Every battle leaves a record, so most Contractors are reluctant to reveal their abilities publicly.
Except for the unrecorded private duel with Raviel, the footage of Kylen's other two public battles had been repeatedly studied seven times by the core team of the Practical Combat Department.
Lysander tapped his fingertips on the table and said in a deep voice, "What's strange is that all contracted creatures touched by Kylen's blood lose their self-awareness and become his loyal blood servants.
But in the second training ground footage, he didn't use blood at all, yet he could control an inanimate energy body?"
Baron stared at the frozen void energy orb on the screen, his brows furrowed tightly. He hadn't been present at the scene.
Footage couldn't convey spiritual power fluctuations, and there was no way Seraphina would disclose any information.
This was what puzzled him most: could Kylen's talent really be flawless?
An S-rank student named Thorne bowed and said, "Mentor, could it be that Kylen has dual talents? One targeting contracted creatures, and the other specializing in controlling inanimate energy bodies?"
Baron nodded slowly. "That's possible. But according to intelligence, Kylen comes from an ordinary family. He could never afford a high-tier Talent Awakening Potion, and regular Contractors can only awaken one talent innately."
"For now, let's proceed with the assumption of talent mutation. You might still have a chance in the individual battles."
A glint of excitement flashed in the eyes of Lysander, Thorne, and Yunel. They asked in unison, "What do you mean, Mentor?"
A cold smile curved on Baron's lips. "The academy's warehouse stores Abyssal Armaments specifically designed to counter blood magic and mental manipulation.
Moreover, the talent attributes of the three of you are not poorly matched with Kylen's."
"Maintain a distance of at least a hundred meters from him. Never let his blood touch you or your contracted creatures. If you do that, you'll have a great chance of defeating him."
"Once the intelligence gap is closed, with the heritage of your families, how could you lose to an ordinary-born freshman?"
"We shall obey your teachings, Mentor!" the three replied in unison.
Baron nodded in satisfaction. "As for the draw, I will personally coordinate. This matter concerns the department's honor and the family's trust. I'm counting on you all."
"We are willing to serve you, Mentor."
...
"Mmm..."
"Avelia, you don't actually have to drink this."
Avelia pouted. Even with the taste resonance, she still found the flavor a bit odd. She smiled and said, "As long as you're satisfied."
Her fingertips brushed Kylen's neck, her voice carrying a lazy temptation. "Next, it's my turn to absorb nutrients～"
Kylen quickly held her hand down, his expression serious. "Wait, Avelia. We should prioritize training first—how much of my blood do you need to advance to the Ascension Realm?"
Pleasure was certainly enjoyable, but the thought of the upcoming war in the abyssal rift made him dare not slack off in the slightest.
Avelia tapped her lower lip with her fingertip, a trace of worry flashing in her eyes. "Three thousand liters.
Forcing the activation of your hematopoietic stem cells last time was just a stopgap measure. Doing so long-term will severely damage your origin."
"Perhaps we need another way."
Kylen's eyes lit up. "What way?"
"In the deep devil cities of the abyssal rift, each city is occupied by a pair of Mythic Realm lords—one beast-type and one plant-type.
The Mythic Realm plant-type secretes 'Life Marrow.' A single drop can greatly improve your physique, allowing your blood to regenerate continuously," Avelia explained.
It sounded incredibly powerful, but a problem arose immediately. "Where can we get this marrow?"
"The Contract Guild's Secret Realm Treasury sells it, but the price is extremely high. One drop is priced at 100 million Imperial Coins, and each person is limited to purchasing ten drops," Avelia said softly.
That was simply a sky-high price, Kylen thought to himself in shock. In the nearly a hundred years since humans began hunting Mythic Realm plant-type creatures, their numbers had been scarce. The fact that there was any stock at all was already fortunate.
Avelia handed him a dark golden ring. "This ring contains my deposit certificate. It's just enough to exchange for ten drops. But if we need more later, we'll have to go deep into the abyssal rift to find it ourselves."
Kylen clenched the ring tightly, a warm current surging in his heart. Avelia had entrusted him with all her accumulated wealth without reservation.
This trust was more precious than any treasure. He secretly vowed that no matter the cost, he would protect this bond that belonged only to them.
"Avelia."
"Hm?"
"It's not just you who's willing to risk your life for me, I'm the same," Kylen said, a sharp light flashing in his eyes. "I've thought of a trump card that belongs only to the two of us."
Kylen exchanged ten drops of Life Marrow at the Contract Guild's Secret Realm Treasury.
The starry glow droplets swirling in the jade bottle contained a terrifying amount of life energy, enough to drive any contracted creature crazy.
He didn't hesitate for a moment. He tilted his head back and drank the marrow in one gulp.
In an instant, scorching energy exploded inside his body, purifying the impurities in his meridians and expelling the filth from his body.
