Chapter 61: A hidden truth
The training grounds grew silent as the academy settled into the evening. Noah stood alone, leaning against a stone pillar, his mind replaying the events of the day.
Darius Kain, the legendary hunter, had mistaken him for a mere level one novice. Noah's lips curled into a faint smirk. **"How amusing."**
Pulling up his status screen, he stared at the glowing "Level 6" by his name. The disparity between what others saw and what was true made his advantage all the sweeter.
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Noah's gaze drifted to his class name: **"Night Lord."** It wasn't just a title—it was a symbol of his potential. The Legendary-grade class was rare enough to draw envy, but what truly set it apart was its connection to his [Vampire Bloodline].
He realized now that his bloodline came with unique benefits. Not only did it enhance his regeneration and abilities, but it also seemed to obscure his true power. Even Darius, a seasoned veteran, had failed to see through the veil.
**"My bloodline conceals my level,"** Noah mused. **"It's not just hiding my identity as a vampire—it's actively distorting the mana around me. That explains why everyone assumes I'm still a beginner."**
Opening his status screen, he examined the finer details of his abilities.
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#### **[Status Window]**
- **Name:** Noah Alaric
- **Level:** 6
- **Class:** Night Lord (Legendary)
- **Bloodline:** Vampire Primogenitor
- **Attributes:**
- Strength: 45
- Agility: 38
- Vitality: 42
- Intelligence: 31
- Mana: 50
- **Skills:**
- [Sword Mastery] Lv. 1
- [Blood Absorption] Lv. 1
- [Crimson Aura] Lv. 1
- [Enhanced Regeneration] Lv. MAX
- **Abilities:**
- [Level Concealment] (Passive)
- [Bloodline Suppression] (Passive)
---
Noah's eyes lingered on **[Level Concealment]**. The skill, passively tied to his bloodline, had gone unnoticed until now.
**"It's masking my growth, my strength—everything. I'm practically a shadow in the system."**
The implications were profound. If no one could discern his true power, he could maneuver freely, exploiting their ignorance.
--
Noah turned his thoughts back to Darius. The legendary hunter had watched him spar but still assumed he was a prodigy just starting his journey.
**"If he thinks I'm a talented novice, I can use that to my advantage,"** Noah thought. **"But I can't let him get too close. If he learns about my vampiric nature, things could spiral out of control."**
For now, he decided to let the misconception stand. The longer people underestimated him, the more time he'd have to solidify his position.
---
That evening, Noah returned to his shared apartment. His brothers were fast asleep, and the flickering light of their mother's television spilled into the hallway. Noah locked his door and sat cross-legged on the floor, his sword resting across his lap.
He focused inward, channeling mana through his body as he tested the limits of his bloodline abilities. The skill **[Blood Absorption]** pulsed faintly, the crimson glow illuminating his hand.
He swung his sword experimentally, integrating his newfound mana control into his movements. Despite his Legendary-grade class, his journey to mastery in this world was only just beginning.
"This isn't like my old world," he thought. " Here, power is tied to mana. I need to understand its flow, its essence, if I'm to ascend to the top."**
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The next morning, Noah returned to the academy. As he walked through the halls, whispers followed him like shadows.
"Did you hear? Noah killed a dungeon guardian!"
"No way. He's just a level one Night Lord!"
"Maybe he's hiding his real level..."
Noah ignored the chatter, his expression calm and unreadable. Inside, he was quietly amused. His classmates were blind to the truth, but their awe worked in his favor.
During lectures, he absorbed every detail about dungeon ecosystems, mana manipulation, and class evolution. At level 10, he would unlock the opportunity to advance his Night Lord class further.
**"This system may be rigid, but it's also predictable,"** Noah thought. **"If I can understand its rules, I can bend them to my will."**
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Unbeknownst to Noah, Darius Kain had not left the academy grounds. From a distance, the legendary hunter observed him carefully, his gaze filled with curiosity.
"This boy..." Darius muttered to himself. "The Noah I saw weeks ago was a clumsy beginner. But this one... he's sharp, precise. Either he's the greatest prodigy I've ever seen, or there's something more to him."
Noah, oblivious to Darius's scrutiny, continued his day as if nothing had changed. Yet in the back of his mind, he knew the attention he had garnered would bring complications.
"I'll need to tread carefully," Noah thought. "For now, I'll play the part of a rising talent. But when the time comes, this world will know the true power of the Night Lord."
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