The Legendary Programming Mage-Chapter 65: Why Do Harems Even Exist?! (1) [Rewritten]

The bathroom mirror reflected a tumble of black hair, sharp blue eyes, and a curvaceous form partially obscured by a small towel.

Yes—this was me, the one and only jade beauty.

Stifling a yawn, I arched my body to the side, a low sound escaping my throat.

"...Why does sleep even exist if I have to wake up this early?"

I massaged my temples, glanced at the faucet, and let the cool water cascade over my face. The icy droplets slid down my cheeks, clinging to my skin before dripping into the sink.

Gradually, the morning haze in my mind lifted, and a small smile tugged at my lips.

"Heh... looking good as always."

I picked up my phone from the sink, scrolling lazily through new messages, memes, and notifications. The faint hum of the bathroom’s vent echoed above me.

After skimming a few more contacts, my thumb halted.

A name stood out among the list.

[My Sugar — (2)]

I leaned back against the wall, the towel slipping slightly to reveal a glimpse of my breasts.

"When did he send me two messages... gosh, that idiot."

But it wasn’t the messages that caught my attention—it was the profile picture.

A horrible selfie.

He wore that awkward, sheepish grin—the kind that begged to be teased mercilessly.

He really thought he looked cool... but instead he just looked silly.

Before I knew it, my fingers were gliding across the screen, tapping "Save."

"He’s so cute..."

Shaking my head sharply, I slapped my cheeks. "Time to get it together," I muttered. "Can’t let him think he’s in charge."

I stepped out of the bathroom, droplets trailing from my pale skin onto the polished floor.

The next few minutes passed as I checked my spells, refined my mana control, and worked through everything I needed to stay ahead of Allen.

Unlike my past life, where I was shackled by human limitations, things were different now.

Even simple movements pulsed with power—power that felt like it could crush a mountain.

I tightened my fist, releasing mana in a soft gust of wind that stirred the air around me.

Ding!

The sharp chime of my smartwatch echoed again—the same notification that had been appearing since the evening.

『 You and your partner have beaten the last E-rank (hell) record! 』

『 You have earned +10,000 points 』

For the tenth time, I swiped it away. "Ten thousand isn’t that much..."

I darted my gaze around the room as if invisible eyes might be watching.

"System."

Ding!

╔═════════════════════════════╗

║ ⚙ STATUS WINDOW ⚙ ╚═════════════════════════════╝

┌── " Main Info " ──┐

│ 📌 Name: Sylvia Draven

│ 📌 Title: The Stubborn Detective

│ 📌 Title: Fourth Calamity

└─────────────────────────┘

┌── " Other Info " ──┐

│ 📌 Age: 18

│ 📌 Gender: Female

│ 📌 Race: Human

│ 📌 Class: Mage

│ 📌 Affiliation: Apex Academy

└─────────────────────────┘

┌── " Rank " ──┐

│ 📊 Prospect Rank: 『 SSS rank 』

│ • Rank: D │ Path: 3rd Circle

└─────────────────────────┘

┌── " Energy " ──┐

│ 🔮 Perception: Mana

│ 🔮 Rank Mastery: 1 / 15

└─────────────────────────┘

┌── " Mana Pool " ──┐

│ 💧 Active Flow: 500 / 1000

│ 💧 Ascension Reservoir: 1100 / 3000

└─────────────────────────┘

┌── " 🌑 Darkness " ──┐

│ Tier 9: Night Spike 5/7

│ Tier 8: Shadow Step 3/10

│ Tier 7: Shadow Form 15/20

└─────────────────────┘

┌── " ❄️ Ice " ──┐

│ Tier 9: Frostbite 7/7

│ Tier 8: Ice Shard 9/10

│ Tier 7: Ice Form 0/20

└─────────────────────────┘

┌── " Skills " ──┐

│ ⚡ Flashstep

└─────────────────────────┘

┌── " Base Stats " ──┐

│ • Strength E

│ • Agility D+

│ • Endurance E+

│ • Stamina E

│ • Dexterity A+

│ • Intelligence A+

│ • Charm SS+

│ • Luck A

└─────────────────────────┘

I studied my stats and exhaled in frustration, bracing my arms on the bed. "It hasn’t gone up."

Sylvia had already been D-rank when I took over this body—I hadn’t truly advanced much myself.

"How strong is Allen even?"

It wouldn’t surprise me if he were already C-rank.

I fell back onto the bed, closing my eyes, and let sleep claim me for a few more hours.

By dawn the next morning, the sun hadn’t yet cleared the horizon. I was already awake, finishing stretches and light spell drills.

A breeze filtered through the open window, carrying the scent of dew. The grass below glittered faintly with moisture.

"It’s about time..."

Allen’s morning exercise.

I left my room, rode the elevator to the seventeenth floor, and waited by his door.

When Allen finally stepped out, stretching before his walk, I seized the moment.

"Good morning, sleepyhead!"

Before he could react, I leapt onto his back, wrapping my arms around his shoulders with a playful laugh.

My plan to monopolize his time was underway.

"Hey! Sylvia!" Allen staggered but didn’t look too surprised by my ambush.

’Did he figure me out?’

No way. I’m a master detective.

I pressed my cheek lightly against his, making sure my eyes sparkled. "Time for exercise, right?!" I chirped, hopping off and rolling into a crouch. "Let’s go then, and don’t even try to protest. You chose me as your partner, remember?"

Allen rubbed his neck, catching his breath. "I wasn’t going to argue. Actually... I wanted to call you."

Huh?!

Heat crept into my cheeks. "Is that so?" A small laugh escaped as I narrowed my eyes. "What—have you finally realized your undying feelings for me?"

He only stared before grinning. "Hmm..."

Without another word, he brushed past me and started jogging to the elevator.

"Bastard~" I muttered, pouting slightly before falling into step beside him.

No rush. The day had just begun, and we still had plenty of time together.

Ding!

『 New mission activated! 』

『 Increase Allen Vanderbilt’s affection to 70% 』

’Don’t worry, system—he’s already in my hands.’

As the elevator doors slid open, we stepped into the wide first-year lobby.

The space buzzed with morning chaos—students sprawled across couches in rumpled pajamas, couples tangled in half-asleep embraces, while a few energetic types clattered around the shared kitchen. The warm scent of sizzling eggs and butter hung in the air, mingling with the faint hiss of a coffee machine.

But none of that mattered.

Because the moment my eyes swept the lobby, they locked onto a particular figure.

Leaning casually against the front door, phone in hand, stood none other than Quincy.

My eyes narrowed sharply.

Heat surged up my chest, and before I could stop myself, I dug my fingers lightly into Allen’s arm.

He glanced at me and gave that—Don’t glare at me. I didn’t plan this—look.

Almost instantly, Quincy spotted us. Her face brightened as she waved—not at me, of course, but at Allen.

With unhurried steps, she crossed the room with her usual sweet, innocent smile.

I knew she was a homewrecker, I just couldn’t prove it.

Without the slightest concern that I stood beside Allen, she slipped her arm around his.

"You’re going for a walk, right, Al?" she asked, her tone dripping with casual familiarity. "Let me come with you."

My stomach dropped.

’So I wasn’t the only one stalking him.’

...Shit.