Chapter 60 - Development

After a few days, Asmodeus returned to Hogwarts. With the druids' affairs finally settled, he decided to focus on himself and his own combat prowess. Observing the formidable strength of the ent, Asmodeus sensed the looming danger. He acknowledged that he wasn't the strongest in the world, and despite good relations with the druids, who knew what formidable creature might return to life as the world advanced. Asmodeus resolved to elevate his strength to the pinnacle achievable in the current state of this world.

"System, open the shop."

"Ding, the trading center is open. Current host balance - 22,345 points."

"Buy the lineage development potion - (small lineage development potion. Unleashes the full potential of a lineage of rare level and below)."

"Bloodline levels are categorized as -

Common

Uncommon

Rare

Epic

Legendary

Mythical

Ding, further levels are not accessible to the host for viewing. Please become stronger to unlock lineages beyond mythical rank."

"Ding, deducting 2000 points."

Asmodeus first decided to fully unlock the remaining potential in the Fire Nation bloodline. He believed that the remaining 25-30% of the lineage would allow him to reach the threshold of strength in this world.

Asmodeus refrained from making additional purchases. Instead, he chose to consume the potion. Asking Athena to wander somewhere, Asmodeus lay down on the bed. While lying there, he opened the potion and drank it in one gulp.

As soon as the potion reached his stomach, Asmodeus felt a sensation akin to when he entered the state of elementalization. Flames constantly appeared around him, and the room's temperature approached 100 degrees. Fortunately, he had replaced all wooden furniture with iron beforehand; sadly, his clothing and the sheets on which he lay caught fire.

Feeling unified with fire, Asmodeus understood it was merely a sensation from a sudden surge of power, nowhere near a state of unity with fire. Two hours later, the effect of the potion faded.

He stood up and surveyed the room. The bed on which he lay had melted, and steam still rose from the stone floor. Opening the windows for ventilation, he sat, this time not on what could be called a bed but on the stone floor.

"System! Display my characteristics on the screen."

"Ding, as per the host's request.

Host's statistics:

Bloodline: Fire Nation bloodline bestowed by Lion-Turtle to humans, high development potential and possibilities for evolution, currently 100% of lineage potential is activated.

In the future, when the potential of the bloodline is fully revealed, the system will only display the lineage name, and additional description will be provided upon the host's request.

Lineage: "???????" (Unknown lineage, unable to display) - 0.001% of lineage is activated. unknown....system.....cannot.....display..... The system determines that the unknown lineage requires the infusion of other lineages for its unlocking…

Combat Power: 50 - maximum allowable value in the low-magic world of the first level.

Health: 200/200

Mana: 2000/2000

Strength: 28

Agility: 23

Intelligence: 36

Charisma: 20 "

Evolved Skills:

**Fire Elementalization**: Allows the user to take the form of a fire elemental. In this state, physical attacks do not affect the user. Fire magic damage is increased by 20% in the elementalized state. Fire magic consumes 17% less mana after unlocking the bloodline potential in the elemental state.

"Good... I have reached the threshold of this current world."

"System! Is there a way to increase combat power without raising the overall world level?"

"Ding, it is possible, but the system does not recommend such an approach. There is a risk of host organism damage."

"Explain more precisely."

"Ding, if the host enhances their lineage in advance, for example, by acquiring a higher-ranked lineage in the shop or purchasing a lineage fusion potion and a rare bloodline. However, if you fail to raise the world level in time, you will lack the mana needed to increase your strength. Thus, the host may find himself in a situation similar to the druids."

"Hmm..."

"Fine, give me a pet development potion."

"Ding, 700 points deducted from the host. Thank you for the purchase. Remaining balance - 19,645 points."

A purple vial appeared in Asmodeus's hands. He pocketed it, planning to wait until Athena returned to give the potion to her.

"System, show me fire-related bloodline options."

"Ding, currently available to the host:"

1. **Bloodline of the Vermilion Family (Black Clover) - 15,000 points."

"And that's all?"

"Ding, yes. The host has limited funds."

"Alright, what else can you suggest within a price range up to 50,000?"

Asmodeus decided to explore better options after accumulating more points.

"Ding, recommended for the host."

