Chapter 44: Chapter 44: Point Of No Return

My vision was still a little blurry from the recent blood loss, but the blue screen floating right in front of my face demanded my full attention.

I sat back on the couch, rubbing the sore puncture wounds on the side of my neck.

I was deeply confused about this whole situation.

The rules of this new timeline were proving to be highly unpredictable, and the golden interface was handing out rewards in ways I never anticipated.

’Hey system, please explain how this actually works,’ I demanded in my head.

’You just said I unlocked a ticket from a hidden scenario. What exactly triggers these events?’

[You will gain a ticket every time a scenario is completed.]

’Yeah, I know that much,’ I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose to fight off an incoming headache.

’But how do I know what the scenario actually is before I do it?’

[Scenarios will depend upon the situations you encounter and your relationship development with key characters.]

I read the text twice.

So the system was directly tying my progression to the main cast of the novel.

’So now that I got a new ticket for letting Kiara bite me, does that mean I can only earn skills through sexual or intimate touches like that?’ I asked, genuinely worried about what I would have to do next just to survive.

[Each character unlocks different parts of your skill tree.]

[Your interaction with the character Sianna unlocked Phantom Touch.]

[It is not guaranteed to repeat the same trigger.]

’Oh.’

I leaned my head back against the soft couch, staring up at the chandelier.

That actually made a lot of sense.

When I kissed Sianna back then, I received Phantom Touch, a very specific skill that fit her elusive, quiet nature perfectly.

And now Kiara, a royal vampire, gave me something else entirely.

So every hidden scenario has a different type of skill to unlock, influenced by the person involved.

It was a strange way to level up, but I was not in a position to complain.

I needed more power, and I needed it fast.

’Use Skill ticket,’ I commanded.

The blue window blinked brightly, the text shifting rapidly as the interface processed my request.

[Processing Ticket...]

[Notice: This is a Unique Ticket. It does not pull from the standard Skill Tree.]

[Analysing Host’s recent scenario completion...]

My heart started beating a little faster.

A unique ticket sounded rare, just like before.

The golden light from the screen reflected warmly in the empty hall.

[You have acquired the title: Blood Bank of Vampire Sovereign]

[You have received a unique skill: Blood Manipulation]

’Huh?’

My eyes widened to the point they actually hurt.

I sat up straight on the cushions, ignoring the lingering dizziness in my head and read the glowing text again and again, making sure the recent blood loss was not making me hallucinate.

A manipulation technique?

Before even reaching the Master stage?

Just two days before, in the training hall, Arthur flattened me against the floor using his Gravity Manipulation.

Those specific domain-type authorities were strictly reserved for high-tier Awakeners who had spent years refining their cores.

Having one this early in my academy life broke all the standard rules of power progression I knew from my past life.

I quickly tapped the skill name in the air to open its hidden details.

[Blood Manipulation]

[Description: Ability to control blood within a radius of 50 meters. Can shape the liquid into a weapon or control your own internal blood flow to rapidly heal wounds.]

’This is good,’ I whispered to the empty room, a low laugh escaping my lips.

’This is really, really good.’

I looked down at my open hands.

The combat potential of this single skill was frightening. I could use it offensively to turn a bleeding enemy’s own wounds against them, shaping their spilt blood into spikes.

Or I could use it defensively to keep myself alive in a terrible spot without relying on expensive healing potions.

I needed to test it out right now to understand my limits.

Raising my right hand, I bit down hard on the tip of my index finger.

The sharp pain made me wince, but a small drop of dark blood quickly welled up on the broken skin.

I closed my eyes and focused my mind, reaching out to the new connection forming deep in my core.

It felt very different from regular elemental magic like fire or ice. It felt warm, heavy, and deeply personal.

[Blood Manipulation Activated]

The single drop of blood lifted right off my skin.

It floated in the empty air just a few inches in front of my face.

I willed the liquid to change its shape.

The round droplet stretched out and flattened, turning into a tiny, razor-sharp needle of solid red.

I flicked my wrist forward.

Swoosh.

The blood needle shot across the wide room, burying itself deep into the leg of the coffee table with a solid thud.

It was fast, silent, and deadly.

Then, I turned my attention to the ache throbbing on the side of my neck. 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

Kiara’s bite was not very deep, but it was still an open wound that could get infected.

I closed my eyes again and focused the new skill inward.

I could literally feel the blood rushing through my own veins, acting like a river of energy. I directed the flow specifically around the puncture marks, urging the torn tissue to close and regenerate.

It took way longer than an attack, but within minutes, the stinging pain vanished entirely. I reached up and touched my neck.

The skin was perfectly smooth again as the healing aspect worked flawlessly.

I stood up from the couch, my previous exhaustion fading away.

The dizziness from the severe mana drain was still there, but the confidence bubbling in my chest pushed it aside easily.

I walked over to the tall windows of the lodge and looked out at the darkening sky. The sun had already set. It was almost eight o’clock in the evening.

Ray would be heading to the eastern gates very soon to wait for me.