I felt much better after washing up, and Hera cast her 'Recovery' spell on me so my injuries should be fine by tomorrow. I sighed once more on my way to the library, before shaking myself out of my sorrow. The library was usually empty, especially later in the day, as the Academy had a lot of focus on practical subjects rather than theoretical.
I had wanted to visit here for a while, but with all of my time consumed by training I hadn't had the chance. So it was my top priority today, especially considering I couldn't do anything about my physical aspect, thanks to the Level Cap, so I should try the theoretical. The library here was much larger than the one I visited in the palace, even having connected rooms for self-study. It was a shame that they were hardly ever used.
I first collected any books relating to Classes and Skills, putting specific focus on Level Cap. James had already looked into it and found nothing, but I wanted to do it myself. There were quite a few books on Classes and Skills, but only one relating to the Level Cap. I took all of them, just in case, but started with the Level Cap book. The information was just about the same as what Oephilia told me, the fact that interest would occur on my exp and that the way to unlock it would never be impossible. The thing it had that Oephilia didn't mention was the most common ways it was unlocked.
According to the book, for most people the way to get past the Level Cap was a near death experience. I clicked my tongue, there was no way James didn't find this out, but he neglected to tell me because he knew I would try it. He really is too nice for his own good. But isn't this too cliché? I mean, I even called it at the beginning, I became the weak protagonist that has to go through a hellish experience for power. Man this sucks.
The rest of the information in the book was unimportant, so I closed the book and put it to the side. I started skimming through the other books, looking for anything relating to my Skill or Class, but just as James said there was no information on my skill and only a small description of my Class. It was of no help.
I sighed, shaking my head before returning the books to where they were and instead turning to the next subject I was interested in, Mana. The Mana Theory class only touched on how to use Mana, not its properties or how to gain more. So I figured it would be worthwhile to look into it. I found a book titled 'The Basics of Mana' and skimmed through it. But just as I was trying to focus, a small voice broke through the quiet library.
"Unh." I couldn't tell where the sound had come from, but it sounded like someone was in pain. I stood up, listening closely to see if I could figure out where it was coming from.
"Ahn." It came from one of the side rooms. I moved closer, trying to figure out which one it was. I was about to call out but quickly decided against it. If someone was in pain in the library, there's a chance it could be due to an assailant. If I called out they would know I'm here. Instead I further hid my presence, just like I did when hunting in the forest and focused my ears.
"Ah." It was a woman, that's for sure. And her voice seemed familiar, but I couldn't pinpoint who it was. However, I was able to figure out what room she was in. I took a deep breath and put my hand on the doorknob.
"Uhhn." I waited for one more groan to make sure I had the right room before throwing the door open, ready for anything. Or at least, I thought I was ready for anything. Sitting on the table, with curly red locks and glasses that magnified her surprised brown eyes, Jezabel was frozen in embarrassment. The reason was simple, the only thing she was wearing was her undergarments, and those were pulled aside, leaving her most important places exposed to the elements.
Her body was beautiful, with full, unblemished breasts, a slim waist, and a toned bottom, I was entranced, burning this image into my mind. The first one to break free was Jezabel, who let out a high pitched yelp before bringing her arms together to cover her breasts. She seemed to have forgotten that her lower half was just as exposed. I continued to stare, turning my gaze to her most treasured place. It glistened in the room's light, proof of Jezabel's actions prior to my entrance.
She noticed my gaze lower, and she quickly moved one of her arms to cover the delicious view. This broke me out of my trance. I looked up into her eyes. They stared at me with hate, practically burning a hole through my head. She began to ooze bloodlust, further kicking me out of my reverie.
"Get. Out." She spoke, her soft voice turned sharp, pointed against me. I quickly turned around, muttering an apology before leaving and closing the door behind me. I ran, that girl would be able to kill me in an instant if she wished. I ran faster than ever before, too fast in fact. I slammed into the library's exit, unable to control my speed.
Is this what adrenaline is like? I pondered as I used my newfound speed to race across campus and into my dorm. I only relaxed once I had closed the door behind me, sitting with my back pressed against the door. I huffed, out of breath, as I sat there wondering how I could apologize in a way that wouldn't get me killed. I brought my arm to my head and wiped away the sweat that had formed there when I saw a wisp of black mana coming from my arm.
Jezabel doesn't have black mana, nor does she know black magic, so why is there black mana here? I was confused. The only one I knew who could make a black glow was Hannah, and that was only when she used her black magic. But this was different, it was almost like the mana glow someone got while leveling up, but far longer lasting, like they had leveled up many times.
Wait… no way right? I rushed to where my status board was. Luckily, Hera wasn't here or she would be pestering me with too many questions. I quickly picked up the board before closing myself into my room. I pressed my finger into the back, activating the board. Instead of the normal screen, something new popped up.
