He stared at the glowing red orbs in the hands of the person who had given him a new purpose in life.

During the training camp, he had realised how inferior someone with his talents was treated.

Despite not being the lowest-ranked talent, he was treated like trash by everyone.

No one even bothered to look at him twice when they learned of his talent.

At some point, dark thoughts began to emerge from deep within him. He wanted to end everything and rest eternally.

For people in his situation, the first thought that usually came to their minds was the sorrow their families would go through because of them, and how they would be missed.

But Ashton knew this was impossible.

If he were to die today, his family would be the happiest, knowing that their trash of a son was dead.

Fortunately, he had a friend.

Someone just like him, who understood him to the core.

Logan was always there for him, despite possessing the same trash-ranked talent.

The two of them promised to do all it took to survive the training camp.

On the day they decided to try one last time and give up if nothing happened, a rather arrogant person showed up.

That arrogant young man was the one who turned their lives for the better.

At this moment, as he stared at him holding the orbs that would change his life, Ashton's eyes moistened.

His voice cracked as he asked, "Re-ally?"

Marlon nodded with a smile.

"The talent within it is a B-rank one, and it contains a rare affinity. It also has effects that will boost the skills you already possess."

Marlon gave a brief explanation.

At this moment, however, Ashton did not really care about the explanation.

Even if it were another E-rank talent within the orb, he would still be grateful that someone had thought about his needs.

He lowered his head as tears began to drip from his eyes. He gripped his chest and wept silently.

Lyra and Logan observed quietly.

Logan had a bittersweet smile on his face as he understood why his friend was reacting this way.

He shifted closer and wrapped an arm around Ashton's shoulder. He spoke a few words of encouragement, and those words only made Ashton more sentimental.

Marlon was patient, so he allowed him to cry for as long as he needed.

After all, awakening a second talent was unheard of.

For someone who had lived his entire life being ridiculed, obtaining a new and stronger one was nothing short of divine.

"Sniff… sniff…"

After about three minutes, Ashton lifted his head.

His face and eyes were red, and lines of tears ran down his cheeks.

He wiped them away with the back of his hands, and his expression gradually turned stoic.

He bowed his head and thanked Marlon.

Then he took the awakening crystal from him.

Instantly, several notifications popped up.

[ Revealing detailed description ]

Bloodborne Monarch (B)

Type: Hybrid Combat

Core Affinity: Blood | Vitality | Enhancement

Description:

Those who awaken as Bloodborne Monarchs wield blood as a versatile medium for combat and survival. They can shape their blood into weapons, barriers, or regenerative essence, allowing them to attack, defend, and heal seamlessly in battle. By channeling blood into their techniques, they enhance the power and efficiency of their existing skills.

[ Do you want to awaken talent: Bloodborne Monarch (B) ]

He studied the description with utmost focus, unwilling to miss any information about the talent that would soon change his life.

As he read, his eyes began to moisten once more.

He quickly wiped the tears away.

With his friends watching, he accepted the reawakening.

At that moment, the red orb glowed brightly, illuminating the entire room as ethereal energy drifted through the air.

Then a sharp pain shot through his body.

The pain was abrupt and overwhelming.

Ashton fell to his knees and clenched his teeth, using all his willpower to hold back a scream.

[ Awakening….. 3%… 4% ]

The window displaying his progress blurred as the pain surged.

Logan and Lyra rushed forward in worry.

Marlon gently shook his head, stopping them.

The two could only stand to the side and watch.

The awakening process continued.

The pain became unbearable, and Ashton's willpower finally gave way.

He screamed at the top of his lungs, pain evident in his voice.

His hands clutched his chest as the agony intensified.

"Is he going to be okay?" Lyra asked, turning to Marlon.

"He will be. Give him a few minutes."

"Minutes?" Logan repeated as he turned back to Ashton.

He wondered if his friend could truly endure the pain for even one more minute.

Strangely, after two minutes, Ashton was still conscious.

After about five minutes, the pain finally stopped, and the energy drifting around the room dissipated at the same time.

Ashton lay on the ground, his chest rising and falling rapidly as he caught his breath.

His body was drenched in sweat, and his face was pale.

Then the notification of his awakening appeared, and a smile bloomed on his face, making his friends feel relieved.

[ You've awakened talent: Bloodborne Monarch (B) ]

[ You've unlocked the following skills… ]

[ Blood Infusion (B-rank, active)… ]

[ Crimson Recovery (B-rank, active)… ]

[ Blood Manipulation (B-rank, active)… ]

Three new skills awakened as well, all of them high-ranking.

Each would easily be worth more than two hundred million credits, judging by their effects.

As he read them, tears of joy streamed down his cheeks.

He turned toward Marlon, bowed until his head touched the ground, and thanked him loudly and sincerely.

Marlon waved off the gratitude casually.

"All I want is for you to grow stronger. There is a mission coming up, and judging by the current situation at the academy and within the Hunter Association, it will begin sooner than planned. I want you three to reach at least level forty before then."

The three listened attentively, especially Lyra.

She had heard something similar from her parents a few days earlier, but like Marlon, they had not shared any details about the mission.

Although she was somewhat close to Marlon, she did not ask.

If her parents, who were high-ranking hunters, could not share it, then Marlon would not either.

"The Hunter Association has forbidden students from entering any danger zones for the time being," Logan said. "Could it be related to the rift or the mission you mentioned?"

Marlon shook his head slightly. "I am not sure."

"I can use my connections with the Hunter Association to get you into some low-ranked danger zones. I can even arrange for you to enter the Deadlight District and raid as much as you want."

"Deadlight District?" Lyra asked in surprise.

She had not been present when Marlon spoke about his experience there.

"Yeah. The people there are quite kind and considerate, as long as you do not cause trouble."

"Oh…"

The three reacted at the same time.

Marlon smiled and brought out several skill books from his inventory.

He placed them on the ground and allowed each of them to choose the ones that suited them best.

After several minutes of staring at the skill books in amazement, the three sat down and began going through them.

Among them, Ashton benefited the most, as many blood-related skills were present.

He obtained a defensive skill called Crimson Skin. It was C-rank and created a layer of blood energy around his body for two hours, reducing physical attacks by twenty percent and magical attacks by thirty percent.

He also acquired two offensive skills, one of which was Blood Barrage. As the name implied, it allowed him to release dozens of blood-based attacks at the same time.

He gained two additional blood-related skills and picked up two basic skills that enhanced his agility, aim, and reflexes.

Lyra and Logan were less fortunate in comparison.

Lyra could only choose basic skills.

She lacked an elemental affinity, so she was limited to skills that enhanced her strength and agility.

There were several elemental skills she liked, including a fire-based one called Blazing Boots, which nearly doubled the user's speed. Unfortunately, she could not obtain it.

Ashton was still somewhat restricted as well. As a Beast Tamer, he lacked elemental affinities, and his physical attacks were weak since he relied heavily on his tamed beast.

Even so, he was fortunate enough to find a skill book that reduced the aether consumption of his skills by thirty percent, along with a basic skill that increased his control over them.

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