They talked for another fifteen minutes, the conversation flowing more easily than Jack expected. Sophia told him more about her thesis—something about how cells responded to environmental stressors at a genetic level, which Jack pretended to understand while mostly just enjoying the passion in her voice when she spoke about it. He told her about his current campaign, about the dragon his players were tracking, about the intricate political web he'd woven for them to navigate.
"You should join us sometime," Jack said, surprising himself with the invitation. "I mean, if you ever have free time. Which sounds like never, but still."
Sophia's eyes lit up. "Really? You'd let a rusty player join?"
"Sure. We're pretty casual. Half the fun is just hanging out anyway." Jack felt that warmth in his chest pulse stronger, as if the system approved of him deepening their connection. "Plus, rangers are useful. We could use someone who actually thinks tactically instead of just charging in and hoping for the best."
"That sounds amazing, actually." She shifted on the couch, angling her body more toward him. "I haven't done anything just for fun in... God, I don't even know how long. Everything is always about the program, or work, or obligations."
"Well, we play every other Saturday. So not this one but next. Standing invitation." Jack took another sip of coffee, which was starting to cool. "What made you break up with your boyfriend? If you don't mind me asking. You don't have to answer."
Sophia's expression darkened slightly. "He was controlling. Not in an obvious way, but in this subtle way where he always had to be right, always had to make the decisions. And he kept pushing me to quit the PhD program, said it was taking too long, that I should just get a real job." She made air quotes around 'real job' with obvious disdain. "He didn't understand why I cared so much about the research. To him it was just wasted time."
"That's bullshit," Jack said flatly. "Sorry, but it is. You're pursuing something you're passionate about, something that obviously matters. Anyone who can't respect that doesn't deserve you."
The words came out more forcefully than he'd intended, and Sophia looked at him with something like wonder. "Thank you. Most people have been telling me I should have just compromised more, made it work. My mom keeps saying I'm too picky, that I need to be more flexible."
"Compromise is important, but not when it means giving up who you are." Jack felt like he was channeling every paladin character he'd ever played, every noble knight from the stories he loved. "You deserve someone who supports your dreams, who builds you up instead of tearing you down."
Sophia was staring at him now, really staring, and Jack saw something shift in her expression. Interest. Attraction. Maybe even desire, though that seemed too much to hope for.
The system flickered at the edge of his vision:
[TARGET ATTRACTION +1]
[SOPHIA MARTINEZ - Attraction: 7/10 (+2 from Aura)]
It was working. His words, his presence, the Progenitor's Aura—all of it was combining to draw her in. Jack felt a thrill run through him that was part excitement, part terror.
"You're really sweet, you know that?" Sophia said softly. "How are you single? You seem like exactly the kind of guy women say they want."
"I'm too average, I guess." Jack shrugged, trying for self-deprecating but landing somewhere closer to honest. "Not exciting enough. Not confident enough. Just the nerdy guy who plays make-believe and works at a bookstore."
"I don't think you're average," Sophia said, and there was something in her voice that made his pulse quicken. "I think maybe I just never really looked at you before."
The moment stretched between them, charged with possibility, and Jack knew he should probably change the subject, lighten the mood, be responsible. But he didn't want to. He wanted to lean into this, to see where it went.
"Do you want to watch something?" he asked, nodding toward his TV. "While we wait for the locksmith? I've got Netflix, Hulu, probably too many streaming services."
"Sure." Sophia smiled, setting her empty mug on the coffee table. "What do you recommend?"
"Depends. You want comedy, drama, or something with dragons?"
"Is there an option with all three?"
Jack laughed. "Actually, yeah. Have you seen The Dragon Prince?"
"No, but I've heard good things."
"It's excellent. Animated, but not just for kids. Great characters, great story." He stood up to grab the remote from his desk, and Sophia stood too, stretching in a way that made her blouse ride up slightly, revealing a strip of smooth olive skin above her waistband.
Jack tried not to stare and mostly succeeded. He moved toward the couch at the same moment Sophia did, and they collided gently, his chest bumping against her shoulder.
Time seemed to slow.
A notification flashed into existence, brighter and more insistent than anything the system had shown him before:
[PHYSICAL CONTACT DETECTED]
[ACTIVATE: FERTILE TOUCH?]
[COST: 10 ESSENCE]
[YES] / [NO]
Jack's mind went blank with shock. The prompt hovered in his vision, overlaid on Sophia's face as she looked up at him with an apologetic smile. "Sorry, I wasn't watching where I was going."
