Kalon Bloodborn POV

I flipped through the pages, chasing the elusive truth that danced just beyond my grasp. Searching for the missing piece to align with the ancient writing from ‘The Art of Blood Mana’. Isolated within the hallowed depths of the Hall of Knowledge, I scavenged through its vast sea of wisdom, devouring each essence like a parched wanderer at an oasis. The thrill of discovery coursed through me—it was intoxicating. These magical books and grimoires, once out of reach, now lay open before me, their secrets whispering into my eager hands.

The headmaster, the stalwart guardian of this sanctum, proved kinder than his intimidating presence suggested. I was taken aback not only by the sheer number of Celestials frequenting visited the hall, but also by those whose faces lingered, etched into time for days on end. Among them, I even spotted Ariadne. To my surprise and relief, she made no effort to disturb me, though part of me wished for a fleeting distraction—a voice to break the solitary immersion. Thankfully, Proteus provided that comfort. His steady presence was a balm, a reminder of past lives and service, including the tale of his former master who succumbed to the ravages of mana-shift.

A week had passed since I first stepped foot into this hall, and the fervor of my reading had finally taken its toll. The weight of knowledge bore heavily upon me, and my body craved rest. Reluctantly, I gathered my notes and tucked them away into my bag. The drunts, with their silent efficiency, would return the borrowed tomes that still lay scattered across the table.

Only when I stepped out of the Hall of Knowledge, did my body finally yield to the weight of the journey. The exhaustion crept in like a slow flood, overwhelming every fiber of my being. I held firm, leaning on Proteus as we crossed the echoing halls, his presence a quiet anchor against the rising tide of fatigue. Even then, my mind couldn’t resist the allure of the ancient inscriptions etched into the stone walls. Deciphering their meaning was a goal for another day. For now, my focus was rebuilding the foundation of my magic, strengthened by the wealth of knowledge I'd amassed in this first phase.

Reaching the sanctuary of my room, I bypassed any desire for food or the cleansing relief of a shower. Instead, I sank into the warm, inviting embrace of the bed, the soft layers pulling me into a deep, restorative abyss. My reprieve, however, was short-lived. The gentle ebb of sleep faded, and I awoke feeling reborn—my body renewed as if every thread of fatigue had been unspooled and woven anew.

To ensure I wasn’t deprived of the rest I needed, I reached for the artifact that kept track of time. Only a day had passed. More than enough to restore my strength.

I took my time preparing, indulging in the quiet solace of cleaning up.

It was time to awaken new abilities. Proteus had laid out everything in preparation—a simple mat spread across the ground, surrounded by the faint flicker of kindled, scented candles. Their light, soft and wavering like fragile hopes.

“Master Kalon, your health... Perhaps it is too early to step into the astral realm,” Proteus cautioned, his voice laced with concern. I could sense the weight behind his words—the shadow of his former master’s death still loomed over him.

‘Was he afraid that I too would meet such an end? That my failure would bring him punishment?’

I dismissed the thought, certain that such a fate would not claim me.

As I sank deeper into meditation, the physical world unraveled around me, slipping away until my body felt as if it no longer existed. My senses dulled to nothing, and my eyes fluttered open to a vast void—a black canvas speckled with tiny, scattered lights like distant stars. I tried to move, yet I felt anchored in place, my form invisible, dissolved into nothingness.

Then, the void rippled—a wave of colors, shifting in rhythmic harmony, each hue a living, breathing force. One stream of light drifted closer. As it touched me, I felt the first stirrings of sensation, my limbs returning from the void, and reclaiming their form. The nauseous pull intensified, yanking me through the spectrum, but in its wake, I saw it—the blood weaving back into my flesh, bones regenerating, knitting themselves together until I was whole again.

The mana flowed through me, strong and vibrant like a river rushing to its source. Blood mana bent to my will effortlessly, dancing at my command as I conjured spell after spell within the astral realm. Each incantation unfurled like a piece of silk in the wind, their power woven into the fabric of this strange, otherworldly plane.

The tests were countless, an endless symphony of magic as I pushed the boundaries of what I had learned. Time felt distorted, slipping between my fingers like grains of sand. I could not tell how it passed in this pseudo-world, only that something had shifted.

Then, the fatigue crept in—a weight that suddenly pressed against me, pulling my body down, draining my spirit. The astral realm began to melt away, the edges of its dreamlike contours dissolving, dragging me back into the physical world.

The transition was nerve-tingling, like stepping out of a dream too fast. My senses jolted awake, the return of my limbs bringing with it an uneasy nausea. Slowly, I opened my eyes, greeted by the familiar sight of the room. Proteus remained seated a short distance away, watching in silent patience as I returned from the depths of the astral realm.

Eager to harness the magic I had unlocked, I drew myself into sharp focus. My sensitivity to the mana coursing through my veins had sharpened. The ambient blood mana around me responded like an extension of my own body, converging at my command. Pools of crimson hovered in the air, pulsing with life—each one felt intimately, as though I were a mother tending to her children.

With just a thought, I repositioned them, molding their form and solidifying their essence. The blood was no longer just a substance; it was something I could feel with the barest of touches, its texture vivid under my senses.

