Chapter 5: Pumping all my Affection Points!

Ryuto had become an expert at playing both sides of his double life. By day, he was the picture-perfect baby of the Velclair family, smiling, cooing, and soaking in the affectionate doting of his older sister Celeste. By night, he was something entirely different: a secret sorcerer, practicing his magic and pushing the limits of his power. Each night, under the cover of darkness, Ryuto would sneak out into the estate's garden and attempt new spells, always careful to keep his activities hidden from the rest of the household.

And it was working. His control over his Mana was improving, if only a little, and his confidence was growing. But that confidence had its costs.

It had started out like any other night of practice. The cool evening air wrapped around him as he crawled out of the nursery, making his way to the familiar patch of the garden where the towering oak tree provided plenty of cover. He felt the excitement buzz through him as he imagined the possibilities, if he could harness his power fully, he would be unstoppable.

But magic, especially with his absurdly high Mana, was unpredictable.

Ryuto raised his small hands, focusing on a fire spell he had been working on. He imagined the flames in his palms, keeping them small and manageable, and for a moment, it seemed like he had it. The soft, flickering flames danced across his fingertips, warm and bright against the cool night.

But then, without warning, his Mana surged.

The tiny flame exploded outward, sending a wave of fire that licked dangerously close to the drapes hanging in the nursery's open window. Ryuto's eyes widened in panic as the flames reached up, threatening to catch the fabric and set the entire estate ablaze.

"No, no, no!" Ryuto thought, desperately clapping his hands together and cutting off the spell. The fire vanished as quickly as it had appeared, but not before leaving a faint scorch mark on the stone wall.

He sat back on the ground, his tiny body trembling with a mix of fear and frustration.

"That was too close," he realized, staring at the scorch mark. "I can't keep practicing indoors. If I keep pushing my Mana like this, I'll burn the whole place down."

His breath steadied, and he wiped a bit of sweat from his forehead. Ryuto knew it was time to make a decision. From now on, his magic practice would have to happen outside, far away from the delicate furnishings of the estate.

But that would come with its own risks.

Ryuto's mind buzzed with his decision as the next day passed in a blur of doting attention from his family. Celeste had taken to coddling him even more lately, and it was no accident. He had been pouring affection points into her profile through the Dating Sim App, subtly manipulating her feelings so that she'd focus on him more.

And focus on him, she did.

"Oh, Ryuto, you're so cute I can hardly stand it!" Celeste cooed, holding him close as she sat in the estate's sitting room, gently bouncing him on her lap. Ryuto nestled into her arms, giving her an innocent smile. His face pressed lightly against her soft chest, and he could feel the faintest graze of her breasts as she cuddled him.

"Not exactly complaining," Ryuto thought with a smirk hidden behind his baby face. He wasn't exactly averse to the extra attention, and Celeste's affection made her a valuable ally. The closer she was to him, the easier it would be to pull her strings when the time came.

Celeste ran her fingers through his dark hair, completely oblivious to his inner thoughts. "You're going to grow up to be so strong and handsome," she murmured, brushing her cheek against his. "I just know it."

Ryuto let out a soft coo, playing the part perfectly, though his mind was already on what he would do once the sun went down. I'll need to find a better spot to practice tonight. Somewhere more remote. I can't afford to get caught again.

As Celeste continued to dote on him, Ryuto savored the warmth of her embrace, but he knew that the real excitement was still to come. Tonight, he would test his magic again, this time outside, where there would be no drapes to catch fire.

Later that night, after the estate had fallen into its usual quiet routine, Ryuto waited patiently for Elara to fall asleep before making his move. The now-familiar routine of sneaking out had become second nature to him, and as he crawled across the nursery floor and out into the garden, he felt a surge of anticipation.

This time, he went further into the estate's grounds, finding a secluded spot near the edge of the property where a dense thicket of trees would hide him from view. The air was cool and crisp, the night sky clear and bright with stars. It was the perfect place to test his magic without the risk of setting the estate on fire.

Ryuto sat up, his small body hidden beneath the trees, and raised his hands, ready to attempt the spell again. He had learned from his earlier mistake, and this time, he was determined to control the flame, no matter how powerful his Mana was.

He focused, channeling the energy into his palms, and once again, the familiar flicker of flames appeared. This time, though, the fire remained small and steady, dancing across his fingertips without surging out of control. Ryuto grinned to himself, feeling the power at his command.

"Finally. I'm getting the hang of this."

But just as he was about to push the spell further, a low growl echoed from the trees.

