Born in Blood



Richard took a moment to let the students calm down. They'd broken into loud exclamations of shock and awe.

"This is my family's specialization – instantaneous enhancements. It may look simple and easy, but I assure you… it's not. It took us centuries just to bring it to this point."

"That's how these kinds of methods improve. Trial and error, repetition, and constant adjustment."

Richard summoned a standard training dummy - humanoid shaped and made from solid steel – then lightly swiped the air from top to bottom.

The training dummy split in half, stilling the air with shocked and amazed silence, but the sword shattered right after.

"Such is the power of enhancements, but everything has its limits. Although my sword can kill a man or beast in one swipe, it has a one-time usage, and it takes a long time to make."

"The ink in this situation was imbued within each thread of my hair. I had already stored them with the meanings, and the links were made by me."

Richard noticed the confused looks and smiled lightly.

"The meanings are done with the sea of consciousness. More specifically, mental energy. Don't worry, you'll learn how to do so."

"It has a direct connection with the ink, since it's an expression of those meanings you've made."

"However, you can get creative with the ink itself. I'm sure you all have seen people inscribing using different tools?" 

Some nodded, prompting him to continue.

"External factors help in controlling the ink and creating the circuits that connect them, but they take time to learn and could possibly lose some of the imbued meanings."

"On the other hand, the link – made by the ink containing the meanings – must be free of any sort of error barring the spell from being expressed. This aspect is what determines if your inscription works or not."

"It's the hardest part to do since even the smallest error will result in your spell coming out wrong or not working in general."

"The only reason I've done mine so fast, is because of the sheer amount of times I've repeated the same inscription."

"It requires constant study, practice and memorization, but we have some exercises to help with that."

"Becoming an inscription master is extremely useful, not to mention it pays very well. I made my first successful inscription in roughly 4 years, but it could take you all much earlier than that."

Richard spent the remaining time answering questions, dismissing the class after prescribing the necessary books.

As the lecture hall emptied, fully this time, Liam repeated the same thing he did with Jordan. 

Although unbelieving and shocked at first, Richard's face grew pensive and conflicted a moment later.

"That can't be safe. Not at all. You haven't suffered any mental or physical damage, have you?"

Liam shook his head.

"It isn't safe. But I've been careful not to overdo it or go over my limits. I have a good tolerance for pain." 

Richard nodded slowly, his eyes fixed to Liam's.

"It is indeed amazing, and I'll do my best to help you with it. I'll prescribe you some special books for you to study, it'll help you understand unorthodox methods better."

Liam nodded and left after a few more questions. 

Those were the classes for the day, and he could spend the rest in study, training or cultivation.

Just as he left the lecture hall, the same ruby-eyed girl from before approached him, along with her large group of goons.

She smiled condescendingly, walking up to Liam… and slapping him as hard as she could. 

Liam's face jolted to the side, which he slowly brought back to the girl with a deathly stare.

"I dare you to hit me ba—"

Liam's hand blurred. The only thing audible then was a loud crackle, as though a whip had flayed flesh.

The girl went flying, eventually smashing against a small accomodation's wall – knocked out and slumped.

Liam didn't care to hold back his bloodlust and pressure to those remaining. 

They recoiled and subconsciously took a step back, genuine fear for their lives.

Just as he took one step towards them, Liam's academic token started to glow, making him frown.

Before he could reel in his pressure, his body and mind was dragged into a new location – a well decorated and ornately furnished room.

He was presumably in one of the towers, judging by the pane of glass on the opposite end of the room, through which the entire academy grounds were visible.

"Making trouble already, eh?" said Headmaster Reye, sitting behind a mahogany desk with his hands steepled. 

Liam instantly got off the floor, calmly greeting the Headmaster.

"They starte—"

"I know, lad. They'll be disciplined thoroughly. That's not why I've called you here."

Liam grew confused. A bad feeling rose in his chest despite the Headmaster's niceties.

"...Why'd you call me here, then?" 

The Headmaster's eyes turned hard.

"I wanted to wait until you had all your necessary classes… but I wouldn't want you to kill any of my students."

Liam heaved a sigh and lowered his head, raising it with a dark face.

"Let me guess, the Oracle?"

Reye remained silent, but that was a sufficient answer.

"You see, through our Oracle friend, we find out who could become a threat or troublemaker in the near future."

"Most people think it's the nobles… they're unbelievably wrong. Those spoiled brats are too green."

"It's your kind we're worried about the most. You, the mute, that red-eyed kid, and the others. You especially."

Headmaster Reye spoke matter-of-factly, but Liam looked severe.

"Calm down, you're not being expelled."

That only unnerved Liam more. 

"I'm not? Why?"

Reye remained silent. His old eyes held a dark light. 

"You might just prove yourself to be useful. Just tread lightly until then."

Before Liam counter, Reye waved his hand, teleporting him back to the front door of his accommodation. 

He cursed, entering and shutting the door behind him, heaving a calming sigh.

'What are these people scheming? He didn't call me by my real name, so they probably don't know I'm a fugitive.'

Liam's gaze turned dark as he started to cultivate.

'Whatever, as long as they don't kill me, I'll have enough time to think of a plan.'