Chapter 12: Blood and Evolution

The underground chamber flickered with the dim glow of rune-infused lanterns. Valerius stood at the center, his golden eyes fixed on Leonidas, who sat cross-legged in the middle of a ritual circle, body still trembling from the previous night's experiment.

The Symbiotic Core Method had taken root—but it was unstable.

Valerius knew this was only the first step.

"How do you feel?" he asked, voice calm, yet laced with curiosity.

Leonidas took a deep breath, flexing his fingers. "Stronger… but something is off." He clenched his fist, and a faint surge of energy pulsed through his veins—thicker and more tangible than pure Knight aura, yet lacking the refined control of a Magus's magic.

Valerius activated his AI Chip-like assistant.

— Subject: Leonidas Darius.— Mutation Detected: Unstable Fusion of Knight Aura & Proto-Magus Energy.— Risk Factor: Medium. Further Refinement Required.

He narrowed his eyes. "Your body is rejecting some of the energy flow. It's trying to adapt, but it isn't natural."

Leonidas smirked. "Natural? Brother, nothing about what we do is natural."

Valerius gave a small chuckle. "Fair point."

Still, the data was invaluable. The fusion was possible—but without refinement, it would eventually lead to instability or death.

The answer lay in bloodline modification.

And for that, Valerius needed more than theory.

The Price of Advancement

His five brothers gathered around the chamber, each of them watching the results of Leonidas's transformation with barely concealed excitement.

"We're on the verge of something great," Tiberius said, his voice thoughtful. "But what's our next move?"

Valerius turned to him, expression unreadable. "We need stronger test subjects."

A heavy silence filled the air.

They all knew what that meant.

The Darius Clan had many members—less talented distant relatives, knights, servants, and even slaves. Some were loyal, others were expendable.

Valerius was ruthless. But he was not wasteful.

"We will not use our loyal people. But there are those within our territory who do not serve the family—criminals, disloyal warriors, captured spies." His voice was cold. "They will be given a purpose."

No one objected.

Strength required sacrifice.

And Valerius was more than willing to provide it.

The Blood of the Strong

Within days, the underground research halls were filled with restrained test subjects—captured enemies, condemned criminals, and traitors who had once betrayed the Darius family.

One by one, Valerius and his AI Chip analyzed their bloodlines, seeking genetic markers that could stabilize the Symbiotic Core.

It was a gruesome process.

Most subjects could not endure the transformation. Their bodies twisted, their internal energy systems collapsing under the strain of forced evolution. Those who failed were disposed of.

But a few survived.

And in them, Valerius saw the first glimpses of true progress.

Refinement & Breakthrough

With each failed experiment, Valerius refined the method.

He spent hours in his Disorganized Library of Knowledge, digging through forgotten tomes on ancient bloodline enhancement, hybrid energy systems, and bio-alchemical modifications.

His Memory Vault allowed him to instantly recall even the smallest of details—every failed experiment, every breakthrough, every equation that needed adjustment.

And finally—after weeks of relentless work—he found the missing piece.

Dragon Vein Baptism.

An ancient ritual once used by a forgotten Magus Clan to strengthen their warriors. It infused the body with draconic vitality, stabilizing the flow of both internal and external energy.

It was exactly what he needed.

The Second Trial – Leonidas Ascends

Valerius stood before Leonidas once again.

"This time," he said, "it will work."

His brother simply grinned. "Then let's begin."

The chamber hummed with energy as Valerius activated the modified ritual. A red-gold liquid, extracted from rare draconic creatures, was poured over Leonidas's body.

His AI Chip-like assistant immediately responded.

— Commencing Symbiotic Core Integration with Draconic Bloodline Stabilization…— Adaptation Probability: 72% (Significant Improvement).— Risks: Organ Rejection, Overload Failure, Mutation Instability.

Leonidas gritted his teeth as raw power flooded his body. His veins pulsed with golden energy, his muscles tightened, and his very soul seemed to vibrate as the transformation took hold.

Then—

A roar erupted from his chest.

The stone floor cracked beneath him as his aura surged. The unstable fusion was gone—replaced by something stronger, more refined.

His aura was no longer just that of a Knight or a Magus.

It was something new.

A fusion that should have been impossible.

The Dawn of a New Bloodline

Valerius exhaled, a rare smirk gracing his lips. It worked.

His AI Chip confirmed the results:

— Subject: Leonidas Darius (Enhanced).— Bloodline Status: Hybrid Evolution Complete.— Power Classification: Magus-Knight Prototype (Stage 1).

Leonidas stood, energy radiating from his body, his golden eyes burning with newfound strength.

He flexed his fingers and a crimson energy blade formed in his palm—pure willpower shaped into lethal reality.

Tiberius, Cyrus, and the other brothers watched in awe.

Leonidas turned to Valerius, his voice filled with something close to reverence.

"Brother," he said. "You have done the impossible."

Valerius merely nodded. "This is only the beginning."

The Darius Clan would no longer be known as a fallen noble house.

They were evolving.

And soon, the world would fear their name.