"I'll pay whatever price is necessary," Cid replied without hesitation. "Dee doesn't have centuries."
"Very well," Sera said, clapping her hands together. The air around them seemed to shimmer as she began to channel her magic. "We start now. Close your eyes and focus on the energy within you. Magic is not just about spells and incantations—it's about understanding the essence of your being and how it connects to the world."
Cid obeyed, closing his eyes and reaching inward. At first, he felt nothing but the steady rhythm of his own heartbeat. But then, slowly, he began to sense something else—a warmth pulsing in his chest, faint but undeniable.
"That's it," Sera murmured, her voice soft yet commanding. "That warmth is your Magic Soul—the core of your power. Draw from it, let it fill you."
The warmth grew stronger, spreading through Cid's body like liquid fire. It was exhilarating yet overwhelming, as if he were standing at the edge of a vast ocean, unsure whether to dive in or retreat.
"Don't fight it," Sera instructed firmly. "Embrace it. Let it become part of you."
Cid took a deep breath and surrendered to the sensation. The warmth surged, flooding every fiber of his being until he felt as though he were glowing from within. When he opened his eyes, the world around him seemed sharper, more vibrant, as if he were seeing it for the first time.
Sera watched him closely, her expression unreadable. "Good," she said after a moment. "You've taken your first step into the Novice Tier."
"That was… intense," Cid admitted, still catching his breath.
Sera chuckled softly. "You haven't seen anything yet, my lord." Her tone turned serious once more as she stepped closer, her crimson gaze penetrating.
Cid experienced a profound shift. Previously, all the shadow magic he wielded had been channeled through the system; he never truly controlled it. Now, he sensed a stronger connection to the magic, as if it had become a part of him, granting him greater control over it.
Cid flexed his fingers, watching as tendrils of shadow coiled around them like living serpents. The sensation was different now—raw and intimate. He no longer felt like a bystander to his own power. This magic was his, and he was its master.
"Interesting," Sera murmured, her eyes narrowing as she observed him. "You've already begun to internalize it. Most mages spend weeks just trying to feel their Magic Soul, let alone manipulate it so fluidly."
"Is that unusual?" Cid asked, though he already suspected the answer.
"For anyone else? Yes. For you?" Sera smirked, her crimson eyes glinting with amusement. "Your progress is… disturbingly fast. It's as if your Magic Soul was waiting for you to reach out and claim it."
Cid frowned, staring at the shadows writhing around his hand. The idea that this power had been dormant within him all along was both thrilling and unsettling. "What does that mean?"
Sera crossed her arms, her expression thoughtful but guarded. "It means you're not just a Novice anymore. You've skipped past the basics entirely and are already toeing the line of the Master Tier."
She paused, her gaze piercing. "But with that kind of acceleration comes risk. Pushing too hard, too fast could destroy you in some way."
Cid clenched his fist, the shadows dissipating into wisps of smoke. "I don't have a choice," he said firmly. "Dee is out there, and every second I waste is another moment she's in danger."
Sera sighed, her shoulders slumping slightly as if weighed down by an invisible burden. "I understand your urgency, but recklessness will only get you killed—or worse." She stepped closer, her voice dropping to a whisper. "There are forces in this world that thrive on untamed ambition. If you're not careful, they'll consume you."
Cid met her gaze unflinchingly. "Then teach me how to be careful."
For a moment, Sera said nothing, studying him with an intensity that made him feel exposed, as if she were peering into the very core of his being. Then, she nodded briskly. "Very well. But don't say I didn't warn you."
She raised her hand, and a swirl of crimson energy materialized in her palm before morphing into a long, jagged blade made of pure magic. The air around them seemed to vibrate with power.
"Your shadow magic is versatile," Sera said, twirling the blade effortlessly between her fingers. "But versatility means nothing without precision. Let's see if you can keep up."
