Wizard Bloodline

"This can't be happening!" Ronan blurted out, his voice urgent and incredulous.

The Leaf of Undying was something he had obtained from Laura. Though much of its vitality had been drained when he got it—down to less than thirty percent—it was still substantial.

Ronan had carefully preserved it, thinking that one day it might be useful in battle while activating [Immaculate Body], to quickly replenish lost vitality.

Concerned that the leaf's vitality might naturally deplete, he had even placed it in a specialized container for preservation.

And now Benigo was claiming that the remaining vitality in the Leaf of Undying had vanished? How could Ronan accept that?

"Did you tamper with the leaf right before my eyes?!" Ronan's gaze turned icy, his aura rising, causing his robe to flutter without wind.

"Leave!" Benigo responded coldly.

As a storm seemed ready to erupt between them, with their gazes locked in a fierce confrontation and turbulent energies clashing in the air, Benigo's aura suddenly fluctuated violently.

"Wait, what?!"

Ronan heard Benigo's voice, laced with disbelief and uncertainty.

"This leaf carries the aura of the Sacred Blood Tree!"

Benigo examined the now completely dried Leaf of Undying in his hand, his eyes growing more intense with each passing moment. His anger faded, replaced by eagerness as he turned to Ronan, urgently asking, "Boy, what did you store this leaf with?"

Ronan paused, then slowly retrieved a small black box from his storage pouch.

As soon as he brought it out, an invisible force tried to snatch it away.

Ronan held the box firmly, opening it himself.

Inside was a black, shriveled seed, resembling a dried watermelon seed. Ronan pinched it between two fingers, exposing it to the air.

The force trying to seize it vanished as Benigo's full attention was drawn to the seed.

"Yes, that's the aura."

"The Sacred Blood Tree... this is indeed the seed of the Sacred Blood Tree!"

"Hahaha..."

Benigo's pale golden eyes fixated on the seed in Ronan's hand, his initially muttering words turning into excitement, then joy, before he inexplicably burst into laughter, tears streaming down his face like a madman.

Ronan remained silent, his emotions equally unsettled.

The box and its seed were gifts from the half-elf siblings, Andre and his sister.

Ronan had studied it extensively, even deciphering the ancient Elven script inscribed on the box lid during his time at Hoddam Academy—**[Water it with your heart's blood, and perhaps one day it will sprout.]**

Encouraged by the mention of "heart's blood," Ronan experimented with soaking the seed in various types of blood.

He tried his own, various animals', and even magical beasts' blood.

He watered it, exposed it to sunlight, moonlight, starlight... every conceivable method, yet nothing seemed to work.

Ronan had almost concluded it was a dead seed, destined never to sprout, much like a stone never blooms.

Eventually, he left it in his storage pouch, a memento from friends.

The last time he'd opened the box was when he sought a container for the Leaf of Undying.

To his surprise, the oak box housing the seed had properties preventing the loss of plant vitality, yet he hadn't expected it to absorb the leaf's vitality completely.

"So... what is the Sacred Blood Tree?"

As Benigo began to calm, Ronan asked, pulling him from his near-mad state.

"The Sacred Blood Tree is a mythical tree from ancient Elven legends."

Benigo had largely regained his composure.

Sitting back in his high stool, mostly shrouded in shadow, his aura was deep and restrained.

If not for the remaining traces of tears on his ruined face, one might not have guessed his earlier outburst.

Benigo's hoarse voice resembled grinding gears, his gaze never leaving the black seed in Ronan's hand.

"It's said to have the power to purify bloodlines and resurrect the dead. Of course, no one has ever proven this."

"Oh."

When Ronan heard "resurrect the dead," he understood Benigo's earlier loss of composure.

He also comprehended the weight of the bargaining chip in his hand.

He relaxed.

Ronan said nothing further.

After his question, he stood silently, observing Benigo.

Though he couldn't see Benigo's expression, he sensed his unease.

Finally, Benigo spoke again, his voice carrying a hint of negotiation.

"If you would give me this seed..."

"Impossible."

Ronan's reply was swift and sharp, cutting Benigo's words like a blade.

"You!..."

Benigo gripped the stool's arms, seemingly ready to leap up in urgency.

"Giving it to you is impossible."

"This is wasted in your hands; you don't know how to nurture it to sprout."

Benigo inhaled, urgently trying to persuade Ronan.

"Let me finish."

Ronan continued, "I can't give it to you, but I can lend it.

"You nurture it, and vouch for my entry into the Silver Magic Ring.

"I'll also maintain your rune array monthly.

"If acceptable, we have a deal. If not, forget it."

Ronan's expression was calm. At this point, he had no interest in bargaining further.

What he proposed was his final offer.

"Do you know how many resources it takes to nurture a Sacred Blood Tree seed?"

