Harem System In A fantasy World

Chapter 225: Crossing paths

If Elion had been just a bit more observant, he might have noticed a pair of striking white eyes watching him intently from across the shop, their gaze sharp and unwavering, lingering on him for far longer than what would be considered normal, carrying with it a faint, unmistakable hostility.

Seated at that table were two women who, despite their casual setting, drew attention without even trying.

The mother sat with a natural, effortless poise, her slender figure wrapped in fitted clothing that traced the curves of her body without being excessive, her posture relaxed yet refined, the kind of presence that came from confidence rather than display/

And her vibrant purple hair fell smoothly over her shoulders, framing a face that was both sharp and alluring, and her pale white eyes only added to the unusual charm she carried, giving her an almost otherworldly beauty that was hard to ignore.

Opposite her sat her daughter, and while the resemblance was clear, there was something softer about her, something lighter, her blonde hair catching the light gently as it fell in loose strands around her shoulders, her figure just as graceful and well-formed, slender yet full in all the right places.

But unlike her mother’s sharp allure, there was a hint of innocent ignorance in her white eyes, a softness in the way she looked at the world, as if she had yet to be tainted by it, and that contrast only made her presence stand out even more.

And yet, no one was looking at them. Not really.

It was not Elion’s fault that he had failed to notice such a striking pair in the same room, because if he had truly laid eyes on them without interference, there was no doubt in his mind that he would have considered the mother to be the most beautiful woman he had ever seen, her presence alone enough to eclipse nearly everyone else he had encountered.

But something was… off.

Every person who so much as glanced in their direction would experience a brief moment of daze, a subtle lapse in focus as their mind seemed to blank out for just a fraction of a second, and then, just as quickly, their attention would shift away naturally, as if nothing had happened, as if there had been nothing worth noticing there in the first place.

It was neither forced nor obvious, and not something anyone would consciously register. But the effect was absolute. A simple, quiet, and passive distortion of perception. A presence that erased itself.

They were seen, but never remembered. Observed, but never acknowledged.

And so, even someone like Elion, whose senses were sharper than most, whose awareness had been refined by the system and abilities, simply… overlooked them, his attention sliding past their table without pause, without suspicion, as if they were nothing more than another pair of ordinary customers in a busy shop.

“Mother,” a soft but slightly exasperated voice spoke up from across the table, “you should not glare at people like that; they might get the wrong idea.”

The slender and sexy blonde-haired young lady calmly took a small bite out of her milk tart, her expression relaxed as she chewed thoughtfully.

“Mmm… this is so good,” she added casually, clearly more focused on the dessert than whatever her mother was doing.

The white-eyed woman blinked slightly as if snapping out of her focus, realising that she had indeed been staring for too long, and a faint blush crept onto her cheeks as she looked away in mild embarrassment.

“…Sorry, my dear,” she said, clearing her throat slightly before straightening her posture, though the irritation in her eyes had not completely faded, “you know how angry it makes me when I see a young innocent woman being coerced by a filthy man.”

The blonde girl chuckled lightly at that, clearly amused rather than agreeing. Her skin glowed with youthful freshness, while her thighs shifted subtly under the table, parting just enough to leave you wanting more, without showing you much at all.

“I don’t think it’s good to make assumptions about people’s relationships based on how your own partner treated you, mother.”

The woman let out a short chortle, completely unfazed as her full cherry red lips parted to take a bite out of her own tart.

“What do you know?” she said dismissively, chewing before adding with a satisfied hum, “Mmm… this is good.”

Then her eyes shifted slightly again, though this time more subtly. “You’ve never been in a relationship.”

The daughter sighed faintly but did not lose her calm. “I know that your hate blinds you, mother.”

“Trust me,” the woman replied immediately, her tone firm and absolute, “all men are the same.”

The blonde girl paused for a moment, then simply took another bite of her tart without responding, because it was clear that continuing this argument would lead nowhere, and she could only blame her own father for the way her mother had turned out.

