I was in nothing.
No matter where I looked, I only saw emptiness. No up, no down, no body, no sound. Just… nothing.
After what felt like a long time, I saw a light.It was far away at first, then it came closer, like it was moving straight toward me.When I blinked – or thought I blinked – the light rushed into me.
[System initializing…]
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[System initiated]
System: Hello, host. I am the Invincible System, created by the gods to be a supreme weapon.
What a system, huh? Hahaha. It sounds just like those stories I used to read when I was a kid. Good times.
System: Yes, host. I am similar to the systems from those stories. But I am the most powerful of all.
More powerful…? Good for you, I guess.
System: Good that the host understands how powerful the System is.As a gift, I will create a new body for you.
(So these are my thoughts, huh…?)
Right in front of me, a body appeared – a handsome young man with red hair, black eyes and an athletic build.
So that's my new body…? Cool. I like it.
System: Ready, host. I have created a perfect body for you.
"Very good, System. I think it's perfect. But… why are you giving me a body?"
System: Because I will reincarnate the host in a new world where everything is possible.The world of Lesher.There are gods, mystical beings, monsters, elves, fairies and many other races.The host will reincarnate as a young peasant talented in magic, on his way to the magic school of the Elven Kingdom, where he can learn, make friends and live a perfect school life – just as the host wishes.
"Just as I… wish?"
As soon as it said that, memories flooded my mind.
A boy raised only to kill.From childhood to adulthood, I was nothing but a murderer.I lived in blood, death and orders…Yet all I ever wanted was a normal life.
When I saw those visions and heard the System, I started crying from happiness.
Finally… I can live a normal life. I was so tired…
System: Host, almost everything is ready.Only two things remain: choose your name and your race.
When I heard that, I was shocked.
Choosing a race? That's something every otaku dreams of… well, almost every otaku.
I had to think carefully.
What do I hate most…? Ah, yeah. Death.A long-lived race sounds good. Maybe… elf?
Wait. What about vampire?
They're very strong, live a long time, some are almost immortal… The problem is the sun and holy magic, if I remember correctly…
System: If the host chooses Vampire, I can make you a High Vampire.The sun will not harm you, and holy magic will be weaker against you.I will make you a descendant of the Blood Emperor, an immortal and powerful vampire created by the goddess of blood herself.
"Very good, System. So that means I'm immortal… but I don't die of old age only, right?"
System: Yes, host. You will not die of old age.
"Perfect. Do it. My new name will be… Leo Vampir."
System: Name registered. Race: Original Vampir.
"System, you should have a name too. Let me think…"
A few seconds passed.
"I got it. Your name will be Alice."
Alice: Very well, host. I accept this name.
"Good. Then, Alice… let's go to this new world."
Alice: As you wish, Leo.
In the void where Leo and the System floated, a strong light appeared and slowly surrounded them.After a while, it faded away.
There was no one left there.
Right in a forest near a border town in the Elven Kingdom, a strong light flashed.When it faded, a boy in simple, worn-out clothes was standing there.
"So this is the world of Lesher… Very beautiful, I'd say. The air feels so fresh."
Alice: Yes, Leo. The air here is much purer because of the mana present in it.
"How interesting… Ah, and Alice, don't keep calling me 'host'. Call me Leo, okay?"
Alice: Okay, Leo. :)
"Good. So, Alice, did I get anything to start with? It would be difficult to begin in a new world with only clothes…"
Alice: Yes, Leo. You received a Basic Manual of Mana Cultivation, a dagger, and also a manual of Blood Magic, exclusive to your race.
"Very good. That's enough to start."
"Alright, Alice. Let me see this mana manual first."
A book appeared in my hands with the title:
Basic Mana Cultivation
I opened it.
[BOOK]Mana exists in all creatures, and everyone can use it.But only a few can use it to grow stronger. They are called magicians.Magicians are powerful beings who can destroy mountains and create rivers.This book teaches only the basics to start this journey.
To cultivate mana, you must sit in the lotus position and attract mana from the air, making it flow through your magic circuits until it is absorbed by your mana core.
So that's how mana works. Very interesting.
"I'll try a little. Keep an eye on me, Alice."
Alice: Okay, Leo.
