“Of course, Miss Garner.” Seeing the smile on Marie's face, I returned it before heading down the hall into my office. Sitting at my grandfather's desk, I had to remind myself that it was mine now. Running my fingers over the dark wood. Grandfather had made this himself. I wondered if I could bring it with me somehow.

  So, where to start? I know the System is pushing me towards something specific, trying to help me find a path it thinks I am best suited for. Not that I can't entirely argue with. Taking a look over the facts. First, I am a futa and a succubus, which, going by Earth lore, are both very sexual by nature. Also, I have always had a knack for the technical side of things. I enjoyed the idea of engineering, and it wasn’t like I didn't have the smarts for it. Tucked in my little library of books and on my shelf, I picked up a few books on mechanical and electrical engineering. I never really put the effort into it, treating it more like a hobby. To be honest, before all of this started, I was going to do PornFans. Hell, I had the fucking tits for it. I also had purchased all the equipment I needed. Cameras, lighting, dildo machines, and some other fun naughty toys.

  Suddenly, Ari popped in on my desk as I saw a smirk on her face, “ Well, someone had a good meal.” She purposely sniffed the air. I shrugged at the comment, not sure how to respond to it, but that didn't stop a smile from appearing on my face.

  “Yes, the after effects were a bit scary, but I take it that it was something I had to experience and figure out how to handle it myself.” Her nod to confirm my words, but at least going forward, I had a better idea of how to handle it.

  “My advice is, once you start drawing in the sexual energy, start cycling it to your core immediately. It will help. Just be mindful of keeping it to a trickle.”

  Pleased with the little advice, “ Makes sense. But I do have a few questions, but not on that. “I bring up my status sheet. “ So I understand imbue mechanical and electrical objects means, but how does it work exactly?” The descriptions were fairly basic. I can add mana into a mechanical or electrical object, allowing for modifications or preventing a pre-System item from degrading.

  Ari, as she got that faraway look again. It seemed like she was accessing something or talking to someone, but I couldn't be sure. It was only for a moment, though, as she looked at me. “ Well, it is the basic ability to craft Mana or Beast core items. Both items are the energy to fuel your creations and empower them. For an item to take a beast core, a mana shard, or a crystal, the object needs to have been filled and then shaped with mana. Also, you will need skills to correspond with what you are trying to do.”

  Well, that made a lot of sense. While taking that in, Ari continued. “So let's say going with your current ability [Naughty Girl], and to make a simple example, you want to take a six-inch dildo and turn it into a kinetic six-shooter. You first would need to have the skill [Gunsmithing], as well as some mechanical building knowledge. Then you would need to pick up the [Shape object] skill and obviously the right materials for it. Well then, just go from there. Shaping what you need after imbuing it with Mana. That is a very basic path to follow. I would recommend speaking to experts. They will have more in-depth knowledge.”

  “I guess then it is a good thing I have plenty of skill slots still open. “ So I could see where the System was guiding me, but it still left me the option to go in my own direction with skills. “ So if I started picking skills for something different, would the System offer me different abilities?”

  The class was called [Build A Bear], so it would make sense. Ari had offered a nod in confirmation of my thought. “OK, cause all the sexual shit aside, my race seems to be more on the physical side, and the current push by the System with my abilities seems more on a Mage type level. So. I am thinking I should look into a hybrid build. But I don't know, maybe instead I should focus on building my harem with more specific roles and just go more to the support and DPS role.” Sighing to myself, I really needed a direction.

  As I talked to Ari, bouncing things off her, I started looking at some of the sex toy websites, just trying to get an idea of what weird shit I could come up with. I still didn't want to make any final decisions till I had my best friend's thoughts as well. I felt that this was the best way. Perhaps could find some way to pick up a guidebook through the System, or who knows, maybe talk to another person. I was starting to feel that Ari was a good source of information, but she could only give out the basics.

  “My opinion is yes, you should lean towards that. It is kind of like the heroes or villains in your cartoons that you enjoy that rely on technology. Or under the system, there are Technomancers who are effective Hybrid fighters. “ I gasped at her calling them cartoons.

