Chapter 3 - New Home

The walk to the restaurant was marked by an unsettling quiet, with the city of Aeloria just beginning to wake under the soft first light of dawn. The usual noise of the streets—hustle, chatter, and clattering—was returning, but there was an underlying heaviness in the air. Whispers floated like an invisible fog, and every few steps, Serelina felt the weight of eyes watching her—eyes full of contempt, fear, and distaste. As she walked beside Walter, the stares were impossible to ignore. The townspeople quickly turned their gaze away, their murmurs barely audible until they realized the Supreme was in tow, walking beside her. Only then did their judgment quiet, leaving a tense silence in the wake of their thoughts.

Walter, ever the observer, noticed the stares as well. But where Serelina felt them deeply, he seemed unfazed. He had become accustomed to the undercurrents of Aeloria's society—its whispers, its judgments, and its tightly held secrets. As long as he stood by Serelina's side, no one would dare voice their disdain.

They arrived at a cozy, unassuming restaurant nestled between towering buildings. The sign above the door read "Mako's," a local eatery renowned for its hearty meals and tranquil atmosphere. Inside, the warmth of the wooden tables and rustic charm contrasted sharply with the towering, opulent palace nearby, as well as the weighty political offices that ruled the city. It felt like a small oasis in a sea of power.

Behind the counter stood a middle-aged woman in a chef's uniform, her eyes brightening when she spotted the Supreme.

"Mako, give her whatever she wants," Walter said, his voice steady, laced with an authority that brooked no argument.

Mako nodded eagerly, her hands shaking slightly as she hurried to respond. "Of course, Sir Hensley. Anything you wish."

Serelina's eyes scanned the dishes on display, her stomach growling at the sight. She hadn't realized how hungry she was until now. Walter, ever observant, noted her hesitation and gave a brief, almost imperceptible nod to Mako, signaling her to prepare a full meal for Serelina.

"Make it quick," Walter added, his voice lowering slightly. "The child needs food."

Mako wasted no time, retreating to the kitchen to prepare the meal. The restaurant fell into a calm quiet, leaving the two of them alone at the table. Walter sat across from Serelina, his face as neutral as ever, though there was a slight softening in his eyes as he regarded her. He observed her carefully, noting the conflict swirling within her.

"Serelina," he began, his tone thoughtful, "do you harbor anger toward the people of Aeloria?"

It was an unexpected question, but one that Walter felt compelled to ask. After all, she was the child of two of the greatest prodigies of their generation. If she grew up bitter, it would do her—and the kingdom—no good.

Serelina was silent for a moment, carefully considering her answer. Finally, she spoke, her voice quiet but steady.

"Honestly, I don't, Sir. I don't understand why they treat me like this, but... I guess there's a reason."

Her words were measured, not just because it was what the Supreme would want to hear, but because, in a way, the hatred wasn't truly hers to claim. Serelina before the awakening of her memories, the Serelina who had lived through the scorn and disdain of the people, felt distant like it was another version of herself still trapped in the past.

Walter hummed in approval.

'Perhaps it's her naivety, but she is surprisingly mature for her age,' he thought, viewing her in a new light.

Suddenly, a notification appeared in Serelina's field of vision, startling her. Her ragged clothes shifted with the movement, and one of the sides slid down, revealing her budding chest.

[Congratulations to the Host! You have completed the quest. Rewards will be given later.]

Just then, Mako began serving the dishes, carefully arranging them on the table. Serelina dug in with enthusiasm, savoring each bite as though it were a long-awaited feast. Across from her, Walter sat in silence, his expression inscrutable. He made no move to join her immediately, his attention appearing elsewhere, though his gaze occasionally flicked toward her with fleeting acknowledgment. 

Her unrestrained enjoyment seemed to permeate the air, making it harder for Walter to maintain his detachment. After some time, almost begrudgingly, he reached for a serving, eating with slow, deliberate motions, more out of obligation than any real appetite. Without a word, he abruptly rose from the table and stepped outside. He returned just as swiftly, his expression unchanged, resuming his seat as if nothing had happened. 

Minutes passed, and the once-abundant table was left with only empty plates and scattered crumbs. Serelina leaned back, her hand resting lightly on her now slightly rounded stomach, her face glowing with contentment. Walter, in stark contrast, remained composed and distant, his cool, calculating gaze briefly settling on her before he looked away, his demeanor as detached as ever.

The silence was broken by the Supreme himself, who cleared his throat, drawing Serelina's attention. "As the beneficiary of the charity," he began, his tone cold and formal.

"You will be provided with new accommodations. The office will also oversee your groceries, ensuring your basic needs are met. Rest assured."

He then stood up and stood behind Serelina, his imposing presence radiating authority. 

Before she could respond, he placed a hand on her shoulder, his touch neither warm nor comforting. In an instant, the room spun around her. By the time the dizziness subsided, Serelina found herself standing at the doorway of an old apartment building, its worn exterior hinting at years of use. The faint hum of activity from a nearby school reached her ears as she steadied herself. Shaking her head to clear the lingering disorientation, she took in her new surroundings, the realization settling heavily in her chest.

