Free Web NovelChapter 170: Narcissist in the Mirror
System, quickly buy something from the shop that a five-year-old boy can eat... something soft and light, Lucian ordered inwardly.
[Ding! Purchasing one bag of diabetes-inducing, ridiculously overpriced marshmallows. Next time, try packing a lunch instead of using my premium dimensional store for your babysitting duties. Deducting points...]
Without giving Lucian time to overthink it, a soft, crinkling bag materialized directly into his hand.
"Alright, open your eyes..." Lucian said softly.
The moment Leon opened his eyes, Lucian handed him the bag overflowing with soft, fluffy marshmallows.
"Yuppieeee!"
Leon snatched the bag and instantly started bouncing up and down on the mattress. Lucian watched him with deep affection. After tiring himself out, Leon finally plopped down on the edge of the bed and started happily munching. Lucian just sat there, resting his chin on his hand, completely amused as he watched the kid’s little cheeks bulging out like a chipmunk with every gulp.
After a few minutes of domestic peace, Lucian’s expression shifted back to a serious, calculating look.
Alright, let’s see where we stand, he thought. System, show me everyone’s affection levels.
[Processing Request... Generating Affection & Thought Logs. Try not to let your ego inflate too much.]
[ Leon ]
Affection Level: 500
Current Thought: "Yumm, yumm... I wanna share this with Papa, but there’s just so little..."
[ Seraphina Ashenblade ]
Affection Level: 286
Current Thought: "Finally, I have some free time! Tomorrow, the very first thing I’ll do is go straight to Halmon’s shop, buy 10 buffer breads, and enjoy them with everyone..."
[ Elira Frostveil ]
Affection Level: 285
Current Thought: "My jaw... it is still exactly the same as ever. I still don’t see a single scratch on myself. Hmm... I truly am strong..."
[ Aria Lighthollow ]
Affection Level: 285
Current Thought: "I really wish I could sleep beside Lucian right now..."
[ Kaelen Nebryss ]
Affection Level: 70 (Brotherly Affection)
Current Thought: "Pheww... finally. Just one last exam, and then I’m completely free."
[ Zeri Liora ]
Affection Level: 30 (Friendly Affection)
Current Thought: [Sleeping... no thoughts, brain empty.]
[ Lyria Draven ]
Affection Level: 45 (Friendly Affection)
Current Thought: "Oh my, Mochi is so soft and cute..." (Gently petting a fluffy cat named Mochi sleeping in her lap)
[ Zenith Korr ]
Affection Level: 50 (Neutral Affection)
Current Thought: "Sir Liebe... why would you do that?"
[ Viktor Ashford ]
Affection Level: 20 (Friendly Affection)
Current Thought: "I have to become stronger... strong enough to actually surpass that girl, Elira Frostveil."
[ Cassian Brightmore ]
Affection Level: -99 (Minus Affection / Hated you from the start)
Current Thought: "bitch-ass valemont... he knows absolutely nothing, he understands nothing. Still... at least Aria’s curse is removed. I’m just happy for her..."
[You have gained affection from several others as well. Do you wish to view them too?]
No... Lucian replied internally. By the way, does Cassian really hate me that much?
[Yes. And you can now check Cassian’s stats as well if you wish.]
Ding!
A notification chimed as all of his pending rewards were sent straight to his inventory.
[New Attribute Unlocked: Luck]
[Luck: 10]
[Fate Resistance increased by 10%]
[Fate Correction put on hold for 1 month]
"Huh...?"
As Lucian read the rewards clearly, a wave of pure ecstasy washed over him.
"Finally... a one-month hold... Hah... Hahaha! HAHAHA!"
After a brief fit of maniacal laughter, he wiped a small tear from the corner of his eye with his finger, finally catching his breath.
Ok, ok, System... Lucian thought, calming himself down. Tell me honestly. With stats like mine, do you think I can handle Instructor Kael or Magnus?
[Yes and no. If you jump into a direct fight relying purely on raw strength, then no, it is still hardly possible right now. Both Magnus and Kael are vastly superior in terms of actual, hardened combat experience.]
"Tch... can’t you ever give me a reassuring answer?" Lucian scoffed, standing up and starting to change his clothes. On the bed, Leon was still happily munching away at his marshmallows, completely oblivious to his father’s internal scheming.
[Maybe try asking a decent question first, kid. Besides, your goals are pathetically small.]
What, so you want me to ask about fighting my Master? Lucian retorted mentally. No way. People like her are the literal pillars of strength for the entire empire. And besides, Master has been on leave for days anyway.
Shhh... drip... drip...
Leaving the thought behind, Lucian stepped into the bathroom and turned on the shower.
