Chapter 70 - 68 — Slow
’The blood rune.’
A moment later, as the rune finished forming, he frowned slightly. Its size was small, comparable to his air rune.
Studying it for a moment, the reason became clear.
’A fragment.’
Of all the ranks, it was only at the Touch Rank, the first stage of elemental power.
Even so, it was a valuable gain. He understood better than anyone how much his other elements, despite their low ranks, had shaped his combat ability.
Clearing his thoughts, Zephyrion settled into absolute focus.
Moments later, the blood rune unfolded within his mind, its structure revealing itself as he began to comprehend it.
...
As the foundational rank, the seven marks of the Touch Rank were far easier to grasp than those above it.
Sensation. Recognition. Disturbance. Alignment. Redirection. Infusion. Imprint.
Zephyrion completed the first mark, Sensation, in under twenty minutes.
At once, it felt as though an entirely new sense had awakened.
He could perceive the flow of blood within his body, its rhythm, its warmth, the steady pulse of life.
Even Lumi’s presence beside him expanded within his awareness. He could sense her heartbeat, the subtle movement of her blood, every fluctuation laid bare to him.
He lingered in that state for a while, acclimating to the sensation, before shifting his focus forward.
The second mark, Recognition, took longer, roughly twenty-five minutes.
Here, Zephyrion found that beyond sensing the flow, he could now distinguish its variations; the density, the state.
With it came more clarity. He could read the condition of a body through its blood... agitation, fatigue, poison, and more.
The next mark was Disturbance, which took him thirty-three minutes to grasp. Here, he discovered he could interfere with the natural flow of blood, if only slightly. He could use it to cause slight dizziness and discomfort.
Then came Alignment, which took him a full forty five minutes.
Here, he learned to attune himself to blood’s natural rhythm. His influence became subtle and seamless. He could slip into any flow and alter it without leaving a trace.
The fifth mark, Redirection, allowed him to guide the flow itself. He could slow it in certain areas, shift its path, or lighten its movement.
Next was Infusion. Here, he learned to embed intent within blood, allowing his influence to linger even after his focus had withdrawn.
The final mark, Imprint. This established a deeper connection with the element itself. His control sharpened, his awareness expanded. He could sense every trace of blood within a radius around him... and influence it.
Reaching this stage brought a noticeable change to his body. Zephyrion rose from the bed and walked toward the full-sized mirror.
He removed his shirt, his gaze settling on the faint, drop-shaped mark etched just below his chest, right above his heart.
Aside from that, Zephyrion could feel a surging vitality coursing through his body, as though he could run endlessly without getting tired.
He clenched his fist and struck the air. His arm blurred as a sharp gust rippled outward.
’I’m stronger.’
He followed with a series of punches, each one faster than the last. As he continued, he saw that his movement had also grown more precise.
Now that he could perceive his blood, his mind was instinctively adjusting its flow to enhance each motion.
With every strike, the current within him surged, amplifying both speed and force.
Still, the change in his physique was only one aspect of the transformation. His senses had sharpened into something far more acute.
Just as metal ascendants could detect every trace of metal nearby, he could now sense blood. Life itself.
Beyond Lumi’s steady presence, two distinct heartbeats entered his awareness.
’One beyond the window... another at the door.’
Zephyrion’s gaze shifted toward the window. He paused for a moment, squinting, then looked away.
’Later.’
Pulling his shirt back on, he moved to the door and removed the metal sealing it.
As he stepped out, he found Tobias slumped against the wall, a thin line of drool trailing from the corner of his mouth. A large backpack rested beside him.
"Tobias."
"W-what—what!?"
Tobias jolted upright like he’d been struck by lightning, his head whipping left and right before locking onto Zephyrion. He froze for half a second... then visibly deflated.
"Ha—oh... it’s just you, young lord. I thought... never mind."
He pressed a hand to his chest, breathing out in relief. Then his eyes widened.
"My lord! Are you alright? I heard everything! A reaver? Mark six!? Did he hit you? Are you bleeding? Do you feel dizzy?"
’He came because of the rumors.’
"...I’m fine."
"Are you sure? Don’t hide it! Internal injuries are the worst kind, wait, sit down, sit down!"
"Tobias."
Too late. Tobias had already dropped to a crouch and flung his bag open. Towels, bandages, bottles, tools... items poured out one after another like he was unpacking his entire life.
"Just tell me where it hurts, I’ll fix it right away!"
"...Tobias."
A table was dragged over at some point, and within seconds it was covered in neatly arranged equipment.
Then, with great care, Tobias placed a single lollipop at the edge of the table. Then he turned to Zephyrion with an eager look.
"Sit, my lord. I’ll check everything."
"..."
Tobias squinted at him, frowning.
"...don’t tell me... did he hit your head?"
"...are you calling me slow?"
The color drained from Tobias’s face. He shook his head rapidly.
"No—no, my lord! I would never! I was just—I mean, I thought—"
"Pack it up."
At Zephyrion’s blank stare, Tobias gulped.
"...yes."
His shoulders sagged as he began putting everything back, one item at a time.
Zephyrion watched in silence.
He was just trying to be useful...
Zephyrion frowned faintly, and inwardly shook his head.
"...make me something for dinner."
Tobias froze.
"My lord!"
He shot up so fast the bag nearly flipped over, his eyes shining.
"Of course, young lord!"
He stuffed the remaining items back in at twice the speed.
"I’ll make steak! No—better steak! Beef soup! No—two soups! I’ll prepare a proper meal!"
"..."
Finished, he gave a sharp bow and sprinted down the hallway.
"Ah!"
He skidded to a stop and spun around so fast he almost lost his balance.
"I almost forgot, young lord! You have a guest waiting at the mansion gate!"
Zephyrion frowned slightly.
"...a guest?"
"Yes, my lord! She’s been there all evening!"
Before Zephyrion could say anything, Tobias turned and bolted.
"..."
Zephyrion exhaled slowly.
He could have at least said who it was.
After a brief pause, he stepped forward to go see for himself.