I, the slave boy, awaken with the most potent seed!!

Later that day, the alchemist returned to Zafron's room to her routine check.

Dr. Lyra's eyes widened as she examined the X-Reflector's display. "This is... unprecedented," she murmured, her gaze flickering between Zafron and the arcane diagrams. "Your wounds have healed completely, and there's no trace of poison left in your system. It's as if you were never injured at all."

Zafron sat up, feeling surprisingly energetic. "So, I'm good to go?"

"Medically speaking, yes," Dr. Lyra replied, a hint of reluctance in her voice. "But I'd love to run more tests. Your healing ability is truly remarkable."

Internally, Dr. Lyra's thoughts raced. 'By the gods, this young man is special,' she mused, her heart quickening. 'With the XY virus decimating the male population, it's rare enough to find a man of childbearing age, let alone one so... intriguing.'

Her eyes traced Zafron's features, taking in his handsome face and the mysterious aura that seemed to surround him. 'And to think, he possesses such extraordinary healing abilities. He could be the key to understanding the virus, maybe even finding a cure.'

The scientist in her was fascinated by the medical possibilities, but the woman in her couldn't ignore the attraction she felt. 'It's been so long since I've met a man worth pursuing, both professionally and personally,' she thought, her cheeks warming at the idea.

'With the virus threat, finding a worthy partner has become almost impossible. Yet here he is, sickly handsome and shrouded in mystery. It tickles my fancy in ways I haven't felt in years.'

'I'm sure he's quite potent although… a test would be the proper thing to do. Now, what method do I use for sample extraction?' Lyra bit her lip slightly with that thought going through her head.

Dr. Lyra composed herself, trying to maintain her professional demeanor, but she couldn't help the small smile that played on her lips.

As she spoke, her hand inadvertently brushed against Zafron's arm, causing a slight blush to color her cheeks. "Perhaps we could discuss it..." she cleared her throat pausing to read the room "... Over dinner, sometime? Purely for scientific purposes, of course,"

'It doesn't have to be though, Zafron. With that face and body of yours, I doubt I'd carry out any test. Some experiments could occur though,' Lyra's cheeks began to heat up with these thoughts.

[Target's compatibility with Zafron - 84%]

'What in the…' Zafron's eyes almost bulged seeing this text displayed on the screen only he could see.

'Did her compatibility with me just move up by six percent? What's going on?'

Before Zafron could respond to her question, the door swung open with a deliberate slowness. Matilda glided in, her posture regal and her gaze sharp. Her eyes, cool and assessing, swept over the scene, lingering on the proximity between Dr. Lyra and Zafron.

"I do hope I'm not interrupting anything... vital," Matilda said, her voice honey-sweet but with an unmistakable edge. She arched an eyebrow, her lips curving into a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.

Dr. Lyra straightened, instinctively taking a step back from Zafron. The tension in the room was palpable, like a taut string ready to snap. "Not at all, Lady Matilda," she replied, her professional demeanor slipping back into place. "I was just informing Mr. Zafron that he's clear to leave."

Matilda's gaze locked onto Dr. Lyra's, a silent battle of wills playing out between them. The message in Matilda's eyes was clear: 'He's is mine. Tread carefully.'

Dr. Lyra, to her credit, held the gaze for a moment before conceding with a slight nod. She turned back to Zafron, her smile now more restrained. "Remember, don't hesitate to come back if you feel any discomfort or... anything unusual." The pause before 'unusual' was subtle, but noticeable.

"Of course," Zafron said with a smile, staring at the two women. He has seen the exchange between them and knew if anything, chances of Lyra getting another appointment from mistress Matilda just went down the drain.

As Dr. Lyra moved to leave, Matilda's voice stopped her. "We're most grateful for your care, Doctor. Your... dedication is admirable." The words were polite, but the undertone was unmistakable - a mixture of gratitude and warning.

Dr. Lyra forced a smile, nodding her head in acknowledgment. "It's my pleasure. Good day, Lady Matilda. Mr. Zafron." With that, she left the room, glancing one last time at Zafron before the door closing behind her announced her exit with a soft click.

Matilda's posture relaxed slightly as she turned to Zafron, her expression softening. "Well, my dear, shall we be on our way? I believe you've had quite enough of this place."

As they stepped out of the healing facility, Zafron was immediately struck by the vibrant energy of Drakoria. The streets bustled with activity, a stark contrast to the quieter lanes of Astoria. Towering spires of gleaming crystal and metal stretched towards the sky, their surfaces shimmering with arcane energy.

"Quite a sight, isn't it?" Matilda remarked, noticing Zafron's awe. She clutched her single bag from Astoria, a reminder of their hasty departure.