"No, my fault," Jack managed, but he was barely aware of speaking. The prompt was still there, waiting for his input, and his heart was hammering so hard he thought she might be able to hear it.
This was it. This was the moment where he could actually use his power. All he had to do was think 'yes' and—
Sophia shifted away and the notification blinked out of existence.
Jack felt a wave of disappointment so intense it surprised him. The option was gone, vanished as quickly as it had appeared, and they were both moving back to the couch, settling in with that respectful distance again.
He sat down heavily, trying to process what had just happened. So the ability required touch, physical contact, and probably his conscious choice to activate it. It wasn't automatic, which made sense. The system wouldn't want him accidentally triggering abilities on every person he bumped into at the grocery store.
But God, he'd been so close. He could have done it, could have actually tested the power, seen if it was real or if this was all some elaborate delusion.
Jack pulled up the streaming menu, trying to focus on finding the show while his mind raced. Sophia settled into the corner of the couch, pulling her legs up under her in a way that was unconsciously intimate. She'd removed her heels at some point, and her feet were bare, toenails painted a dark red that matched the wine-colored band holding her ponytail.
"This looks good," she said as the show's logo appeared. "I'm trusting your nerd credentials here."
"I won't let you down." Jack hit play, and the opening sequence began, all soaring music and beautiful animation.
They watched in comfortable silence for the first few minutes. Jack was hyperaware of Sophia's presence beside him, the way she tucked her hair behind her ear, the small sounds of interest she made at the story beats. He hoped his Progenitor's Aura was still working, that invisible influence drawing her incrementally closer.
About halfway through the first episode, Sophia shifted. It was a small movement, just adjusting her position to get more comfortable, but it brought her closer to Jack's side of the couch. Her knee brushed against his thigh, a contact so light it might have been accidental.
Except the system didn't think it was.
[PHYSICAL CONTACT DETECTED]
[ACTIVATE: FERTILE TOUCH?]
[COST: 10 ESSENCE]
[YES] / [NO]
[WARNING: TARGET IS PRIME CANDIDATE FOR MATE BOND]
[ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AVAILABLE - SELECT TO VIEW]
Jack's breath caught. Mate bond? What the hell was that? His mind was racing, but he forced himself to focus on the new prompt, mentally selecting it.
A new window opened in his vision, filled with text that made his pulse pound even harder:
[PROGENITOR MATE SYSTEM]
As a Progenitor, you may establish Mate Bonds with compatible individuals. Mates become permanently bound to you through a mystical and biological connection, gaining significant benefits while ensuring their loyalty and devotion.
CURRENT MATE CAPACITY: 2
Additional Mate slots unlock at higher levels.
MATE BOND BENEFITS:
- Enhanced conception chance (+75% beyond normal Fertile Touch effects)
- Increased base libido (Permanent +50%, stacking with other effects)
- Accelerated gestation period (Pregnancy reduced by 20%)
- Enhanced lactation (Milk production increased by 200%)
- Multiple offspring likelihood (+40% chance for twins/triplets)
- Emotional bond (Increased affection and loyalty to Progenitor)
- Shared vitality (Minor health benefits from Progenitor's presence)
- Telepathic awareness (Progenitor can sense Mate's location, emotional state, and fertility status at any distance)
MATE BOND REQUIREMENTS:
- Target must be sexually compatible
- Target must be successfully Conquered (sexual intercourse resulting in orgasm for both parties)
- Target must not be bonded to another Progenitor
- Progenitor must have available Mate slot
NOTE: Mate Bonds are permanent and cannot be broken except through death. Choose your Mates carefully.
[SOPHIA MARTINEZ - MATE COMPATIBILITY: EXCELLENT]
[RECOMMEND ESTABLISHING BOND WHEN OPPORTUNITY ARISES]
Jack stared at the information, his mind reeling. This was insane. This was beyond anything he'd imagined. The system wasn't just about random hookups or casual relationships—it was offering him the ability to create permanent, magically-bound partners. Women who would be connected to him for life, who would carry his children with enhanced fertility and accelerated pregnancies.
The implications were staggering. Two Mates at level one, more as he leveled up. He could have a harem, essentially. A family that would grow and expand as his power did. It was everything he'd ever fantasized about, made real and offered to him on a silver platter.
And Sophia was compatible. Excellent compatibility, according to the system.
But there were requirements. He had to Conquer her first, which meant sex. Actual, full intercourse. The Mate bond couldn't be established until then, which meant his Fertile Touch ability was separate, a preliminary step.
