I walked towards the cafeteria, trying to keep that jerk of a guy off my mind.

Ugh. People like that are annoying.

Entering the lunch room, I was met with the stares of almost everybody.

Right, I am the only human here, aren't I...

Some monsters looked completely human, like John and Anna, while others had different, non-human body parts, like Brutus. It was really interesting.

I tried to ignore their stares as I went to grab my food. Really, it was awkward and uncomfortable to have everyone focusing on you.

Stop staring at me!

I went through the lunch line, grabbing some items to eat. I got pizza, chips, and of course, fruit snacks.

The best snack ever invented, hands down. You can't tell me otherwise.

Getting out of the lunch line, I noticed someone waving towards me from a table. Squinting, I was able to make out that it was John.

"Hey John." I greeted, walking to his table. Other than him, the only other person sitting there was Anna. "Hey Anna."

"Hey Jack." He responded. "How's the first day?"

"Hi Jack!" Anna happily said.

"Interesting." I answered. "We didn't learn stuff about Monsters and Corrupted at Midground High."

John shrugged. "Other subjects are more important here."

"Yeah. Why are there combat classes?" I asked. Later today I had a Combat Class, which I could only assume taught us how to fight.

"The Underworld isn't peaceful." John explained. "It's filled with all kinds of terrible people, as you'd expect."

"So the only safe people are either really strong or have the protection of someone really strong." John continued. "That's why so many people are here at this school. Madam Webb invited them, and they joined. So they can get education, protection, and learn how to fight."

"Then there's the Corrupted. They're dangerous, mindless beasts that just want to kill." John added. "They'll easily kill anyone untrained."

"Ah. That makes a lot of sense." I thought.

I saw Brutus approach our table, before freezing in fear as he saw who I was sitting next to. Ah, he's afraid of spiders. That includes spider people as well.

"Is he going to extort money?" I heard a student whisper. Though it wasn't much of a whisper.

"Is he going to beat them up?"

"What's he doing with that scary look?"

"Is there going to be a fight?"

The rumors and gossip were irritating me. You don't know Brutus! I've barely known him and even I know he's a softie!

I gave him a thumbs up, smiling. You got this!

Brutus quietly gulped, before sitting at our table.

"He sat down?!" Someone whispered, surprised.

Yeah, he wasn't starting a fight. Don't judge a person by their shark face!

"Ah...hello. It's nice to meet you." Brutus slowly greeted. "I'm Jack's roommate, Brutus."

"I'm John, Jack's best friend. This is my twin sister, Anna." John replied.

Hey, why are you all introducing yourselves through me?! That's strange!

Suddenly someone sat next to me, glaring at Anna.

Oh, it was Angela.

Looking at Anna, she was also glaring at Angela.

What's with the hostility, you two?

Wait...it can't be...no...!

Sally, pull up the [Affection] screen!

"On it Host." Sally responded, the [Affection] screen popping out in front of me.

[Affection]

Lilia Walker - 100

Annabeth Webb - 110

Angela Ignis - 100

She loves me?! Wait, it could be familial love! Maybe she sees me as a brother! Sally, open the [Harem] screen!

The screen changed, moving from [Affection] to [Harem].

[Harem]

(2/10)

1. Annabeth Webb - Arachnid

2. Angela Ignis - Holy Fire Angel

3. None

4. None

5. None

6. None

7. None

8. None

9. None

10. None

Gah! She really does love me that way! Why?!

"Host, you did save her from her 1,000 year imprisonment. Without you, she could have been stuck there forever." Sally stated, as if I was an idiot.

Well...

Fine, I admit it! I'm an idiot! There, happy?!

"You're an idiot." Sally sighed.

I know! I just told you that!

But I guess that does make sense. I'm sure I would hold big feelings for someone who saved me from an eternal slumber.

Oh god, how am I going to manage these two? I almost died when Anna misunderstood what had happened between Angela and I, and they're still glaring at each other!

To be fair though, Angela was completely naked except for my hoodie. It may have been cliche, but it made a lot of sense why Anna misunderstood.

Stop glaring at each other! Please! I can see the sparks flying between you two!

"Are you the human Jackson Walker?" A voice asked behind me, interrupting me from my currently derailing train of thought.

"Uh, yeah?" I replied, turning around in my seat.

A girl my age stood behind me, hands on her hips as she looked down at me. She had short, light blue hair, with two black horns poking out from them. Behind her swished a scaly, reptile like blue tail which matched her hair.

"It's Sapphire Caer!" Someone gasped.

"The dragon?!" Another person exclaimed.

"Yeah! She's one of the strongest students here!" A third person gossiped.

Oh. She must be pretty popular then. Cute, strong, and a dragon.

"I challenge you to a fight!" She yelled, pointing her finger towards me.

What...?

