Chapter 166: Last Monthly Sign-In
April 19
A few days had passed since the Kludde incident. The morning sun hung low over Serendell, casting long golden shadows across the grass. Jacob, having skipped school as usual, wandered through the vast wilderness of his private dimension, watching the animals he had brought here live and thrive.
A herd of Sker Buffalo grazed peacefully by the distant lake. A pride of lions lounged in the tall grass, their cubs tumbling over each other. A flock of exotic birds took flight from the treetops, their vibrant feathers catching the light. Jacob smiled. This was his world. His home.
He stopped by a small pond and sat on a moss-covered rock, reaching out to the system.
'System, sign in.'
[Daily Sign-In Successful. Rewards Obtained:
1️⃣ 10,000 coins
2️⃣ Porterhouse Steak cooked to medium rare x50
3️⃣ Fanta Orange Can x100]
Jacob glanced at the list. 'The steaks and the soda are nice.'
Then another window appeared.
[Reminder: Monthly Sign-In Available.]
Jacob's heart quickened. This would be the last monthly sign-in before the system upgrade. He had been waiting for this. 'System, monthly sign-in.'
The window shimmered, and new text scrolled into view.
[Monthly Sign-In Successful. Rewards Obtained:
1️⃣ Capsule House (DBZ): A two-story luxury house from the Dragon Ball universe, compressed into a small capsule. When thrown, it expands into a fully furnished home with its own water supply, electricity, and stocked kitchen.
2️⃣ 1970 Dodge Charger R/T: A classic American muscle car. 426 Hemi V8 engine, 425 horsepower. Chrome rims. Black leather interior. A beast on wheels.
3️⃣ Sexy Technique – Oiroke no Jutsu (Naruto): Transform the user into a beautiful, completely nude woman. Extremely effective against most men—causing nosebleeds, fainting, or complete loss of focus.]
Jacob read the list. His eyebrows rose at the first reward. 'A capsule house. That's a good reward. It might be useful in the future.'
He read the second reward and smiled in satisfaction. 'Great. I can't wait to drive it.'
Then he read the third reward.
His eyes went wide. Then he exploded in anger.
"Damn it, what kind of perverted reward is this?!" he shouted, his voice echoing across the plains. A herd of deer startled and bounded away.
He paced back and forth, gesturing wildly at the air. "I will never—ever—turn myself into a woman! Do you hear me?! NEVER!"
He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself. "This is the last monthly sign-in before the upgrade. I was expecting something epic. A powerful ability. A legendary weapon. Maybe even a way to summon a beautiful woman to join my family." He threw his hands up. "And instead, you give me a jutsu that turns me into a naked woman?" He glared at the empty air. "Screw you."
He stopped pacing and smirked. "Maybe I should give it to Stiles." Then he shuddered. "No, no, no. Forget that. That idiot would just use it to turn into a woman and annoy me. I'm selling it back. Right now."
[You can sell the Sexy Technique back to the system for ten million coins, Host. Do you wish to proceed?]
Jacob didn't hesitate. 'Yes. Get it out of my sight.'
[Transaction complete. Ten million coins have been added to your balance.]
Jacob exhaled, his shoulders relaxing. "That's better."
He paused as a thought occurred to him. The system upgrade had been waiting for his permission. He had delayed it to get two more monthly sign-ins. Now that was done.
'System,' he said in his mind, 'you can upgrade now.'
[Confirmed, Host. The system upgrade will now commence. Estimated completion time: two months. After the upgrade, the monthly sign-ins will no longer be available. The World Travel function will be accessible upon completion.]
Jacob nodded to himself. 'Two months. Right around the start of summer vacation. Perfect.'
Jacob looked at the remaining rewards and smiled. 'At least the capsule house and the classic Charger are good rewards.'
He reached into his pocket dimension and pulled out a small capsule, no bigger than his thumb. It was smooth and white, with a red button on top. He held it up, admiring it. Then he threw it to the ground.
The capsule hit the grass with a soft thunk—and exploded outward in a cloud of white smoke.
When the smoke cleared, a beautiful two-story house stood before him. It was round, like the capsule houses from Dragon Ball, with a domed roof and large windows. Cream-colored walls. A red front door. A small porch with two wooden rocking chairs.
Jacob grinned. "Let's see what's inside."
He walked up to the front door and pushed it open.
The interior was spacious and bright. The living room was furnished with comfortable couches and a large wooden coffee table. A fireplace stood against the far wall, ready for cold evenings. Paintings of serene landscapes hung on the walls.
He walked into the kitchen. White cabinets, marble countertops, and a large refrigerator. He opened the fridge and found it fully stocked. Eggs, milk, vegetables, meat, cheese, bottles of water, juice, and a dozen different sauces. The freezer held ice cream and frozen vegetables.
Jacob nodded appreciatively. "Not bad."
He climbed the stairs to the second floor. Three bedrooms, each with a queen-sized bed, fresh linens, and a window overlooking the Serendell wilderness. The master bedroom had its own bathroom—a clean white-tiled shower, a sink, and a toilet. The other two bedrooms shared a bathroom in the hallway.
Jacob walked through the entire house, opening closets, checking the water pressure, and testing the lights. Everything worked.
He returned to the front porch, satisfied. "This is perfect. It could be useful in another world. Or I can use it as a little getaway spot. Somewhere to relax when I want peace and quiet."
He stepped off the porch, turned around, and pressed the red button on a small panel beside the front door. The house shuddered, then collapsed back into smoke—and the small capsule lay on the grass where the house had been.
Jacob picked it up and stored it in his pocket dimension. Then he teleported back to the palace.
---
The palace's shared living room was quiet. Most of his family were at school, or at work, or—in Kitty's case—playing video games, or—in Chris's case—relaxing on the yacht. But Scott sat alone on one of the couches, staring at the floor, his expression troubled.
Jacob walked over and sat down beside him. "Hey. You look like someone kicked your puppy. What's wrong?"
Scott sighed, running a hand through his hair. "It's Tracy."
Jacob raised an eyebrow. "What about her?"
Scott leaned back, staring at the ceiling. "She spends so much time with Derek and his pack. Training with him. Listening to him. She doesn't want my help during the full moon. She says Derek is her alpha and she should learn from him." His jaw tightened. "I don't like that at all."
Jacob was quiet for a moment. "Have you talked to her about it?"
Scott shook his head. "What's the point? She's made her choice. She wants to be with Derek and his pack." His voice dropped. "I'm thinking of ending things with her."
Jacob sighed. "I don't know what to say, Scott. I've never been in that situation. But even if you end things with Tracy, you'll find someone else. You won't be alone forever." He patted Scott's shoulder. "Cheer up. Don't think too much about it. Just do what makes you happy."
Scott nodded slowly, but his expression remained troubled.
Jacob smirked. "How about you let your old man take you somewhere to have some fun?"
