The Bloodline Awakening Circle and the Two Treasures

Now that he was out of danger, Andrew had more time to observe details he had previously ignored as he followed Aeon's spiritual form down the winding spiral staircase.

The paintings of the legendary beasts adorning the grey walls were so intricately detailed and lifelike that he almost expected them to leap out at him. Andrew found himself lost in their beauty, unable to take his eyes off them as each brushstroke was so immaculately executed.

Upon closer inspection, Andrew also discovered that the pagoda walls held more than just paintings. He observed some mystifying runic symbols on certain parts of the structure, leaving him puzzled and curious about their meaning.

The silvery glow of the runic markings added to the enchantment of the place, while their prevalent perfectly crafted patterns created an otherworldly atmosphere, making Andrew feel like he had arrived in a realm more mysterious than any he had ever encountered.

He turned his gaze upon Aeon's spiritual form leading the way and humbly asked, "Might I trouble you to provide me with more information about this pagoda and your inheritance?"

"Of course, I'd be happy to help you with answers to any questions you might have," Aeon replied kindly. "But first, let's focus on the items your mother left and activating your bloodline. We can address your questions after that."

"Okay, that sounds perfect," replied Andrew, deciding to let the matter rest.

His footsteps echoed off the marble floor as they descended the dimly lit stairwell. He followed Aeon closely, watching as the older man's spiritual form deftly navigated the twists and turns of the pagoda's interior.

As they made their way down, they suddenly arrived at a grand, winding corridor. It was a lot wider and more inviting than the cramped stairwell they had just left behind. The walls were adorned with a beautiful fusion of oak and dazzling gem paneling, and as they walked, they passed by several wooden doors, each one unique from the other.

The lighting was dim, but Andrew could make out the details of the doors as they walked past them. Some were plain and unadorned, while others were ornately carved with intricate designs and runic patterns. Despite the size of the corridor, there was a sense of intimacy and coziness to the space, as if the place was a family home instead of a mysterious pagoda belonging to an ancient sorcerer.

"Welcome to the residential section of my pagoda," announced Aeon, his voice brimming with pride. "It took me almost fifty years to furnish and equip this place with all the necessary adornments and tools. You'll find twelve fully furnished and independent residential quarters, plus well-equipped spell-testing, alchemy, and potioneering laboratories. It's all quite convenient, don't you think?"

"Wow, this is really convenient," exclaimed Andrew, his excitement palpable. "This floor has everything one would need to create a small sorcerers' coven at its core."

"Ah, don't be fooled, my young friend," Aeon chuckled. "You've only scratched the surface of what the pagoda can offer. Your inheritance is truly impressive, and you'll soon discover why." As they arrived before a door, Aeon gestured for Andrew to follow, saying, "Let's start by looking at the things your mother left for you."

As Aeon waved his hand, the door creaked open as if by magic, beckoning them inside. Andrew couldn't resist the temptation and stepped into the room with Aeon. But little did he know what awaited him inside - three strange sights that would be etched in his memory for a long time.

As soon as he stepped into the room, his eyes were drawn to an awe-inspiring view that left him breathless. Before him lay an enormous magic circle, intricately designed and covering every inch of the ten-square-meter space. The sight was so fascinating that his heart leaped in his chest, unable to contain the excitement and wonder of what lay before him.

"Wow! Is that the bloodline awakening circle that my mother engraved?"

"Yes, it is," replied Aeon. "No matter how hard I try to study its mysteries, I still can't understand its functioning. This is one of the things that led me to conclude that your mother was an existence above rank six. An existence most likely from the immortal lands!"

"Oh!" said Andrew, absentmindedly.

He couldn't tear his eyes away from the miracle of sorcery laid before his eyes - a magical circle composed of dozens of intricate pentagrams, each one carefully crafted to create a mesmerizing symphony of rings, shapes, and patterns.

Its various sections were adorned with numerous runic symbols, their ancient and archaic forms exuding a sense of power that seemed to draw on Andrew's very core of existence. The overall effect was suffocating yet hypnotizing as if the circle held within it the secrets of the universe waiting to be unlocked. Andrew couldn't help but feel drawn to it, as if it was calling out to him, inviting him to unravel its mysteries.

"Careful there, little friend," cautioned Aeon gently. "Just take it slow. Your rank is too low, and your mind is still fragile. Try not to stare at the circle for too long, as it could hurt your soul."

Andrew stood frozen, staring at the strange circle on the floor. The ancient sorcerer's warning echoed in his mind, urging him to step away. Reluctantly, he turned his back to the circle and suddenly felt a sharp pain in his head.

