Chapter 106: Lyra’s Updated Stats

The aftermath of their passionate encounter left a charged silence in the room. Lyra, her breath still catching in her throat, lay beside Alaric, a mixture of exhaustion and a lingering sense of exhilaration swirling within her. Alaric, however, was already moving, his mind already shifting to the next item on his agenda.

He rose from the bed, his movements fluid and graceful, and headed towards the adjoining bathroom. He turned on the faucets, the sound of rushing water filling the room. “Come, Mother,” he called out, his voice low and inviting. “Let’s wash away the… remnants of our activities.”

Lyra hesitated for a moment, her cheeks flushing a deep crimson. The thought of sharing another intimate moment with her son, so soon after their intense encounter, sent a shiver down her spine. But she knew resistance was futile. Alaric’s dominance was absolute, and she had long since surrendered to his will.

She rose from the bed, wrapping a sheet around herself, and followed him into the bathroom. The warm steam rising from the filled tub enveloped her, creating a hazy, sensual atmosphere.

Alaric was already in the water, leaning back against the edge of the tub, his eyes fixed on her. He reached out and took her hand, gently pulling her in after him.

The warm water washed over Lyra’s skin, sending a shiver of pleasure through her body. She settled into the tub, her body pressing against Alaric’s. The shared bath quickly transformed into another intimate encounter, the warm water amplifying the sensations, the close proximity igniting their desires once more.

Alaric’s touch was both demanding and tender, his hands exploring every curve of her body, eliciting soft moans and gasps of pleasure. Lyra, despite her initial hesitation, found herself responding to his touch, her body betraying her with its own desire. She had no choice but to give in to her son’s desires in the bath, letting him enjoy her body as much as he wanted.

After a while, they emerged from the bath, their bodies refreshed and their desires temporarily sated. Alaric selected a flowing red dress for Lyra, the rich color accentuating her blonde hair and fair skin. He watched intently as she dressed, his eyes lingering on her curves as the fabric draped over her body.

Once they were both dressed, Alaric’s mind turned to other matters. With a subtle mental command, he activated the Harem God System. The familiar blue screen materialized before his eyes, and he quickly navigated to Lyra’s stat profile.

He hadn’t checked her stats in nearly eight years, back when he had first received the system. He remembered her initial profile vividly:

[Lyra Steele – Overall Score: 73

Appearance: 90

Personality: 75

Status: 80

Pride: 85

Strength: 35]

He had noted then that her appearance was exceptional, befitting her status as a noblewoman, but her strength was relatively low, classifying her as an Expert Martialist.

Now, as he looked at her updated profile, he noticed significant changes:

[Overall Score: 79.2

Appearance: 94

Personality: 81

Status: 87

Pride: 85

Strength: 49]

His eyes widened slightly as he took in the changes. Her appearance had improved significantly, her overall score increasing by over six points. But it was her strength stat that truly caught his attention. It had jumped from 35 to a staggering 49.

’That’s… remarkable,’ he thought, his mind racing to understand the sudden increase. He knew that Lyra had been diligently training, aided by the various elixirs and tonics provided by guilds eager to recruit him. It had allowed her to break through from Expert Martialist to Master Martialist, which the Harem God System had reflected by increasing her strength from 39 to 40. But even with continued training, her progress had been slow, barely reaching 42 in the past year.

’This sudden jump… it must be from our… encounters,’ he realized, a smirk playing on his lips. He understood that the act of sharing his seed, imbued with his own unique energy, must have had a potent effect on the women he bedded.

It seemed that in Lyra’s case, it had significantly enhanced her physical and internal energy, including her Battle Aura, pushing her strength stat far beyond what normal training could achieve.

The Harem God System had registered this increase, and it was quite significant, from 42 to 49.

He glanced at Lyra, who was now adjusting her hair in the mirror, seemingly oblivious to his inner musings. He decided not to mention the changes in her stats.

