The next day, Adonis was seen vigorously training his body, taking full advantage of his Boundless Stamina trait.
This time, he practiced the Harem Sword.
His movements were still crude and based only on foundational knowledge.
But with each swing, he could feel himself improving at an astounding rate.
Just then, Millia, dressed in her maid uniform, passed by carrying a tray of tea toward the inner halls.
As she walked, her big buttocks swayed left and right, and Adonis's eyes were involuntarily drawn to the jiggling flesh.
She was 18, but certain parts of her body had developed quite impressively.
Adonis quickly looked away, as though caught stealing.
"What are you thinking, Vexa? She's only 18 years old, a lot younger than me."
"It's because it feels immoral when I still think of myself as a 30-year-old. Do you understand what I'm trying to say?"
Adonis realized that Vexa was right. Why should he restrain his desires when he had vowed to achieve absolute freedom? Why should his 30-year-old mindset be allowed to limit his freedom in this new life?
Besides, he also knew he could no longer neglect the path he had chosen.
If he wanted to grow stronger, he had to do this.
"Young Lord, here is your morning tea," Millia said, handing him the cup with graceful poise. "Lady Adelaide brewed this one personally for you."
Adonis accepted the teacup and looked up at her beautiful face.
This time there was no shyness, nor any hesitation in his gaze. His crimson eyes openly displayed his emotions.
However, because of his young body, what burned inside him now was not only desire. There was also a deep longing for an emotional bond, together with sincere appreciation for her natural beauty and the quiet effort she put into every small act.
Millia noticed the change in his eyes, but she couldn't quite understand what they were trying to convey.
Adonis took a small sip of the tea, then looked at her with a warm smile.
"Thank you, Millia. The tea was really great."
Millia's heart skipped a beat for a second. After all, this was the first time Adonis had ever complimented her directly.
She quickly shook her head.
"I didn't do anything. It's your mother who made the tea for you," she said, as though her own role didn't matter at all.
He replied like a gentleman,
"No. Mother may have brewed it, but you're the one who personally brought it to me. I'm grateful for that, Millia."
Millia's heart warmed at his words, though she outwardly feigned embarrassment, her cheeks tinting faintly pink.
"Ahem… what's gotten into you today, Young Lord? You're being such a sweet talker all of a sudden."
She reached up and nervously tucked a strand of her black hair behind her ear.
< I've analyzed her bio-data, Master. Please take a look at it >
"Alright, show me."
[ PROFILE APPRAISAL ]
[ Name: Millia Arwen ]
[ Age: 18 ]
[ Status: Apprentice Attendant ]
[ Affiliation: Brunvalia Duchy ]
[ Personality Traits: Cheerful, diligent, empathetic, slightly timid under pressure ]
[ Talents: Expert cooking, enhanced vision, latent Ether sensitivity ]
[ Affection Level: 5% (Just Acquaintance). Work hard, master.
[ Weaknesses: Loves hearing praises, yearns to be held with love, dreams of her own family after marrying a strong man ]
[ Harem Force Potential: Mid ]
[ Threat Level: None ]
[ Notes: Subject exhibits steady emotional stability and strong loyalty to her workplace. No hostile intent detected. ]
< End of report. >
The system window faded slowly from Adonis's vision.
He let out a slow breath.
'Is that all?' he asked.
< This is all I am authorized to display at my current authority level, Master. >
He sighed Internally,
'Fine, I can work with this for now.'
Adonis gently reached out and touched her cheek slowly and carefully as if afraid of startling her.
"Millia," he said earnestly, "look at you. You're so beautiful."
Millia's face flushed red like a ripe apple from the compliment.
"Uh, uh, what are you s-saying, young lord?"
She froze for a moment, unsure how to react, yet she did not pull away. The gesture from her young lord felt comforting, though undeniably awkward too.
Even Adonis felt embarrassed by how cheesy his words sounded, but he forced himself to continue.
His hand slid down and lightly held her rough and calloused finger with a rare gentleness.
"These hands of yours have helped many people in need. Others might overlook that, but I don't. I truly appreciate you."
His faintly reddish pupils met her warm brown ones.
"I just want you to know this, you'll become a strong woman in the future, just like your mother. So, don't give up."
Millia's heart beat faster.
She looked away, unsure why those simple words had affected her so deeply.
Congratulations!
[ Your affection level with Millia Arwen increases by 5%. ]
[ Harem Force +10 ]
After receiving the notification, Adonis cheered inwardly. His flirting skill was pitifully low, so this tiny bit of progress felt like crossing a major milestone in his life.
He now needed just 90 more Harem Force to upgrade the Harem Sword to the next stage—or 1,000 to convert them into 100 EXP for Level 2.
In short, Harem Force was the crucial currency if he wanted to grow stronger.
After a while, Millia finally found her voice.
She gently but firmly pushed his hand away and took a step back, lowering her head slightly.
"Y-Young Lord, please don't say things like that."
"Everything I do is just my duty. I help others because it's what I'm supposed to do. I don't need anyone's appreciation for it."
She lifted her head briefly, meeting his eyes for only a heartbeat.
"And… I shouldn't be treated differently just because of kind words. I'm fine the way I am."
Her cheeks were still faintly red, expressing how truly she felt.
With that, Millia gave a small, proper bow, the kind drilled into her through years of service.
"Please excuse me, Young Lord. I still have work to finish."
She turned and walked away down the corridor, leaving Adonis standing alone in the courtyard.
He watched her retreating figure for a long time.
"Duty, huh," he murmured quietly.
There was no rejection in her words, nor acceptance. Only a boundary, clearly drawn.
And for some reason, that made her feel far more real to him than any easy response ever could.