As I finished inspecting the completed training facilities, the familiar notification pulsed through my consciousness.

[Daily Login Available!]

[Would you like to claim your daily reward?]

[Yes | No]

I selected yes with casual expectation, assuming the system would provide something different after yesterday's Soul Stone.

[Congratulations! You have received: Soul Stone]

[Rank: Transcendent]

[Details: A crystallized stone containing soul power equivalent to a complete Transcendent-rank creature. Can be absorbed directly to advance cultivation and strengthen soul foundation. Single use consumable.]

"Again?"

I stared at the notification in genuine surprise. The exact same reward two days in a row - that had never happened before. The system typically varied its offerings dramatically, cycling through different categories of items, skills, and resources with seemingly random distribution.

Getting duplicate Transcendent Soul Stones on consecutive days was unprecedented in my experience with the daily reward system.

Not that I was complaining, a smile formed on my face as I considered the benefits. If the system wanted to shower me with concentrated soul power, I certainly wouldn't object.

The first stone had gone to Changing Star and was clearly producing dramatic results based on her ongoing integration process. This second one presented an interesting opportunity.

I could use it myself this time, or…

"Kojiro."

I summoned the echo swordsman from his card form. The Swordsman materialised smoothly, his presence solidifying into the familiar armored figure carrying his sword on his hip.

"Master," he acknowledged with a respectful nod.

"I have something for you," I said, manifesting the Soul Stone. "This contains Transcendent-rank soul power that will strengthen you significantly. You haven't fully solidified your soul power after your recent advancement, this will help you."

Kojiro examined the sphere with obvious interest, his experienced warrior instincts recognizing its value immediately.

Before giving it to him, I gestured around the newly completed training complex. "Also, welcome to our new base. This mansion is now my primary residence and training facility. These rooms match academy-level specifications - you'll be staying here permanently unless I'm out hunting and need to bring you along in card form or if you want to go buy something etc."

Kojiro's gaze swept across the combat training room with professional assessment, noting the reinforced construction, enchantment arrays, and quality equipment.

"Impressive facilities, master. You've invested significantly in proper development infrastructure."

"The Blackwood family resources have their advantages," I acknowledged. "But yes, having private facilities means we can train without schedule restrictions or observers documenting our techniques. We also don't need to worry about people finding about your existence in the academy, now we can spar without worry."

I handed him the Soul Stone. "Consume this."

Kojiro accepted the stone with a slight bow.

He consumed the Soul Stone without hesitation, the crystallized soul power disappearing as his form briefly flared with enhanced energy. Unlike Changing Star's dramatic glowing collapse, Kojiro simply stood still as the Transcendent essence integrated smoothly into his spectral existence.

"The power is substantial," he noted after a moment. "I can feel measurable advancement occurring. This will enhance my combat effectiveness considerably."

"Good. Once the integration completes, I want you to familiarize yourself with these training facilities. Test the combat dummies, assess the equipment quality, and identify any additional resources that would improve our practice efficiency."

"Understood, master."

I decided that from now on, Kojiro would remain summoned at the mansion unless I specifically needed him in portable card form for external hunts. Having a Transcendent-rank swordsman as permanent security would protect Changing Star during her vulnerable growth phases and provide valuable training partnership.

"One more thing," I added. "There's a young dragon upstairs currently in deep sleep while processing similar soul power. Her name is Changing Star. Don't be alarmed when you encounter her, she is with us. She is usually nice, not sure how she will react to you, but if she is hostile do not hurt her and simply leave the mansion or inform me."

Kojiro's eyebrows rose slightly at the mention of a dragon, but he simply nodded acceptance. "A dragon companion."

"She hatched recently and is growing rapidly. Once she wakes, I'll introduce you properly."

With Kojiro now enhanced and stationed at the mansion, my overall security and training capabilities had improved significantly. The second Soul Stone had found an excellent recipient who would make immediate practical use of the power boost.

Two consecutive Soul Stones, both distributed to allies who would maximize their benefit.

If the system wanted to continue this pattern, I certainly wouldn't complain.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

***

I made my way to the Blackwood family mansion in response to my mother's summons. She'd sent a communication crystal message earlier saying she missed me and wanted to see me - a request I couldn't reasonably refuse even with my busy schedule.