Understanding the concept was one thing, but true mastery demanded practice. Over and over, I guided the blood through different phases of existence—solid, liquid, and everything in between—until the magic flowed seamlessly with my will. Satisfied, I redirected the blood back into my body, its energy sinking deep into my heart, expanding my mana pool like water filling a well.

Proteus looked utterly flabbergasted, his wide eyes reflecting the astonishment he couldn’t mask. A smirk tugged at the corner of my lips as I questioned his bewildered demeanor. "You’ve gained enlightenment, and on your first trial... amazing," he finally managed, his voice tinged with awe. "I always knew you were sharp and determined, but this is a feat beyond the norm. Perhaps this humble one may learn from you, if I may."

I couldn’t help but chuckle softly. There was still so much ahead—this was merely the beginning. Controlling mana was like learning to walk for any Celestial. But to face what lay ahead, I would need to master this magic until it became second nature.

“Now, let’s return to the ‘Hall of Knowledge.’ I need to gather more enlightenment,” I said, ignoring the weary sigh from my drunt. As I changed into fresh clothes, it was clear Proteus would have to get used to my relentless pace.

My thoughts wandered to Damon. We hadn’t exchanged a word since the day he led me to the Hall of Knowledge, and a lingering curiosity about him tugged at the edges of my mind.

‘Perhaps I should send him a message through the artifact’ I thought. With that decision, I crafted a long note, sharing my experiences and the recent enlightenment I had gained. Once satisfied, I packed my bag and made for the door.

Just as I reached it, the handle turned from the outside, and the faces of Damon and—unexpectedly—Ariadne greeted me.

“Damon, Ariadne? What a surprise. I wasn’t exactly expecting to see her here,” I remarked, my irritation barely veiled. Damon, ever perceptive, seemed ready to offer a carefully sorted explanation.

Before he could, Ariadne cut in with her usual confidence, “But now I’m here. Where are you headed?”

“Where else? The ‘Hall of Knowledge’ . Seems it’s the only place where I can find peace of mind,” I replied, a heavy sigh escaping as I braced myself for another verbal sparring session.

Damon, growing exasperated, threw up his hands. “Ah! It’s always like this with you two. Can’t you stop for once?”

“Who?” Ariadne and I asked in perfect unison. Damon let out a deep sigh, facepalming as if weighed down by the inevitability of it all.

“We actually came to invite you out of the Citadel. An outing.”

‘Did they really come by just to hang out?’ The idea of an outing crossed my mind, a fleeting spark of excitement dancing through my thoughts. I considered the possibilities—moments of fun, perhaps something light-hearted for a change. But just as quickly, the weight of my unfinished studies extinguished the spark, pulling me back to the reality of my priorities.

Ariadne, with her usual bluntness, cut through my musings. “I’d stick with the first idea, but this isn’t just a casual outing.” A mischievous grin danced across her lips as she added, “We need to get you a magical beast of your own. So forget about anything else. Selene also said we should teach you how to fly—oh, and by the way, you didn’t tell me you couldn’t fly.”

Her words struck like an unexpected breeze, both surprising and irritating. I turned toward the changing room.

“That detail must’ve slipped my mind. It’s the landscape in Bloodville—it didn’t exactly lend itself to flying lessons,” I called over my shoulder as I sifted through the closet, searching for something fitting. Finally, I settled on a long woolen overcoat, draping it over my tunic, its weight comforting.

The entrance of the Citadel stood shrouded in a thick blanket of winter snow, a crystalline world that sparkled under the muted sunlight. As I stepped beyond the city’s threshold, the biting cold enveloped me like an unwelcome embrace. Inside the Citadel, a hidden magic had maintained a steady warmth, but out here, the chill clawed at my skin.

With a mere thought, I cloaked my form in a layer of mana, a delicate balance that required constant attention yet drained little of my mana—a simple feat for one who had begun to master his abilities.

Suddenly, a frost bear charged toward us, its form distinct from Selene’s, its sheer size more imposing. My instincts flared, ready to defend myself should it become hostile. But it skidded to a halt before Ariadne, the beast’s presence shifting from threat to ally in an instant.

‘That must be her mount’ I mused, watching her affectionately greet it.

“Who’s a good boy? It’s you, Frigid. Come on, let’s go!”

I found my place seated between Ariadne—who confidently led the mount—and Damon, who sat snugly behind me. But then, a sudden movement behind me sent a jolt through my body, causing me to lurch forward in surprise. Ariadne's brow furrowed in confusion at my reaction, and I felt a flush of embarrassment creep over me.

Turning to see the source of my alarm, I discovered a blood wyrm nestled behind me. It was relatively young, its size modest compared to the colossal beasts that roamed Stygia.

“Meet Kaa, my blood wyrm,” Damon introduced, a playful smile dancing on her lips.

I cursed under my breath, readjusting my clothing, the unexpected encounter leaving me flustered.

“Why didn’t I notice him earlier?” I wondered, chastising myself for missing such an intriguing presence.

“He slid under my cloak. My bad,” Damon muttered, feeling a mix of surprise and amusement.

We ventured forward. The thought of taming a beast lingering in my mind.