The next morning, the central square of Cloudhaven Academy buzzed with nervous energy.
Hundreds of students gathered around the massive announcement board, their eyes glued to the glowing holographic list that had just been projected.
The Recommendation List for the Central Bloodline Examination.
Only the top thirty students would receive the academy's official recommendation, a golden ticket that granted access to better resources, elite tutors, and a direct path into the federation's most prestigious institutions.
Easton arrived late, deliberately keeping to the edge of the crowd. He wore the same plain uniform as always, but something about him felt different. His posture was straighter. His eyes sharper. The faint silver glow that used to embarrass him now seemed to linger just beneath his skin, subtle but present.
Whispers spread as he approached.
"Is that Easton?"
"He actually showed up? After yesterday's humiliation?"
"Poor guy. Probably here to watch everyone else get chosen while he packs his bags."
Easton ignored them. His attention was fixed on the glowing board.
The names were ranked from 1 to 30.
1. Sophia – A-rank Ice Phoenix Bloodline
2. Simon – C-rank Wind Blade Bloodline
3. Lucas – B-rank Lightning Serpent Bloodline
…
28. Various D and C-rank students
His own name was nowhere to be seen.
A bitter smile tugged at his lips. Of course it wasn't. The instructors had already decided long ago.
But then the system chimed softly in his mind.
[Bloodline Scan activated.]
[Scanning nearby targets…]
Dozens of blue tags appeared above the heads of students in his vision, invisible to everyone else.
Sophia: Ice Phoenix (A-rank) – Extremely high value
Simon: Wind Blade (C-rank) – Already partially plundered
Lucas: Lightning Serpent (B-rank) – High value
Easton's gaze lingered on Simon.
The bully stood near the front, surrounded by his usual group. A bandage covered the back of his head, and his face looked pale. His usual arrogant aura was noticeably weaker. When he noticed Easton staring, Simon's expression twisted with confusion and lingering anger.
"You…" Simon muttered, stepping forward. "What the hell did you do to me yesterday?"
Before Easton could answer, the head instructor, Elder Harlan, stepped onto the raised platform.
"Silence!" His voice carried across the square with bloodline-enhanced power. "The list has been finalized based on bloodline rank, combat performance, and overall potential. Those who received recommendations, congratulations. Those who did not… better luck in the open examination next year."
A wave of cheers and groans rippled through the crowd.
Easton turned to leave. There was no point staying.
But then Elder Harlan continued.
"However, there is one special case this year."
The square quieted instantly.
"Due to an… unusual incident yesterday, we have decided to grant one additional discretionary recommendation."
Elder Harlan's eyes scanned the crowd and landed directly on Easton.
"Easton. Step forward."
Gasps erupted everywhere.
Easton froze. "Me?"
Murmurs exploded.
"What? That trash?"
"He must have bribed someone!"
"Impossible! His bloodline is F-rank garbage!"
Easton walked forward slowly, heart pounding. When he reached the platform, Elder Harlan looked down at him with a mix of curiosity and suspicion.
"Yesterday afternoon, three students were found unconscious in the old library, Simon, Marcus, and Carl. Their bloodlines showed signs of partial depletion, yet no external injuries explained it. You were the last person seen near that area."
Elder Harlan leaned closer. "Explain yourself."
The entire square went deathly silent.
Easton met the elder's gaze calmly. Inside, the system was already scanning.
[Elder Harlan – Hidden Bloodline: Unknown (at least A-rank) – Extremely dangerous target. Do not attempt plunder yet.]
He chose his words carefully.
"I was studying alone in the library. They came to harass me as usual. A fight broke out. I defended myself. That's all."
Simon shouted from the crowd, voice shaky. "He's lying! That bastard hit me from behind and then… something happened! I felt my power being sucked away!"
Elder Harlan raised a hand for silence.
"Bloodline depletion without visible cause is rare, but not impossible during intense struggles. However…" The elder's eyes narrowed. "Easton's Night Eye bloodline has shown no previous combat capability. Interesting."
