Chapter 152: Level 4 Blood Control!
"Blacksmithing room, two hours," I requested, preparing to continue my crafting projects.
[-2,000 Points]
"Alchemy room, two hours," Elen said, clearly planning to capitalize on her recent academic success with additional practice.
[-2,000 Points]
"Standard training room with combat dummy, two hours," Emmet stated simply.
[-1,000 Points]
The attendant processed our bookings efficiently, assigning us adjacent facilities in the same corridor. We walked together toward our respective rooms, the silence comfortable rather than awkward.
"See you in two hours?" Elen suggested as we reached her alchemy room entrance.
"Sure," I agreed.
Emmet grunted acknowledgment before disappearing into his training space without further commentary.
I entered my blacksmithing facility and immediately began setting up materials for my next project, satisfied with how the day had developed despite Kyle’s juvenile provocations the previous night.
Four hours passed in focused training rather than the two I’d initially booked. The additional time cost more points, but the investment proved worthwhile as I systematically worked through skill refinement, secret art practice, and bloodline trait development.
During an intense Blood Control exercise, a familiar notification pulsed through my consciousness.
[Your Blood Control trait has reached level 4]
The advancement was immediately noticeable. My manipulation precision increased dramatically - I could now control blood at distances I’d previously struggled with, form more complex constructs with less concentration, and execute techniques that had required significant effort with relative ease. More importantly, my fundamental understanding of blood itself had deepened. I could sense its composition, detect subtle variations in quality, and manipulate its properties in ways that transcended simple physical control.
Curious about how my accumulated improvements had affected overall combat effectiveness, I decided to test against the training dummy one final time.
I activated all my enhancements - blood manipulation, supernatural physique, the new level 4 Blood Control - and delivered a maximum power strike combined with blood weapon projection.
IMPACT! Measurement...
[TOTAL DAMAGE OUTPUT: 36,250]
I stared at the number in genuine surprise. My previous maximum which had been recorded just a few days ago, had been 24,725 combat units, which had placed me at low Transcendent equivalent power. This new result of 36,250 represented a massive leap - nearly a 50% increase in raw combat effectiveness.
The combination of trait advancement, accumulated soul power from the Thornback massacre, rank progression to high-Elite, and the Strong Body aspect had synergized into exponential rather than linear improvement.
I was now operating at mid-Transcendent equivalent combat power while still technically being at high-Elite rank - not even peak Elite yet. The gap between my official rank and actual capabilities continued widening through my optimization of every advantage.
A satisfied smile formed on my face. This level of power meant I could now engage genuine mid-Transcendent opponents on relatively equal footing, and lower Transcendent threats were essentially guaranteed victories.
Once my training session concluded, I cleaned up and exited the facility. Emmet and Elen were waiting outside their respective rooms as we’d agreed.
"Good session?" Elen asked, noting my satisfied expression.
"Productive," I confirmed simply.
Emmet grunted acknowledgment, which I’d learned to interpret as his version of approval.
After brief conversation, I excused myself from their company with a plausible excuse about needing to handle administrative matters. Emmet departed without comment, while Elen headed toward the dormitories.
I made my way toward Instructor Sylvia’s office, my purpose clear and focused.
It was time to bring Kael into the academy through the special admission process I’d been planning. My accumulated points and top-ranked status provided the leverage necessary to sponsor an exceptional candidate, and Kael’s development over the past weeks had prepared him adequately for the assessment requirements.
I reached Sylvia’s office and knocked firmly on the door, preparing to navigate whatever bureaucratic procedures were necessary to execute this next phase of my plans.
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"Come in," Sylvia’s voice called from within her office.
I entered to find her reviewing what appeared to be student performance reports, her desk organized with characteristic precision. She looked up and her expression showed mild surprise at the late visit.
"Adrian. What brings you here at this hour?"
"I want to sponsor a student for special admission to the academy," I stated directly, seeing no point in elaborate preamble.
Sylvia sighed heavily and set down her papers, her expression shifting to one of resigned understanding.
"I heard from the Commander that you somehow discovered points can be utilized for such purposes. That information isn’t exactly advertised to first-year students." Her tone carried both disapproval at the leaked information and acknowledgment that I’d found it regardless.
As my homeroom teacher, she had access to detailed records of my point accumulation and expenditures. She clearly understood I possessed substantial resources despite being relatively new to the academy.
"Let’s go straight to the point," she continued. "The candidate must have absolutely no criminal record. If any criminal history exists, the sponsorship price becomes something even you cannot afford, regardless of your recent examination winnings."
I nodded calmly. "He has no criminal record."
The incident where Kael had accidentally killed Tom during self-defense had been thoroughly covered by my self. Official records showed Tom’s death as an unfortunate accident inside the orphanage.
"Secondly," Sylvia continued, "the candidate must pass an entrance examination. If he fails, you will still be required to pay the sponsorship points without him gaining admission. Alternatively, you can pay significantly higher fees to bypass examination requirements entirely, but even with your accumulated wealth, you don’t possess that amount - not even if you’d saved every point you’ve ever earned."
"I understand. The candidate will take the examination," I confirmed.
Sylvia pulled out official forms and began preparing the necessary documentation. "Very well. I’ll need complete details about this candidate - full name, background, current capabilities, and reasons for seeking special admission outside normal enrollment periods."
I provided the identity information carefully. "His name is Kael Rivermist. Orphan background, recently awakened with ice-affinity bloodline. He is currently training independently but showing exceptional potential that would benefit from academy resources."