“Are you speaking of the next realm of blood magic?”
The next realm of blood magic, indeed. Wasn’t the ultimate point of blood magic simply using blood instead of mana as the cost?
“Yes. The pinnacle I’ve reached after long years of research, the essence of blood magic, I shall impart it to you, my kin.”
[Quest Initiated!]
[Explore the next realm of blood magic, known only to a select few among the vampire nobility, those who have reached the edge of Blad.]
[Blood Magic Proficiency Unlocked]
[Upon reaching maximum proficiency, acquire a new skill.]
Contrary to my misunderstanding, the status screen offered me an intriguing quest.
“Frost mane? Why do you look so lost, staring blankly into the air?”
“Oh, it’s nothing.”
“Hmm. It’s quite rare for you to show confusion, suspicious indeed.”
True, I was momentarily disconcerted. But I quickly regained my usual composure.
“It seems Lady Bathory is in a good mood.”
“Ho-ho, does it show? You have seen right. The offering made to me was exactly to my liking.”
Seeing her grin made me feel lighter as well.
‘There’s a pleasure in taking care of someone.’
It felt like taming a bad-tempered stray cat. I almost reached out to stroke her golden hair but restrained myself. Instead, I inserted a freshly crafted blood gem into her pendant.
“Have one whenever you’re hungry or just feel like it. Blood, I can replenish easily enough.”
“Don’t overdo it.” Bathory said, gently touching the gemstone.
Her tone was laced with concern, as if worrying I might suffer from anemia.
“Don’t worry. I take good care of my health.”
“Right. I was needlessly worried. You’ve lived here longer and will manage fine on your own.”
She twisted a strand of her long hair, looking at me curiously. After a moment of silence, she spoke.
“Going forward, along with improving your blood circulation, we shall also pursue magical training. However, one concern arises.”
“What is it?”
“Undoubtedly, the essence of blood magic is powerful, but it also requires a significant amount of blood. I wonder if you, without a blood pouch, can withstand it.”
In essence, upgrading the engine means it will require more fuel. Without a storage unit, I risked anemia or worse if I misused magic.
“So, it’s fine as long as I have a blood pouch?”
“Um? If it doesn’t directly consume your blood, then yes.”
“Then there’s no issue.”
[How to Acquire Blood Magic Proficiency ~ Complete Guide to Mastery!]
How a roughly written guide on blood magic I posted became one of the top ten bests in the community. It’s because it carries a manageable penalty.
[A rank: Blood Magic]
[Allows the use of magic by utilizing blood instead of mana. If there is no blood in the vampire’s unique organ, the blood pouch, stamina is consumed instead.]
‘If there’s no blood pouch. That means, as long as I secure a blood pouch, it’s fine.’
“Having a blood pouch should suffice, right?”
“…You seem to be under a misconception. Being a doppelganger doesn’t mean it replicates internal organs as well.”
“Heh, we’ll see about that.” Now that I’m at the academy, it’s only a matter of time before this penalty is removed.
‘Good. Enhance the skill, remove the penalty, saving Bathory was indeed the right choice.’
As I nodded in satisfaction, I felt an explicit gaze from somewhere. Bathory was staring intently at my face, her cheeks noticeably redder against her pale complexion.
“Lady Bathory? Are you okay?”
“Oh, it’s nothing! Let’s start with improving your blood circulation first!”
Perhaps it’s because she’s been with me, her skill in diverting the topic under the guise of blood magic was truly artistic.
“The basic principle of blood magic is converting blood into mana. So, to reach its pinnacle, we must first overhaul the pathways.”
If it’s necessary preparation for enhancing my skill, I braced myself for the pain, evident in her sympathetic gaze.
“I welcome it.”
“True to my kin, brave. Then, let’s proceed with the procedure.”
Suddenly, her long, sharpened fingernails pierced into my wrist.
“Eh? What’s this?”
How could I forget? The experience that made me scream my throat sore when acquiring blood magic.
“It will be slightly painful. Endure it.”
“No, this is not just ‘slightly’ painful… Aaagh!”
Then came the sensation of being pricked with needles all over from the inside. Although I had experienced it before, the pain was unbearable.
Bathory smiled close to me.
“Good thing I cast a soundproofing spell in advance. Ah, it’s been a while since I heard such a doppelganger-like voice from you.”
All her previous concerns seemed sold off somewhere. She casually made a daunting remark, typical of a demon.
Whew. What felt like an hour for every second, I took her graceful hand to stand up, feeling lighter, and sighed.
[Vampire nobility-grade blood circulation improvement completed.]
[Significant proficiency and power boost added]
[Resource consumption amplified]
“I thought I was going to die…”
“Exaggeration. Would I let you die? At least, not until our kinship contract ends. I am with you until that day.”
That made sense. If my life were in danger, Bathory would be at risk too.
“As I said earlier, hold off on your worries. For Lady Bathory’s sake, I’ll manage my health and life well.”
Another reason to protect Luciana emerged. For this demon who loyally follows and adores me.
“It’s late, let’s return. Tomorrow is the entrance ceremony. Will you accompany me?”
“Of course! I will gladly spend time in your shadow.”
She seemed quite pleased with the gift, continuously fidgeting with the necklace.
Glad she liked it, but I found it curious.
‘Was it really that pleasing? I gave it as a somewhat decent emergency ration container.’
***
Diverse attire. A mix of accents. The academy’s auditorium during the entrance ceremony was truly a cauldron of chaos.
