As our bodies cooled and our breaths steadied, I held Mecca, Wendy, and Suzy close, cherishing the profound connection we shared. The first light of dawn filtered through the curtains, casting a soft glow over the room. It was time to speak of the matters weighing heavily on my heart.
I propped myself up on one elbow, my gaze shifting between the three incredible women who had become my world.
"There's something important we need to discuss," I began, my voice steady but serious.
Mecca, Wendy, and Suzy turned their attention to me, curiosity replacing the contentment on their faces. Suzy's eyes lingered on mine for a heartbeat longer, a subtle reminder of the unique bond we shared, though I kept my focus equal.
"I have to go on an expedition," I said. "It's something I can't avoid. The war against Geoffrey, rescuing my sisters, and the conflict with the Holy Empire—these are battles I must face. This journey will be more dangerous than anything I've done before."
"Draven, what kind of danger are you talking about?" Wendy asked, her eyes filled with concern.
I took a deep breath, carefully choosing my words. "This expedition will take me into uncharted territories. There are physical risks, unknown threats. But it's something I must do—for us and the future we want to build."
Mecca reached out, her hand gently resting on my cheek. "We understand, Draven. But we're worried about you. We can't bear the thought of losing you."
I placed my hand over hers, offering a reassuring squeeze. "I promise you all, I'll do everything in my power to return. Each of you means the world to me, and nothing will take me away from you."
Suzy's gaze held mine, her eyes shimmering with emotion. Her steady voice cut through the moment. "We believe in you, Draven. I believe in you. I know you'll come back to us."
Her words stirred something deep within me, a connection that felt more profound, though I kept my feelings balanced outwardly. "Thank you, Suzy. Your faith gives me strength."
I looked at each of them, my heart full of love. "There's something else I need to share. It's been on my mind for a long time."
The three women exchanged glances, anticipation flickering in their eyes.
"Once this is all over—the war, saving my sisters, and the conflict with the Holy Empire—I want to ask all three of you to be my wives," I said, my voice firm and filled with emotion. "I want to build a future with you. I love each of you deeply, equally. You are my everything."
Wendy's eyes widened in surprise, while Mecca's lips curved into a soft smile. Suzy's expression mirrored joy and understanding, her eyes reflecting a deeper connection we both felt but didn't need to voice.
"Draven, are you serious?" Wendy asked, her voice gentle but curious.
I nodded, my gaze unwavering. "I've never been more serious. I want to marry you, Wendy. And you, Mecca. And you, Suzy. I want to be your husband, your partner, your everything."
Tears glistened in Suzy's eyes, but she blinked them away, her smile radiant. "Yes, Draven. I want to marry you. I want to spend my life with you."
Mecca's eyes sparkled with joy. "Yes, Draven. I want to be your wife."
Wendy nodded, her voice soft but firm. "I want to marry you too, Draven. I want to share my life with you."
I pulled them all into a tight embrace, overwhelmed by the depth of our bond. "Thank you," I murmured, my voice thick with emotion. "Thank you for loving me and believing in me. I promise to come back to you, and when I do, we'll start our new life together."
As we held each other, a sense of unity and peace filled the room. The journey ahead would be challenging, but with their love and support, I felt invincible. I would face any danger, driven by the promise of a future filled with love and happiness.
In the days that followed, I prepared for the expedition with renewed determination. The three women stood by my side, their love and encouragement giving me strength. As I set out on my journey, I carried their love with me—especially Suzy's—a quiet beacon of hope guiding me through the unknown.
Venturing into uncharted territories, I held onto the promise of a life together. No matter what challenges lay ahead, our love would overcome them, binding us forever.
---
Later that afternoon. I stood in the quiet chamber, my thoughts a whirlwind of plans and anticipation. The dim light from the ancient tapestries cast long shadows on the walls, wrapping the room in an eerie, somber embrace.
'So, this is where it all leads,' I thought, my mind drifting back to my life on Earth. I had been a scientist, an inventor, a man of logic and reason. Yet here, in this world of magic and mystery, I was something far more. The weight of my lineage bore down on me like an anchor, but it also fueled my resolve.