Meanwhile, the mother’s gaze drifted back toward Elion and Aria one last time, lingering just long enough for that faint hostility to surface again before she looked away, her lips pressing into a thin line.

She just hated that man so much.

Meanwhile—

The system had, of course, picked up on the faint killing intent directed in Elion’s direction. But it did not alert Elion.

Because in truth, it was not truly directed at him.

…At least, not entirely.

But that was not the real reason.

A brief pause lingered within the system’s processes.

’It seems…The host shall cross paths with this family in the future.’

Would Elion be happy when he found out? Probably not, it had been granted enough leeway for autonomy by the goddess when she was not taking the reins.

…

Elion gave Aria a gentle pat on the head as she stood up. She was ready to head out onto the battlefield, but his hand lingered on her head for just a moment as he looked at her with a soft smile.

“Do your best,” he said calmly, “and stay calm… don’t let him provoke you.”

“Un,” Aria nodded quickly, her cheeks flushing slightly as she looked at him, clearly happy just from the attention alone.

Right beside her, Tessa also stood up, rolling her shoulders lightly as if loosening up before a fight.

“Looks like I’m up too,” she said with a small smile.

Mira stepped forward next. “Good luck,” she said with a confident smile.

Lyra crossed her arms. “Don’t lose.”

Tessa chuckled. “Of course not.”

Isolde clasped her hands lightly as she smiled gently. “Good luck, both of you.”

Aria nodded again, thanking them a bit more quietly this time before turning and making her way toward the exit, her steps light but determined.

“Come on,” Tessa said, nudging her lightly.

The two of them left together, their steps steady as they made their way out toward the door that led into the tunnel.

Elion’s gaze followed them until they disappeared through the door, and not long after, he spotted William heading out as well.

They shared a glance as William’s lips curled into a smirk. He snorted lightly, not even bothering to hide it, before walking out into the tunnel with the others.

Elion’s eyes narrowed slightly.

’That guy…’

He exhaled slowly, forcing himself to calm down. There was nothing he could do now. The match had already begun.

All he could do was trust Aria and hope she would do her best, and if she won, then it would all but guarantee that William would lose his chance to enter the hidden realm, but even that was not what concerned him the most right now.

’Just fight calmly…’

He sat down with the others, his attention shifting toward the screens. Then the door opened again.

Elion frowned slightly. ’Hmm? Is something wrong?’

But the face that walked in made him pause. Professor George.

The man stepped inside, his gaze sweeping across the room briefly before locking onto Elion almost immediately, and without hesitation, he began walking straight toward him.

George stopped a few steps away, his eyes flicking toward the girls for a moment as he took in the scene.

“…How many women does this boy need…” he muttered under his breath.

“Huh? Did you say something, professor?” Elion asked, raising a brow slightly.

“Hm? Nothing,” George replied quickly, clearing his throat before straightening his posture.

Then—

“Come. Follow me.”

Elion blinked in confusion as he tilted his head lightly.

“Your presence has been requested,” George added calmly, already turning slightly as if expecting him to get up immediately.

Elion frowned. ’Requested?’

Why would anyone want to see him? His gaze instinctively shifted toward the screens.

Right on cue, Aria and William were stepping onto the platform. His expression darkened slightly.

’This timing…’ Wasn’t it a bit too perfect?

“Right now?” he asked.

“Right now,” George replied without hesitation.

Elion’s brows furrowed. ’Why now…?’

The question lingered, but there was no immediate answer. Mira reached out and slid her hand into his, squeezing it lightly.

“Don’t worry,” she said softly, her voice calm but reassuring, “I think she’ll be fine.” She smiled at him.

“She trained a lot after you stopped coming with us to the dungeon.”

Elion exhaled slowly.

He knew that Still—

He hesitated for a brief moment longer, then he stood up.

“…Alright,” he said quietly, “let’s go.”

George nodded once and turned, leading the way out. And just like that, Elion walked away from the waiting room.