"This will be your new home, Serelina," Walter said, his tone calm and measured as he stood beside her at the apartment doorway. From his pocket, he produced a small, unassuming key and inserted it into the lock. The door creaked open, revealing a modest yet functional apartment. The air inside carried the faint scent of disuse, mingling with the musty undertone of old wood and plaster. 

Serelina stepped inside hesitantly, her eyes scanning the compact space. It was clean but simple, with the bare essentials neatly arranged. A modest kitchen lined one wall, and a small dining table sat by the window. Despite its size, it felt surprisingly welcoming, though she wasn't sure why. 

"There are already some groceries stored here," Walter continued, his voice devoid of warmth but firm with practicality. "The Office will ensure a monthly delivery to meet your needs." He paused briefly, an almost imperceptible flicker of hesitation crossing his otherwise stoic features. 

From within his robes, Walter retrieved a scroll, holding it out to her. His hand lingered for just a moment before he released it into her grasp.

"This contains the method to unlock your mana and instructions on how to train it," he explained, his tone softening slightly, though his expression remained guarded. 

Serelina looked at the scroll, her surprise evident, but Walter offered no further explanation. "Good luck, young Serelina," he said finally, his tone returning to its usual coolness. Without waiting for a reply, he turned on his heel and left the apartment, the door closing quietly behind him.

[Reward dispensed, Host]

Serelina let out a sigh of relief, her shoulders relaxing as the tension in the air dissipated.

"Finally, that old man is gone. That was nerve-wracking," she muttered to herself, a small smile breaking across her face. Her eyes began to wander around the apartment, taking in her new home with curiosity.

"I guess I should take a bath first," she mused with a casual shrug, her voice carrying a hint of amusement. "Now I can bathe whenever I want."

Without much thought, she began undressing right where she stood, peeling away the rags she had been wearing. Her frail, thin frame was revealed, her skin pale and marked by the hardships she had endured. Her budding chest and her bare pussy showing itself to the world. 

The cool air of the apartment brushed against her skin, and she felt a tingle in her skin, but she paid it no mind. Her focus was on the promise of the warm bath that awaited her, a rare luxury this body had long been denied.

After settling herself into the warm water of the bathtub, Serelina sighed deeply, letting the heat soothe her weary body. The steam curled around her, creating a cocoon of comfort as she leaned back, closing her eyes. 

Questions began to surface in her mind. Last night, she hadn't the energy to ask anything, her exhaustion from the awakening of her memories overwhelming her. Now, with her body relaxed and her thoughts clearer, curiosity took hold. 

"What are your limits, System?" she finally asked, her voice soft yet steady, the words echoing slightly in the small bathroom. 

The familiar voice of the System resonated in her mind, clear and precise: 

[I am practically limitless, Host.]

A pause followed as if it were choosing its words carefully. 

[You can request anything, and I will assign tasks accordingly, as explained last night. However, the complexity of your requests will influence the difficulty of the tasks. The more intricate your desires, the more challenging your journey will become. Additionally, I will occasionally issue tasks with rewards that will greatly benefit you, even if you don't specifically ask for them. These quests will be entirely optional, though.] 

Serelina frowned slightly, processing the answer. She stared at the ripples in the water, her fingers trailing absentmindedly along the surface. "So, the harder I aim, the more difficult it becomes," she murmured to herself, her thoughts racing as new possibilities and uncertainties began to take shape.

Her musings were interrupted by a sudden notification from the System.

[Ding! New quest] 

[Quest] 

Achieve the perfect body befitting the host of the Perverted System. This will not be an instant process, but a long-term journey. The quest will be divided into two parts: the ultimate and the daily tasks.

[Ultimate Objective: Obtain a super sexy body.] 

[Daily Objectives] 

- Pushups: 10 reps 

- Squats: 30 reps 

- Side to Side Shuffle: 45 seconds 

- Walking: 30 minutes 

- Stimulate your pussy for 5 minutes every 12 hours 

- Massage your breasts for 5 minutes every day 

[Note: This plan will progressively get harder as the host trains her body.] 

Serelina couldn't help but smile mischievously at the sight of the quest. 

"Damn..." she muttered, barely able to contain her excitement. After all, what woman wouldn't want to have the most perfect body?

"But System, why are there tasks like 'massage your breast'?" Serelina asked, her brow furrowing in confusion. She didn't dislike the idea, but the reasoning behind it felt strange to her. 

[Host, for clarification, it won't be an ordinary massage.] the System responded in its usual robotic tone.

[The System will later imprint a specialized massage technique into your mind—one that not only promotes growth in certain areas like your breast and ass but also has magical effects, such as nourishing and improving your skin. As for the stimulation task, it is designed to obtain the perfect pussy, enhance sensitivity, and encourage faster maturation. Furthermore, the effect of the massage will be enhanced as the Host is also undergoing puberty. It's an efficient and proven method, Host.] 

Serelina blinked, a faint blush dusting her cheeks as she processed the System's explanation. The initial surprise quickly gave way to a mischievous grin spreading across her face.

"This could be fun," Serelina said with a smirk, a glint of excitement flickering in her eyes as she imagined the possibilities.