The Blood Aristocracy makes a clear distinction between Blood Progenitors and Biological Parents. That distinction is encoded in the blood, an instinct that never needs to be taught. But in the case that the biological parent and Blood Progenitor are the same, the result is often impable. For high gicpatibility is the only way to ensure a smooth Blood Conversion.
A fine example is Hakim, who as Shapur''s grandson and only surviving rtive, possesses the mostpatibility with his grandfather''s blood. But thatpatibility still can''tpare to Mithras, who is not only Odoacer''s biological son, but a dragon lord from his mother''s side.
AKA, while still an Imperfect Hybrid, Mithras'' bloodline is already the strongest of the Spiritual World, unmatched and unparalleled. Add to that the Lord''s tears, and the power of that blood…transcends even the divine.
That blood now flowed in the brothers'' veins, a diluted version, yes, but more than enough to make them go from ordinary men to titans and demigods overnight. They were neither temrs nor gurus and could only improve by drinking more of Mithras'' blood. Some also benefitted more than the others. But there was not one man on the scene who couldn''t rip an Inner umtion temr to shreds.
As for those in the top 10%, even Golden Pce tier monsters would be wise to stay out of their way.
And while we focus on the brothers for now, the 8,000 servants naturally include their fair share of sisters—all turned radiant and riveting by their prince''s blood—a glorious day indeed!
[Ding! Ding! Ding!]
[Hidden Quest: Legacy of the Romanoipleted!]
[Primordial Strength…unlocked!]
[Decimation...unlocked!]
The system''s voice rumbled in Mithras'' mind, coinciding with a flood of sanguine energies that filled his bones and muscles with enough might to rip mountains and overturn thend.
The 8,000 brothers and sisters of Mithras knelt to their prince, reaffirming their pledge of eternal loyalty. But as Mithras never gets bored of doing the unthinkable, that same day, he''d abuse his status as Sovereign Prince and Co-Regent to ennoble all 8,000 members of his new gang—making them knights anddies of House Astalon.
In battle, they''d wear the purple and gold. In their civil duties, they''d don the sanguine red—not merely inheriting but transcending…the legacy of the Blood Aristocracy.
And as Cassandra bore witness to this once-in-a-lifetime event, she had to admit…that she''d underestimated her golden boy. In just one morning, he''d turned 8,000 ordinary folks into peerless entities with unfathomable potential.
Each could now provide a massive ie by administrating Ener Mines, Ritual Lands, and the like with abilities and tools that''d leave even Gurus speechless—going from financial liabilities to god-tier subordinates:
A true masterss!
By the end of the day, Cassandra had dispatched the 5,000 weakest brothers to various corners of Mithras'' domain, relying on them to maximize profit. Meanwhile, the Prince of Astalon set out, leading a procession of 3,000 into a colossal Spiritual Ark as he made way…toward the Jade-Faced Academy!
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Springtime City, a miracle of the criminal mind.
What started as a semi-independent city-state set up by Vel''Asha as a buffer against foreign invasions somehow evolved into the most bustling and developed city of the Blood-Smelting Kingdom, exceeding even the royal capital in terms of luxuries, entertainment, growth, and wealth.
Now a megalopolis of over three million citizens, Springtime City alone generated twice as many Ener Crystals and other Sid-rted goods than the royal capital. And this was without reaching its full potential.
How did that happen? The answer is Law!
Springtime City possessed the unique right to set its ownwsws that came before the king''s decrees and could outright ignore royal will. By relying on that privilege, the City legalized a variety of illicit activities—bing a hub for extravagant spending, crime syndicates, experimental drugs and information trading.
Things had now reached the point that the crime lords of Springtime City no longer saw themselves as members or nobles of the Blood-Smelting Kingdom, openly disregarding royal decrees. It''s therefore not surprising that when Akamana disced the whole city, relocating it to one of the inds of the Mainyu Archipgo, while maintaining its independence, the city''s power yers jumped for joy.
So, you can understand that once the news that their new prince and ruler wasing to retake control spread, the leadership of Springtime City—all veteran crime lords—were less than pleased. Pissed off, in fact.
But little did they know that as they nned to mess with Mithras, a much more sinister problem had arrived already: Hakim di Rashukan, the Huntmaster, now faced the city gates, flicking his tongue across his lips as he walked past guards and crowds like a living specter!
"Ah…so much corruption. The amount of filth in these primates'' blood is frankly depressing. And the weakness. The people here are so weak that even in the daylight my hunters could ughter them all in a finger snap. How could I possibly find a quality feast here?" Hakim sighed, inwardly wondering why Odoacer chose him—out of all people—for this kind of silly work.
But as the Huntmaster''s thoughts trailed off…
"Oh my god! What…are you?!" A high-pitched voice came from his left, making his face twist with confusion. Intrigued, Hakim turned to the source of that voice, surprised to see a teenage girl dressed in the Jade-Faced academy''s uniform.
Her eyes sparkled at him, mesmerized by hisbination of pale-blue skin and sanguine eyes.
"Ohoh…young blood, you can see through the Mask of the Devil? Means your heart is still pure and unspoiled by the corruption of this city. Beautiful," Hakim said with a warm and gentle smile and reached for the girl''s cheek, detaching her head from her neck with a simple pull.
Her blood gushed forth, but by the time it''d started dripping onto concrete, Hakim had hoisted up the corpse, using the girl''s skull as a wine ss to collect the blood pouring from her neck.
"Sadly for you, I am not a man of culture and haven''t been affected by a woman''s charms in a very, very long time. Male or female, it''s all the same to me—dull and worthless. All I care for…is the taste of your blood.
Thanks for restoring my hopes, though. Makes me feel the academy should have more like you…even if only a handful," Hakim said with a calm and soothing voice, his dark and golden locks swaying as he drank from the girl''s skull, savoring her premium blood to thest drop!
"My fellow brothers and sisters, it''s been so long since we''ve indulged the monster in our blood. So go ahead and rampage—take your time for sure—but rampage at will. That the world remembers and never dares to forget…the terror of Hakim." Tossing the girl''s remains into the distance, Hakim ordered, instantly answered by a battalion of 100 Blood Hunters that served him from time immemorial.
"As youmand, my prince!" They roared like an orchestra, throwing themselves into Springtime City, and ripping through life indiscriminately!
As the carnage took shape, Hakim stepped forward—leisurely walking toward the Jade-Faced Academy.
No, he didn''t walk. He bounced—clicking his fingers with a spring in his step as piles of corpses formed in his wake. And the cries of his victims...soared toward the sky.