Reincarnated with an SSS-rank Tamer System: My Harem of Villainesses-Chapter 9 - Memories and decisions

Adam was sitting in the same spot where he had shared tea with Seraphina days prior. This time he was alone, with Ravenna standing behind him, completely motionless and in silence.

He took a sip of tea while observing the landscape. The gardens stretched out before him, tended to with great effort. Everything was peaceful, too peaceful.

But Adam hardly paid attention to the view. His body was completely sore. Every muscle protested at the slightest movement. The previous day’s training had taken its toll.

’Maybe later I’ll practice something light... but I won’t be able to train properly until this body gets used to it,’ he thought with annoyance, setting the cup down on the table.

It was then that the system screen appeared in front of him.

[Tamer System]

[Mission completed!]

You have maintained a low profile for two days without drawing unnecessary attention.

[Reward obtained: Important memories from the previous body + Information about the novel’s timeline]

[Transferring information...]

Before Adam could react, he felt a sharp pain pierce through his head. He gritted his teeth, closing his eyes tightly as memories began to flood his mind.

Images. Conversations. Feelings.

Everything appeared at once.

He saw the original Adam: an insecure boy, incapable of using magic decently. He remembered the mockery of his older brothers, the constant disappointment in his father’s eyes, the silent pity of his mother.

He remembered how his older brothers had been sent to the Arcanis Magic Academy, the most prestigious in the kingdom. How they had returned years later as high-ranking officials, recognized and respected.

Kaelen Shadowend, the eldest, was cold, calculating, and distrustful. He had reached the rank of Captain in the imperial guard.

Dorian Shadowend, the second, was more temperamental, blunt, but just as talented. He was an instructor at the same academy where he had graduated.

Though that last part produced an internal bitterness in Adam.

His sisters, Layla and Selene, had also stood out at the academy, though to a lesser extent. Both were competent mages, recognized in noble circles.

And then there was Seraphina.

Adam opened his eyes slowly, feeling the headache begin to fade. He bitterly swallowed the rest of his tea while processing what he had just remembered.

His younger sister was not just a pretty girl with elegant manners. She was dangerous. Incredibly dangerous.

In the original Adam’s memories, Seraphina had shown massive magical talent since she was a child. At fifteen, she was already surpassing veteran instructors. At eighteen, she was considered a prodigy.

But the most interesting thing wasn’t her power. It was her personality.

Seraphina was calculating, manipulative when it suited her, and had an innate ability to read people. The original Adam had always felt like she observed him as if he were an experiment.

Adam let out a crooked smile. "I like this..."

[Tamer System]

[Oh damn, with your sister? Seriously?]

Adam frowned at the message. ’Don’t screw with me. It’s not that,’ he thought with irritation.

[Tamer System]

[Sure, sure. Whatever you say, host.]

[Additional Information: In exactly one month, the main events of the novel will begin. The protagonist will enter the Arcanis Magic Academy along with the main heroines]

[Advice: You must ask your father to enroll you in the academy. It is too late to take the normal admission tests, but with your new magical potential, you could enter through special means]

Adam read the message carefully. ’It will be difficult to convince him. He doesn’t trust me.’

[Tamer System]

[Not that much. You have an A+ potential core. That is ridiculously high. If you promise him that in this month you will become a completely new person, he will accept. But he will have conditions.]

Adam reclined in the chair, analyzing the situation. Entering the academy meant being at the center of the novel’s events. It meant having access to the villains he had to conquer, which meant power.

’I accept,’ he thought.

***

Evening had fallen when Adam entered the room where his parents were waiting for him.

His father, Alden Shadowend, was standing near the window with his arms crossed. His mother, Liora Shadowend, was sitting on the sofa with her hands on her lap.

Adam stopped in front of them, maintaining a firm posture despite the pain in his muscles.

"Father, mother," he began, looking directly at his father. "I want you to enroll me in the Arcanis Magic Academy."

There was a tense silence.

Alden looked at him with narrowed eyes. "The academy? It’s already late for the admission tests. And even if it wasn’t, why should I spend so much money to enroll you through special means?"

Adam did not flinch. "Because in one month, I will raise this family’s name to the very top. I will make up for all the years in which I did nothing."

Liora looked at him in surprise but said nothing.

Alden, on the other hand, let out a dry laugh. "And if you fail?"

Adam clenched his fists. "If I don’t improve in a month, I will leave this house and you will never see me again."

Liora stood up from the sofa immediately, her eyes wide. "Adam, don’t say that—"

"Silence, Liora," Alden cut her off firmly, raising a hand. His gaze never stopped being fixed on Adam. "The boy wants to be a man now. Let’s let him try."

There was another long silence while Alden observed him, as if he were evaluating him.

Finally, he nodded. "All right. I’ll give you a month. But it won’t be easy. If you want to prove that you’ve changed, you must face Dorian in combat. If you manage to stay on your feet against him, I will consider enrolling you in the academy."

Adam felt his stomach tighten. Dorian. His second older brother. An academy instructor. An experienced mage.

’Shit...’

But he did not back down. He only nodded.

"I accept."

Alden smiled slightly, though it wasn’t a warm smile. "Fine. You have one month. Don’t waste it."

Adam gave a slight bow before turning and leaving the room.

As he walked through the hallways, he couldn’t help but think about what he had just accepted.

’One month to become strong enough to face Dorian... this is going to be hell... but I don’t dislike this.’