'Why is she suddenly beautiful in my eyes?? Too beautiful!'
Philip exclaimed in his mind as Natsume approached him. He is feeling like he is getting attracted by her and he couldn't take off his eyes from her
"..."
"..."
Philip started to feel thumping on his chest, even though he doesn't have a heart. The feeling became strange as he's aware of his condition
"Philip-san..."
In no time at all, Natsume came in front of Philip. She placed both of her hands behind her back
"Natsume..."
Philip couldn't help but reply. His eyes were sparkling from Natsume's beauty
"The moment you came in this mansion, I didn't know what to feel considering all of our unique existences that the Old Man has taken in like rare collections... At least that's what I feel..."
"..."
Philip was silent as Natsume began speaking about his arrival in the mansion. He was also confused because of the situation. It was like this is a prelude to something big that will happen or be revealed
"I didn't care at first, but as time passed by, I had a different opinion of you... You tried your best to save all of us from our inevitable fates and tragic fates..."
"..."
"Hehe... Of course, as a virgin young woman who has never loved before... I couldn't hell but develop feelings for you... Because of that, I thought that I would be the one who will adjust based on what you think of my feelings..."
"..."
"What I never realized is that you are getting hurt by that because of your past. I never intended that for you, so I tried to keep my feelings..."
"That--"
"But as more time went by, my heart just couldn't take it anymore... I fell more and more to the point I joined Clara in taking care of you for the entire six months of you sleeping"
"..."
Philip narrowed his eyes. He realized that the [Love Shard] has not yet manifested during his six month sleep, so it couldn't have influenced Natsume's emotions
This lead him to believe that Natsume's feelings, her love for him were genuine
"..."
This pained Philip slightly because he was trying to avoid her feelings until he sorted out his feelings, but he never got to do it because of busy schedule in this Mystical Age
But earlier, it was Natsume who went ahead and kissed him directly in the lips. He was confused back then, but realized that what's happening currently is the continuation to that
"Then, I realized your relationship with Tenshi-san to be too close, like lovers... I was right! You two have been married... So, I also thought that I should keep my distance because it is wrong for me to try and take you, now that you're set towards Tenshi-san"
"..."
"But earlier today... Tenshi-san talked to me... To us! About the change in the world... How morals can change... How society can change... She urged us to follow our hearts. Ignore what the society will think, if it's either good or bad... The answer is neither! So, I will follow Tenshi-san's advice. I will follow my heart!"
"..."
Philip felt the thumping on his chest become intense
"So... This is my gift to you, Philip-san! Happy birthday!"
Natsume swiped her right hand in front of her and an object fell from her fist. The object was then caught by linked chains
The object is a necklace with a half of a heart. This necklace is common for lovers to have and a decent gift for couples. The half heart has a curve inside that the other half could fit in perfectly
"..."
Everyone that saw this screamed internally because of her daring gift. Some of them commended her bravery, considering all the situation that has happened and is happening
"..."
Meanwhile, Philip could only smile internally
"A necklace of a half of a heart... I think I love you enough to give you half of my heart... I thought of this gift because I know I'm weak in terms of power and combat ability, compared to you and Tenshi-san... In this way, with this half of my heart with you all the time, I would feel like I'm always by your side while you're on your adventure. I would also feel safe and loved, even if I'm just your another lover after Tenshi-san..."
『 ... 』
"I see..."
Philip had nothing to say more than that. He should've felt pained, but it's nothing more than a warm feeling and slight happiness
"..."
Tenshi was just watching with a genuine sweet smile on her face
Philip then went ahead and reached for the necklace and Natsume let go of the chain. The necklace fell into his palm
"Thank you for the sentimental gift..."
He then opened the linked chain at the back and went ahead and wore it around his neck
"Ah! You don't have to wear it now!"
Natsume was alarmed and embarrassed that Philip decided to wear the neckace
"It's fine... I want to wear it now. Where's yours?"
Philip stood up and approached Natsume
"Well..."
Natsume began to fidget as she hid her left hand behind her
"..."
Philip didn't notice this because he already knew it. He reached towards her left arm and gently pulled it towards him
"..."
