The academy's massive library towered over Alex as he stepped inside. Sunlight streamed through its tall stained-glass windows, casting colored shadows across endless rows of shelves filled with ancient books, modern research, and digital archives. He glanced around with cautious wonder—this was a place of knowledge, but it was also a place to be discreet.
Kirito gave him a small nod as Alex turned to leave. "Going somewhere?"
Alex tried to keep his tone casual. "Just the library. Thought I'd do some research."
Kirito raised a brow but didn't press. "Alright. Catch you later."
The academy library was vast—walls lined with shelves that stretched up into a dome of quiet knowledge. Alex wandered through the dimly lit aisles until he found a section labeled History of Supernaturals. It was tucked away in a corner, almost like it didn't want to be found.
He ran his fingers along the spines until one thick, dusty book caught his attention. The gold-engraved title read: The Hidden Races: A Compendium on the Supernaturals. Curious, he pulled it out and flipped through the pages.
> Long before humanity developed abilities, they shared the world with creatures born from mana's chaotic depths—beings like vampires, werewolves, and ghouls. Though their existence has been shrouded in myth and legend, historical evidence suggests they once walked among humans. Vampires, masters of charm and bloodlust. Werewolves, creatures of instinct and raw strength. Ghouls… beings of hunger and shadow.
Alex's eyes widened slightly.
So vampires and werewolves are real too?
He continued scanning the pages, noting vague descriptions and old sketches of monstrous figures cloaked in darkness. Some pages had been scratched out or censored, as if someone wanted the truth hidden.
> Ghouls, unlike vampires or werewolves, are far more primal in nature. They evolve based what they eat and mana they consume…
That was all it said before the section abruptly ended.
Feeling an unsettling curiosity stir inside him, Alex shelved the book and continued searching. Deeper into the aisle, he found another volume—smaller, rougher, and far more specific: Anatomy and Habits of Mutated Races: Volume I.
He opened it and flipped to the section labeled GHOULS.
> Ghouls are a rare, mutated species that thrive on flesh and mana. Notable for their physical strength, rapid regeneration, and heightened senses, they are feared not only for their combat ability but their insatiable hunger.
Alex leaned closer.
> Their primary diet consists of raw flesh—specifically human or humanoid flesh. Unlike vampires who consume blood, ghouls require the physical body to maintain their energy and survive prolonged regeneration. A ghoul deprived of flesh for long periods becomes feral, unpredictable, and violent.
His breath hitched.
Human flesh?
His stomach twisted, and his fingers trembled against the page.
> In rare recorded cases, halfling ghouls—those who haven't fully integrated the ghoul gene—experience fluctuating hunger cycles. Some attempt to suppress the instinct. Most fail.
Alex slammed the book shut, his breathing uneven. Panic crept into his chest like a storm rolling in. He stared blankly at the rows of books, trying to process what he had just read.
So it's true… I'm one of them. A creature that feeds on people.
He wiped the sweat from his brow, swallowing hard.
That explains everything,the insatiable hunger he has being feeling,the hunger level the system displays.