Rank 1 Warlock

Before long, Leylin swiftly departed from the academy grounds, his decision resolute.

Within Kroft's secluded laboratory, Leylin had successfully purified his ancient bloodline. The ingredients for the elusive Serenity Potion were also mostly procured, leaving him with little reason to linger any further within the academy's walls.

Moreover, the passage of time only heightened the risk of the Lilytell family discovering his clandestine activities. Leylin found himself powerless to counter their influence within the academy's confines.

Another layer of apprehension weighed upon him as well. His impending transformation into a Bloodline Warlock, a sub-category of the ancient Magi, bore distinct differences from being a mere official Magus. This transition carried with it the potential for unique energy emanations, invisible to most but impossible to escape the scrutiny of high-ranking magicians like Chairman Siley. Such exposure would undoubtedly spell his doom.

For the sake of his own safety, it was imperative that Leylin conducted his advancement beyond the academy's bounds.

Prior to his departure, Leylin meticulously scrubbed away all traces of his experiments within the laboratory. No matter how thorough any subsequent inspections might be, they would uncover no hint of his covert activities.

With a lingering gaze at the Abyssal Bone Forest Academy, Leylin made his exit. An inkling of foreboding hinted that this departure might extend indefinitely, or perhaps never culminate in a return at all.

Contemplating the school's future developments intrigued him, and a sly grin crept across his face as he spurred his sleek black steed away from the Abyssal Forest.

Grey Stone City, relatively close to the Abyssal Bone Forest Academy, offered sparse inhabitants and was devoid of magicians. Leylin's relentless journey led him here, where he acquired a lavish two-story villa nestled in the city's outskirts.

The villa was embraced by a verdant curtain of foliage, its heart undisturbed by the city's bustle. Alongside the greenery, a row of quaint shops flanked the villa. Occasionally, mercenaries with gleaming blades strolled alongside women dressed provocatively.

Leylin maintained vigilance, scanning for any lingering surveillance. Once reassured of his security, he closed the windows.

This villa was the chosen location for his advancement to a Rank 1 Warlock. Its defenses were bolstered by a protective spell formation, thwarting entry by the average individual. Moreover, a considerable number of ordinary residents dwelled in the vicinity, shielded from harm unless an audacious Dark Magus happened upon them. In this sense, their safety was comparatively assured.

Leylin harbored no unreasonable hope that by taking all these people around him as hostages, the other party would simply release him. Nonetheless, he recognized that as long as they hesitated to employ a wide-reaching area-of-effect spell, it could turn the situation greatly in his favor.

With a decisive action, Leylin closed the windowsill, and the room fell into darkness as the thick curtains blocked the intrusion of sunlight. In the room's center, a faint scarlet light began to manifest.

At this point, Leylin held absolute dominion over the entire villa. Nothing could evade his scrutiny. What's more, a layer of cryptic spell formations had been meticulously inscribed onto the floor.

These runes seemed to writhe like tiny serpents, ceaselessly converging toward the scarlet glow. The intertwining patterns gradually formed a complex spell formation.

At the heart of this formation rested a pristine black stone platform, marred by numerous etchings that resembled an enigmatic tableau, etched into it with meticulous precision.

2The bloodline transfer formation is finally complete," Leylin muttered as he massaged his temples, his true form was now revealed. "Aralis, scan my body and provide me with my current status."

[Of course, Doctor. Here are the results,] came Aralis's swift response.

//

Dr. Fang Ming (Leylin Farlier's body)

<Power Scaling>

Level 3 acolyte || Grand Knight

<Physical Stats>

Strength - 7.51

Agility - 9.42

Vitality - 12.95

<Mystical Stats>

Spiritual Force - 21.5/21.5

Mana Energy - 21.5/21.5

<Innate Abilities>

Mitotic Regeneration || Medium Dark Absorption || Seductive Aura

<Perks >

Enhanced Plant & Dark elements affinities || Boosted illusion resistance || Reptile-class Mysterious Entities of ≤ power are positively biased

<General Skills>

Hybrid Farlier-Jackson Blade Technique (master) || Potioneering (master) || Grand Master Secret Skill (++AGI +STR --VIT) || Various Rank 0 & Rank 1 spells

>>STATUS<<

In the middle of cultivating the Kemoyin's Pupil meditation technique. Spiritual Force in purification. Mankestre DNA being refined.

