Ch.76Chapter 76: Lilith.

I knew from Arias that spirits could evolve, but I never expected it to happen so rapidly.

In reality, spirits grow by slowly converting their contractor’s magical power into spirit power and absorbing it.

Katarina Swiver, the professor of spirit studies at the Academy, is also a 7th circle mage.

That’s why she was able to raise spirits up to the advanced level.

However, Valt is only at the 2nd circle.

Normally, one needs to be at least 3rd circle to raise a spirit to intermediate level, but Valt didn’t follow that rule.

“Hmm… this really drains my stamina.”

It definitely consumes more stamina than handling rocks or using physical magic.

Valt’s trait “Friend of Powerful Spirits” allows his physical power to be easily converted into spirit power.

But the Iron Spear created by Noise, an intermediate spirit, seems to drain his stamina even more.

However,

Valt grabs the Iron Spear formed before him and throws it into the middle of the ravine.

Thwack!

BOOM!!

The power is incomparable to throwing rocks.

The destructive force justifies the stamina consumption.

If a Stone Spear has the power of a 5th circle spell, this Iron Spear has the power of at least a 6th circle spell.

‘Huh? Come to think of it?’

He thought of something else to test.

His signature technique: the Earth Blood Magic Gauntlet.

Drrrr-

His friends are amazed to see Valt encased in smooth metal.

Robin and Victor even felt some inexplicable emotion.

But covering Valt’s entire large body with metal quickly brings fatigue. At this level, it would be difficult to maintain for long.

Eventually, Valt uses a method of creating a stone gauntlet, covering it with blood magic, and then coating it with metal.

‘Hmm… this should be quite…’

Even though it was just a metal coating, it significantly increased the durability.

The maintenance time will improve as he gets stronger. For now, he can feel how tremendously his combat power has increased.

At this level, he was confident he wouldn’t be easily injured even fighting against a master of the 8th floor.

As time passes, if he invests more metal into the blood magic gauntlet, its strength will increase even further.

And according to Noise, as his rank increases, he’ll be able to control even stronger metals.

‘Impressive. The applications have become incredibly diverse.’

After checking all the changes that occurred when Noum evolved into Noise, Valt swept through the monsters in the ravine area like he had wings, quickly completing the quest given by Lester Castle.

***

Late evening.

King Bladir discovered several decent caves, and the vampires began developing them.

Vampires are clearly a civilization-building race. They wouldn’t just live in caves like homeless people.

Naturally, there were technicians among the vampires, and under their leadership, the caves were being developed.

Building houses, creating streets, and expanding the caves would be the main tasks.

Ramrpo was obviously in charge of supplying materials and food.

Since the distance from here to Gerungtu’s land isn’t too far, trading shouldn’t be much of a burden.

Kwan had already offered to help build a road from Gerungtu to here for trading with the vampires.

At the gathering of Valt and his companions,

King Bladir and Lilith are naturally present.

King Bladir speaks with a pleased voice.

“This place is better than I expected, Valt.”

The deep ravine provided many shaded areas, and the caves were perfect for vampires to live in.

Dark and humid, just the way vampires like it.

“I’m glad you’re pleased.”

“Yes, I can finally breathe easier now.”

There was anxiety that the mysterious forces might attack the vampires again, but no matter how veiled they were, they couldn’t deceive everyone in Gerungtu’s land and bring such a large army.

Moreover, Franz’s mirror was here, so it would be difficult for them to come.

And King Bladir is in peak condition now.

Valt’s blood was good, but Kwan’s blood contained tremendous life energy that could be called the source of vitality.

Thanks to that, King Bladir’s hair still maintains its silver color.

Of course, he awakened with the help of another race, but the awakened King Bladir would be incredibly powerful.

Unless someone was a 9th rank powerhouse, they probably couldn’t touch him.

While chatting over dinner, King Bladir suddenly asks Lilith:

“What do you want to do?”

Surprised by the sudden question, Lilith looks at King Bladir with wide eyes.

“Pardon?”

“This seems like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for you. Would you like to follow Valt?”

Lilith makes a puzzled face at the unexpected suggestion.

“Follow Lord Valt? But it’s impossible for me to enter the Academy…”

“I’ve spoken with Kwan about it. It seems Kwan can request that much from the Emperor. Besides, doesn’t the Emperor favor friendly relations between different races? I think it wouldn’t be difficult for you to enter the Academy.”

With King Bladir’s encouragement, Lisa and Yuria, who had become close to Lilith, also urge her.

“Let’s go, Lilith! This is great!”

Only Lati and Arias remained silent.

It was obvious that if Lilith came to the Academy, she would stick close to Valt.

But they couldn’t show their displeasure.

Lati and Arias knew that Lilith had been carrying a heavy burden.

They did think it would be nice if Lilith could come to the Academy and enjoy herself.

“But… with everyone going through such difficult times, for me alone to go to the Academy…”

King Bladir grins at Lilith’s words.

“That’s precisely why you should go. The news of our alliance with Gerungtu will soon spread across the continent. For us to integrate into human society, we need your efforts. It’s an opportunity to show that vampires aren’t dangerous. What do you say, Lilith? Can you do it?”

It’s a reasonable argument.

In fact, Kwan has been sending kind-hearted and gentle Gerungtu people everywhere to improve their image.

Although the militant elders didn’t understand Kwan’s strategy, they dismissed it as a way to make enemies let their guard down before delivering a big blow later.

King Bladir’s aim is similar.

He believed that if Lilith went to the Academy and created a positive image, vampires could become a race that roams the world freely instead of living in isolation.

Lilith was the most suitable person to take that first step.

“Yeah! Lilith! The Academy will be fun!”

As Lisa grins and encourages Lilith, Lilith looks at Valt’s face.

“Yes, it will be a good experience. Whether vampires can roam the world will depend on your actions, Lilith.”

In truth, Lilith wanted to go to the Academy. But she felt it lacked justification for her to attend while her race was in such a situation.

As a princess, she naturally felt her duty was to protect and develop her race.

But with King Bladir’s explanation, the justification was sufficient. Not going for fun, but on a mission to improve the image of vampires.

King Bladir calculated that such an order would be enough to move the strict Lilith.

Lilith answers King Bladir with an excited face.

“If, if that is your order…”

“Hahaha, what order? When have you ever listened to me well?”

Being strict and obeying her father are clearly different things.

“A-ahem! But your words make sense, Father. I will take the lead in improving the perception of vampires.”

King Bladir grins and then looks at Valt.

“Please take care of my daughter, Prince Valt.”

“Don’t worry, Your Majesty.”

They’ve already formed an alliance. From Bladir’s perspective, maintaining a relationship with Valt’s family is wise.

It would be even better if he were the first prince who would succeed Kwan, but King Bladir liked Valt.

It seems Lilith also likes Valt.

Lilith doesn’t seem to understand her own feelings due to her lack of interest in men, but in King Bladir’s eyes, his daughter’s unprecedented behavior was clearly affection.

Of course, it seems she’ll have to compete with the elven princess managing her expression next to her.

“Then it’s decided. Lilith will transfer to Grovint Academy in the Empire with the purpose of improving the perception of vampires. Understood?”

“Yes, Father.”

At that moment.

Ding!

A system notification rings in Valt’s head, informing him that the long vampire-related quest has been completed.