Cyrn looked at Elyon's smug face, his mind conflicted. I like him; he's a good guy and cares about me and my growth, but I know where this question is coming from. It's his sheer curiosity about someone powerful, someone who could be challenging. He's never had that before, and he wants to know more, desperately.
Cyrn was stuck at an impasse. He didn't want to reveal his secrets this early. He trusted Elyon, but you can only trust someone you've known for a few days so much, especially about your weird powers and anomalous nature.
But Cyrn knew he needed power. The entire mystery of his transmigration, why he turned into a vampire, and what kind of world he's in now, whether it's real or fake? He could only answer these questions when he got power. A lot of it.
Cyrn took a deep breath, looked at Elyon's still smug face, and finally responded.
"1 honest answer for 1 week of training, from there it's all me". Cyrn said, his face stern and assertive. He was not gonna give Elyon too much, something to keep him entertained and still curious.
This will let Cyrn test the waters and see what Elyon does with his secrets without putting too much at stake, while also getting some help with his sword technique.
Elyon's face brightened up. He looked like Christmas came early, do they have Christmas here?
"Finally. Alright, give me a sec — this has to be a good one."
Elyon closed his eyes and put a finger on his chin as he began to think. Moments pass, and then his eyes snapped open, question ready.
"Ok, what are your combat applicable abilities? I know your strength, stamina, and constitution are on par with mine, but what else?"
Phew, ok, not too bad a question, just related to combat, I'm fine with that.
"Besides what you've just listed, enhanced regeneration, and depending on how much blood of an opponent I consume, I can copy random abilities or techniques from them for a certain amount of time. So far, it's only ever been physical techniques." Cyrn left out the Identity Mimicry or Memory reading, Not combat related afterall.
Elyon's face lit up in excitement. "Ok, perfect! First, what's the upper limit of your regeneration?"
Cyrn replied, "Easily entire limbs and organs. I've lost entire arms or feet, and they've come back. Got a massive hole in my stomach that regenerated, no problem. The only issue is my head. I don't know if I can regrow a whole head, but my guess is yes, I can survive decapitation."
Elyon stared at him in disbelief. He saw his bruises heal quickly, but what he just described was insane!
After a moment of shock, Elyon began again, "Ok and the copy ability, how much blood do you need? And what is the ratio of quantity consumed to time lasting?"
Cyrn replied quickly, "When I licked your palm, it was only enough to use the copied technique to slay the wight horde; it was gone after then. However, my mind remembers how to perform the technique, but executing it is like learning from the ground up."
Elyon once again froze in shock. "You could outmatch Sword Saints with enough time. You realize that, right?"
Cyrn was confused; he didn't think much about his abilities, but my resident sword genius is praising it, so let's see what he has to say.
"What makes you say that? I thought I'd only ever be able to copy other people's techniques?"
"Dude, what are you talking about?! You can gain access to all the knowledge of your opponent's technique through a single drop of blood; the applications are infinite! Plus, the regeneration is the perfect thing to even out the playing field against people who can use SoulCurrent spells!"
Cyrn was amazed. He had never thought about applying his abilities like this, thankfully the sword geek across from him did the heavy lifting.
Elyon chimed in, "Ok here's the plan. This technique has immense potential, but it's going to take an incredibly long time to flesh out. I'm considering scrapping the Flames Dance practice and jumping straight to technique creation. If we live and breathe swords for the next month, we should be able to have something ready for you when you enter the academy. How does that sound?"
Cyrn thought for a moment, I'm not even decently proficient in using Elyon's sword technique, and it's the only full technique I have. I could work on it for the week, then move to my own technique creation, but if I start now, I could have what is perhaps an unparalleled sword technique going into the academy, and as it stands, I am way too weak.
Cyrn looked at Elyon, a smirk on his face, "I hope you're ready. Once this technique is completed, you'll be the one getting his ass whipped in the sparring ring."
POV: Alric DeBeaumont
Alric was sitting in his office, waiting for his servant to arrive. A moment later, he heard a knock at the door.
