The call of blood
### **Chapter 6 – The Call of Blood**
During the rest of the trip, Khan sulked after Carl's words. Yet, he knew they were true. There was nothing he could do about it. For the first time, doubts began to creep into his mind.
— *We have arrived at your dormitory,* Ivy announced. *I won't linger; your roommates will take over.*
With a slight creak, the door opened, revealing a spacious room with a simple layout. A few well-placed beds, massive wardrobes, and a large window overlooking Velmora's inner courtyard.
Carl entered first, followed by a silent Khan, still conflicted with his own thoughts. Ivy left them alone for the night.
— **Hey, newcomers.**
A deep voice broke the silence.
In the corner of the room, sitting cross-legged on a bed, a wolf with an imposing presence observed them. His snow-white hair contrasted with his golden eyes, which glowed faintly in the dim light. He exuded raw strength, but no hostility.
— **Dante Kendrick,** he introduced himself as he stood up.
His muscles rippled under his skin as he straightened, his natural confidence betraying his noble lineage. Yet, he didn't seem like the type to rely solely on his status.
Carl observed him briefly before responding:
— **Carl Joeblack.**
Dante raised an eyebrow, then smirked.
— **Ah, you.**
He chuckled lightly, without malice.
— **Half the campus is talking about you; we were bound to meet.**
A movement caught Carl's attention. A slender, agile figure emerged from the shadows, leaning against the wall, arms crossed. A playful smirk, an obvious playboy charm.
— **Ravyn Nocturys.**
His sharp gaze scanned Carl with open interest.
— **You look less grim than I expected, Carl Joeblack.**
Carl smirked.
— **And you talk more than I imagined.**
Dante burst out laughing, breaking the budding tension.
— **I have a feeling we're not going to be bored.**
Khan, who had been silent until now, settled onto his bed, watching without joining the conversation.
— **And you, not very talkative, huh?** Dante said.
Carl laughed.
— **Oh, him? He's a real chatterbox. He's just pouting.**
Annoyed, Khan grabbed a pillow and threw it at Carl, making him laugh even more.
— **I was about to head out to meet some girls,** Ravyn declared, a mischievous glint in his eyes. **You coming?**
Dante shook his head, amused.
— **Stephanie is more than enough for me.**
Ravyn sighed, exasperated.
— **Oh, the lovers…**
Then he turned to the others.
— **I hope you two are more open-minded about this.**
— **I'm single, so I'm in,** Khan said.
— **Very open-minded,** Carl replied with a grin. **But I'll pass.**
Ravyn shrugged, grabbed Khan by the shoulder, and said:
— **Let's have some fun.**
They left the room.
Dante chuckled.
— **Let me introduce you to Velmora's playboy.**
Time passed, and despite their recent meeting, a natural camaraderie formed between them.
---
### **The Next Day – The Call of Blood**
Velmora's amphitheater buzzed with activity. Excited students, veteran observers, and influential figures of the institute had gathered to witness the ancient ritual.
Every newcomer had to undergo **The Call of Blood**, a ritual established since the institute's founding.
— **Good luck,** Dante said to his new friends before heading to the stands with Ravyn.
A grand magical altar stood at the center of the amphitheater. A black sphere, engraved with ancient runes, floated above the mechanism.
The recruits came forward one by one, making a small cut on their hand to let a few drops of blood fall. Most triggered a **white glow**, a sign of smooth acceptance. Others, without validation, were sent for further testing. The most talented or dangerous ones made the sphere glow in a **different color**, depending on their nature.
When Khan placed his hand on the sphere, a **bright white light** illuminated the arena.
— **Validated,** one of the examiners declared.
Then came Carl's turn.
Whispers spread through the crowd.
— **That's him, the one who directly reached the twentieth rank.**
— **So, he's the predator everyone is talking about…**
The gazes of the high-ranking members turned toward him.
