The snake that had crawled out of the Spatial tear had transformed into Lovina. She was indeed safe, like her fellows assumed.
Nevertheless, the thought of losing Lovina had left a scar deeper than I wanted to admit.
'Don't think this much, Mobix. You just wanted her strength in your team,' I tried to console myself each time the thought surfaced.
That aside, the three demons can really be of immense help. A wolf demon can still be classified under the Normal rank, and a snake demon is assumed same as well.
However, Bonnie should be among the Prospectives. But as it turns out, the failure of a demon grants immediate replacement.
A demon's strength and power depended on their rank and how close they were to the Master. But for this trio, theirs have been limited, or so made to remain static forever.
I hope my system can help. There was no need to rely on their ranks since they must have been banished; I only needed a way to increase the strength.
Taking a deep breath, I counted with my fingers. "Vera is of the Wolf race, Bonnie is a dragon, and Lovina is the snake. I guess I should start taking beast taming classes."
Muna advanced. "You've made your choice to take them in?"
I turned to look at her and placed my palms on her chin, looking straight into her eyes.
"They have nowhere to go now. It's only best I accept them," I said with an honest voice.
Immediately, Vera moved as if forgetting what had transpired between us in the Spatial tear and embraced me. Her face had changed from mean to soft, and I felt her mood had lightened a bit.
"Thank you for saving Vera and her companions," Vera showed her gratitude, suffocating my face on the two huge bumps of her chest.
It wasn't bad enjoying its softness and comfort, as she even embraced me longer than expected.
This particular action might have aroused jealousy in some people.
Linda stepped out from my shadow and began to push Vera away.
"Okay, okay. It's enough. You should show some respect to my young Master," Linda said, making sure to create at least one meter distance between Vera and me.
"Is that also a way of protecting young master?" I asked jokingly.
She bowed her left knee and crossed her right hand across her chest.
"I will never fail in my responsibility of protecting young master in any way possible," Linda stretched.
"Aishhh... I never asked for that. Stand already."
But for truth, that was a good show to have put up in front of the demon trio. It should leave a positive impression in their minds as to how important being by my side is.
Bonnie and Lovina now stood close enough to Muna, while Vera stood a few meters away from me.
I looked at them and faced my front.
"Embracing me and getting closer to us shows you accept becoming a member of my team," I said without eye contact.
"I... I guess so," Vera stuttered.
At that instant, the system notification surfaced in the air before my eyes.
«↓ 1 New Harem Gained | Vera Wolves ↑»
«↓ Title: A wolf ↑»
«↓ Rank: ??? ↑»
«↓ H.S.A: 25% ↑»
« Status: She is grateful for giving them a life not worth their existence. But, she still has some doubts about how much protection you can grant them against their former Master. »
Tch. I thought bringing her to life should have changed that point of view. But that explains why her Harem Sharing ability is low.
'More work to be done then. What of her companions?'
I was faster than my shadow as I didn't see the second screen of notifications.
«↓ 2 Members have been automatically added to your Harem ↑»
«↓ Name: Bonnie Draconis ↑»
«↓ Title: Dragon-girl ↑»
«↓ Rank: ??? ↑»
«↓ H.S.A: 25% ↑»
«...»
«↓ Name: Lovina Slytherin ↑»
«↓ Title: A snake ↑»
«↓ Rank: ??? ↑»
«↓ H.S.A: 25% ↑»
« Status: The two new members have secretly vowed to follow their leader, and hence will be allocated the same points as their leader. »
'So that's why their harem sharing ability is on the same level as that of Vera, who seems to be their leader?'
« Yes. »
"Very well, then," I verbalized, both to the system and to members. "Muna, you should lead the way... I'm not yet familiar with this route."
As I said that, I felt Vera even doubt me more. But that was by the way. It would be a gradual step to total conversion.
"Although I know this route, it will now take us more days to reach our Duchedom," Muna stated.
"Ehh?"
"Yes. Good enough, we haven't touched the food we came with. It should sustain us on the way," Linda consoled her shock.
