The early morning sun filtered through the curtains, casting a warm golden hue across the room. Wrapped in the soft cocoon of tangled blankets, Ethan stirred as gentle lips pressed against his lips.
The kiss was gentle but insistent, pulling him from the haze of dreams into the warmth of reality. They lay entwined beneath a single blanket, their bare skin brushing with every subtle movement. Blinking awake, Ethan's eyes met hers, and a sleepy grin spread across his face.
"Wake up, sleepyhead," Anna whispered with her soft and affectionate voice.
Without a word, he reached for her, his hands finding her waist as he pulled her closer, deepening the kiss.
"Mmm, I could get used to waking up like this," he murmured before pulling her closer.
Anna broke away first, a quiet giggle escaping her lips as she rested her forehead against his. "Well, good morning to you too," she teased, her voice still husky with sleep. But her playful tone faded as a shadow of concern flickered in her hazel eyes. She propped herself up on one elbow, the blanket slipping slightly to reveal the curve of her shoulder. "Ethan… we need to talk. It's about Jean. She saw us—yesterday, during… you know."
Ethan sighed and sat up slightly, leaning on his elbow. "Yeah, I know. I've seen how she looks at me lately. It's been… obvious. Her feelings, I mean. But I didn't know what to do about it, Anna. I didn't want to hurt you—or her."
Anna watched him closely, her fingers tracing idle, comforting patterns across his chest. She tilted her head, her hair falling over one shoulder as she considered her next words. Then, with a quiet resolve, she said, "What if you just… accept her?"
Ethan blinked. "Wait—what?"
Anna gave a small smile. "I can see how much she likes you, Ethan," she said gently. "Jean wants to be with you—I can feel it every time she's around us. She's holding back because of me, because she doesn't want to step on what we have. But I've noticed something else, too." Her gaze sharpened, playful yet piercing. "I've seen the way you look at her sometimes."
Ethan's mouth opened, but no response emerged. He scrubbed a hand over his face, trying to process the whirlwind of her words. "Anna," he said finally, "are you seriously suggesting that I date both of you? Have you lost your mind?"
Anna's smile didn't waver. She arched an eyebrow before leaning closer until her breath brushed his cheek. "Don't tell me you don't like her."
He groaned, dropping his gaze to the crumpled sheets between them. "Anna, it's not that simple," he muttered. "Yes, Jean's… she's incredible. Attractive, sure—beautiful, even. But it's more than that. She's strong, smart, kind in her own quiet way. I'd be lying if I said I didn't notice her. But Anna—" He looked up, meeting her eyes with raw honesty. "I love you. I don't want to screw this up."
Anna's expression softened, and she reached out, pressing a single finger to his lips to hush him. "I know you love me, Ethan. And I also know you have feelings for her. It's okay—I'm not upset." She leaned forward, brushing a tender kiss against his forehead, "I'm bringing this up because I don't want any awkwardness between us—any of us. Let's make this work, Ethan. Let's be a big family. I know in my heart that even if you're with Jean, you won't love me any less."
Ethan stared at her, utterly speechless. Her words hung in the air, heavy with possibility. Internally, he couldn't deny the truth in what she'd said. He did like Jean—not just for her striking features, but for the depth of her character. Her resilience, her quiet courage, the way she carried herself through challenges—it all drew him in. But he'd buried those feelings deep, locked them away because he already had Anna, the woman he loved.
But he knows this wasn't some escapist novel or a piece of fanfiction where relationships bent effortlessly to accommodate everyone's desires.
In the real world, emotions were messy, feelings got complicated, hearts got broken and people didn't just share like this. He'd never made a move on Jean because he knew that reality and respected it.
And yet here was Anna, shattering every assumption he'd clung to with her calm, unshakable suggestion.
"I don't know what to say," he finally muttered. "Anna, this isn't how things work. I mean, it's not—"
She cut him off as her expression growing thoughtful. "I know what you're thinking," she said, her tone steady but tinged with something deeper. "But listen—I have Anissa's memories, or at least fragments of them. The Viltrumites… they don't always follow the rules we're used to. Sometimes they share one or two partners. It's part of their culture, their way of building alliances, strengthening bonds."
Ethan's brow furrowed, "Anissa? You're saying this comes from her?"
Anna shook her head quickly with her hand finding his and squeezing it reassuringly. "No, I'm not saying I'm influenced by her memories—not exactly. But having them… it's opened my eyes. It made me realize we might be limiting ourselves, sticking to what we think is 'normal.' If we can all be together—you, me, Jean—and be happy, isn't that what really matters?"
Ethan's eyes sharpened slightly. She wasn't saying she was influenced—but rather that it helped her reflect on their current limitations.
Then he exhaled slowly, the tension in his shoulders easing but not disappearing entirely. "Okay," he said at last, "So… how do we even do this? How do you tell her something like this?"
Anna's serious expression melted into a playful smirk, a spark of mischief lighting her eyes. "It's time for a girls' talk," she declared, poking him lightly in the chest. "And you, Mr. Carter, should make yourself scarce. I'll talk to Jean privately and get her opinion on all this. We need to know where she stands."
Ethan let out a low chuckle, shaking his head in disbelief at how easily she'd taken charge of the situation. "Alright, fine," he agreed, leaning in to steal one more kiss. Her lips were soft and yielding, and for a moment, he let himself get lost in her again. When he pulled back, he added, "I actually wanted to meet with the Ancient One anyway. I'll head out and give you two some space to figure this out. Just… don't blindside her too much, okay?"Anna laughed, the sound bright and unburdened. "I'll be gentle, I promise. Now get up—we both need a shower."
The shower turned on with a hum of magic, steam rising as they stepped in together—sharing quiet laughs and the closeness of something that had grown beyond just romance.
And perhaps, just perhaps… about to grow even more.