When Carl touched the sphere, the air vibrated. A **deep black glow** erupted, radiating an intimidating pressure.
The examiner instinctively stepped back.
— **What… is this?**
A heavy silence fell.
Kael Bloodfang, watching from the **Stars'** platform, smiled, excited.
— **I knew it, this guy is like us…**
The former Magnus narrowed his eyes. He turned toward the Stars' platform.
— **Lysandre, go ahead,** ordered Nymeria Moonveil.
— **I was waiting for this,** Lysandre replied with a grin.
He jumped from the platform, landing in front of Carl with arrogant confidence.
— **Hello, Carl Joeblack. I'm Lysandre Dawnfang, your beta.**
Carl remained impassive.
— **I heard yesterday that my dorm is under Nymeria Moonveil's governance.**
Lysandre cut him off sharply.
— **For you, it's *Miss* Moonveil.**
Carl smirked. He had just had a vision of the future.
Lysandre continued, unfazed.
— **According to our rules, you owe respect to our Alpha. But from what I see, you're a monster, a predator. So, prove to me that you can stand at the top.**
— **A challenge?** Carl chuckled. **Go ahead, entertain me.**
The tension rose instantly.
In a flash, Lysandre disappeared.
An invisible blade grazed Carl's cheek, leaving a thin cut. A **slash of astral energy**, slicing through the air without sound.
Carl slowly turned his head, meeting Lysandre's gaze as he reappeared behind him.
— **Not bad.**
Lysandre grinned and vanished again.
He reappeared in multiple spots at once, launching slashes that shattered the ground. Shadows danced, creating mirages of himself in the arena.
— **He deserves his title of Shadow Dancer,** a student murmured.
Carl dodged every attack, moving too fast to be seen.
But suddenly, an opening.
An astral claw touched his chest, tearing his shirt and leaving a **white mark**.
Lysandre frowned.
— *How tough is his skin?*
Carl glanced down at the mark and smirked.
— **Interesting…**
A shiver ran down Lysandre's spine.
Lysandre stepped back slightly, adrenaline surging through his veins. He had never felt such pressure before. Far from being discouraged, his eyes gleamed with barely contained excitement.
— **Finally… a real challenge.**
Carl, however, remained eerily calm. He exuded a terrifying nonchalance, as if this was nothing more than minor entertainment for him.
— **You're fast, I'll give you that,** he said, brushing a finger over the faint mark on his chest. **But you're not playing in the big leagues yet.**
Lysandre's instincts screamed. His wolf blood boiled, every fiber of his being told him not to underestimate this man. But his pride screamed louder.
— **We'll see about that!**
He disappeared again, a storm of shadows and astral light. His claws slashed through the air in a deadly dance, striking from all angles at a dizzying speed.
But this time, Carl didn't just dodge.
A shockwave burst through the air as his hand shot forward.
— **Too slow.**
In a split second, he grabbed Lysandre's wrist mid-strike, stopping him cold. A crushing force poured into the space around them. The atmosphere trembled under the impact, raw power threatening to shatter the ground beneath their feet. Then, he struck Lysandre's abdomen.
A stunned silence fell over the amphitheater.
— **Impossible…**
The murmurs spread. Even the **Stars** watched with renewed interest.
Lysandre collapsed, clutching his head in agony.
— *I… admit defeat,* he groaned, the pain unbearable.
Carl halted his psychic assault.
Everyone was in shock. A member of the Moonveil pack had just fallen to a newcomer?
From her platform, Nymeria watched with a mysterious smile.
— **You're truly interesting, Carl Joeblack.**
Kael Bloodfang laughed.
— **I told you he was worth watching!**
Lysandre slowly stood, then extended a hand.
— **I don't like you, but…** he smirked, **I respect you.**
Carl shook his hand, amused.
— **Progress.**
The tension eased, but one fact was now clear to all:
Carl Joeblack wasn't just another newcomer.
He was a **predator.**