Years passed and in time, Nitrian became 16 years old, and his training reached an apex, he was completely on another level from when he first started.
In his pocket dimension's mansion, he commanded his dragon aura in his hand and used it to write his name above his hand.
Then he made a water dragon and built a 300 cm golem of earth with a Phoenix's figure and had them crash into each other, and both got destroyed.
"I wish I knew how strong each hunter rank is. I don't know how strong I am. Oh well, I'll find out soon, " he commented.
Being done with training again, he went back to his room, and it was morning as usual.
He left his room to go have breakfast, and as it became a habit, his father was already nowhere to be found.
"Morning, Mom!" He hugged her tightly to himself, his head lying on her chest.
"Morning, Baby." She smiled widely.
Then they had breakfast, and even now without saying anything, Norma had Nitrian sit on her lap, and feed him his breakfast.
"You heal me." She says as she happily feeds him.
"I'm thirsty, mom." Nitrian voiced.
This caused her to look around before her smile widened even more and a blush grew on her face before she grabbed her shirt and pulled it up to reveal her black laced bra, over her D-cup breasts.
Not stopping there, she undid her bra and revealed her dark brown nipples on her round breasts, though there was some sagging, they were still firm and steady.
(This is what I live for, you'll be mine in time, don't worry your loneliness will go away in time.) He thought to himself appreciating the same breasts he had seen countless times over the years.
"Hehehe, you sure love looking at them, come on, the drink, they've grown full since the last time," Norma said with a soft smile, holding up her jugs and presenting them to him.
Without hesitation, he began to suckle not on one, but both her nipples drinking the sweet nectar he never stopped consuming over the years.
A worrying habit that grew into a routine, maybe addiction.
Never did Nitrian stop being breastfed by him, every day he would drink her milk directly from the source.
As he did so, she hugged him, and stroked his hair, caressing him in her hold.
(Hmmm, this never gets old.) Nitrian continued to consume the milk with great gusto.
It was sweet and warm, as ur went down his tongue, and he didn't let a single bit go to waste.
While he was milking her, Norma held him her moans and groans, simply indulging in the feeling of the moment, the closeness, the care, the desire, the validation, it was all too great to let go.
This went on until both her mounds found themselves empty.
"Ah, Baby, you're so eager to kindly help your mother, you know I don't like those pumps, they are so mechanical, painful, so impersonal, but this way, it's so much better." Norma caresses his face and kisses his forehead.
(I want to kiss her right now, but I can't… Not yet, the only reason it got this far is because she never stopped lactating… Though I think my Normalcy perk and Sexual calibration probably have something to do with it. I need more of a push to take the next step. I'll make you happy in time...) Nitrian thought to himself, sighing internally.
"Your happiness is my happiness as they say." He replied a wide smile right on his face.
"Good, let's finish breakfast, Jinah must be waiting for you so you can go to school," Norma responded as she slowly put her bra back on, and her shirt back in place.
Nodding he got off her lap, a second of hesitation as he sighed in reluctance and took his seat before eating breakfast with her.
After that, he grabbed his stuff and made his way to high school with Jinah.
"Have you heard about these gate things? It's been all over the news! The last few months! Monsters! Actual monsters, I still can't believe it, makes no sense." She said with exaggerated expressions leaning into the absurdity of what was happening to their world.
"It's real. You should take it seriously. I won't always be there to protect you if you don't." Nitrian responded and lightly flicked her forehead.
"Ough! Oppa! You're a brute! Who needs your protection anyway!" She complained with a pouty face giving him side eyes as they continued to walk, her hands rubbing the attacked spot.
"Call me what you want, but you'll regret it when you come running for my help." He shrugged his shoulders unbothered by her words, almost amused by them.
"Hmph! I won't, never will I do that. I would rather die! Blegh!" She put her tongue out her frustration clear as she accelerated her pace and went up ahead to leave him behind.
Smiling at the antics he simply followed in silence.
The school day was average with boring classes where he could easily excel, but he chose to simply stay as one of the best, not interested in skipping classes or anything like that.