As the first drops of freezing cold water hit the top of his head, a deep, heavy sense of relaxation washed over him, washing away the accumulated stress of the past few days.
For the next few minutes, he emptied his mind, thinking about absolutely nothing. He just stood there with his eyes closed, enjoying the feeling of the cold water dripping down his tense, exhausted body.
After a little while, turning off the shower and wrapping a towel securely around his waist, Lucian stepped out of the bathroom.
Leon was still eating. Lucian leaned in toward him.
"So, son, how’s that?"
Stuffing the absolute last marshmallow into his mouth, Leon tried his best to reply, his cheeks completely puffed out.
"Mumm umhmm hum h..."
"Haha... did you like it? Do you want to eat something else?"
Leon immediately nodded his head, his eyes sparkling.
After Giving him another packet with an affectionate smile, he stood up and casually glanced at the full-length mirror in the room and stopped, staring blankly at his own reflection for a moment.
God, I swear I am ridiculously handsome... someone as genuine and perfect as me, he thought to himself, slowly shaking his head in self-admiration. Yeah, there’s probably no one else quite like me out there...
He flexed slightly.
I mean, think about it. I have three loving wives who would stand by me anytime I need them, and an insanely overpowered Master who no one in the entire empire can defeat. So... do I even really need to become stronger anymore?
He leaned in closer to the mirror, staring deeply into his own eyes.
Yeah, I really am pretty damn handsome. I mean, look at these abs. This hair... oh boy, I’m flawless.
A smirk crept onto his face as his imagination ran wild.
If Sera saw me right now, she’d probably blush and say... "Oh, Lucian, you are so hot! Can I please touch them?" And Elira... well, Elira would just bluntly stare straight at my towel and—
Before he could finish his highly narcissistic train of thought, his gaze drifted through the mirror’s reflection and landed squarely on the bed.
Leon was sitting there, his eyes wide and unblinking, staring in total confusion at his father’s weird, dramatic flexing poses in front of the mirror.
Munch... munch... Leon’s cheeks were the only things moving as he slowly chewed his marshmallow, without judging him silently.
Lucian completely froze mid-pose. For a brief, glorious moment of vanity, he had completely forgotten there was a five-year-old audience in the room.
"Ahem."
Clearing his throat loudly to break the awkward silence, he quickly abandoned the mirror and walked over to the edge of the bed, sat down, rested his elbows on his knees, and instantly shifted his face into a dead-serious, highly intellectual expression — as if he had just been pondering the profound mysteries of the universe, rather than admiring his own abs.
Munch... munch...
The soft sound of chewing continuously echoed from behind him.
Thank God I didn’t drop the towel... he thought to himself while a drop of cold sweat rolling down his temple.
He slowly shook his head, trying to bury the immense cringe of getting caught flexing by his five-year-old kid.
After sitting in that overly serious, completely fake thinking pose for a few more minutes to salvage his dignity, he finally stood up.
"System, open the clothes category in the shop."
[Ding! Accessing the ’Clothing & Aesthetics’ dimensional catalog. Try not to dress like a complete peasant.]
the glowing blue holographic screen appeared in front of him, displaying a variety of premium, modern outfits:
’Abyssal Monarch’ Trench Coat Set: A highly extravagant, shadow-woven trench coat with glowing crimson accents and self-repairing threads. (Cost: 10,000 FP)
’Midnight Phantom’ Stealth Suit: Form-fitting, mana-infused tactical gear crafted from celestial spider silk. (Cost: 8,500 FP)
’Azure Dragon’ Silk Robes: A blend of modern design and traditional royalty, embroidered with actual dragon scales. (Cost: 7,000 FP)
’Neon Cyber’ Streetwear: Flashy, luminescent jacket and cargo pants combo for a highly disruptive, edgy look. (Cost: 5,000 FP)
’Imperial Heir’ Formal Tuxedo: A high-class, diamond-studded white tuxedo strictly designed for royal banquets. (Cost: 4,000 FP)
’Blood Moon’ Leather Jacket & Denim: Enchanted for extreme durability, fire resistance, and looking unnecessarily rebellious. (Cost: 2,500 FP)
Lucian scrolled through the glowing list and sighed.
"Nah, they are all way too over-the-top and fancy," he muttered. "I just need something simple and cheap that I can use for a one-time occasion." freewebnovel.cσ๓
Scrolling further down into the budget section, his eyes suddenly landed on a sleek, unbranded set of clothes.
"Oh, that looks great... and it’s only 1,000 FP for both of us. Buy it."
[Ding! 1,000 FP deducted. Purchasing ’Midnight Onyx’ casual matching suits (Adult & Child size).]
A soft flash of light illuminated the room, and the very next second, two sets of crisp, full black clothes materialized perfectly into his hands.
