CHAPTER 105: A HAREM? SERIOUSLY?

Marcus laughed under his breath, hands tucked in his pockets as the cool morning breeze swept lightly across the stone-paved path. Victoria’s words still echoed in his mind, her tone casual but layered with more meaning than he was ready to admit.

"While it sounds nice," he began, casting a sideways glance her way, "and you do make a solid point—same world and all..."

His voice trailed off for a second, thoughts catching up to his tongue. "But we still have a dating system, which makes it a little... odd. I mean, it encourages us to make others like us. Multiple people, even."

There was no bitterness in his voice—just confusion. Like someone trying to apply real-world logic to a game-like mechanic that refused to fit into neat boxes.

Victoria chuckled, lips quirking as she nodded, clearly unfazed. "You make a fair point," she said lightly. "But I don’t really mind. I’m fairly open-minded, you know?"

Marcus didn’t know whether to feel relieved... or out of his depth. Victoria wasn’t just quick to adapt—she made him feel like he was the one being tested.

"I didn’t expect you to suggest a harem..."

"I’m indifferent to it," she said with a shrug.

Her smile lingered like the aftertaste of something sweet—and maybe just a little dangerous.

"If that’s how this world works, then why not adapt?"

It wasn’t flirtatious or coy—just honest. And somehow, that made it even harder for Marcus to process.

As they continued walking, their footsteps in sync without them realizing, the looming silhouette of the academy gates came into view ahead. The early morning sun painted golden rays across the cobbled ground, and only three other students were visible in the courtyard—lounging lazily, chatting, or basking in the quiet calm before the day’s rush.

"That reminds me..." Marcus murmured, his tone shifting as his gaze turned more thoughtful. "The myth from last night."

Victoria tilted her head slightly, her expression turning a shade more serious.

"You know every detail about it, right?" he asked.

"Yep," she replied with a small nod. "That’s why I was going out to investigate. I just didn’t expect to meet you three back then."

Her words carried a strange warmth, like the meeting wasn’t just unexpected—it was fated.

They stepped inside the academy together, the doors parting to reveal the long, empty corridors within. Their footsteps echoed faintly against the marble floors, unaccompanied by the usual morning chatter. The silence felt strangely peaceful.

Being early definitely had its perks.

"Let me tag along," Marcus said, his voice steady now.

He glanced sideways. "And let me bring Cynthia as well."

Victoria glanced over, curious. "I don’t really mind, but for what reason?"

As they reached their classroom, Marcus pushed the door open with a quiet creak. The room was still dim, sunlight filtering in through the tall windows in angled beams. Rows of polished desks gleamed under the light, mostly unoccupied—except for a few specks of dust dancing lazily in the air.

"Well... I had a quest from last night," Marcus began as they stepped in, his voice quieter now, more thoughtful. "It involved Cynthia. It didn’t disappear, and it hasn’t popped back up either. I’m guessing it’s connected to the myth somehow."

He made his way toward his assigned seat, which was still pristine—nameplate freshly attached. Right beside it sat another desk, still empty. Cynthia’s.

He set his briefcase down with a soft thud, the metal latch clicking faintly as it settled.

Victoria leaned against her desk, folding her arms. "Well... sure. I don’t really lose anything from it," she replied, tilting her head. "But what about your sister? Isn’t she investigating it too?"

Marcus just chuckled, a dry, knowing sound. "Oh, her? She’ll probably go on without us. We’ll just bump into her eventually."

His tone wasn’t dismissive—just realistic. Aveline was the type to charge forward, with or without backup.

He slid into his seat, sighing slightly as the silence of the empty classroom surrounded them. There were still hours to go before classes began, and yet somehow, the world already felt louder than it had any right to.

Just the two of them now, in a quiet school, caught between plans and half-formed feelings.

Victoria shifted her weight slightly, her expression growing more mischievous.

"You know..." she said, her voice teasing and smooth, like silk gliding over stone.

Marcus looked up, brow raising slightly in question.

"You didn’t really give me an answer..." she said, eyes gleaming with restrained amusement.

"To whether you wanted to... you know."

She leaned in just a little, her smile widening.

"Date," A breathy sound escaped her, equal parts amusement and something warmer.

Marcus stiffened.

The question hovered between them, unspoken for hours—and now, dropped casually into the space like a spark near dry tinder.

His mind raced.

And yet, somehow, despite the chaos still to come... the moment felt calm.

Too calm.

As if this—whatever this was—was just the start.

Of everything.

"You know... while you’re a nice girl and all." Marcus laughed softly, his fingers lightly drumming against the wooden edge of his desk. The rhythm was casual, but his eyes gave him away—uncertainty flickering behind the humor.

"I still don’t think I’ll be able to handle the idea of you flirting with other guys because of the dating system," he muttered, rubbing the back of his neck.

Victoria blinked—then laughed. Not at him. But in that amused, airy way that said she didn’t expect that kind of vulnerability from Marcus of all people.

"Really?" she teased, eyes narrowing in mock disbelief. "That’s what got you? Jealousy?"

Her voice held a playful lilt, but there was a warmth underneath—like she was quietly pleased. Not mocking, not dismissive. Just... surprised.

"Well, to be honest," she said, flipping a strand of hair behind her ear, her eyes flicking toward the open window,

"None of the boys here are really my type. I mean, they were written for a romance plot—but most of them? They’re all flash and no substance."

She turned back to Marcus with a crooked smile. "Pretty lines, dramatic stares, a possessive streak three miles wide..."

A soft scoff escaped her lips. "They call that passion. I call it a red flag."

Marcus chuckled, recognizing the truth in her words immediately. He leaned back in his chair, arms crossing loosely as he tilted his head.

"Leon?" he asked, arching an eyebrow.

"Leon," Victoria confirmed instantly, grinning.

For a brief moment, the air between them was lighter—shared understanding weaving an invisible thread between their perspectives. The awkwardness they both felt around the Crown Prince was oddly comforting now that it was mutual.

Leon was the quintessential romantic lead on paper—charming, powerful, classically handsome. But in practice? He was still rough around the edges. Entitled. Naïve to his own flaws.

And most importantly?

They were both secretly shipping him with Maria.

A pairing that made far more sense than anyone seemed to acknowledge out loud.

"So...?" Victoria asked, her tone dipping with curiosity.

Marcus leaned forward slightly, his grin returning. "What about it?"

He hesitated, eyes flicking to the empty windows, to the stillness outside. Was this really how things worked here? Flirting with danger, dating in systems, teaming up with strangers who didn’t feel like strangers?

His fingers drummed lightly on the wood, each tap louder than it should’ve been in the stillness.

This world was a mess of romance flags, hidden stats, and relationship meters. But none of those systems explained why he couldn’t look away from her right now.

"Fine," he said. "I accept."

His words weren’t dramatic. Not particularly loud or romantic. Just... calm. Sincere.

Victoria blinked, her eyes softening—as if something tense inside her had just... uncoiled. But instead of lighting up with joy, she rested her chin on her hand, elbow propped on the desk, and stared at him with an exaggerated look of disappointment.

"Such a bland answer," she said, shaking her head with a low laugh.

"To a girl who pretty much just confessed to you."

She chuckled again, softer this time, hiding a faint blush that crept up her cheeks behind a smirk.

But despite her words, she didn’t look upset.

If anything?

She looked content.

Like something finally settled into place.

And then, just before the silence could settle completely, a soft ding echoed from Marcus’ system screen—

[Quest Updated: Myth of the Three Fates – "Romantic Entanglements Unlocked"]

He sighed. Of course it had a quest.