Ryuto froze, his flames sputtering out as his eyes darted toward the sound. From the darkness beyond the trees, the same corrupted creature he had seen before emerged, its eyes glowing with malevolent light. Its twisted, wolf-like form was even more terrifying up close, and Ryuto could feel the weight of its presence pressing down on him.

The creature let out another growl, its charred fur smoking as it stalked toward him. Ryuto's heart raced. He had barely escaped the last encounter thanks to Celeste's intervention, but now he was alone.

"I can't let it get near me," he thought, panic rising in his chest. "But I can't run, either. I have to fight!"

The creature lunged, and without thinking, Ryuto threw up his hands and released the fire spell he had been practicing. The flames shot forward, engulfing the creature in a burst of fire. The monster howled in pain, its body writhing as the fire consumed it.

But it wasn't enough.

The creature shook off the flames and continued its approach, snarling with rage. Ryuto could feel his Mana surging again, more power than he had ever felt before. If he didn't control it, he'd lose everything, but if he didn't use it, the creature would tear him apart.

With a deep breath, Ryuto gathered every ounce of control he had and released a second burst of fire, this one far more powerful than the first. The flames roared to life, swallowing the creature in a blinding inferno. For a moment, the entire night was lit up by the sheer force of the spell.

When the flames finally died down, the creature was gone. Nothing remained but a smoldering patch of earth where it had stood.

Ryuto panted, his tiny body trembling from the effort. He had done it, he had destroyed the monster. But before he could catch his breath, a new problem presented itself.

Just as Ryuto was about to crawl back toward the nursery, he heard a voice calling from the distance.

"Ryuto? Ryuto!"

It was Celeste, and she was getting closer.

"Crap! She can't find me here!" Ryuto thought, panic rising again. He quickly curled up on the ground, forcing himself to cry as loudly as he could, playing the part of the helpless baby in distress.

Within moments, Celeste appeared, her face pale with fear as she rushed over to where Ryuto lay. "Ryuto! What are you doing out here?" she gasped, scooping him up in her arms and holding him close.

Ryuto continued to cry, hoping she wouldn't notice the scorched earth or the faint traces of magic in the air.

Celeste looked around, her brow furrowing in confusion. "Who… who saved you?" she whispered, scanning the trees for any sign of another person. "There was a monster… I can feel it. But someone must have saved you. Who?"

Ryuto's fake cries grew softer as Celeste rocked him gently, clearly troubled by the fact that there was no one else around. She didn't see the scorched earth, but something had clearly unsettled her.

As she carried Ryuto back toward the estate, he felt a twinge of guilt, not for the destruction he had caused, but for the growing suspicion in Celeste's eyes. She was starting to realize that something wasn't right.

But Ryuto wasn't worried. He had Celeste's affection, and as long as he played his cards right, she wouldn't suspect the truth. For now, he would keep playing the innocent baby, and she would keep protecting him.

But soon enough, Celeste would figure out that her baby brother wasn't as helpless as he seemed. For now, though, Ryuto's tears and soft whimpers did the trick. Celeste, concerned but still adoring, held him tighter, her voice soothing as she whispered reassurances.

"It's alright, Ryuto. You're safe now," she murmured, kissing the top of his head. "I don't know what happened, but I won't let anything hurt you."

Ryuto nestled closer, feeling her warmth and the soft brush of her small but firm chest against his cheek. He wasn't exactly complaining about the extra affection, even as his mind raced through the possibilities of what might happen next.

"She's definitely more suspicious now, but as long as I keep her affection high, I'm in the clear. I'll just have to be careful with my magic."

As they made their way back inside, Ryuto glanced over his sister's shoulder at the garden behind them. The patch of scorched earth where the monster had been destroyed was still smoldering faintly in the moonlight, but Celeste hadn't noticed. That was a relief, but it was also a reminder: he was playing a dangerous game.

Inside, Celeste laid him back in his crib, her brow furrowed as she tucked him in carefully.

"I'll have to tell Father about this," she whispered to herself. "Something's not right. These monsters… they're coming closer. We need to find out why."

Ryuto pretended to sleep as Celeste sat by his crib, watching him for a while longer. She eventually left the room, but not before casting one last concerned glance his way.

As the door closed behind her, Ryuto opened his eyes, his thoughts racing. The corruption was spreading faster than he had anticipated, and Celeste's growing suspicion meant he would have to be even more careful from now on. Still, he had defeated the monster. He was stronger than before, and that was all that mattered.