//

Back at the academy, Leylin delved into the intricacies of the Kemoyin's Pupil meditation technique, a pursuit that marked the beginning of his journey towards mastery. His first order of business was to fine-tune his existing meditation practice to accommodate this high-grade technique.

The Kemoyin's Pupil meditation method had three distinct levels, each promising automatic advancement in the Warlock's ranks with its mastery. While Leylin already possessed a snake-type bloodline, theoretically allowing him to embark on the first level without the purified Giant Kemoyin Serpent bloodline, he wisely chose not to. Such a choice would only curtail his potential, for he'd be building on a less sturdy foundation compared to what the purified Kemoyin Bloodline would provide, leading him to eventually reach the pinnacle of a Rank 1 Warlock.

Yet, the high-grade meditation technique he stumbled upon was a hidden gem, one that would be coveted by countless individuals and organizations. As Leylin immersed himself in the initial stages of the first level and converted it into a meditation regimen, he noticed a profound transformation within his Spiritual Force.

Through this process, the impurities that had once plagued his Spiritual Force, remnants of excessive potion consumption, were systematically purged during meditation. Despite his Spiritual Force taking a temporary dip of 0.6, Leylin knew that this sacrifice was well worth it.

As an acolyte, the strength of one's foundation was the compass guiding their path towards becoming a Magus. A solid foundation allowed for a brighter and more prosperous future along this mystical journey.

Previously, Leylin had sought shortcuts, relying heavily on potion consumption. This reckless approach left residues from those potions scattered throughout his body, even affecting his Spiritual Force, rendering it somewhat heterogeneous. If left unchecked, this chaotic mix would ultimately become a formidable barrier to his progress.

Now, under the influence of the Kemoyin's Pupil meditation technique, Leylin's Spiritual Force was undergoing a continuous purification process, setting the stage for a more promising development.

Yet, no matter how diligently he practiced, Leylin understood that he couldn't fully harness the power of the first level or ascend to the most potent form of a Rank 1 Warlock without merging the ancient bloodline with his own.

His attention then shifted to the spell formation responsible for this bloodline transfer.

'Aralis, conduct another comprehensive scan and inspection of the bloodline transfer spell formation.' Leylin commanded. The crimson radiance emanating from his eyes pierced the formation, revealing every intricate detail.

The gravity of the situation demanded unwavering caution. Leylin double-checked every element, ensuring that he hadn't overlooked anything crucial. However, he refrained from rushing through this pivotal phase.

Leaving nothing to chance, Leylin sealed off his entire villa and ventured out to a nearby restaurant. There, he indulged in a sumptuous feast filled with exquisite delicacies, knowing that the road to mastery required not just diligence but also nourishment of both body and mind.

Later, Leylin donned the humble attire of a commoner and embarked on a leisurely stroll through the bustling streets of Grey Stone City. Observing the ebb and flow of everyday life, Leylin immersed themselves in the ceaseless activities of the townsfolk — their toil, their moments of respite, and the myriad emotions that colored their existence.

Eventually, Leylin found themselves standing before one of the city's opulent mansions, the residence of a prominent noble. This particular noble had gained notoriety for being the father of four exceptionally beautiful daughters, all of whom remained untouched. The reason lay in their father's vexatious disposition, which had rendered the task of arranging their marriages an arduous challenge.

Leylin entered the luxurious mansion with an air of authority and confidence. He then used his Seductive Aura to convince the noble to surrender his daughters over to Leylin, which he did without question. Leylin then proceeded to take the girls up to a large bedroom, away from the father and any servant, and ravage them for hours on end.

