CH26 Fused Bloodline – Harmony State
***
Alex's consciousness drifted into the strange yet familiar Bloodline Space.
But this time, it was different.
Unlike the previous experience—where he had seen two altars and a pool between them—he was now face-to-face with two unfamiliar creatures.
The first was a humanoid figure cloaked in shadows.
Its form was long and thin, with limbs that were disproportionately shaped compared to its torso—almost grotesquely so. Beyond that, Alex couldn't make out much else.
Only its eyes were clear.
Dark blood-red pupils gleamed against grey sclera. Those crimson orbs were deeper—far more dangerous—than Earl Drake's. Madness radiated from them. Ferocious, primal, and near-feral.
The second creature stood in stark contrast.
A luminous white wolf, its fur ablaze in a golden fire that felt more like light than actual flame. It radiated warmth like the sun rising over a snow-covered plain.
A comforting power.
Alex instinctively knew what they were.
He was deeper within his Bloodline Space now. The humanoid monstrosity was likely the manifestation of his Furor Bloodline, while the burning wolf must represent his unknown maternal lineage.
Recalling Uthvaazgol's teachings, Alex raised both hands.
From each palm, a serpentine dragon head burst forth—ethereal, gleaming with runic patterns. They lunged toward the two manifestations, coiling around them like divine chains.
Alex braced for resistance.
But to his surprise, neither creature fought back.
Instead, they allowed themselves to be dragged toward him—swallowed by the dragon energies and absorbed into his Consciousness Body.
Then, change began.
Alex's form distorted.
He grew taller, leaner. His body stretched unnaturally until it resembled the humanoid figure's build. Twin dragon horns emerged from his skull. A bushy wolf tail sprouted from his lower back. His fangs extended, descending to his chin, and his blood-red eyes now shimmered with streaks of gold.
Despite the eerie transformations, his frame brimmed with dense, compact strength. Corded muscle and reinforced bones rippled beneath his skin.
The Elder Dragon Blood Essence had prepared him well.
Without it, his mind and body wouldn't have survived the fusion of two top-tier bloodlines.
In the physical realm, signs of mutation began surfacing.
Horns threatened to sprout. Claws extended. Fangs jutted out. A tail coiled.
Such mutations would be considered a failure—a sign of imbalance.
Within the Bloodline Space, Alex stared at the changes with distaste.
'No. This isn't right.'
He summoned his spiritual force, wrapping himself in it like a cocoon. Then, using sheer mental discipline, he exerted his will.
The horns receded. The claws retracted. The tail vanished. The fangs dulled.
Slowly, his form reverted—no longer a chimera of beasts, but a refined, matured version of himself.
With the aid of the Elder Dragon Blood Essence, Alex successfully harmonised and fused both bloodlines without permanent mutations.
The Origin Blood Essence from both lineages melded with the purest extract of the Elder Dragon Blood, giving birth to a new, singular Blood Essence.
A stronger foundation.
This fused Blood Essence became the core from which a third generation of blood was born—replacing the previous 'new blood' from his earlier tempering.
Another wave of tempering began.
This time it was slower, deeper, and more refined. The fused blood coursed through his veins, scouring every cell, perfecting every inch of his body.
When it was done, his entire bloodstream had been replaced again.
Alex Fury was now complete.
His Body, Mana, and Spiritual Force—once imbalanced due to his reincarnated soul—had been brought into perfect equilibrium.
A Body-Energy-Soul harmony was achieved.
His potential had reached an all-new summit.
Alex stirred. Consciousness returned to his physical body.
He attempted to open his eyes—but found it difficult, as if something was keeping them sealed shut.
Crack—
A sharp sound echoed as something within Alex gave way.
His eyes snapped open.
The vast pool of blood he had been submerged in was gone—completely consumed. Not a single drop remained. Only a hardened shell of dried blood encased his body, like a grotesque cocoon.
He had to flex and strain slightly before the blood-cast shattered around him.
Alex stepped out—and froze.
His body had changed.
Vastly.
This was not the same frame he had before.
His flesh now held a warrior's strength. His muscles felt coiled, dense, and unnaturally durable. Despite being a mage, Alex looked like a seasoned battle-hardened warrior.
He raised an eyebrow at his reflection in a nearby reflective surface conjured by his mind.
Broader shoulders. Taller frame.
He now stood at 170 centimetres—an impressive height in this world, especially for someone his age. With his mature aura and imposing build, he could easily pass for an adult.
Before he could say a word, Uthvaazgol's voice echoed from nowhere:
"This is… a bit unexpected. You used the Elder Dragon's Blood Essence during the fusion?"