Before Cid could respond, she lunged at him, the blade slicing through the air with blinding speed. He barely managed to summon a shadow barrier in time to deflect the strike, the impact sending a shockwave rippling through the ground beneath them.
"Good instincts," Sera said with a smirk before launching another attack.
Cid gritted his teeth as he dodged and countered, his body moving almost instinctively as he tapped into his newfound connection to his magic. Each clash sent sparks flying.
As the seconds slipped away, Cid felt a surge of power coursing through him, mastering his magic with each passing moment. Two hours into their intense sparring session, they took a breather, and Cid's mind began to whirl with possibilities. "What if I could merge my Qi, magic, and Blood Skills into one devastating attack?" he mused, excitement lighting up his eyes. Sera, intrigued by his idea, urged him to elaborate. As he unfolded his concept, her fascination grew, and together, they dove into practice.
With determination fueling him, Cid honed the technique until it flowed effortlessly from him, his magical prowess soaring to new heights. In that electrifying moment, he transcended into a Saint-level mage, capable of wielding his shadow abilities on a grand scale, even transforming his very essence into a humanoid shadow. Sera watched in awe, admiration shining in her eyes.
Suddenly, a flurry of notifications erupted from his system, startling him. Cid had never attempted to use his system in the virtual world, and uncertainty gripped him. But then, a screen materialized before him, and one message stood out, sending a jolt through his being:
"Congratulations, Cid! You meet the requirements to evolve beyond a Vampire Lord. Evolution beginning now."
Pain surged through Cid as his body began to transform, his consciousness jolted out of the virtual realm. Sera, panicked, rushed back to find their group staring in shock as Cid convulsed in agony. "What's happening to him?" Aria and Lucy exclaimed, worry etched on their faces. Cindy and Zeph felt a strange surge of strength, realizing that Cid's evolution was somehow enhancing them too. "We believe he is evolving," Zeph said, while Sera pondered, "But into what? A Vampire Lord should be the final stage of evolution."
When the transformation concluded, Cid emerged with striking new features: short, spiky black hair and a chiseled jawline that amplified his undeniable charisma. His muscular physique radiated strength and agility, exuding an aura of confidence and resilience. As he stood tall, the system activated his Outfit Changer skill, draping him in a fitted long-sleeve top that showcased his toned form. Loose-fitting black pants tapered at the ankles, striking a perfect balance between comfort and style, while trendy black sneakers completed his urban look.
Then, another system screen flickered to life before him: "You are now a Vampire Ascendant Halfling! Congratulations on becoming the second vampire in existence to reach this stage. To become a Full Ascendant, you must defeat the other Vampire Ascendant in the world—an agent of the God of Death, Bazar. Upon his defeat, both you and the system will level up." Cid's mind reeled at the implications. The message continued, "The Ascendant resides on the vampire planet in a dungeon of his own making. Once you land there, you will be directed to him."
Another notification appeared: "The other soul within you, Draven, has merged with your own. Together, you are now one. He was the greatest vampire in martial arts and weaponry, enhancing your ability to learn all martial arts and wield any weapon in existence." A cascade of additional messages flooded in, boosting his overall stats, but one final notification captured his attention: "You have reached the level of Saint Magician and gained the title of Shadow Magic Master. Your magic level is maxed out; you can use magic non-stop for 48 hours after just three hours of rest. For more information and new Shadow Magic skills, check the Magic Tab."
As Cid opened his eyes, he saw his friends gathered around him, their expressions a mix of shock and awe. The ladies blushed, taken aback by his newfound allure and powerful presence. "Hello Everyone!" Cid opened his mouth to speak, but to his surprise—and the astonishment of everyone around him—his voice emerged, rich and gravelly. It was deeper than before, ringing out with a gravitas that felt almost otherworldly. It was as if the words were rolled from the very depths of his soul, echoing like the final boss of a dungeon, a voice that commanded immense authority and respect. Each syllable vibrated through the air, sending shivers down spines and capturing the attention of everyone present, as if a powerful force had awakened within him.