Velarion sat cross-legged on the dusty hospital bed, the morning light slicing through the blinds like blades.
Outside, the world moved with boring modern rhythm — cars honking, students laughing, birds chirping.
But inside his mind, an ancient darkness churned.
The red-glowing interface hovered before his eyes, pulsing with infernal energy.
> [SYSTEM ONLINE.] [Name: Velarion, Reincarnated Host – Human Vessel: Adrian Cain] [Welcome to the Demon Emperor's Harem System]
Velarion smirked.
"Explain," he ordered.
The HUD responded in silky, demonic whispers:
> [Essence Meter: Fuel drawn from intimacy and domination. Needed to unlock skills, dungeons, and evolutions.] [Soul-Bond Mechanic: Bind targets through conquest – physical, emotional, spiritual.] [Queen's Blessings: Each conquered woman grants a passive power or skill based on her core affinity.] [WARNING: System grows stronger through lust, not love. Submission, not partnership.]
Velarion's lips curled.
Power through pleasure. Dominance through desire. A fitting weapon for a dethroned demon emperor.
His eyes gleamed with new hunger.
And just in time.
The hospital door creaked open. A nurse peeked in. "Adrian, time for discharge. The school's already called. You're being sent back today."
Perfect
Blackthorne High
The building loomed like a prison masquerading as a school—gray walls, soulless teachers, reeking of failure and hormones.
But Velarion walked its halls like a shadow lord reborn.
Whispers swirled around him.
"Isn't that the loser who got pushed down the stairs?"
"Adrian Cain? I thought he was brain-dead."
"He looks… different."
Velarion ignored them. Let the insects chirp. Their judgment would mean less than dust.
His target had already appeared.
Selene Frost.
The Ice Queen of Blackthorne.
She walked with the grace of a noble. Platinum hair flowing like silk, her eyes colder than death. Books hugged to her chest. Every male within sight either drooled or avoided her entirely.
She didn't look at him.
Yet.
> [TARGET LOCKED.] [Name: Selene Frost – Grade S Ice Elementalist] [Status: Virgin. Affinity: Resistant. Bond Potential: High.] [Quest: Seduce and Conquer your Ice Queen. Time Limit: 72 Hours.] [Reward: +100 Essence, Dungeon Key, Skill Unlocked]
Velarion's grin sharpened.
72 hours, huh? That's generous.
He moved without hesitation.
Students stared as the once invisible Adrian Cain approached the untouchable Selene Frost in front of her locker.
She noticed his presence—and immediately frowned. "Do I know you?"
Her voice was sharp and frosty. Defensive.
Velarion tilted his head. "No. But you will."
Selene blinked, caught off guard.
He stepped closer—into her space—but not touching her. His presence radiated heat and confidence far beyond his appearance.
"Ice," he murmured, eyes locking with hers. "So beautiful. So fragile when cracked."
Selene's breath hitched.
"Back off," she snapped, trying to walk away.
But Velarion leaned in, just enough to whisper.
"Your aura is leaking. Your core is trembling. You felt it too, didn't you?"
Her eyes widened—for just a moment—before the wall of frost slammed back up.
"You're insane," she hissed.
She fled, clutching her books.
> [Affinity Level: 2%. Initial Fluctuation Detected.]
Velarion chuckled darkly.
One crack in the glacier. That's all it takes.
Lunchtime – Courtyard
Velarion sat alone on a stone bench, biting into a bland sandwich from the cafeteria. Not because he was hungry—but because Adrian Cain's body still required human fuel.
Across the yard, Selene sat with the honors elite: perfect students, elite bloodlines, smug smiles. She glanced at him once—only once.
It was enough.
Then came trouble.
Three brutish boys—Adrian's old tormentors—approached with swagger.
"Yo, Cain," sneered Rick, the leader. "Surprised your legs work after that fall."
"Yeah," said Marco, chuckling. "Should've stayed dead, freak."
Velarion stood slowly.
"No one asked for worms to speak."
Rick blinked. "What the hell did you say?"
"I said—" Velarion raised his hand. "—kneel."
> [Skill Activated: Demonic Pressure I – Minor Fear Aura.]
Rick and Marco staggered, faces pale. Their legs trembled involuntarily.
The third guy puked.
"What… what is this…?"
Velarion's eyes glowed faint red. "Apologize. Crawl if you must."
They fled—screaming like whipped dogs.
> [System Alert: Dominance Registered. +10 Essence. Reputation +2.]
Students watched, stunned.
Selene looked directly at him now—expression unreadable.
Then the HUD blinked:
> [TARGET SCAN COMPLETE.] [Selene Frost – Affinity Level: 6%] [Bond Spark Triggered – Compatible Core Energy Detected.] [Begin Soul Sequence?]
Velarion didn't hesitate.
> [Activate Sequence: Frost Conquest – Y/N?]
[Y.]
The system pulsed like a second heartbeat in his skull.