To him there was no point to it anyway, so why bother?
His life wouldn't change much, and in fact, he would lose access to a time of leisure where he could just enjoy his new life for what it is, not prepare to fight, or worry, plus, this was the easiest way to keep an eye on Jinah, two birds one stone.
"Nitrian, you're one of the top students in the whole school, and almost always have perfect scores, even though I wish you were more active in participating in class.
"I don't think anyone in this class is better suited for this robotics competition than you, each class is picking a student and I hope you're up for the challenge, it's a big commitment if you say yes, but it will do wonders for you in the future to have this experience." The teacher said as he talked about the upcoming International robotics competition.
"I have some free time. Why not." He nodded completely indifferent to the matter.
"Please take it seriously! I'm putting my trust in you to represent us. After school, come to the computer lab, you and other classmates will have to learn the basics, and or show what you can already do." The teacher added sighing at his disinterested attitude, but after seeing this many times and still getting high scores from him, he could not argue with the results.
"Heard that? Wow, if Nitrian is on this, won't our class get a gold medal?"
"I mean? Doesn't this guy sleep through most lessons?"
"He has a high score on all subjects, even if not the highest he has the best medium."
"Kinda, but I heard he's a gang member who beats people up if they piss him off."
"Yeah… I think they can him Hidden something…"
"That doesn't matter, if he will be busy with this, doesn't mean Jinah won't have him all over her."
"Yeah! We can finally talk to her, and he won't be there like some crazy bodyguard, she's not even his girl."
"Are you two sure about that, I'm pretty sure she comes to him as much as he goes to her, she calls him Oppa and stuff even."
"That just means he got friend-zoned since he's not her brother."
"Yup! Yup! We have a real chance."
(Man, sometimes superpowers ruin my peace, I'm trying to peacefully meditate through this class, and they won't shut up about Jinah… I should beat them up later if they do something, if not oh well, I'm evil not a monster, probably.) Nitrian thought to himself as he tried his best to focus on meditation again.
This day passed by quickly and while he was making his way out of class to go home, when he remembered the robotics thing the teacher told him.
Getting there quickly, he found a classroom with one other student in it and his teacher.
"Ah, it seems the last member has finally decided to join us, so let me start by saying that the two of you are one of the groups in charge of representing our school. This is Selner Nitrian and this is Han Song‑Yi." The teacher started by introducing them.
The black-haired girl looked up from her phone to the young man coming in and had a slight frown on her face.
"It's you…" She commented with some distaste.
"Oh, Song-Yi It's nice to see you here." Nitrian winks at her with a smile.
"… Teacher am I allowed to shank him?" She narrowed her eyes while looking at him.
"I see. You two know each other, huh… No, please avoid your differences and work together today I'll start showing you how it's done, and you better pay attention." The teacher answered as he rubbed his forehead with a sigh.
"Hmph! You're lucky I'm here for this. Fine, I don't mind him that much." She crossed her arms looking straight at him.
(I guess she's still mad about Jinah choosing to come to men instead of staying with her. The first time we met, she was talking to Jinah, and I needed to talk to her, so I interrupted them and called Jinah to talk, leaving her alone. That day she looked at me as if I had killed her entire family, it's been this way ever since.) Nitrian sighed internally as he remembered the moment.
"It's ok. I think we can work together regardless." He responds not wanting to make her mad by directly agreeing to the idea she dislikes her, but he couldn't just dismiss it as the one-sided situation it was, or it would only get worse.
"Hmm, I hope so. Anyway, the project I called you in for is…" The teacher began explaining what they would be trying to do, before going into the how.
They had to program a combat robot for a ring-out robot battle tournament. The first step was to build it.
"Oh! I get it, let me try this." Nitrian picked up the robot parts and built a horizontal disk spinner.
It was a bot with a ramp at the front and a hammer arm, that would easily ring out most bots.
"What is that thing even supposed to be?!" Song-Yi questioned raising an eyebrow at the look.
