Ethan sat on his bed, deep in thought, reflecting on the day's events. The realization of his strength weighed heavily on him; his Intelligence stat indicated just how powerful his willpower was compared to his peers. Trevor had emphasized how impressive his first attempt at using Telekinesis was, but Ethan knew he needed to push himself further. The upcoming duel loomed in his mind, a critical juncture that would determine his path forward. Zark had promised to reveal more about the significance of Paths and the unique nature of his own after the duel, adding to his anxiety.
Currently at home, he was waiting for the countdown timer to finish, signaling the moment he could enter the Beast Plane. Hours stretched ahead of him, a restless wait following the exhaustion he had faced earlier, having collapsed from overtraining at Trevor's apartment.
Lost in contemplation, Ethan was unaware of the quiet figure that slipped into his room. With stealth that belied her healer status, Harley crept toward him, knowing he was troubled. Instead of announcing her presence, she climbed onto the bed, settling behind him. The warmth of her body against his eased some of his tension, though a nagging feeling told him something was off. Still, he dismissed it, trusting that the only person who would invade his space was his lovestruck sister.
Harley began to massage Ethan's shoulders, her hands working skillfully. He could feel his body relaxing under her touch, yet his mind was still a whirl of thoughts.
Suddenly, Ethan reached back, taking her hands and pulling her closer until she was lying against him, her head resting on his shoulder.
"Sis?" he ventured, wanting to clarify his feelings and the future he envisioned.
"Hmmm?" Harley responded absentmindedly, lost in the comforting scent of her brother, her heart racing.
"Do you really like... love me?"
"Of course! Why are you asking?" she said, her voice laced with surprise.
"Why me? There are countless guys out there who are stronger, wealthier... better."
"Do I really need to explain?"
With that, Harley shifted to sit cross-legged in front of him, her hair cascading down like a waterfall of golden-blue, complementing her blue pajamas perfectly. Her gold eyes, deep and captivating, locked onto Ethan's greens, her expression serious as she cradled his face in her hands.
"I don't need to explain anything to you. If I say I love you, I mean it. I love you, Ethan. Those other guys? They're just side characters to me; I only see you. And I love you, no matter what!" Her eyes shone with a fierce intensity that sent a chill through Ethan. He realized the depth of her feelings, how fiercely protective she could be.
"Mm. I see. Let's take it slow, okay? I sense that there will be other ladies around me. I... I'm confused right now. I have feelings for both you and Clara, but I don't know how to navigate this."
"Shush! No need to explain further. I don't care if you love a million women, as long as I'm part of that. No, I want to be the first. As for Clara, leave her to me. If it comes to that, I will handle her. Just focus on getting stronger."
"Mm. Thank you for understanding," Ethan said, relieved.
"You're welcome," Harley replied, leaning in to kiss him gently. It was a brief kiss, yet it conveyed the weight of her emotions, and Ethan felt its sincerity resonate within him. She settled her head on his lap, and instinctively, he began to stroke her hair, marveling at its softness.
Time slipped away as they basked in each other's presence, the earlier tension easing into comfort.
A notification echoed in his mind. Hidden Quest Completed! Path To Greatness (Accept Harley's Feelings For You.) Reward: Cultivation Technique (Random)
Ethan's eyes widened in surprise. A hidden quest? He hadn't realized that ordinary moments could lead to unexpected rewards. Curious, he accessed his storage space to check the cultivation technique he had received, only to tremble in disbelief.
"What's wrong?" Harley looked up, concern etching her features.
"Sis? What's the rank of your cultivation technique?" he asked, still shaken.
"Haha! Nothing much. I'll get you an Advanced-level technique very soon."
"Don't play with me…"
"Shush! I mean it, and I promise you. Just have faith in me, okay?"
They settled back into comfortable silence, content in each other's presence. Ethan's mind raced with thoughts about the Advanced Rank cultivation technique he had received, which was specifically designed for Healers. He contemplated giving it to Harley, but he hesitated, unsure how to explain its sudden appearance. Without a storage ring to validate his claim, he decided it was best to earn her a worthy reward through his own efforts.
As midnight approached, their quiet moment lingered, filled with soft laughter and whispered dreams. Eventually, Harley excused herself, content with their conversation and Ethan's acceptance of her feelings.
But unbeknownst to her, the most significant part of Ethan's day was just beginning. The timer struck zero, and a portal materialized before him, glowing with an ethereal light, beckoning him to the Beast Plane.