Mara fell into step beside Zafron, her eyes frequently darting to his face, a soft smile playing on her lips. "It's so different from home," she whispered, her hand occasionally brushing against his as they walked.

As they made their way through the crowded streets, Zafron couldn't help but compare Drakoria to Astoria. 'This city alone probably has more people than all of Astoria,' he mused.

"You know," Matilda began, her voice taking on a scholarly tone, "Drakoria is one of the three great regions within the Empire. Each has its own unique character and strengths."

Zafron nodded, encouraging her to continue. He was eager to learn more from someone more experienced than himself.

"Astoria, our home, is known for its rich agricultural lands and strong martial traditions," Matilda explained. "Drakoria, as you can see, is the center of magical innovation and arcane technology."

"And the third?" Zafron asked, genuinely curious.

"Lumina," Mara chimed in, surprising both Zafron and Matilda with her knowledge. "It's said to be a place of great beauty and enlightenment."

Matilda raised an eyebrow, impressed. "Indeed, Mara. Lumina is the spiritual and cultural heart of the Empire."

As they continued their walk, Zafron noticed the striking differences in the way people dressed compared to Astoria. Flowing robes embroidered with glowing runes, sleek metallic accessories that seemed to defy gravity, and ornate headpieces that pulsed with magical energy were commonplace here.

"The fashion here is... quite something," Zafron remarked, his eyes drawn to a passing woman whose cloak seemed to be made of living shadows.

Mara giggled. "It's beautiful, isn't it? So different from the plain clothes back home."

Matilda nodded, her expression thoughtful. "Drakoria values expression through magic in all aspects of life, including fashion. It's a complete turn around from Astoria's more practical approach."

As they walked, Zafron's mind raced with questions. 'How does the Empire function with such diverse regions?'

'Never really cared much for things like this. Looks like it's something I'm going to pay more attention to in the long run,' He thought with a smile.

He glanced at Mara and Matilda, both so caring yet unaware of each other's feelings for him. 'I have got these two with me. How exactly do I begin to navigate these relationships?'

Zafron knew he couldn't ignore the growing tension. He realized the depth of his feelings for both women.

'They've given up everything to be by my side,' he reflected. 'I love them both, and I owe it to them to protect and care for them equally.' He knew that navigating these relationships would be complex, but he was determined to honor the sacrifices they had made for him.

Suddenly, Matilda came to a halt at what appeared to be an empty stretch of road. Zafron looked around, confused by the abrupt stop. Before he could voice his question, a massive object came from down the road, halting before them.

The vehicle, if it could be called that, was unlike anything Zafron had ever seen. It resembled a cross between a carriage and a large insect, with a sleek, oval-shaped body made of shimmering, iridescent metal. Multiple jointed legs were folded neatly against its sides, and instead of wheels, it hovered slightly above the ground, surrounded by a faint, pulsing aura of magical energy.

Lady Matilda promptly gestured for them to enter, but Zafron stood rooted to the spot, his eyes wide with astonishment. Mara, looking less surprised, gently took his arm and guided him towards the strange conveyance.

As they stepped inside, Zafron was struck by the luxurious interior. Plush, adjustable seats lined the walls, their fabric shimmering with an otherworldly sheen. Soft, ambient light emanated from glowing crystals embedded in the ceiling, and the air inside was pleasantly cool and fragrant.

The driver, seated at the front, turned to greet them. He was a middle-aged man with weathered features and keen, observant eyes that spoke of years of experience navigating the streets of Drakoria. When he spoke, his voice was gruff but respectful.

"Welcome, esteemed passengers," the driver said, inclining his head respectfully. "Where shall I take you today?"

As Lady Matilda began giving instructions to the driver, Mara leaned close to Zafron, a playful smile on her lips.

"You should see your face," she whispered, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "It's the exact same look I had three days ago when we first arrived here. You were unconscious then, but Lady Matilda, being the experienced traveler she is, assured me there was nothing to worry about."

Zafron felt a mix of embarrassment and curiosity at Mara's words. He was about to ask her more about their arrival when Lady Matilda turned back to them, having finished giving directions to the driver.

"I apologize for all the stress, Zafron," she said, her voice gentle but tinged with a hint of urgency. "I promise it won't be much longer. We're heading to a safe location where we can regroup and plan our next steps."

As the vehicle began to move, gliding smoothly through the busy streets of Drakoria, Zafron settled back into his seat. He couldn't help but feel a mix of excitement and apprehension about what lay ahead.

'Now we just have to understand how this system works,'

***Author's note*

Sorry for the long chapter. Couldn't find a way to cut it in two.