Chapter 8 - Blood Magic

Ryuu soon arrives at his hotel room feeling slightly overwhelmed by the contrast of his usual living quarters to this place. He placed the items that he had bought before looking around, seeing that everything was made from smooth concrete and marble that he can only dream of having. 

He would have gleefully acted, if not for the [ Peak Body Condition Physiology ] that keeps his emotion at bay. Ryuu made his way to the balcony that overlooked the vast cityscape. After a few minutes he entered his room once more and looked at the books.

Ryuu then opened his inventory and took out another book which was given by Erza. He looked at the boxing book and looked at the window screen.

[Do you wish to learn Boxing?]

[Yes/No]

He quickly pressed [Yes] that quickly caused the book to glow in bright bluish white light that slowly disintegrated into nothingness. Ryuu flinched when a multitude of information was uploaded into his head. 

Moments later stood from his bed then took a boxing stance before executing a precise Jab, Right hook and Uppercut that he executed perfectly.

[You have acquired Boxing Skill]

'Ahhh….not bad, my body seems to be adapting to it nicely.'

He felt as if his body has been training for years, easily utilizing his body at its peak and executed them flawlessly. 

Ryuu nodded before taking everybook and learning every Martial art that he acquired, having countless images popping into his head. He opened his eyes and saw another window screen.

[Do you wish to fuse Similar skills?]

[Yes/No]

The moment he saw this immediately pressed [Yes] knowing the result and began to feel that the Martial art was improving, having fewer loopholes that enemies could use.

[You have acquired Unarmed Fighting Technique.]

He nodded to himself and saw that Kenjutsu was excluded as it primarily used swordsmanship. Ryuu then took the [Breathing Technique] from his inventory and immediately learned how to properly utilize his breathing.

His breathing pattern was better than before. It was more relaxed and constant rather than the random interval that he always does. 

[You have acquired Breath Technique Skill.]

Ryuu nodded and took out the [Origin Magic Book] that was unable to be learned as it was just a vague explanation and does necessary give someone magic. He read the content of the book and it told that mana or Etherno could be sensed by meditating or have an overwhelming emotion. 

After finishing, Ryuu closed the book and stood up once again heading towards the hot tub. He decided it was best to cleanse his body while trying to sense Mana.

Once the tub was full, he took out the cleansing pill from his inventory and saw a small bottle form on his hand. He opened the lid and was instantly greeted by an alluring aroma before taking out a small pill from inside it.

'I just hope it doesn't kill me…'

Ryuu dropped the pill into the bath water, which turned into a multicolored liquid that produced a very pleasant aroma. It was only a low tier yet the auroma was out of this world based on the fragrant. 

He took out his clothes before jumping inside and instantly felt aching pain from the water but not enough to make him stop. It only gave him an uncomfortable feeling similar to ants crawling around his body. 

Moments later, he took a meditating position and took deep breaths before exhaling. Ryuu focused and tried to sense the mana around him.

His deep concentration did not let him notice that change happening to his body. Ryuu's once average body gradually turned into a rather toned build, showing individual muscles and skin becoming smoother than before akin to a newborn child. 

Ryuu's hair grew longer enough to reach his eyes. Though, in the process, it also produces a mucus-like substance in the water which diluted the once clear beautiful water into murky water. 

As his body had a shocking metamorphosis, Ryuu slowly felt a light of some sort around him and found himself surrounded by the blood soaking red hovering light. Ryuu tried to reach out and absorbed the energy that caused his body to radiate a thick, dangerous aura. 

He soon opened his eyes showing the once dark eyes turn into crimson red that could allure any woman. Ryuu soon held out his hand trying to find what his magic was and was shocked when he heard the system.

[You have acquired Mana energy]

[You have acquired Blood Magic skill] 

'Blood magic? Why fuck do I have that emo ass skill!? I wanted fire or water but blood!? Are you kidding me!?'

Ryuu inwardly curses looking at the blood hovering this palmed. He sighed before trying to mold the blood, surprised that it turned into a needle before mentally solidifying the blood.

He was taken aback when it worked and quickly tried to manipulate his own blood. Ryuu was able to pump more blood than normally and circulate oxygen at a much quicker pace.

'Hmm, is this magic perhaps useful? I remember that blood bending grandma from Avatar: The Last Airbender was Overpowered. Maybe I can use it like that too.'

Ryuu knew that despite not being the one that he wanted still held merits. He recalls Carnage from Marvel who is basically a walking talking mass of blood. 

'Wait, System, can you show me what my magic description is?'