He waved his hand. A golden token materialized and floated toward Easton.
"Regardless of what happened, you demonstrated survival instinct and unexpected resilience. The academy values results. You are granted one discretionary recommendation. Do not waste it."
The golden token landed in Easton's palm. It felt warm, pulsing with faint energy.
[System Notification!]
[Obtained: Central Bloodline Examination Recommendation Token]
[This token grants entry and basic resources at the examination venue.]
[Bonus: +50 Blood Essence for achieving first public recognition]
[Current Blood Essence: 370/100]
The crowd erupted.
Some students clapped half-heartedly. Most stared in disbelief or open hostility.
Sophia, the top-ranked beauty with flowing silver hair and an icy aura looked at Easton with cold curiosity for the first time.
Simon's face turned ugly. "This isn't over, trash. When we reach the Central Examination, I'll make sure everyone knows what kind of freak you are."
Easton simply pocketed the token and gave a small nod to Elder Harlan.
"Thank you, Elder."
As he turned to leave the square, several students blocked his path, friends of the three bullies.
"You think one token makes you special?" one snarled. "We'll see how long you last."
Easton's eyes flashed with a faint crimson ring.
He activated his new wind blade skill subtly. A tiny, almost invisible blade of wind flicked out and sliced through the shoelaces of the boy in front. The bully's pants suddenly dropped to his ankles, causing him to trip and fall face-first in the dirt.
Laughter erupted from the crowd before they could stop themselves.
Easton stepped over the fallen boy without a word and continued walking.
Behind him, the system's voice sounded almost amused.
[Minor humiliation achieved. Gained 10 Blood Essence.]
[New Title Unlocked: Silent Predator]
[Effect: +10% stealth when approaching targets for plunder.]
Easton allowed himself a small, private smile as he headed back toward the dorms.
He had the token.
He had new power.
But he also had enemies and the Central Bloodline Examination was only two weeks away.
A place where thousands of young talents from across the federation would gather. Where B-rank and A-rank bloodlines were common. Where true geniuses and hidden monsters waited.
Perfect hunting grounds.
That night, in the quiet of his small dorm room, Easton sat cross-legged on his bed and opened the System Shop again.
With 370 Blood Essence, he could afford more.
He purchased:
- One Random Bloodline Fragment Ticket (150 Essence)
- One Low-grade Bloodline Stabilizer (100 Essence)
The ticket glowed and shattered, revealing a new fragment.
[Obtained: Flame Serpent Bloodline Fragment (C-rank)]
Easton's eyes lit up.
He now had four fragments: Wind Blade (C), Strength Enhancement (D), Basic Agility (E), and Flame Serpent (C).
[Would you like to attempt your first bloodline fusion?]
[Success chance: 68% with current stabilizer.]
[Possible results: New hybrid bloodline or upgraded existing one.]
Easton took a deep breath.
This was the moment.
He selected the Night Eye (F) as the base and chose to fuse Wind Blade and Flame Serpent into it.
"Fuse."
Crimson light erupted around his body. Heat and cutting wind swirled together.
Pain flared, but the stabilizer kept it manageable.
When the light faded, a new status window appeared.
**Current Bloodline:** Crimson Gale Eyes (B-rank – Evolving)
**Abilities:** Enhanced night and thermal vision + Minor wind blade projection from eyes + Flame-infused gaze that can ignite small objects.
Easton stood up and walked to the small mirror on the wall.
His eyes now carried a faint crimson glow with swirling green and orange flecks.
He looked… different. Stronger. Hungrier.
He whispered to his reflection.
"Two weeks until the Central Examination."
His lips curved.
"I wonder how many delicious bloodlines will be there…"
The system chimed one final time before he slept.
[Main Quest Updated]
**Rise Above the Trash**
**Task:** Place in the top 100 at the Central Bloodline Examination.
**Reward:** Advanced Devourer Title + 2000 Blood Essence + Secret Bloodline Manual
**Penalty:** None (but failure means continued mediocrity)
Easton closed his eyes, the new power humming pleasantly in his veins.