“You look beautiful, Mother,” he said, his voice smooth and sincere. He then placed a gentle kiss on her cheek. “I must be going now. I have some important work to attend to.”

He turned and left the chamber, his mind already focused on his next task. He was eager to return to the workshop, to reunite with Iridelle, and to begin the testing phase of their communication artifact. The primary and most important part was completed, and now, they could begin adding more features, experimenting with different materials, and refining their creation.

When he pushed open the heavy oak door to the workshop, the familiar scent of burning mana crystals and the faint hum of magical energy greeted him. The room was alive with Iridelle’s presence. She stood at the central workbench, her blue hair cascading in loose waves over her shoulders. Her figure, accentuated by a fitted blouse and snug trousers, seemed sculpted to draw the eye, but it was her focus and precision that truly captivated him.

“Good morning, Iridelle,” Alaric said, his voice smooth and warm.

Iridelle looked up, her striking purple eyes meeting his. She smiled, a combination of respect and warmth in her expression. “Young Master Alaric, you’re here early. I was just about to start the calibration tests.”

“I wouldn’t miss it,” he replied, stepping closer. “This is the most critical phase. I trust everything is prepared?”

She nodded, gesturing to the array of tools and materials neatly laid out on the workbench. “I’ve double-checked the mana conduits and the signal relay cores. The initial energy stabilization matrix is holding steady, but we need to test its range and reliability.”

Alaric leaned over the workbench, his eyes scanning the intricate lines of the artifact. It was an elegant creation—sleek, compact, and pulsating faintly with magical energy. “Let’s get started,” he said, his voice tinged with excitement.

Iridelle adjusted the artifact’s mana intake valve, her fingers deftly twisting the crystal knobs. “We’ll begin with the basic functions—sending and receiving signals within a controlled range. If the relay cores hold steady, we can move on to testing extended ranges.”

“Good plan,” Alaric said, watching her every movement. “Let’s see what it can do.”

Iridelle activated the artifact, and a soft hum filled the room as its core began to glow. She turned to a smaller device on the table—a receiver attuned to the artifact’s frequency. “I’ll send a basic signal first. Tell me if the receiver catches it.”

Alaric picked up the receiver, his eyes narrowing in concentration. “Ready.”

Iridelle tapped a sequence into the artifact’s interface. A faint, pulsating light appeared, indicating that the signal had been sent. A second later, the receiver in Alaric’s hand emitted a soft chime.

“Got it,” he confirmed, a grin spreading across his face.

Iridelle’s own smile was one of satisfaction. “Good. That means the core is stable at close range. Let’s try increasing the distance.”

They moved to opposite ends of the workshop, with Iridelle adjusting the artifact’s output while Alaric monitored the receiver. The signals remained strong, even as the distance grew.

“This is promising,” Alaric remarked, returning to the workbench. “But we need more than basic functionality. Let’s see how it handles added features.”

Iridelle nodded, her expression serious. “I’ve been working on an auxiliary module that can overlay visual data onto the signals. It’s still experimental, but if it works, it could revolutionize the artifact’s utility.”

“Show me,” Alaric said, his interest piqued.

Iridelle retrieved a small, lens-like component from a drawer and carefully attached it to the artifact. “This module uses a combination of enchanted glass and mana-infused circuits to project a visual representation of the transmitted data. We’ll test it with a simple image first.”

She activated the artifact again, this time uploading an image of a glowing sigil into its interface. Moments later, the receiver emitted a beam of light, projecting the sigil onto a nearby wall.

Alaric stared at the projection, impressed. “It’s clear and stable. This could be a game-changer.”

“It still needs refinement,” Iridelle said, her tone thoughtful. “The mana consumption is too high for prolonged use, and the resolution could be improved.”

“Let’s address the mana issue first,” Alaric suggested. “What about using a denser mana crystal for the power source? Something with a higher efficiency rating?”

Iridelle considered this, tapping a finger to her lips. “That could work, but we’d need to recalibrate the intake valve to handle the increased energy flow.”

