“So, so. The last dragon who barely survived the Great War created a secret organization, and Yandel is the last heir and the master of all arrangements?”
“Exactly.”
“Whether it’s good or bad luck, it wasn’t by chance that he interfered with the cult’s plan; he knew everything and stopped it?”
“Hmm. It seems he made predictions close to foresight based on the information he gathered. With the dragon’s intelligence and magic, it’s quite possible.”
“And he inherited the dragon’s fortune, so he has a lot of money?”
“Just in case you’re thinking of taking money from a little kid…”
“No, no! I have a lot of money, too! And it’s too much to call it pocket money! But seriously, thinking of your master as a kid?!”
“Compared to you and me, isn’t he young?”
Iona kept being startled by Iris’s every word. It was understandable. I was also surprised…
What on earth was happening in Iris’s mind to make such plausible connections?
“Anyway, now that we know the situation, it makes sense. So, Yandel’s ultimate goal is to prevent the descent of the Evil God?”
“More precisely, it’s to prevent the world’s destruction.”
“Or to become the second hero?”
“That makes it sound too grand… I just want to live happily and enjoy my life.”
“That’s a difficult goal in itself!”
Iona chuckled and nodded.
“Um… Professor Iona, do you believe everything? Even I think it’s a bit unbelievable.”
“Well, well. It’s strange for a freshman who only knew Wind Cutter to become an intermediate magician in a few months.”
“Oh.”
In H&A, the player would quickly grow to a genius level befitting the protagonist.
But now, I was growing at more than twice the speed compared to the game.
Iona herself was someone who was considered a genius, so it wouldn’t have made sense to believe that rapid growth was possible based solely on talent.
So, rather, it was understandable to believe in even nonsensical stories.
..Perhaps Iris was adding consistency to my clumsy lies, making them believable.
As I awkwardly scratched the back of my head, Iona patted my shoulder reassuringly.
“Don’t worry. Just as you helped me, Professor Iona will also help you! How about it? Doesn’t it make you feel secure, see me as beautiful, and want to kiss me…?”
“Haah…”
I gave a light kiss to Iona, who was blatantly licking her lips.
Smooch.
Of course, I also gave a kiss to Iris, who looked a bit pouty, and to the other women watching from afar.
Whether it was because we had just finished eating or for another reason, the women looked satisfied, and Iona raised her hand.
“Hey, hey! Yandel is learning various things from people around him, like Carla’s mana breathing technique and Iris’s element combination.”
“Well… yeah?”
I was also receiving help from Elisha for chant shortening and various special potions from Faye.
I was getting a lot of help.
“You’re learning about combat techniques from me, too.”
“Yeah, but that’s just regular Academy classes, right? I also want to teach something a bit special to Yandel like everyone else. How about it? Any ideas?”
“Something special? Your specialty is blood magic. It’d be hard for me to learn…”
Blood magic involves manipulating blood itself or using it as fuel to enhance other spells.
It was either manipulating blood like a vampire, or having to drink a recovery potion after every spell, and collapsing in shock from casting powerful magic.
But Iona shook her head when she heard my hesitation.
“Yes, it’s blood magic, but I believe you can handle it now.”
“Me?”
“Yes, yes. You’re receiving a strong blessing from the Church of Righteous Radiance, right? I also receive a blessing from the same god, though it’s weaker and different in nature, so I understand well!”
“Oh…?”
A vampire who signed the treaty on the side of humanity could walk under the sun in return.
The principle was simple. It was because the Church of Righteous Radiance, also known as the Sun God, bestows a blessing upon vampires.
Unlike the power given to me, it was simply a mark indicating, “Don’t shoot, they’re an ally.” But still, a blessing is a blessing.
Just as Helena recognized the blessing within me, Iona must have sensed its existence vaguely as well.
“The blessing of the Church of Righteous Radiance prevents fatigue under the sun! Is that true?”
“Rather than not getting tired, it significantly boosts regeneration. Additionally, all light attribute attacks are enhanced.”
“Of course, of course! That’s how it works! If blood magic is used for physical enhancement, it consumes blood slowly instead of in bursts, right? With that, Yandel should be able to use it without burden. If needed, you can cover it with continuous recovery potions!”
“That seems possible. Hold on a moment.”
I took out the glowing lion dagger from my inventory.
Perhaps I had been too fixated on the stereotype that magicians were fragile.
My current endurance stat was 17, directly affecting my regeneration rate.
Considering that a magic stat of 18 was equivalent to a decent Academy graduate, it was a significant number.
Moreover, the bonus regeneration from titles and traits was substantial.
With the Blessing of All Gods giving 50% and the Sun God providing 350% during the day, my regeneration rate would skyrocket.
Though I wouldn’t be able to rely on regeneration to the extent of ignoring defense like a vampire, minor wounds would heal quickly.
I swallowed nervously and slightly cut my fingertip.
Drip.
As my skin split, a drop of red blood fell.
…Before it hit the ground, Iona quickly caught and licked it, but it was enough to show the wound had bled.
However, that was it.
The wound had already healed, and no more blood flowed.
Upon closer inspection, the wound had closed with only a thin red line indicating its presence, which would disappear in a few hours.
“…Are you really human, Yandel?”
“Probably?”
“Maybe if you became a vampire in this state, you wouldn’t die even if your heart was pierced. How about it? Want to live an eternal life with me?”
“Then you wouldn’t be able to drink my blood anymore.”
Vampires could drink the blood of humans, various other races, and animals… but not their own kind.
Some crazy vampires absorb the true blood of others to increase their power, but even then, they inject it directly into their veins rather than drinking it.
Iona surely knew this.
Iona, looking dazed as if she’d been hit on the head, finally spoke after some thought.
“That was… just a joke.”
“Let’s say it was. Anyway, with this level of regeneration, will it be okay?”
“Yeah. Since internal magic like physical enhancement consumes less energy.”
The fundamental reason Iona excelled in close combat was due to the explosive physical enhancement from blood magic.
While it enhances all magic, it’s particularly effective for body-related spells due to the use of blood as a medium.
“If you try to exert too much power, a lot of blood is consumed instantly, so be careful about that. Otherwise, there aren’t significant problems… What do you think? Do you want to learn?”
“Of course.”
Vampires, living long lives and possessing excellent physical and magical abilities, were powerful warriors and magicians.
Among them, Iona was a Lord-class vampire, excelling in personal combat power.
Her physical enhancement through blood magic was crucial to her combat style. Naturally, I must learn it.
When I nodded, Iona’s smile widened.
“Good, good. Shall we start right away?”
“…Now?”
“Yes, yes. Do you have other plans?”
“Not really…”
I glanced around. Carla and Elisha. Even Iris nodded slightly, though looking a bit disappointed.
Faye seemed more interested in my regeneration than the magic itself, her gaze following my finger movements.
Feeling slightly uneasy, I had no reason to object, so I nodded.
“Alright. Let’s start right away. Should we go to the training ground outside?��
“Is it sturdy?”
“No, but it’s spacious. It’s made of materials that can be quickly restored, even if broken… But why is that important for learning physical enhancement magic?”
Wasn’t it more like static magic? It shouldn’t involve explosions or anything.
Even if it succeeds, I should just run a few laps or practice punching the air to get a feel for it.
Iona’s smile deepened at my question.
“Because you’ll be bouncing around everywhere as you learn. The stronger you get, the more space you’ll need.”
“……”
Ah.
I had forgotten.
Unlike others who taught me step-by-step from theory, Iona was an extreme practical instructor.
I closed my eyes tightly, recalling the pain from our sparring sessions.
It was pitch black.
Like my future.