[ Blood magic ]

[ Description: Users can create, shape, and manipulate blood, an essential body fluid in humans and other animals that delivers necessary substances such as nutrients and oxygen to the cells and transports metabolic waste products away from those same cells. The majority of users are only able to exert control over the blood of themselves, using them for various purposes, such as for rituals, examining, or most commonly combat. They can shape their blood into tendrils to strike enemies from afar or use it to trap opponents in a prison of blood. Users can concentrate blood into a single point, and shoot it out akin to bullets, or sharpen their blood to the point that they can slice and tear flesh with ease, or solidify blood to use as rock-hard ammunition.

Some users would be able to indirectly control the movement of objects by leaving traces of blood on them, and manipulating that blood in order to move said object. When manipulating blood, beware dying of blood loss for users that use their own blood or being present in a wet environment, as exposure to water will cause the membrane of red blood cells to tear, making 45% of blood uncontrollable.

Another use of blood manipulation is controlling the blood within the body of oneself, increasing physical abilities by speeding up the transport of nutrients and oxygen via blood to all parts of their body, thus improving their energy and power. They can also use this to speed up healing by immediately clotting their blood, preventing blood loss and speeding up the recovery process, gaining a form of manual healing factor. Sometimes, users would be able to control the composition of their blood down to the number of red blood cells present in their bloodstream. Blood manipulators can also gain a form of cold immunity by increasing body temperature through blood-flow.

More advanced users would be able to manipulate blood from anywhere in their surroundings, such as the bodies of other living creatures, allowing them to control them like puppets, induce nosebleeds or headaches, or cause blood-related diseases or conditions such as Sickle Cell Anemia Thrombosis. At an even higher level, users could instantly kill others by making blood explode from the inside out or forcibly causing their heart to stop or knocking them unconscious by restricting blood-flow to the brain.

Limitation: 

Bloodlessness

Blood Resistance

Magic Resistance 

Distance, mass, precision, etc. depend upon the knowledge, skill, and strength of the user, and their power's natural limits.

May be unable to create blood, being limited to manipulating only from already existing sources.

May be limited to manipulating the blood of others or only themselves.

May bleed to death by drawing too much blood or over consumption of mana. 

Risk of developing Thrombosis when manipulating blood.

Some users could be limited on what type of blood they can control, e.g. animal blood.

To manipulate one's own blood for external applications, one may have to draw blood or use small amounts and expand using mana. 

 ]

Ryuu was dumbfounded upon reading the capabilities of his blood magic and can certainly be useful in the future. Every living thing has blood and Ryuu has the capabilities to manipulate it. 

'Gaaaah what is that smell!?'

Soon enough, He finally noticed the horrid smell and saw that the bath water had turned into disgusting black liquid. This causes him to quickly get out of the tub and rinse the remaining residue before looking at himself in the mirror.

He took a step back seeing his sudden change, having a more muscular build and superb handsomeness that will easily label him the most popular guy in school. However, he frowned that his height and childish face still remained.

[ Image Here ]

'Dammit are you kidding me!? I want to look like an adult not a fucking kid!?'

Ryuu gave a surrendering sigh. He soon unplugged the water and changed into his clothes.

'Let see how much my status has changed...'

[ Status

Name: Ryuu Cinco

Title: Administrator

Overall Power: low Tier 8-C

Physical Strength: High Tier 9-A

Durability: High Tier 9-A

Stamina: High Tier 9-B

Intelligence: High Tier 9-A

Extra Stats:

HP: 250/250 (Average adult man 150)

MP: 100/100

Energy: Mana

Skills:

Innate

Intuition (High Tier 9-A)

Drawing (High Tier 10-A)

Passive:

Breathing Technique lv.1

Active: 

Unarmed Fighting Technique Lv.1 

Blood Magic Lv.1

Inventory: None. 

Points : None

]

His stats haven't changed that much and the overall strength is only if it didn't count his magic. Ryuu took a stance and performed Martial art, finding that it was easier and less painful than before. 

He looked at the time and found that it was already night. Ryuu was shocked that he had lost the track of time just trying to acquire magic.

'I wonder if I'm some sort of genius when it comes to magic? Maybe it has to do with my [ Peak Human Condition Physiology ] that made it easier?'

Ryuu thought vaguely about the level of mastery when it comes to learning magic. His guess was correct as without it, then he'd take several months, years, or even decades to sense Mana! He checked his chat group and still nothing.

'I'm still not tired and the others hadn't gone online since yesterday. I'm sure they intend to read not only their story but others' as well.'

He looked at his phone for a bit before shutting it down. Ryuu decided to train his body and improve his skills as he felt a sudden ache to push himself.