“Then let’s do it,” Alaric said, his determination evident.

They worked side by side, their hands brushing occasionally as they adjusted the artifact’s components. Alaric couldn’t help but notice the way Iridelle’s cheeks flushed slightly whenever their fingers met.

As they installed the denser mana crystal, Iridelle spoke, her voice laced with curiosity. “Young Master, do you ever wonder how far we can push this technology? What limits we might break?”

“All the time,” Alaric admitted, his tone confident. “But I don’t see limits—I see challenges. And challenges exist to be overcome.”

Iridelle smiled at his words, her admiration for him growing. “You have an inspiring way of looking at the world, Alaric.”

“And you have an inspiring talent, Iridelle,” he replied, his gaze lingering on her.

The artifact hummed to life once more, its glow brighter than before. Iridelle monitored the energy flow carefully, adjusting the intake valve as needed. “The new crystal is holding steady,” she reported. “Now, let’s see if it improves the visual projection.”

She uploaded a more complex image this time—a detailed map of the surrounding region. The artifact transmitted the data, and the receiver projected the map with stunning clarity.

“This is incredible,” Alaric said, his voice filled with genuine awe. “We’ve not only stabilized the core but enhanced its capabilities significantly.”

Iridelle’s expression was one of pride. “It’s a start, but there’s still more we can do. I want to experiment with different alloys for the casing—something that can shield the core from external interference without dampening the signal.”

“Agreed,” Alaric said. “Let’s also look into integrating a voice modulation feature. If this artifact is going to be as versatile as we envision, it needs to handle both visual and auditory data seamlessly.”

For hours, they worked tirelessly, their ideas bouncing off one another in a rhythm that felt almost natural. Alaric admired Iridelle’s brilliance and dedication, while she found herself drawn to his charisma and vision.

As the day wore on, the artifact continued to evolve. Each adjustment, each experiment brought them closer to their goal. Alaric couldn’t help but feel a sense of accomplishment as he looked at their creation—a device that was not only functional but revolutionary.

“This is only the beginning,” he said, his voice filled with conviction.

Iridelle nodded, her eyes shining with excitement. “Together, we’ll make it perfect.”

Alaric smiled, his gaze softening as he looked at her. “With you by my side, Iridelle, I have no doubt.”

~~

Alaric stood by the workbench, his fingers drumming lightly on its polished surface. The faint hum of the artifact filled the workshop, a reminder of the day’s progress. Iridelle was leaning over the table, her purple eyes scanning a schematic they had been referencing throughout the day. Her blue hair framed her face as she pushed a strand aside absentmindedly, her focus fully on the task at hand.

“We’ve stabilized the core, refined the projection quality, and integrated a better power source,” Alaric summarized, his tone thoughtful. “What’s our next priority?”

Iridelle tapped her chin, considering his question. “I’d like to improve its modularity. Right now, every feature we add feels like it’s locked into place. If we design it to support interchangeable components, future upgrades could be seamless.”

“That makes sense,” Alaric agreed, nodding. “We could design a universal interface—a sort of docking system for additional modules. That way, whoever uses the artifact can customize it to their needs.”

Iridelle’s lips curved into a small smile. “Exactly. It would make the artifact more versatile, and it would broaden its appeal to potential buyers or allies.”

He studied her as she spoke, noting the passion in her voice and the subtle gestures she made as she explained her ideas. Alaric couldn’t help but respect her brilliance. “You’ve thought this through,” he said, his tone approving.

“I have,” Iridelle replied, her expression serious. “This artifact isn’t just a tool—it’s a statement of what we can achieve. It needs to be as adaptable as it is functional.”

Alaric nodded, his mind already racing with possibilities. “Let’s start with a prototype for the docking system. We’ll need to rethink the casing design, though. It has to be robust enough to protect the core but flexible enough to accommodate new modules.”