Once he grew bored of them, he came down to the living room where the father was waiting, still under the effects of his magic. There, he used his Aura to gaslight the father into thinking he had been the one to ravage his own daughters. Leylin left the mansion, but remained nearby to watch the ensuing chaos. In his despair, the nobleman set fire to his home after locking the doors, ensuring everyone inside would die.

Satisfied with his preparations, Leylin returned to his villa and sat cross-legged on the bed. He began to recall his memories of his previous life, his experience of transmigrating to the Magus World, the life he had in the carriage party, entering the academy, and his various expeditions.

After several hours, Leylin's recollections of his memories scattered. What took its place was only calmness and indifference. With a serene heart, he immediately fell into a deep meditative state.

The next morning, Leylin felt refreshed as if every cell in his body was filled with energy. After activating all of the defense mechanisms, he wore a loose white robe and went towards the second story.

After giving the formation and potions one final check, a resolved expression appeared within Leylin's eyes. The buttons on the white robes came undone as it slid to the floor.

Leylin walked towards the center of the scarlet formation stark naked. He sat down on the black stone platform made of bright black stones. A feeling of chilliness emanated through Leylin's skin as he picked up a black dagger. The tip of the blade gave off a sharp coldness.

Leylin's expression was blank as he cut himself on his body. Blood gushed out. His expression was unchanging, and the hand that held the dagger did not quiver. In a mysterious sequence, the black dagger began to cut all over his body.

Every time the black dagger drew across Leylin's body, it would leave a bloody wound from where blood continuously dripped. At the very end, from his stomach to his forehead, there was a mystical triangular shaped rune on Leylin's body.

The blood that poured forth continuously from his skin looked extremely eerie and mysterious. Leylin's wounds were not healing themselves this time. He had used his meditation earlier to seal away his Mitotic Regeneration.

The blood that flowed from Leylin's wounds was collected by the grooves on the black stone platform, converging and flowing towards the formation below. Under the influence of the blood, the scarlet spell formation radiated a dozen times brighter.

The powerful flash of light brought forth a strong energy wave, which continuously radiated to the four walls of the villa. At this moment, magical blue runes on the walls began to absorb the energy waves that leaked from the spell formation.

The scarlet color turned brighter and brighter, before finally engulfing the entire room. In this blood-red world, a layer of black smoke suddenly appeared, continuously changing shape in midair.

Leylin moved his lips and chanted in the Byron language after seeing the black shadow. 'Abiding by the ancient contract, my strength will now be that of the Giant Kemoyin Serpent...'

After he had chanted the incantation, thick black smoke attached itself to Leylin's body. The triangular shaped wounds began to gleam in a grim black light. He shivered as an extremely strange iciness began to charge his nerves. After it had frozen to the extremes, a burning sensation seemed to set all of the cells on his body ablaze.

[Alert, Doctor! I've detected an enigmatic energy that's infiltrating your system, voraciously devouring your life essence!] Warned Aralis.

'Perfect. It's functioning as anticipated...' Leylin responded, his teeth clenched in determination.

As his body was consumed by an unseen flame, he could feel his Spiritual Force escalating at an alarming rate, edging ever closer to the threshold of a true Magus.

Yet, the cost was steep. If he continued to fuel this growth with his life essence, he risked incinerating himself before ever reaching the pinnacle of a Magus.

'The moment has come!' Leylin decided.

He reached for the vulcanized crystal test tube containing the purified Kemoyin Bloodline and poured the vibrant purple-red liquid onto his wounds.

The moment it made contact with Leylin's skin, the blood began to squirm and wriggle like a mass of serpents, burrowing into his flesh through the open wounds.

A guttural scream tore from Leylin's throat as his eyes bulged in their sockets and his facial muscles twisted in agony. The pain was so intense it blurred his vision and threatened to rob him of consciousness.

In that critical moment, teetering on the edge of oblivion, Leylin clung to the teachings of the Kemoyin's Pupil meditation technique. With sheer willpower, he began his audacious attempt to ascend to the rank of a Warlock.