Natsume still had her hand closed, so Philip raised her left hand and showed a gesture of putting the tips of his fingers together
He then made a maneuver and pushed his left hand into her hand like a drill
"Awaaa~~"
Natsume couldn't help but blush and let out a strange sound, to which made Philip feel something different
In the end, Philip reached for the other half of the necklace by opening his fingers like crowbars. He looked at the necklace and it is also half of a heart, but the supposed hole is a shape of the heart. In this way, if the other half is conjoined to this heart, it will form a heart with a heart shaped hole in the middle
This heart is silver in color with three gems embedded on the surface while his heart is bronze in color
Philip then also opened the link on the chains and spread it apart
"C'mon, turn around"
He urged Natsume to turn around, to which she did willingly, but shyly
"..."
Philip swiped both of his arms around Natsume and reached for the other end of the link chain. Natsume's face started blush because it seems like he is hugging her from behind. Her heart began to race
Philip spread the chain links around her neck and then closed it on her nape. The neckace fell on her chest and it looked gorgeous on her. She turned around and faced Philip
"There you go. Now, we're close to each other and you'll never feel alone"
"..."
"Oh? Does this mean you accept her feelings??"
"..."
Philip abruptly turned her head to Tenshi, who asked that question. She has a naughty and smug smile on her face
"Yes... Definitely. I'll try to meet her expectations and to make her one of the happiest in the world"
"..."
"..."
"..."
"..."
Everyone cheered internally while Natsu just smirked. She expects Philip to fulfill his promise and she's just overall happy because Philip is finally reciprocating her little sister's feelings. She then turned her head towards Natsuki, who has a longing look on her face as she watches Philip and Natsume, and narrowed her eyes
'What about this sister of mine? How will she handle her heart?'
Tenshi also smiled warmly as Philip started to accept the love of others
Meanwhile, Natsume is just silent
"Natsume?"
Philip called to her as he lowered his body to peek down her lowered head
"..."
Natsume's face is entirely red and tears formed at the corner of her eyes
"I-I'm glad..."
"Yeah, you're fine Natsume..."
Philip then reached and went for a hug to calm her down
"I'll find a way to increase your power and combat ability, so that you can accompany me in my adventure sometime in the future"
"Okay... Does this mean I am now a part of your harem?"
"..."
"..."
"..."
Philip had a look of disbelief while other laughed internally. No one expected to hear the word harem in the real world because that will never happen, except for specific beliefs, culture, and practices around the world
"Yes, sure... Whatever you want to call it"
Philip just answered her with a smile. Tenshi is already his wife after all and he almost made out with Celine earlier. Now, he accepted Natsume
If there are already three women sharing his love and reciprocating it back, it could already be called as a harem
'Even if having a harem doesn't have a benefit, except for their love that will feed the Love Shard, I'm okay with it...'
『 Harem List has updated!!! 』
'Of course...'
A large screen appeared in front of Philip's eyes and only he can see the display. On the screen, there are a few names of girls that had feelings towards him
[ Tenshi Hikaru ]
[ Celine Rhee ]
[ Yuze Mahikocho ]
[ Lyre Ki ]
[ Natsume Natsu ]
[ Amatsuka Zentai ]
[ Natsuki Natsu ]
[ Vanessa Flannel ]
[ Sheena Azuma ]
[ Rue Safiotti ]
[ Clara Cladis ]
[ Corleona Cladis ]
[ Ariii Akumasha ]
[ Saykrandae Cladis Saigai ]
[ Katara Sumpa ]
[ Valkarrie Destraborne ]
[ Carmilla ]
[ Bari Hua ]
[ Mei'er Hua ]
[ Bea Arai ]
[ Beatrice Arai ]
"..."
Philip has his mouth agape inside his mind after reading the names. He was stunned that certain people was listed in the Harem List and he felt very wrong
There are Mei'er and Bea, who are way under the age of consent. There are also the three gods, one of them already has a relationship with Alucard. He also couldn't believe that Rue would be on the list, but he can understand why Vanessa is on the list
He wanted to change the list so badly because the FBI might come for him, but he doesn't know how
After all, most of the names are also faded with the exception of a few
Yuze and Lyre's names are colored pink with an outline of white. Celine's name suprisingly is gold in color while sparkling in light. Tenshi's name is very different from the rest. Her name is celestial, just like space where stars and nebula are present, with a red outline. Meanwhile, Amatsuka's name is void and pitch black
「 Tenshi's name look like that because of the Unbreakable Bond, Red String of Fate, and Void Corsage 」
'I see...'
