Chapter 3 Sudden Change
1012 Words
He would be granted the opportunity to cultivate a Blood Art. In truth, the original owner had been "overwhelmed with gratitude" at the time.
As an overlooked b*st*rd son, he had assumed he wouldn't get such a chance – a common occurrence in noble families.
"There's a distinct stirring within my body. This sensation only occurs when one possesses the corresponding bloodline. Clearly, the Wind Wolf bloodline hasn't disappeared."
When someone possessing a specific bloodline cultivates the matching Blood Art, a distinct physical agitation occurs. It manifests as an intense liveliness in every muscle fiber, as if mercury were coursing through the body. Those without the bloodline experience no such feeling. Gray had distinctly felt it moments ago. This meant the implanted Wind Wolf bloodline within him remained intact – undeniably good news. After all, if it had vanished, given his current standing, bypassing Viscount Fergus to get it re-implanted would be impossible.
"It seems you haven't fully recovered yet!"Bernal, having rested and ready to resume training, approached Gray.Gray's sweat-drenched state hadn't escaped his notice, but Bernal attributed it to incomplete recovery and lingering weakness.
"Yes, Brother Bernal. I'll take my leave for now," Gray replied, forcing a touch of "frustration" at being unable to continue onto his face.
"Go on, get plenty of rest," Bernal said, his smile beatific, the picture of a caring elder brother. What truly lay in his heart, however, remained unknown.
Taking the towel offered by his personal maid, Gray wiped his face and then retraced his steps through the corridor towards his quarters in the castle.
The maid's name was Barbara. She had no surname. For commoners in this world, a surname was a luxury reserved for nobles and their legitimate offspring. Therefore, a surname in one's name signified noble lineage or a direct connection to it.
Tap, tap, tap!
Walking down the corridor, Gray encountered a youth approaching from the opposite direction, trailed by a male and a female servant. The youth had striking blond hair, was slightly older than Gray – perhaps seventeen or eighteen – with a high-bridged nose and handsome features marred by an air of arrogance.
Gray stopped, striving to mimic the original owner's usual tone of address."Brother Ellis."The youth was the Viscount's second son – this body's second elder brother.
"Hmph."Ellis responded to Gray's greeting with a cold snort, brushing past him without pause. The male and female servants following him, however, bowed respectfully.
Gray wasn't bothered by the chilly reception. He had no desire to curry favor; maintaining surface courtesy was merely a shield against criticism. In truth, he preferred dealing with Ellis over Bernal. Ellis wore his emotions openly – friend or foe was instantly clear. There was no duplicity, making interactions simpler.
For the next several days, Gray diligently practiced the Wind Wolf Blood Art twice daily – once in the morning, once in the afternoon. These days of training gave him a clearer grasp of his body's condition. Although it had lost its Blood Power, its innate talent seemed undiminished and undamaged. He could distinctly feel a slight enhancement in his physical capabilities. Comparing his progress to the original owner's memories of first starting cultivation, his pace was nearly identical.
However, the original owner had trained for a full year before manifesting Blood Power. Gray would clearly need at least a year himself. The prospect of maintaining the charade for that long filled him with profound unease.
A lower-rank Blood Warrior's physique should easily handle two consecutive sequences of Wind Wolf. Gray had used his "incomplete recovery" as an excuse to perform only one sequence per session. Prolonging this excuse would inevitably raise suspicions. Finding a secluded spot elsewhere in the castle to train was also fraught with difficulty – the Viscount's eyes and ears were everywhere.
"Young Master Gray, this is your monthly allotment."Barbara entered, carrying a tray. On it rested a bronze vessel, the size of a wine cup, filled halfway with a deep red liquid.
"Place it here," Gray instructed, gesturing towards the small table beside him.Barbara set the tray down. Gray waved her away, his gaze fixed on the liquid within the bronze cup. A strong, coppery scent of blood already filled his nostrils.
The liquid was indeed blood – not ordinary blood, but that of the Bloodbeast, the Wind Wolf.
Bloodbeast blood served two primary purposes: extracting the precious Blood Essence for lineage implantation, and consumption as an aid during cultivation. For Blood Warriors practicing a Blood Art, consuming the blood of the corresponding Bloodbeast significantly accelerated their progress. Hence, any family with means would hunt or purchase the relevant blood for their scions.
Though less precious than Blood Essence, this blood was still highly valuable. Even within House Fergus, each child received only one serving per month.
Gray picked up the bronze cup. Though revolted by the idea of drinking raw blood, this wasn't the time for squeamishness. Any chance to accelerate his cultivation couldn't be missed.
Gulp... gulp...
Suppressing his gag reflex against the metallic tang, Gray swallowed the contents in one go, like unpleasant medicine from his childhood. His mouth flooded with the taste of iron, a wave of nausea rising within him. He clenched his jaw, fighting not to vomit. Suddenly, his expression changed dramatically.
Why... such an intense effect?!
A fiery heat ignited in his stomach. Instantly, his face and neck flushed a deep, unnatural crimson. He felt like a lobster plunged into boiling water. Radiating outwards from his core, a terrifying, scorching sensation engulfed him. Sweat beaded and streamed down his forehead.
What in the world... is happening?
Such a luxury had been beyond the original owner before coming to the castle. However, in the two months since arriving, he had consumed the Wind Wolf blood twice. Both times, it resulted in a modest but noticeable increase in his Blood Power, confirming its efficacy. Yet, even at its most potent, the effect had never been this overwhelming. Right now, Gray felt his physical capabilities surging upwards with every passing second – an unprecedented sensation.
- Writer