After Leylin succumbed to unconsciousness, the ominous red glow within the villa's second story didn't fade. Instead, it intensified, pulsating with an eerie rhythm that echoed through the silent night.

As time slipped away, dawn broke on the second day. The crimson radiance grew fiercer, causing the blue runes etched on the walls to creak under the strain, as if on the brink of shattering.

Suddenly, a sound akin to breaking glass filled the air. The blue runes disintegrated, unable to withstand the force any longer. The red light burst forth, casting a scarlet hue onto the surrounding homes.

"Look! What in the world is that?" A passerby, a bald man with the look of a merchant, pointed towards Leylin's villa, his voice reverberating in the morning air. He was accompanied by what seemed to be his family; an attractive, sturdy woman and their two sons, who appeared to be around 8 and 10 years old.

Following his pointing finger, the merchant's family saw the villa's second story engulfed in a radiant scarlet light. It was so dazzling that it outshone even the morning sun.

As the light continued to radiate outward, those caught in its path mysteriously collapsed. The bald merchant who had first noticed the anomaly clutched his chest in terror, his eyes rolling back as he fell to the ground lifeless.

"My love!" The woman cried out in despair, as she kneeled to attend to her fallen husband. But her terror was far from over. An instant later, her two sons began screaming in fear, as if confronted with their worst nightmare, and attempted to flee from it together. They had barely taken a few steps when they too dropped to the ground, eyes rolled back and hearts stilled. They were dead.

The woman tried to scream in horror, but found herself unable to when her heart abruptly stopped inside her chest, ending her life instantly.

The light's reach expanded rapidly, claiming dozens upon dozens of more victims who all crumpled to the ground in its wake. Panic ensued as citizens screamed in terror. A wave of people surged through the city streets, fleeing as if pursued by an unspeakable horror only for them to die of a heart attack shorty afterward.

In a matter of seconds, the number of casualties rose to the hundreds and then the thousands. It had only taken 10 minutes for every living organism within Grey Stone City to perish as a consequence of Leylin's advancement process.

|=|=|=|=|=|=|=|

Leylin found himself lost in an extraordinarily vivid dream.

In this dreamscape, he was a minuscule serpent, slithering stealthily in the shadows, honing his predatory instincts. His world was ablaze, a hellish landscape of molten lava and smoldering stones, bathed in an unending fiery glow.

Over time, he evolved from a timid creature lurking in the shadows to a formidable predator reigning supreme at the apex of the food chain. No matter how fierce or terrifying the beasts he encountered, they were reduced to mere prey before him, succumbing to their inevitable fate.

His journey led him through ever-changing territories until one day, he found himself in a place teeming with creatures of his own kind. A sense of kinship stirred within him, compelling him to venture deeper into this newfound realm.

As he delved further into this territory, he could sense the presence of more powerful beings of his species. Their formidable aura was so overwhelming that it left Leylin gasping for breath.

The surrounding inferno gradually gave way to an enveloping darkness. This obsidian void, teeming with countless shadows, offered him a sense of security akin to the comforting embrace of a parent.

At the heart of this darkness, a sight awaited him. A colossal sphere composed entirely of serpents loomed before him, its vastness stretching across the horizon like a planet suspended in the cosmos - timeless and majestic. Each serpent within this sphere possessed a strength that dwarfed his own, their combined might rendering him awestruck.

Leylin's tongue darted out, flicking in the air with a hiss that was distinctly serpentine.

The massive sphere of serpents parted, revealing the figure of a curvaceous woman with raven-black hair. Her beauty was otherworldly, her amber eyes possessing vertical slits for pupils that shimmered like glazed ceramic, seemingly bottomless. Her hair writhed and coiled as if each strand were a tiny serpent, adding an enigmatic allure to her appearance.

"Ah, you have arrived at last, my sweet child... I've been waiting for you..." She spoke, her kind yet flanging voice resonating within Leylin's heart. The language was unfamiliar, yet he understood it instinctively.

As Leylin prepared to voice his questions, a blinding light flooded his vision. He raised his hand to shield his eyes and was startled to find it human once more. It was then he realized he had awakened from his dream.

