Retired: Nice Guy. HAREM SYSTEM UNLOCKED

Chapter 16: 16. Numbers

So after that little attempt I headed straight to class. I can’t wait to try Kinky Scent on Saelith. Elves are known for magic and a fine body.

I was getting naughty thoughts halfway to class.

And it’s like God was listening to me. I found Saelith, leaning against the wall reading a book, her elbow pressing her breasts a little.

I activated the skill; a small chat wouldn’t hurt. I stepped just a few steps away from her, and she took notice of me.

”Oh, it’s you. What’s the matter?”

Saelith asked, pretty chill and calm as usual. My scent changed — sweet, but not in a warm way, sharp like a razor blade.

”Nothing. Just wanted to make some small talk.”

She sniffed, her nose twitching, ears lowering. She picked up on it way faster than Sister Maren. Then suddenly she came closer, sniffing me.

”Weird. Ha... you smell like an elf. No, more specifically, someone from my realm. Did you use perfume infused with magic? To impress me, huh?”

Saelith is direct, no-nonsense, and ladylike. She’s half-elf, so I suspect Kinky Scent won’t work on her the same way it did on Sister Maren.

”Yes, you can say that. Are you impressed?”

”Well, it was nice to get a breeze from home, I won’t lie. But you have to try a lot harder than that. I’m not the girl to fall for flirting. I already told you what I’m interested in.”

Alright, I would count that as progress. And this again.

”I know, but it would take a year or so. Are you sure you won’t fall? My perfume did make you more lively.”

Saelith just observed me, smiling, and didn’t bother answering. Is Kinky Scent working on her, or is that just her?

”Okay, maybe I will fall for you. But then I will make sure you get stronger, no excuses. I will treat you the way you humans treated elves.”

Does she forget she’s a half-elf? Maybe she’s bluffing to win the argument. Saelith reached out, one finger, one sharp nail, just under my chin.

”Not trying to impress, and getting strong on your own, will be beneficial to you.”

Then she retreated and giggled, not evil but teasing, so I’m fine with it. I laughed it off as well.

”Why do you want a stronger mate, anyway?” ℴ

”Can’t tell you that. You have to show me some results first before you have the right to know.”

With progress like this, Rue might have to handle me alone. If worst comes to worst, I’ll have to go for ten rounds. It’s scary, normal people don’t have stamina like a hentai protagonist.

But maybe I can find a potion of some kind.

”Oh, I know what you can do. Have you experienced any eeriness around you at night?”

”No. But I heard about it just a moment ago.”

She knows. Has she experienced it?

”Maybe you can find the cause behind it. It doesn’t require physical strength.”

At least she’s giving me a side quest — before this she was just telling me to get stronger. Now I have to find what’s causing all this. I’m not planning on sleeping tonight.

”Fine. I will do it.”

”Good boy.”

Not going to lie, ”good boy” is kind of turning me on right now. It’s far better than ”nice guy.”

It was time for classes to start, so I headed into the classroom.

The same professor from before — if it’s his class, I’m all for it.

The lecture started with him explaining how to actually cast a spell. The incantation’s structure was easy to follow: first calling out the natural forces, name or title of a divine being or god, then asking to bless the power, then shaping that power by name.

”For example...”

The professor held a small, carry-around blade with a long handle, a red ruby attached to it.

”Oh, sixth holy knight of angels, bless my blade with the power to stain the soul of the sinful.”

The blade came to life, shining white, eyes opening on the blade itself like it was some divine flesh. It sent a powerful but slow wave across the classroom, leaving students in awe and short of breath.

”This spell is of a higher level. So don’t try this at home. Not a spell, sorry, an enchantment. But example is example.”

He’s showing off, and he should, it works. The blade is giving me chills. Looking at those eyes on the blade, it doesn’t look like knights and angels.

Like I know anything about them.

”Professor. Can you answer a childish question?”

Saelith called out, and the professor quickly turned to her with a smile that says ”let’s hear the elf.”

”It’s silly, but why does every title have a number attached to it? Even the gods have it. Everyone has this question, but there’s no clear answer given. There are only theories.”

I have that question too. And it seems like every student does — they are all more focused on the professor now.

”Not silly at all. We ask it all the time, that’s why it sounds like one. And yes, all theories, but no answers.”

The professor took a breath, unbuttoning the top button for comfort.

”Our ancestors knew it. We don’t. But the most popular theory is that they are replaceable. Their title is a job — if they fail, they die.”

This has some poetry potential here. This world is so... magical. The professor laughed.

”No, please don’t ask me how they are replaceable. I don’t have a clue. But whenever they do, the spells stop working and we have to use the next number.”

With that he began teaching actual spells, which were a pain in the ass. If you fail, your mana is wasted; if you don’t use enough force or mess up the incantation, things might explode.

It was a chemistry practical, in a way.

After classes I went back to the dorm room. I didn’t want to keep Rue alone forever, she is new here.

Upon opening the door, I was met with the dream of every anime fan. A girl in a maid outfit, blushing and waiting for your arrival.

”... Master, welcome back... Ahm, someone came by and gave me this. It’s the uniform for private maids.”

Rue turned, checking if the maid dress looked weird from any angle.

”Rue... get in bed right now!”