I sat down with my back against a nearby tree and closed my eyes, trying to feel the mana.
It didn't take long.
Just as the book said, I could sense it – like a soft breeze all around me.I pulled the mana toward me, guided it through my magic circuits, and felt my core greedily absorb it, little by little growing stronger.
After about four hours, I opened my eyes.
I feel stronger… I think I could lift a cow now, hahaha. Cultivation really is good… I'm probably already at Basic Wizard Apprentice level. Maybe I should check the Blood Magic book now.
"Alice, I'd like to see the Blood Magic manual."
Alice: Okay, Leo.
A second book appeared in my hands.It was similar to the mana manual but gave off a heavy, bloody, ominous feeling.
I opened it.
There were no words.
Only diagrams – drawings showing how to move mana into the blood, push it out of the skin, and shape it outside the body.
It sounded simple, but I knew it wasn't. If it was easy, Blood Magic wouldn't be so exclusive.
Humans, elves and fairies had normal blood, but vampire blood…Vampire blood had much higher magical conductivity.
I stared at the drawings for a while, then closed my eyes.I pushed my mana into my bloodstream and mixed it with a bit of my blood.Then I forced both out of my body.
A thin stream of blood slipped from my fingertips and formed an arrow in the air.
It wasn't as hard as I expected.
Alice: Leo, that's because you are vampire royalty.You have a huge natural talent for Blood Magic.And your magical talent is also very high – you are a genius by this world's standards.
That explains why everything feels so easy…
I aimed the blood arrow at a nearby tree and released it.
Boom.
The arrow pierced through one tree… then another… and kept going until it vanished from my sight.
After that, I kept testing the other spells in the book.All of them were powerful – too powerful for a "young peasant", honestly.
When I finished, I asked Alice to guide me toward the nearest city.
After walking for a while, I reached a dirt road.Along it, I saw a carriage stopped… and a fight going on.
Bandits were attacking a group of soldiers.
I hid behind some bushes and listened.
Bandit 1: Give us all your money and the pretty ladies inside the carriage! My brothers and I will treat them very well!Bandit 2: Exactly, brother!Bandits 3, 4, 5: Yeah!
Soldier 1: Don't let them get near the madam and the young miss!Soldier 2: Yes!Soldier 3: Yes!
Hearing that, I got excited.
If I help the guards, I'll definitely get a reward. Money, maybe. That would be perfect right now.
I jumped out of my hiding place, dagger already in hand.
The first bandit didn't even have time to react.I plunged the dagger into his heart and pulled it out in one smooth motion.
I hadn't been a killer from childhood to adulthood for nothing.
The second bandit turned to shout, but I was faster and slit his throat.
Only then did the others notice me.
Bandit 1: Who the hell are you?!
"Your death."
I dashed forward and cut his throat, too.
One of the older soldiers used the distraction and killed another bandit.The last one panicked and tried to run.
As if I'd let that happen.
I took a breath, aimed, and threw my dagger.It spun in the air and buried itself in the back of the man's head.He collapsed, dead.
Right after that, the older soldier – probably their leader – approached me.
Soldier: Thank you very much, friend. You helped us a lot.
I didn't answer. I just stretched out my hand and calmly said:
"I want my reward."
POV – Soldier
Today had started as a beautiful day.
I was escorting the madam and the young lady with two recruits. It should have been a simple job. Then the bandits attacked.
I could have taken them in a one-on-one fight, but I had to protect the carriage, and we were outnumbered. The recruits were already wounded and losing ground.
When those bastards shouted that they wanted the madam and the young lady, rage clouded my vision.I was trying to decide whether to charge or defend when I saw him.
A young man jumped out of the bushes like a wild beast.
Before I could say anything, he killed a bandit. Then another.One of the bandits asked who he was, his voice shaking.
The boy just answered, "Your death," and cut his throat.
I took the chance to kill one of the remaining bandits.The last one tried to run, but the boy's dagger flew and hit the back of his head.
After that, I walked up to him to thank him.
"Thank you very much, friend. You helped us a lot."
He didn't smile, didn't introduce himself.
He just stretched out his hand and said, in a calm voice:
"I want my reward."
I was a little confused… but one thing was clear:
This young man was dangerous.