He smirked to himself, a plan forming in his mind.

"I'm getting closer. Soon, I'll have full control over my magic. And when I do, I'll be the one controlling everything."

The following morning, Ryuto woke up to the soft sunlight filtering through the nursery windows. Nanny Elara was humming as she tidied the room, her usual routine calm and familiar. But Ryuto could sense a shift in the air. Something felt different, tense.

And he knew exactly why.

"Celeste is suspicious. Last night was too close," Ryuto thought, his mind already racing as he pretended to stretch in his crib. He had taken a big risk fighting that corrupted monster, but there was no turning back now. Celeste had come dangerously close to realizing something was off with him, and he needed to tighten his act before her suspicions grew.

As Elara dressed him for the day, Ryuto heard footsteps approaching the nursery. The door creaked open, and Celeste stepped inside, her expression softer but still troubled. She made her way to the crib, her silver hair glowing in the morning light as she looked down at Ryuto.

"Good morning, my little Ryuto," she said, her voice gentle but carrying an edge of concern.

Ryuto cooed innocently, reaching up toward her with his tiny hands. He knew that this morning wasn't going to be like all the others. Celeste was still thinking about what happened the night before. The dating sim app had been doing its job, Celeste's affection for him was growing steadily, but it wouldn't be enough to keep her from wondering if something strange was going on.

As Celeste picked him up, cradling him close, Ryuto could feel her eyes lingering on him a little longer than usual. He nestled against her, giving her the most innocent smile he could muster, even as his mind raced to figure out his next steps.

"I'm not letting you out of my sight again," she whispered, almost to herself. "That creature… It's a miracle you weren't hurt. Whoever saved you… I wish I knew who they were."

Ryuto fought the urge to smirk. If only you knew, he thought, snuggling closer to her, his cheek pressing against her soft chest. The warmth of her embrace was soothing, and while he enjoyed the extra affection, he couldn't let himself get too comfortable. He needed to keep Celeste focused on protecting him, and to do that, he'd need to increase her affection points even more.

As Celeste carried him through the estate, Ryuto mentally opened the Dating Sim App, quickly pulling up Celeste's profile. Her affection level had risen since the previous day, but not by much. It was sitting at 85/100, which was higher than most, but not high enough to completely erase her suspicions.

I need her to trust me even more. It'll keep her off my trail, and make her more protective. Win-win.

He tapped into her profile and allocated some of his points, watching as her affection level slowly ticked upward.

Celeste's Affection

85 ➔ 90

Immediately, Ryuto felt a difference in the way she held him. Celeste's arms tightened around him, cradling him even closer as they wandered through the estate. She leaned down and kissed his forehead gently, her breath warm against his skin.

"You're such a precious little thing," she murmured, smiling softly as she gazed down at him. "I'll never let anything happen to you, Ryuto. I promise."

Ryuto sighed contentedly, allowing himself to enjoy the moment. Celeste's growing affection was making her protective, and that was exactly what he needed right now. The closer she was to him, the easier it would be to keep her from figuring out the truth. Plus, the added attention wasn't exactly unwelcome.

"As long as she keeps thinking I'm her adorable little brother, I'm safe."

As Celeste continued to fuss over him, Ryuto's cheek brushed against her chest again, and he couldn't help but smirk inwardly. Soft, warm, and utterly devoted to him. For now, things were going according to plan.

Later that afternoon, Ryuto found himself once again in the estate's grand dining hall. This time, however, there was a noticeable tension in the air. Duke Alphonse sat at the head of the table, his expression even more severe than usual, while Edwin sat to his right, his posture stiff and alert.

Celeste sat with Ryuto on her lap, bouncing him gently as the family discussed the recent events. Ryuto, though quiet and pretending to be the picture of innocence, was listening carefully.

"The creatures have become bolder," Duke Alphonse said, his voice low and commanding. "They're moving closer to the estate, attacking more frequently. We can't ignore this any longer."

Edwin nodded, his eyes flashing with a determination that Ryuto had seen many times before. "We need to figure out where they're coming from. There has to be someone behind this, someone controlling them."

Ryuto's ears perked up. Someone controlling them? His heart raced as he listened. Could there really be a sorcerer summoning these monsters, as Edwin suspected?

"We found traces of dark magic near the village," Duke Alphonse continued, his gaze darkening. "It's clear now, there's a sorcerer nearby, summoning these creatures. They're being drawn to the corruption in the land, but we've yet to find the source."