An unprecedented surge of energy and blood filled his limbs and bones, allowing him to support Avelia's blood-sucking training.
With the physical enhancement from the Life Marrow, Avelia could absorb thirty liters of blood per day by activating his hematopoietic stem cells without affecting Kylen's health.
At this rate, it would take her a hundred days to advance to the peak of the Ascension Realm, unless they could obtain more Life Marrow to strengthen his blood energy. Otherwise, Avelia would never overdraw his origin excessively.
Over the next three days, Kylen and his team members repeatedly practiced team tactics while familiarizing themselves with the use of two sets of Abyssal Armaments: the Night Devourer Longbow and the Crimson-Horned Dragon Wings.
Soon, the Nine-Academy Alliance Qualifying Round began as scheduled.
According to the rules, Kylen and Elara, as S-rank Contractors, received a bye in the first round.
The tournament adopted a two-matches-per-day system, and Kylen's first battle was scheduled for the afternoon.
For the first time in history, the qualifying round was broadcast live across the entire empire, with countless eyes fixed on the arena of Saint Laurent Academy.
Before the match, Kylen's communicator suddenly rang. It was a call from his parents.
"Son, can we come watch your match in person this afternoon?" His mother, Lydia's, voice was filled with uncontrollable excitement.
"Of course," Kylen paused, his tone turning serious. "But Mom, please tell Dad to terminate his endorsement contract with the Eldrin Culinary Academy immediately.
It's incompatible with the honor of a Contractor and will damage the academy's reputation."
Lydia's laughter came from the other end of the communicator. "Don't be so serious. Your father is extremely excited about this. They're offering a reward worth millions of Imperial Coins."
Kylen frowned slightly, but his tone remained firm. "Don't worry about the money. My monthly academy allowance is 100 million Imperial Coins.
This tournament is broadcast live across the entire empire. It not only concerns my image but also Avelia's reputation; she has always valued dignity and would probably not accept such irrelevant ties."
After he mentioned Avelia, Lydia finally relented. "Alright, alright. I'll talk to your father."
Hanging up the communicator, Kylen shook his head helplessly. After becoming a Contractor, wealth really seemed to matter no longer.
Once upon a time, he might have been tempted by millions of Imperial Coins, but now he cared more about his bond with Avelia and his responsibility as a Contractor.
During the morning matches, Kylen and Elara watched the battles of the other Contractors in their group together.
Even without S-rank talents, these selected elites displayed astonishing potential. The other five members of their team all successfully defeated their opponents and advanced.
In the afternoon, Seraphina returned to the lounge with a solemn expression, holding a drawing crystal board.
Kael asked first, "Mentor, how did the draw go?"
Seraphina handed the crystal board to everyone and said in a deep voice, "Our luck isn't ideal. I'm not worried about the others' opponents, but the key lies with Isabella and Kylen."
"Isabella, you will face Lysander, the S-rank Contractor specially recruited by the Practical Combat Department this year."
"Kylen, your opponent is Thorne from the Practical Combat Department.
He specializes in lightning attributes and excels at extreme speed. His attribute compatibility is extremely unfavorable to you."
Lightning attributes were top-tier in both speed and destructive power. If Thorne's speed was fast enough to avoid blood pursuit, Kylen's Primordial Blood Pact and Crimson Temptation would be difficult to take effect.
Earlier, Kylen had easily defeated Raviel largely because Raviel was a close-range Combatant, which happened to be restrained by his talent.
Yet Kylen remained calm. "Don't worry, Mentor. I already have a plan."
He turned to Isabella, his tone carrying a hint of concern. "Isabella, if the battle turns against you, concede immediately. Don't push yourself. Because of me, the Practical Combat Department will probably target you specially."
He had already crossed paths with Baron, the dean of the Practical Combat Department.
It was hard to guarantee that the draw hadn't been manipulated. Moreover, William and Jessica had already been admitted through special recruitment there would only be more conflicts in the future.
Isabella clenched her fists, a stubborn light flashing in her eyes. "I will give it my all."
A deep voice suddenly echoed across the entire arena through the broadcast.
"First match! Practical Combat Department's Lysander vs. Otherworldly Creatures Department's Isabella!"
"Please, both contestants, take the stage!"
Isabella took a deep breath and turned toward the center of the arena.
Seraphina watched her back and said to the others, "Observe Lysander's tactics carefully. He is the third-ranked talent among the freshmen this year and a major threat to our team battle."
She turned to Kylen, her tone serious. "Kylen, in the subsequent team battle, you will probably need to deal with him personally."
Kylen's gaze narrowed as he sat in the spectator stands, his expression becoming extremely solemn.
Under the gaze of countless viewers, the first S-rank duel of the qualifying round was about to begin in the arena.