Ch.18Tower War (3)

“Wow~ We’re going out!!”

Irina jumped up and down with an excited expression.

“It’s been a while since we’ve been outside.”

I smiled gently while shielding my eyes from the sunlight with my hand.

It must be getting close to summer, the sunlight is so bright…

Unlike the old days when I would take direct damage and crumble under the sun, now I could stand in sunlight without any problems.

Even with the intense summer sunlight.

This kind of sunlight would have been so painful in the past that I wouldn’t have wanted to go outside.

I glanced around at our surroundings.

The street, paved with white board blocks, welcomed us.

I’d heard that areas with Magic Towers were quite developed, but whenever I see this place, I wonder if this really is a fantasy world.

How should I put it… If it were a world where only science had advanced, I might understand, but the urban landscape of a world where both magic and science have developed together feels extremely unfamiliar.

It’s amazing how adding just one more element makes everything so different.

‘Even though I had no intention of coming out for a month… maybe I should have sneaked out to look around a bit.’

The last time I went outside was for the inauguration ceremony, which means I hadn’t stepped outside even once for a whole month since that day.

Being cooped up in the Magic Tower for an entire month, it’s no wonder everything looks unfamiliar.

On the surface, it feels like looking at a city from hundreds of years in the future compared to the modern world, making my heart pound.

However… there was one ridiculous thing about this scenery.

“To think this is considered poor…”

Since we’re near the Magic Tower, it wasn’t completely undeveloped. The neatly organized streets were filled with people walking about, and floating stones hovered in the sky, serving as elevators and bridges.

From the outside, it looks like it cost an enormous amount of money to build, yet the Magic Tower that created all this is facing a financial crisis.

I actually knew it was poor from the beginning.

Of course I did—they were always talking about not having money, so it would be stranger if I didn’t know.

However, until now, I just thought they were a non-mainstream, unpopular Magic Tower that was relatively short on funds. I didn’t realize it was such a massive crisis that the tower might collapse.

‘The Teleport Station and the Airship… it makes sense to cut costs on things that aren’t used regularly.’

It takes a lot of money to feed the thousands of mages living in the Magic Tower.

The magic stones required for the tower itself must cost a significant amount as well.

So the first resource we need to target is money.

‘Going to the Aether Tower first was definitely the right decision.’

I’ve heard that providing basic support to Magic Towers is the role of the Aether Tower.

They say the funding has been greatly reduced due to poor performance.

To increase this funding, going to the Aether Tower is the priority.

“But how do we get there?”

While walking down the street and taking in the scenery, Irina suddenly asked me as if she’d just thought of it.

I grinned in response.

Back when I was a max-level high vampire, I could fly at tremendous speeds, but I wonder how much faster I’ve become now that I’m a True Ancestor.

“Come here.”

At my words, Irina came into my arms with a bright smile. I embraced her and used Blood Claw Art to draw blood from my body, spreading it behind my back.

“Eek?!”

Irina cried out in surprise as the blood emerged and transformed into wing-shaped formations.

Why is she surprised by something so simple?

“We’ll fly with these, so watch carefully. You might even be able to copy it someday.”

“I-I don’t think I can copy that…”

Despite her words, Irina couldn’t contain her curiosity and reached out to touch my wings.

She seemed fascinated by how intricately they were formed into wings, but soon her expression turned somewhat disappointed, and she fell into thought.

“Is there a problem?”

I thought she would just be happy about it.

“Umm… hmm…”

Though I developed it, this technique requires extremely precise Blood Claw Art.

When I first created it, just forming the shape was difficult enough.

Now I can make them effortlessly, but back then, without the help of a system, it was a technique born purely from my own efforts.

Does she not appreciate the charm of these wings…!!

‘How disappointing…’

This is what’s wrong with kids these days.

Whether it’s Blood Claw Art or Blood Magic, style is just as important as efficiency.

In battle, style is very important as long as it doesn’t get in the way.

Simply moving blood around without any proper technique would be such a waste.

That’s why I paid so much attention to the design.

I wanted to create Blood Claw Art that was both efficient and beautiful.

By spreading wide, beautiful bat-shaped wings, I maximized the output.

For vampires, who are modeled after bats, wings are essential!

I thought someone who chose to learn Blood Magic would understand this, but apparently I was mistaken.

I was about to open my mouth with a genuinely disappointed expression, but…

“It’s just… the wings are super cool… and pretty… I really like them. I think they suit you really well, sister.”

“…What?”

Oh.

So it wasn’t about the wings.

I almost…

I almost felt bad thinking she found my carefully crafted wings ugly, but thankfully that wasn’t it.

Rather…

‘Huh…’

Children tend to be honest and straightforward, so hearing her say they’re super cool, pretty, and nice really hit me.

*flap flap*

“Ah, they’re moving! So cool~!”

Oops, I unconsciously moved my wings out of happiness.

Regardless, Irina was simply fascinated by the moving wings, giggling and touching them.

I cleared my throat, trying to hide my pleased feelings, and spoke.

“Yes… so what’s the problem?”

“Ah… well… I was wondering if we can really fly with these…”

Oh.

So that was the issue.

“I’m not doubting you! I was just… curious.”

“Well, experiencing it firsthand will help you practice…”

This isn’t flying using aerodynamic lift but rather an extreme application of Blood Claw Art, so it’s not an impossible technique if you practice Blood Magic diligently.

Though it would be incredibly difficult, of course.

“W-wow?!”

I used Blood Claw Art to gently lift Irina and soared into the sky.

“Well… since we need to fly to the Aether Tower now, I’ll just give you a little taste.”

I’ve known the exact direction from the map for a while now.

“I’ll fly at maximum speed.”

I need to get back to my room quickly to check the forum.

After gathering magical power in my wings…

‘Release all at once.’

Boom!

With a tremendous sound of air bursting, my body shot upward instantly.

“Are you uncomfortable?”

“Huh? I’m fine!”

Irina answered with a bright smile.

The fact that I could hear her voice clearly meant I had executed the technique well despite not using it for a long time.

Having risen high into the sky, I shot forward in the direction I had seen on the map earlier.

Using Blood Claw Art, I was blocking all the recoil and air resistance affecting Irina’s body, so the ride should be comfortable.

“Wooow!”

Irina looked amazed as she gazed down at the city landscape passing by in an instant.

Hmm, seeing her enjoy it so much makes me feel good too…

“Huh?”

What are those things?

I deliberately flew high to avoid any obstacles.

Even though we’re quite far apart, I’m a True Ancestor with pure vampire bloodline.

In this clear sky with good visibility, spotting objects as large as airships is no challenge at all, even from a distance.

When I saw numerous small airships and the massive airship that dwarfed them flying around, I was stunned.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Wheeee!

Unable to control my speed as I easily broke the hypersonic barrier, I passed by a small airship before I could even stop.

The airship caught in my sonic boom shook violently.

‘Oh crap.’

Fortunately, the airship caught in the sonic boom didn’t crash, but there were so many airships flying in the sky.

I haven’t measured my speed since becoming a True Ancestor, but an unidentified flying object breaking through the sky at a speed that easily surpasses hypersonic airships…?

‘This is going to cause another uproar in the community…’

It would be fortunate if I was moving too fast to be identified.

If not, who knows what might happen…

I’m already looking forward to—no, dreading it.

Anyway…

‘I need to hurry…’

I should get to the Aether Tower quickly, finish my business, return, and check the forum.