Chapter Fourteen
Of Blood, Swords, and Flames
A faint knock echoed through the modest room, waking Sero from his concentration as he sat cross-legged on his bed, quietly absorbing mana.
During the week since his trial, he had trained mentally, physically, and spiritually, trying to adapt to his current situation while sifting through his memories for useful information.
"Who's there?" Sero asked in a rough voice, a faint gleam in his blue eyes.
"Who else would know your room but me?" a sharp female voice boasted. Sero sighed heavily and smiled gently, "My door doesn't have the Opening and Locking Wood Shard. You can enter whenever you like."
"Breaking into others' rooms is considered trespassing in the family. As long as you don't permit it, I can't enter," the sharp voice softened to a simple tone with a hint of friendship. It was Doska who wanted to talk to Sero.
"Come in then," Sero muttered as he closed his eyes and resumed absorbing mana, only to have his concentration broken when Doska kicked the door open and entered with pride.
"Loud as always. What do you want from your little brother?" Sero opened one eye and spoke with boredom.
"I sold your shard as you asked. Although it took me a week to find a buyer, he paid a decent price," Doska said arrogantly, tossing a bag the size of a football towards Sero. Feeling it, he sensed the presence of sixty mana stones.
"By the way, it was bought for ninety, and I took thirty as my fee," Doska muttered quietly as she sat next to Sero, who felt something was amiss.
Doska was two years older than him discounting his past life, and wore a simple outfit with a black shirt and a red skirt, walking barefoot. Despite her physical strength, she looked like a shrine maiden with her milky skin and peachy lips, but her blood-red eyes and now short white hair were her most striking features.
"I don't think your lovey guy will be pleased to know you're here," Sero said with a mysterious expression, not turning his face.
"Are you trying to outsmart me, oh little brother? Don't you know that those who think others are fools are fools themselves?" Doska whispered in a silky voice in Sero's ear, her gaze cold and confident.
"An orphan girl capturing the heart of a foolish young man and befriending a dark-skinned girl. You seem craftier than I expected," Sero laughed softly.
"I chose Shindo as my friend because dark-skinned people are known for their physical strength, while Draka was just a blind fool," Doska sighed with boredom, "But, I still love Draka and Shindo, and my life goal includes them," She sighed slowly, placing her hand on her waist.
"And why are you telling me this?" Sero grumbled.
"Because I intend to use you so I am throwing some information about me, of course. You managed to temporarily evade the high judge Horai's verdict, but he has set his sights on you. Today is your first day at the academy, where you'll study for a year to become an official mage for the clan, and you'll suffer daily bullying due to your weak talent, so I intend to make you an offer," Doska spoke slyly.
Doska wasn't just a foolish brat as Sero initially thought. She was keenly insightful due to her background as an orphan who endured life's hardships, revealing that side to attract Sero's support.
But Sero had other plans for her.
"You intend to make me pay you to protect me from bullying? I refuse," Sero replied calmly, causing Doska to laugh.
"No, no. I know you'll torment those who dare to bully you, and I don't intend to interfere. My offer is that I will supply you with mana stones to bolster your weak talent in exchange for providing me with special services. For instance, I need deer meat to use a special shard I secretly obtained from last year's caravan. No one knows I possess this shard except you now," Doska spoke quietly.
When shards are placed in the magic realm, they are completely hidden from the world, only emerging into the real world when the mage dies. Thus, no one could know how many shards a person had until those shards were used in front of them.
This mental game often led some mages to shout the names of their shards to give their opponents the illusion of a limited number of shards, with some even mentioning false names to confuse their enemies.
"Agreed then. Deer meat for mana stones. Any other requests from dear sister?" Sero spoke mockingly.
"No, we'll meet in a week so bring it then," Doska sighed slowly as she was about to leave, then stopped at the door and muttered, "Orphans like us will suffer without support, so don't die," then she left silently, leaving Sero with a cold expression.
Sero turned his face and looked at the half cloudy half-lit sky through his barely lit window at dawn. He then stood up and approached it, staring at the village shrouded in morning mist, inhaling deeply, trying to recall his past as a reference for his current state.
Before he was known as Dark Waters Immortal, he was known as ???, born in a small clan called ???, where talents were ranked by stars from one to ten.
Talents from one to three were considered decent, while talents from four to six were good, and above that were considered excellent or even legendary. He was lucky to have a two-star talent.
