Chapter 24: Choice
"But if humans also have powerful bloodline abilities, then why aren't we using Knight Techniques to fight goblins?"
[That's because the purity of the average human bloodline is minimal. The same applies to other widespread races like goblins, orcs, kobolds, and such. Only races with low reproduction rates—like Elves, Dragons, and a few others—have retained high-purity bloodlines. That's why humans turned toward the Wizard Pathway, which relies more on elemental affinity.]
"But I don't even have any elemental affinity," Raven muttered, brows furrowed. "And I don't even know when I'll next get a chance to use the Devouring ability on a magical beast's corpse."
[True, affinity is crucial—whether you're a mortal or a Warlock. But thanks to the Bloodline Devouring System and the Memory Library, you can obtain a wide variety of abilities. Over time, you can even brew affinity potions yourself. The Alchemy Pathway will help you enhance your body and spirit strength. And don't forget: you possess exclusive access to countless potion recipes.]
"How many abilities can I gain in total?"
[I'm not sure. Typically, a Bloodline Warlock can wield up to six abilities—sometimes more. But your case is… unusual. Your soul suffered immense damage during reincarnation. When the system awakened, I had to separate a harmful anomaly within it. I used the System Core to stabilize your soul and modify its structure to prolong your lifespan. Now, your soul, body, and consciousness are fused into a single entity.]
"I have no idea what you're saying." Raven frowned in frustration.
[Then let me explain another way. Long ago, a 'Taboo Existence' introduced a new Pathway to the universe—the Class Gem Pathway. It allowed individuals to embody multiple roles at once—Wizard, Warlock, Knight. These hybrids were called Dual-Class Mystics. Through this path, it was discovered that a human soul could hold more than 14 abilities—six or seven from the soul, and six or seven from the body. Some even gained unique skills, though that came at the cost of slowing their progress.]
[In your case, since your soul, body, and consciousness are one, you could absorb more than ten Warlock bloodline essences without resistance. But even with that potential, you must still choose wisely. Only the most potent bloodline spells will be worth your time.]
Zera's explanation only deepened the fog of confusion in Raven's mind. But one thing had become clear—he would have to kill monsters, and maybe even people, to grow stronger.
With that heavy thought hanging over him, Raven closed his eyes and slipped into the Memory Library.
[Now that your lifespan has stabilized, you must choose. Option one: learn a new skill from a Skill Book, which could give you an edge in upcoming challenges. Option two: continue studying Adept-rank Alchemic Theory and deepen your understanding of potion-making. But once you start, you can't turn back midway. Choose wisely.]
The sudden proposition startled him.
'Alchemy or a new skill...' he frowned.
'Studying the past won't help right now. Even "Wonder Sense" feels wasted in my current situation. Ever since I joined the Elementary School, all I do is attend classes and return home. My sister doesn't even let me go out alone. And two official Knights are guarding the school gate every day.'
He exhaled sharply.
'This will continue until I turn fifteen and graduate from the Knight Training School anyway. Better to invest in something long-term.'
"I've made my choice," he said aloud. "I'll focus on Adept-level Alchemy."
[Wise decision. While theoretical alchemy may seem dull now, the benefits will become clear once you reach Adept rank. With dedication, you might even surpass a natural genius in six months.]
Raven nodded and strode toward the towering shelves.
[Adept-level alchemy books are located from the second to the twelfth shelf. Around 500 books per shelf. You should begin at once.]
"Five thousand five hundred books?!" His voice cracked slightly.
But as he opened the first volume and began to read, something changed.
"Wait… my reading speed—it's doubled?"
[That's the result of your spirit power reaching 2.0. It's on par with a 1st Circle Acolyte Wizard. The stronger your spirit, the quicker your mind works. A wizard's analytical prowess is what makes them so fearsome.]
'Then… can I learn Spirit Techniques to boost my spirit further?'
[Not yet. Learn those after you enter a Wizard Academy. That way, you won't draw suspicion.]
After a brief pause, Zera asked something unexpected.
[By the way… what is your aim, Raven? Do you have a dream, a purpose? I can't decide your path for you.]
The question hit deeper than he expected.
Raven stayed silent, then smiled faintly as he recalled the warm faces of Athena and Shirley.
"I want my sister and aunt to smile. To live without worries. But… I think something's been weighing on them."
