Lord Cromwell's expression crumpled completely.

Under Evangeline's cold stare, he didn't dare to open his mouth.

'Since when did this little bitch accept another disciple? A true disciple no less!'

Similar thoughts were passing through the heads of the other Lords.

Several vampires gulped nervously when they saw the rotten look on Lord Cromwell's face.

There was a rumor that Evangeline was among the strongest ten vampires. And that was a great achievement considering the Lords were the first group of humans Scarlett turned. Every other vampire was sired by the nine lords bringing about the nine vampire families. For Evangeline who was in the same generation as Julian to be comparable to them was an unparalleled achievement that showed her monstrous talent.

Only the nobles with great status knew that she was actually among the top 5, causing them to respect her even more. It was just that even the information they perceived was somewhat lacking.

Aside from Scarlett and Headmaster Holden, Evangeline was the strongest vampire in history, together with King Nathan.

It was just that the public didn't know the true depth of her strength.

Evangeline looked at Lord Cromwell with mocking eyes before she shifted her attention to Arlo.

"Tell me, who dared to bully you? I will smash them before your face!"

Count Cromwell and Hayes flinched. Beads of sweat soon appeared on their foreheads.

Arlo looked at Evangeline with pure admiration.

'This is what power can achieve!' His will was further firmed when he saw all those who dared to mistreat him shrink before Evangeline few words.

Arlo took a breath after a brief moment and replied with a smile on his face, "I am fine."

Evangeline looked at him for several breaths before she shrugged. She could guess what was going on in Arlo's head, and she respected his decision.

Lord Cromwell, Count Cronwell, and Count Hayes visibly relaxed upon hearing Arlo's response.

"Evangel, come here so we can start the ritual!" Count Ashley, a middle-aged woman with long white hair tied into a bun voiced out.

Evangeline looked at the old beauty before relenting. Even though she was far stronger than Count Ashley, she still respected the leader of her family, who believed in her when she was at her weakest.

She ruffled Arlo's hard before moving towards her clan.

Stefan approached Arlo and elbowed him by his side, "I admire you."

Arlo arched his back from the blow before voicing out in confusion:

"Why?"

"You became her true disciple."

"Aren't you also her disciple?"

"That is right. But I am only an ordinary disciple. You on the other hand is her true disciple who would succeed her inheritance and techniques."

Arlo's eyes widened upon realizing the weight behind his new status as Evangeline's disciple.

He looked at Evangeline with moist eyes, 'I won't disappoint you.'

Evangeline who was looking at the starting ritual with a bored look suddenly shifted her gaze towards him.

Seeing Arlo's expression, she flashed him a rare smile that mesmerized several male nobles in the hall.

Throughout the events that happened, Headmaster Holden didn't say a word and merely watched.

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

He didn't bother to side with Arlo and Stefan as he knew that when Arlo's new status as Evangeline's true disciple became known, no one would dare to block his path.

Now that the issue had been addressed, he ignored Lord Cromwell and the other Lord's glare and spoke with a low yet resounding voice:

"Let the awakening ritual begin!"

Principal Stanley removed the cloth covering the object he was holding to reveal a small colorless orb.

.....

Vampires are creatures that have supernatural strength, speed, and regeneration. They have heightened senses that allow them to react fast to dangers. Not only that, they can use spiritual energy to perform soul attacks. Those with high proficiency with soul attacks could even compel humans and beasts to do their bidding.

However, Noble vampires could do more than that. Each of the nine lords inherited a divine ability of Scarlett, and those who were sired by them or have their origin blood could receive these abilities.

The moon hung high in the sky and illuminated the world in its divine light.

In a great castle located in the central region of the Darkblood academy...

The vampires gathered together to partake in a new awakening ritual. These rituals allowed young vampire nobles to awaken the origin blood they had inherited either from their parents or received from a source.

Another aim of these rituals was to showcase the talents of each vampire clan, which was one of the reasons why some of the vampires didn't interfere when Arlo and Dean were told to leave. No matter what, it wasn't right to reveal the growing weapons of the vampire race.

