Chapter 3– Status
DING.
> [Infinite Harem and Evolution System Activated.]
Lionel froze, crimson eyes flicking across the chamber. The sound rattled in his skull like a church bell hit by a sledgehammer.
"…Oh fantastic," he muttered. "I survive cancer, respawn as a brat with the personality of wet cardboard, and now I've got a cheery robot squatter in my brain. What's next—pop-up ads for immortality potions?"
The voice that followed wasn't cold or monotone like he expected. Instead, it was far too chipper for something that had just announced it lived inside his head.
> [Hello, Host! Congratulations on not dying… again. That makes you very special. Out of ten possible lives, you're currently batting one for three.]
"…I don't know whether to thank you or strangle you," Lionel said flatly.
> [You can't strangle me. But thank you for considering it, that shows initiative.]
Lionel pressed his fingers to his temple. "Wonderful. My personal cheat code is an optimist with a death wish."
A glowing blue panel shimmered into existence:
---
> [Status Window]
Name: Lionel White
Race: Human
Age: 15
Talent: Locked (Unawakened)
Mana Affinity: Locked (Unawakened)
Mana Core: Locked (Unawakened)
Strength: 6
Vitality: 7
Speed: 5
Intelligence: 8
Wisdom: 20
Charm: 20 / 50
Luck: 9 / 10
Total Power Index: 27
---
Lionel stared. Then slowly let out a broken laugh.
"…Strength six. Vitality seven. Speed five. I've got the combat stats of a sleepy pigeon. But charm twenty? Wisdom twenty? And luck nine?" He smirked, leaning into the mirror, admiring his reflection with theatrical flair. "So basically, I'm beautiful, smart, and lucky—tragically too perfect for this ugly world."
The system piped in.
> [Correction: you are physically weaker than most malnourished squirrels. But yes—an extremely pretty squirrel.]
Lionel slapped a hand over his face, groaning between laughter. "Oh gods, you're insufferable. I love it."
> [Thank you! I was programmed to be insufferable. Builds character.]
Lionel sat forward, interest sharpening. "Alright, glitterbox. What's the real deal? What makes you different from the average reincarnator's discount tutorial panel?"
> [Two things, Host: Bonds and Borrowing.]
The air shimmered again, another panel flickering into life.
---
> [Bond Status]
**Sylvia White (Mother): 99% Loyalty. Bond Available.]
**Nira (Maid): 70% Loyalty. Bond Available.]
---
Lionel whistled low. "Ninety-nine percent from my mother. Guess execution doesn't erase affection. And Nira at seventy… either she's loyal or she's been around me so long she developed Stockholm syndrome."
The system chuckled—yes, chuckled.
> [When loyalty is over seventy percent, you may form a Bond. A Bond lets you copy their talents, affinities, and physique—amplified tenfold. However, for Talents, success chance depends on their affection and compatibility. For Sylvia White—due to her absurd ninety-nine percent loyalty—you have an eighty percent chance of inheriting her Talent.]
Lionel's smile faltered into stunned silence. "Wait. Repeat that."
> [Eighty percent chance. Talent: Sovereign of Light and Space.]
Another panel appeared—this time, not his own.
---
> [Sylvia White – Bond Overview]
Talent: Sovereign of Light and Space
Affinity: Space (SSS), Light (SS+)
Other Stats: Locked to Host.
---
Lionel blinked. Then again.
"…Space. SSS. Light SS+. Sovereign talent." His grin widened into a dangerous curve. "You're telling me, if I roll the dice right, I could go from bottom-feeder brat to bending reality and blinding my enemies with divine glowsticks?"
> [Correct! Although, with your Luck stat at nine, I'd say the odds are rather… stacked.]
Lionel leaned back, crimson eyes glimmering with amusement and something far darker.
"Good. Because I refuse to die like trash again. If fate's giving me a mother who could tear open the heavens, then maybe, just maybe, I'll tear them wider."
The system hummed, cheerful but cutting.
> [Confidence detected. Ego inflating. Please pace yourself—your Charm stat may be twenty, but arrogance caps at infinity.]
Lionel barked out a laugh. "Don't worry. Narcissism is just self-defense against the universe."
---
The door creaked open. Nira, the ever-nervous maid, peeked in. Her hands fidgeted against her apron.
"Young Master, forgive me… you were laughing again."
Lionel turned, silver hair catching the candlelight, crimson eyes sharp yet strangely softened. He smiled—just a little.
"Laughing? No, Nira. That was the sound of destiny tripping over itself." He tilted his head, mock-serious. "Tell me, do I look like a man about to ruin fate's day?"
Her lips parted, unsure if he was joking. "…You look healthier, my Lord. That is enough."
Lionel's smirk wavered, turning faintly real. She had stayed by his side through two weeks of unconsciousness, through shallow breaths and fever sweats. Loyalty wasn't built on fear. It was built on patience, care, and something almost like hope.
"Thank you, Nira," he said softly, more earnest than intended. "For staying."
Her eyes widened, then lowered quickly. "…Always, Young Master."
As she withdrew, Lionel turned back to the glowing panels, grin sharpening again.
"Alright, system. Let's gamble. Open the bond with Sylvia."
The system's voice sang like bells dipped in sarcasm.
> [Acknowledged! Warning: side effects may include nausea, ego swelling, and spontaneous godhood. Proceed?]
Lionel licked his lips, blood humming, grin spreading wide.
"Hell yes. Let's see if luck nine can break the world."
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✦ End of Chapter 4