章 63: Clara. Charm and Shop.

Clara had woken up earlier than usual to meditate. That wasn't her initial plan though... she couldn't stop thinking about Ethan. So, she meditated to stop her mind from over wandering but that proved to be more than futile for her lovestruck mind. In less than a minute, she was back to where she was previously, thinking about Ethan. The person in question was so tired that he was sleeping like a log. Even the great Sleeping Beauty's legend paled in comparison to how he was sleeping.

Clara had bags under her eyes, obviously from her inability to sleep. Gathering herself, she left her room. She just wore a blue pajama with fox designs in it. It was currently 6 am, so she went downstairs to the living room to drink some water. There she found Lamair in a tank top and shorts heading towards the basement, probably going to cultivate. In a corner of the room, Emily sat with a VR helmet on, probably playing a game or learning. She was a gamer in spirit. She looked everywhere for Ethan, but it appeared he wasn't there yet. She got a glass of water and went back to the sleeping area. There she saw Ethan's door slightly opened.

Without thinking, Clara went towards Ethan's room. When she reached the door, she hesitated a little but it all vanished when she heard the sound of light snoring coming from the room. She opened the door and walked. There she saw the most beautiful man she had ever seen on a messy bed in only pajama downs. His broad and sculptured chest was on full display for Clara to see. His hair had grown longer than before, reaching his shoulders and his skin, a golden kind of tan. His lips were a bit dry but still pink.

Clara felt her face turn from fair to red, like someone was controlling the blood in her body. Without even realizing, she was standing above her beloved. Her hand moved of its own accord and traced the fine lines of his chest and abs.

"Mm? Clara?" Ethan muttered with half closed eyes.

"Y-yes! I... I..."

"You look tired."

"I... I... I just came to check up on you. I'm going."

"Wait. If you like you can sleep by me."

"You! What are you planning?!"

"Mm? Nothing... my sister always sleeps by me when she can't rest well."

"Harley... I won't lose to her!"

"Huh?"

"Shut up!" Clara exclaimed in mild annoyance as she climbed into Ethan's bed.

"..."

Ethan watched in silence as Clara crawled into his bed and took the blanket for herself. She then turned her back to him with a red face. Ethan was hit with the force of cuteness of Clara.

"E... Ethan? Can I ask you a question?"

"Mm."

"Do... you... like me?"

"Of course. I've liked ever since I saw you for the first time."

"Why?"

"I don't know... it's probably your beauty or your qualities. I don't know why but I still like you."

"Then what about Harley?"

"Sister?"

"No Harley. She isn't really your sister, and you know her feelings for you." Clara said as she turned to face Ethan, her blue eyes boring into Ethan's greens. Even though her face was as red as tomato paste, she still looked at him.

"I think I like her also, although not as much as you, I think."

"Mm. So, what would you do if you were to choose between both I and Harley?"

"Hmm... Harley is fierce and beautiful. You are cute, giving the urge to cuddle you like a teddy bear. I don't know but I sure will never allow another guy to have any of you."

"Mm." Clara replied with a smile.

"I will talk with Harley later. For now, please, cuddle me." Clara said to Ethan, earning a look of surprise and blush from him.

"Mm." Ethan said as he moved closer to her. She placed her head on Ethan's naked chest with a smile of content. Ethan's chest was hard but smooth with some sort of strange comfort radiating from it. She could hear his heart beating loudly, its speed, probably running at Mach 10. It turned out he was as infatuated and embarrassed as her, but his will must be very strong to control his emotions that well. Then she felt it-- the unmistakable presence and aura of an Advanced level mage radiating from Ethan. He was also an Advanced level mage like her, and she was more than glad.