"Place your hand on the Orb!" Principal Stanley commanded.

Ric did as instructed. He felt a warm energy enter his body from the colorless orb. The energy roamed around his body, entered his mana core, and finally moved into his bloodstream.

A minute after placing his hand on the orb, the orb lit up with a violet color.

"Ohh!" A commotion rang out in the hall.

A smile lit Principal Stanley's face as he announced:

"A first-tier talent!"

A look of happiness appeared on Ric's face as he turned toward the direction of his clan group.

He could see his parents holding hands and looking at him with pride. After a short moment, the commotion died down.

Now it was time to see how his clan truly valued his talent. His parents were nobles with neither high nor low status. They were mid-class. So while his parent could share some of the origin blood they had with him, it was better to receive it from a person with higher status, as they would be able to share more.

Not surprisingly, Count Hayes, the leader of their clan walked out and climbed the altar.

"You are a rare talent of my clan!" he showered Ric with praise.

Ric bowed his head in happiness. His heart was filled with pride.

'Now, I should be able to trample you.' Arlo's image flashed within his mind.

'Just you wait.'

Count Hayes created a dark bowl using his mana and drew blood from the pillar, then he handed it to Ric, "Drink!"

Ric took the bowl respectfully and gulped it down in one go.

Soon after, the bowl fell from his hands before he fell to his knees. The bowl turns into wisps of darkness before touching the floor.

The sclera of Ric's eyes turned blood-red, dark veins appeared under his eyes as the blood pumped forcefully through them, and his canine teeth extended into razor-sharp fangs.

Count Hayes's finger extended into a claw before he drew blood from his palm.

"Drink!" he commanded as he raised his hand above Ric's head. Three drops of dark blood fell into his mouth.

Immediately after entering his body, the flowed through his bloodstream and moved toward where his dormant origin blood lay.

After mixing together, Ric's dormant origin blood awakened, as they shone with a dark glow. The three drops of origin blood merged with them and became Ric's own.

"Roar!" Ric raised his head and released a roar. His body shone with a dark light and soon after his skin took a dark shade.

Arlo looked at Ric's transformation and couldn't help but gulp. He wasn't sure if Ric's skin had turned into scales or not.

<< His clan ability is the ability to absorb shock further boosting his defense. Also, few objects would be able to penetrate the defense of his skin. >>

Old Bro's voice which Arlo had not heard for a long time suddenly resounded in his head, but Arlo welcomed it.

He looked at Count Hayes whose face was a bit pale, and asked a question in his mind:

'Why was he called a first-tier talent?'

Count Hayes took Ric back to their group after his transformation ended.

Lysa was the second student to be called to the altar. Teacher Julian announced her talent with joy:

"A second-tier talent!"

Her talent was determined to be a second-tier talent, and she also received origin blood from her clan leader, Count Elsher who was a female.

After receiving two drops of origin blood, Lysa's Legs transformed into a monster's. Unlike before, her transformation was more detailed and menacing. Sharp bones protruded out the back of her calves, and she had four toes instead of the previous three which extended into sharp talons.

After Lysa, several students were called onto the stage. Arlo watched their transformation intently and clenched his hands together.

'They have become stronger.'

After the transformation, Ric, Lysa, and the others experienced a breakthrough in their cultivation. In fact, Ric, Lysa, Sol, and James were able to jump a level to become mid-level advanced mages. Not only that, the awakening of their bloodline had strengthened their transformation and increased their strengths by many folds.

'I am no more their match!' Arlo came to a painful truth. However, he wasn't sad nor was he angry. He trusted in Evangeline and his talents and believed he would also get stronger.

But for now, he knew he couldn't defend his rank in the next ranking war. Arlo was pulled out of his thoughts when Principal Stanley called out a new name.

"Rosaline Ashley!"

Out from Evangeline's clan group, Rosaline adjusted her glasses before she walked onto the altar.