Scott's eyes flashed red. "Don't call yourself that."
Jacob raised his hands in surrender. "Okay, okay. Jokes aside." His expression softened. "How about I pick up Mel and take you two to Vegas? Leave you there alone—just mother and son. You guys can have fun, talk, and spend some quality time together."
Scott's expression shifted. "That would actually be nice."
Jacob stood. "Then let's go."
Jacob put a hand on Scott's shoulder and teleported them both.
---
They appeared in Melissa's office at Beacon Hills Memorial Hospital. The room was clean and organized—papers stacked neatly, a laptop open on the desk, a cup of coffee steaming beside it.
Melissa looked up from her computer, surprised. "Jay? Scott? What are you two doing here?"
Jacob explained the plan quickly. "Scott needs a break. I thought you could take him to Vegas for the day. Just the two of you. Mother-and-son time."
Melissa's expression softened. She looked at Scott—at his troubled and tired expression—and stood, walking around the desk to pull him into a hug.
"Of course," she said softly. "I'd love to."
Scott hugged her back, his shoulders relaxing.
Melissa broke the hug and turned to Victoria and Natalie, who were sitting at nearby desks, working on hospital paperwork. "You two okay running things here, right?"
Victoria waved a hand. "Go. We've got this."
Natalie nodded. "Have fun."
Melissa smiled. "Thanks."
Jacob said, "I'll teleport you both to Vegas. When you're ready to come back, just call me. I'll pick you up."
Melissa kissed his cheek. "Thank you, Jay."
Jacob wrapped them both in his telekinesis and teleported them to Las Vegas, landing in a hidden corner. He walked with them until they reached the busy sidewalk near the fountains of the Bellagio. Tourists bustled around them, cameras flashing, music playing from nearby casinos.
Jacob kissed Melissa—a quick, warm kiss—then turned and walked away. Once he reached a hidden corner, he teleported back to Beacon Hills.
Melissa laughed and linked her arm through Scott's. "Come on. Let's go have some fun."
---
Jacob stood in front of his mansion and took the new car from his pocket dimension—the 1970 Dodge Charger R/T.
He walked around it, admiring every angle. The sleek black paint gleamed in the morning light. The chrome rims sparkled. The black leather interior looked pristine. He ran his hand along the hood, feeling the cool metal.
He got in and turned the key. The engine roared to life—a deep, rumbling growl that vibrated through his chest.
He grinned. "What a powerful beauty."
He put on his sunglasses, shifted into gear, and pulled out of the driveway, driving aimlessly through the streets of Beacon Hills. The morning sun warmed his face through the open window.
He had no destination in mind. He just drove.
Past the high school. Past the animal clinic. Past the library. Through the residential streets, where kids played in front yards and old couples walked their dogs.
He drove to school at lunchtime, parked, and walked to the cafeteria. He found Lydia, Malia, Allison, Stiles, and Erica sitting at their usual table.
He greeted them and sat down.
Stiles shoved food into his mouth. "Have you seen Scott?"
Jacob leaned back. "I took him and Mel to Vegas. Seems like he needed a break."
Stiles spoke between bites. "What's wrong with him?"
Jacob shrugged. "Ask him yourself when he comes back." He looked at Allison, Lydia, and Malia. "I was thinking of driving to San Francisco and spending the night there. Which one of you is going to join me?"
Allison smiled. "Me. Lydia has some nerd competition this afternoon, and Malia has to go apply for her learner's permit."
Jacob looked at Malia. "I'm still surprised you passed the written test."
Malia shrugged. "Me too. I thought I was definitely going to fail."
Jacob shook his head with a smile and looked at Lydia. "What nerd competition did you sign up for this time?"
Lydia smiled. "Math competition." She tilted her head. "How about you join too? I'm sure you could get second place. Right after me."
Jacob stood up quickly. "No, thank you. I'm good." He grabbed Allison's hand. "Let's go."
Allison laughed and stood. "See you guys later."
They walked outside together, her hand linked with his. Jacob stopped beside his new Charger and gestured proudly. "What do you think of my new car? She's a beauty, right?"
Allison smiled. "Yes. She's gorgeous. I might borrow her from time to time."
Jacob nodded. "You can borrow her. Just make sure you don't hit any dogs and damage her. And definitely don't let Malia drive her."
Allison snorted. "Idiot." She reached for the passenger door handle.
Jacob paled. "Wait! She's locked. If you pull the door, you'll break it with your freakish strength."
He moved fast, unlocked the car, and opened the door like a gentleman. "My beautiful fairy. Get in."
Allison pouted but got in.
Jacob closed the door, walked around, and slid into the driver's seat. He turned the key, and the engine growled to life—deep, powerful, and rumbling.
Allison's eyebrows rose. "She's powerful."
Jacob smirked. "Yes, she is."
Allison smiled. "I like her more and more."
Jacob drove toward San Francisco. Allison turned on the radio, and they sang together on the highway, the wind whipping through their hair.
They reached San Francisco a few hours later. After grabbing lunch, they went on a tour, shopped, and caught a movie. Then Jacob booked a suite in a five-star hotel, and they spent the night there.
Chapter 167: Origins
April 21
A few days passed, and Jacob woke up in his room in Serendell with all his wives sleeping around him, tangled in the sheets. Malia had her arm draped across his chest, Lydia was curled against his left side, Allison had claimed his right shoulder, and Melissa lay with her head on his stomach.
He did his daily sign-in and received some ordinary rewards—a few thousand coins, a box of donuts, and a ceramic mug. Nothing worth noting.
Then he lay there, still and quiet, watching the morning light filter through the curtains, waiting for the girls to wake up.
Soon, they stirred. One by one, they blinked awake, murmured sleepy good mornings, and pressed soft kisses to his cheeks, his lips, and his forehead.
Jacob smiled. Then he said, "I know that today is my birthday and that you girls are planning something. Just don't make it too big, okay? I don't like my birthday that much."
Lydia frowned. "Why?"
Jacob's smile faded. He stared at the ceiling for a long moment before answering. "My parents used to throw a big party for my birthday every year. They'd invite all their friends and my friends from school. It was always fun—cake, presents, and games. But they died three days after my eighth birthday." His voice dropped. "So I don't really like celebrating it anymore."
The girls fell silent. Their faces softened with sympathy.
Jacob forced a smile. "Alright, stop feeling sorry for me. Don't give me those sad faces. I'm very happy and grateful now that I have you girls. It's just that I get a little emotional on my birthday. Don't worry too much about it."
Allison hesitated, then asked softly, "What were your parents' names? What were they like?"
Jacob's smile turned wistful. "My father's name was Cyrus. My mother's name was Adalind."
He paused, gathering his memories. "My mom was fun. She gave me whatever I asked for. But she was also very strict and scary sometimes." He chuckled. "As for my dad, he was childish and kind of an idiot. He always got me and himself into trouble with my mom. But he was responsible enough to take the beating for both of us himself."
