"The key is to start with meditation and body awareness exercises. Spend time each morning focusing on your breathing and consciously feeling every muscle in your body. Learn to sense exactly how much force you're applying to everything, from opening doors to picking up a cup." My father continued explaining.
He stood and demonstrated a slow, controlled sword movement. "Practice all your techniques at quarter-speed first. Don't worry about power you've got plenty of it. Instead, focus entirely on accuracy and control. Only increase your speed when you can perform the movement perfectly at the slower pace."
"Also, I recommend practicing daily tasks with your new strength. Eat meals normally, write letters, handle delicate objects. These mundane activities will teach you finer control, when you are able to do so, you will have gained control over your new power," he added with a slight smile,
"Finally, sparring with opponents, like myself or the guards in our estate will help you learn to regulate your output based on your opponent's capabilities. You'll need to fight differently against a fellow Noble-rank opponent versus an Elite-rank enemy."
I listened with attention, his advice was genuinely helpful. The approach to building control rather than just raw power made perfect sense, and I could already see how these exercises would help me avoid dangerous accidents while maximizing my combat effectiveness.
"Thank you, Father. This is exactly what I needed to know."
After the training, my father told me to come inside and eat. I shook my head, saying my body felt strong now and I wasn't feeling hungry, I would eat another time.
He glanced at me with a slight frown before nodding. Probably wondering about my sudden change in eating habits, but accepting it as part of my bloodline awakening.
I followed my father inside, then excused myself to my room.
When I arrived, Charlotte was cleaning. She had already removed the bloodstains from the floor without asking any questions and fixed the door handle that I'd accidentally damaged with my new strength.
I didn't overly thank her, I couldn't completely change my personality in a single day. I needed to gradually shift her perception of me rather than shocking her with sudden kindness.
"Young Master," she greeted me immediately upon spotting me, giving a small curtsy. "I've finished tidying your room. Is there anything you need?"
"No, that's fine," I replied with a reserved tone, a tad bit warmer than the original Adrian's usual dismissiveness or what I imagined it would be with his maid.
She nodded and gathered her cleaning supplies. "I'll be downstairs if you need anything, Young Master."
After she left, I closed the door and finally allowed myself to relax.
The training had gone better than expected, and my father's advice would be invaluable for controlling my new abilities. But I still had the daily login reward to claim, and I needed to plan my next moves carefully.
The academy entrance was approaching, and with it, all the dangers that would come from being near the protagonist's story.
Staring at the floating screen before me, I allowed myself a small smile.
[01:04:20]
With an hour and four minutes to spare, I decided to practice what my father had taught me to further improve my control over my body.
…
An hour and a few minutes passed. My control had improved significantly.
I could now handle delicate and fragile objects without breaking them, though it still required conscious focus. I wanted to reach the level where this control became instinctive, without needing to concentrate on every movement. Based on my estimation, I believed that would take three to four days of consistent practice.
[00:00:10]
The countdown timer in the floating screen flashed before my eyes.
I watched with anticipation. I knew I wouldn't receive something as overpowered as my previous Supreme Vampire bloodline.
The system had made it clear, that was a special first-time reward. Future daily logins could contain anything.
Still, I hoped for something useful.
[Daily Login Available!][Would you like to claim your daily reward?][Yes | No]
My hand hovered over the screen before pressing yes.
[Congratulations! You have received the Enhanced Magical Item: Two Faces]
My eyebrow raised involuntarily.
An Enhanced magical item was genuinely powerful. It wasn't earth-shattering, but it certainly wasn't weak and would help me at least until the Transcendent rank, depending on its utility.
[Two Faces]
[Grade: Enhanced]
[Details: Allows the user to permanently store one alternate facial appearance within the mask. Once worn, you can seamlessly switch between your original face and the stored face at will. The alternate face can only be set once and cannot be changed afterward.]
Reading through the item details, I felt genuinely elated. This mask wasn't a sword or a combat item, but for someone like me, an extra trying to survive in the background, this was more precious, it was invaluable.
With this mask, I could remain completely low-key. I could distance myself from all the chaos surrounding Kyle and his crew, avoiding the attention of third-rate villains and dangerous plot developments entirely.
I had initially thought the item would only be helpful until Transcendent rank, but I was wrong. This item could serve me for a very long time! Its strategic value was immense.
Even though its limitation was somewhat disheartening.
Still, having only one alternate face to be chosen and stored permanently was more than enough for my purposes.
I could create a completely different identity.
A mask that could grant me true anonymity in a world where my face was tied to a doomed fate? This was exactly what I needed.