed faintly, her muscles tightening. She gasped, overwhelmed.
"It's… it's flowing into me… from you… Arjun… ahh~♡…"
Her legs trembled as she tried to hold herself steady. She looked up at him, eyes shining. "It feels so good… like I could break mountains with one touch…"
Arjun's hand lingered, steadying her. "This is only the beginning. With training, we can perfect this resonance."
From the side, Lira's hands clenched into fists. She saw the closeness between them, the way Seris leaned into him, the way her face softened with devotion. Something happened last night, Lira realized. Something changed her.
She bit her lip, looking away, but her chest felt tight.
Just then
Ding!
The familiar sound of the Eternal Harem System echoed in Arjun's mind. A glowing blue screen appeared.
[Eternal Harem System Notification]~Bond Resonance with Seris has been successfully tested.
~Strength confirmed: +150% increase when united.
~New Hidden Quest Unlocked: Next Subjugation.
Mission Objective:
Target: Lira.
Condition: Gain complete loyalty and body union.
Reward: +1 Major Realm, New Dual Resonance Ability.
Warning: Delay may cause jealousy to grow unstable.
Arjun's eyes narrowed as he read the lines. The system was clear Lira was the next.
He looked at her from the corner of his eye. She stood with arms crossed, her gaze cold, though he caught the faint heat in her expression. Jealousy was already taking root.
Arjun smirked faintly. So the system pushes me forward again.
Seris noticed his expression and tilted her head. "Arjun? Did the system speak to you?"
He nodded. "Yes. It gave me a new mission."
Her eyes widened slightly, then softened. She already guessed the truth. She turned her gaze toward Lira, who stood watching them from afar.
"I see…" Seris whispered, her voice carrying a mix of sadness and acceptance. Then she smiled faintly, leaning closer to him. "If it is her, then I will support you. Because I am already yours. Nothing will change that."
Arjun stroked her cheek gently. "Good. That's the loyalty I expect."
Seris's face flushed, her eyes lowering shyly.
Back near the tents, Lira stepped forward finally, calling out. "You two started training without me?"
Her voice was calm, but there was a sharp edge beneath it.
Arjun raised a hand, beckoning her. "Come. You should see what Resonance can do."
Lira approached, her eyes flicking between the two of them. She stopped in front of Seris, studying her carefully. "You look different today. Stronger. And… happier."
Seris blushed but did not look away. "Maybe I am," she said softly.
Lira narrowed her eyes. "And what caused this… change?"
Arjun stepped in smoothly, his tone calm but commanding. "Because of me. Because she has accepted her place at my side."
Lira's lips parted, a mix of surprise and confusion flashing across her face. She looked at Seris again, but Seris only lowered her gaze, her blush deep, her lips curved in a small, secret smile.
For a long moment, silence hung between them. Then Lira laughed softly, though it was without humor. "I see… so she has already fallen."
She turned away sharply, hiding the faint redness in her eyes. "Then maybe I should test myself too. If she has grown stronger, I won't fall behind."
Arjun smirked. "Good. Then train with us."
Lira clenched her fists, her pride refusing to back down. But in her heart, she could not silence the question: Why does Seris look at him like that? Why do I feel left behind?
The seed had been planted.
The system's voice echoed again in Arjun's mind, faint but firm:
[System Hint]
~ Jealousy detected.
~ Subjugation path has begun.
Arjun's smile deepened. The game of hearts was moving to its next stage.