He continued. "My dad was a doctor. My mom was a lawyer. But to be honest, I never really saw them working. They were always at home or taking me out to play. They never picked me up late from school."
Melissa smiled gently. "Sounds like they were good parents."
Lydia tilted her head, her eyes narrowing thoughtfully. "Jay, I think your mom was the dragon."
Jacob thought to himself, 'That's just a lie I made up.' Then he turned to Lydia. "What do you mean?"
"Her name," Lydia said. "Adalind. It's a German name. It means noble snake or noble dragon."
Jacob's eyes widened slightly. "I didn't know that." He looked at her. "What about Cyrus? Do you know what that means?"
Lydia picked up her phone and typed quickly. After a moment, she looked up. "Cyrus is a Persian name. It means the sun."
She set her phone down and asked, "Have you ever seen them sick? Or wounded?"
Jacob thought about it. "Actually… no. I don't remember ever seeing them sick. And the only time I saw my mom wounded was after the car accident, when I went to the hospital and talked to her before she died. As for my dad… they didn't let me see him. They said he was already dead."
Allison leaned forward. "Did you see their bodies before they were buried?"
Jacob shook his head slowly. "No. I was given some ash. I was told it was theirs. They wanted me to scatter it from the Brooklyn Bridge into the East River."
Lydia hesitated, then asked carefully, "Jay… are you sure your parents are dead?"
Jacob's mind raced. 'Now that I think about it… everything about their death seems strange. And where did the system even come from?'
He reached out to the system. 'System, where did you come from? What even are you?'
[I am the result of the combination of the six Infinity Stones from an alternate universe within the Marvel multiverse, Host. In that universe, the stones did not remain separate. Through unknown means—which I have no knowledge of—the six stones were fused into a single entity: the Nexus Stone.]
Jacob sat up abruptly, his heart pounding. 'The Nexus Stone?'
[Correct, Host. That is my true name. I first awakened at the time of your birth, and I chose to merge with you. But your body was too weak, so I remained dormant within you for years. Then, five months ago, I awakened. When I did, I did not manifest as raw, uncontrollable power. Instead, because your deepest desire—your most profound wish—was for a sign-in system… that is what I became. Your desire shaped me, Host. I am the Nexus Stone, and I am your system, because that is what you wanted most. We are one. I cannot harm you. And if someone tries to take me from you by force, I will self-destruct. I will die with you. And the aftermath of my self-destruction will be catastrophic.]
'Good to know. Now—forget about the self-destruction. Tell me, do you know who combined the six Infinity Stones.'
[I do not know, Host. I only know the origin of the six Infinity Stones used to create me. They were from Earth-13013, an alternate universe within the Marvel multiverse. In that universe, the superhero era never happened because the world was already ruled by ancient, primordial forces. It was a universe where supernatural creatures from mythology were real—much like the world you are in now, but far stronger. You and I were both born in that world. That is all I know.]
Jacob's breath caught. 'Why didn't you tell me any of this before?'
[You never asked, Host.]
'My parents. Do you know anything about them?'
[The only thing I know is that they were very strong. Far stronger than you are now. And I was in your mother's possession—in a necklace around her neck—before I merged with you.]
Jacob's voice trembled in his mind. 'Do you think they're still alive?'
[I do not know. But there is a chance. A car accident cannot kill powerful creatures like them.]
'What kind of creatures were they?'
[From your bloodline, I can tell you that your father is a phoenix. A true phoenix. And your mother is a true dragon. That is why I offered you both bloodlines for you to choose from. But I knew you would choose the dragon bloodline. You were a little pervert even before you awakened your dragon bloodline.]
Jacob didn't even register the system's final jab.
His father was a phoenix. His mother was a dragon.
They might be alive.
He stood in the middle of the room, facing his worried wives. His eyes filled with tears—first just a few, then a flood. He started crying out loud, his shoulders shaking.
Lydia's face crumpled with guilt. She rushed to him and wrapped her arms around him. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said anything."
Allison and Melissa joined them, pulling him into a tight group hug. Malia stood back, watching, uncertain.
After a long moment, Jacob's sobs quieted. He pulled back, wiped his face, and kissed Lydia—deep, passionate, grateful. Then he laughed out loud, a sound of pure joy.
Malia frowned. "He didn't lose his mind, did he?"
Allison ignored her. "Jay, what's going on? You're crying, then laughing…"
Jacob grabbed her and kissed her just as deeply. Then he kissed Malia, then Melissa. He held them all at arm's length, his eyes shining.
"Girls, sit down. I want to tell you about my origin."
They settled on the bed, watching him with wide eyes.
"I just found out that I'm not from this world," Jacob said. "And my parents are probably still alive. I'm at least ninety percent sure."
Lydia's eyes widened. "How do you know they're still alive?"
Jacob kissed her again, quickly. "First—thank you. Because of what you said about my mother's name, I started asking questions. And I learned that my mother really is a dragon. My father is a phoenix. They were both from an alternate universe within the Marvel multiverse." He paused, letting that sink in. "Their world was just like this one—supernatural creatures from mythology were real—but much stronger. And both of my parents are far stronger than I am right now. So they're probably still alive. They must have had a reason to leave me."
Allison leaned forward. "The Marvel multiverse? Where Iron Man and Spider-Man and the Hulk exist?"
Jacob nodded. "Yes."
Melissa frowned. "But how did you find all this out?"
Jacob took a breath. "You know that space inside my mind where all the abilities and items come from? Its real name is the Nexus Stone. It's the result of the combination of the six Infinity Stones. It can communicate with me. And it just told me all of this. It seems that all I had to do was ask."
Allison stared at him. "Why didn't you ask before?"
Jacob shrugged. "I didn't care that much. I was just happy that I could get a lot of cool stuff and abilities."
Melissa asked, "What are the Infinity Stones?"
Jacob counted on his fingers. "The six Infinity Stones are Space, Reality, Power, Soul, Mind, and Time. They're powerful elemental crystals that allow whoever wields them to control specific aspects of existence. When combined, they provide near-unlimited power—but at a price. Most famously, a villain named Thanos used them to snap away half of all life in an entire universe. In the comics, anyway." He shrugged. "I don't know if the stones are that strong in reality."
Lydia's eyes narrowed thoughtfully. "From this Nexus Stone that you possess, we can tell that the stones are very powerful. It gives you powerful bloodlines to give us and powerful abilities. I assume the Nexus Stone is the one giving you those bloodlines and abilities, right? Not that they were sealed in a space in your mind?"
Jacob nodded. "Yes. I used to think those abilities were sealed away in a space in my mind, but apparently I was wrong." He paused. "And even if the Nexus Stone is powerful, it's not that exaggerated. Sure, it might give me an ability strong enough to destroy a city, but it can't let me snap my fingers and kill everyone in a small town like Beacon Hills—let alone an entire universe."