“So noisy and disorderly. Are these truly the nobles representing this empire?”
Luciana, feeling the same, quietly murmured her displeasure so only I could hear.
It was only natural for Luciana to react with a frown.
“…So noisy.”
“What’s with all the fuss?”
Other nobles from the North shared her displeasure, displaying their discomfort quite openly. After all, in the North, being taciturn is considered a virtue—a culture naturally formed due to the extremely cold climate. However, this trait is often seen as rude in other regions.
Just considering the North alone, if they act like this, what about the others?
“Pff, country bumpkins puffing themselves up in the capital.”
It was hard to watch everyone pretending to be something they’re not. “Because they’re nobles?”
“Riffraff not knowing their place.”
Although not spoken aloud, the students were already forming cliques based on region and status, whispering and disparaging each other.
In this tense atmosphere, an amplified voice suddenly filled the auditorium, breaking the odd silence.
“Good to meet you all! I am Gordon, the dean of this academy! I’ve heard so much about this being a golden batch that my ears could fall off, but seeing you all in person truly moves me.”
However, the mild curiosity sparked by his voice quickly faded. The same moralizing speech, a common feature across all nations and even other worlds.
“When will this end?”
“Entrance ceremonies are meaningless anyway. This ceremonial speech is just the same, I want to go home.”
Unsurprisingly, the students’ eyes were filled with boredom.
“Oh dear. Everyone’s here for the ceremony, but it seems no one’s interested in an old man’s speech.”
Noticing the mood, Gordon smiled wryly from the lectern.
“In that case! This dull and utterly boring ceremony should be enjoyed amongst yourselves!”
This unexpected remark made the students turn their heads again.
“?”
“?”
“What’s this?”
Shaking off his previous somber demeanor, Gordon now held a staff as tall as he was, grinning cheekily.
The ground of the lectern split in two, fueled by Gordon’s magic.
But it didn’t stop there.
– System activation. Education mode resumes.
With a thunderous sound, an uncountable number of golems emerged. From the split ground, giants inlaid with expensive high-quality magic stones sprang forth.
“What’s happening?”
“Golems?! Why are military weapons here…”
Among those struggling to maintain their balance, only Luciana beside me stood calmly, arms crossed.
“As Hans said last night, this is the entrance exam.”
“Yes, exactly. It’s about establishing a hierarchy.”
What could be a more natural element for the starting point of an adventure at the academy than this?
‘It hasn’t changed. This matches the original plot exactly.’
A tutorial, essentially. New players must be kindly taught the basic controls before they can enjoy or quit the game.
“The test is simple! Form a team with four others from different origins and defeat my golems.”
This was why I gathered information from Wolbaek. A team had to be formed with members from the East, West, South, North, and Central regions.
Forcing them to bond, even if artificially. A highly result-oriented approach!
“After all that mutual wariness earlier, how else are you supposed to become close if not like this?”
The smile that spread across the ample face of the so-called educator was devilishly mischievous. The explanation that followed was just as malevolent. Couldn’t gather a team? Instant disqualification, without even a chance to challenge. It was a harsh condition for students who had just met, coming from vastly different cultures and value systems.
‘Well, the protagonist, being a saint, naturally attracted the male leads and even the wild ones, but unfortunately, I’m not the protagonist.’
[Quest Initiated!]
[Condition 1: Form a party with individuals from four different regions, excluding the ‘Western’ region.]
[Condition 2: Defeat at least one of Gordon’s golems with your party.]
[Reward: Top ranks in the academy grading system.]
“Then, Hans, you’ll be teaming up with me,” she said, considering I was, nominally at least, from the West. Forming a team with her posed no problem.
“Ahaha, Lady Luciana. As I said before,” I glanced around. Four presences were approaching Luciana. “The academy is an extension of social gatherings. There are those who would be more fitting to accompany a lady of your stature.”
And those approaching were indeed impressive. From Camilla, who started with disdain and quickly looked away upon seeing me, to…
“It’s been a while, Lady Speda,” greeted by Luke, the successor of the Daimon Ducal Family, in a white suit adorned with various accessories and a monocle.
“I’m curious to see how much Lady Speda’s martial prowess has progressed,” added Theodor, the heir of the Treha Ducal Family, his birthplace evident from the silk clothes and the curved sword at his waist.
And finally, the most noble blood among them, her fiancé, casually extending his hand, his splendid attire and dignity fitting for one who would ascend to the emperor’s throne.
“I’ll gladly follow,” I said, though I sensed her concealed emotions, invisible to others.
[Luciana’s Current Psychology]
[This situation is rather awkward for me, but I’d have preferred to do this with Hans. What a pity.]
‘Damn it! I feel the same!’
To miss the tutorial with my favorite character! If my comrade Elizabeth knew, she’d mock me for not being a true believer.
But it couldn’t be helped. This was an opportunity to see how those around Luciana behaved. Though it was clear without watching: the Crown Prince’s heart had already strayed from Luciana. How the other ducal families, promised in marriage to the royal family yet receiving no special treatment, viewed Luciana.
“Then, let’s get moving.” With Luciana’s abilities, securing the highest academy grade, A, was a given. I couldn’t fall behind. To remain by her side, I had to secure an A as well.
“Elizabeth from the North will do, and hmm, who from the East would be good?” Elizabeth, the most significant connection from the North and my ally, was whom I sought out next, her smooth pink hair a beacon.
But my plan was off to a spectacularly bad start.
Cliche Novel 