CHAPTER 79: PURPOSE

By the time the last rays of sun slipped below the velvet horizon, the mansion had shifted into its nighttime rhythm. Crystal orbs hanging from the ceilings hummed to life, casting a soft golden glow across the lounge room where all thirty now gathered. The couches and floor cushions formed a loose circle, and in its center sat Alaric, comfortably nestled into one of the deeper chairs.

The air was warm with conversation. Laughter echoed freely. Not from nervousness, but genuine amusement.

"I still can’t believe it,"

whispered Kaela to Mara,

"he actually lost that sparring match with Mistress Cellione?"

"To be fair, she cheated,"

Cellione said with a smirk,

"used her fire to heat the floor. His boots practically melted."

"She calls it strategy,"

Serineth added, blinking slowly,

"I call it evil."

"Says the shadow witch,"

Alaric chimed in.

"I accept the title proudly."

A round of laughter followed.

Alaric had a way of disarming tension with almost frightening ease. The new girls, once bracing themselves for chains or cold commands, now found themselves sitting on rugs and sharing jokes, leaning in toward this enigmatic man with wide eyes and small, growing smiles.

Even Auralyne, seated neatly with her hands in her lap, allowed herself a soft laugh.

Then, as the laughter ebbed and a natural quiet settled, one voice rose clearly from the gathered circle.

A voice calm, cool, and deliberate.

"Master Alaric,"

Said Lyrena Valcrest Ardein, rising slowly, her golden hair catching the warm glow like a polished crown. Her iron-gray eyes met his steadily.

"I think it’s about time you told us directly why we’re here."

She glanced around the room, meeting nods of silent agreement from others.

"Though Mistress Aurevia already gave us the outline, we need to hear it from you. I doubt someone like you would take in twenty-four girls to feed and house for free."

A stillness fell over the room.

Alaric didn’t flinch. Instead, he leaned forward, folding his hands with a slight, rueful smile.

"You’re right."

He looked around, meeting each pair of eyes, then nodded.

"I didn’t bring you here just to be decorative pieces in silk and silver. So let me give it to you straight. I’ll explain why you’re here—but to understand that, you need to know a few things about me first."

He sat back again, voice still light, but his tone carrying weight now.

"Although I may look like this... I’m actually six years old."

The silence was immediate and sharp. Several of the new girls blinked. A few mouths parted slightly in disbelief.

Even Auralyne looked startled.

"Six?"

Whispered Reva.

"That’s ridiculous,"

Muttered Ivenna.

"He’s joking."

But the others—Aurevia, Cellione, Serineth, Virellen—nodded solemnly.

*****

✢═─༻༺═✢═─༻༺═✢

✶ I Reincarnated as an Extra ✶

✧ in a Reverse Harem World ✧

⊱ Eternal_Void_ ⊰

✢═─༻༺═✢═─༻༺═✢

*****

"It’s true,"

Virellen said, crossing her arms with a huff.

"He’s only six."

"Six physically,"

Cellione added with a smirk,

"but mentally? Let’s just say it’s... complicated."

"Complicated?"

Alaric raised a brow, mock-offended.

"You’re the one who tried to seduce me during breakfast last week."

"Tried?"

Cellione echoed.

"Darling, you nearly choked on your tea."

More laughter followed, but Alaric held up a hand gently, and the room quieted again.

"To clarify,"

He said, voice steadier now,

"my current life began six years ago. But I remember my past life. Not the feelings or attachments—but every detail, every memory. If I count those years... I would be forty by now."

Even Lyrena, stoic as she was, blinked at that.

"You have memories of a past life?"

Asked Alenya Thorneveil, soft voice touched with disbelief.

"I do,"

Alaric said.

"And in that world, there was no mana, no gods, no divine beasts or ancient bloodlines. Just machines. Industry. Innovation. We built cities that touched the sky, and vehicles that raced faster than wind or fire."

His voice grew quieter.

"But what we didn’t have... was purpose. That world lacked Magic."

A hush fell across the living room as his words echoed.

"So when I was reborn here, into a world teeming with divinity and wonder, I saw a rare opportunity. To blend both realities. To merge magic and logic. Soul and science. That is my vision."

He paused.

"But I knew I couldn’t do it alone."

"That’s where you come in."

He stood slowly and walked toward the center, the light casting a warm glow across his features.

"Each of you was chosen—yes, bought—but not as property. I saw the potential. The spark. You have skills, instincts, talents this world hasn’t yet fully grasped. Some of you were discarded by noble houses, others obscured in the backstreets of your cities. But I saw you."

"And I need you."

He smiled then, soft but earnest.

"Not to be slaves. Not even to be servants. But to be pillars. The foundation of something far larger than any of us. You are the first wave in what will become a vast production network, a civilization-building project. One that merges all the best parts of this world and my last."

"And yes..."

He looked over at Aurevia, who rolled her eyes with a fond sigh.

"I’m also a bit of a pervert."

Scattered chuckles rippled again.

"But if you’re not interested in that part of me, don’t worry. I won’t touch you. Not unless you want me to. I’m far too lazy to beg for affection."

"Lazy and shameless,"

Muttered Serineth.

"A charming combination,"

Auralyne whispered dryly.

Alaric spread his arms.

"So, in short, I brought you here because I trust no one but myself—and now, I’ve chosen to trust all of you. You’re my reinforcements. The ones who’ll bring a forgotten future into a living world."

He met Lyrena’s gaze once more.

"Does that answer your question?"

For a moment, the regal blonde said nothing.

Then slowly, she bowed her head.

"It does. Perfectly."

And as night deepened outside the grand mansion of the Crydias estate, and soft lights glowed from the high-vaulted ceilings, the living room quieted into a warm, solemn silence.

But within that silence, something sacred passed between them all.

Not fear.

Not uncertainty.

But the weight of shared purpose.

And the spark of something far greater than loyalty:

Faith.

-To Be Continued