The halls of Blackthorn Academy were as silent as a graveyard that night. Dante sat on his bed, staring at the glowing mark on his palm. It pulsated faintly, as though alive, whispering secrets he could not yet decipher. He had been restless since his confrontation with Gregor, the encounter stirring something deep within him.
Suddenly, the mark flared with a searing brightness, making him gasp. A cold, mechanical voice echoed in his mind:
"System initializing... Welcome, Dante Blackthorn. Bloodline Chronicle System activated."
Dante stumbled back, gripping the edge of his desk for support. His heart raced as translucent screens flickered into existence before his eyes.
[Bloodline Chronicle System Activated]
User: Dante Blackthorn
Bloodline: Dormant
Level: 1
Attributes:
Strength: 10Agility: 12Intelligence: 15
Abilities Unlocked:[Bloodline Resonance: Passive][Mark of the Chosen: Active]Dante blinked, his mind scrambling to process what he was seeing. "Bloodline Chronicle System? What does that even mean?"
The voice responded, devoid of emotion:
"The Bloodline Chronicle System is your guide. Through trials and survival, you will unlock the dormant power within your bloodline and rewrite your fate."
Before Dante could question further, another notification appeared.
"Mission Assigned: Survive the First Trial. Reward: Skill Upgrade."
"What trial?!" he shouted into the empty room.
A sharp knock on the door broke his thoughts. Leah's voice came through, urgent and worried. "Dante! What's going on? Open up!"
He rushed to open the door. Leah stepped in, her expression pale and her golden hair disheveled. "I felt… something strange. Like a surge of energy."
"It's this." Dante held out his glowing palm. "It's not just a mark anymore. It's… a system. The Bloodline Chronicle System. It's talking to me, giving me missions."
Leah's eyes widened. "A system? Like some sort of… magical guide?"
"Something like that. But it warned me about a trial. Something is coming."
The trial began faster than either of them expected. As Dante and Leah moved cautiously through the academy halls, the air grew colder, an oppressive weight settling over them.
Gregor emerged from the shadows with two of his lackeys in tow. His smirk was dark, his eyes burning with malice.
"You're still breathing? Let's change that." Gregor raised his hand, dark energy swirling around him.
Leah stepped forward, her fists clenched. "Back off, Gregor! You've caused enough trouble."
But Gregor ignored her, his focus entirely on Dante. "Your mark won't save you, Blackthorn. In fact, I'll rip it off your hand myself."
Dante felt his hand burn as the system's voice echoed in his mind:
"Trial Commencing. Activating [Mark of the Chosen]."
Crimson energy erupted from his palm, forming a protective barrier that deflected Gregor's first strike. The force of it sent Gregor stumbling back, his confidence wavering.
"What… what is this?" Gregor growled.
The system chimed again:
"Skill Unlocked: Bloodline Surge. Use it wisely."
Instinctively, Dante raised his hand. Energy crackled around him as the mark glowed brighter. A blast of raw power surged forth, hitting Gregor squarely in the chest and sending him crashing into the wall.
Gregor's allies hesitated, their fear palpable. They dragged their leader away, muttering curses under their breath.
When the corridor fell silent again, Leah turned to Dante, her face a mixture of awe and fear. "Dante… that was incredible. What just happened?"
Dante stared at his hand, the mark dimming slightly but still pulsating with energy. "The system—it's part of me now. It's called the Bloodline Chronicle System. And it just saved my life."
Leah nodded slowly, her gaze sharpening with determination. "Then we need to figure out why it chose you. Because whatever it is, Gregor's hatred is just the beginning. This is far from over."
Dante clenched his fists, his resolve hardening. "If this system wants me to unlock my bloodline and survive, then that's exactly what I'll do. No matter what it takes."