Reincarnated with an SSS-rank Tamer System: My Harem of Villainesses-Chapter 55 - Reactions and Update
The next day Adam walked through the academy hallways early in the morning after his usual training routine, feeling the familiar fatigue in his muscles as he headed toward the classrooms for the first lessons of the day.
He still hadn’t seen Alice, which honestly was a relief considering she would probably show up at some point to pick up where they had left off yesterday with the whole "temporary boyfriend" situation.
What he didn’t expect was to find Evelyne standing near the entrance to the wing where the classrooms were, clearly waiting for someone. When she saw him, her expression shifted into something Adam couldn’t quite identify but that definitely wasn’t her usual smile.
"Good morning," Adam greeted when he reached her, immediately noticing the way she was looking at him.
"Good morning," Evelyne replied in a tone that was polite but somewhat colder than usual. "Can we talk for a moment?"
Adam nodded as he followed her to the side of the hallway where there was less student traffic, already suspecting where this conversation was headed.
"I heard some rumors," Evelyne began, crossing her arms as she looked at him directly. "About you and Alice."
"They’re probably true," Adam answered honestly because there was no point in denying it when half the academy had probably seen them together yesterday. "She says we’re dating for a week."
Evelyne blinked at that. "She says you’re dating?"
"It’s complicated."
"Clearly," Evelyne muttered before sighing. "Look, it’s not that I care who you decide to spend your time with. But Alice isn’t exactly known for being... stable. Are you sure this is a good idea?"
Adam considered that for a moment. "Probably not. But I already agreed, so I’m going to stick to the week."
"You agreed?" Evelyne repeated in confusion. "Agreed to what exactly?"
"To pretend to be her boyfriend for a week because apparently we made a deal I don’t remember making."
Evelyne stared at him for several seconds as if trying to decide whether he was serious before finally letting out a short laugh.
"Only you would end up in a situation like that," she commented, shaking her head, though her expression had softened considerably. "Fine. As long as you know what you’re getting into."
"I have no idea what I got into," Adam admitted. "But we’ll see what happens."
Evelyne smiled faintly at that before her expression turned serious again. "Just... be careful, okay? Alice can be unpredictable."
"I know."
They chatted for a few more minutes before separating to go to their respective classes, and Adam felt that at least that situation had been easier to handle than he had anticipated.
What he didn’t anticipate was running into Piers practically sprinting down the hallway to catch up with him before he entered the classroom, wearing an expression that clearly showed he had a lot of questions.
"Adam," he panted as he stopped in front of him. "Is it true? You and Alice are...?"
"Technically," Adam cut in before Piers could finish the question. "For a week. Don’t ask."
Piers opened his mouth, closed it, then opened it again before finally deciding what to say. "Are you okay at least? Because she’s... well, she’s her."
"I’m handling it," Adam replied as they entered the classroom together. "She’s annoying but not terrible."
"That’s... something, I guess," Piers muttered, though he still looked concerned.
Class began shortly after with Professor Haldren explaining something about advanced core control techniques, but Adam wasn’t really paying much attention because his mind kept drifting to other matters.
It was during the break between classes that Valeria appeared.
Adam was standing near a window looking out at the courtyard when he sensed a presence approaching, and when he turned his head he found Valeria Ashcroft standing a few steps away with that characteristic neutral expression.
"Shadowend," she greeted in a formal tone.
"Ashcroft," Adam replied with the same level of formality.
There was an awkward silence for several seconds before Valeria finally spoke.
"I heard you’re dating Alice Velmoor."
"Technically for a week, yes."
Valeria looked at him for a longer moment before speaking in a tone that was difficult to interpret. "I’m not going to pretend I care what you do with your personal life. But considering our... history, I thought you should know that I have no problem with it."
Adam looked at her, trying to understand exactly what she was saying. "Are you giving me your blessing?"
"I’m making it clear that I don’t care," Valeria corrected in that neutral tone. "What happened between us was a long time ago and is no longer relevant. Do what you want."
And with that she simply walked away without saying anything else, leaving Adam standing there wondering whether that conversation had been as strange as it seemed or if he was just being paranoid.
The rest of the day passed relatively normally until lunchtime arrived and Alice finally appeared.
She literally appeared out of nowhere while Adam was walking toward the dining hall, wrapping her arm around his with a wide smile as if nothing strange had happened.
"There you are!" she exclaimed enthusiastically. "I’ve been looking for you all morning."
"I was in class," Adam replied simply as he let her drag him toward the dining hall.