His clan used blood shards, one of the reasons for his excitement to be part of the Geist clan, which followed the styles of the sword, blood, and flame.
"Tch, I can barely remember my name, let alone my clan's name. For now, I need to find a blood shard since I have experience with that style," Sero spoke deeply, then donned the new clothes provided by the family.
Sero's robe was black, with a headband and a white belt around his waist. The white belt symbolized the Anira clan, the red belt represented the Hervolt, and the black belt symbolized the Geist.
"First day at the academy, huh? Excited to see how things go," Sero laughed three times before leaving his room.
......
Within the Geist clan, the three families managed the clan's political and economic affairs throughout the year, leaving little time to educate the rising generations. Therefore, seasoned mages from these families were designated to teach the new students, establishing an academy in the village's inner area where special classes were held to impart all the knowledge required to make a mage.
In the middle of the wide fields of red roses in the inner area stood the Geist Clan's academy, one of the most prestigious buildings in the village, built during the time of the first founder, Immortal of Hardened Blood. The academy was not just an educational institution but a venerable stronghold of magical knowledge and ancient wisdom regarding the shards within the clan. Many students gathered at the entrance, accompanied by pathless servants whose expertise had earned them positions serving the three families personally.
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The moment the students stepped onto the academy's ground, they felt as though they had crossed into another world. The high black stone walls encircling the academy, etched with magical inscriptions that glowed pale blue under the sunlight, created an aura of awe and mystery. The main doors, made of rare amber wood adorned with intricate carvings, opened onto a bustling courtyard.
Dominating the main courtyard was a round pond, its water as clear as crystal, reflecting the cloudy sky and dark clouds. Lotus flowers grew in the pond's center, alongside a stone fountain from which water flowed gently, producing a sweet sound that evoked peace and encouraged focus.
The academy featured magnificent traditional buildings with sloped roofs covered with wooden tiles engraved with fancy patterns, reflecting the balance of natural energies. The walls were adorned with detailed illustrations depicting magical legends dating back thousands of years, intricately carved to narrate the tales of Immortal of Hardened Blood and the heroes who founded the clan with him.
Inside these buildings were advanced classrooms equipped with various tools for teaching the clan's combat techniques. The walls were lined with shelves filled with ancient scrolls that preserved the recipes for creating shards. The shelves extended to the ceiling, connected by moving ladders made of flexible bamboo wood.
The students wore meticulously designed traditional clothing in warm colors like dark blue, gold, and red. Despite the differences in attire, they wore belts indicating their family, giving them an air of dignity and uniqueness while also reflecting discipline and order.
Among the crowds entering the academy, Sero walked with boredom, looking around for someone he knew.
Everyone was led to the wide area beside the pond, where Sinbo stood proudly. Sero, standing at the back, couldn't see him due to the many people in front of him, so he just listened.
"Students, you are now on the threshold of a mysterious world full of storms and setbacks. Many of you will likely die, but I trust you already know this, so I will move on to the main point," Sinbo spoke in a clear voice that everyone could hear, even the students at the back.
"The first style is the Flame Style. You all know the power of fire and the blessings it has brought us. This style will be taught by Lady Jokai in the Flame Building to the east."
"The second style is the Sword Style, characterized by shards that create swords from various materials. The lessons will involve physical training and will be overseen by Miss Stolz, with classes held in the White Jade Building to the north."
"The third style is the Blood Style, which uses shards to transform one's blood into deadly weapons. It is also the pride of our clan's founder, Immortal of Hardened Blood. This style is taught by Lady Alice in the Blood Roses Building to the West."
"Remember, students, that magic is both a science and an art, and mana is its essence. Surviving in this world requires balancing willpower and mana."
As Sinbo's words concluded, a solemn silence fell over the courtyard, and students whispered amongst themselves about which style was superior.
"Flame Style is undoubtedly the best. Few are resistant to fire, and it boasts a long range!"
"But what if a wild beast gets close? Isn't the sword better in that case? Plus, its shards are easy to refine."
"The Blood Style seems like a middle ground, but I don't want to use my blood as a weapon. I'm not sure."
The murmurs turned into conversation and chatter, resonating throughout the area, leaving Senbo with a pleased impression.
