Ch.65Chapter 65: Vampire (21).

“What’s that method?”

In response to Valt’s question, Liris begins to answer.

“Obviously, it’s difficult to learn blood magic right away. But as you said, if it’s just about converting life energy into magical power, there is a possible way.”

With their current strength, it’s impossible for Valt’s group to face all the enemies below.

Whatever happens, they need to increase their firepower first.

“But… Valt might not be willing to…”

“Just tell me.”

At Valt’s urging, Liris finally opens her mouth.

“Blood magic is exclusive to vampires. There are some humans who try to imitate it, but… the efficiency is poor. From the beginning, they don’t possess the ability to convert life energy into magical power.”

“Then you’re saying we can’t use it?”

At Lati’s words, Liris shakes her head.

“There is a way, though temporary. Do you remember what happened in the village?”

Liris is referring to when she formed a master-servant contract.

Everyone who realizes this looks surprised.

“What? Are you saying you’ll form a subordinate contract with Valt now?”

A flustered Liris frantically waves her hands.

“N-No!! Of course not! Vampires have another contract besides the subordinate contract.”

“What kind of contract?”

Liris’s face turns so red that a blush is visible even on her pale skin.

“W-Well… it’s called a soul contract…”

Only Lati, who is deeply versed in magic, looks surprised at Liris’s words.

“W-Wait a minute? Isn’t that the ceremonial contract vampires use when they get married!?”

Even Yuria, who had been listening without much thought, gapes in shock.

“What?! How dare you try to cut in line!?”

Their voices rise slightly, creating a situation where they might be discovered.

Valt quiets his companions first.

“Be quiet. We’ll be discovered. Explain in detail, Liris.”

Still red-faced, Liris stammers.

“W-Well. As Lati said, it is a ceremonial contract, b-but…”

Lati knows that Arias likes Valt. How could she not know when it’s so obvious?

As his first friend, Lati has a duty to protect Valt.

“Does that contract make you a married couple? And can it be canceled later?”

Liris is extremely flustered.

“M-Married couple?! I-It’s just to sense each other’s existence and share power. It evolved into a ceremonial contract, but it doesn’t necessarily make you a married couple!!”

Yuria growls at those words.

“Then what about cancellation?”

“O-Of course it’s possible! It would require a significant price, but with a sacred object like the blood tears of a Strigoi, the contract could be terminated without cost.”

Everyone nods at Liris’s explanation.

Then Valt asks Liris again.

“So if we make this contract, I’ll be able to convert life energy into magical power?”

“Y-Yes, that’s highly likely. We can modify the contract conditions. I’ll transfer part of my power to you.”

“Any side effects?”

“There are no significant side effects. In fact, vampires and humans sometimes marry using this method. You won’t turn into one of our kind. Rather, the side effects are on the vampire’s side. Since I’m sharing part of my power, I’ll become weaker.”

After thinking briefly, Valt decides to make the contract with Liris.

“Let’s do it.”

There’s no other option.

Right now, just having this method is something to be grateful for.

Lati and Yuria respect Valt’s decision, knowing that the contract can be dissolved later.

“Let’s start quickly. How do we do it?”

Liris, still blushing, explains the method.

“S-Since I’ve already drunk your blood, you need to drink a little of mine…”

Saying this, Liris prepares to make a wound on her arm.

“Give it here.”

Drip-

Liris’s blood falls into Valt’s mouth, and rather than the expected metallic taste, he experiences an incredibly sweet flavor.

‘Hmm? Interesting. The blood is sweet.’

“N-Now I’ll begin. Valt, your hands please…”

Holding Valt’s thick hands firmly, Liris starts muttering an incantation in an unknown language.

Woong-

A blood-red energy extends from Liris and begins to seep into Valt, while a similar energy emanates from Valt and transfers to Liris.

‘Huh… fascinating.’

If they were outside, Valt’s group would have been discovered already due to the energy flow, but fortunately, they’re in a place where the sacred object sleeps, and the barrier prevents detection.

Thus, the energies of Valt and Liris are exchanged.

After a moment, Liris sighs and says:

“It’s done. From now on, Valt and I will live together for a hundred years…”

Lati and Yuria’s eyes blaze with anger at Liris’s words.

