HeartSync

Drake fixed his gaze on the group of people, his determination shining through.

"We won't accept him, High Lord Aldur," an Elf said, standing up with scars on his face. "We all know who he is, even though you've forbidden us from saying it. But besides that, this boy has nothing to offer to the clans except for his good looks."

Drake looked at him, recognizing the Elf commander from the previous host's memories. The commander stood tall, exuding grace and strength in his slender body. His eyes, deep emerald in color, showed wisdom and determination, piercing through with intensity that reflected both compassion and leadership.

Drake understood the challenge ahead of him. 'I want to be stronger than him, to surpass everyone in this world. I want them all to see my strength.'

An evil smile appeared on his face.

[Host, that's the spirit.]

'We're in this together. Let's put aside our differences.'

[Frankly, I suppose we can do that. Come on, give me a name before I change my mind.]

Drake was surprised by the system's laughter, but he nodded with a smile.

"Commander Amroth, you shouldn't speak for others," his grandpa's voice interrupted, drawing Drake's attention away from the system.

"Forgive me, High Lord. But we know Xavier has lost face in the eyes of the Elves. Unless he could join the academy and later prove himself worthy."

Murmurs of agreement rippled through the chamber.

"Wise words, Commander Amroth. Prepare his departure to the academy. I've received information they will commence testing from tomorrow," his grandpa instructed, eyeing Xavier. Drake sensed a hidden agenda in his grandpa's demeanor, tinged with regret.

"Go get yourself ready, boy," his grandpa said to Drake before dismissing everyone.

Turning to Xavier, he added, "You better pass the test, because when you return here, you'll be crippled if you don't." His stern tone sent shivers down Xavier's spine as he watched his grandpa leave.

'So, system, it's just you and me. And as for your name, I will call you Chainy.'

[What's the purpose of that name?]

The system inquired, prompting Drake's laughter. 'I'll let you know in the future.'

'Show me my stats.'

[Status]

- Name: Xavier Thyrasou

- Age: 18

- Race: Hybrid

- Level: 2

- HP: 100/100

- Exp: 25-50%

- LUK: 6

- AGI: 20

- INT: 10

- LP: 125/200

- Willpower: 3/100

- CHA: 1/20

- Lineage: Null

[Congratulations, you have acquired a partner]

- Kathy Amora

- Race: Elf

- Age: 299

- Occupation: Enchantress

- HeartSync: 1/10 (You are my sister's son.)

- 0—100%

As Drake reviewed the stats, he contemplated his next move, taking into account the challenges and opportunities that lay ahead.

"Now that she's my partner, what does stealing have to do with her being my partner, Chainy?"

[She wasn't yours to begin with, so you stole her. You can steal many partners, my dear host.]

"I see, that's interesting. I would love to get revenge on the commander. It would be quite satisfying to have an affair with his wife, especially that man who stood beside Grandpa."

[A dangerous thing to do, host. Hehehehhehehehhehehheh.]

Just then, an alert appeared on the reddish panel.

[Mission unlocked:

1. Get the commander's wife to sleep with you (30 days)]

Drake read it aloud, surprised and dumbfounded. He now understood that the system tended to assign missions related to his thoughts and choice of women. However, he wasn't sure about its implications.

Uncertain of his goals in this new world, Drake pondered, "I still remember that voice recording of their conversation when Grandpa was talking to Kathy. What level should I reach to attain it?" he asked.

[Hmm, it wouldn't be bad to play it for you. To obtain it, you must reach level 4.]

Drake sighed, "Then we must level up. Is there no other way to level up?" he inquired, prompting a delayed response from the system.

[There are certain things that I don't know, host. Mother decides all.]

Drake raised his chin, observing his reflection in the river as he touched his face.

"Chainy, I don't seem to have a goal yet. Don't you think?" he mused, running his hands through the water and rubbing it on his head. A smile crossed his face.