It was as if someone had hit him with a sledgehammer. Dizzy and disoriented, he closed his eyes and took a deep breath to steady himself. After a few moments, he felt a little better and turned his attention to the other two objects in the room.

The first resembled a droplet of thick, roiling, and viscous blood, while the second object was a fist-sized crystalline fruit with mesmerizing red-golden patterns on its surface. Both items hovered on one side of the room without any visible support. It was as if they were defying gravity itself!

"Are these the items my mom left for me?" Andrew turned his gaze towards Aeon, his eyes brimming with wonder.

"Indeed, they are," said Aeon with a smile. "The drop of blood is essential for your bloodline awakening. Your mother mentioned it's a droplet of bloodline essence from a mature Valkyrie. Honestly, I have no idea what a Valkyrie is, but according to your mother, it's a high-tier creature from the immortal lands, and its blood will help you awaken. That's all I know."

"The fruit is even more impressive," continued Aeon, "According to your mother, it's a Wisdom Fruit, a highly-sought tressure even in the immortal lands that can improve comprehensive ability, fortify the soul, and even push a sorcerer's totem to evolve. I'm not talking about the typical growth of a totem to make room for more spells as one grows stronger - but true evolution at its core."

"You mean totemic evolution, say from human to earth grade?" Andrew eagerly asked, his eyes filled with anticipation.

"Ha! That's it!" exclaimed Aeon with delight. "You have no idea how much these treasures are worth. They will provide a solid foundation for your growth and eventually pave the way for you to ascend to the immortal lands. You only have to ensure that you don't fall prematurely."

"I understand," Andrew said while suppressing his excitement. He had been looking for a way to upgrade his book-type totem, and it seemed he had finally found a path forward. "How do I use the treasures?" he asked.

"Piece of cake!" Aeon said confidently. "Your mother gave me clear instructions on how to use the treasures. Firstly, you must step into the bloodline circle and consume the Wisdom Fruit to strengthen your soul and evolve your totem. After that, you must absorb the blood essence of the Valkyrie, and then I'll activate the circle and walk you through the bloodline awakening ritual. That's all there is to it!"

"Wow, this seems exciting!" Andrew exclaimed with enthusiasm. Without hesitation, he eagerly stepped forward and settled himself cross-legged right in the center of the magic circle. "I can't wait to get started. When do we begin?"

Aeon smiled and gestured toward the Valkyrie's blood and the wisdom fruit. His incredible sorcery came into play, guiding the items towards Andrew. "We can start now," Aeon said calmly. "If you're ready, let's begin with the Wisdom Fruit."

"Okay," Andrew replied.

His heart raced with anticipation as he gazed at the Wisdom Fruit, its surface adorned with intricate, red-golden patterns. An inexplicable force seemed to envelop it as it floated before him. Despite his apprehension, he couldn't resist its magnetic pull and instinctively reached out to grasp it.

With a blend of anxiety and excitement coursing through his veins, he eagerly devoured the fruit, savoring its delicious taste, his mind filled with a rush of anticipation for the effects of this magical fruit.

"Come on, my young friend, there's no time to waste," urged Aeon, his voice carrying a sense of urgency. "We need to move on to the next step. Quickly absorb the Valkyrie's blood essence before I activate the bloodline awakening circle."

Andrew grunted a response. The effects of the wisdom fruit had already started taking effect, and he could already feel his head spinning. But he resisted the condition with all his will and stretched out his hand to hold the roiling droplet of blood.

It was scalding to touch, and for a moment, Andrew felt like he was grasping a piece of burning coal. Pain assaulted him. He swallowed hard, feeling his heart tighten as the drop of Valkyrie's blood essence mysteriously tunneled into his hand and entered his body.

"Aahhh!"

As he gasped for air, he felt an excruciating pain shoot through his body like a searing hot piece of metal. A rollercoaster of sensations hit him all at once, from ticklish to torturous, soothing to sensuous. It was like he had plunged into a bottomless pit of torment, where every thought and emotion were thrown into disarray.

"Be brave, my young friend! I'll now activate the magical circle and begin the awakening ritual. In the meantime, you can go to sleep, and when you awake, the whole torture will be over."

Andrew heard Aeon's soothing voice and forced himself to turn his way. He noticed that the ancient sorcerer had started mumbling some words while performing some hand gestures. Aeon was probably beginning to activate the magic circle.

As Andrew watched Aeon through gritted teeth, a few negative thoughts coursed through his mind. He couldn't help but wonder whether the ancient sorcerer had tricked him into performing some inexplicable but harmful ritual.

But before he could give more thought to the matter, he felt his mind losing its grasp of the surroundings. The darkness quickly consumed him, and he lost consciousness.