As we made our way deeper into the forest, I walked slightly ahead, scanning the surroundings while subtly leading us off the main path. The dense foliage and the eerie silence of the forest provided the perfect cover for my plans.
Oscar, ever vigilant, was on high alert, his eyes darting around for any sign of danger. Amelia, on the other hand, seemed more focused on me, her concern evident in her eyes. I could use that to my advantage.
“Stay close, Nathan,” Amelia said, her voice soft but firm. “This part of the forest can be dangerous.”
I nodded, slowing my pace so that she and Oscar could catch up. “I know, teacher. That’s why I asked you to come with me. I feel safer with you around.”
She smiled, a slight blush coloring her cheeks. “Just be careful.”
“Don’t worry, Lady Amelia. As long as I’m here, nothing bad will happen,” Oscar assured her with a bright smile.
Despite his obvious interest in Gwen, Oscar had a fondness for Amelia as well. From what Khione had told me, the King’s directives encouraged many to seek marriages and children with the Heroes, especially the strongest among us. Amelia had firmly told them to stop pestering us about marriage, but some persisted in secret.
I was fairly certain that several of my classmates had already engaged in intimate relations, particularly the boys with maids. During my late-night outings for training, I occasionally noticed maids slipping into the rooms of my classmates, likely sent under the emperor’s orders to ensure the continuation of the Heroes’ bloodline.
I wasn’t particularly disgusted by this arrangement.
As long as they didn’t interfere with my plans or target the women I was interested in, I didn’t care. Otherwise, I would have to intervene, much like I was doing with Amelia, who, from my perspective, seemed the easiest to manipulate.
Not that she was an easy woman by any means. It had taken a month of strategic conversations, sweet words, ‘accidental’ touches, and carefully orchestrated moments to make her start seeing me as a man rather than just a student. She would have directly rejected me after a few days if not for my Luck too.
My concern wasn’t about her being swayed easily, but rather about her relenting and going along with the pressures to spare us students.
I could already imagine the Emperor pressuring us to have children. I could see Amelia offering herself, which I wouldn’t accept.
“Thanks. It’s reassuring,” Amelia said with a smile.
“We have until tomorrow afternoon. Let’s make sure Hero Nathan gains at least ten levels,” Oscar added with a seemingly kind look.
No need to act, Oscar. I know very well you intend to get rid of me one way or another tonight.
“Watch out!” Amelia shouted, summoning an earth barrier in front of us.
BADOOM!
Something collided forcefully with Amelia’s barrier, but it held strong. We heard a pained groan from a beast behind it.
As expected of our teacher.
Amelia had an A-Rank Barrier Skill specialized in Earth magic. At level forty-one, her barriers were exceptionally strong. The only downside, if it could be called that, was that her skill was mainly focused on defense. It could inflict damage, but not a lot.
Still, her protective skill was invaluable in situations like this. Seeing how much she cared about her students, it was a fitting main skill for Amelia.
Could it be that our main skills are related to who we truly are?
“It’s a level 33 Forest Wolf! Lady Amelia, protect your student! He’s too weak for this one!” Oscar called out, emphasizing my supposed weakness with a condescending tone.
He was arrogant, and I couldn’t blame him for it.
Oscar. Activate Skill.
[Eye of Odin]
I considered it the strongest skill I had obtained in the past month among the few others and by a large margin, without a single doubt.
An SSS-Rank Skill.
How did I obtain it?
It was 90% thanks to my luck and 10% due to ten days of intense study in the library. I spent ten days there with little to no sleep, reading everything I could find about Odin.
It all started a few days after I took Khione’s virginity.
I was reading a book about skills—specifically low-ranked skills—because I wanted to be prepared if I ever got my hands on a skill book that could grant a skill directly. I even considered using my influence as a Hero to ask the King for the skills I wanted.
That was my initial plan.
But after hours of reading about stealth skills, the first skill I wanted due to its usefulness for escaping the castle or avoiding danger, something unexpected happened. I received a message on my blue screen. With the label ‘New,’ I had obtained one of the stealth skills I was reading about.
A Skill I planned to ask the Emperor putting away my pride had been obtained for just a few hours of reading and absurd Luck.
When I told Khione what happened, even she couldn’t believe it. I could still picture her shocked face.
Obtaining skills through fighting and training was extremely rare. Most people didn’t bother with it, preferring to look for skill books instead. This reliance on luck made the process even more complicated in this world.
In any case, I had been very lucky to get an SSS Skill. Even with over 10,000 luck points, I hadn’t obtained any other SSS or SS skills. It seemed impossible no matter how many SSS skill books I studied. So, I didn’t waste time and lowered my greed to “lower” skills.
Well, I wasn’t disappointed at all though.
[Eye of Odin] was the skill I was most proud of and, to me, the strongest.
I looked at Oscar as my right eye flashed gold for a moment.
I saw it.
Oscar.
Level 87.
Unfortunately, probably because I was still too “weak,” I couldn’t see more. I expected to see more information as I grew stronger. Also, if Oscar was too strong—meaning the margin between our levels was too wide—I wouldn’t have been able to see his level at all.
If I could see a level correctly, it meant the person was either weaker, around the same, or just a little stronger than me.
I glanced at my own level.
Nathan Parker.
Level 72.
Yeah, I had become a lot stronger, but not as much as anyone might think, even with a cheat Goddess. And yes, I could have easily farmed more levels if I wanted to, but I didn’t.
Why?
What’s better: being overwhelmingly stronger than my classmates with few skills or being still stronger than my classmates and having more skills in my arsenal?
I made my choice and willingly neglected my physical training, spending more time in the library to get the maximum number of skills possible using the biggest advantage I had in the castle: free and 24-hour access to the library.
I couldn’t waste this chance, especially considering the possibility that I might have to escape the Empire.
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