It was then that Natsume's name move upwards, past Lyre, Yuze, then Celine, just under Tenshi. Her name changed from faded to golden sparkles, just like Celine's
'What does this mean?'
「 ... 」
『 You have reached five harem members! 』
『 Milestone Rule will apply! 』
Amatsuka didn't apply as the 5th member because she is one with Tenshi
'WAIT!'
『 Harem King System has been generated! 』
'OH MY GOD! NOOOOO!'
As the Harem King System was generated, light shone through and rotated from Natsume's left ring finger. It was the same for Tenshi and Celine
"Whoa..."
"...?"
"...!"
The two of them were surprised, except for Tenshi, and everyone saw the light shining through their eyes. The gods were also startled because such phenomenon is happening
The light became more intense until the light dimmed down and an object materalized on their ring fingers. The materialization looked pretty and cool because it was like a hologram printing the rings and it emitted a sound, similar to games when an item is upgraded or enhanced
A gold ring appeared on Natsume's left ring finger with a specific writing engraved on the surface. The same gold ring also appeared on Celine's left ring finger with symbols engraved, instead of writings
These gold rings looked identical and they have the design of an ordinary metal ring with no gems embedded or carved
On the other hand, Tenshi didn't receive another ring because the [Bounded Ring of Totality of Fate] is already on her left finger. Instead, a golden blue rope and a black rope appeared below the ring of fate next to each other. The gold and black rope is entangled into a ring that comfortably wraps around her finger
"What's happening?!"
Katara asked because what just happened is too peculiar outside of her understanding
"..."
The other's wete also confused as they looked around, until their eyes landed on Celine
"What?! You too???"
Vanessa exclaimed after assuming since Natsume had the same ring on her finger. Natsume just confessed, so she reveived a ring. It was the same for Celine because she received the same ring
"..."
Celine stayed silent with her eyes closed and arms crossed to avoid being in the hot seat
"W-what is this?"
Natsume stepped back after Philip released his embraced and asked as she looked on her left ring finger
"Can you explain, Philip?"
Katara called out to Philip who has a wry smile
"Uh... They are now a part of my harem?"
"..."
A few of them just stared at Philip with eyes of disbelief and confusion
~~~
Meanwhile, at the same time in the Mystical Academy, Yuze and Lyre were eating lunch together along with Wendy, Alex, and Nana
While they were talking to each other, discussing the lessons they had in the Genesis Class about Mana Control and Mystical Herbs, a pink light suddenly shone from their left ring fingers
The others were surprised, but the unsuspecting people around them that are also eating didn't give attention because these kinds of phenomenon are common in their daily lives now
There are several new faces as the Mystical Academy has already secretly accepting students for the past six months until yesterday
But the five friends found this phenomenon unusual
Eventually, the light dimmed down and pink colored rings materialized in their left ring fingers. The design of these rings look ordinary, but they are adorned with artisan forgery and gem craftsmanship. It could be said they these rings are like roses if roses became rings
"What just happened???"
Wendy asked in curiosity
"I-I don't know... This pink ring just materialized on my ring finger"
"Same as mine! What are these?"
"..."
Alex and Nana stared towards the rings, also trying to understand what just happened
"What did you guys do earlier that could let this happen?"
"Nothing!"
"It's just an ordinary day, like any other!"
"Hmmm..."
The five of the tried to think or a reason while eating
"Hm... Don't you think that it's the work of Philip?"
"Philip?"
Yuze and Lyre asked as their faces brightened
"But that's impossible, no?"
"It might be possible... We thought that he died, but he was alive anyway"
"Plus, he became well known in the world in just one day. If powerful leaders recognized him to the point they let him decide the fate of the world... Wouldn't he be powerful enough to do this?"
"Probably..."
"..."
Everyone then went quiet because Yuze and Lyre became silent as they caressed the rings on their fingers with a warm smile