Born in Blood



Liam's Shadow Clone spell improved alongside his mental sphere Rank. 

That meant it went from Rank 2 to Rank 3.

This was a massive leap for something as powerful as a cloning spell.

Liam felt anticipation rising in his chest. 

With that in mind, Liam activated it. 

His body began to ooze three states of darkness, splitting into another version of him that quickly formed. 

Other than how it looked more powerful, due to his solid-stage core, Liam didn't notice anything strange.

'Was that it? I don't see what ch...' 

Liam's thoughts trailed off at the end, since another three stages of darkness left his body. 

Another Shadow Clone formed!

Two Shadow Clones!

Both clones looked at Liam with no life in their black eyes. 

Liam manually controlled both of them. 

Before, even controlling one clone was difficult for Liam's mind. 

But now, he could flawlessly operate two different clones at once. 

Liam coated them with his mental energy and used the King's Eye.

They gained an impeccable human-like appearance.

Not a strand of hair was out of place.

Liam smiled.

The Shadow Clones smiled too.

This was huge!

Now that Liam's illusions were much more realistic, the Shadow Clones couldn't be differentiated from the real him.

Liam could confuse his opponents in unimaginable ways.

By his command, the Shadow Clones approached Liam. 

Sharp, darkness-made blades formed in their hands.

A moment later, they began to swipe their weapons at him!

Of course, Liam controlled both clones.

But he commanded them to attack him as he continuously dodged the series of slashes and stabs.

It was like playing chess with oneself, but infinitely more difficult.

This was the power of Liam's new mind. 

With lithe and delicate movements, he used the bare minimum effort to evade those blades. 

Even though he was doing his absolute best to slash at himself.

A moment later, Liam stopped the clones. 

They made a quick salute (by his command), before melting away.

Now that Liam used two Shadow Clones, naturally, his core used more 'Ora'. 

More than a quarter of his core was now empty, but it was worth it nonetheless.

'I feel like everything is easier now. Even that impossible tempering method.' 

'I can also fix the Blooder's Blood Arts.'

'There's so much to inscribe and forge too.'

'I can do so much!'

Happiness. 

This was what shot through Liam's veins at this moment.

However, Liam would now have to find a Rank 4 Psionic Rune.

'With so many Sects we've brought down, there definitely should be a spare one for me.'

A moment later, Liam cloaked himself with mental energy.

His presence was instantly extinguished.

With a slight smile, Liam left his accommodation.

Jargon's mental waves were set near his quarters to appear beside him whenever Liam needed it.

But even as Liam left, Jargon didn't come out.

After all, Jargon was still a Rank 2 Magus.

He only received a Rank 3 Psionic Rune when Liam arrived in Ilali.

He couldn't sense Liam.

Liam went to him anyway.

He wanted to test the mind reading capabilities of the King's Eye.

There wasn't really a need to hide his advancement, but Liam did it out of instinct.

Liam allowed his presence to be known, and Jargon hurried to open the door.

When Jargon saw Liam, he abruptly gasped.

He felt like prey under Liam's piercing gaze.

Within the next instant, the cruel feeling vanished, as though Jargon had just imagined it.

But he knew he didn't.

The sweat trickling down his forehead was evidence.

"M-my liege? Is there something wrong?"

Saying nothing, Liam focused his gaze with Jargon's.

Emotion, intention, and thought.

Liam could see these three aspects in a much clearer light.

For the first, Liam obviously recognized Jargon's fear and shock.

It had tainted his mental waves with faint blackish and gray colors.

Jargon's intention was a lot more vague, since he simply idle.

But what seemed like a mix of jumbled up meanings, now looked like hazy but coherent thoughts. 

'I can't understand a Rank 2 Magus' thoughts yet. Rank 1 and below should be easier to figure out, though.'

Obviously, Liam didn't intend to scare the man, but his aura had condensed as he suppressed it. Realizing his mistake, he quickly held it down.

Still, Liam's eye tingled whenever he felt Jargon's mental sphere. 

It felt like there was a sort of connection between the two. 

Something he could tap into.

As Liam had analyzed everything, he came back to Jargon's question.

Just a second of silence had passed.

"I need to test something on you. Just relax and think normally."

Jargon gulped and nodded firmly.

Liam fixed his multicolored eyes to Jargon's brown.

Jargon felt beads of sweat pouring through his orifices.

Liam focused on the tingling sensation. 

The more he did, the more it felt like something was aligning into focus.

Along with that, there were strange sensations that he felt pouring into his brain. 

It was as though his five senses had gained another five senses!

Abruptly, faint images formed in Liam's vision.

It flickered in and out, but by the end of it, a hazy but solidified picture appeared in Liam's mind.

It was… himself?

'What… is going on?'

'Is that… me?'

Liam could somehow see through two different perspectives.

His own…

And Jargons!

Liam took a deep breath, suppressing his shock to focus.

There was more.

Jargon was unaware of his senses being tapped into.

But Liam could do something else now.

"I want you to remain calm and tell me what you see," Liam said with a low voice. 

Jargon nodded quickly.

Liam activated the King's Eye.

But instead of Liam's surroundings changing… 

"W-what is happening?" Jargon asked.

"Just tell me what you see," Liam responded quickly.

"There's… lush grass growing out of the stone ground? Rainbow scaled fishes are flying around me and there's tentacles growing on your body…"

"Have I been drugged?" Jargon asked with a dumbfounded expression.

Liam suppressed a broad smile from appearing on his face.

What did this mean?

Liam could now alter other peoples' perception!