Looking at Warforged's status for a bit longer, Lain pondered.
'If I cross into the Yellow stage, War will get another ability…'
Nodding in understanding, Lain said, "It's alright like this, I'll assimilate with the new skills before going onto the next. Who knows, I might get a skill and a trait at the next stage."
With that aside, Lain moved on to the big guns.
- - -
Archangel of War's Heart [Grade 1]: The Archangel of War wanted to be the ultimate survivor of war, prompting him to search for abilities that'll lift him higher in the midst of its chaos.
This Heart carries all of the Archangel's vestige and more.
Comprehension: 17%
[Skills]
⤷ Blood Manipulation: Grants control over blood. The level of control depends on your mastery.
⤷ Crimson Sigil: A tattoo that has the ability to store blood. Space increases as your sub-stages increase. Capacity - 0/30L.
[Comprehend the Heart more to gain more skills or to evolve previous skills.]
[Traits]
~ Enhances strength and recovery when around exposed blood.
~ Drinking blood can improve body and mana recovery, depending on blood quality.
~ You can release a bloodlust as well as sense them.
- - -
Lain's eyes widened with excitement as he saw.
"Grade 1? That's a higher Heart grade than expected! I didn't believe it'd actually be ranked high."
Hearts are ranked from Grade 3 to 1, and their assigned Grades are usually related to the original strength of the Creature the Heart came from.
Lain had thought this Heart was Grade 2 at best with what he assumed the Archangel's strength to be.
Archangels are beings said to be so strong, they're just beneath God, but after knowing some secrets of this world, he was skeptical about them.
'Nah, they're stronger than I thought! As expected of Divine beings!
'Ah, I shouldn't accept things openly in this world, like the protagonist said, History of this world is twisted and inconsistent at times.'
Back to the Heart, the higher the grade, the more it has to offer basically.
Flashing through the Heart's information, Lain was inclined to believe he had a lot to obtain from this.
"It already offers many traits and skills at a 17% comprehension level. The 87% that awaits me is more!"
Lain said that, but that's only if he's actually able to comprehend all of the Heart.
Comprehension is understanding the essence of the Heart and expanding how much of the Heart's content you can perceive.
The more of the Heart you're able to perceive, the more you'll be able to draw out of the Heart.
If Hearts aren't obtained the right way–through a ritual–they're usually hard to comprehend because of the source's will that might affect the process through resistance.
Honestly, Lain was a bit disheartened relating to this, but his hope was that his system, which gives him detailed information of his skills, helps.
Lain read his skills with interest; their explanations were direct, so he understood them.
Reading the trait, he felt like War's blood gluttony skill was meant to go with the aspect where blood can now recover his body and/or mana.
This wasn't a guess or an assumption—it was closer to induced knowledge.
"The problem is that once War absorbs blood, I have to completely exhaust it before it eats again."
Relating to this, Lain had a funny idea.
'If I don't treat War well, it won't give me blood, right?'
That's the downside to sentient weapons.
'Ah, I'm glad I didn't run away and instead chose to obtain these. Now I see a path if I use the system and my knowledge well!'
Speaking of a path, Lain thought of his next step.
Then, suddenly, his lips unknowingly curled up.
Realising this, Lain sighed. He was fucked mentally that his control of his emotions were slipping!
Reminds him of a certain bastard he definitely doesn't miss.
'I need to calm myself down. Reflect on what happened today and move on.'
Lain lingered for a bit, then stretched his hand to a diary the original owned.
'I'll draw in this diary first to release some steam…then I'll continue with learning magic, then I'll crash at 1 a.m. which is in 3 hours…'
Lain didn't want to go through his coming days with an annoying headache so he went through the usual routine he uses to calm himself before transmigrating.
- - -
The next morning came like a flash.
Lain slept a long 8 hours and woke up at 9 a.m. to prepare for the day.
He took his bath, drew and learnt a little more, before Cira came in with his breakfast.
With how she reacted yesterday and how the original had distanced himself from her for years, he found it hard to tell her to leave.
She sat patiently watching Lain eat with a slight smile.
After he was done, she packed his plates in a corner and hesitated for a while.
Sitting on the bed, she looked at Lain as if hesitating to say something.
Upon noticing this, Lain immediately understood why.
'The captain must have told her…'
He hesitated before standing up and crouching in front of the beautiful lady.
Giving a reassuring smile as he held her hand, he said, "Mother. Please, trust me."
Cira bit her lips, then smiled. "I…won't stop you."
Lain was left speechless for a second. "Really?"
"Yes," Cira said, a somber look on her face. "Kaida explained the situation very well… and I see where you're both coming from."
Lain was… touched. "Thank you, mother. I'll make sure to come back!"
"I'm sure you will." Cira pinched his cheeks, then mumbled, "Still, you should have told me by yourself! How much do you want to keep from me?!"
"That hurts, Mother," Lain said, feigning pain. Then the warm embrace of his mother followed.
"Remember if things get hard, we are always here for you. Liana, Kaida, Anatalia and I."
Hugging her back, Lain nodded.
"Alright, ma."
Cira released Lain and stood up, saying, "The gathering is at noon. I'll still have my moment with you before you leave!"
Lain chuckled. "I'll take note of that."
Leaving the room, Cira saw Lain's shortsword and turned to him.
Lain avoided eye contact at that moment.
"I guess you went through a lot. I'll get this fixed if you want."
'She's so nice!'
Lain smiled and bowed slightly. "Thank you."
Leaving the room, Cira waved, "Take care~"
Falling onto his bed, Lain remembered the induced feeling of not seeing his loved ones anymore.
The pain he felt when he was assaulted by the heart.
It was maddening and annoying, worse than anything he had been through… and he went through a lot in his past life.
He couldn't help but recall how Cira, his sister, Liana and Kaida had ended up in the novel because of someone's schemes.
As a part of him fell somber, another was angered and a bit was beyond angered.
In the building Lain stayed, all the maids and other non-awakened froze as a mountain of pressure fell on them.
This… was just a taste of Lain's bloodlust.
- - -
A/N: If you're enjoying the book, please support me with comments and powerstones. They're huge motivations. Thank you!