[Your goal is to level up from now. As you get accustomed to this place, you will surely find your goal.]

The system replied without mockery this time. Drake pondered, gazing at the river and the expansive landscape in the chamber, reminiscent of the Earth's stadium.

"This world is strange, with its upside-down tree. Who would believe me if I told them back on Earth?" Doubt lingered in his mind, yet he embraced the unknown, curious about what the future held. If only the MC knew what awaited him, madness or not.

He stood up and headed out of the chamber, coming across the same room his aunt had asked him not to enter. He sighed, still perceiving a sweet scent.

"Getting in now would be a very dangerous step."

[I agree with you.]

"But who cares? I want to go in anyway," he chuckled softly.

As he approached the door, Drake's eyes met a knob on the left side of it.

"This seems very different from all the other doors. Now, this makes me really want to check what's behind it."

As he twisted the knob, something clicked.

"This is similar to lockboxes back on Earth. It's a combination lock, a device with a dial featuring numbers or letters arranged in a circle," he explained.

"To open it, you twist the dial to align the correct sequence of numbers or letters, which disengages the lock mechanism and allows it to open."

[Host, were you talking to yourself just now?]

"Yeah, something like that. I was trying, you know..."

[Ah, I see. You're weird, but smart (⁠◔⁠‿⁠◔⁠).]

"Hmmm, I can't open it," he said, a bit disappointed.

[Host, this can be opened with the use of spells too, or like you said but I feel there's something more to this door.]

Drake looked at the door, feeling drawn into the room beyond, yet obstructed by the locked door. Suddenly, someone sneaked up behind him.

"Xavier!"

Sweat bubbled up on his forehead as shivers ran down his spine. He began to stretch.

'This usually works back on Earth. I guess it does here too.'

"What are you doing over there?" Kathy asked, giving him a suspicious look. She could sense Xavier had some connection with the room. It was the main reason they kept it locked; no one could ever access it except by using Xavier's blood to unlock it, as it was his blood that had been used to lock it anyway.

So many secrets hidden, all in the name of his well-being. What would you do if you were her?

"Stretching," he said nonchalantly.

[Warning Host: Whatever you do or say will determine the growth of your HeartSync with your partner.]

'I see. Thanks for the warning.'

"Just stretching a bit, aunt. So, how was your night? Did you enjoy it?" Drake asked casually.

His aunt blushed as she glanced at Xavier bashfully. "Get ready; you need to get ready for the academy," she said, moving closer to him and tousling his hair. Xavier could only smile in return.

'I will grow taller with time, woman,' he thought to himself.

"So adorable. Let me escort you back to your room," she said.

Drake nodded as he allowed her to lead the way.

[Kathy Amore: HeartSync 1/10 You are my sister's son. 4—100%] The system alerted.

"That's new. What's that supposed to be?" Drake wondered.

[Host, this is the percentage of points you will get to upgrade the HeartSync of your partner. So if you make her blush or something more than that, your points will add up +4. When it reaches 100%, the HeartSync then upgrades.]

"I see. Nice. So the more I upgrade, new stuff will just pop out like this?" Drake mused.

[Exactly, but it depends.]

Reaching his chamber, his aunt pushed him in. "Better get ready, Xavier. Your life will change a lot. Now, my little man, I will leave you to yourself," she said, smiling at him.

Why wouldn't she? She could still remember her time in the academy. Then, it wasn't known as The Academy. It was known as Sylvan College. The elves were in control and owned everything. The elves were the rulers, suppressing the humans and other species.

As things began to change, they all went to war as new species began to emerge, making it impossible for the elves to take the throne for themselves.

Someone came in and brought new laws and regulations. Things changed. Now, they all had to elect one King to rule them all as the clans of different species elected their clan leaders.

This brought some peace and prevented a few wars from occurring until a ruler arrived—a demon. They had no issue with it being a demon, but the issue was that this demon had been banished. And there was a saying: 'The banished returns to destroy.'