'Leveling up through aether absorption,' I mused, 'it's not so different from those RPGs I used to play. Back then, I could grind levels and plan my next move with the safety of a save point. But here, every step is a gamble with no reset button. A wrong decision could mean not just losing progress, but losing everything.'
I turned to Galen, who stood beside me with a look of unwavering loyalty. A surge of gratitude for his steadfast support welled up within me.
"Galen, I need you to understand something," I began, my voice steady. "This journey we're about to undertake, it's not just about reclaiming a throne. It's about survival, growth, and the future of this realm."
Galen nodded, his eyes reflecting reverence. "I understand, Your Highness. I'll follow you to the ends of the earth."
I couldn't help but smile at his fervent declaration. "Good. Now, let's prepare. There's something I need to test."
I summoned the Celestial Vault, the ring's gem glowing softly as a small portal opened. From within, I retrieved a crystal-like device etched with ancient Lunari symbols. It was one of the artifacts I obtained from the Devil's Forest ruins, designed to measure mana capacity.
"Galen, place your hand on this," I instructed, handing the device to him.
He complied, his hand enveloping the crystal. Moments later, the device emitted a soft hum, displaying a series of glowing numbers: [9580/15999]
"Your current mana capacity is 9580," I explained, my voice tinged with curiosity. "But your full potential is 15999. Think of these numbers as your current strength versus your maximum potential. Right now, you're operating at about sixty percent of your full capacity. To unlock the remaining forty percent, you'll need to cultivate and refine your mana through training and experience."
Galen's eyes widened in amazement. "I had no idea my potential was so vast."
I nodded, contemplating my next move. 'If Galen's potential is this high, then what about mine?' I took the device, placing my own hand on it. However, instead of displaying a number, the crystal flickered and produced an error message.
Galen frowned. "Is it broken?"
I shook my head, a thoughtful expression on my face. "No, it's not broken."
It's likely because it was designed to measure mana, not aether. Aether is a different energy altogether. I'll need to create a new device to measure it properly someday.
I thought about it for a moment. 'In my old world, we measured all sorts of things with precision. If I could make a device that tracks aether levels, it would be an incredible tool. But for now, I have to focus on the immediate challenge at hand. We can't afford distractions.'
For now, our focus had to remain on the expedition. I turned to Galen, my resolve hardening. "We're going on this mission just the two of us. The fewer people, the better. If Geoffrey gets wind of our plans, it could jeopardize everything."
Galen nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. "Understood, Your Highness. We'll move stealthily."
I reached into my Celestial Vault again and pulled out an artifact I had intended to give him. "Before we go, there's one more thing." I held out the Amulet of the Berserker's Rage, the faint red glow of its dire wolf fang glimmering in the dim light.
Galen's eyes narrowed as he took the amulet. "A Berserker's Rage...?"
"Yes," I said, my voice low. "It'll enhance your strength and endurance. When the situation demands it, this amulet will push you beyond your limits. Use it wisely. It might be the edge you need to survive."
His eyes glinted with understanding as he fastened it around his neck. "Thank you, Your Highness. I'll use it with care."
I gave him a solemn nod, then began making my final preparations. I had chosen Galen for this expedition because I trusted him with my life. His reckless bravado often masked a sharp mind, and his loyalty was unquestionable. But that loyalty came at a cost. His raw strength was something we would need for what lay ahead.
"We're ready," I said, my gaze hardening as I looked toward the door. "Let's go."
With our mission set, the journey into unknown lands began. My thoughts were scattered with a thousand variables, each one more dangerous than the last. This was no longer just about survival. It was about becoming stronger. Far stronger than I had ever been, in both mind and body.
The road ahead was fraught with danger, but it was the only path I could take. A journey that, if successful, would unlock the true potential of my power. Each step felt heavier than the last, and the weight of that potential pressed down on me. But, just like in the games I used to play, there was no turning back now.
'Keep moving forward,' I told myself. 'The prize at the end of this journey will be worth it.'
And with that resolve, we stepped out of the chamber and into the dark unknown.