The word corruption sent a shiver down Ryuto's spine. The Corruption Monitor App had been tracking the spread of corruption around the estate, but he hadn't realized just how serious the situation was becoming. If these creatures were being drawn to the corruption, it meant that his Mana might be involved, however indirectly.

Celeste looked worried as she glanced down at Ryuto. "Do you think the sorcerer is targeting us, Father? Why would they send the creatures to our estate?"

"We don't know yet," Alphonse replied, his jaw clenched. "But we will find out. I've already sent scouts into the surrounding forests. If there's a sorcerer in hiding, we'll hunt them down."

Ryuto's heart pounded. The Velclair family was preparing for a fight, and the corruption was growing faster than anyone realized. The pieces were starting to come together, but Ryuto knew there was still so much he didn't understand.

"A sorcerer summoning corrupted monsters… Why? What do they want?" He needed to find out more, but there were too many unknowns. If the Velclair family found the sorcerer, it could disrupt everything, both for the family and for Ryuto's secret plans.

As the conversation continued, Ryuto remained still in Celeste's arms, his baby façade firmly in place. But beneath the surface, his mind was working overtime. If there was a sorcerer behind the corruption, it meant that magic in this world was more dangerous, and more powerful, than he had initially thought. And if the Velclairs were going to investigate, he'd need to tread carefully.

The Corruption Monitor App hadn't given him any new alerts yet, but Ryuto had a feeling it wouldn't be long before it did. The corruption was growing, and he was right in the middle of it.

"I'll need to be ready. If I can find out who this sorcerer is before the Velclairs do, I might be able to use them to my advantage."

For now, Ryuto would continue playing his part, manipulating Celeste's affection and keeping his family off his trail. But when the time came, he would be ready to take control.

As the day came to a close and the family dispersed, Ryuto was carried back to the nursery by Elara. His mind, however, was anything but tired. The corruption was spreading, monsters were being summoned, and a sorcerer was out there somewhere, likely tied to the corruption that Ryuto's phone had been tracking.

"This is getting dangerous, but it's also getting interesting," he thought as Elara tucked him into bed. "I just need to keep getting stronger. The more I learn, the more control I'll have over all of this."

As the nursery lights dimmed and the household settled into the quiet of the night, Ryuto opened his smartphone once more. The Corruption Monitor still showed the same level as before, but he could sense it creeping higher with each passing day. The next time he used magic, he'd be closer to unlocking its full potential.

But for now, Ryuto focused on his Stats App, tapping through his progress and reviewing his abilities. His Magic Control was slowly improving, but it still wasn't enough to handle larger spells without risking exposure.

He smiled to himself as he reviewed his latest accomplishments. Defeating the monster had been a major victory, but it was just the beginning.

That night, after Elara had left the nursery and the estate had fallen into its usual quiet, Ryuto lay awake, his mind buzzing with the events of the day. His thoughts drifted back to the corrupted creature he had destroyed, the flashes of fire, and the sheer rush of power that had surged through him. He was getting stronger, more capable, and every day brought him closer to unlocking his full potential.

But there was something else on his mind too. Something he had been daydreaming about more frequently: the idea of building his own harem. It wasn't just about power or control, it was about surrounding himself with the most beautiful women in the world. Monster girls, noblewomen, sorceresses, it didn't matter. In this new life, Ryuto had the power to make his fantasies a reality.

"Yeah… a harem of gorgeous women, all devoted to me," he thought, a slow grin spreading across his face as he imagined the possibilities. "I'll flirt with them, tease them, charm them… they'll all be mine."

In his mind's eye, he could see it now: beautiful monster girls with shimmering scales or sharp fangs, all vying for his attention. Maybe a seductive demoness with a fiery temper, or an elegant elf who would blush under his compliments. He'd flirt with each one, whisper sweet nothings in their ears, and watch as they melted at his charm.

Ryuto chuckled to himself, feeling a warm sense of satisfaction wash over him.

But then, unexpectedly, a different image appeared in his mind.

Celeste.

Her bright smile. The way she always cradled him so gently, the warmth of her embrace as she held him close. The soft, sweet scent of her perfume and the way her small but firm chest pressed against his cheek when she held him.

Ryuto blinked, the image catching him off guard. Why was he thinking of Celeste? She was his sister, part of his new family. Sure, she was beautiful, but she was supposed to be off-limits. She was… different.

He shook his head, trying to clear the thoughts from his mind. "No, no, no! Celeste isn't part of this! She's my sister, not some random girl!"