The truth was, I'd been so focused on training, hunting, and managing various projects that I'd neglected visiting home for some time now. For someone who had watched the original Adrian grow up under her care for years, my sudden absence after moving to academy housing and acquiring a private mansion probably felt jarring.

I decided to visit for several interconnected reasons.

First and most importantly, my mother was likely struggling with Father's departure on his dangerous mission. They'd been married for years, building a partnership that went beyond political arrangement into genuine affection. With her husband gone to face Transcendent beasts and her son barely visiting, she was essentially alone in this massive estate with only servants for company.

Despite not being my biological mother - this body's original soul having been replaced by my transmigrated consciousness - I treated her with complete sincerity. She deserved that respect for the genuine love and effort she'd invested in raising Adrian Blackwood. Her maternal care had been authentic, and I wouldn't dishonor that by treating her as merely a convenient relationship.

Second, I needed to bring Kael to the capital for his academy entrance examination tomorrow. He was currently staying at our duchy's territory estate, and coordinating his travel meant visiting the family mansion regardless.

-----

I arrived at the familiar grounds and was immediately greeted by household staff who informed me that Duchess Elena was waiting in the main sitting room.

"Adrian!" My mother's face lit up the moment I entered, and she rose to embrace me warmly. "It's been too long. Look at you - have you been eating properly? You look thinner."

I smiled at the predictable maternal concern. "I'm eating fine, Mother. Academy training just keeps me active."

She studied my face with the scrutiny only mothers possessed, clearly trying to assess my wellbeing through sheer observation. "Sit, sit. Tell me everything about your studies. How are your classes? Are you making friends? Is the dormitory comfortable?"

We spent the next hour in comfortable conversation as I provided carefully edited updates about academy life. I mentioned my examination rankings, training progress, and interactions with classmates while omitting details about Thornback nest exterminations, dragon companions, and creating revolutionary smartphones.

"Your father was so proud of your academic performance," she said with genuine warmth, though I caught the slight sadness in her eyes at mentioning him.

"How are you managing with Father away?" I asked gently.

Her composure wavered slightly. "I'm fine, of course. He's on important duchy business, and I trust in his capabilities completely. But the house does feel… empty."

The admission was understated but honest. She missed him deeply but maintained the dignified bearing expected of a duchess.

"He'll return safely," I said with more confidence than I actually felt. "Father's stronger than people realize."

-----

Dinner was served in the formal dining room, an elaborate affair with multiple courses that household staff had clearly prepared with extra care to welcome the young master home.

This presented my ongoing challenge - maintaining the illusion of normal eating while being unable to consume regular food due to my vampire bloodline.

Fortunately, my increased strength and control made the deception easier now. I'd developed techniques for making it appear I was eating without actually consuming anything. Small bites moved to my mouth but were discretely redirected using minor blood manipulation. Chewing motions without swallowing. Strategic use of napkins and conversation timing to cover gaps in the performance.

My mother noticed nothing unusual, chatting pleasantly about estate management and duchy affairs while I performed my carefully choreographed fake eating routine.

"You seem more mature somehow," she observed during the main course. "Academy life is clearly good for your development."

"The experience has been educational in many ways," I agreed truthfully, thinking about everything from combat training to engineering innovation.

After dinner concluded successfully without revealing my dietary restrictions, I excused myself to my old room under the pretense of resting before tomorrow's busy schedule.

Once alone, I retrieved the Book of Hints to check on Father's mission status.

I opened the book with focused intent, and new text materialized:

Duke Marcus Blackwood engages forward beast patrols near Thornhaven. Combat intensity increasing beyond initial projections. Multiple Transcendent-rank creatures detected in coordinated formations. Royal-rank footwork proving invaluable for survival. Morale strained but holding. Physical condition: good despite accumulated fatigue.

My jaw tightened as I processed the information. Another one percent decrease.

The downward trend was becoming a genuine concern.

The current percentage meant his survival was essentially a coin flip at this point. One bad tactical decision, one unexpected powerful enemy, one moment of bad luck, and those odds could tip into the negative.

I closed the book carefully, my expression neutral despite the worry churning inside.

When I returned downstairs to spend the evening with Mother, I maintained perfect composure. She didn't need to know that Father's mission was becoming increasingly precarious. Her worry wouldn't help him, and adding to her stress served no purpose.

"Everything alright, dear?" she asked, noting my brief absence.

"Perfect," I lied smoothly. "Just needed to handle some quick academy correspondence."

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