Chapter 33: Unlocking the First Arrow Set: Piercing Arrows

Silas had managed to sneak Chloe out before anyone caught wind of what had transpired between them. It was the males’ dormitory after all, and if found, she could be punished. That was if he didn’t abuse his new identity as an S-Rank. Damn. It felt so good to be powerful! Anyway, he succeeded.

But his good days were just beginning. Just right after he woke up, he got a notification to head to the administration building for the pass and card to his new apartment building on campus. The message even stated that he could come for them anytime he wanted. His face lit up with joy at that. He couldn’t wait to see the expressions of people when they saw him coming out of a private apartment. He was sure the teaching staff had already gotten an update on his new identity.

"Mr. Fatars is so cooked!" he couldn’t help but exclaim. He got off the bed and literally flew to his washroom to take care of his bowels. There was no time to waste. As much as he wanted to punish the principal and the Board, he was more interested in his new apartment. As for Mr. Garfield’s advice about staying low, it passed through one ear and exited through the other.

[Check your stats.] The system suddenly said, making him raise his eyebrow in confusion. He nodded, and the status screen appeared, surprising him.

<Status Report!>

<User: Silas Cupid Ashard>

<Age: 18>

<Level: 8>

<EXP: 110 / 800>

<Core Functions: Active!>

<Strength: 19>

<Speed: 18>

<Stamina: 28>

<Agility: 17>

<Intelligence: 30>

<Endurance: 27>

<Ability & Related Skills:>

<Ability: Thread Manipulation (Stage 1)>

<Cupid’s Traits:>

- Lust (Unranked)

- Mischief (Unranked)

<Skills:>

- Smooth Talker (Lvl 2)

- Sex Machine (Lvl 2)

- Prowess (Lvl 2)

<Marked Partners:>

- Anna Miles

<System Potential:>

<Desire Manipulation: Unlocked!>

<Charm Reflex: Unlocked!>

<Targeted Obsession: Unlocked!>

<Fated Connection: Unlocked!>

<Cupid Arrow Sets (New!):>

- Piercing Arrows (Unlocked!)

"Hmm... I got an increase in stats? I thought they only increased through intense stuff like battle," Silas said with a grunt. It was obvious what he was doing; no need for graphic stuff.

[You are wrong. Unlike the systems depicted in stories, comics, manga, and anime...]

"You watch anime?"

[Shut the fuck up and let me explain!]

"..."

[Better. As I was saying, unlike those systems with no actual core, my core is Cupid. Any act that depicts Cupid in any way, no matter how little, will give you stats. But it depends on what you do. Each act has the amount of stats you can milk from it.

The current increment, for instance, is from sexual acts. Sexual acts give at most three stat points, depending on how intense it was. Your sexual acts with Anna gave you higher points because it was very intense. The one with Chloe gave at most two points, and only certain stats got that increment.]

"So, if I understand correctly, should we have done the actual deed, based on how intense it was, getting an increment in speed would have been possible, too."

[Yes...]

"You sound unsure."

[You didn’t make any sense...]

"Tch! Then how did intelligence increase that much?!"

[You were in a battle of wits against the top dogs of the academy. What do you expect? You noticed how Smooth Talker also increased in level. Not to talk about Sex Machine and Prowess.]

"I get it now. What are the piercing arrows?"

[Just what I was waiting for. First, the Cupid Weapons’ Set. Cupid, as you read about in my catalyst, the diary, was depicted as a lot of beings and entities, but there was a set of weapons that was mentioned more than once...]

"Bow and arrows."

[Yes. Cupid’s Weapons Set is a bow and arrows. But these two weapons have their own special sets. The Piercing Arrow Set are arrows with the greatest and most powerful piercing power in existence. They can pierce through anything, even intangible things like spirits. All you need is the power to fuel them. And they do not always need a bow to shoot. With or without a bow, they can function correctly.]

"WHAT THE FUCK?!"

[Chill, bro. You almost tore my ears off!]

"You have ears?"

[None of your business!]

"How do I access them, though?"

[Just will it. But mind you...]

BOOM!

"WHAT THE FUCK?!"

[YOU ARE A FUCKING IDIOT!]

The sink in the washroom, along with the poor depiction of a mirror were nowhere to be found. Thankfully, the wall didn’t disappear with them, but it was cracked very deeply.

"..."

[I’m even tired.]

"..."

***

The Vice Principal was still trying to figure out how her life had reached this point. Just a few days ago, she had been preparing disciplinary reports involving Silas Ashard. Today, she was personally escorting him to his new residence. Life was strange. Very strange.

"Must you smile like that?" Elena finally asked.

"What smile?" Silas blinked.

"The one that says you’re about to commit a crime."

"I would never."

"That’s exactly what worries me."

The beautiful woman beside them failed to suppress a small laugh. Silas immediately looked toward her. She appeared to be in her late twenties, dressed in a fitted black suit that emphasized her professional appearance. Her long dark hair cascaded over one shoulder, while a pair of silver-rimmed glasses rested on her nose.

"Claire Summers," She extended a hand. "Property Administration Department."

Silas shook it. "Silas Ashard."

"I know."

"Fair enough."

Claire smiled.

"As part of your S-Rank privileges, I was assigned to handle your accommodation transfer."

She then handed him a sleek metallic card. The card was black except for a silver "S" engraved into the center.

"Damn," Silas’s eyes widened.

"That card serves as your access pass," Claire chuckled at his reaction. "No keys are required, and biometric verification is already linked to you."

Silas immediately pocketed it. A few minutes later, the three arrived at the residential district of Valecrest. The academy itself was enormous. Most students only knew about the dormitories. Few knew there was an entirely separate residential section reserved for teachers, visiting officials, and exceptional students. At the very end of the district stood a building unlike the others. It was not massive or absurdly luxurious, but it was elegant. It had eight floors, and he didn’t know what he would be doing with them, with white and gray architecture, large glass windows, balconies, and decorative gardens surrounding the structure. It looked modern without appearing excessive.

"...That’s mine?" Silas stopped walking.

"A unit inside is yours," Claire corrected. "Don’t get greedy."

Well, it was too late. He was already imagining himself owning the whole thing. The entrance doors slid open automatically, and they entered.

Inside, the atmosphere changed immediately. The lobby was spacious. Polished floors reflected the warm lighting. Comfortable couches were arranged around a reception area. Decorative plants occupied strategic corners, while several paintings hung on the walls. It was nothing extravagant, but expensive enough that breaking something would probably require a loan.

Silas immediately walked more carefully. Unfortunately or fortunately, people had already seen them entering, and he was enjoying every second of the attention they gave. His grin became wider. Vice Principal Elena noticed, her eye twitching.

"Stop it."

"Stop what?"

"Whatever you’re thinking."

"I’m not thinking anything."

"You are."

"I’m not."

"You are."

"I’m appreciating architecture."

Elena looked unconvinced as Claire pressed a button, and the elevator arrived. The doors slid open. Silas stepped inside and turned around. A crowd had already gathered outside. They were people who already stayed around or in the place. They were teachers, and other staff, curious onlookers. Silas smiled and deliberately raised the black access card. Just enough for everyone to see.

The collective silence that followed was beautiful. Absolutely beautiful. The elevator doors began closing. The last thing everyone saw was Silas standing inside with the grin of a villain who had just completed the first phase of his evil master plan.

"Mr. Fatars is definitely going to faint."

The doors closed. Vice Principal Elena buried her face in one hand. She suddenly understood why Andrew Garfield had advised Silas to keep a low profile. The boy clearly had absolutely no intention of doing so.