“A hundred years together? That’s not funny at all.”

A startled Liris blinks rapidly.

“Ah, no! That’s not it! I’ve just officiated many wedding ceremonies! I-I misspoke!”

But Lati and Yuria’s suspicious eyes don’t leave Liris.

“Suspicious…”

“Agreed…”

Under their gaze, Liris hurriedly addresses Valt.

“V-Valt! How do you feel? Do you sense anything?”

Valt opens and closes his hands, checking if anything has changed within his body.

“Hmm… I don’t feel much different… except that I can strongly sense Liris’s presence.”

Glare!

As Lati and Yuria glare at Liris again, she hastily explains.

“T-That’s unavoidable for contract partners. If you’re having trouble sensing life energy, may I help you a bit?”

“Please do.”

Woong-

The source of blood magic: converting life energy into magical power.

Naturally, this starts with sensing life energy first.

Closing his eyes briefly and feeling the energy Liris guides him to, Valt quickly becomes aware of the life energy inherent in his body.

The enormous life energy contained in a Geruntu’s body.

Once sensed, the life energy flaunts its overwhelming presence to Valt.

‘This is…!’

It’s different from muscular strength. But he understands how it works.

Valt realizes that this life energy extends throughout the Geruntu body.

“Incredible…”

Liris, connected to Valt, is equally astonished. Even she has never seen such pure and massive life energy before.

“What is this…”

Even Liris, who has lived a long life, has never seen such absurd energy.

No race—human, beastkin, elf, or any other—could match the life energy of a Geruntu.

Valt acknowledges this too.

With this much life energy, it seems almost natural that Geruntu have restrictions on using magic.

If there were a proper way to utilize life energy in battle, it would be enough to change the rulers of the continent.

Smiling, Valt asks Liris for the next step.

“What’s next? How do I convert this energy into magical power?”

“Please observe what’s inside me carefully.”

Valt can clearly sense what’s happening inside Liris’s body. The flow of life energy, and its conversion. Watching as Liris slowly creates a blood-red sword, Valt immediately realizes that this is related to willpower.

But there’s a problem.

‘I need a circle. My first-level circle… huh?’

When Valt examines himself internally, he finds that his circle has expanded to the second level. It seems to be influenced by Liris’s blood magic.

Valt had already demonstrated formidable power with just one circle.

Two circles will naturally lead him to an even higher realm.

‘Alright, let’s try.’

Woong-

As Valt’s life energy converts into magical power through the circle, his magical power begins to amplify.

Lati and Yuria are frustrated.

Something is clearly happening, but in this space, they can’t sense anyone else’s magical power.

Only Liris, who has formed the soul contract, can see how much magical power Valt is wielding.

“T-This can’t be.”

Valt already understands that when life energy converts to magical power, it doesn’t diminish like physical force but rather amplifies.

The output is incomparable to converting physical force into magical power, and Liris starts to restrain Valt.

“V-Valt! If you increase the output any further!!”

At Liris’s warning, Valt begins to rein in his power.

He realizes he shouldn’t use all his energy here.

“Huff, huff. This is tough.”

Valt, who rarely gets tired, is panting.

Lati and Yuria are surprised at the sight.

“Is it that difficult?”

“Yes, it’s natural to feel exhausted when converting life energy needed for bodily movement into magical power.”

Valt’s guess was correct. Using life energy has such side effects.

However, vampires can replenish it with blood, which is why they use this magic system.

“Originally, no one but vampires can use this magic for long. That’s the nature of it.”

Magic based on racial characteristics—that’s the essence of blood magic.

But is it impossible for Geruntu to learn it? Probably not. There are methods like the contract between Liris and Valt.

Having one more option is good for both Valt and the Geruntu.

“This wasn’t fruitless. How much time do we have left?”

Valt is asking about the enemies’ movements. The group, watching from a distance, realizes that the confrontation is not far off.

“Probably in about 30 minutes, we can go outside.”

“Let’s make all preparations by then. First, we need to recover our strength.”

They’ve succeeded in increasing their firepower. Now all that remains is to face the challenge ahead.