Alex blinked, then gave his body a once-over and shook his head.
"I didn't use it on purpose," he explained. "It got pulled in during the balance process between the two bloodlines."
Uthvaazgol chuckled.
"Well, that's not a bad thing at all. In fact, your possession of Dragon Essence within the fused bloodline opens up a whole new array of opportunities I can offer you."
Before Alex could respond, a set of neatly folded clothes appeared in mid-air, materialising before him.
Only then did he realise he'd been standing completely naked the entire time.
Face flushing, he quickly put on the familiar mage attire.
"Where's Lady Zora?" he asked.
"I sent her back to the Enclave."
"Wait—what? When?"
"A month ago," Uthvaazgol replied flatly. "You've been in there for a month and a half."
Alex's eyes widened. "A month and a half?!"
"Yes," the Ancient Dragon said with a dismissive hum. "Don't think much of it. The stronger you become, the more distorted your perception of time will be. A meditative session that feels like a blink to you may span tens, hundreds, or even thousands of years in the external world."
Alex paused—then nodded in understanding.
He'd read enough cultivation novels in his previous life to accept this as a familiar trope.
'Still... living it is different.'
He inhaled, then asked, "So, what now, Master?"
"Nothing special," Uthvaazgol replied. "We continue building your strength and knowledge. Only with both can you protect yourself... and accomplish your goals."
Alex nodded firmly. "Then I want to learn Alchemy and Forgesmithing."
There was a beat of silence.
"Why?" Uthvaazgol finally asked. "You already have your hands full with Runesmithing and Array Mastery."
"I don't intend to learn them systematically," Alex clarified. "I just need to understand enough to expand my Rune-Tech framework."
He paced as he spoke, thoughts flowing naturally.
"I've already developed a good grasp of the fundamentals for Runesmithing and Arrays. At this point, I can selectively learn what I need as situations arise."
"I plan to do the same with Alchemy and Forgesmithing—master the basics, then touch on the advanced concepts as required."
"Alchemy is a deep and multifaceted discipline," Uthvaazgol cautioned. "Even its basics are extensive. Do you wish to learn the fundamentals of all its branches—or focus on one in particular?"
"I'm more interested in the Material Synthesis branch," Alex replied. "I'll only dabble in Potionmaking if I find the time. Even if I don't need it directly, its knowledge might prove useful for developing the OmniRune Core."
The dragon hummed in understanding.
"Very well. If that's the path you've chosen, I have no reason to stop you. You've proven wise enough to forge your own way. I will support you as best I can."
"Thank you, Master." Alex bowed with respect.
"In the years to come, we'll need to work on your Combat Training and Art of Killing," Uthvaazgol said solemnly. "You are a noble heir. If you intend to maintain your position and carve out a legacy, combat is unavoidable."
Alex nodded.
He would have loved to lock himself away in a laboratory, buried in experiments and theory.
But this world wouldn't allow such luxuries.
Earl Drake had made it crystal clear the day Alex awoke in this world—power was everything. Whether he wanted to or not, he would need to fight for his place.
If he refused, someone would gladly erase him from the board.
He wasn't about to make it easy for them.
Besides, even if he didn't personally charge into battle, a deep understanding of combat principles was crucial to inventing technologies that would empower those who fought in his name.
Uthvaazgol raised a claw and pointed at him.
A torrent of knowledge surged into Alex's mind.
"Aether Meditation Manual?" Alex murmured, brows furrowed.
"Correct," the Ancient Dragon confirmed. "Because of your fused bloodline, you are no longer shackled by the limitations that plague your kind—and many others. You have no need to follow the simplified paths of Mana (mage), Internal Energy (warrior), or Spiritual Force (wizard or warlock)."
"From the very beginning, you shall walk the true path of Aether."
Uthvaazgol's voice rumbled with pride as he continued:
"The Aether Meditation Manual is a top-class cultivation guide, born of my eras of experience. Only three people know its contents—myself, Zora... and now you. It is the culmination of my life's work. I offer it to you, my True Disciple."
He looked Alex directly in the eye.
"I expect you to honour it—and safeguard its secrets to the best of your ability."
"I will, Master." Alex's voice was calm but resolute.
"Good."
The colossal dragon nodded, then turned his gaze toward the horizon, as though peering beyond time itself.
"The next few years will be hectic and congested. Prepare yourself."
"Yes, Master."
And thus, Alex's formal training under the Ancient Dragon Uthvaazgol—Elder of the Dragon Race across the Myriad Realms—officially began.
***