Chapter 28

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Translator: MadScientist

Chapter: 28

Chapter Title: Stud-Style Growth

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"As you know, the Academy's hunter rankings—from A to E—are the same as the official ratings issued by external organizations, yet different at the same time. The ratings here are merely internal benchmarks for evaluating a student's potential."

The equipment stocked in this gear storage room is the same.

I listened quietly to his explanation. It was something I already knew, but reviewing it wasn't a bad idea.

"The gear ranges from A-grade to E-grade. Theoretically, grades are determined by the maximum output they can produce. So a higher grade doesn't always mean better equipment."

"There are a lot of variables to consider, like compatibility with awakened skills, proficiency, mana consumption, and so on."

"Exactly."

Keeeng—

He held his student ID up to the recognition panel beside the iron door, and the heavy portal began sliding open to either side with a deep rumble.

I couldn't help letting out a short gasp at the sight beyond.

"Whoa..."

Of course, I'd seen it in the game before, but illustrations and seeing it with your own eyes were worlds apart.

It was beyond imagination.

A vast space stretched out endlessly. The area was like several gymnasiums combined, with shelves towering up to the dizzyingly high ceiling.

Every shelf was packed tight with weapons and armor emitting multicolored glows, along with accessories in bizarre shapes whose purposes were hard to guess.

Magic swords and staves infused with faint blue mana, suits of armor forged ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠from steel, special alloys, or unknown leathers in every variety, mystical amulets and rings granting special abilities.

It was a massive warehouse-style storage room rivaling a big-box store. Each section had grade markers and brief descriptions posted, and I spotted a few students examining or testing out gear.

"The C-grade section is over there. Take your time looking around. If nothing catches your eye, you can always come back later."

Yuneungmok guided me to the section, then gave a short nod and left, saying he had other business. I stood there with my mouth agape, staring blankly at the incredible scene before me.

"Whew... alright, now what should I pick?"

A C-grade gear set. It was definitely a golden opportunity.

But the problem was deciding what to choose.

The first thing that came to mind was, naturally, 'Maker'-related equipment. Special mana control tools or precision processing aids, something like that.

But I knew my place.

My only Maker-related talent was the Myth-grade skill 'Clone Creation'. Everything else in general crafting was trash-tier. No way I'd be able to make proper use of expensive tools.

'Just go with general combat gear, then?'

A sword or shield? Or a ranged weapon?

My ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠combat style wasn't set in stone yet. So far, I'd been summoning clones to fight or supporting with basic Freezing Magic. Picking a main weapon hastily could even hinder my growth.

'Maybe grab the most popular item and sell it...'

Sell it for cash? That wasn't useless either. If I couldn't find what I wanted, it was worth considering.

After wandering around for about an hour deep in thought, my eyes stopped at one corner. It wasn't gear—a shelf displaying glass vials filled with liquids.

'Elixirs...'

A collection of ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠consumables like stat-boosting potions, mana restoratives, antidotes, and the like.

C-grade ones should have pretty solid effects.

Probably two or three times better than that lowest-grade Mana Elixir I'd drunk that day.

This might actually be better than mediocre gear. Strengthening the body itself or securing emergency meds for crises could be the smarter play.

Yeah, elixirs it is. With that decided, I headed to the elixir shelves.

Stamina boosters, mana circulation enhancers, sensory amplifiers... As I browsed the varieties, something unexpected caught my eye.

A small bottle with ornate designs and blatantly explicit labeling.

"Virility booster? They even have stuff like this?"

Of course, it wasn't labeled quite so bluntly as 'Virility Booster'. Most boasted tame effects like 'Strength and Endurance Enhancement', 'Vitality Promotion', 'Mind and Body Stabilization'.

But I knew better. Red-light district veteran, seasoned in Paradise.

I knew the euphemisms used for these drugs and the hidden effects of certain ingredients.

Take that 'Orc Muscle Enhancement Potion' over there, for example.

It was common knowledge that elixirs with 'orc' in the main ingredient name had a bonus effect of noticeably boosting bedroom vigor on top of pure muscle gains.

Thanks to trace amounts of special herbs that stimulated male hormones.

And that 'Bicorn Horn Powder Tonic' next to it.

Anything with 'bicorn' in the ingredients didn't just pep you up—it dramatically increased semen volume and quality.

'Hiding stuff like this in the Academy gear room. Figures there'd be some under-the-table black market goods.'

