Divine Milking System

I skipped back to my dorm, partly running, partly gliding with short bursts of Wave Motion that sent me sailing over patches of grass. The upgraded ability felt incredible—like having rocket boosters strapped to my feet that actually obeyed my commands instead of sending me face-first into walls.

A few early-morning students stared as I launched myself up the steps of Building C in a single bound.

"What the hell was that?" someone muttered behind me.

I couldn’t help grinning. Let them wonder. Let them talk. Yesterday I’d killed an alpha, stolen Aurora Fitzgerald’s ability, and bumped my squad into the top seven. The fat lottery winner was making moves.

Inside my apartment, I stripped off my sweat-soaked gym clothes and cranked the shower to scalding. The hot water hit my shoulders with a welcome sting, washing away the morning’s training. I leaned against the tile, letting my mind wander to Belle’s impending arrival.

She wanted another session. Another Silver buff. Which meant I’d get more essence, more lifespan, and another chance to test my newly upgraded Sensory Hijack.

The thought sent a thrill through me. Aurora’s ability was something else entirely. The capacity to control what someone else felt, tasted, heard, smelled, and saw? The combat applications were obvious—make enemies see phantom attackers, hear nonexistent sounds, feel pain that wasn’t real.

But the bedroom applications? Those were what really interested me right now.

I stepped out of the shower, toweled off, and examined myself in the mirror. The changes were becoming more noticeable. My face had lost some of its roundness. My shoulders looked broader. My stomach, while still soft, showed early definition forming beneath the remaining fat.

Limit Breaker was working its magic, accelerated by each sexual encounter. At this rate, I’d hit D-rank across the board within weeks.

My phone buzzed on the counter.

I’m outside your door. Are you decent?

Belle. Earlier than expected.

I pulled on basketball shorts and a t-shirt, still damp from the shower, and padded to the door. Taking a deep breath, I opened it.

Belle stood in the hallway looking absolutely fucking gorgeous. She wore high-waisted jeans that hugged her curves and a cropped blue sweater that matched her hair.

Her makeup was subtle but perfect—cat-eye liner, mascara that made her amber eyes pop, light gloss on her full lips. Her blue hair fell in loose waves past her shoulders, and she smelled like expensive perfume.

This wasn’t roll-out-of-bed Belle. This was I-spent-an-hour-getting-ready Belle. At 6:30 in the morning. On a Sunday.

"You look beautiful," I said, genuinely stunned.

She rolled her eyes. "Yeah, yeah. Save it for Naomi. Or Aurora." Her gaze swept over me, lingering on my damp hair and the t-shirt clinging to my still-wet chest. "Are you going to invite me in, or should we do this in the hallway?"

I stepped aside. "Someone’s in a rush."

"I have things to do today." She walked past me into the apartment, her perfume leaving a trail I wanted to follow like a cartoon character floating after a pie. "Not all of us can spend our Sundays building harems."

"Jealous?" I closed the door.

"You wish." She put her bag down on the counter and turned to face me, arms crossed. "Let’s get this done. I need the buff for some research I’m doing later."

Something was off. Belle was tense, almost nervous. Not her usual calculating self.

"What kind of research?" I moved closer.

"The kind that’s none of your business." She backed up a step. "Just... do your thing. Give me the boost, and I’ll be on my way."

I reached out and caught her wrist, gently pulling her toward me. "That’s not how this works, and you know it." I studied her face, watching her pupils dilate slightly. "The buff isn’t a drive-thru service. It takes time. Connection."

Her eyes narrowed. "Since when are you the expert on—"

I kissed her. Not roughly, not forcefully, just a sudden press of my lips against hers. But as our mouths connected, I activated my new ability.

Sensory Hijack: Taste.

Belle’s eyes went wide. She jerked back, her hand flying to her mouth. "What the hell was that?"

I smiled. "What was what?"

"That taste. Like... strawberries and champagne." She stared at me. "How did you—"

"I picked up a new trick last night."

Understanding dawned on her face. "Aurora. You stole her ability."

"Bingo."

Belle’s expression cycled through shock, confusion, and something that looked almost like fear before settling on grudging respect. "You really did it. The three-peak thing. With Aurora Fitzgerald."

"I did."

"And now you can control what I taste."

"Among other things." I moved closer again, watching her reaction. "Want to see what else I can do?"

Belle’s breathing quickened, but she maintained her composure. "This isn’t the time for games, Jace. I’m serious. I need the buff for something important."

"Tell me what it is, and maybe I’ll help you get it faster."

She hesitated, clearly weighing her options. Finally, she sighed. "Fine. Treasure hunting. I found something valuable on campus, but I need the enhanced range of Silver-tier Treasure Sense to pinpoint it before someone else does."

"What kind of valuable?"

"The kind worth about fifty thousand credits." Her eyes gleamed with excitement despite her attempt to seem casual. "A fourth-year dropped something during training yesterday. I sensed it, but couldn’t locate it exactly."

"And now you want to find it before they realize it’s missing." I nodded, understanding her urgency. "That’s my girl. Always looking for the angle."

"I’m not your girl," she said automatically, but there was no bite to it.

"Let’s get you that buff, then." I gestured toward my bedroom. "After you."

Belle walked ahead of me, her hips swaying in those tight jeans. Whatever she claimed, her body language told a different story. She was just as eager for this as I was, even with her treasure hunt waiting.

Inside my bedroom, I closed the door and activated Private Sanctum.