Emperor's harem: Transmigrated with SSS mana talent
Chapter 90: [Selina]

Chapter 90: [Selina]

The morning sun filtered softly through the curtains as Kael woke, the quiet of the church already stirring with movement.

After a simple breakfast shared with the others, the day’s tasks began to pull everyone in separate directions.

Nyra departed for the Night Goddess Church, her steps purposeful as she prepared to fully commit to her new role.

Selene busied herself overseeing the house construction and handling the legal affairs that piled up like heavy stones on the duke’s shoulders.

The general set out to recruit men for the army, determined to build strength before threats could gather.

Meanwhile, Lira and Riven, the older orphans, kept a watchful eye over the younger children at the orphanage, their vigilant gazes sharp and steady.

Kael, however, had his own mission.

Since the church didn’t have a training facility, Kael made his way to the public training grounds of his duchy.

The grounds were bustling, filled with various training instruments—wooden dummies for sword practice, archery targets lined up for bow training, and spaces for physical drills.

At the entrance, Kael handed over two gold coins as the entry fee, earning a curt nod from the gatekeeper.

Inside, the training grounds buzzed with activity.

Many were practicing diligently—some swinging swords, others drawing bows. A few glanced at Kael and murmured among themselves, recognizing the young duke, but no one dared interrupt.

Kael’s eyes found Yue, who hovered nearby, her expression unreadable.

"So," he asked, voice steady despite the weight on his shoulders,

"what do I need to do?"

Yue’s gaze sharpened. "Run. Run until you feel like dying."

Kael grimaced, but his determination flared stronger.

He moved toward a strange device— resembling a mage-tech version of the running machines from his old world.

The machine hummed softly, magical runes glowing faintly along its frame.

Setting it to a low speed, Kael stepped on and began to run.

Run.

The minutes stretched into an hour.

At first, the pace was steady, almost comfortable, but Yue’s silent command echoed in Kael’s mind—run until you feel like dying.

Slowly, almost imperceptibly, he increased the speed on the mage-tech machine.

His legs burned.

Muscles screamed in protest with every pounding step.

Sweat soaked his shirt, dripping down his temples and stinging his eyes.

Breath came ragged and uneven, like a storm struggling to find calm.

His heart thudded hard against his ribs, threatening to burst free.

Every fiber of his body begged for relief, but he forced himself to keep going—one foot in front of the other.

Time blurred.

His vision tunneled.

Then, just as fatigue clawed its deepest, his foot caught on the edge of the machine’s surface.

He slipped.

The world tipped, and he tumbled forward, rolling hard onto the floor.

Kael lay sprawled, chest heaving violently, his breath coming in sharp pants—harsh, uneven, desperate—like a dog struggling for air.

Kael spat on the ground, glaring at Yue.

"Are you trying to make me a runner, or teach me your sword style?"

Yue laughed, a low, sharp sound.

"I can teach you my sword style. But can your body handle its power? Don’t come complaining when you end up as meat paste."

Kael grimaced but pushed himself up, muscles protesting with every movement.

Shaking slightly, he pulled out a healing potion and took a careful sip.

Yue’s eyes narrowed.

"After a few days, no more healing potions. You have to learn to endure."

Kael cursed under his breath but said nothing more.

Soon, Yue began instructing him in a series of grueling physical exercises—push-ups that burned through his arms and chest, hanging from bars that tested his grip and endurance.

Each repetition dragged him deeper into fatigue, yet Kael kept moving, driven by determination and the weight of expectations.

Drip. Drip.

Sweat fell from him like water from a leaking tap, pooling on the dusty ground beneath him.

The sun climbed higher, reaching its peak in the midday sky, beating down mercilessly.

Kael was grinding—pushing past pain, past exhaustion—but the most frustrating part was the stubborn truth: he couldn’t feel any change in his body.

No strength surging, no ease in movement.

Kael now sat on the dusty floor, sweat still dripping, though only a handful of stubborn trainees remained around him—most had already quit.

Yeah, Kael thought grimly, power doesn’t come in a day. I have to endure.

His mind echoed with the general’s words: Keep moving forward, no matter what.

Summoning every ounce of strength, Kael stood shakily to his feet. The healing potions had long stopped working on his deep fatigue.

Just then, Yue’s calm voice cut through the haze.

"It’s over for today, Kael. Let’s go church."

He barely nodded, still catching his breath.

She added, "Then in the dream realm, we’ll practice my sword style."

Kael’s eyes flickered with a faint spark of hope amid the exhaustion.

Soon, Kael reached the church.

Riven and Lira greeted him at the entrance.

"A lady wants to meet you, sir," Riven said politely.

Kael frowned. "I told you already—I don’t want to meet anyone."

Lira glanced nervously but continued, "But she is the daughter of Duchess Selvaria, sir."

Kael froze. "What?"

"She’s been waiting a long time in the church’s main hall," Riven added.

Kael sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Alright. Inform her I’m coming."

Both nodded and left without hesitation.

Turning to Yue, Kael asked quietly, "What is she doing here?"

Yue shook her head, silent as always.

Kael went to take a bath and change into his formal clothes.

When he opened the church hall’s doors, a beautiful young girl sat there, poised and calm—clearly the daughter of Duchess Selvaria.

She smiled and said softly,

"Nice to meet you, Duke. My name is Selina."

Kael returned her smile, though his eyes remained sharp and vigilant. He knew better than to trust a noble’s daughter so easily—especially one sent by Duchess Selvaria.

Playing along, he inclined his head slightly.

"I’m Duke Kael Drenlor. It’s a pleasure, Selina."

He gracefully took a seat across from her, folding his hands calmly on his lap.

"Please, tell me what brings you here," Kael said, his tone polite but measured, every word carefully chosen.

Selina’s eyes gleamed with a mixture of ambition and curiosity as she began to speak.