Everyone in the family expected Lorin de Balran to monopolize the blessings of the Holy Black Ritual.
The blessings of the ceremony are distributed based on the principle of survival of the fittest; the stronger participants receive more blessings.
‘It was said that he would immediately become the sixth prince after receiving the blessings of the ceremony.’
Thus, Lorin de Balran would be his enemy during the ceremony.
“Yes, Lorin opposed your participation. He said…”
“It’s okay. Please continue.”
“…Christian, he said he cannot undergo the Holy Black Ritual with a degenerate like you. Other branch family members agreed with him.”
“Hmm.”
Christian crossed his arms.
Count Kazar shook his head, looking troubled.
“I’ll talk to the main house again. You are no longer the failure you once were, and if we explain your situation well, it should work out. If not, I might even ask your aunt.”
His aunt, meaning Merian.
Since she had a favorable impression of Christian, she might help.
But Christian shook his head.
‘I can’t ask for help over such a trivial matter.’
“No, don’t do that. I’ll handle this myself.”
“Christian?”
“By the way, is anyone from the Count Tiramin family attending this Holy Black Ritual?”
The Count Tiramin family.
Like the Kazar count family, it was one of the three branch family that supported the Dark Magus Family.
“Yes, the third son of Count Tiramin will participate. He was one of the loudest voices against you along with Lorin. Damned fool.”
Count Kazar spoke with a feigned angry tone.
Strict as he was, there was an oddly doting side to him as a father.
“Don’t be angry.”
“How can I not be angry! That worthless Count Tiramin family, playing around with mere low-level demons, acting high and mighty. Their names is as tasteless as tiramisu.”
As Count Kazar’s reaction indicated, the Branch families were in a competitive relationship.
The Kazar count family specialized in curses.
The Count Tiramin family specialized in controlling demons through a dark magic technique called ‘Maren.’
‘Hmm, tiramisu definitely lacks flavor. Like how the best cake is always strawberry cream cake, and the best beef is always ribeye.’
Christian brushed off the side thought and shook his head.
“It’s alright. Don’t worry about it.”
“Don’t worry? You might not even be able to participate in the Holy Black Ritual because of them.”
“There won’t be an issue. There’s a way.”
“What do you mean?”
“If they brand me as unworthy, the solution is simple. I’ll just have to show them. Show them that I am worthy.”
“!!”
Christian grinned mischievously.
“I understand that it’s time for the Count Tiramin family to hunt for the ingredients for the Dark Pill. Is that correct?”
“…Yes, that’s true.”
The Dark Pill.
One of the prized spirit medicines of the Dark Magus Family.
The ‘Karazov,’ a demon hunted only by the Count Tiramin family using a special method, was the source of the ingredients for the Dark Pill, an event called ‘Dark Pill Hunting’ by the Count Tiramin family.
Uniquely, this hunt was conducted by the young heirs of the count family.
It was akin to a rite of passage.
“Please contact the Count Tiramin family. Ask them to allow me to participate in the Dark Pill Hunting as a ‘hunter.'”
“!!”
“A ‘hunter’ doesn’t necessarily have to be a person from the Count Tiramin family, right?”
Count Kazar looked puzzled.
“That’s true. Usually, it’s left to the subordinates. But why do you want to do that?”
“Didn’t I tell you? I’ll prove my qualifications. And it just so happens that the one conducting the hunt this time is the third son who opposed my participation in the Holy Black Ritual. It’s perfect.”
Chris smirked.
“I’ll show him what I’m made of.”
And there was another reason.
Chris was determined to obtain the Dark Pill this time.
How? Through a “secret technique” only he could use.
It would be a dreadful hunt for the unsuspecting third son.
***
Situated in the central-north region of the continent was the Magic Empire.
To its south lay the Southern Magic Kingdom.
Ranked 7th among the mages, ruled by the “Demon King of Purity.”
That was the Southern Magic Kingdom.
To the east of this Southern Magic Kingdom stood a massive family.
Vast stretches of land.
Grand mansions. Their splendor rivaling even the most magnificent royal palaces.
The Dark Magus.
A prestigious family renowned throughout the Magic Empire, no, throughout the entire continent.
Deep within their domain lay a place few dared to face them.
The Lion’s Den.
It was the house of those nobles.
Or so it felt?
Although it was just an ordinary annex building, it seemed to radiate a majestic aura just from the outside.
“Lady of the house.”
A woman stepped in.
It was Merian, the aunt Christian had met recently, and the commander of the Black Shadow Knights.
“May I come in?”
“Yes, come in.”
A surprisingly gentle voice responded.
Merian took a deep breath.
She was the most favored child of the head of the house. Yet, she always felt nervous meeting the lord.
Steadying her nerves, Merian opened the door.
“I am here to see you, my lord.”
Merian bowed her head.
Inside sat an old man with silvery hair.
Deep wrinkles.
Skin with age spots.
He looked frail enough to belong in a coffin, but Merian could never underestimate him.
Lord Nordian.
A mage who had reached the realm of 8-stars.
That was the old man’s true identity.
Merian couldn’t even imagine how such a frail body could contain a force as vast as the ocean.