"Enter."
The servant walked in, holding a large contraption that looked like a large tripod with a crystal resting on top of it. It was elegantly crafted, engraving running along the gold legs of the instrument.
"Connect me to Xavier Stormbridge." Alric's authoritative voice echoed across the room.
The servant nodded and infused his SoulCurrent into the crystal, carrying the intent to speak with Xavier Stormbridge. Another moment passed before a large hologram was displayed in the room.
This hologram showed a man in his mid-forties. He had messy, shoulder-length auburn hair and piercing blue eyes. His face was clean-shaven, and his smile lines were very prominent on his face.
Soon Xavier spoke, "Duke DeBeaumont, it's always pleasant getting one of your calls. What's the purpose of today?"
Alric replied, almost casually, "Drop the formalities, Xavier, we're not at a ball. Just call me Alric."
Xavier chuckled in response, "Yes, yes, I still have to try Alric, lest I slip up in public and people crucify me for 'insulting the duke', but why are you calling today? You already told me you got Elyon to attend. Did he escape again?"
Alric replied, "No, he is still going. I have a request I'd like to ask of you."
Xavier was shocked. Alric didn't often ask for favors; he knew that having the duke of the current strongest family in debt to you was a powerful thing. "Anything, Alric, what do you need?"
Alric sighed, "Along with my son, one of his friends will be attending alongside him on my recommendation. I'll need you to pull some strings for the boy."
Xavier was shocked; to his knowledge, Elyon only ever had 1 friend, and wasn't one to build close relationships with many people. "Sure, but why the special privileges for the boy? This is out of character for both you and Elyon?"
Alric took a deep breath, then looked at Xavier, Sorry, boy, I don't want to spill your secrets to everyone, but I trust Xavier will protect you in the academy. "He has no SoulCurrent."
Xavier stared at Alric in shock. "Are you sure? Like none? Not just low but none?"
Alric nodded. "I tested myself, yet I just watched him and my son spar, and the boy's constitution is incredible. He even somehow copied Elyon's sword technique, and it's supposed to be on par with the current Sword Saints. The kid is a walking anomaly."
Xavier was shocked; he didn't know what to think or say. "This has never happened before. No living being has ever had SoulCurrent. Even trees have SoulCurrent. What is this boy?"
"I don't know, and that's part of the reason I'm sending him to the academy. My son is glued to this boy; I've never seen him reach out like this before to someone besides Virelya. I want you to help the boy discover the limit of his powers. I don't want an incident like hers to repeat. It would destroy my son, our family, and perhaps the world." Alric said, his worry dripping through every word.
Xavier nodded, understanding where he was coming from. "I understand, I'll do everything in my power to foster his power and realize his potential. I'll keep his secret as well, lest that scheming bastard, his Majesty Royce, gets ahold of this knowledge. Elyon barely escaped his schemes because of his overwhelming power, but it doesn't seem like this boy is the same."
Alric flinched at the mention of the King's involvement in Elyon's youth.
"Yes, but that is only for now. You and Elyon can keep him safe in the academy. Allow him to grow without foreign powers intervening. The king is also at his weakest right now, with Astellion being dismissed from his Royal Prophet position."
"Ahh, yes, that was truly a tragic loss in the Laniwick Wilds. No one ever expected Astellion's visions to be wrong. I heard he's disappeared from the capital since. No one can find him."
"Better for us then. He was terrifyingly accurate with his visions, and this will handicap the king for a while."
"Indeed. I'll falsify some records for the boy and speak to my professors so they won't question the boy. I'll see you in a month at the entrance exam and orientation. Good luck, Alric."
"Thank you, and good luck to you, too, Xavier." The call ended, and Alric's shoulders visibly slumped, exhaustion weighing down on him.
Alric's thoughts began to plan for the future, where to move his funds, preparing his soldiers, when he caught sight of his son, smiling brightly with Cyrn.
I, too, count the days till you kill all the nobles, my son.