Zhan Shen yelled out in worry, "Master Miles! What happened?! Is there something wrong with the water?"
'What in the holy hells is this?!'
Miles was shocked, observing the strange screen that had appeared in the air before him. In a way, it reminded him of the status that some characters in old video games had. But how and why had this appeared in real life!?
Immediately turning to Zhan Shen, he pointed at the screen and asked in a raised voice, "This, this, can you see this?!"
The old butler was confused, but he still proceeded to look where Miles pointed before answering, "Master Miles, I'm afraid I don't see anything. Why? What do you see?"
Momentarily ignoring him, Miles fell into deep thought. It appeared he was the only one who could see this strange screen. That meant there was still the slight possibility of this being a hallucination.
The only way to prove he wasn't, was to see what he could do with this status screen.
Meanwhile, Zhan Shen was beginning to feel genuinely concerned. He couldn't help but wonder if Miles was under some grave spell, one that interfered with vision and memories.
Perhaps he should take the young master to a certified Fae Healer? Or the Hospital? But that would leave them vulnerable...
Miles glanced to the side, clearly noticing his guardian's mental state. With a reassuring smile, he waved his hand in dismissal, "No need to worry, Old Zhan. I'm fine. I can handle this. I believe I know what to do."
The elderly butler paused, before letting out a heavy sigh. He would believe in the young master, he would have faith in the child he had brought up.
With a nod of gratitude, Miles turned back towards the status screen.
Going over the various attributes and their values, coincidentally the same that could be enhanced by serums, Miles felt they were probably accurate. Even the fact that the title Discredited Heir of Lykaon Industries, while not something he was pleased with, being the only source of his Influence and giving a whopping +1000 made sense.
However, the fact that there was +5 to all of his physical attributes was almost unbelievable!
To achieve the same effect, he would've had to use 15 Goblin Tier Serums, 5 of each type! Sure, he could've used up 1/10th of his Faetality and spent a small fortune to obtain the serums or even higher tier ones, but here he had gained the enhancement instantly with just the strange title of Newborn!
If the Newborn title also enhanced his senses through Enhanced Senses(Minor) mentioned in its description, that might explain the sudden ability to see in the dark he had noticed just a few moments ago.
'A sudden increase in Strength, and Night Vision… It seems possible that I gained this 'system' because those two, that Vampire and Werewolf bit me. Then does that mean they had Systems as well? Or is it just me? Considering they were crushed into balls, I guess I'll never know.'
Whatever the answers to these questions may be, Miles was already starting to feel excited about what this would mean for the rest of his life.
However, what were the three titles at the end? He didn't have much thoughts about Cursed, and Vessel of the Beast Within (Sealed), but Last True Son of Lykaon, isn't that what that ghost lady called him?! Did that mean she could be related to this? Then was she the one who gave this system?!
Unfortunately, it seemed inactive for now.
Seeing nothing else that caught his attention, Miles finally turned towards the [Current Form] bracket.
Following the information in both this and the [Form Class] bracket, he should probably unlock one of these supposed forms and confirm whether the system really worked.
The moment he thought this, the [Form] bracket reopened into a larger window.
[Current Form: Base human (Mana Heart not detected. A Potential-less form.)
For proper activation of the System, the user should choose a new form. Later on, the user may change their forms as they wish.
Unlockable Base Forms: Kindred or Wurkan.
Currently, only the Kindred Quest is available. Do you accept (Yes/No)? ]
Miles couldn't help but feel slightly insulted by this new message.
'Potential-less? Seriously? I know I'm not an Epsilon Faehuman, but I'm not that bad! I'm in the top 20% of the world! And what the hell is a Mana Heart?'
Realizing no one would answer him, Miles heaved a sigh and fell into thought.
The biggest problem right now was he did not know what these words, 'Kindred' and 'Wurkan' meant. But considering there were two of these "unlockable base forms", and considering the two who bit him in the first place, it almost definitely had something to do with Vampires and Werewolves.
In addition, if he remembered correctly, the ghost lady had mentioned one of these words, "Wurkan."
Specifically, she had said, "Son of Lykaon, the only reason you could enter was due to the She-Wurkan."
Considering the word "She", it was possible the ghost had referred to the female Werewolf. In which case, Wurkan would be another word for Werewolf. And by means of elimination, Kindred must mean Vampire.
Whatever the case, Miles only had one choice available. He would have to start with Kindred whether he liked it or not. And since it was mentioned he could change his form later, he had no problems with the lack of choice.
Taking a deep breath, he focused on the word 'Yes', preparing to say it. But before he could...
Ding!
The same notification-like sound rang out.
The Status screen vanished, and a new one took its place. This one was almost identical, with black text on a transparent background.
At the very top of the screen, appeared a single word, [QUESTS].
'It read my mind?! It works based on my thoughts!? Despite our attempts to copy Fae technology, Humanity is still years away from mind-reading as a working concept!
Is that why the System appeared in the first place? Because I thought of it?'
Intrigued, Miles willed the screen to disappear. And it vanished. With just another thought, he willed it back.
'It IS mind controlled! If this thing isn't a hallucination, and by now I'm pretty confident it isn't, I might be able to use this...'
Stifling his excitement for the moment, Miles began to read the new [QUESTS] screen.
[Form Unlock Quest #1: Kindred- Base Form.
Consume a drop of human blood.
Rewards: First Re-Awakening. Depending on the quality of the blood and the strength of the individual it originates from, there may be additional effects.]
[Form Unlock Quest #2: Wurkan- Base Form.