"Well, we can't use saws and deadly materials since it's just an International competition between schools, but considering the size limits, and the stuff we can use, I think our bot is guaranteed at least 3rd place, the rest will depend on programming. Can't go too overboard, have the give the others a chance." Nitrian shrugged as he replied.
The teacher just watched this happen with a defeated expression before saying.
"You guys were supposed to conclude the bot's design together… As a team, and build it throughout the period leading to the competition in 3 months…" He said rubbing his forehead.
"I knew he would ruin this too! Like guy gets off on making things worse for others!" Song-Yi accused, pointing her finger at Nitrian.
"… We can focus on top-tier programming now, just look at Dream Slammer, isn't it cute?" Nitrian lifts his already-named battle-optimized bot.
"Dream Slammer…? At least I know the naming sense is as horrible as you." She narrowed her eyes at the thing completely unconvinced.
"… At least they are talking about the bot, as a team should in a way." The teacher gave up and walked to his computer to get some different work done, he was going to let them work it out.
The argument between Song-Yi and Nitrian went on.
"No matter what you say about it being optimal or whatever, it's still super ugly, we need to win with something better looking. If you are soooo smart, just make it better looking, what's the big deal?!" Song-Yi didn't back down one bit, part not liking him, part actually what she believed.
"You… The requirements… Fine, You'll tell me the look you want, and I'll make it a winner regardless." Nitrian sighed and decided to give in, finding it to be a fun challenge to make whatever design she had in mind deadly.
In the end, they ended up with a variant that looked ready for battle but had a more armored look. It was green and white, its shape boxlike.
(Should I make it better… Once this world has more advanced tech and I have access to materials, I'll rebuild you as a mech, Dream Slammer…) Nitrian promised himself as he looked at it.
"It's not that horrible now, I guess," Song-Yi commented looking at the final product.
"Good then, if nothing else I'm leaving." He turned around and began walking off.
"Wait! I'm sure you know where Jinah is, I need to talk to her, take me there, now." She demanded.
(I want to be mean, but is there a point? Nah, soon enough she'll regret these actions...) He shrugged his shoulders internally.
"Not happening if you don't ask nicely," Nitrian replied with narrowed eyes.
"Hmph! I'll just follow you then." She declared boldly.
"Suit yourself." Not bothering to argue, he walked off making his way through school.
Following right behind him was Song Yi, keeping a certain distance but not losing him from sight, worried he might try to dodge her.
(I can't lose him even for a second, I know the instant he knows I'm not looking he'll be gone, and later pretend in front of Jinah, but I won't let you!) She was fully focused, there was no escaping her gaze, for him.
Meanwhile the person in question.
(I really should think about the logistics of telling these women about the harem… I should probably be upfront from the start. It's too much of a hassle otherwise. I want them all to be happy, even if in my selfish way…) He reflected his hands on his pockets as he thought of his future.
In time he would need to have a hard conversation with them, and this was something he knew, but every time he thought about it, there was a bit of dread, after all, it could end badly even with Normalcy.
(I choose this path though, and I'm ready to face all its consequences… So many are going to hate me, and I can't know how many will get hurt, but there is no real victory without some sacrifice.) He told himself nodding and once again, cementing a thought that had come and gone many times.
As he was walking through two, boys were surrounding Jinah to talk to her.
"I really can't help you guys today… I'll be busy helping my mom with chores and stuff…" She said with a forced smile on her face.
"Ah, don't be like that, I'm just asking for help studying, you're an honor student, and in the same class as me. You can't be selfish, we should help each other out," He said to her with a firm tone, his excessive closeness being pushy.
"Yeah, we don't even want anything weird, you're even our class president, so it's your duty to help us, you can't just refuse like that for no good reason." The second guy added giving her no space to walk away if she wanted to.
(As a manipulative bastard, I can't even be mad, but like hell I'll let them have their way.) Nitrian was not surprised as it was not the first time something similar had taken place.
"Hey! Jinah, we better get going. I was looking for you everywhere, if you do this, Aunt Kyung-Hye will be mad at us. Let's go… Who are ya boys anyway? You aren't the ones holding her here, are you?" Nitrian causally put his arms over their shoulders pulling them in as if they were buddies as he spoke casually.
