"Why? I told you this is my last resort! I crossed an entire continent just to reach the Dragon's Nest!"
"It's not up to me," he replied calmly. "The Nest is forbidden to all outsiders. Even among dragons, only the Dragon King and a select few of the strongest dragons in history are allowed to enter."
It's over…
All of my planning… all of the energy I've poured into this… it was all for nothing if I can't enter that Nest.
If I try to do this outside the Nest, I'll definitely be detected—especially by that damned Virtue of Pride.
"But… there is one exception."
No way…
Could this really be my last hope?
"What is it?"
"If your race is equal in stature to the Primordial Dragon and the World Devourers… then you may enter."
"Wait… Are you saying—?!"
"We'll run a blood test. To prove if your bloodline truly stands equal to the Primordial Dragon. But remember—either accept your identity as an Æsir… or forget this path altogether."
So I really am… an Æsir?
Is the Æsir race truly above most other races? Or is it just a glorified title born from the pride of that so-called Virtue?
Still…
…I'll accept it.
From this moment forward, I, Telodeos, claim my blood as that of the Æsir—whatever they may be.
⁂__
⊕ Black Wish ⊕
Update...
An irreversible trait has been added: ⟦Æsir⟧.
Update...
Analysis complete!
⟦Æsir⟧:
A race of which there has never been more than one.
Once bathed in royalty and rule, consumed by greed, it fell to ruin.
Born of the first three—child of Time and Space—
The Æsir are the origin of most races.
⁂__
[Dearest~ Brace yourself. Do your best to endure, alright?]
Wait…
…Chaotic Mana?
What's about to—
⁂__
Warning!!
Dryadic blood will now be replaced with pure Aesir blood.
Incoming severe pain!
⁂__
"AARRGGHHHH… GRAAAAAAAAAH!!"
Impossible…
This pain… it's unbearable…
"GRAAAAAAAAAH—AAAGH—RRRGH!"
Please… let it end…
This was the first time I'd ever experienced something like this—having my blood replaced… it was like being injected with molten mercury.
And the first time I'd ever had real blood forcibly replaced.
…
"Ugh… Dammit, this hurts even more than training with the Body Skill…"
"Haah… To think my disciple would pass out twice in a row… what a pathetic state I'm in. Sigh."
That bastard…
"So… how does it feel to be of the same lineage as the founder of the Virtue System?"
"…As much as I hate to say it, it's indescribable.
If I had the energy to test a few skills, I could measure just how much mana I now possess thanks to this blood…"
Yes…
I can feel immense power coursing through me.
My vitality feels… endless. As if I've suddenly become unkillable.
But still…
I won't trust this feeling until I've tested it myself—with these hands.
"Since you've shed your doubt and accepted your bloodline, it's time for the blood test. Follow me."
I floated up from the bed and followed my Master…
Only then did I notice something strange about my movement—
Floating had become like a third leg—acting on my will, without thought.
I no longer think about floating.
I simply do it—because I want to… or perhaps need to.
What a strange, powerful sensation.
"What exactly happens in the blood test?"
"We take a drop of your blood and mine, then place them into an ancient artifact from the Old Ages—used back then to identify newly emerged High races."
I see…
The blood of a High race will overpower the lesser one—naturally.
So if my blood dominates his… then the Æsir are on the same level as the Primordial Dragon and the World Devourers?
My Master led me to a vast empty chamber. In its center stood a golden chalice encrusted with jewels. He cut his finger, letting a single drop of his precious blood fall in.
Then he reached for my hand to cut my finger.
"…Is this skin or diamond? Why is your body this hard?"
"It's a skill from a martial arts world."
"Tch. Of course. One of those battle maniac worlds."
He activated a spell on his hand.
〔Acidic Corrosion〕
He touched my finger—and finally, just one drop of blood emerged.
"This…!?"
Strangely, my blood wasn't red. Nor was it gold, as one might expect—
__ Author's Note: I bet you all thought it'd be gold too~ __
Instead, it was blue—glowing with a crimson radiance, as if it were burning.
"You're becoming more of a monster each time I see you."
"…I agree with you this time."
…
Ten minutes passed.
Then the blood in the chalice began to react—merging and swirling.
When we looked down…
Not a single trace of my Master's blood remained.
He was stunned.
"…Did it drink mine?"
"Welcome to reality."
"Sigh… I can't believe my own disciple is of a higher race than me. Should I feel pride… or despair?"
"This is the first time I've ever truly beaten you. Hehe."
"Tch. Here. Take this—it's the key to the Nest. Go back to my room. Recite my birth date three times with a 5-second pause in between. That will activate the portal.
I'll wait for you outside."
Finally!!
"…Take care of my two disciples."
"Got it. Don't take too long."
…
I reached his room.
At long last… I was about to do what I've waited for, for so long.
If I succeed—I'll officially become a Virtue.
But…
If I fail, I'll die.
And this time, death will be… the end.
1022
…
1022
…
1022
The moment I said it the third time, the key in my hand began to glow—and a portal opened beneath me.
"…"
Ah. I forgot I was floating. So I wouldn't fall in.
Well then—let's go.
…
I can feel it—I've arrived.
But there's not even a sliver of light in this place.
From the sound of it, it seems to be a cave with running water…
But…
The ground beneath me is smooth—like the flooring of a palace.
That must mean this palace—or temple—is built atop a lake inside a massive cavern.
Not that it matters.
What matters now…
"…Can you hear me, Chaotic Mana~?"
It's do or die.