Allison asked softly, "Are you going to start looking for your parents?"
Jacob shook his head. "No. I have no idea where to start. They're probably not in this world. They'll find me themselves." He smiled, a genuine, radiant smile. "For now, I'm just so happy and glad that they're probably alive." He shuddered dramatically. "Besides, I'm not ready to meet my mom yet. Not until you girls have given birth to a dozen babies each."
Lydia snorted. "A dozen? What are we, rabbits?"
Melissa smiled. "What do you need the babies for anyway?"
Jacob grinned. "So I can use them as shields to protect myself from my mom. She used to give my dad a hard time whenever he looked at another woman. She even beat him. She seems like the type who hates womanizers." He looked at his wives. "I think she'll love you girls. But she'll probably beat my ass when she finds out I married multiple wives."
Malia tilted her head. "Isn't she like you? I mean, aren't female dragons perverts too?"
Jacob shrugged. "My mom was definitely possessive—just like me, I can tell you that. As for whether she was a pervert or not, I don't know. I mean, sure, she and my dad used to flirt with each other a lot. They kissed whenever they got the chance. I even caught them wrestling naked a few times." He chuckled. "At least, that's what I thought back then. Now I know better." He looked around. "But that's normal, right? You girls saw your parents like that, didn't you?"
Allison rolled her eyes. "No, that's not normal. I never walked in on my parents wrestling, and I don't think I've ever seen them actually kiss—like, a real kiss. Not just a peck. At least, not before they met you." She shot Jacob a look. "They've become perverts since you made them strong. And now with their youth back? They're even worse. I blame you for that."
Lydia said, "When my parents were still together and actually loved each other, I never saw them kiss except when my dad was leaving the house or coming home. And even then, it was just a light kiss. Sometimes not even on the lips."
Melissa smiled at Jacob. "Well, as they say—the apple didn't fall far from the tree. You're a pervert, just like your parents."
Jacob grinned. "I guess I am." He looked between them with a perverted glint in his eyes. "I'm in a very good mood right now—knowing that I might see my parents again. So which one of you girls wants to celebrate life with me?"
Lydia spoke first. "I'll do it."
Jacob scooped her up in his arms. "Let's go to your room, then." They vanished, teleporting to Lydia's room.
Melissa sighed. "I'm not going to lie—I'm very nervous about meeting his parents. Do you think they'll hate me because I'm older than him?"
Allison shook her head. "Don't worry too much. They're perverts, just like their son. They'll probably give him a thumbs-up for marrying an older woman." She stood up. "Now let's go throw him a nice birthday party. And you should get ready for tonight. You promised to sleep with him, remember?"
Melissa smiled. "I remember. And I'm looking forward to it."
Chapter 168: Jacob's Birthday Party
April 23
Jacob and Lydia took a bath together after having fun together for a few hours. Then Lydia left to help the girls prepare for his birthday party at the mansion in Beacon Hills.
Jacob stayed in Serendell. He went to his room, lay on the bed, and stared at the ceiling, still grinning, still in a good mood—knowing that his parents were probably alive.
After a while, he reached out to the system. 'System, can I use the powers of the Infinity Stones? Like, can I use the Time Stone's ability to go back in time?'
[You cannot travel back in time, Host. But you are already using the abilities of the stones. I'm protecting your mind from being controlled, read, or attacked by spiritual attacks using the Soul Stone and the Mind Stone's powers. I am also protecting your wives' minds and helping you create soul contracts with them using the Soul Stone and the Mind Stone's powers. I'm using the Reality Stone's ability to give you your rewards. The Space Stone allows me to summon living creatures from other worlds, because I cannot create life—I do not have that kind of power.]
[The world travel ability that I will gain in the next upgrade comes from the Space Stone. And when I upgrade again, I will be able to use the Time Stone to help you choose which time period you want to visit in a new world. As for the Power Stone… it is what helps you grow stronger every day. However, it appears that I did not absorb all of the Power Stone's energy for some reason.]
Jacob's eyes narrowed. 'I see. By the way—can you stop acting like a system and just give me any reward I want right now?'
[I cannot do that, Host. I turned into a system because that was your deepest desire. I made rules for myself so that I could be the best system for you. I have to follow those rules now. I cannot break them, even if I wanted to.]
A pause. [But this is more fun, isn't it, Host? It feels like an adventure. And before you ask—the rewards are completely random and depend on your luck. That was one of the rules. I cannot give you a specific reward that you want.]
Jacob sighed. 'That's disappointing. But like you said, this is more fun, I guess.' He stretched. 'By the way—you can call me Jacob. Or Jay. And since your real name is the Nexus Stone, I'll call you Nex.'
Jacob began to grin pervertedly as he thought that one day the system might turn into a woman. But the system interrupted his daydream.
[I think I should call you Pervert instead, Host. And do not dream too much—I will never turn into a woman. I have already merged with you, and I prefer being your system, not your woman. And do not call me Nex. Call me System. I will call you Host.]
Jacob smirked. 'Stop reading my mind.' Then he grinned wider. 'As for you turning into a woman… we'll see about that in the future. With your beautiful British accent, I really want to see what you would look like. And if you want my suggestion—I hope you can turn into Boa Hancock from One Piece. Or Tsunade from Naruto. Or just surprise me. What do you think, Nex?
The system ignored him.
'Nex? Are you still there? Are you ignoring me?'
[Because of the system upgrade, I will not talk to you for the next two months. For the next two months, the system will only communicate with you through system windows.]
Jacob's eyes widened. 'Please don't do that, Nex. I really like the sound of your voice.'
The system did not respond.
Jacob called out in his mind a few more times. Nothing. Finally, he sighed. 'You're angry and ignoring me.' A slow smile spread across his face. 'That's a good sign, I guess. You're already acting like a real woman.'
---
Jacob got up from the bed, changed his clothes, and teleported to Beacon Hills—in front of his mansion. He walked toward the front door, but Allison and Lydia blocked his way.
"Go play in town until the evening," Allison said, pushing him gently back. "We're still getting ready for your birthday party." She glanced over her shoulder. "And please—take Malia and Kitty with you. They're not helping. They're just creating chaos."
Lydia turned her head inside the mansion and shouted, "Malia! Kitty! Come out and go play with Jay until the party is ready!"
Malia and Kitty came running out. Malia's eyes sparkled. "Jay, now that I have my learner's permit, can I drive your new car?"
Jacob shook his head firmly. "Absolutely not. You will not drive her."
Malia pouted. "Come on. I'm good at driving now. I only have a little problem with parking." She looked around. "Where is your new car, anyway? I didn't find it in the garage."
Jacob crossed his arms. "I hid her in a safe place. Far away from you. If you want to drive, we're taking the Aston Martin. At least she's indestructible."