Iridelle grabbed a sheet of parchment and began sketching, her strokes quick and precise. “If we reinforce the edges with mana-infused alloy and use a lighter material for the main casing, we can strike the right balance between durability and adaptability.”

Alaric leaned closer, studying her sketch. “And we could incorporate a locking mechanism for each module. Something simple but secure. If the connection isn’t stable, the entire artifact could fail under stress.”

Iridelle nodded, making adjustments to her design. “I’ll need to test a few different alloys. The one we used earlier might be too rigid for this.”

“I’ll check our inventory,” Alaric offered, moving to the storage shelves that lined one wall of the workshop. He sifted through various materials, pulling out a selection of alloys and enchanted metals.

Returning to the workbench, he laid out the options. “Here’s what we have. If none of these work, we’ll need to source more from the market—or forge our own.”

Iridelle examined the samples, her fingers brushing over the smooth surfaces. “This one might work,” she said, holding up a silvery alloy that shimmered faintly in the light. “It’s lightweight but strong, and it’s known to conduct mana efficiently.”

“Good choice,” Alaric said. “Let’s test it.”

They worked in tandem, cutting, shaping, and testing the alloy’s properties. The sound of clinking metal and the occasional spark of magical energy filled the workshop. Despite the intensity of their work, the atmosphere between them was comfortable, almost collaborative in its ease.

As they assembled the prototype, Alaric spoke, his tone casual. “You know, Iridelle, you’ve become indispensable to this project. I couldn’t have come this far without you.”

She looked up, her purple eyes meeting his. “And you’ve pushed me to think in ways I never have before. Working with you has been… challenging, but in the best way.”

A small, genuine smile crossed his lips. “That’s what I aim for.”

Iridelle returned the smile before refocusing on the prototype. “The docking system is in place,” she announced after a while. “Let’s test it with the auxiliary module.”

Alaric handed her the module they had used earlier, and she carefully attached it to the artifact. There was a brief pause as the artifact adjusted to the new component, but then it hummed to life, the projection module functioning seamlessly.

“It works,” Alaric said, satisfaction evident in his voice.

Iridelle sighed in relief, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips. “It’s holding steady. This system will make future upgrades so much easier.”

Alaric leaned back against the workbench, his arms crossed as he observed their creation. “We’ve come a long way,” he said, his tone reflective. “But there’s still more we can do. What about integrating a long-range communication feature?”

“That’s going to require a completely new relay system,” Iridelle pointed out. “We’ll need to design it from scratch.”

“Then let’s get started,” Alaric said, a spark of determination in his eyes.

Iridelle chuckled softly. “You never slow down, do you?”

“Not when there’s progress to be made,” he replied, a faint grin on his face. “And certainly not when I’m working with someone as capable as you.”

The hours passed in a blur of activity, with Alaric and Iridelle bouncing ideas off one another and testing various components. They ran into setbacks—a relay that failed to stabilize, a mana crystal that cracked under strain—but each challenge only seemed to fuel their determination.

As the day turned into evening, the workshop was filled with the soft glow of the artifact and the quiet hum of magical energy. They finally stepped back, their latest iteration of the artifact resting on the workbench before them.

“It’s not perfect,” Iridelle said, her tone a mixture of pride and exhaustion. “But it’s getting there.”

Alaric nodded, his gaze fixed on the artifact. “It’s more than I imagined when we started. And it’s because of your dedication, Iridelle. I mean that.”

She glanced at him, her expression unreadable for a moment before softening. “Thank you, Alaric. That means a lot.”

The two stood in silence for a moment, the weight of their progress settling over them. Alaric finally broke the silence, his voice lighter. “We’ve earned a break. How about some food? I’ll have the kitchens send something up.”

“That sounds perfect,” Iridelle said, a tired but genuine smile on her face.

As Alaric left the workshop to arrange for a meal, he felt a sense of satisfaction not just in their work, but in the partnership they had built. Iridelle’s brilliance and dedication were undeniable, and together, they were creating something extraordinary.

~~

I hope you are all loving the chapter.