Incubus System In a World of Women Chapter 6: New World

The next few days were a whirlwind of revelations that left my head spinning.

First was the magic. Holy shit, the magic.

I watched Cassandra casually light candles with a snap of her fingers, flas dancing from her palm like she was so kind of fire goddess. Lyanna made ice sculptures during breakfast just because she was bored, frost spiraling through the air in intricate patterns that would have made Disney animators weep. And my mother – Jesus Christ – my mother commanded the very air—and other elents I didn't know. She can make the curtains dance without wind and keeping the temperature perfect throughout the massive estate.

"Why don't I have magic?" I asked during lunch, watching Lyanna freeze her soup because it was "too hot" and she couldn't be bothered to wait.

The three won exchanged those looks again. The kind that made feel like I was missing sothing huge.

"Darling," my mother said gently, "you haven't awakened yet. That's what happens when you turn seventeen."

"But I am seventeen," I protested.

Another exchange of glances. Cassandra leaned forward, concern written across her perfect features. "Marcus, sweetie, your birthday is next week. You're still sixteen."

I stared at them. The original Marcus was sixteen? But I'd been seventeen when I died. Ti displacent? Different calendar system? Or maybe I'd just landed in a slightly younger version of myself.

"The fever," Lyanna said quietly. "It's affected his mory more than we thought."

My mother's face went pale. "Perhaps we should call the healers back—"

"No," I said quickly. "I'm fine. Just... confused. Tell about the awakening?"

Relief flooded their faces, and my mother practically glowed as she launched into explanation.

"Oh darling, it's going to be wonderful! The awakening ceremony is a sacred ritual where young people discover their magical abilities. In our world – Aetheria – it's especially important for males."

She gestured around the room, where servants moved efficiently, so using magic to clean, others to cook. "You see, while won make up seventy percent of the population, we also dominate in most areas of life. Politics, military, comrce – we handle the dangerous, complex work of running society."

"But n," Cassandra added, her eyes lighting up, "n are special. You're treasures, literally. Only thirty percent of the population, and you're treated accordingly."

"Like princesses," Lyanna said dryly. "Or rather, princes. Though in your case, princess might be more accurate."

I didn't know whether to be offended or aroused by that comnt.

"The truly fascinating part," my mother continued, "is the magic distribution. Only about sixty percent of won awaken magical abilities. But males?" She smiled proudly. "One hundred percent. Every single male awakens powers."

My heart jumped. Magic. Real, actual magic. I could already imagine myself throwing fireballs, summoning lightning, maybe even flying—

"Of course," Lyanna interrupted my fantasies, "most male magic is... utilitarian. Healing, gardening, household managent, emotional support. Very useful, very important, but not particularly... exciting."

Ice cold water on my dream of throwing fireball a, the irony!

My dreams of becoming a magical badass deflated slightly.

"Only about half a percent of males awaken offensive abilities," Cassandra said, "and even then, their power levels are typically lower than won's combat magic."

So much for becoming the next rlin.

"But still," I said, trying to stay optimistic, "it's magic, right? That's amazing."

"It is amazing," my mother agreed warmly. "And your awakening will be particularly special because..." She paused, exchanging another look with my sisters.

"Because what?"

"Because we've kept you secret," Cassandra said, barely containing her excitent. "The noble community has no idea about you until the awakening announces you. Mother's been very careful about that."

"Secret?" I asked, confused.

"Darling," my mother explained, "male children, especially from powerful houses like ours, are... highly sought after. The mont the nobility discovers a family has a son, the marriage negotiations begin. Sotis before the child is even old enough to walk."

The word 'marriage' made my stomach drop. "Marriage negotiations?"

"Oh yes," Lyanna said with amusent. "Welco to the wonderful world of male privilege. You get to have multiple wives who will compete for the honor of supporting you, protecting you, and making all your decisions for you."

"Multiple wives?" I squeaked.

"A minimum of three, actually," my mother said matter-of-factly. "For soone of your house status and... obvious appeal. Though the exact number will depend on how useful your awakened ability proves to be."

I felt like the room was spinning. "Wait, do you an 'serve'?"

"Well," Cassandra said, clearly trying to put a positive spin on it, "your wives will be responsible for your safety, your inco, your social standing. They'll make sure you're comfortable and happy while you focus on... well, whatever your magic is suited for. And looking beautiful, of course."

"And producing heirs," Lyanna added unhelpfully.

"LYANNA," my mother scolded.

"What? It's true. That's literally half the point."

I slumped in my chair, trying to process this. Multiple wives who would basically own . Magic that would probably amount to making flowers grow or healing people's headaches. A life of being pampered and protected and controlled.

And yet...

I looked around at the incredible luxury surrounding . The loving family who would die to protect . The guarantee of safety, comfort, and importance that I'd never had in my previous life.

It was twisted as fuck, just like Lyanna said. But it was still paradise, wasn't it?

"There's more," my mother said, interrupting my thoughts. "After your awakening, you'll attend the academy. That's where you'll receive proper education befitting your station, and where potential wives will have the opportunity to... court you."

"Court ," I repeated flatly.

"It's going to be wonderful," Cassandra gushed. "The noble community is going to be absolutely shocked when they see our 'flower' for the first ti. We've hidden you so well, and you're so beautiful, and from such a powerful house..."

She was practically vibrating with excitent, like she was talking about showing off a prized pet at a dog show.

"They're going to lose their minds," Lyanna agreed, though she seed more amused than excited. "Mother's been very clever, keeping you secret. The reveal is going to cause quite the sensation."

I stared at them, these three gorgeous, powerful won who genuinely loved and wanted the best for according to their world's standards.

And I realized that the beautiful cage was about to get a lot more crowded.

"When does the awakening happen?" I asked weakly.

"In three days," my mother said, beaming. "Oh darling, I can hardly wait. My precious boy, finally coming into his power."

Three days. Three days until I discovered what kind of magic I'd have, what kind of life awaited , and just how many won would be lining up to own a piece of .

I sighed, looking out the window at grounds I wasn't allowed to explore alone.

It was still paradise.

Even if it was the most twisted paradise imaginable.

But I have so know sothing so important here...

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