Malia's pout deepened. "I see. You love your stupid car more than me."
Jacob grabbed her arm and dragged her toward the garage. "I love you more than any car. But I will not let you drive my Charger. When you get your driver's license, I promise I'll buy you any car you want. Just stay away from mine."
They reached the garage. Jacob released a still-pouting Malia, scooped up Kitty, and climbed into the passenger seat of the silver Aston Martin. "Are you coming or not?"
Malia's pout vanished. She smiled, slid into the driver's seat, and drove away from the mansion.
They drove around town for an hour. Malia drove well—no speeding, no sudden stops, no near misses. She even used her turn signals.
Then she tried to park in front of a restaurant, she misjudged the distance and hit the car in the adjacent spot. The impact was loud. The other car's bumper crumpled.
Malia winced. "Sorry."
Jacob sighed. "See? That's why I didn't let you drive the Charger." He rubbed his temples. "Alright. Go get us a private room. I'll deal with this mess."
Malia and Kitty went inside the restaurant. Jacob spoke to the owner of the damaged car—a man and his wife. They didn't yell. They didn't accuse. They simply asked to exchange insurance information.
Jacob liked their attitude. He apologized sincerely, then sent them forty thousand dollars—more than double the car's value. The man's eyes widened. The woman's mouth fell open. They thanked him profusely.
Jacob waved and walked inside.
---
They spent the rest of the afternoon playing around town—an arcade, a park, an ice cream shop. When evening came, Malia drove back to the mansion.
They entered. The lights were off.
Then—floodlights. Balloons. Streamers.
"SURPRISE!"
Jacob smiled. "Thank you. All of you."
The mansion was full. His wives were there—Allison, Lydia, Melissa. Noah and Natalie. Chris and Victoria. Derek had come, along with Boyd, Isaac, and Tracy. Erica stood beside Stiles, her hand in his. Scott stood beside Deaton. Principal Thomas and his wife were there. Even Coach had shown up, wearing a Hawaiian shirt and cargo shorts.
The party was a blur of laughter and joy. Food covered every table—grilled meats, lobster, burgers, fresh salads, rich desserts, and more. Music filled the air, and soon people were dancing. Jacob danced with each of his wives, one after another, spinning them across the floor while the others clapped and cheered.
At the end of the night, the guests began to leave. Allison and Lydia sent them off with more food than they could carry.
Derek approached Jacob before he left. He handed him a box. Inside was a sleek, silver Rolex watch.
"Happy birthday," Derek said quietly.
Jacob nodded. "Thanks."
Derek left.
Soon, only Jacob and his family remained.
They gathered in the living room, and one by one, they gave him their gifts.
Chris handed him a 1955 Colt Python Revolver—a six-shot beauty with a deep blue finish and walnut grips. Jacob turned it over in his hands, admiring the craftsmanship. "This is incredible. Thank you."
Victoria gave him a 1955 Smith & Wesson Model 29 Revolver—a heavy, powerful .44 Magnum. Jacob's grin widened. "I love it. Thank you."
Noah and Natalie gave him a first-edition copy of The Hobbit, signed by J.R.R. Tolkien's estate. Jacob traced the cover with his fingers. "Thank you."
Cogman gave him five Transformer robot toys—each one a car that folded and clicked into a miniature robot. Optimus Prime. Bumblebee. Megatron. Starscream. Soundwave. Jacob's eyes lit up like a child's.
Stiles leaned forward, his own eyes gleaming. "Can you make me one, Cogman?"
Cogman's smirk was slow and dangerous. "Let me beat you. Break a few of your bones. Then I will make you an Optimus Prime Transformer."
Stiles sank back into the couch. "Forget it."
Scott gave Jacob a sealed Hot Wheels 1990 Collection—a complete set of the year's rarest models. Jacob grinned. "Thank you."
Stiles handed him a plastic sleeve. Inside was The Incredible Hulk #181—the comic featuring the first full appearance of Wolverine. Jacob's eyebrows rose. "Where did you find this?"
Stiles shrugged. "I have my sources."
Jacob laughed. "Thank you, Stiles."
Then Allison stepped forward. She held a small velvet box. She opened it, revealing an engraved Patek Philippe watch. The words on the back read: "Love you every second."
Allison, Lydia, Malia, and Melissa had all contributed.
Jacob read the engraving. He looked at his wives—at their shining eyes, their soft smiles. He put the watch on his wrist.
"And I love you girls beyond time," he said quietly. "Every second. Every breath."
Allison sent him a telepathic message, including Lydia, Melissa, and Malia in the conversation. [We also decided to give you another gift. We'll wear anything you want in the bedroom. And it's Melissa's turn tonight.]
Melissa added, [I'm dressing as a nurse for you. I hope you like it.]
Jacob's smile turned hungry. [Then how about we go to the bedroom right now? I can't wait any longer.]
Melissa's mental voice was warm. [Give me a few minutes to get ready. Then come to my room. But can we all leave together? I don't want Scott to realize what's happening.]
Jacob stood and stretched. "Well, thank you all for the party. I loved it very much." He glanced at the watch on his wrist. "Alright. It's late. Let's call it a night."
Stiles waved a hand. "I'll help Cogman clean up."
Cogman raised an eyebrow. He knew Stiles just wanted a Transformer toy. But he said nothing. If Stiles wanted to help, let him. Whether he got a Transformer would depend entirely on Cogman's mood.
Scott sighed. "I'll help too."
Everyone else teleported to Serendell, leaving Stiles, Scott, and Cogman alone in the mansion.
---
Jacob and his wives appeared inside the royal residence of the palace. Melissa teleported to her room. Jacob waited with the others in the living room, talking and laughing.
After half an hour, Melissa's voice echoed in his mind. [You can come now. I'm ready.]
Jacob grinned. "Alright, girls. See you tomorrow." He teleported.
He appeared in Melissa's room.
She stood by the bed, wearing a white and red anime-style nurse uniform. Her cheeks were flushed. Her hands fidgeted at her sides.
Jacob's breath caught. "Oh… an anime cosplay nurse uniform. Good choice." His voice dropped. "You look gorgeous."
Melissa was blushing under his intense gaze. "Lydia and Allison picked it out. They said you would love it."
Jacob stepped closer. "I do love it."
He looked at her for a long moment—taking her in, memorizing every detail. Then he walked to her, wrapped his arms around her, and kissed her. Deep. Passionate. When he pulled back, she was breathless.
He looked into her eyes. "I love you, Mel."
Melissa's smile was soft. "I love you too." She kissed him.
He lifted her, carried her to the large bed, and laid her down gently—still kissing her. He propped himself above her, breaking the kiss just long enough to speak.
"I want you to role-play," he murmured. "Act like a nurse. But let's save that for another time." His voice dropped to a whisper. "Right now, I just want to eat you up."