The life he had lived in his dream, which had felt so real, now seemed like a distant memory. For a moment, he felt disoriented, as if he had lost touch with his own identity.

His reality seemed shrouded in a veil of uncertainty, everything appearing hazy and indistinct. Gradually, fragments of memories began to resurface in his mind. As he rose to his feet, he noticed that he was still unclothed, but all his wounds had miraculously healed. His physique was more formidable than ever - standing nearly 3 meters tall with muscles sculpted to perfection. His hair had darkened to jet black and his eyes had undergone a transformation - the sclerae were now a vivid red and his reptilian pupils had turned black, giving him a truly demonic appearance.

Regaining his senses, he realized he was currently standing atop a mound of rubble.

'Fascinating. The villa lies in ruins...' Leylin surveyed the collapsed structure, the sunlight pouring down on him unobstructed.

The area surrounding Leylin was a picture of devastation. Life seemed to have been extinguished entirely, leaving him as the sole survivor.

'It appears my energy absorption formation malfunctioned, resulting in a massive leak of mana radiation. The fallout must have claimed the lives of thousands... A partially unexpected result...' Leylin mused, stroking his chin thoughtfully. A sudden thought struck him, 'Be that as it may, I've more important things to concern myself with.'

Standing there in his natural state, Leylin could feel a surge of power coursing beneath his skin. His Spiritual Force had also experienced a noticeable enhancement.

Intrigued and eager, Leylin ventured into the depths of his consciousness. His mental landscape was awash with a crimson glow, painting the entire space a vivid red.

At its core floated an octagonal crystal, nestled within a spell formation. It radiated an energy that permeated his entire being.

Upon sensing the innate spell within the crystal, Leylin's lips curled into a satisfied grin. He had successfully ascended to the rank of an official Magus.

'Finally! Aralis, present my advancement report!'

[Of course, Doctor!] came the prompt response from his A.I. assistant

[Advancement Results: Successful completion of the first level of Kemoyin's Pupil has been achieved. Master has ascended to a Rank 1 Warlock. Various attributes have experienced a significant enhancement. Owing to the presence of Great Withering Mankestre Snake DNA & Demon Tree DNA, Master's body has effectively catalyzed the powers of the Giant Kemoyin Snake. In their absence, Master's risk of catastrophic failure (death) would have been 13.2%]

//

Dr. Fang Ming (Leylin Farlier's body)

<Power Scaling>

Rank 1 Warlock (ADVANCEMENT) || Grand Knight

<Ancient Bloodline>

Giant Kemoyin Serpent (NEWLY ACQUIRED FULL BLOODLINE)

<Physical Stats>

Strength - 10.4

Agility - 12.38

Vitality - 16.95

<Mystical Stats>

Spiritual Force - 34.16/34.16

Mana Energy - 34.16/34.16

<Innate Abilities>

Mitotic Regeneration (RESTORED AFTER BEING SEALED) || Advanced Dark Absorption || Advanced Illusory Aura (EVOLVED FROM SEDUCTIVE AURA)

<Perks >

Enhanced Plant & Dark elements affinities || Boosted illusion resistance || Reptile-class Mysterious Entities of ≤ power are positively biased

<General Skills>

Hybrid Farlier-Jackson Blade Technique (master) || Potioneering (master) || Grand Master Secret Skill (++AGI +STR --VIT) || Various Rank 0 & Rank 1 spells

<Innate Spells>

Kemoyin's Scales || Eye of Petrification

//

Aralis diligently presented the data before Leylin.

'The increase is indeed significant, no wonder I feel a change. My physique has improved, and my strength has escalated...' Leylin clenched his fist and threw a punch, causing a piercing explosion in the air.

'At this moment, my body is on par with any formidable creature. I could even take down a Great Mankestre Snake with a single punch...'

Leylin glanced at his chest. His skin appeared more lustrous. His abs were well-defined and prominent, though not overly so, maintaining a fine balance.