Ethan oblivious to Clara's raging emotions, placed his hands around Clara's body. He could feel her warmth and a shudder when he touched her. Her skin felt smooth and soft even through the fabric of the pajamas. The pajamas were a bit tight on her and Ethan was way taller than Clara now so he could see all her curves which was very mature for someone of her age. Damn! She was just 16 years! Her chest, which was also full and mid-sized, neither big nor small, pressed on his chest as he cuddled her. He felt blood rush to his head and to his right-hand man down there, in his pants. It took all of his willpower to calm down the guy than it took him to hover with Telekinesis.

'Girls are really dangerous!'

'I'm surprised you are still sane after this.'

'What!'

'But I'm more surprised as to how she has been able to fight your charm with sheer willpower.'

'Huh? Charm?'

'Check your stats.'

______________________________________________

Name: Ethan Smith Junior

Race: Vampire* (Locked)

Rank: Advanced (Low)

Strength: 71

Speed: 70

Stamina: 70

Perception: 70

Charm: 10

Willpower: 300

Mana: 700

Level: 20 [01/200]

Stat Points: 147

Current Form: [Mixed Human]

______________________________________________

'System?'

*Charm is a passive and active ability of most high races, especially Vampires. Its passive attribute is beauty enhancement and natural charm. You are basically like a diluted version of a succubus demon. That is why there's no ugly vampire unless they want to be ugly. The active trait comes with other attributes like mind control and others which you will unlock as you learn more about vampires. For now, if you actively use your charm, you can control the minds of others. It is low though but controlling one person should be achievable. The down sides though are, you must have willpower stronger than the person you are using it on or be a level or two higher than the person, for now. *

'Fuck!'

'Congratulations! You just became the perfect toy boy for ladies. At least you are not in this alone. Trevor isn't exempted from this.'

'That's the most reassuring thing I've heard from you so far. Thank you.'

'...'

Ding!

[Congratulations! You Just Unlocked The Shop System. You Can Buy Items and Such In the Shop with Shop Points (sp).]

'Huh?'

Ethan accessed "Shop" which had appeared right below his stats and what he saw nearly caused him to faint from shock. Rows and columns and rows filled with different things which could only be described as the dream of every mage. From Cultivation techniques to Mana potions, clothes to armor and even weapons. Weapons anyone would die for. They had price tags along with brief descriptions of their uses and skills they came along with.

'System? How many sp do I have?'

*None. You are the poorest host ever. *

'Ouch! Was that part important?!'

*...*

'Fuck you!'

*I don't have a body yet. *

'Fuck! Do you even have a gender?'

*I can have any gender you prefer. *

'Then can you choose a female? I can't stand this robotic voice anymore.'

*Okay. But you are still poor as my host. *

'...'

Ethan browsed through the items in the shop in awe. There were weapons and armor from the Bronze tier to the Platinum tier and Cultivation techniques of various levels and expertise. This was like a game shop just that it was real, and it had Ethan wondering who or what created the system, but he put it at the back of his mind. He figured Zark was related somehow to the system, and he didn't want celestials breathing down his neck. He was still young to die.

He still felt tired plus the episode with Clara had drained him of more willpower than necessary. He turned to look at the beautiful face of Clara who had fallen asleep in his embrace. He could see that she was sleeping calmly and happily with the small smile on her face. Without thinking about the consequences of his next action, he kissed her on the lips, and she responded in kind, surprising him but he had achieved what he wanted. Without words, they had accepted each other, and Ethan went back to sleep with a content smile on his face similar to Clara's.

...

"You have two years to find a husband, or you marry as a concubine of the Prince Crelox."

"But father..."

"It's final! Don't make me change my mind Andriel."

"Are you even my father?"

"It's complicated Andi. We don't have a choice. It's either you find a man who is strong enough to protect you and your mother's legacy or we give to the prince."

"I understand. I will bring the best man in the world back as my husband."

"Good luck daughter. May the spirit of your mom guide you."

"My lord. Sorry to disturb you but the young mistress' admission has come out. She got in as a transfer student to Anbord Mage Academy."

"That is good news. You will leave in two days Andi. Make us proud and find the best man."

"I will father. I will."