> [Initializing Bond Spark… Scanning Target Emotional Barrier…]
[Frost Affinity: High. Resistance: 94%]
[Override Required: Emotional Disruption + Power Display.]
Perfect.
If she wouldn't fall through words, she'd shatter through action.
The sound of approaching heels echoed.
Selene.
She stood across from him in the now-empty courtyard, students still frozen in awe at the earlier scene. Her arms were crossed, her expression unreadable—yet her eyes blazed with restrained curiosity.
"What are you?" she asked coldly.
Velarion smiled lazily. "The man who'll break you."
"You think you're special because you scared off a few delinquents?" she shot back. "That was a cheap trick."
"I haven't even started playing," he said, stepping forward.
Selene's magic flared instinctively — a chilling gust of wind rustled the grass around them. Ice crystals formed at her feet.
> [WARNING: Target defensive reflex active. Ice Element surge detected.]
Velarion let his own aura rise—slow, deliberate, oppressive.
Demonic heat. Ancient pressure. A low rumble echoed through the space as if the Earth recognized his return.
Selene's breath hitched. Her fingers twitched slightly.
Then, with a scoff, she turned to leave.
"You're not worth my time."
But her escape wasn't clean—she glanced back. Just once.
And the system caught it.
> [Affinity Level: 9%]
[Bond Instability Detected – Emotional Disruption Achieved. Sequence Ready for Stage Two.]
[New Objective: Force Duel Initiation. Trigger Her Instincts.]
Later That Day – Combat Hall, Blackthorne High
Students surrounded the sparring arena, murmuring with excitement.
Selene Frost had accepted a public duel challenge. That alone was rare.
But the opponent?
"Adrian Cain? Has he lost his mind?"
"Selene's going to freeze his heart out."
"She never accepts duels. Something's weird."
Velarion stepped onto the platform, barefoot and barehanded, wearing the basic combat uniform.
Across from him, Selene radiated elegance and wrath.
Her blue combat suit clung to her curves, magical tattoos glowing faintly along her arms. Twin icy daggers spun lazily in her hands.
She didn't speak. She didn't need to.
The judge raised a hand.
"Begin!"
A spike of cold burst forward.
Selene moved like a phantom—fast, graceful, deadly. Her first dagger sailed toward his throat in a flash of frost.
Velarion ducked.
He twisted, grabbed her wrist, and—
Heat met Ice.
Their auras collided with a pulse that rocked the room.
Gasps erupted.
Selene snarled and wrenched her hand away, staggering back as if burned. "What was that?"
> [Soul Signature Recognized – Partial Compatibility Confirmed.]
[Frost Conquest Sequence: 22%]
[Maintain Physical Contact + Emotional Tension for Progress.]
Velarion lunged.
No techniques. Just force. Intent. Dominance.
Selene blocked his punch but her footing cracked beneath her.
He whispered into her ear as their arms locked.
"Your power is beautiful… but deep down, you're tired of being cold, aren't you?"
Her eyes widened, and for the first time—she faltered.
Velarion swept her legs and pinned her against the ground, his body over hers, his breath scorching her ear.
"You want someone who doesn't worship or fear you. You want someone who conquers you."
> [Sequence Progress: 48%]
[Initiate Soul-Bond Attempt – Risk Level: High. Bond Will Be Forced.]
[WARNING: Consent not met. High resistance may trigger backlash.]
Velarion grinned.
He leaned closer, lips grazing her neck.
"Then beg me to stop, Selene."
She trembled—not in fear—but in rage. And confusion.
"I—"
A blast of ice exploded from her chest, throwing him across the arena.
He skidded but landed on his feet—grinning.
Selene stood, breathing hard. Her face was flushed. Her aura flickered like a glitching barrier.
> [Affinity Level: 16%]
[Bond Imprint Embedded.]
[Soul-Bond Stage I: Seeded.]
The match was called a draw—but the real game had only just begun.
Final Scene
Selene stormed down the empty hallway after the duel, fists clenched, face unreadable.
She didn't understand it—his voice, his aura, his touch—it had melted something inside her she didn't even know was frozen.
Around the corner, Velarion leaned against the wall, waiting.
"Next time," he said smoothly, "You'll come to me."
She glared, but her silence betrayed her racing heart.
> [System Alert: Ice Queen's Bond has begun. Skill Unlocked: Frozen Vein – Passive Resistance to Ice Attacks]
[New Dungeon Unlocked: Glacial Rift Below Blackthorne]
[Essence +100 | Harem Progress: 1/9 Queens Conquered.]
And in the depth of the school, beneath stone and shadow—
A cold rift opened.
The world was changing.
And its new King had begun his conquest.
Cliffhanger:
> [Next Quest: Enter the Dungeon. Awaken your Flame. Find the Watcher.]
[Incoming Intrusion Detected – Someone is Watching You.]
[Harem Target #2: Kira Nova – Proximity 500m…]