Harem System In A fantasy World

"I see you were busy with training. My apologies for interrupting you," Marilyn said.

Mayumi shook her head.

"There is no need to apologize, Elder Marilyn. I was just about to take my lunch break."

Marilyn nodded and gave the young woman a faint smile.

It was unfortunate that Mayumi would be the one to lose her position.

Marilyn knew just how hardworking she was, but someone had to be chosen, and Mayumi simply happened to be the weakest link among the team heading into the Legacy World, seeing as she did not possess an affinity for any of the elements.

That meant she was often forced to rely almost entirely upon her physical strength. Despite that, she was very efficient with her body augmentation with mana.

Because of that, she was nearly unmatched in a one-on-one battle against someone of equal strength, along with having monstrous stamina, but it also left her vulnerable in long-range engagements.

Her overall profile lacked versatility, and her usefulness within a team depended heavily upon the support of her companions.

Despite those shortcomings, however, she had proven everyone wrong by earning a place on the team in the first place, which only made the current situation even more unfortunate.

"I called you here to let you know that your opponent has finally arrived." Marilyn gestured towards Elion with her head.

Mayumi turned to look at him again, giving him another nod, though deeper this time.

"It is a pleasure to meet you, Elion."

"Likewise," Elion replied, returning the nod.

If she was offended by his lateness or by the fact that she would now have to fight him to keep something she had probably believed she had already earned, she did not show it.

Honestly, that told Elion quite a lot about her character.

However, if she was merely concealing her displeasure and resentment, then he would also have to commend her self-control.

"When will the duel take place?" Mayumi asked, turning her attention back to Marilyn/

"As soon as the two of you are ready," Marilyn replied. "Elion has already been registered, and there is no reason to delay the matter any further."

"I am ready now." Mayumi’s answer came without the slightest hesitation.

Marilyn looked towards Elion.

"And you?"

Elion smiled faintly.

"I did come here for the duel, so I have no objections to doing so right now."

Mayumi gave him another small nod, seemingly satisfied with his answer.

"Then we can use the main training hall," Marilyn said. "The outcome will determine which of you receives the final position among the seven entering the Legacy World. The rules will remain the same as those used during any other duel assessment. You may use your weapons, spells, artifacts, and any other abilities you possess, but deliberately killing or permanently crippling your opponent is forbidden."

"How is victory determined?"

"By surrender, unconsciousness, or my judgment that one of you is no longer capable of continuing safely."

Mayumi’s expression remained unchanged.

"That is acceptable."

Elion nodded as well.

Marilyn rose from behind her desk and began collecting a few papers from its surface.

"I should warn you, Elion, Mayumi has spent every day since before the assessment training for this position. Do not underestimate her."

"I have no intention of underestimating her."

Mayumi glanced towards him, perhaps attempting to determine whether he was merely being polite, but Elion’s expression appeared sincere.

His eyes had already revealed enough for him to understand that Marilyn’s warning was not without reason.

Not that he had anything to be worried about. These people knew nothing about him, and whatever Maya might have told them, or what she thought she knew, was only the surface of what he was capable of.

Generally, if Marilyn thought Mayumi had a one percent chance of beating him, then she might as well lower it to a percent of that percent.

He had also noted that Mayumi was one of the few people he had seen who did not have an elemental pigment clinging to her, which probably meant she didn’t have an affinity to any of the elements.

However, even though she possessed no elemental affinity, she had clearly found another path.

After failing to get a proper assessment of her physique with his naked eye, Elion had discreetly used the ability of the world eyes to see beneath.

Mayumi’s body contained a frightening amount of condensed physical power. Her muscles were lean rather than bulky, but every strand seemed to have been refined through years of relentless training.

Of course, he kept his gaze respectful as he peered into her strength; he definitely didn’t peer beneath her clothes or anything, though the look Mira gave him from beside him while leaning forward, with her eyes narrowed, suggested she suspected he might have been exactly that.

He ignored the looks she was giving him.

Mayumi’s eyes narrowed slightly.

"Is something wrong?"

Elion realized he had been staring at her for longer than was polite.

"Nothing. I was only studying your posture and the way mana moves around your body. You must be quite a capable swordswoman." He commented/

A faint trace of surprise passed through her eyes.

"You can see that?"

"A little."

Mayumi did not look convinced that it was only a little, but she did not question him further.

Marilyn walked around her desk.

"Let us go before news of the duel spreads too far. The main hall becomes difficult to control once too many people gather."

Maya released a quiet breath.

"I believe it may already be too late for that."

The others looked towards her.

"The assistant knew why Mayumi was being summoned," Maya explained. "She is not particularly good at keeping exciting information to herself."

Marilyn closed her eyes briefly.

"Of course."

"Should you not rest first?" Mira asked her. "You were already training before being called here."

Mayumi stopped and looked towards her.

"I am not particularly tired; my current condition won’t change the outcome of the fight, whether I rest or not."

Her breathing had already returned to normal, and the faint perspiration upon her face was beginning to dry.

Mira gave her a pleasant smile.

"I see. I only thought you might want to face him while you were at your best."

Mayumi blinked, perhaps thinking that Mira might have been underestimating her strength.

"I am at my best." She responded calmly.

The answer was not arrogant. It was spoken with such simple certainty that Mira could only nod.

Mayumi also gave the strange woman beside Mira a brief look before leaving the office behind Marilyn.

The rest of them followed.

As Maya had predicted, news had already spread.

The whispers followed them as Marilyn led the way towards a wide corridor at the back of the massive building.

The main training hall was located behind the central structure, connected to it by a long enclosed walkway.

By the time they reached it, word had spread even further, and dozens of people were already following behind them.

The hall itself was enormous, with a high arched ceiling supported by thick stone pillars. Several smaller training platforms occupied the outer edges, while a much larger circular arena stood at the center.

A few people who had been training inside stopped what they were doing and moved aside when they noticed Elder Marilyn approach with a small procession, understanding that something important was about to happen.

Mayumi walked towards a bench near the arena and removed the towel from around her neck. She placed it down carefully before reaching for a thin, long weapon that had been left resting against the wall.

At that exact moment, a cheerful figure burst into the room along with the influx of curious spectators.

Ever the bright ray of sunshine that she was, Yaana skipped happily towards Elion.

"Big Brother Elion is back!"

Elion turned towards her, intending to give her a kind smile, only for her to grab both his hands and pull him into an enthusiastic bout of arm-swinging.

Mira raised a brow at the sight, wondering what all the excitement was about, as well as why Yaana was calling Elion her big brother.

As far as she knew, Elion did not have any siblings.

Other than that, Yaana could be said to possess a rather unique appearance. Her dyed hair and choice of fashion particularly drew Mira’s curiosity, especially the thick-soled black boots she wore, which seemed to add several inches to her otherwise short height.

Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!