But the more he tried to push the thought away, the more it lingered. He realized that over the past few days, he had been thinking about Celeste more and more. It wasn't just about how beautiful she was, or how much attention she gave him, it was something deeper. She wasn't just a pretty face in his harem fantasy anymore. She was… family.

That word felt strange to him. Family. Back in his old life, the concept of family had been distant, almost irrelevant. But here, in this world, it felt different. Celeste wasn't just some random girl he could flirt with. She was his big sister, someone who genuinely cared for him, someone who had protected him more than once.

And that made things complicated.

"Damn it," he muttered under his breath, shifting uncomfortably in his crib. "This is getting weird."

He didn't like the idea of being conflicted, of having these feelings. Ryuto prided himself on being in control, and yet here he was, stuck thinking about Celeste in ways he hadn't anticipated. Maybe it was the growing bond between them, or maybe it was the way she held him, doted on him, and made him feel… safe.

For the first time in a long time, Ryuto wasn't sure what to do with these emotions. He didn't want them. He wanted to focus on his power, on his plans for the future. But Celeste… Celeste kept creeping into his thoughts.

With a sigh, Ryuto closed his eyes and forced the images out of his head. There was no use thinking about it now. He had bigger things to worry about, like the growing corruption and the mysterious sorcerer that was threatening his new life.

The next morning came quickly, and Ryuto found himself once again sitting in the dining hall with his family. Duke Alphonse, Edwin, and Celeste were all gathered around the table, their expressions grim as they discussed the recent monster attacks and the corruption spreading across the estate.

"We've found more evidence," Duke Alphonse said, his tone sharp. "The creatures are coming from the forests to the east. Our scouts found signs of rituals, dark magic, designed to summon and corrupt."

Edwin, ever the stern and disciplined older brother, nodded. "It's clear we're dealing with a sorcerer. These creatures are too organized, too focused. Someone is controlling them."

Ryuto, sitting quietly in his high chair, listened intently. He wasn't surprised by the news, after all, his Corruption Monitor app had already hinted at something bigger happening. But hearing it confirmed was another thing entirely.

Celeste looked worried as she held Ryuto close, her eyes darting between her father and Edwin. "What will we do, Father? These creatures are getting closer to the estate. It's not safe."

"We'll handle it," Duke Alphonse replied, his voice resolute. "I'm sending a party of our best soldiers into the forest to hunt down the sorcerer. We'll find the source of this magic and put an end to it."

Ryuto's heart skipped a beat. They're going to hunt down the sorcerer? This could be my chance to figure out what's really going on. He knew that if he could get involved in some way, he might be able to learn more about the corruption and how it tied into his own powers.

But as much as he wanted to jump at the opportunity, he had to be careful. He was still just a baby in the eyes of his family, and any misstep could blow his cover.

"I want you to stay close to the estate, Celeste," Duke Alphonse added, his gaze shifting to his daughter. "The creatures may come again. You'll be safer here."

Celeste nodded, her expression serious. "Of course, Father. I won't leave Ryuto's side."

Ryuto smirked internally. Perfect. Celeste's overprotectiveness is exactly what I need right now. With her focused on keeping him safe, he could continue his own investigation, quietly, of course.

The rest of the day passed in a blur of activity as the Velclair household prepared for the hunt. Duke Alphonse sent his most trusted soldiers into the forests to the east, each one armed with enchanted weapons designed to fight off corrupted creatures. Edwin was given command of the mission, his cold and calculating nature making him the perfect leader for such a dangerous task.

But Ryuto wasn't focused on the soldiers or the weapons. He was focused on the sorcerer, the person behind the corruption. Whoever they were, they held the key to unlocking the mystery of the corruption, and Ryuto was determined to find out who they were.

As night fell once again, Ryuto found himself lying in his crib, staring up at the ceiling, his mind racing with plans.

"The Velclairs will find the sorcerer eventually, but I need to get ahead of them. If I can unlock the Corruption Monitor's full potential, I might be able to track the source before they do."

But even as he thought about his plans, his mind drifted back to Celeste. Her worried expression, her protective embrace… he couldn't shake the feeling that his connection to her was growing stronger, more complicated.

"Focus, Ryuto," he muttered to himself, shaking off the thought. "There's too much at stake to get distracted."

With a sigh, he closed his eyes, letting sleep take him as the Velclair family prepared for the battle ahead.

But even in sleep, the image of Celeste lingered in his mind, a constant reminder of the conflict brewing within him.