Benigo asked slowly.

Ronan shook his head, "I don't know, nor do I care. You're willing to invest so much for a distant hope—now that you see a glimmer of light, why hesitate over resources?

"Besides, I'm taking a risk too.

"What if you kill my seed?"

Benigo lowered his head, contemplating, weighing his options.

After several breaths, Ronan felt an unseen force pushing him from the basement.

Benigo's hoarse voice accompanied the cold breeze from the basement.

"Return here in three days.

"Prepare for a small test for Ring entry."

Ronan retreated to the manor gate, watching the rusty door slowly close.

His eyes revealed a sense of relief and satisfaction, soon settling on the small box in his hand, his expression becoming curious.

"Sacred Blood Tree!

"Who knew Andre's gift was the seed of a legendary tree...

"I'll research the Sacred Blood Tree and its seed's uses.

"Hopefully, I'm not being tricked by this old man."

With a quickened pace, Ronan disappeared down Bronze Ingot Avenue.

Meanwhile, in the manor's basement.

Under the dim rune light, Benigo knelt, embracing the ice coffin, pressing his face against the cold surface, his expression gentle and serene.

"...Though not the Tree of Life, the Sacred Blood Tree should suffice."

"The core material for the Casket of Eternal Life is finally in hand; I can begin crafting soon."

"Fiona, trust me, I'll awaken you..."

"I swear."

Three days later.

Ronan stood quietly on the side of a desolate street, like a finely crafted sculpture.

Beside him, a rusted bronze lamp post with a cracked crystal light atop, covered in dust, a round-bellied spider swinging gently on its silver thread in the breeze.

Ronan checked his pocket watch, then pocketed it.

His gaze returned to the manor's closed gate.

An hour and twenty-three minutes had passed since he signaled his arrival, yet the person he awaited hadn't appeared.

Ronan wasn't impatient; he'd waited months for this Ring opportunity, so an hour and twenty-three minutes was trivial.

He simply felt annoyed.

In his past life, he'd never waited this long for a girlfriend.

Now he waited for a corpse-loving old man.

Fifteen minutes later, movement finally emerged from the manor.

"Cre-eak—"

The rusty gate creaked as a figure stepped out.

It was Benigo, but he looked different today.

His messy brown hair was neatly combed back.

He wore a silver-white robe, its rune patterns subtly glowing in the sunlight.

Ignoring Benigo's corroded, ruined face, he looked like a strong late first-level wizard.

Noble, dignified.

Ronan's gaze paused at the left chest of Benigo's robe.

There, the Ring's emblem of a circle and seven silver towers was embroidered.

But beneath were three small silver rings intertwined.

"Three rings."

Ronan almost doubted his eyes, counting several times.

He wasn't entirely ignorant of the Silver Magic Ring now. Though not a member, he knew some of its hierarchies.

A regular Ring member's robe bore only the Ring's emblem.

Core members had additional silver rings beneath.

The more rings, the higher the status.

Until now, the highest he'd seen was Bazel, who'd refused to vouch for him.

Bazel's robe had a single ring.

Yet Benigo was a "three-ring"?!

Ronan found it hard to believe.

To his knowledge, a three-ring member should have second-level wizard strength.

Moreover, such a status shouldn't leave Benigo in this state...

Even if he'd sacrificed all for a dead woman.

Ronan's mind churned with questions, his face remaining calm.

He watched Benigo approach, smoking a sleek black metal pipe.

Ronan recalled the strong tobacco scent upon entering Benigo's home, now making sense.

"It seems you were once prestigious."

Ronan greeted Benigo evenly.

Their relationship was delicate, mutually disdainful yet reliant on each other for certain goals.

Benigo ignored Ronan's comment, removing his pipe to tap away the ash, the metal-on-metal sound crisp.

"You surprise me too."

Benigo resumed smoking, eyeing Ronan, "Only three days, yet your aura has shifted.

"Your understanding of ice spells has deepened, reaching a new level."

Ronan's eyes flickered, a hint of surprise passing unnoticed.

Benigo ended their preamble, leading Ronan down Bronze Ingot Avenue.

"Once you're in the Ring, hand over the Sacred Blood Tree seed.

"I need to prepare... to see if it can still be nurtured."

"Don't worry, I keep my promises."

Ronan walked beside Benigo, asking, "What kind of test for Ring entry? How difficult?"

"For you, simple."

Benigo paused, appraising Ronan with an amused look, "Honestly, I can't wait to see their reactions.

"They scour the streets for 'talent' for the Ring's strength.

"Yet someone like you, right under their noses... rejected.

"Now they'll come to me, heh."

Benigo spoke, not caring if Ronan understood, then continued leading the way.

They spoke no more until reaching the massive metal structure at the second rune array, where Ronan had first tried to join the Ring.

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