.....
Ethan used the sling ring to create a portal, stepping through it to arrive at Kamar-Taj.
The air here was crisp with the scent of ancient incense and the faint hum of mystic energy that danced invisibly through the ancient sanctum. A few disciples practiced their forms at the far end, and Ethan couldn't help but nod at their dedication.
He passed by a group of students he vaguely recognized from his past visits and gave them a friendly nod. Some of them returned the gesture while others stared in awe, having heard rumors about the young man who mastered advanced mystic arts and the Phoenix Force in such a short time.
Just ahead, standing near the entrance of the library, was Wong. Ethan smiled and waved.
"Wong! My man, it's good to see you again."
Wong didn't even look up from the ancient tome he was holding. "I believe we are not that close to be calling each other 'my man' or even friends."
Ethan chuckled, "Come on, Wong. That's just your way of saying we could be friends—eventually."
Wong sighed but a faint smirk twitched at the corner of his mouth. "Just don't rearrange the books this time."
"No promises," Ethan said with a wink and continued deeper into the sanctum.
Not far from the central hall, he saw Kaecilius—tall, proud, and as arrogant as ever—walking down the stone corridor with a few heavy tomes in his hands. Their eyes met and slowed his steps and studied Ethan with a sharp gaze that could cut glass.
Kaecilius glared at Ethan, He is growing powerful, yet he wastes his time with frivolous activities like dating and socializing. Kaecilius had once acknowledged Ethan as a rival, but now he was disappointed by his rival's apparent lack of dedication.
Ethan noticed the books in Kaecilius's hands as the latter spoke, "Don't fall behind in the mystic arts. It would be a waste of... never mind." Kaecilius walked away abruptly.
Confused, Ethan wondered, 'What the fuck is his problem?' Shaking his head, he continued on to meet the Ancient One.
As he entered the serene garden that served as the Ancient One's private meditation area, he found her calmly sipping tea under a cherry blossom tree that seemed to bloom regardless of season. Her expression was unreadable but peaceful, "You look troubled, Carter," she said without looking up.
"Always, Master," Ethan replied with a smile as he approached. "But today, I've got something serious to talk about."
She set her cup down and looked at him intently. "Go on."
"I want to perform magic without relying on borrowed power from other dimensions. No more Vishanti blessings, no more tapping into the dark dimension for shortcuts. I want to use my own power. My own energy. Real, internal magic."
She sighed softly as her eyes closing for a brief moment. "I knew this day would come. And I also know there's nothing I can say to change your mind."
"You know me well," Ethan said and for that she replied. "There is a way, of course. It's not new. The path of internal power—life energy, spiritual essence, some call it chi, some call it ki, mana, prana. The names vary, but the essence is the same. However... this path is not for everyone."
Ancient One set her teacup down and regarded Ethan thoughtfully. "Ethan," she began, "before we move further, it's essential for you to understand the fundamental differences between sorcerers who draw upon external energies and wizards or witches who harness their own internal reserves to perform magic."
She reached out, and with a graceful motion, an ethereal diagram materialized before them. On the left side of the glowing illustration, figures could be seen extending their hands toward swirling, luminous energies emanating from celestial bodies and distant dimensions.
"These," she explained, "are the sorcerers. They act as conduits, tapping into external forces—be it elemental power, cosmic energies, or even the might of ancient deities. This method grants them access to immense power, but it also binds them to the nature of that energy. They must follow its rules and accept its unpredictable conditions and consequences."
Ethan nodded slowly as he studied the diagram. Then, she shifted her hand to reveal the right side of the display. Here, the figures stood with arms outstretched as a radiant light glowed from within them.
"Now, consider the path of the wizards and witches," the Ancient One continued. "They draw upon their own life energy, the vital force that dwells within every living being. This energy, often called chi, ki, or prana, is personal and finite. It requires rigorous discipline and self-awareness to harness. The advantage, however, is that it grants you complete autonomy over your magic. You are not beholden to external sources, but you must be cautious—overextending yourself can deplete your very life force after consuming your mana."
Ethan leaned forward as his brow furrowing with curiosity. "I don't have a natural mana pool, right?"
"No. Unlike Wizards or witches who are born with internal magic or mana, you will need to draw upon your life force directly"
"So, using my own life energy means the magic is truly mine, but it also comes with a risk?"
The Ancient One smiled gently. "Exactly. Life energy is the essence that animates you—it's your vitality, your spark of existence. By learning to control it, you can perform magic that is not borrowed, but truly inherent to your being. This path demands that you maintain balance. If you overuse your energy without replenishing it, you risk exhausting yourself."
Ethan smirked and replied, "Perhaps you're forgetting something, Teacher. I possess a nearly infinite life force."
She smiled faintly. "Confidence and power are a dangerous mix. But perhaps..."
She paused, letting the weight of her words sink in. "Mastering this internal magic is more sustainable in the long run. It's a harmonious blend of mind, body, and spirit. And in your case, Ethan, you possess an unusually abundant life force—a near-infinite reservoir that many would envy. Use it wisely, for it is both your power and your lifeblood."
Ethan's eyes glowed with determination as he absorbed her teachings, He was ready to begin a new path.
The Ancient One nodded approvingly. "Then begin by focusing on the rhythm of your breath and the steady beat of your heart. Meditate upon the pulse of your life, and you will find the key to unlocking your true potential. Remember, true power is not about borrowing from the cosmos—it is about harnessing the energy that flows within you."
"Thank you, Master," he whispered.
The Ancient One nodded. "We each walk our own path, Ethan. Yours... will be unlike any I've seen before."
...
AN: How's the chapter. I tried to integrate the harem like this here with Anna having Anissa's memories and all.
Also how is the explanation regarding difference between sorcerer and wizards. I hope it's good.
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