[I must commend you on your achievement, Doctor. However, the disturbance you've caused will undoubtedly alert nearby Magi. It would be wise to flee this place sooner than you had planned.]

Leylin casually retrieved a black robe from the debris and donned it. Surveying the numerous lifeless citizens around him, he wore a sadistic grin.

He had specifically chosen this city as his place to break through because he wanted to test the mana radiation intensity of a newly advanced Warlock. He had taken superficial measures to prevent any collateral damage, but the fact is that Leylin hoped to witness a massive field of death surrounding him when he woke up. 

As for advancing to an official Magus, Aralis couldn't find better research material. Despite Leylin's best efforts to set up an energy absorption spell formation, it crumbled under the immense energy released. He had hoped for a discreet process, but his power surge was simply too overwhelming.

Even if an official Magus were to restrain their mana radiation, ordinary humans wouldn't be able to endure it.

How could Leylin possibly restrain himself during his advancement? Thus, such a scene ensued.

After piecing together the details, Leylin shook his head, retrieved a few essential items from the debris, and stowed them in a knapsack.

Leylin applied a bit of force, leaving a deep indentation in the ground. His body transformed into a shadowy streak, departing the area at a speed several times faster than before.

|=|=|=|=|=|=|=|

After a while, the cawing of a bird echoed through the air.

A majestic, snow-white bird descended, carrying two official Magi on its back. They were clad in the attire of the Abyssal Bone Forest Academy.

"We've arrived at the location where we detected the energy waves."

A female Magus ran her fingers over the rubble on the ground, closing her eyes to sense something. "I detect an immense Spiritual Force and a scent of blood. The sensation it gives me slightly deviates from that of an official Magus…"

"Unfortunately, that's quite normal..." A cloaked male accompanied the female Magus. His voice, emanating from beneath the cloak, was distinctly masculine. "Choosing to advance here suggests it's a wandering magician. Moreover, they likely obtained an inheritance from some remnant..."

The cloaked man shrugged his shoulders reluctantly. "There are numerous remnants in South Coast. It's hard to determine the era of the inheritance that the magician received. It seems they've inherited some sort of ancient cultivation path, so it's not surprising that their aura deviates from the norm. However, the energy waves have clearly reached the power of a Rank 1 Magus, so we should take this matter seriously…."

Upon hearing her counterpart's words, the woman's expression turned grave.

In South Coast, various guilds and magisteriums mostly controlled the advancement of acolytes to protect their unique positions.

However, in such a vast domain, there were always several fortunate wandering acolytes who had obtained the inheritance or remnants of others and advanced successfully.

Although these occurrences were infrequent, they happened every few years.

The stance of the powerful organizations in South Coast was clear. They would try to incorporate them if possible, and if not, they had to ensure these fortunate individuals did not disseminate their knowledge about advancement.

As for the Abyssal Bone Forest Academy, which was closest to Grey Stone City, they naturally took on the responsibility of enforcing this law among the wandering magicians in the Poolfield Kingdom.

Soon enough, the cloaked male and female magicians began their investigation. However, all potential eyewitnesses had perished. The city had turned into a graveyard. Attempting to retrieve memories from the deceased was futile as their brains had suffered extensive damage, leaving the two investigators with no choice but to depart.

At this moment, in a dim forest near Grey Stone City, Leylin halted his run. He now moved faster than an adult Mankestre Snake, which was considered as one of the fastest Mysterious Entities in South Coast.

The current Leylin was a beast in human form. Even if an enchanted greatsword were thrust into his body, his dense steel-like muscles would likely cause it to simply bounce off of him.

'According to the Book of the Giant Serpent's description, usually acolytes who advance into an official Magus would only experience a minimal increase in their Spiritual Force, which would also form their innate talent. Warlocks, however, are different. They would be able to tap into the power of their bloodline and gain enhancement in both their Spiritual Force and physical bodies....'

Leylin's physical body now far surpassed any Grand Knights, and that's without taking into consideration his innate powers which had also evolved. Even a legendary Branded Swordsman would likely fall short in comparison. He was truly a force of nature now.