Jack's internal debate was fierce and immediate. This was wrong, wasn't it? Using a supernatural ability to increase someone's libido, to make them more likely to sleep with him? That was manipulation, pure and simple. It didn't matter that the system said it was his purpose, his destiny. It was still taking away her choice, influencing her in ways she couldn't possibly understand or consent to.
But another part of him argued back. The ability didn't force anything. It just increased libido, made conception more likely. Sophia still had free will. She could still say no. And if she did say yes, if they did sleep together, wouldn't that be her choice? The Aura was already working on her, and she seemed genuinely interested in him. Maybe the Fertile Touch would just... accelerate what was already developing naturally.
And God, he wanted this. He wanted to test the power, to see if it was real. He wanted Sophia, wanted to see her pregnant with his child, wanted to bind her to him and know that she was his. The desire was so strong it almost frightened him.
This was who he was now. A Progenitor. And Sophia was right here, interested, fertile, compatible. The universe itself was telling him this was meant to happen.
Jack managed to keep his expression neutral even as his heart hammered and his thoughts spiraled. The prompt was still waiting, patient and persistent. Sophia's knee was still pressed against his thigh, warm through the fabric of his jeans.
He thought about his principles. About honor and respect and treating people right. Could he do this and still be a good man? Could he use this power without becoming something he'd hate?
Maybe. If he was careful. If he made sure Sophia really wanted this, that she was making her own choices even with the influence. If he treated her right afterward, supported her, became the kind of partner and father she deserved.
The Fertile Touch would last twenty-four hours. Plenty of time for her to act on it or not. Plenty of time for him to see if this was real or if he was completely losing his mind.
Jack made his decision.
He mentally selected [YES].
The moment he did, he felt something flow out of him. The warmth in his chest—the Essence—rushed down his arm and through the point of contact where Sophia's knee touched his thigh. It was like a circuit completing, energy pouring into her in a way that felt profoundly intimate, almost sexual.
[FERTILE TOUCH ACTIVATED]
[ESSENCE: -10 = 40/50]
[DURATION: 24 HOURS]
[TARGET: SOPHIA MARTINEZ]
[EFFECT: LIBIDO +200%, CONCEPTION CHANCE +300%]
The sensation faded as quickly as it came, and Jack let out a breath he didn't know he'd been holding. Nothing immediate happened. Sophia didn't gasp or shudder or suddenly throw herself at him. She just kept watching the show, apparently unaware that anything had changed.
Jack felt a stab of disappointment. What had he expected? Instant results? This was real life, not a porno. Even with supernatural powers, things didn't happen that fast.
He tried to focus on the show, on the story unfolding on screen, but he was intensely aware of Sophia beside him. Was it his imagination, or was she breathing a little faster? Was she shifting in her seat more than before?
Minutes passed. Five. Then ten. Jack's disappointment deepened. Maybe the power hadn't worked. Maybe this really was all in his head, some elaborate delusion brought on by loneliness and desperation.
Then Sophia shifted again.
It was subtle at first. A small adjustment of position, her thighs pressing together slightly. Then again, a more deliberate movement, her legs crossing and uncrossing. Her breathing had definitely quickened, and when Jack glanced at her from the corner of his eye, he saw a faint flush creeping up her neck.
"You okay?" he asked, trying to keep his voice casual even as his pulse spiked.
"Yeah, just..." Sophia shifted again, her thighs rubbing together in a way that sent heat straight to Jack's groin. "It's warm in here. Do you have the heat on?"
"Not really. I can crack a window if you want."
"No, it's fine." But she shifted again, and this time Jack saw her bite her lower lip, saw the way her hand moved to her thigh. Did she want to touch herself? Of course she wouldn't with him here but…
It was working.
Fertile Touch was actually working.
Jack felt a surge of exhilaration so intense it was almost dizzying. This was real. All of it. The system, the powers, the destiny it promised him. He wasn't crazy. He was a Progenitor, and he'd just used his ability for the first time.
Sophia's attraction score flickered in his peripheral vision:
[TARGET ATTRACTION +1]
[SOPHIA MARTINEZ - Attraction: 8/10 (+2 from Aura)]
[Status: Aroused]
She was aroused. Because of him. Because of what he'd done.
Jack knew he should feel guilty, should regret using the power without her knowledge or consent. But he didn't. He felt powerful. In control. Like everything he'd ever wanted was suddenly within reach, and all he had to do was take it.