The enthusiasm for learning was something all teachers cherished, regardless of their field, and the youthful eagerness of the students to discuss the merits and drawbacks of each style filled Sinbo with a sense of pride. However, this feeling faded when he glanced at Sero, who was calmly leaning against a wall.
"That boy is the orphan I dealt with. He seems to be deeply contemplating which style to follow," Senbo thought quietly as he tried to gauge Sero.
"Given his ability to strike a grown man, I would expect him to choose a purely offensive style, perhaps Flame?" Sinbo reasoned, only for his expression to change when he saw Sero heading towards the Blood Roses Building.
"The Blood Style? An unusual choice, but logical. The ease of shaping attacks and the adaptability seem to suit him. However, most practitioners of this style are female," Sinbo sighed softly.
.....
The Blood Roses Building was modest in structure—a small two-story building. The first floor was a simple classroom, a relatively quiet and small space, yet it carried a distinct character compared to the academy's mysterious ambiance.
The walls were painted in warm shades of dark red, adorned with simple decorations and light engravings featuring floral designs inspired by roses. The floor was made of dark wood covered with old red carpets, adding a touch of comfort and warmth.
Inside the room, small wooden tables were arranged, each equipped with simple, comfortable bamboo chairs. The tables held blank books, feathers, and ink, allowing students to take notes if they wished.
The room's lighting came from luminescent firefly crystal shards mounted on the walls, casting a soft, warm glow that enhanced the peaceful and inviting atmosphere. The small windows overlooked the academy's garden, allowing natural daylight to filter in and adding a touch of nature to the interior.
At the front desk, Alice sat comfortably and calmly, enjoying a fragrant red tea as she gazed toward the door. Her ears caught the sound of light footsteps on the wooden floor, and then five girls entered the room cheerfully.
"Greetings to Miss Alice!" the girls exclaimed with excitement and sparkling eyes, causing Alice to display a joyful expression as she raised her hand. "Welcome to my class, please have a seat," Alice said warmly, then took a small sip as the girls scampered around the room.
After a few minutes, more girls arrived, some with mischievous temperaments and voices as loud as foxes' cries, but Alice saw this as a sign of their eagerness to learn.
As time went on, more girls continued to arrive. Alice wasn't surprised, given that she was used to girls choosing the Blood Style, but she was intrigued when she saw the daughter of Nyuska among them.
Lysa Anira stood out with her striking presence and lively features. Her green eyes were like jade, and her long brown hair cascaded like silk, harmonizing perfectly with her fair skin.
"Greetings, Miss Alice," Lysa said politely while bowing in respect.
"Little Lysa, it's an honor to have you in my class. Please choose one of the front seats," Alice said with enthusiasm, following Lysa with her eyes as she walked to her seat.
But nothing was as striking as what happened next. In his black cloak and with footsteps so cold that Alice couldn't hear them, Sero entered the room silently. It was as if he enveloped everyone in a chill the moment he walked in.
"What is a boy doing here? This is a Blood Style class, isn't it?"
"Is he perverted or something?"
"I heard he got involved with Doska. His presence can't be good."
"Greetings, Miss," Sero spoke with a cold tone that chilled the room, and Alice could even hear the gentle patter of rain as if announcing his arrival.
"I didn't expect a boy in my class. Do you have a reason?" Alice asked calmly.
Although the Blood Style wasn't based on gender, it was preferred by females. This was due to the shards of blood requiring a special condition to be activated, which was the user's blood.
Once a shard was in the magic realm, it absorbed all the blood leaking from the mage, whether intentionally or unintentionally, making the Blood Style ideal for desperate attacks.
For females, it was almost like a perfect solution for menstrual issues. Although the shards didn't alleviate the pain, they tricked the body by converting useless blood into a resource for their shards, addressing a problem that concerned all female mages. This made the girls find Sero's presence odd.
"Sorry, Miss Alice, but Immortal of Hardened Blood used the Blood Style and was a man. So what's the problem with me learning it?" Sero replied respectfully, leaving the room in silence.
His words made the girls' complaints and doubts seem like disrespect toward the clan's founder, silencing them with a single sentence.
"There's no issue. Please choose your seat," Alice murmured with a touch of embarrassment, and her discomfort increased with the unexpected arrival of Drada Hervolt.
"Greetings, Miss," Drada said respectfully, shifting the atmosphere from stifling to cheerful.