  “It's Anime Ari, not cartoons. There is a huge difference. “ I could go on for hours explaining the difference. Then she laughed. She did it on purpose just to see my reaction. Seeing her playful smirk, I giggle slightly. “ OK, so what is the difference between using a beast core or a mana crystal?” I was sure I could look it up in the wiki, but doing it this way, I could also do something else.

  “Oh, that is pretty simple. Beast cores generally will work on a more kinetic or physical aspect. Like using a beast core on a sword can make the metal tougher or sharper. Depending on the grade of the core, also add in elemental or physical Arcane powers. Beast Cores make it easier to add in elemental aspects if they have an affinity for them. Like adding flames to the sword if they have the fire affinity.”

  OK, wow, this would open up a number of options. That is, if I could find the right cores. My train of thought was broken as she continued.

  Love what you're reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on.

  Mana crystals fuel things like what you would call a Laser gun. Mana crystals can also be used as power sources. At higher levels, you can use Mana crystals to power and recharge beast cores. Mana crystals can also be imbued with actual spells. So the difference between a beast core can be used to add an elemental affinity to something. A mana crystal imbued with a spell can, let's say, have a gun that shoots off Fire bolts or fireballs.”

  All I could think of was damn as I moved my eyes to Ari knowing she could see the wheels turning in my head then she got a big grin on her face” Now there is something else that can mimic either one So lets say you have a beast core with a fire affinity but you want it to shoot fire bolts. “she paused dramatically” You have the skill Sara. [Rune crafter]. Just craft the corresponding rune to the item, and boom, you've got an exploding vibrating bullet. Once you have a collection of runes, you can really do a lot. This gives you a path that many would never get access to. Most have to hire an Enchanter or Scholar to add runes to their creations.”

  Was the System favoring me for some reason? Not that I felt like I could rule the world. I could see a big flaw with my current direction is that without my gadgets, I am at a huge disadvantage. Leaning back in the large leather chair, I give thought to what path I should take. I could put together a build that could fill in many different roles, but a more focused role still tugged at me as the wiser move. “ So I wonder if with the whole [Naughty girl] skill, if that would include clothing? If so, then I could make armor? “

  “I don't see why not. If anything, you just pick an armorer skill. But at the current skills you have, it would have to be more mechanical or electrical in nature.” Again, I see the weakness unless I can figure out how to turn a corset into something that would fit those perimeters.

  “I guess it is a good thing the System is giving me a head start.” There was a moment of silence between us as Ari did not comment on that. Well, yeah, I won't lie, I was hoping to get more info on what was going to happen after. But if it was going to be all sunshine and roses, why would I have gotten the shelter quest?

  Regardless, as I looked at one of my go-to sex toy websites, ideas danced around within my head that I filed away for later. “Hey Ari. So one of the things I remember from when the System informed me I was a beta user was that it said I would get a unique class at integration.” pausing as I thought about the question. “The skills and abilities that I level and learn now, will I retrain them, or will I be starting from scratch?” Hopefully, that was a question she could answer, or at least give me an idea. Honestly, I would hate to put all this thought, time, and energy into building up, only to have it taken away.

  “Depending on what the System decides for your class. Now, what I can say is if you have a solid foundation, then it may balance you out a little, but you won't lose everything you have worked towards.” The tone in her voice seemed pleased by my question; perhaps I was on the right path of thinking.

  Then I stumbled on it. The holy grail. A small company here in town. Creating what they called Next Generation sex bots. Durable with interchangeable parts and utilizing a new metal frame called Carbianum. The basic models started at around half a million each and went up from there. I could probably get five to ten. Ten would be a good number. Spare parts and allow me to experiment. I bookmarked the website.

  “So, since it is technically a sex toy. Could I get one of these sex robots working?” At that question, I saw her eyes light up and a big grin on her face as she nodded.