"Damn it! It's the hidden dragon… I mean! We didn't do anything, I heard you had a huge project to work on today…" One of the guys commented.
"Yeah, complicated stuff, we thought you would be there for a while…" The second added.
"It ended early, right, Song-Yi?" He asked her.
"He ended it before the teacher could even try to help." She rolled her eyes but responded honestly.
"Now, if nothing else. Get lost." He let go of them but his voice was very clear, it was an order.
So they ran, not about to fight one of the most notorious people in school.
"Urgh, they're such losers, at least you're just kind of annoying." Song-Yi rolled her eyes as she watched them go.
"Thanks! Oppa! I never know how to handle pushy guys. It's your fault! I'm with you too much, so I never have to." Jinah hugged him, and spoke with her face hurried on his chest.
"Now now, I'll make up by taking you out something. You have a rich Oppa, so abuse it." He pet her hair as he replied.
"Ohhh! Now that's my Oppa! I needed a new bag, my makeup was running low, not to mention my skin routine, and then there's the hair. You're best for doing all that." Jinah shamelessly threw everything she needed to buy on him, it was clear to everyone watching.
"You! Stop spoiling her! She'll become a brat, and you! Don't let him buy you so easily! That's how you end up in bad situations." Song-Yi sighed as she watched it unfold.
"Hehehe! You're so dramatic, Oppa would never hurt me, and if he wanted to, I have a secret weapon. It's not just 100% effective, it's 1000% effective on him! So I'm safe. It's like having a Lion as a loyal pet, everyone else is in danger, not me." Jinah explained with a proud smile as if she had everything under control.
(A lion pet?… Me?… 1000%? What is she on about?!) Nitrian was lost something that hasn't happened much if at all in this life.
"… So you tamed the hidden Dragon… Hahahaha, I didn't know you had a leach." Song-Yi laughed while pointing at him.
"You two are lucky, I have a calm temper, but don't push it too much, or I'll punish you both," Nitrian smirked at them as he said.
"Punish?…" Jinah blushed as she stepped back.
"Don't say creepy stuff like that! I'm telling you this guy is bad news." Song-Yi narrowed her eyes and took a defensive position ready to fight.
"Let's go. I have a schedule to follow." He tells them.
After that, they both followed through with the arguments Song-Yi started with him not stopping but getting significantly reduced.
At some point, Song-Yi went her own way, leaving him and Jinah.
At home, he was greeted with the sight of Jinwoo, Norma, and Kyung-Hye.
Something that was just part of the everyday.
They sat with Jinwoo and talked to him before they started playing video games. Throughout this whole process, Jinah as usual stood by Nitrian and clung to him quite a lot.
Jinah then stopped clinging to him for a second to go argue with Jinwoo over video games.
"Nitrian, sweetie! Can I talk to you for a bit?" Kyung-Hye came to him with a soft smile.
"Of course, Aunty. How can I help?" He smiled back.
"Come with me." She said and pulled him aside.
They were both at the house's balcony looking at the night city light scape that seemed to go on into the horizon.
Silence overtook them for a bit as nobody said anything, it wasn't like they talked all that much outside the basics, so there wasn't much to be said.
"Do you know what you're going to do with your life? I mean, at least something you want to do." Kyung-Hye asked breaking the silence as she looked out into the city.
"… I guess guess… Engineering." He replied with the first thing that came to mind.
(I don't plan to live as a normal person, I don't need to… I have the contractor's salary already, and years from now on when the plot kicks in, I'll be a hunter.) He thought to himself.
"Really? I thought you would go for a lawyer, the way you get to people so easily when you try. I see how you have your mom in the palm of your hand." Kyung-Hye joked not aware of how right she really was.
"It's not my style, I like something more involved than just talking, I want to build something special for as many people as I can." He answers sincerely even if he doesn't elaborate.
"Is that so? I'm happy, you found something you like, it's not as easy as people make sound. But now, What do you think of Jinah?" Kyung-Hye asked him.
