New King
Edrick’s vision was blurry and without colour–And it took him what felt like hours to be able to move his body properly again. It was like every single muscle fibre within him had been struck by dozens of cramps each. His bones groaned like rusty metal, and his articulations popped with such force that it genuinely sounded like they were dislocating themselves…
The scion’s memories were hazier than his sight, but everything was slowly coming back to him with every passing second… At one point, he had taken off his clothes. That had been a good decision, as he was utterly covered in tar-like impurities, blood, sweat, and all kinds of nasty bodily excretions. They had come surging out of his pores like maggots out of a rotten carcass.
He did his best to clean up with what he had available in this dimly lit underground.
His eyes eventually regained the ability to see colours, and the blurriness also began fading away gradually. After several minutes, Anoteros somehow felt extremely refreshed. It was like he had just taken a wonderful nap.
He felt rejuvenated. He felt… Stronger, faster… Simply better in all aspects. Especially on the inside. His inner energies–Which he had improved and been circulating for a long time now–Felt sharper than ever. Not in terms of literal sharpness or sheer power, but… It seemed as though they had a mind of their own. It was like they had their own understanding of their role in this world.
‘Well… Show me the goods, System’
The noble addressed his system. If there was one great thing about the ‘basic’ functions provided by the system, it would be the ability to just view his bloodlines and the like. Being able to just read exactly what they brought to him and what they were all about was a tremendous boon in itself. Otherwise, Edrick would have to painstakingly figure everything out himself and rely on his guts for the most part.
Sure thing! Consuming this bloodline knocked you out for several hours, though. Are you sure you are alright?
‘Yep. I think I feel better than ever, actually’
That is quite surprising. Most of your previous bloodlines were acquired through me, so there had never been any risk of failure or adverse effects. But this one had clearly been on the more difficult side of things. As proof, it seems like your original bloodline wasn’t able to fully consume it
Rather than a single, composite bloodline made of perfectly harmonised bloodlines under the rule of your original, you currently have a single bloodline with a sort of… Siamese Simis, if you will. It isn’t completely independent and separate, but not fully devoured either
Not that it is a problem. Most people literally have several different bloodlines when they consume a new one. You are well on your way to fully gulping this one down as well… Nonetheless, considering how potent your current main bloodline is, it is surprising that this one was able to partly resist integration
In any case…
A system panel appeared in front of Edrick’s eyes.
Body Of Magus-King Daladerium - Grants Access To The Wild Spells Of The Paraceratherium Magus Species. Allows Reproduction With Paraceratherium Magus And Related Species. Greatly Improves Inner Energies And Grants Them A Spark Of Wild Instinct. Also Allows One To Impart Aspects Of The Species Into Offsprings
The details were clear and juicy. Of course, there was the usual stuff about reproduction and imparting traits of the species into his spawnlings… But the rest was unique.
Not only did the bloodline grant a massive improvement to his inner energies–Once again proving that circulating all inner energies at once is the superior option–But it also fundamentally changed it in a positive way.
Focusing on the point of interest, he was able to learn more. The ‘Wild Instinct’ portion was more than just a funky little specificity–His energy could literally react to outside stimulus without requiring Edrick’s direct control. Although what the energies could do without his direct approval was limited, it could reinforce parts of his body to protect him, or empower his strikes…
In short, Anoteros had just become a sort of energy manipulator, or a mage. Such refined energy control was either a mage thing or a high-level cultivator thing. Edrick was neither at the moment, but he could mimic them by simply directing his inner energies with commands.
This also meant that he could easily circulate energy at maximum capacity–Even while asleep or knocked unconscious. The wild instinct of his energy was independent from him, so it could keep things running on its own.
…But of course, the most exciting part was the very first boon: The access to the wild spells of Paraceratherium Magi. Obviously, Edrick wasn’t instantly proficient with them in the least, but he could feel an innate grasp and understanding of them. They were simplistic–If not crude–But powerful and bestial.
‘Mmh… Where is the cultivation technique, though? It doesn’t seem to have been crammed as information directly into my brain. So…’
He didn’t have to look around for long. It was actually on the ground behind where he had been sitting. He had no idea how it worked, but the Magus-King had somehow manifested a physical cultivation manual out of thin air for Anoteros to read and learn from.
Paraceratherium Magus Feral Mastery - (Energy Cultivation) - Improves Energy Circulation, Quality, Purity, And Grants It A Wild Edge, Allowing It To Act On Instinct And Aid Its User
The technique’s description was simple.
Anoteros' first thought when hearing about a technique from the Magus-King himself was that the technique would be what taught him spells. However, it seemed like the technique was more intended to further build on the bloodline’s boons, and was probably meant to help the one who inherited the bloodline actually integrate it further.
There is a lot of potential here. Eltysia was remarkably kind to point you to this place… I personally find her a bit sketchy, but it does seem like she is seeking a champion of sorts. Perhaps she desires to replace the Red Guardian altogether with you?
'It could be possible… It might even be likely, actually. Now is not the time to worry about that, however. I must get used to this before confronting the Blutgar... And also, I need to claim my last prize from this venture'
Edrick dressed back up and soon emerged from the temple. He found Deladeri waiting for him, lying on the ground with her head bowed toward him. She had already sensed his success long before he had approached the entrance.
“How shall I address you, new Magus-King?”
“...I guess Magus-King sounds quite nice, but ‘Master’ will also do for you. Now, I would like to test your body”
“Of course, Master. Your word is my command. Whatever you desire, I shall do”
“Good… Then let us mate right here”