The Wizard's Journey: Infinite Power

Chapter 5: Harvest Night

Chris sat cross-legged in his student dormitory at the Wizarding College, gazing at the spoils of his latest adventure laid out before him. Among them was a ring, a book, and a few other trinkets. The ring and book, in particular, caught his attention as they were identified by his system as beginner magical items.

His thoughts drifted to the mysterious "Blood God Necklace" he had found on Vivianna earlier. The system had indicated its tracking function, and he surmised that it was likely connected to the recent attack and his narrow escape from being a sacrificial offering. Thankfully, he had absorbed and disposed of it promptly. Vivianna, although caught up in the attack shortly after acquiring the necklace, was currently in one of the safest places in the city and need not worry.

As for the broken ruby ring, it had shielded him from a fireball during their battle. It seemed to possess a defensive ability, instantly deflecting attacks. Such portable magical defense items could be invaluable to wizards, whose powerful magic was often hampered by their fragile human bodies. However, being unsure of its origins, Chris decided it was best to dispose of it to avoid potential trouble. He summoned the system and, with a flick of blue particles, the ring disappeared, leaving him with three remaining uses of the 【Deep Development】function.

Chris's eyebrows shot up in pleasant surprise. He had expected a broken item to only grant him one development chance, but to his delight, it had provided two. Perhaps defensive magical items were held in higher regard. He made a mental note to test this theory with items of similar caliber in the future.

Turning his attention to the last item, a leather-bound book, Chris placed it under the illuminated lamp on his bedside cabinet and began to browse through its contents. The cover bore an array of chaotic enchantments and an inverted pentagram, so he flipped directly to the first page. There, written in the common tongue, were the words "Blood God Festival," along with the name "Emon," presumably the book's previous owner.

The book contained a wealth of information about the Blood God Cult, including their reasons for conducting rituals, step-by-step procedures, regulations, and methods for advancement within the organization. The cult's structure was well-defined, with seven distinct levels: ordinary believers, blood sacrifice apprentices, blood sacrificers, blood envoys, blood god compensators, five bishops, and finally, the pope, who ruled over the five major sects. Their meticulous planning and organization explained why Chris and Vivianna had been ambushed shortly after leaving the city for the neighboring town's market.

However, the most chilling aspect of the cult was their method of advancement—murder and blood sacrifice. According to the book, only by killing and offering the blood of their victims in a specified magical ritual could one receive the "blessings" of the Blood God. This blessing manifested as an inverted pentagram on the back of the hand, which gradually filled up with each sacrifice, promising greater power.

Legend spoke of opening the gates of paradise and inviting the descent of the Blood God, bestowing divine power and immortality upon those who filled all five corners of the pentagram by performing a hundred, a thousand, or even ten thousand sacrifices. Many believers took this legend to heart, leading to rampant s*******r and a united effort by various forces to eradicate the cult. This had driven the organization underground, and additional notes in the book hinted at their continued existence despite their apparent extinction.

As Chris finished reading, a shiver ran down his spine. He and Vivianna had narrowly escaped becoming sacrificial offerings themselves. Even with his newfound powers, the encounter had been perilously close. Determined never to find himself in such a vulnerable position again, Chris vowed to strengthen his abilities and take control of his destiny in this unfamiliar world.

He dismissed the idea of relying on divine blessings, as the book mentioned that such power did not truly belong to the recipient and could be revoked at any time. Additionally, the cult's method of gaining power through m*********r would only lead to constant pursuit by various factions. Instead, Chris resolved to focus on magic, a rare and valuable skill that would earn him respect and welcome from any faction.

Recalling his memories, Chris pinpointed his current location and time: Sun Calendar 2351, July 25, in the southern coastal province of Montra, located in the southern region of the Eastern Continent's Southern On Kingdom. Specifically, he resided in the medium-sized city of Gal, within the student accommodation of the Otavia Wizarding College.

His most pressing concern had been the upcoming magic competition at the college in two months, where he aimed not to finish last. However, with his improved abilities, he was confident of achieving a more impressive result. The competition also attracted sponsors from various factions, offering not only high-quality magical items as prizes but also potential recruitment opportunities.

"I should aim for a top position," Chris mused, stroking his chin thoughtfully. While he intended to take advantage of this "freebie," he knew that a more sustainable approach to strengthening his abilities was through the Adventurer's Guild. He could take on tasks, earn gold, purchase magical items, and then use those items to exchange for skill development opportunities.

With that in mind, Chris turned his attention back to the remaining three uses of the 【Deep Development】 function, eager to enhance his overall abilities.