Chapter 3: Drink their blood

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Chapter 3: Drink their blood

On the other hand, if his father was going to lock Cael down, he could at least try out his system before that happened.

Cael turned his feet towards a butchery shop. It didn't take long for him to buy a clay bottle of pig blood. With it in tow, he went back towards the secret clearing and sat down.

He closed his eyes, enjoying the fresh breeze and the smell of young grass and blooming flowers. Tree leaves gently rustled in the wind, and sunlight warmed Cael's skin.

It was a perfect spot for meditation.

All books agreed that the only way to increase a man's mana pool was to spend mana, then meditate and rest to replenish it. Over and over, until like a muscle, the mana pool grew.

Right now, Cael's mana pool was empty, but when he concentrated, he could feel the mana in everything around him. All colors, all flavors—there was mana of air in the wind from the open window, mana of plants in the plants, mana of earth in the ground under his feet...

With a touch of will, Cael pulled some mana from air and added it to his mana pool. This was enough to fill it.

Cael softly laughed at his success. Before, he couldn't even feel mana, but just like everyone always said, it *was* absolutely easy. The hardest part was to use spells, and to train your mana pool as quickly as possible.

There were potions, artifacts and spells that could make meditation more effective, but there was no replacing both natural talent and hard work.

Except...

*Blood Mage System, are you there?*

*I am always there, user.*

*System, so you tell me, if I drink that blood,* Cael eyed the bottle in his hands, *I might become stronger?*

*This amount of ordinary pig blood will grant you, user, 1 Blood Points. Your next upgrade costs 1 BP. You currently have zero BP.*

*Next upgrade? Listen, explain to me how it works.*

*By consuming blood, you will gain BP in amount based on the owner's power and the amount of blood consumed. When the amount of BP reaches a certain amount, you will be able to purchase an upgrade. It could be an increase of one of your stats, a special talent, or a spell of blood magic. Some upgrades can only be purchased after you fulfill their prerequisites. You can also spend BP to heal your wounds and restore mana.*

Cael's eyes widened. Well, if chugging blood gave him power... It was gross, but nothing more. He heard about dark mages who have consumed others' souls to increase their strength.

*And what about time travel? The Future Me didn't help me with that?*

*Those spells are too complex to fit into my memory. But when you achieve their requirements, you would be able to get talents that will make studying time magic easier.*

Cael nodded.

*System, what are my stats?*

*The four stats are mana, body, mind and soul. Mana increases your mana capacity, mana restoration speed, and mana control. Body increases your strength, speed, and vitality. Mind increases your memory, comprehension, and thought speed. Soul increases your willpower. The current estimation of your stats, compared with people of the same wizard rank... Mana—extremely weak. Body—average. Mind—above average. Soul—above average.*

Cael's shoulders slumped. *System, you are merciless.*

*I possess no emotions, and therefore, indeed, am merciless. I am also objective.*

*Did the Future Me give you a sense of humor?* Cael shook his head and reached for the blood bottle. Gross! *Does blood pudding count for BPs?*

*No, user. The blood must be raw and unspoiled.*

"Ugh," Cael grimaced and uncorked the bottle. The metallic smell hit his nostrils, and he pinched them. Then, without giving himself a breather, Cael gulped down the disgusting liquid.

The bottle was big enough that Cael didn't think he'd be able to finish it, but he didn't feel bloated, no matter how much he drank. It was as if the blood disappeared as soon as it entered his stomach.

There was no getting rid of the aftertaste, though.

*User, you have gained 1 BP. A new upgrade is available.*

*What are my options, System?*

*You can increase one of your stats, user. All other upgrades don't meet the prerequisites.*

"Wait, what?" Cael threw his hands in the air. "But what about talents and all that?"

*Your base stats are too low to purchase any of them, user. Increase them first.*

*Fine. Then I increase mana!*

*Understood. You now have zero BP, and 10 BP left until the next upgrade. Increasing mana...*

Cael gasped as he felt energy surging through his mana pool. He felt uncomfortably inflated and light, as if a gust of wind could push him to the floor. A moment later, the feeling subsided.

When Cael checked his mana pool, it was at least five times bigger than before, and full to the brim. About fifty sparks! Not enough to be even a first rank mage, but enough to...

"*Light, come forth*!"

A ball of light the size of a baby's fist floated above Cael's outstretched palm. The simple spell exhausted most of Cael's mana pool, but he didn't care for that.

He could use magic now!

Cael meditated for a few minutes to restore his mana pool again, and stood up, leaving the empty bottle behind. He had a sizable sum saved in his personal stash—allowance money that Cael had nothing to spend on.

He'd be able to buy the blood of magical creatures from an alchemist. It would be so easy...

With those thoughts, Cael hurried towards home.