Chapter 21: Four Disciplines ( Part 1)

*boom *crack* *crack*

cracking sounds could be heard throughout the arena as two figures exchanged blows. The tall figure looked calm, but there was a surprised look on his face.

Keith, who was a couple of inches shorter than his uncle, bombarded him with all his attacks. Brad was giving him some pointers while he was throwing his punches and kicks.

An hour had passed but both of them kept sparring without showing any sign of fatigue.

While this was happening outside, something interesting was happening inside Keith as well.

[ Analyzing opponent's attack patterns ]

[ The opponent is using an unknown martial art with the help of his blood-qi.]

[Calculating Blood-qi level]

This window popped up before him as he started fighting. Then as he kept sparring with him, the analysis bar was moving further and further.

[ Analysis complete.]

[ Blood-qi level : High Viscount]

[ Blood core : Viscount ]

[ Blood-qi usage : 34%]

[ Martial arts recorded : unnamed martial arts(recorded for future reference)]

He had to spar with him for an hour to get all the information regarding him. Even though Brad was holding back quite a bit.

" You are adapting quite well. I didn't know you had a knack for fighting."

" Now that you have warmed up a bit, let me tell you more about Blood-qi. As you already know, blood-qi is the source of power for a vampire. It accumulates over time as you consume more blood. It helps you strengthen your body and create a blood core.

The faster you condense blood-qi the quicker it accumulates and forms a blood core. However, that is not the most important usage of blood-qi. You see, blood-qi is not some static energy. It is a type of life energy that could be morphed into anything that you desire.

But there is a catch. Whatever you convert your blood-qi into has to be deeply understood by your mind. For there is an infinite amount of things that could go wrong. And to keep the blood-qi in the same state requires tremendous concentration. "

Brad took out his blood-red sword from the sheath. The shining edges gave off a chilling aura that Keith unconsciously raised his guard.

"What do you think this is?" Brad said as he pointed the sword at Keith.

" Don't tell me.." Keith stared at the blade and then at his uncle.

"Yes, it's a weapon manifested by my will by shaping the blood-qi to my desire. A manifested blood-esper weapon."

" Is that a fancy word for this kind of weapon?" Keith stared at the blade as it faded into thin air.

" Yes and No. The term comes from the type of Blood-qi user that creates it. Let me tell you the four different types of blood-qi users you will encounter in the future. Father would've told you if he wasn't busy, I guess I spoiled it for you."

He extended his arm and a cloud of blood-qi appeared above his hand.

" For tens of millennia, the vampires researched the blood-qi, trying to find out all its secrets. What started as ancient techniques evolved and became more refined. The originals only imparted 3 types of Knowledge, martial techniques, summoning techniques, and Blood rituals.

But ten thousand years ago the 13th King discovered the fourth type of blood-qi manipulation. This was so hard to achieve that only a small number of vampires in history reached the pinnacle of it. We call them Blood Espers."

" So you are one of those blood espers? Then why is grandpa giving the inheritance to me?" Keith was puzzled as to why his uncle wasn't involved in the family decisions.

" Because I refused him countless times. Now he doesn't bother me about it." Brad shook his head.

" When you enter the Crimson Academy, many advanced blood-qi users will come as well. From the top descendant families, who have learned the various advanced blood-qi techniques before setting foot in the academy. It is true that the academy is responsible for teaching the advanced techniques, but some top families who have connections with the council ignore it. Though they only teach the starting phases so as not to upset the council too much, the descendants get a lot of advantages in the academy.

" You on the other hand just condensed your blood core. You don't have any experience manipulating blood-qi."

" Are the descendants that strong? They are just barons just like me." Keith asked.

" You might think that you are plenty strong after achieving blood core so fast, but let me tell you

The descendants of the top families are nothing to scoff at. I can guarantee you some of them even reached baron class before 13 years of age. There is a reason our family is at the bottom of the descendant families. We can't compare ourselves to them, be it blood-qi techniques, resources, and connections." The blood-qi above Brad's hand swirled and changed shapes. A humanoid figure wearing robes appeared above his hands.

" What is that?" Keith questioned with curiosity.

The hazy figure moved its hands and several symbols appeared on the air and the ground.

" Blood ritualists! They are the brains of the vampire society. They design and create all the arrays and artifacts. They build complex structures throughout the continent. With limitless knowledge unrivaled in the continent The blood ritualists at the top are comparable to the King. Assisting the council with their experiments as well as managing the various rituals. The blood coins we use were made by them." Brad showed the various architectural marvels throughout the continent to Keith using his blood-qi.

" So they must be the most influential vampires on the continent. How many blood ritualists are there?" Keith asked with a curious face.

"Very few. After the blood Espers, they are the second rarest type of blood-qi users on the continent. I don't know the exact number but there are only several hundred known ritualists. And ritualists at the stage of Archduke are rarer than Kings."

Keith was really fascinated by the different blood-qi disciplines. A whole new domain opened up to him, as he was just starting out on this continent, more knowledge about the vampires and Blood-qi provided him a better understanding of the power structures.

Before this, he only thought that only the blood-qi amount and blood core level decided the power structure but it was more complicated than that. With that in mind, he looked at his uncle who was changing his blood-qi and was about to explain the rest.

The thick red smoke changed shape and two figures appeared. A humanoid and a weird-looking blob that was moving in different directions.