Chapter 16: The Baptism of Flesh and Soul

The sun had barely risen, casting a blood-red hue over the smoldering ruins of House Grimlow. The survivors stood in the ruined courtyard—fifty warriors and seven Magi—faces filled with exhaustion, fear, and uncertainty.

Valerius stood before them, his hands clasped behind his back, expression unreadable.

"You have all made your choice," he said, his voice smooth yet carrying a weight that settled heavily on the survivors. "You will either ascend… or you will perish."

Leonidas smirked from the side. "I suggest you brace yourselves. This won't be pleasant."

For a long moment, no one moved.

Then, the first to kneel was Aldric, a seasoned knight. His face was pale, but his voice was firm. "I swear my loyalty to the Darius Clan. I will walk this path, no matter the cost."

One by one, the others followed.

The First Ritual Begins

Deep within the Darius estate, in the heart of their underground chambers, Valerius had prepared a ritual chamber specifically for this moment. The air was thick with an oppressive aura of magic, the walls covered in intricate runes glowing with ancient power.

At the center of the chamber lay the Blood Cores—gleaming orbs of extracted essence from the fallen. Each pulsed with raw energy, the remnants of both knights and Magi.

Valerius gestured, and the first candidate stepped forward.

Aldric.

"Strip to the waist," Valerius instructed.

Aldric obeyed, revealing his scarred torso.

Valerius placed his hand over the knight's chest. A low hum filled the air as threads of dark blue energy slithered from his fingertips, forming a complex rune over Aldric's heart.

— Initiating fusion process…— Balancing life force and magical energy…— Stabilization probability: 64.5%

"Drink," Valerius commanded, handing Aldric a chalice filled with the refined Blood Core essence.

Aldric hesitated for only a second before downing the liquid.

For a moment, nothing happened.

Then—

His body convulsed.

Veins darkened beneath his skin, glowing with an eerie light. His muscles twitched and expanded, bones shifting as if reforging themselves. A deep, guttural scream tore from his throat as his very essence was restructured.

Leonidas watched with a fascinated grin. "Will he survive?"

Valerius remained silent.

The chamber trembled as Aldric collapsed onto his knees, his breathing ragged. For a long, tense moment, there was only silence.

Then—

Aldric stood.

His eyes blazed with a new light—a fusion of knightly strength and magical power. His aura was stronger, sharper, deadlier.

A Magus-Knight.

"It worked," Valerius murmured, a rare glint of satisfaction in his eyes.

But this was only the beginning.