Harem Trials

Elian watched Adam, Mercy and the two other girls from the rooftop.

He left the school with two of the girls round his arm, and the other following beside.

Damn, I hate that guy.

Alice stood beside him, watching as well. Her face was twisted in anger. The Golden Bastion ability had worn off now.

At least it seems like the hates him as well.

"Can we still go back to your place?" She asked, now looking at Elian.

He had completely forgotten the plans that they made earlier. His heart started beating at what might happen if they went back to his house.

Still, he knew that he would feel more confident if she was with him for the rest of the day.

It would also give him a chance to explain the Harem Trials to her properly. After all, he had dragged her into this.

"Sure, as long as that's fine with you."

---

They engaged in small conversations as they walked through the streets of Vexora.

Well, In truth, it was more of Alice talking, and Elian listening. She seemed to enjoy talking about herself, and he didn't mind.

He had never been in the company of a woman before, so he found it a privilege.

After a while of walking, they reached his house. Elian was thankful that they hadn't come across more of the Alphas.

He had been waiting anxiously for his phone to give him the danger notification, but thankfully it didn't come.

He entered into his modest house and they both removed their shoes.

"Wow, something smells delicious in here!" Alice said as she sniffed the air. The corridor had an aroma of cooked meats and vegetables floating around it.

I just realised this is the first time I've brought anyone to my house, let alone a girl!

He took a few deep breaths to calm himself down, and as he shut the door behind him, footsteps came from down the corridor.

"Hey Elian, I've mad-"

He turned around to see his stepsister standing in awe, staring at Alice with her jaw dropped.

She wore a long white shirt that reached to her thighs and held a plate of food in her hands.

"A woman? My loner brother has actually brought a woman home?"

His stepsister's name was Edalyn. Unlike her adopted brother, she was much more attractive and talented.

She was slim, and athletic, as she was one of the best volleyball players at Ashthorn school, and her black hair was tied into a bun.

They both lived together as orphaned siblings, but even the parents who adopted them had abandoned them after a while.

Luckily, they left their house in the children's name, and now they were both old enough to live there alone.

"Hi, my name's Alice. I'm.. a friend of your brother's. I hope you don't mind me being here." Alice said with a smile on her face, whilst bowing her head respectfully.

Edalyn analysed the blonde-haired girl for a moment whilst holding her finger to her face as if in deep thought.

Finally, she lowered her hand and flashed a smile on her face.

"Of course, I don't mind. It's just strange, that's all.. oh well, there's enough food for all three of us."

Elian let out a breath of relief. He was glad his sister approved of her.

He made his way to the stairs leading to his room and tapped Alice, signalling for her to follow.

"We'll be down in a bit, she just needs to help me with some of my history studying first."

As the two started up the stairs, Edalyn looked at them with a raised eyebrow.

"Yeah, sure. 'Studying'" she said, in a mocking tone.

Alice couldn't help but blush shyly, but Elian just carried on upstairs and brought her into his room.

Once inside, he shut the door and placed down his things, whilst Alice removed her school jumper and took a seat on his bed.

It was a casual boys' room, with a bookshelf filled with comics and a desk where he would often play computer games.

Now that they were in there, he started to feel nervous.

Not only is a girl in my room, but she's sitting on my bed, wearing only a shirt and skirt.

He looked at her, shirt clinging tightly to her chest as she inspected his room. Skirts slightly pulled up, revealing her plump thighs.

No, Elian. We're here to talk.

"So," she said, breaking the silence. "Want to tell me why you were being hunted by four people from another school? And how you were able to grant me that strange ability."

Elian took in a deep breath as he sat beside her on the bed, preparing to tell her a story she wouldn't believe.

---

He told her everything.

About the first notification he received on his phone, telling him he had been selected for the harem trials.

He showed her the class that he picked and the abilities it gave him.

He also told her about the nature of the game. How he had to build a harem to gain strength, and how he had to be the last one standing.

And as he spoke, Alice sat and listened carefully.

Surprisingly, she didn't seem surprised by any of the information, but at the end, there was a sad look on her face.

She's upset that I've dragged her into this. That I've forced her into a game that puts her life at risk.

I'm a sick person.

I sho-

"So that hug on the roof. It was all because of the game."

Huh.

Elian was taken by surprise.

She's not angry about the game.. only that the hug might not have been real.

"N-no, I promise. Yes, the game presented me with the opportunity, but I still would have done it under any other circumstances."

She watched him as he spoke with puppy eyes, her cheeks blushing.

"Really?"

"Yes, I promise."

She hesitated for a few moments before her face finally lost its sad look and was replaced by a smile.

"Okay, then I forgive you. But you have to promise me that even if you gather others for your harem, you won't forget to show me attention."

So that's what she wants.

"Of course." I said, "You're special to me, especially after today."

Her face lit up even more. Then she laid her head back on his bed in a resting position.

"But this whole game really is strange. Who do you think is behind it all?"

The questions made thoughts run through Elian's head. He had no idea who would even want to create such a game, but one thing he was sure of, was that they were not a friend.

They were an enemy.

"I'm not sure, but the first thing we should do is try and figure out all that we can about this system, to give us a better chance of surviving."