"Well, now you’re with me so everything’s fine," Alice said before noticing something in his expression. "Did something happen? You look more thoughtful than usual."
"Several people decided to give me their opinions about us today."
"And what did they say?"
"Mostly to be careful because you’re unpredictable."
Alice laughed at that. "They’re not wrong. But that’s part of my charm."
"If you say so."
They ate together in the dining hall while Alice talked about various things that had happened in her classes, and Adam had to admit that it was easy to fall into a routine with her despite how strange the whole situation was.
After lunch they had class with Professor Ironvale, which meant physical training on the outdoor field.
Brenna made them run, do drills, practice with training swords, and basically anything that could make them suffer for the next two hours.
Adam was used to this because of his morning routine, but he noticed that several other students were clearly struggling, including Piers who was sprawled on the ground panting after the fifth lap around the field.
"Hawke," Brenna’s voice cut through the air. "If you stay lying there I’ll make you run five more laps."
Piers immediately got up with a groan.
Adam couldn’t help but smile faintly at that as he continued with his own exercises, feeling the familiar burn in his muscles that indicated he was working hard but not enough to injure himself.
It was while he was practicing some sword combinations against a training dummy that he felt something change.
Not physically exactly, but rather an internal sensation that something had... unlocked.
’System,’ he called mentally with cautious hope.
The response was immediate.
[Tamer System]
[Update successfully completed!]
[All functions have been restored and optimized]
[Analyzing current host status...]
Adam felt something akin to relief settle in his chest as he watched the screen materialize before his eyes, finally functioning properly after days of being frozen.
[Tamer System]
[Host Status – Adam Shadowend]
[Level: 12 → 13]
[XP: 210/1500 → 0/1800]
[Note: Experience accumulated during the update has been processed automatically. The host has leveled up.]
[Updated Statistics:]
Strength: 105 → 112
Endurance: 103 → 110
Agility: 102 → 109
Battle IQ: 104 → 111
Charisma: 55 → 58
Magic: 65 → 72
[Mana Control: 60% → 65%]
[Magic Rank: A+]
[Active Skills:]
Flame of Judgment (Rank A+)
[New Skill Unlocked: Advanced Physical Reinforcement]
Adam read through all the information carefully, immediately noticing the significant improvements in all his stats.
’I leveled up just from the experience accumulated during the update,’ he thought as he observed the numbers. ’And all my stats increased considerably.’
[Tamer System]
[Correct, host. The battle against Kael Duskrin generated a substantial amount of experience that was processed during the update. Additionally, I have optimized the growth parameters to allow for more efficient progression.]
[The new skill "Advanced Physical Reinforcement" allows you to channel mana directly into your muscles to temporarily increase your strength, speed, and endurance beyond your normal limits. It is more efficient than the basic reinforcement you were already familiar with.]
’And my mana control?’
[Tamer System]
[It has improved from 60% to 65%. There is still considerable room for growth, but you are progressing. Continue practicing with the techniques Professor Haldren is teaching and you will eventually achieve more precise control.]
Adam nodded mentally as the screen disappeared, feeling genuine satisfaction for the first time in days.
The system was finally functioning again, he had leveled up, his stats were significantly better, and he had a new skill that would likely be useful in future battles.
’At least something went right this week,’ he thought as he returned his attention to training, noticing that Brenna was watching him with that analytical expression she used when evaluating her students.
"Shadowend," the professor called. "Come here."
Adam obeyed as he approached where she was standing.
"Your form has improved since the last time I observed you," Brenna commented in a neutral tone that Adam recognized as approval. "Whatever you’re doing, keep it up."
"Understood."
Brenna nodded before turning to shout at another student who was doing something incorrectly, and Adam returned to his practice with a small smile on his face.
When class finally ended and everyone was dismissed to return to their dorms or do whatever they wanted with the rest of the afternoon, Alice immediately approached him with that characteristic smile.
"How was your day?" she asked as she intertwined her arm with his.
"Interesting," Adam replied honestly. "Several things happened."
"Good things or bad things?"
"A bit of both."
Alice looked at him for a moment before smiling more broadly. "Well, at least your week with me is being entertaining then."
"That’s one way to describe it."
They walked together toward the dorms while Alice talked about her own classes and Adam listened halfway, his mind still partially focused on the improvements the system had shown him.
Level 13. Improved stats. A new skill.
And he still had five more days left in this situation with Alice.
’It’s going to be a long week,’ he thought as Alice continued talking animatedly at his side.
But at least now he had the system working again to help him navigate whatever came next.
That was something.