[Ravenous activated: 100 exp gained]
[Ravenous(Tutorial) Complete: Ravenous details unlocked]
[Level Cap Deactivated, distributing stored exp]
[Calculating Interest]
[Level up]
[Level up]
[Level up]
[Level up]
[Leve
…
What?
There was no way, right? After all of my attempts at raising the Level Cap, this is what raised it. I began to laugh, disbelief, relief, anger, and some other emotions I couldn't place all mixed into my laugh as it grew into an evil cackle.
Finally, finally! My efforts were finally going to pay off. I laughed for far longer than I should have, and if someone had heard me they would have questioned my sanity, but I didn't care. It was the first time in three months that I could laugh without worry. I was no longer 'Broken'. I tapped past the notifications, wanting to see my new stats. I grinned at the fresh screen, it was glorious.
Name: Caesar
Class: Famished
Level: 16 (167/300 exp)
Strength: 29
Dexterity: 31
Constitution: 30
Intelligence: 22
Wisdom: 22
Charisma: 27
Skills:
Ravenous (Information Available)
In one moment, I went from the weakest hero to the strongest. The previously insurmountable wall between me and them was destroyed, being replaced by stepping stones that brought me above them all. I laughed once more, not for as long as before, but just as heartily.
I clicked on the information screen for 'Ravenous'.
[Skill: Ravenous
Level: 1 (0/1 Encounters)
Type: Passive
Activation: Sexual Encounters
Effect: Upon activation, gain exp based on level of Sexual Encounter, Voyeur being the lowest, and Sex being the highest. Upon activating the highest level, gain the ability to copy a skill from the Activation target.
Extra Information: As Ravenous grows in level, more abilities will be unlocked.
Side Effect: Emotion 'Love' suppressed]
Copy a skill… This… is overpowered! Wait, activating it will be difficult. And I won't be able to steal a man's skills. Even if the skill would allow me to I won't, I don't swing that way. But still, if I can activate it, I can truly become the strongest. I put away the tablet, I didn't need to see it anymore. I looked up towards the sky, well it was actually just the ceiling since I was indoors, and allowed my tears to flow freely. My relief, pain, anger, sadness, everything I had poured out of me in the form of tears.
I let myself cry for a while, I had needed this. Before finally standing and walking outside. I sat on a bench outside the boys dormitory and stared at the sky, actually at the sky this time, not just the ceiling. I will copy every skill I can and become the strongest there ever was and will be. I stretched a hand out to the sky, reaching towards the moon, before closing my fist as around it as if the moon was something in my reach. I squeezed my fist in determination, I will no longer be the 'Broken Hero', not now or ever again.
"Um, Caesar?" A feminine voice rang out, shaking me out of my internal monologue. I turned to see Hera standing there, a confused expression on her face. I looked at her, then towards my hand that was still reaching towards the sky, before quickly lowering my hand with a cough. I shook my head to hide my embarrassment before standing and rushing over to her.
"Hera!" I said while grabbing her hands and pulling them closer to me. "I did it! I broke the Level Cap!" Her face twisted in shock. Her eyes stuck wide open with her mouth agape. I stared into her beautiful, purple eyes, my excitement evident. "Come, come, I'll show you!" I pulled her by the hand, dragging her still shocked rigid body up to our dorm. I grabbed the status board and turned it on before turning it towards her. "Look!"
Her jaw, which I didn't think could fall any lower, dropped to the floor. "You… weren't lying…" Teardrops started to flow down her face, her shocked face softened and she pulled me into her embrace. "I'm so happy. Really." I enjoyed the soft feeling of her embrace, especially the feeling of her chest against me.
I'm terrible, this is supposed to be an emotional moment but all I'm having is perverted thoughts. I scolded myself internally before pulling away from Hera and giving her a smile. "You don't have to worry about me anymore, I'll become stronger than anyone." She nodded with a radiant smile, wiping the tears off her face.
"Oh, but how did you break it? We had tried a lot of things already but nothing worked." I froze at her question, unsure of how to respond. I could tell the truth but I'm afraid of what might happen if my skill information gets out, and I'm afraid of how Hera might react.
"Um, I'll tell you when I'm ready. For now, just know that it wasn't anything dangerous, okay?" I avoided answering for now, hoping that she'd accept my excuse. Hera nodded her head, still beaming.
"Okay. If you don't want to tell me it's okay, I'm sure you have a good reason." She truly was an angel. "Does this also mean you won't tell James?" I nodded. James was trustworthy, just like Hera, but for now I didn't want anyone to know about my Skill. I needed more power first.
"Oh, but we should still tell him about my level up. We should let everyone know that I am no longer weak." I spoke with determination, I wasn't going to act like those cliché protagonists who hide their power and act weak. I was going to flaunt my power, and abuse the benefits that come with it to become stronger than everyone else. That way I will never be trampled on again.