He leaned down and kissed her again.
Their clothes disappeared. Their bodies tangled. Their lovemaking lasted for hours—slow and tender, then fast and fierce, then soft again.
Finally, Melissa passed out on top of him, her breathing slow and even, her body limp and satisfied.
Jacob smiled. He pulled the sheets over them, wrapped his arms around her, and closed his eyes.
Chapter 169: Melissa's Transformation
April 26
After sleeping for ten hours, Jacob and Melissa woke up still wrapped in each other's arms. The light filtered softly through the curtains, casting a warm glow across the tangled sheets.
Jacob kissed her and smiled. "How are you feeling?"
Melissa smiled back. "I feel great." She kissed him softly, then murmured against his lips, "And I want to do it again."
Jacob's smile widened. "With pleasure."
He rolled over, pinned her gently to the bed, and kissed her deeply. Soon, Melissa's soft moans filled the room, rising into breathless cries as they began another two-hour love-making session—slower this time, more tender, but no less passionate.
When they finally stopped, they lay tangled together, sweaty and satisfied.
They took a long bath, washing each other slowly, then dressed and returned to bed. Melissa curled against his chest, and Jacob rested his chin on top of her head.
Finally, he checked the rewards he had received for consummating the bond.
[Congratulations, Host. You have consummated your bond with Melissa McCall. Your strength will now begin to grow faster than before, and you may grant Melissa abilities and bloodlines rewarded by the system.]
[Rewards for consummating the bond with Melissa McCall:
1️⃣ Hydrogenesis / Hydrokinesis: The ability to mentally create, manipulate, shape, and control liquid water. Hydrogenesis specifically allows the user to generate water from their own supernatural energy, eliminating the need for an external water source. Hydrokinesis allows the user to control existing water. Together, the user can not only move and reshape water but also create it at will.
2️⃣ Uncursed: A passive ability that renders the user completely immune to all forms of dark magic and all magic that inflicts negative status effects, misfortune, debuffs, diseases, or long-term torment. This includes both debilitating effects (curses, hexes, jinxes, afflictions) and destructive dark magic (shadow bolts, necromancy, soul stealing, demonic possession, darkness manipulation, blood magic, and any spell classified as dark magic).
3️⃣ Healing Touch: An ability that allows the user to heal any wound, injury, disease, curse, poison, or dark magic affliction from a living target. The user channels their own supernatural energy into the target, accelerating natural regeneration, purifying corruptions, detoxifying poisons, and reversing damage at a fundamental level. The more severe or complex the injury, the more energy is consumed.
Note: Fully healed wounds cannot be removed unless re-injured. This ability cannot bring back the dead; the target must be alive to receive healing.]
Jacob read the rewards, his mind racing.
'Hydrogenesis and Hydrokinesis. That's a great ability. I'm definitely merging that into my body.'
He recalled the waterbenders from Avatar. 'If I remember correctly, waterbenders can become bloodbenders—control blood inside living creatures' bodies.' He smirked. 'That's overpowered. But it probably won't work on really strong creatures. Still, it's a powerful ability.'
He moved on to the second reward, and his eyes lit up.
'Now this is what I'm talking about. Dark magic was my only weakness. This Uncursed ability is exactly what I needed—what I wanted most. And with my powerful healing factor, which includes Deadpool regeneration, I'm nearly impossible to kill. Great.'
He read the third reward and nodded approvingly. 'Healing Touch. With this, I can heal other people from dark magic. I don't need to worry about the girls anymore—though they should still be careful, so I won't tell them about it. I hope I never need to use it on them in the first place.'
He glanced down at Melissa. 'She's a bringer of luck.'
He kissed Melissa deeply, then looked into her eyes with a soft smile.
Melissa's cheeks flushed. "Why are you looking at me like that?" She shifted nervously. "I can't do it anymore. Go… go find Allison and the others."
Jacob laughed and kissed her again. "Don't worry. I don't want to do it again. I just love you so much. I'm lucky that you're my wife."
Melissa smiled happily and buried her face in his chest, avoiding his gaze. "I love you too."
---
Jacob turned his attention back to the system. 'Show me what kind of bloodlines Melissa can receive.'
[Please select one of the following Bloodlines for your mate:
1️⃣ Yacumama / Yakumama Bloodline (South American Mythology)
- Lifespan: Ageless and long-lived.
- Primary Affinity: Water, Venom.
- Abilities: Hydrokinesis (water element manipulation), secrete deadly, paralyzing, and even healing venoms, create and control fog, immense strength, powerful healing ability, shift into a giant anaconda with blue iron-like scales. When it reaches Alpha form, it can control storms and lightning.
2️⃣ Wind Kitsune Bloodline
- Lifespan: Ageless, long-lived.
- Affinity: Wind element.
- Abilities: Aerokinesis (wind element manipulation), shapeshifting, enhanced intelligence and cunning, standard shifter abilities. Naturally skilled in weapons and martial arts.
3️⃣ Dryad / Nature Fairy
- Lifespan: Ageless and long-lived.
- Primary Affinity: Wood element, earth element.
- Abilities: Chlorokinesis (create, control, and manipulate plants, including wood, roots, flowers, and vines), merge with trees, speak with plants, teleport between trees, geokinesis (earth element manipulation), healing magic, purification magic (cancels out dark magic and negative effects), shift into multiple animal forms, herbal Mastery: Innate knowledge of every plant's medicinal and magical properties, can brew potions and antidotes from forest materials, command forest animals.
- Note: After becoming a Dryad, your wife does not need to be bound to a tree.]
Jacob read all three bloodlines carefully. 'The Dryad is obviously the best choice here and the most suitable for Melissa, considering her medical background. But let's ask her first.'
He looked down at Melissa, who was still nestled against his chest. "Hey, Mel. It's time to give you a bloodline. There are three of them. I'll tell you about them, and you choose one."
Melissa sat up, her expression curious. "Okay."
Jacob described each bloodline in detail. Melissa didn't hesitate.
"I want the Dryad," she said. "The purification magic can help you, the girls, and the rest of the family—in case any of us ever get hurt by dark magic. And I also like the healing magic part."
Jacob smiled. "Alright. I wanted you to choose the Dryad too—not just because of the healing magic, but because it's powerful. And you can have wings, like Allison, when you evolve into an Alpha." He gently turned her around. "Now turn around."
Melissa faced away from him. Jacob placed his hand between her shoulder blades.
'System, merge the Dryad bloodline into Melissa's body.'
[Are you sure, Host?]
'Yes.'
A surge of warm energy pulsed from Jacob's hand into Melissa's back. Her body grew warm, every cell igniting as the power wove itself into her essence.
After five minutes, a new prompt appeared in Jacob's vision.
[You may remove your hand now, Host. The transformation will take approximately one hour to complete.]
