The idea of bloodline supremacy not only exists among Japan's elite but also influences all aspects of society. This can be seen in Japanese manga. For example, the three major shonen series: Bleach, Naruto, and One Piece.
In Bleach, the protagonist Kurosaki Ichigo's father is a Soul Reaper, and his mother is a Quincy—his lineage is extraordinary. In Naruto, the protagonist Uzumaki Naruto was thought to be an orphan, but his mother was from the Uzumaki clan, his father was the Fourth Hokage, and he carried the chakra of Asura. In One Piece, Luffy's grandfather was a Vice Admiral, his father was Dragon of the Revolutionary Army, and even his seemingly ordinary Gum-Gum Fruit later turned out to be the Nika Fruit.
Clearly, bloodlines are highly valued in Japan. So when Kael said his bloodline was special, Marin and Saki easily accepted it.
Though they found drinking Kael's blood strange, the promise of eternal youth and ageless beauty tempted them.
But first, they had to ask: "Renjou-kun, won't it harm you if we drink your blood?"
"Of course not." Kael smiled. "You don't think you'll need to drink a lot each time, do you?"
"Isn't that the case?"
"You're overthinking. You only need a single drop each time."
It wasn't that Kael refused to give more, but because they were ordinary humans. Drinking too much at the start would overwhelm them.
Hearing it was only a drop, they relaxed. That much was acceptable.
After some discussion, Marin and Saki agreed. They couldn't resist the allure of eternal youth and beauty.
Seeing this, Kael taught them the Blood Puppet Method, guiding them step by step. As ordinary people, they couldn't understand cultivation without instruction. So Kael carefully explained every detail.
By the end of the afternoon, he had taught them the method. But he didn't let them begin yet. Since he hadn't cultivated the Blood River Divine Art, they couldn't use his blood to practice.
"Let's stop here for today. Go home and review everything I taught. Tomorrow morning, come back—I'll let you begin cultivation."
Marin and Saki noticed it was already dark and agreed to leave, promising to return the next day.
After sending them off, Kael returned to his room, sat cross-legged, and took out a blood-scented pill from his pocket. He swallowed it and began cultivating the Blood River Divine Art.
The pill was none other than a Flesh Pill refined from living humans. Eating it was little different from eating human flesh. Previously, Kael resisted—when he made one from Hirasaka Ryuji, he didn't consume it immediately. But now, he felt no disgust. He calmly ate the Flesh Pill, cultivating demonic arts.
To him, those people weren't human—they were beasts. They exploited women, ruined families, and profited from misery. What else could they be but animals? If they were animals, eating them was no different from eating beef or pork.
Animals are living beings too. Isn't eating them cruel? Yet most people don't think so. Likewise, Kael now saw Flesh Pills as food, like meat.
Each pill contained immense energy, strengthening his body and cultivation. He digested one completely, then consumed several more. By the tenth pill, a new force of mana was born within him.
He already had mana from the Soul-Devouring Art, hidden deep in his soul. But this new mana was different—it was born from the Blood River Divine Art. At its birth, it fused into his blood.
His blood transformed. Veins thickened, flesh grew stronger, his heart beat powerfully. This mana, Kael named Blood River Mana.
Unlike Soul-Devouring Mana, which strengthened the soul, Blood River Mana focused on the body. The stronger it grew, the stronger his body became. Though not enough to sanctify his flesh, it surpassed ordinary cultivators.
His body changed drastically. Even if a bullet pierced his heart, Blood River Mana could repair it. If his arm was severed, it could be reattached. His regenerative power was terrifying.
One day, if he opened the full blood river within, even if torn apart until only a single cell remained, as long as the blood river endured, he could recover.
With this power, Kael finally felt secure in this world.
When he finished cultivating and opened his eyes, daylight had already arrived. Checking his phone, it was 8 a.m. He realized he had spent the entire night cultivating.
Before he could prepare breakfast, the doorbell rang.
At the door stood Marin and Saki, smiling brightly. "Good morning, Renjou-kun."