  “Yes, but it would probably take higher levels and the right skills. But if you imbued it with mana before integration, then it won't degrade. So if you haven't developed the skills for it yet, then at least you have a model to work on as you progress.”

  Leaning back in the chair as it creaked, a giggle slips out, thinking of having an army of Fem Bots. Well, not an army, even with what money I had, they were still really expensive. The sounds of the speaker and Marie's voice startled me, causing me to squeak in surprise.

  “Miss Carpenter has just got on the elevator; she should be up in a minute.” So engrossed in my ideas and research, I jumped up, not realizing how much time I had spent talking to Ari.

  “Thanks, Marie. I'll be out in a minute. Can you start on dinner?” Saving my cart and locking the laptop, I grin. I couldn't help but be excited knowing that soon I will have company on this journey, and well, there was something exciting knowing I'll make my best friend my personal little cum dump. The chair creaked as I got up. I was looking forward to giving in to my nature. I was curious to see how much fun it would be not to have to use a strap-on for a change. Those things were a bit annoying.

  I decided not to bother with touching up my makeup; I used a wipe and cleaned it off. Katie has now seen me at my worst and my best. Tossing the wipe away, I headed into the main room just as Marie answered the door, a dark-haired beauty in a giant poofy jacket, thick mittens, and a scarf wrapped around her face with the big furry hood up. I grinned as she stomped her knee-high winter boots on the rug out of the door. “Jeez, Katie, you look like you are ready for the snow apocalypse. “

  Really, the only thing you could see that wasn't wrapped up or covered was her eyes, and they are full of mirth.” Well, you know the end of the world comes in many forms.” I giggle at one of our little inside jokes, but then I shiver thinking how she doesn't know yet how close she is to those words.

  Leaning against the Kitchen Island, watching her peel off her layers, looking less like the Stay Puff Snowman and looking more like her cute self. Standing at five feet nothing with soft features and piercing brown eyes, Katie was always quite the looker. How we were friends in high school always baffled people. Where I was known for being a slight partier, I also received good grades. Of course, my knowledge of all things nerdy was well known. In my eyes, it had to be almost legendary.

  Katie achieved straight A’s, and she was a cheerleader. She was far more of a partier than I was. Her nerd knowledge was more of a secret, well, at least till we started college. Marie took that big puffy jacket, showing off Katie’s tight sweater that hugged her perfectly formed breasts. On her small, thin frame, they did look bigger than they actually were. Her body was nothing but toned muscle. Even though she stopped cheerleading, she still worked out and maintained a level of fitness that I was a bit jealous of.

  Of course, she would tease me cause somehow I was still stronger than she was with less effort. It worked well in our dynamic as I tended to be the more dominant one when we took advantage of each other's bodies. Baggy sweatpants did little to hide her perfectly round bubble butt. Of course, with how she maintained her form, I always wondered if I could bounce a quarter off that rear. Once she looked more like a normal person, I moved up and gave a big hug. Perhaps a bit too tight as I closed my eyes, feeling my emotional rock finally around me.

  I felt her arms tight around me, being herself, I knew she instantly knew something was wrong as we pulled apart, seeing that look in her eyes and her mouth opening up to say something. I quickly shook my head, cutting off her words, letting her know with just that silent communication that I didn't want to talk about it right now.

  “So how about some movies and dinner?” I gave her a playful wink. Then, quickly putting away the overwhelming feelings of the day to the side. “ Plenty of time to catch up later. I think we both could use a break after the grueling two weeks we have had.”

  Seeing her nod, we bounded over to the large L-shaped sectional as Marie brought us some wine and snacks. Marie informed us that dinner would be ready in an hour. We quickly got caught up on how we thought we did on our exams. I could see her burning questions about why I was back at the penthouse, and probably a few others. Still, she respected my desire to wait, and instead we just spoke of more superficial things.

  Turning on our favorite Anime and grabbing dinner. A perfect big bowl of beef stew to fight off the winter chills, both Katie and I fell into a familiar and comfortable silence, enjoying our meal and each other's company.