"… She's great. I think we get along very well." He forced a smile.
"No, I'm asking you if you like her, not as a sister. As a woman." Kyung-Hye questioned not leaving much space for vagueness.
"… Hahahaha! Is it that obvious?" He smiles as he asks.
However contrary to what he expected, there was actual shook in her expression as if his answer completely destroyed her perspective on what she wanted to say.
"… You.. Y-… You do… Huh?" She was still recovering from the mental hit.
(… I jumped the gun... Oh well, I was going to have to talk about this at some point anyway.) He internally facepalmed.
"Yes, It just kind of happened, are you mad at me, Aunty?" He asked.
"No… You're childhood friends… Even if you were raised very close… It's not like you're the only one anyway. I noticed Jinah likes you but doesn't know what to do, so I wanted to ask you to turn her down easy, but now... I don't even know." Kyung-Hye sighed deeply, looking at the city with eyes that were both tired and relieved.
"Really?" Nitrian played clueless.
"Hahaha! You're half blind if you didn't see it yet, but I guess man tend to be that way with love. Tell me, what do you want to do?" Kyung-Hye inquired.
"I want to date her." Nitrian answered honestly.
"Sometimes I wonder if you ever heard of too honest. Oh well, it's a good thing for her. Ok, go ahead, but if you mess up, know me, your mother, and Jinwoo, even the Dads won't let you down easy, it will be unfair to you. Do you still want to do it?" She asked.
"I do. Jinah is very precious to me, you all are, we are family after all." Nitrian answered.
"Hehehe, you have some guts saying that. You openly declared to want to date your 'sister', many people would want to put you down for that alone." She sighed.
"That's ok, they can come. I'll handle it myself." He gave her a hand.
There was a pause but she took, it, and as soon as she did, he pulled her into a strong, tight hug.
"… You!… I think I might have thrown my sheep at a lion." Kyung-Hye commented as she found herself held like it hadn't happened in a long time, not like this.
"I would not go that far," Nitrian replied.
"So you are a liar… And here I thought we had a kind boy in our hands, I'm around 30 years older than you, you know." Kyung-Hye pointed out, but she didn't pull away or push him, she was just there, basking in the moment.
"It's a small difference in the grand scheme of things. I just want you all to be happy." He said.
"If you weren't the Nitrian I know from so small, I would have slapped you and thrown you out, but I'll believe you, just be sure to be good to Jinah, understood?" She says as she finally makes some distance between them.
"I will, not just take good care of her, I'll take care of you all." He replies.
"Hahaha, thanks for making me feel a little young again, but focus. You have a life ahead of you, if you don't think right, you'll loose everything. So let me bless this lost mind." She wasn't mad at him, just worried, as she walked up to him, and kissed his forehead, before walking back inside in a hurry, seemingly afraid he'll pull her back in again.
(… I really lucked out, all the women closest to me right now are amazing. I have to take the best care of them all I can.) He decided and looked at the city again, before going inside himself.
Everything was good, then he went to his room as it was deep into nighttime and he felt something odd, as he was walking a surge of energy and strength came to him.
Pumping through him faster and harder than blood, as if he were drinking coffee for days, everything just seemed to feel a little more fragile.
"This… Mana… I'm a hunter… Finally!… I can focus on-" A smile overcame his face just as he was about to celebrate.
Cough! Cough! Thud!
He heard coming from the living room and immediately came out to check what was going on, and he found Kyung-Hye, on the ground unconscious as the others checked on her.
(… It's happening… Already?… Does that mean Il-Hwan already awakened? Or... Was it my fault?… What am I thinking about? I have to help her. She's my aunt!) He told himself snapping out of the shock to go check on her.
After that, they all went to the hospital.
Standing beside her hospital bad at the hospital, he looked at her.
(It's weird… I knew this would happen but looking at her like this, and remembering how lively she was just a bit ago, it feels fake… Don't worry, Jinwoo will save you… I'll make sure it happens.) He found himself holding her hand before he even knew it.
There was no denying that he was fully intent on going deeper and taking the reigns of his fate, and all who are close to him.