The Marble family library was vast, its tall shelves were lined with neatly arranged books, each tagged by category as there were many subjects that shaped the cultivation world. They were the remnants of knowledge the Marble family could save after the clan's decline.
Blood strolled through the aisles, his hand brushing lightly across the spines as he made his way to his usual spot. It was his refuge, his sitting and thinking space. His siblings knew better than to intrude there.
He settled into the large chair, resting his arms, and placed his head on the table before him. Closing his eyes, he let his thoughts drift back to the morning's chaos. Today was different. It was the first time he would receive an official teaching from his mother.
Moments later, Maria entered the library. Her gaze fell on the large, empty table. She frowned slightly. What is he doing? The table was supposed to be arranged by now?
"Kiddo, what are you doing? Why haven't you arranged the table?" she asked in a soft voice.
Blood raised his head as realization dawned on him. "Haa… This is how I learned from father. Everything was in his head. It was more of a related teaching than the normal," he explained, referring to his father's unconventional methods.
Maria's eyes narrowed. That man and his strange ways. No wonder you knew so little at your age, being taught by one who knew only so much.
She stepped closer, her gaze sweeping over the shelves. "Is that so? You mean you haven't touched any of these books, hnm?"
A wave of trepidation washed over him as he quickly went to defend himself.
"No, I've read many of the books." His reply came quick.
Perhaps it wasn't such a good idea to have a lesson from his mother. Some aspects, he thought, mums weren't exactly 'cool' in.
Maria didn't stay on that as she went on and said, "Right, why don't we start now." A book materialized before her.
She asked, "What do you know about our world?" It was a basic question, meant to test the waters, anyone could've provided an answer.
Blood lowered his gaze. "I don't know much. I've only heard others saying so and so." he admitted.
Maria frowned, her disappointment was clear. "Nonsense. I suppose your father hadn't told you much about our world after all." Her voice sharpened. This was basic knowledge, taught in the first month at any academy. What in the world! The third young master of the Marble family?
Blood paled but steadied his voice. "He hadn't said anything."
Maria shook her head, her tone growing intense. "And you didn't bother, did you? Knowledge is a key to survival in any region around the world, you know? You should learn more from your brothers when they arrive instead of always bickering with them. The slightest advantage could change the outcome of a situation. No knowledge is waste, even in the wrong hands."
Blood kept his silence, staring ahead.
He had no real quarrel with his elder brothers—except their boastfulness. They often returned from the academy with exaggerated tales, sharing impossible highlights of their supposed triumphs. They claimed to be at the top of their year, but Blood was old enough to see through the cracks. Not all they said were true.
The worst part was how they coerced Little Ivory into believing them. She adored her elder brothers, and when they performed battles, she believed every word.
Blood couldn't do that. He had no flashy academy tales to share. His bravery had to be proven in the forests, through hunting. That was one of the important reasons he loved going to the forest—it was where he could show his courage and skill without embellishment. His enthusiasm for hunting wasn't just passion; it was his way of proving himself to his little sister, earning her awe.
He could have registered at the Hunter Union branch and become an explorer, but his parents wouldn't allow him.
The Central Academy demanded five years of meticulous training before one could graduate. And for the best among those graduates, the position of an instructor was usually offered.
An instructor in the Central Academy wasn't a small position. Unlike other academies, these instructors were very powerful, composed, and monstrous in their own rights...
Maria delved into the world's structure.
"Our world is a large expanse of land, separated into three domains, with the Beast Domain at the center serving as a border. The domain we are in now is called the Fief Domain, which is divided into eighteen zones or so. The Settlers Army maintains peace, but only on the surface. Rules can be broken by anyone stronger, without consequence. We are currently in Zone 11, and the strongest here is the Bargle family. They naturally rule."
Blood listened attentively, his expression steady, and Maria nodded before continuing.
"This world wasn't like this at the start. We don't know all the details, but we know it suddenly changed—and the Bloodsuckers appeared after."
Blood's face shifted at the name. Everyone knew them. They were infamous, evil creatures that caused chaos wherever they went. They were treated as enemies by all forces.
"It was said that the Bloodsuckers and the Beast races had a closer relationship with one another than with humans. Their advantage over beasts is their comprehensive ability. The royals or mutants among them can walk just like humans do. Some could even shift between their beast and human forms." Maria's tone grew heavier. After taking a deep breath, she continued.
"The Bloodsuckers can be distinguished by the number of spikes they possess, which indicates their corresponding realm. This is how we discern their cultivation level, especially when they use means to block natural scrutiny."
Blood's eyes widened slightly—this was knowledge he hadn't heard before.
Maria continued speaking, her voice now heavy with concern. "We recently received news that the Bloodsuckers were also attracted by the misty phenomenon and managed to enter the city. Some have already been spotted in the forest. It's obvious there are many of them, hiding. I kept this for the end of our discussion because it's serious."
She clicked her tongue, her expression grave. "I've discussed the matter with your father, and we've decided you shouldn't go to the forest until everything calms down. The Bloodsuckers are unpredictable and very sneaky. No chances should be taken with them."
Blood's heart sank. Many deaths had already been reported, most linked directly to the Bloodsuckers.
He sat upright and digested the news. What truly caught his interest was the mention of the Zone. His mind immediately drifted back to the lady he had met upon leaving the forest yesterday—the daughter of such a powerful figure, one that was capable of leading an entire zone.
He recollected everything Galock, the guard, had told him. That lady wasn't just anyone—she was the face of the entire zone. How daring of him to challenge her, even if it had been done in secret. He had overlooked the fact that she was already in the third realm of cultivation.
Eighteen years old and already at the third realm? That was truly something.
Most people at her age were still struggling in the first realm. Blood himself had only reached the third stage of the Iron Realm, and that was thanks to the Blood Book, which had boosted his stage by three, making him a six-stage Iron Realm cultivator. Without it, he didn't know how many years it would take him to reach the second realm—the Bronze Realm.
He also remembered hearing that his father was in the third realm even at his age. Could he hold a candle to the lady's presence? The thought made Blood almost facepalm.
It was an eye-opener. No wonder Galock had been irritated when he wasn't impressed with her achievements. She truly was the face of the zone, as everyone said.
"What's that look on your face? What are you thinking about?" Maria asked when she noticed a dejected look on her son's face. He seemed to be disturbed by something.
"Mum... I think I disrespected the Zone Commander's daughter." Blood said, his voice low.
"You what!"