**Lineage Creation Potion - 50,000**: Allows the host to create his own lineage. This lineage will have unlimited development potential. At the start, the created lineage will have a maximum epic rank, but it won't have an upper development limit. The host will have to improve the lineage himself by buying potions, merging with other lineages, etc. This lineage fully passes down to your descendants and won't conflict with other lineages you choose in the future. It absorbs the lineages you add to it for its own strengthening. Using this potion, the host ceases to be human, becoming the progenitor of a new lineage. The host gains the ability to customize their appearance, abilities, and skills through the system. However, as mentioned earlier, the lineage at the start will initially have a maximum epic rank, and skills and abilities will also be of maximum epic rank.

"And what about my unknown bloodline? Will it absorb the newly created lineage?"

"Ding, no, only lineages of the same level can merge into a stronger one. In your case, since the unknown bloodline is not activated, the new lineage will take the place of the main one, and until the unknown bloodline is activated to 50%, there will be no reactions."

Asmodeus pondered. He believed that the lineage he created would be better than the ones available for purchase, but he currently lacked the funds for it.

"It seems I'll have to strengthen the old folks and open an academy..."

Asmodeus decided that if he couldn't break through the barrier of power, it was better to raise all his trusted individuals to their peak as well. This way, in case of danger after the increase in magic in the world, they would have the strength to fight.

"System, buy three more small lineage development potions."

"Ding, 6000 points deducted. Host balance - 13,645. Thank you for the purchase."

Three bright blue potions appeared in Asmodeus's hands, similar to the one he had just consumed.

"Hmm... let's see, Dumbledore, Grindelwald, and Nicolas."

Asmodeus chose this trio as they were the most suitable. Both Grindelwald and Dumbledore were, in a sense, fire mages. Moreover, Grindelwald and Nicolas possessed the gift of prophecy , and all three had the most significant battle experience. In short, they were the strongest, and Asmodeus trusted them. That's why he chose them.

Finding new clothes, Asmodeus took the potions with him and headed to the Headmaster's office.

Entering the office, he saw Dumbledore looking at him.

"Asmodeus, hello. Surprising that you're not barging in at midnight."

"Hello, Albus. Here, drink this."

"..."

"Can I at least know what this is?"

"No."

"....."

"Alright, it will help you become stronger. Satisfied?"

Dumbledore nodded, understanding that Asmodeus didn't want to talk about the source of this item, but it was useful to him, and that's why Asmodeus came.

Dumbledore took the vial, opened it, and drank. After a second, he felt like he was shrinking.

Meanwhile, Asmodeus witnessed a strange scene. After Dumbledore drank the potion, he began transforming into a red-feathered bird. It was the phoenix of this world.

Asmodeus: "...."

Dumbledore in phoenix form: "????"

"Ummm, Albus, maybe you should try to become human again?"

Before Dumbledore could reply, he felt a strange sensation, as if he had to do something in this form. As soon as he followed that feeling, he immediately burst into flames.

Asmodeus: "...."

Fawkes on the perch: "..."

"Chirp, chirp!"

A chick's head emerged from the pile of ashes. As Asmodeus understood, it was Dumbledore.

"Chirp, chirp!"

The chick gradually grew in size until it became a 5-year-old child.

"Albus... are you?"

"It's me, what the hell!? What did you make me drink? Why am I so small?"

"Uh, here, take this towel to cover yourself."

Asmodeus said, taking a bath towel from his pocket and handing it to Dumbledore.

"Uh, this potion was meant for you to unlock the potential of your bloodline... apparently, Dumbledore's bloodline, when fully activated, allows you to become a phoenix."

"So, am I a child now because I entered Nirvana and was reborn?"

"Seems like it..."

"And how long do I have to endure this?"

"How long does it take Fawkes to become an adult?"

"Well, plus-minus 3-4 months... Stop, you mean I..."

"Yes, now you have to be a little one for about 3-4 months. But you'll be young again. Ideally, you'll be 30 in a couple of months, and then you'll be reborn again after a few years."

While Asmodeus and Dumbledore were discussing, Fawkes was observing Dumbledore with interest.

"Chirp, chirp."

"Do you understand what he's saying?"

"Yes, of course, don't you?"

"No...."

"....."

"Alright, let's forget about this mishap. Nothing serious happened, you'll just be young for a while. What's the problem?"

"You're right, it's just, how do I lead the school when I'm a child?"

"Ha-ha-ha, good joke. You don't do anything at school; McGonagall takes care of that."

"..."

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