"But why?"
"The Spatial tear had spat us out of its own will. So, our bodies also obeyed whatever location it granted us," Muna explained.
"We have no option then."
...
The air blew colder, a familiar way of reminding us that we had arrived at the Seafrost Duchedom. The sight of home, the relief of a safe journey and the feeling of completeness were like an embrace I didn't realize I'd long for.
"We are home," I whispered, exhaling calmly afterwards.
Muna nodded, a faint smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "We made it back."
Linda's reaction was that of satisfaction, while that of the demons was that of confusion and curiosity.
Soon, we climbed down the tall hill that served as a boundary between our Duchedom and the grassy land we had just come out of, and made for the border.
The moment we reached the border, the faint hum of life began to echo in the distance. The laughs of little children and the rush of footsteps.
It didn't take much longer before the villagers appeared, their faces lighting up as they noticed our figures approaching.
I instinctively lifted a hand and waved at them, the pride of being missed soaring across my veins.
"They're happy I'm back," I murmured, almost chuckling. "Must have missed the hell out of me, haven't they?"
But before I could say more, the kids who were laughing while running to us diverted their movement to Muna. Within the blink of an eye, even the elderly villagers surrounded her with warmth, calling her name with joy and genuine laughter.
'Of course, how could I forget my tag name?' I suddenly thought, feeling downcast.
"Muna! You're safe!"
"We thought you'd never return!"
"Thank the Spirits, the Lady of Frost didn't forsake you!"
I blinked, trying as much as possible not to be affected.
The Lady of Frost? They were referring to my late mother.
I watched as the overjoyed children tugged at Muna's robe, totally setting aside I and other survivors as if we were outcasts.
They were not to be blamed, though. What the people have always sought was results, and not hidden potential.
Not to mention, I was already a doom in their eyes. A threat that was weakened to save humanity. They did sacrifice themselves to take me down, even if I had to show my true powers now.
"Tch. Humans."
"I'm happy for Muna, at least. They haven't entirely gotten bad against our dynasty if to say," I comforted myself, caught between the sting of realization from the words I just heard.
"The Academy Test is in a week. It's a blessing she's back before it begins," a man muttered from the crowd gathered around Muna.
My eyes widened. "A week?"
Something I failed to realize was that time inside the Spatial Tear had twisted reality. It was but a mage's retention and so could be artificial.
So, what felt like moments had been days, and what felt like days could be weeks. Not to mention that we had to journey through a long and unknown route.
"That's by the way," I whispered, signaling Linda and my trio members to join me as we meant nothing to the villagers.
As I made my way into the gigantic, ice gate of the Duchedom border, I overheard more murmurs along my way.
"Young Master Mobix won't dare join the test."
"If he needs his life, he should remain a weakling."
"Bahh. I heard the leader won't let him participate."
"That leader, tch," a grumpy-looking man scoffed. "It's a good thing Muna is back. She can finally reclaim that position."
"In your dreams," a hit connected with the grumpy-looking man, sending him to land with a loud thud against the walls nearby.
"He's the ruler of the sea. Although I don't trust him much, you must never underestimate him!" Vera thundered to my surprise.
"It's okay, Vera, let's not create a scene in this bustling area."
The border was a bustling area, yes, because it is where most of our trade takes place. It could more or less be called the Duchedom's market square.
Vera's acting in such a place would have a great, if not lasting, effect. You know how things spread in a market square.
"A demon?"
"Demons? But they possess a mixed aura?"
As expected, the observant among the villagers exclaimed, drawing the attention of all others.
Before everyone noticed, I had to vanish as fast as I could with Linda and the demons. And so, I did.
However, Muna's path was still blocked outside the gate. Her pitch voice could be heard.
"Stop it," she said with a firm tone. "Mobix deserves your praise as much as I do. He was the mastermind of our safety."
She paused.
"If there's someone who—" she turned and froze in her words when she didn't see me.
I was gone already.