He hesitated, then voiced a long-standing doubt.
"I wonder if it has something to do with me. With my title. Why did the Zenith Emperor abandon his children? Was it because of me?"
Even though he had Athena and Shirley, Raven had long been curious about his birth parents. Whenever he asked, they always dodged the subject. Once, as a child, his sister had broken down in tears while describing their mother's beauty. It was the only time he'd seen her cry.
That memory had stayed with him ever since.
"If my parents are the problem," he muttered, "I won't hesitate to stand against them."
[Your father isn't some wandering drunk, lad. He's the Emperor of this entire Empire. If he wants to erase you or take your sister back, he only needs to issue the order.]
Raven's eyes widened.
"Is he… a bad man?"
[I don't know. But one thing's certain—he's a bad father.]
"Even so… I'll stop him. I'll protect my sister, no matter what."
[Hmph. I expected no less. But protecting the people you love is harder than any battle. Unless you become an Emperor yourself, don't expect it to be easy. For now, focus on your alchemy.]
Raven nodded firmly and dove back into his books.
…
The Next Day
He asked his sister to bring him two blank notebooks, and immediately copied two new Knight Techniques.
Unlike the old ones, these came from the Class Gem Pathway—specifically a Rank-2 [Holy Knight] class. But they were more than that. They were hybrids—melding Class Gem magic with the ancient Knight Pathway of the Faith Plane.
Shirley's technique was called the Inferno Vanguard Technique, a ferocious combat style built for frontline devastation.
Athena's was the Nether Stride, a swift, evasive technique focused on agile movement in battle.
Both immersed themselves in study.
Shirley, already a veteran of many battles and at the peak of Elite Knight rank, found herself reinvigorated. Though she hadn't broken into the realm of Radiant—or Holy—Knights, the new technique doubled her effectiveness.
But before she could master it, duty called.
An escort mission arose—transporting the Baron's third son to the Royal Capital for the Crows' Misery Academy entrance exam.
Unlike the common Knight Training Schools and Elementary Schools found even in rural towns, Crows' Misery was the sole Wizard Academy in the Empire.
After graduation, students with high-ranking or above affinities received a selection letter from the Academy.
But acceptance was far from easy.
To qualify, a candidate had to pass the Physical Fitness Test, Written Test, Will Test, Spirit Test, and finally, the Practical Test.
Out of over 10,000 annual applicants, only a few dozen were accepted.
Noble houses or powerful organizations often recruited the rest.
For many, it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to walk the path of wizardry.
The Baron wasn't going to let it slip away.
During the trip, Shirley secretly sold the Orc thigh bones and Trollsbane glands at the Royal Auction House. Their rarity drew the attention of blacksmiths and ritualists alike, earning her 250 gold coins.
Although the Baron's son failed in the fourth round and sank into depression, the group stayed in the capital a few more weeks.
Shirley used the time wisely, visiting the black market and purchasing essential alchemical tools:
Three Mystic Alembics Twenty-five Luminescent Vials Four Crucible Bowls A Starlight Mortar and Pestle Ethereal Stirring Rod Arcane Siphon Syringe Volumetric Measuring Beaker Filtration Funnel Incense Burner, Burner Stand, Infusion Funnel, Smoke Distiller Cone...
Fifty gold coins well spent.
Back home, Raven transformed the store room into a fully equipped alchemy lab.
However, due to the shortage of rare herbs and essential ingredients in the local market, he could only produce a handful of Mortal-grade potions, each with a meager 20% success rate. Still, even that slim chance was enough to earn him a tidy profit, just enough to purchase materials for ten more attempts.
Just as he felt a flicker of pride in his first successful concoction, Zera's voice rang coldly in his mind, slicing through his excitement like a blade.
[Even if you raise your success rate with Mortal potions to 100%, you'll barely manage to brew a Low-Rank potion with a 5% chance of success. A beginner alchemist can do twice that without effort. You still have a long way to go.]
The words stung more than he expected. For a moment, disappointment threatened to creep in, coiling around his resolve. But he didn't let it take root. Instead, he clenched his fists and turned back to the cauldron.
He would use these Mortal potion recipes—not for profit, but for practice. For mastery. Every failure would bring him closer to true alchemy. He couldn't afford to stop now.