Unavailable. Conditions not met.]
Miles raised an eyebrow. If he had any doubts about Kindred being Vampire, they completely vanished with this.
As for drinking a drop of blood, he had no qualms against it. Even if he had to consume blood like a monster, like the Vampire that had bitten him, he still had no problems with it. He needed power, and he would do what was needed to gain it.
Miles turned to Zhan Shen, who was doing his best to remain calm, but failing spectacularly, and said, "Old Zhan, I'm going to need some blood."
"Blood?" Zhan Shen nodded instantly, "No problem. We always maintain a stock of fresh blood of all types in every one of our safe houses. Why? Do you need a transfusion? But I checked your condition…"
Miles shook his head, forcing a smile, "No, not a transfusion. I just need a drop of blood. And I think it'd be best if it came from you. I will be… drinking it."
The old butler's shocked expression was a real sight to see. He was both confused and speechless. Why would the young master drink blood, and his own at that?
Miles shook his hands, doing his best to hold back his embarrassment, "I know! I know, it's weird, but I think your blood will be best for this. And I know what I said sounds crazy, but if this works, it will serve as proof."
The old butler looked conflicted as he asked, "Does this have something to do with the 'Vampire' you mentioned? But why are you drinking blood? You don't have any thoughts of becoming a Vampire yourself, do you?" and narrowed his eyes.
'And that is exactly why I didn't explain too much to Old Zhan. Vampires don't have the best reputation, he would definitely be against me becoming an undead blood drinking monster. But… I have to.'
Miles scoffed, "Of course not! This is just a small test to serve as evidence."
He rarely lied to Zhan Shen, and he was betting on that to trick his guardian.
The old Butler stared at him as if testing the truth in his words and finally heaved a sigh.
Fortunately or unfortunately, he seemed to believe Miles.
Then, he moved, and his motion was rapid and instantaneous.
Miles could just barely see Zhan Shen bend down, reaching for something in his boot, and get back up. The rest was just a flash of white.
By the time he had blinked, the old Butler was exactly as he had been. The only evidence of him having ever moved was a small cut on his hand.
'Damn! He really is an Epsilon Faehuman. But I could still barely see his movement, without ever having used a single Fae Serum!'
With that thought, Miles felt slightly more at peace with his decision to embrace the system quest and lie to his guardian.
Unaware of his thoughts, Zhan Shen held a small saucer from the side table, and let his blood drip onto it. After a few drops had accumulated, he passed it over.
But that didn't stop Miles from noticing the elderly Butler rubbing his cut. By the time he was done, only a faint trace of blood remained. The wound had already healed.
'Regeneration?! It's not as impressive as the Vampire's... but still! I didn't know old Zhan had such a Fae Ability. That reminds me, I should probably ask him about his abilities one of these days.'
Noticing that Miles wasn't doing anything, the elderly Butler spoke with a teasing grin, "Well, what are you waiting for? Drink up, Master Miles, drink up! I bet my blood will taste pretty good, at least as good as your hellishly expensive wine! For sure!"
Miles scowled. Old Zhan sure liked to make fun of his wine.
Intending to get this over with as soon as possible, he put the saucer to his mouth and pulled his head back.
It tasted like Iron, just like normal blood, but there was also something unusual about it. Something familiar. It tasted… like fresh bamboo shoots?
Ding!
[Quest Requirements met.
Form Unlock Quest #1 Completed!
Reward: Form- Kindred, First Re-Awakening.
Owing to the high-quality, fae energy rich blood, the user has gained additional bonuses.
Ability- Self Control, Title- Balanced Path of Life. ]
The moment this message appeared, Miles felt his body go cold.
He coughed hoarsely as he felt his body shift and move underneath his clothes. He could even hear his heart begin to beat rapidly and loudly, almost as if it was screaming in agony. But it didn't hurt him at all.
Zhan Shen noticed this instantly, "Master Miles! What's wrong? Why do you look so pale? What's happening to your aura?! I might be a Faehuman, but my blood isn't toxic or anything!"
Miles's heartbeat reached a crescendo, beating louder and faster than ever before, and then it stopped.
His heart was now silent, unbeating, unmoving.
Miles released a breath.
He felt weird, strange, but it also felt good. He felt stronger, better than ever before.
Miles could feel that his senses were far better now, even more than the enhanced state. If he focused hard enough, he could see the pores on Zhan Shen's face, hear his heart beating, and even smell the vague iron tinge of blood in the room.
He could also feel something strange in the air, on his skin. It almost felt like several millions of small hands poking him. It took him a few seconds to realize it was the air currents.
All of these were drastic changes, and he was still getting used to it.
Suddenly a familiar Ding! rang out and a message popped up.
[New ability (Self-Control) opposes the principles of the Kindred System. It will be changed to better fit the System.
Assimilating…
(Self Control) has been shifted into [Discipline: Haemomancy].
The user has unlocked their First Discipline. The Path of the Kindred twists before you.]
'Haemomancy? Blood Magic? This came from old Zhan's Self-Control just because it opposed the Kindred System-- the Vampire System? And what's this about a path twisting? The hell?'
But before Miles could think more about this, a powerful pressure crashed down on him, almost making him collapse.
It took everything in his power to just barely resist it and remain standing.
He was forced to slowly move his head towards his assailant. It was Butler Zhan Shen, in a horse stance, prepared to attack. He looked utterly enraged.
With faint tears in his eyes, the old butler roared with anger and pain, "WHAT DID YOU DO TO HIM!? WHAT DID YOU DO WITH MILES, YOU MONSTER!?"