The whole cafeteria went silent.

Hold up. You want to fight me? A human? What?

I'm going to die! Why would I accept your challenge! I'd rather stay alive, even if people start to see me as a coward!

Come on, she's a freaking dragon!

[Mission] - Accept and win the fight against Sapphire.

[Reward] - 80 AP

[Punishment] - Dance in the middle of school while on fire.

[Time] - 5 Days.

[Y/N]

You're kidding me?! I have to fight her, and win?!

Or else I dance while on fire?! I was burned once by those Holy Flames, and I never want to be burnt ever again! Never!

Sally, this System is too cruel!

"The System is helping give you a harem. For something so great, there has to be a trade-off." Sally logically stated.

But I don't want a harem! There's no way I'm going to survive both an Arachnid and an Angel fighting over me! Not to mention eight more monster girls!

I just wanted a single girlfriend! Was that too much to ask for?!

I internally sighed.

Sally, accept the mission...

"On it Host." Replied Sally. She accepted the mission.

"Hey! How dare you-" Angel started, before I stopped her.

"It's fine." I said. I looked to Sapphire. "I accept your challenge."

"What?!" Almost every student in the cafeteria cried out.

Sapphire's eyes slightly widened, before she grinned. "I didn't think you'd accept. Get ready to be beaten. The match will be in five days, on Saturday." She said, before walking off.

"Why did you accept?!" John frantically asked. "Do you know how strong she is?!"

"No. How strong?" I asked, curious. It's not too bad, right?

"She's the second strongest in the school! She can literally turn into a dragon!" John nervously ranted. "Oh no, you're going to die!"

Oh. It's bad. It's really bad.

"Now was not that the time to try to preserve your reputation!" Anna yelled.

"As expected of Jack. He'll be able to easily defeat Sapphire." Angela stated.

Angela...

You believe in me too much. The twins are being way more rational than you.

"You got this." Brutus said, nodding. "You didn't run away when we first met."

Oh, most people run away from Brutus when they first meet. That's sad...

Maybe that's why Brutus didn't have a roommate.

...

Sally, do you think that I could take on Sapphire now?

"Absolutely not." Sally immediately replied.

Ouch. My pride...

Yeah, I'm going to die, aren't I?

"If you were an ordinary human, yes. But you aren't. You have the [Monster Harem System]. It's secondary purpose is to make the Host strong enough to manage a Monster Harem." Sally explained.

"We need to use your AP for the Lottery, level up your skills, and level up your stats." Sally informed.

That's a lot.

"It is. But it will give you a chance against her." Sally confirmed.

But she's the SECOND strongest student in the whole school. That's really strong! That means she's stronger than both Anna and Angela!

"The System has tons of potential. She may be strong, but she's still only sixteen, a young girl. She has a long way to go as well." Sally said, trying to instill some confidence into me.

"And the only reason you have a chance is because of the System, and the fact that she is underestimating you." Sally bluntly stated.

Ouch. You've wounded my pride once more. But yeah, I can only grow a little stronger in five days. Not enough to be stronger than the second strongest.

But who said I had to be stronger?

I can be smarter, more versatile. I'll have to do some researching on dragons. Hopefully there's a book on them in the library.

"You should start by using your AP. You have enough to use the Lottery twice." Sally suggested.

Alright. Sally, bring up the Lottery screen!

"Of course Host." Sally replied, the lottery screen appearing in front of me, same as always.

Alright, let's spin it!

The wheel started to spin, eating up 100 of my AP. It spun faster and faster, before slowing down and coming to a stop.

"Congratulations, you got the [Deathbane Bow]!" Cheered Sally. "It's an Epic Rank weapon!"

Awesome! Let's check it out! Sally, go to [Inventory] please!

"On it Host." Sally replied, bringing up the [Inventory] screen.

[Inventory]

[Fire Crystal] - 1 - Crystallized mana in the elemental form of fire.

[Deathbane Bow] Level 1 - A Bow made from the bones of a Grim Reaper. It is extremely hard to break.

Wait...weapons have levels?

"Some weapons grow stronger or unlock abilities as they are leveled up." Sally informed.

Oh, that's awesome! Alright! Looks like I'll need to learn how to shoot a bow.

Okay, let's roll again!

Going back to the [Lottery] screen, the last of my AP disappeared as I rolled once more for something good.

"Congratulations, you got the Common Skill [Eagle Eye]!" Sally cheered.

I would be upset, but I learned not to underestimate Common skills because of [Freerunner]. So, what does it do?

Going to [Profile], it now showed my fourth skill, [Eagle Eye].

[Eagle Eye] Level 1 - You can see farther and clearer.

Wow. That goes hand in hand with the bow.

...

I'm so lucky. I may have a chance against her.

Well, looks like it's time to grind!