Chapter 62 : An unlikely ally
Noah sat on the edge of his bed, the quiet hum of the academy around him doing little to ease the restlessness building inside. His hand idly traced the blade across his lap, but his mind was elsewhere. The more he observed this world, the more he realized that his understanding of power was far from complete. In his previous life, he had ruled with knowledge and strategy, manipulating the systems of power to his will. But in this world, the rules were different. The systems were different. And he didn't yet fully grasp how deep those differences ran.
**"I can't do this alone,"** he thought, his eyes narrowing as he considered the vast unknowns that lay ahead. He had once believed that his abilities, combined with his cunning, would be enough to conquer whatever world he found himself in. But this place was unlike anything he had encountered before. Even with the gift of his **[Night Lord]** class, tied intricately to his vampiric bloodline, he felt a nagging uncertainty.
His bloodline was powerful—there was no doubt about that—but it was also enigmatic. It masked his true abilities, distorting the mana around him, concealing his level and potential. That gave him an advantage for now, but Noah understood that power wasn't just about hiding your strength. It was about knowing the extent of it—and knowing how to harness it.
---
The truth gnawed at Noah as he paced the room, the flickering light from the streetlamps outside casting long shadows. His **[Bloodline Suppression]** was a double-edged sword: it kept his true nature hidden, but it also made it difficult to assess his own abilities fully. He couldn't shake the feeling that there were other bloodlines in this world, other powers, other classes that could potentially rival or even surpass his own.
"I need to know what else is out there," Noah muttered under his breath, turning toward the cluttered desk in the corner of his room. He had been digging through old texts, ancient scrolls, and records of academy lore. But the information he had uncovered so far had been… insufficient. Fragmented, incomplete. The details about bloodlines were scarce and often shrouded in mystery, and the records on class evolution were heavily guarded by the institution.
He needed more. He needed to understand how far the system of power truly stretched in this world.
---
Noah knew that the answers he sought wouldn't come easily. To uncover the truth, he would need allies—people who had been here longer, who understood the system from the inside. And that meant finding those who could help him navigate the intricacies of this world. He couldn't rely on his vampiric abilities alone. His **[Night Lord]** class, for all its legendary power, was a tool—but it was a tool tied to his bloodline, and his bloodline was still a mystery.
He needed to find someone who knew more about the hidden aspects of this world. Someone who could shed light on what other classes, powers, and bloodlines might exist, and how to access them.
There was one person who stood out as a possible lead—Professor Liora, a scholar of mana theory and class evolution. She was a peculiar figure, always wrapped in layers of flowing robes and carrying an air of quiet authority. Her lectures were filled with cryptic references to ancient bloodlines, the origins of mana, and the evolution of the classes that shaped the world's power structure.
Noah had always found her to be enigmatic, but now, he saw potential in her knowledge. It would be risky to approach her—he would have to tread carefully—but it was his best chance to uncover the secrets he sought.
---
Later that evening, Noah made his way to Professor Liora's study. The halls were quiet, most of the academy's students having retired for the night. He had learned long ago how to move unnoticed, and tonight was no different. He reached the professor's office without incident, the door slightly ajar, as though waiting for him.
He knocked softly, and a moment later, the professor's voice called from within.
"Enter, Noah."
Noah stepped inside, the dim light from an oil lamp flickering on the professor's desk. She sat in a high-backed chair, her fingers gently tapping the surface of an ancient tome. She looked up, her piercing gaze settling on him with a mix of curiosity and knowing.
**"What brings you here at this hour?"** she asked, her voice calm but sharp.
Noah hesitated for only a moment before speaking. **"I need your help,"** he said, his tone steady but laced with urgency. **"There are things I don't understand about this world—things that I need to know to move forward. Specifically… I need to understand bloodlines. And classes."**
Professor Liora raised an eyebrow, intrigued. **"You seek knowledge of bloodlines, do you?" she mused, closing the book in front of her. "It's not a topic many are willing to discuss openly. But if you are truly interested, I can provide you with some insights. However, know that the path you seek is fraught with danger. The more you uncover, the more you may find yourself exposed to forces you cannot control."
Noah nodded, his expression serious. "I understand. But I must know. I cannot afford to be ignorant of my own limitations."
The professor studied him for a moment longer, her gaze calculating. Finally, she sighed, as if coming to some quiet decision.
"Very well,"she said, standing and moving toward a large cabinet against the wall. She pulled out a thick, leather-bound volume and placed it on the table before him. **"This contains information on bloodlines—some of it old, some of it hidden. There are more bloodlines in this world than you may know. Each one comes with its own gifts, its own curse. The Night Lord class you possess is tied to your bloodline, and while it is powerful, you are far from the only one with such potential."
Noah opened the book, scanning the pages filled with descriptions of various bloodlines. There were references to the **Dragon Bloodline**, the **Phoenix Bloodline**, and even the **Void Bloodline**, each with its own unique abilities. But they were just words on a page. He needed more—more than what was written. He needed to understand how these bloodlines interacted with the classes of the world, and how they could be harnessed.
"Is there a way to know if my bloodline can evolve?" Noah asked, looking up from the book.
Professor Liora's lips curled into a faint smile. "Evolving a bloodline is no small feat. It requires a combination of knowledge, power, and fate. Most bloodlines evolve over generations, and only the most skilled— or the most fortunate—can unlock their full potential. But it is possible."
Noah felt a surge of anticipation. "And the classes? How do they evolve?"
" Classes evolve based on the mana a person channels, their choices, and the trials they face. Some classes are bound to specific bloodlines, while others are independent. But every class has its limits—and those limits can be pushed, with the right knowledge."
Noah leaned back, absorbing the information. His **[Night Lord]** class was tied to his bloodline, but there had to be more. There had to be other powers he could tap into, other bloodlines that would complement his own. He had to grow—grow beyond the limitations of this world's systems.
"Thank you, Professor," Noah said, rising from the chair. "This is just the beginning, then."
Professor Liora nodded, her gaze fixed on him with a hint of something deeper—caution, perhaps, or perhaps respect. "Remember, Noah, the more you uncover, the more you will be tested. Not everyone who seeks power survives the journey."
Noah nodded, his mind already racing with possibilities. **"I'll be ready,"** he said quietly.
---
As Noah left the professor's study, he felt a renewed sense of determination. He had learned more in those few minutes than he had in the weeks since arriving in this world. There were other bloodlines, other classes, other powers. The possibilities were endless.
Now, it was up to him to unlock them.
"The world will bend to my will," Noah thought as he walked down the empty hallway, the weight of the future pressing against his shoulders. "But first, I need to know everything. Only then will I be ready to claim it."
The journey had just begun.