Chapter 31: The Bloodline Gate
The next morning...
Vee entered Special Zone One with a slight limp.
Leon noticed immediately.
"Still alive?"
Vee dropped into his chair.
"Unfortunately."
Leon laughed.
"Darius really pushed you yesterday."
"He did."
Vee rubbed his shoulder.
"But I won."
"That's what matters."
Vee smiled.
"Exactly."
The classroom door opened.
Professor Selene walked in carrying an ancient-looking book.
The atmosphere immediately changed.
She placed the book on the desk.
"Today..."
"We begin a subject that every noble, warrior, mage, and adventurer must eventually understand."
She turned toward the class.
"Bloodlines."
Several students became interested.
Vee sat up.
"Bloodlines..."
This was important.
In the world of DEATHRIX, bloodlines weren't simply family names.
Some families inherited extraordinary abilities.
Ancient beast blood.
Divine blood.
Dragon blood.
Demon blood.
Even bloodlines that had existed long before the current kingdoms.
Professor Selene continued.
"A bloodline is the inheritance carried through your body."
"It can affect your physical abilities..."
"Your mana..."
"Your affinity..."
"And sometimes..."
"Your destiny."
Vee's expression became serious.
Professor Selene opened the ancient book.
"Tomorrow morning..."
"We will open the Bloodline Gate."
The room immediately erupted in excitement.
"The Bloodline Gate?"
"Already?"
"I thought that was for second-years!"
Professor Selene raised her hand.
Silence returned.
"Only students who meet the requirements will be allowed to enter."
"Inside, your bloodline will react to ancient bloodline energy."
"You may awaken something dormant within you."
"However..."
She looked around the room.
"Some bloodlines are extremely difficult to control."
"Do not attempt to force an awakening."
Vee's eyes narrowed.
"Tomorrow morning..."
Then he remembered something.
Cedric.
He was scheduled to fight Cedric tomorrow morning.
Vee's face immediately fell.
"...Oh, come on."
Leon looked at him.
"What?"
Vee sighed.
"I have a fight tomorrow."
"With Cedric?"
"Yep."
Leon shrugged.
"Then win quickly."
Vee stared at him.
"...That's your advice?"
"Yes."
"Brilliant."
"I know."
---
After class...
Vee walked through the courtyard.
He was still thinking about the Bloodline Gate.
"If the gate awakens something..."
"What happens to my Darkness and Light affinities?"
"And what about the Death God legacy?"
He stopped.
A familiar voice came from behind him.
"Vee."
He turned.
"Aurelia."
She smiled.
"Are you going to the library?"
"No."
"Training?"
"No."
"Then what are you doing?"
Vee thought for a moment.
"...Walking."
Aurelia blinked.
"That's it?"
"Yes."
"I'm exploring the ancient art of walking without a destination."
She laughed.
"You really are strange."
"I've heard that before."
They walked together.
Aurelia asked about his fight with Darius.
"You defeated him quickly."
"He was strong."
"You didn't seem worried."
"I was."
She looked surprised.
"You were?"
"Of course."
Vee pointed toward his chest.
"I have a heart."
Aurelia smiled.
"I sometimes wonder."
"That's fair."
They continued chatting.
They talked about classes.
The Academy.
The upcoming Bloodline Gate.
Aurelia admitted she was curious about what her bloodline might reveal.
Vee smiled.
"I'm sure it'll be something impressive."
"What about you?"
Vee paused.
"I honestly don't know."
For once...
There was no joke.
Aurelia noticed.
"Are you worried?"
Vee looked toward the sky.
"A little."
She smiled gently.
"Whatever happens..."
"You'll handle it."
Vee looked at her.
"Thanks."
Aurelia nodded.
"You're welcome."
After another few minutes...
They said goodbye.
"Goodnight, Vee."
"Goodnight, Aurelia."
She walked away.
Vee watched her disappear around the corner.
Then quietly muttered,
"...She's too nice."
---
That night...
Vee sat cross-legged on the floor of his room.
The lights were off.
Only the moonlight entered through the balcony.
He closed his eyes.
Mana Concentration.
Slowly...
He drew mana into his body.
Darkness gathered around one side.
Light gathered around the other.
He carefully circulated both.
"Don't force it..."
"Control it."
"Breathe."
His breathing became slower.
His heartbeat steadied.
The world became quiet.
Minutes passed.
Then an hour.
Then two.
Vee's consciousness began to drift.
His head slowly tilted forward.
His breathing remained steady.
He had fallen asleep.
Still sitting.
Still concentrating.
Still circulating mana.
The two opposing energies continued moving through his body.
Darkness.
Light.
Neither rejected the other.
Instead...
They moved together.
Then—
Deep inside Vee's body...
Something ancient stirred.
A faint pulse echoed through his blood.
Thump.
Vee's eyes remained closed.
Thump.
A strange symbol briefly appeared beneath his skin.
Then disappeared.
The room became silent again.
Vee continued sleeping peacefully.
Completely unaware...
That tomorrow's Bloodline Gate might reveal something the original story had never mentioned.