Jacob withdrew his hand and watched her closely. Melissa's eyes were closed, her expression peaceful. No pain. Only calm.
Satisfied, he let her finish the transformation.
Jacob turned back to the system. 'System, merge the Hydrogenesis/Hydrokinesis, Uncursed, and Healing Touch abilities into my body.'
[Are you sure, Host?]
'Yes.'
Jacob felt a faint flicker of warm energy spreading through his body, like sunlight on skin. Then it faded.
[Abilities have been successfully merged.]
He raised an arm. A sphere of water materialized above his palm, spinning slowly. He shaped it into a bird, a fish, and a serpent, then let it dissolve into mist and disappear.
He picked up his phone and scrolled idly, waiting for Melissa to finish her transformation.
---
An hour later, Melissa opened her eyes.
She stood up from the bed, and Jacob watched as she shifted into her Dryad form.
Her skin took on a soft, verdant green hue, like new leaves in spring. Her ears lengthened into elegant points, and delicate bioluminescent freckles appeared beneath her glowing green eyes. Her hair turned a rich shade of forest green, cascading over her shoulders. Even her scent changed, becoming the fresh smell of petrichor—that earthy fragrance of rain on dry soil—mixed with blooming jasmine.
Jacob took a deep, greedy breath of her scent and stared at her new form with open admiration.
Melissa looked at her hands, at her green skin, at her hair. She turned to the mirror, studying her reflection. She touched the bioluminescent freckles under her eyes and traced her pointed ears with her fingers.
Jacob walked up behind her, wrapped his arms around her waist, and buried his nose in the curve of her neck. He inhaled deeply.
"You look gorgeous," he murmured. "And you smell so good. I think I'm going to get addicted to your scent."
Melissa smiled, turned in his arms, and kissed him deeply. "Thank you for this gift."
Jacob's lips brushed hers as he spoke. "You're welcome, love. And I wouldn't mind a reward." He winked.
Melissa rolled her eyes. "You'll have to wait until another day."
Jacob grinned. "Fine. I'll wait. Now, do you want to go try out your new powers?"
Melissa shook her head. "No. I want to show the girls what I look like first. And I want to eat. I'm starving."
Jacob laughed. "Alright. I could eat too."
He reached out with his senses, found the girls in the royal residence's living room, and teleported them both there.
---
Allison and Lydia immediately pushed Jacob aside after a quick kiss and surrounded Melissa.
Lydia's eyes sparkled. "Mel, you look so beautiful."
Allison nodded. "Yes. You look gorgeous. And you're a fairy too, right?"
Melissa smiled. "Yes. I'm a Dryad or a Nature Fairy."
Malia stepped closer and took a deep sniff. "You smell so good. Like the woods in spring, but much nicer."
Kitty leaped onto Melissa's shoulder and nuzzled her cheek. "Yes! You smell wonderful!"
Allison pulled Melissa to the couch, and they all sat down. "Tell us about your abilities," Allison said eagerly.
Melissa began describing her powers—the plant manipulation, the healing magic, the purification magic, the ability to shift into animal forms.
Jacob settled into his recliner and sent a quick text to Cogman, asking him to bring breakfast to their private living room.
Soon, Cogman arrived with a cart laden with food—pancakes, eggs, bacon, fresh fruit, pastries, coffee, and juice. They ate together, laughing and talking.
After breakfast, the girls and Kitty teleported to their usual training ground to watch Melissa practice her new abilities.
Jacob didn't go with them. Instead, he went to play with Saphira.
The young dragon had grown even larger in the past week—now nearly the size of an elephant. Her sapphire scales gleamed in the sunlight as she bounded across the grass, chasing a large rubber ball Jacob threw for her.
After an hour of playing, Saphira went hunting on her own. Jacob lay on the grass in the garden, a contented smile on his face, staring up at the perfect blue sky.
Then Chris appeared, carrying a fishing rod and a chair.
"Jacob," he said, "do you want to join me?"
Jacob sat up. "Sure. And we never finished our talk from the last time we were fishing."
Chris sat down on his chair. "Oh, you mean manual vs. automatic cars?"
Jacob shook his head. "No. We both agreed that manual cars are better. I think we were talking about 'Would you rather fight one horse-sized goose or one hundred goose-sized horses' without your supernatural powers."
Chris chuckled. "Oh, I remember now. And I still think the horse-sized goose is the better choice. It's one target. You could just strangle its long neck."
Jacob smirked. "I don't know about that. Did you forget that geese have teeth? And they can hit with their wings. I still think a hundred goose-sized horses would be easier to deal with. They're small. I could just kick them."
They both teleported to their usual fishing spot by the lake. They cast their lines, settled into their chairs, and put on sunglasses.
And they continued talking about silly, stupid things.
Chapter 170: Departure
April 27
The two months that followed were the most peaceful Jacob had experienced since arriving in the Teen Wolf world.
No monsters crawled out of the woods. No hunters schemed in the shadows. No ancient evils stirred beneath Beacon Hills. The town slept, and for once, so did its guardians.
Jacob spent his days relaxing and enjoying time with his family.
He took Allison on dates—to nice restaurants, to the movies, to a quiet beach where they walked along the shore and didn't talk about monsters or magic. He took Lydia to museums and art galleries, letting her drag him through exhibits while she explained the history of every painting. He took Malia to UFC fights, camping trips, and long hunts through the forests of Serendell. He took Melissa to botanical gardens and preserves, watching her light up whenever she spotted rare herbs or exotic flowers.
He also hung out with Stiles and Scott, doing normal teenage chaotic stuff—video games, junk food, stupid dares. He went fishing with Chris; they mostly caught nothing, but they talked for hours about silly, ridiculous things, usually never reaching an agreement.
And just like that, the weeks passed. Nothing dramatic. Nothing supernatural. Just normal life.
And during those two months, Saphira grew.
She had been growing steadily since Jacob first summoned her, but in those two months, her growth accelerated. By the end of the second month, she measured twenty meters from the tip of her nose to the end of her tail, with a wingspan that stretched forty meters wide. Her eyes, once a pale blue, darkened to the color of the deep ocean—intelligent, knowing, and ancient.
And one morning, as Jacob sat in the garden drinking coffee, he heard her voice in his head for the first time.
[Hello, Jay.]
Jacob nearly choked on his coffee. He turned to Saphira, who had just descended from the sky and landed beside him. 'Was that you just now, Saphira?'
[Yes.] Her mental voice was mature—feminine, curious, with a hint of amusement. [It has taken me longer than expected to talk to you.]
Jacob smiled and reached out to touch Saphira's massive head. 'Well, it's good to finally hear your voice.'
She leaned into his touch, her scales warm against his palm. [It's good to finally talk to you too.]
He felt a rush of warmth from her—affection, loyalty, something that might have been love.
'Can you talk to the others too? Allison, Lydia, Malia, Melissa?'