“So, have you returned from your mission?”
Nordian asked with a gentle smile.
“Yes, my lord. I have seen Christian as you instructed.”
“And what do you think? Did he seem reasonably competent?”
“No.”
Merian shook her head.
As the lord showed a disappointed face, Merian continued.
“He wasn’t just reasonably competent, he was beyond imagination.”
“!!”
“A genius. No, more than that.”
The lord looked slightly shocked.
It was the first time Merian had ever praised someone so highly.
“Is that true? How does he compare to the other young ones?”
“Incomparable.”
Merian stated firmly.
The heirs of the main family were all exceptional.
But Christian’s talent far surpassed even theirs.
‘The problem is that he bloomed came too late.’
Merian looked disappointed.
The gap had grown too wide.
But…
“I don’t think I would lose to them.”
That was what Christian had said.
Merian chuckled lightly.
His statement didn’t sound like bluster.
Given the Christian she had seen that day, it seemed entirely possible.
“Hmm.”
Nordian stroked his chin with the back of his hand, tilting his head thoughtfully.
“I find it hard to believe. The Christian I saw before was nothing but a jackass who thought he was a genius.”
Although he was just part of the branch family, Christian was still of Nordian’s bloodline.
Specifically, a grandfather – grandson relationship, since Count Kazar was the youngest son of Duke Nordian.
Naturally, they were familiar.
‘He was a disgraceful one. Born with mediocre talents and yet so arrogantly thinking himself superior.’
The lord thought coldly.
His gentle demeanor was just a facade.
He was colder than most.
He wouldn’t look back on someone he deemed worthless, even if they were his family.
“I thought the same initially. But it turns out I was wrong.”
“Not so?”
“Yes, he was decidedly different this time.”
Nordian looked perplexed.
He trusted Merian’s judgment.
If Merian said so, then that little wretch must have changed somehow.
“Do you think then that this boy could fulfill my long-held wish?”
“…”
Merian couldn’t answer that question.
The lord’s long-held wish.
The pursuit of the magic to defy death itself, continuing his life beyond natural limits.
“…I don’t know.”
Merian answered uncertainly.
The lord’s wish couldn’t just be fulfilled by possessing great talent.
However…
“I do believe he could be the closest one to fulfilling your wish.”
At that, the lord was silent for a moment.
Then he chuckled lightly.
A low, chilling laugh.
A sense of pressure emanated, making it seem as if the air itself was screaming in terror.
“Well then. Given your words, I should take a closer look at him. But it seems he won’t be participating in this Holy Black Ritual?”
“That’s the current sentiment within the family.”
“Hmm.”
The lord crossed his arms.
“Will you intervene?”
“No, that would not be proper. I can’t step in for such a trivial matter.”
The lord had transferred all authority to Duke Rangham, his son.
Now, he was merely observing.
“Besides, if he can’t overcome even this obstacle, then he is not the child I’m looking for.”
Merian nodded in agreement.
With just a cough from the lord, Christian could not only participate in the Holy Black Ritual, but he would also receive treatment equal to the other heirs.
However, that held no real significance.
“What I desire is not a hothouse flower nurtured by everyone’s praises, but a born predator who can rule over all with his own strength.”
Simple talent was not enough.
He must be able to stand on his own and bend the entire Dark Magus to his knees, regardless of the obstacles, to fulfill the lord’s ambitions.
“But if he cannot participate in the Holy Black Ritual, he won’t even get the chance. Receiving the ceremony’s blessing is essential to properly mastering the dark magic of our house.”
Had Christian’s offering of cookies been effective?
It was a subtle plea for assistance.
In reality, the strength of the ‘blessing’ received at the Holy Black Ritual significantly influences one’s power in dark magic.
If he doesn’t participate in the ceremony and misses out on the blessings, no matter how talented he is, he won’t be able to master dark magic properly.
Merian wanted to ensure Christian got at least that minimum opportunity.
“Hmm. It seems you have taken quite a liking to the boy.”
Nordian spoke in a teasing tone.
“…I apologize.”
“Let’s see how Christian acts in this situation. If he’s as you say, he won’t simply kneel down to such an obstacle.”
Instead of help, Nordian intended to ‘evaluate’ how Christian would face this challenge.
Merian couldn’t say more.
‘That’s just the way he is.’
The lord.
The more promising the individual seemed.
The higher the expectations.
The harsher he treated them.
Like a lion pushing its cubs off a cliff, he expected them to overcome adversity and rise stronger.
If all obstacles were surmounted, one could earn the lord’s favor, but if one fell behind, he would not look back.
“Blood Fang.”
At the lord’s call, a figure suddenly appeared.
He emerged as if from the shadows, without any preceding sound.
A handsome man with a distinguished appearance bowed respectfully.
“Did you call for me, my lord?”
“Yes, indeed.”
“It’s been a while, Lady Merian.”
Merian looked uncomfortable.
As the man smiled, his fang-like teeth glinted menacingly.
He was a higher vampire from the genuine bloodline, with a blood-red sword tattoo on his temple.
This symbol appeared when one mastered the Blood Sect Technique, a secret skill of the ‘Blood Sword’ magic, to a high degree.