I casually glanced around, pretending nonchalance. Luckily, the C-grade elixir section was dead quiet. Perfect opportunity. This was it.

Way more practical than half-assed combat gear or crafting tools I couldn't use. Especially considering synergy with my talents.

I grabbed the two types without hesitation. Soon, as my basket overflowed, a voice softly echoed through the space.

'Ten bottles is the max, huh.'

This was more than satisfying enough.

I filled my bag to the brim with potions and strode out of the gear room in high spirits. Yuneungmok, waiting out front, gave a strange look at the elixirs I'd brought.

"You went with elixirs. Strength and endurance boosters, at that."

"Uh..."

"I figured you'd pick Maker gear. Instructor Seraphina thought so too."

Thankfully, he seemed clueless about their hidden effects. Well, if he knew, he'd be a red-light regular.

I played it cool.

"Item crafting takes a lot of physical effort, you know? Stamina's key."

Not wrong. Clone Creation and interacting with clones both drained stamina and virility like crazy. Yuneungmok nodded, convinced.

"Understood. Shall we head back, then?"

"Wait, just a sec. I want to drink these first..."

"Here?"

Yuneungmok raised an eyebrow slightly.

"This gear room isn't for consumption..."

"There's hardly anyone around anyway. I can chug 'em in a hallway corner or somewhere quiet."

"That'd be problematic."

I furrowed my brow. I just wanted to drink alone, and here he was meddling.

"When taking elixirs, safety protocol requires someone to monitor for side effects or 'qi deviation' risks. Per regulations, I'll accompany you."

"Qi devia—what?"

"Simply put, it's when the body can't handle the elixir's power, causing mana or life force to rampage. Rare with C-grade, but rules are rules."

Damn, that rigid guy... Seraphina's watchdog on me, huh?

In the end, we found a deserted outdoor training ground on the Academy outskirts.

The empty corner of the quiet field.

I nodded and perched on a rock. Yuneungmok stood a short distance away, back turned. His idea of consideration... or just indifference.

I uncapped the red 'Orc Muscle Enhancement Potion' first. Thick, earthy scent wafted out. I downed it in one gulp without hesitation.

Gulp.

Intense heat hit the moment it passed my throat. Every muscle fiber in my body contracted and relaxed like it was screaming, swelling up.

And all that energy surged fiercely toward one point below my lower abdomen, like a magnet pulling it in—right between my legs.

"Ngh...!"

No, it wasn't just hot—its presence ballooned insanely.

Flesh and veins twisted tight, swelling rock-hard, straining against my tough underwear like it might rip through any second. The rigid tip scraped fabric, sending tingles.

'Whoa... hits like a truck.'

I nearly gasped aloud, forgetting the guy nearby. Yuneungmok glanced back. I felt his gaze linger on the bulge at my crotch.

"Ah."

"You, what the—"

His face was half-hidden by long hair, but his ear tips seemed pink, shoulders trembling faintly.

"Sorry, but this is just a physical reaction... ahem, don't get the wrong idea."

I awkwardly explained. He cleared his throat.

"Ahem... n-no. Some strength elixirs do have that... side effect. No need to worry."

"Y-yeah, good."

His reaction was odd, but I pulled out the remaining orc potions and downed them all in seconds.

With each bottle, the scorching heat in my groin intensified, the vein-bulging monster beyond erection—painfully rigid.

Impulse to drop trou and relieve it surged wildly. After dumping all four orc potions down my gullet.

"Ooh...!"

Born for this, huh.

Not everyone gained skills from elixirs, obviously. Pure talent territory.

Grinning in satisfaction, I grabbed the next. 'Bicorn Horn Powder Tonic'.

Clear liquid flecked with faint blue powder.

Sweat poured, but aside from the groin blaze, I could still ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠handle it.

Downed it in one go.

"Kgh!"

No muscle boil this time—instead, deep in the groin, around the balls and semen source, an itch started. It morphed into a surging fullness, like something bubbling up.

After the last five bicorn tonics, it was crystal clear. Balls heavy and swollen, groin pressure way past limits.

'Hah, fuck, got another skill—great, but...!'

Too much?

After all ten elixirs, my body overflowed with uncontrollable heat and virility, soaked in sweat.

Lower half uncontrollably erect, balls aching with backed-up load pressure. Breath ragged and hot. Needed to grab someone—anyone—and unload now, or go insane.

"Th-that restroom over there..."

"Y-yeah... g-go, quick."

Even the watchdog looked off.

Ngh.

Gotta handle this fast.