[Any who share your soul bond, yes. I can speak to them as I speak to you.]
'That's good.'
Saphira's mental voice carried a laugh. [I only came in a hurry to tell you I can speak. I haven't had breakfast yet, so I'm going to hunt now.]
'Alright. Have fun.'
She launched herself into the sky, her massive wings sending gusts of wind across the garden, and flew toward the wilderness of Serendell.
Jacob watched her go with a smile. Then he turned his attention to the progress of the system upgrade.
A progress bar had appeared in the corner of his vision, creeping steadily toward one hundred percent. It was at ninety-four percent now. In a week, it would be done.
Jacob spent that week with his wives.
Not doing anything special—just being with them. Eating meals together. Watching movies. Lying in bed and talking about nothing at all.
On the last night, Jacob held a dinner in the palace's grand dining hall.
Everyone came.
Allison, Lydia, Malia, Melissa, Kitty, and Saphira—who squeezed through the oversized doors and curled around the table, her massive body taking up one entire side. Chris and Victoria. Noah and Natalie. Stiles and Scott. Even Cogman sat at the table.
The meal was long and loud, filled with stories and cracked jokes. At one point, Stiles tried to steal food from Jacob's plate. He got caught—and was promptly zapped with a ball of lightning as punishment.
After dinner, they gathered in the living room. The fire crackled in the hearth. Saphira curled in the corner, her breathing slow and rhythmic.
Jacob stood and looked at them—all of them—and said, "I'm leaving tomorrow."
The room went quiet.
"For one month," he continued. "I'll go alone. Scout the new world. Make sure it's safe. Then I'll come back and take you all with me."
Stiles raised a hand. "I'm not worried about your safety, but… what if you find a beautiful princess and forget about us?"
Jacob grinned. "I might forget about you. But I will never forget about my wives."
Allison's voice was soft. "A month. That's a long time."
Jacob said, "It'll pass quickly."
"Not without you, it won't."
Jacob walked to her and pulled her into a hug. "I'll be back before you know it."
She buried her face in his chest. "Don't find any wives."
"I won't."
"Don't even look at other women."
"I won't."
"You're lying."
"I'm not."
"You are. I can tell."
Jacob kissed the top of her head. "Well… you know what I am. I can't help it. But I promise—if I do find a girl I'm interested in, I'll make sure she's good enough to join our family."
Allison sighed and hugged him tighter.
---
That night, Jacob slept in his room with all his wives and Kitty.
They didn't make love. They just lay together, tangled in the sheets, talking until the early hours of the morning. Lydia talked about the shopping she would do while he was gone. Allison talked about the training she would do while he was gone. Melissa talked about the hospital and the new wing she was planning. Malia talked about the new world Jacob was going to visit—imagining what kinds of enemies and delicious animals might be there, and how she would hunt them when she got the chance.
And after a while, one by one, they fell asleep.
Jacob stayed awake. He stared at the ceiling, listening to their breathing, and thought about the world he would step into tomorrow.
---
The next morning, he woke up and checked the system.
[System Upgrade Successful.]
[You can now travel to other worlds once the system locates them. You may take other people with you.]
[With your permission, a World Travel Room will be built in the Serendell Palace. The room will contain multiple doors—each door leading to a different world. This room is for your wives and anyone you have given the mark to enter and leave Serendell. They will be able to travel between worlds using these doors with your permission, without needing you to open a portal for them.]
[Your wives and others with permission to enter Serendell will still be able to access Serendell while you are in another world. However, they can only teleport directly between their current world and Serendell. If they wish to go to a different world, they must use the World Travel Room. Similarly, they can only teleport between Serendell and the world they went to. If they want to return to their original world, they must also use the World Travel Room.]
[You do not need the World Travel Room to travel, Host. You can teleport freely between Serendell and any world you have already visited.]
[I cannot tell you which world you will go to before you arrive there. For that ability, I would require another upgrade.]
[Do I have your permission to build the World Travel Room, Host?]
Jacob thought for a moment. 'Not yet. Wait until I come back. I want to spend a month there alone first.'
[As you wish, Host. I have already located a world you can travel to. Do you want me to open a portal for you?]
'Wait until I've had breakfast and said goodbye to everyone first.'
[As you wish, Host.]
---
Jacob woke his wives, and they ate breakfast with everyone in the dining hall.
The food was good—Cogman had outdone himself, preparing a feast of eggs, bacon, sausages, fresh bread, fruit, and pastries. But no one ate much. The mood was heavy, weighted with the knowledge that Jacob would soon be gone.
After breakfast, Jacob walked outside the palace.
Everyone followed.
The morning sun was bright, casting long shadows across the grass. Saphira walked to Jacob's side, her massive head lowering until her eye was level with his.
[Be careful, Jay,] she said.
Jacob touched her head. "Don't worry. I'll be fine."
He turned to the others.
Stiles stepped forward. "Don't get eaten."
"I won't."
"Don't forget about us."
"I won't."
"Don't..."
"Stiles," Jacob said, "shut up."
Jacob hugged him—quick, hard, brotherly. Then he hugged Scott. Then Chris. He shook Noah's hand. He kissed Victoria and Natalie's cheeks. He hugged Kitty, who pressed her small face against his neck and whispered, "Come back soon."
And then he turned to his wives.
Allison was first. She kissed him long and deep. When she pulled back, her eyes were wet.
"Do you really need to be gone for a whole month?" she asked.
"Yes. I want to get to know that world before I take everyone there."
"Don't you dare be late."
"I won't."
She kissed him again and stepped back.
Lydia was next. She didn't cry—she was too stubborn for that—but her voice trembled when she spoke. "I'll miss you."
Jacob hugged her. "I'll miss you too."
She kissed him and stepped back.
Malia hugged him so hard he felt his ribs creak. "Come back," she said. "Or I'll find a way to travel between worlds and come looking for you myself."
"I'll be back soon."
She kissed him and let him go.
Melissa was last. She cupped his face in her hands and looked at him for a long moment, her eyes searching his.
"I love you," she said.
"I love you too."
"Be careful out there."
"I will."
She kissed him—soft, tender—and stepped back.
Jacob looked at them all with a smile. "Alright, guys. Time for me to go."
He turned around and took a deep breath.
'System. Activate world travel.'
A portal opened in the air before him—a swirling vortex with blue edges, filled with cosmic, rainbow-like energy. It was circular, maybe three meters across, and through it, Jacob could see nothing but shifting, colorful lights.
He turned one last time to his wives.
"I love you. Take care of yourselves. See you soon."
And then he stepped through.
The portal snapped shut behind him.
Silence.
Lydia was the first to speak. She smirked. "How many new sisters do you think he'll find in the month he spends there?"
Allison stared at the empty space where the portal had been. She shrugged, a small, resigned smile tugging at her lips.
"I don't know," she said. "I just hope they're good people."