I checked the crystal's details through the system:
[ Power Crystal: A concentrated source of energy found in different-levels alien beasts. It can be consumed for a massive EXP boost, used as a permanent power source for different-grade weapons, or traded as a rare currency ]
I wiped the green blood off the crystal and tossed it into my storage ring.
"Wait a minute, I have a stat point."
The System hadn't mentioned anything about this earlier. But looking at it, I understood the mechanic: for every level gained, I would receive one stat point. However, just leveling up wouldn't increase my actual power; I needed to assign these points manually.
"Come on out, System. Tell me, is there any other solution regarding this?" I asked after pondering the situation.
[ Host, you have asked a valid question. There are indeed other ways. Do you wish to hear them? ]
"Of course, I want to. Go ahead."
[ Very well. The first method is to consume human blood. Upon drinking it, you will gain one stat point. However, drinking from the same human again will not yield further points. To gain more stat points, you must drink the blood of a different human. A single drop of blood is sufficient to trigger this effect. ]
I am a vampire now, but in my past life, I was human. Being human once, the idea of drinking another person's blood makes me feel strange and guilty.
However, I rationalized it. The blood I usually consume doesn't belong to anyone specific anymore, so I drink it easily. If just one drop is enough... that falls within my limit of acceptance. It will work.
I signaled my agreement to the System regarding this path.
[ The second and final method: The System will issue exercise-related missions for the Host. Completing these will reward you with stat points. ]
"I accept this path as well."
With the decision made, I waved my hand and activated my Blood Manipulation skill.
Whoosh!
Blood began to extract itself from the Reptorok's massive corpse. Green blood floated into the air, flowing in streams. Under my command, the blood began to purify itself, separating the impurities from the essence.
Drip... Drip...
The night passed, and morning arrived. By the time I stopped, I had filled 20 transparent bottles with the purified green blood.
"That makes a total of 21 bottles," I murmured, counting the final haul.
I stored all the bottles inside my storage ring. Then, with a wave of my hand, I stored the Reptorok's massive body into the ring as well.
7:00 AM - College room 32
I arrived back at my room. I went straight to the bathroom to shower and changed into my fresh college uniform.
Creak.
"Oh, Aditya? You're back?" Jeevan asked, rubbing his sleepy eyes as he sat up.
I nodded in response. "By the way, Jeevan, I killed that beast. Its entire body is inside my storage ring." I said, flashing the ring on my finger.
"What? Really? You did it?" Jeevan looked at me in pure astonishment. "I didn't expect you to do it alone, and so quickly!"
Dev had also woken up by then. Hearing our conversation, he looked just as shocked as Jeevan.
"Aditya, you defeated that beast alone?" Dev asked, incredulous. "I heard that even users above Level 10 can't hunt Alien Beasts solo; they usually form teams to kill them."
"It's because I'm a vampire," I replied calmly. "One of the greatest advantages of being a vampire is having immense vitality and rapid recovery. I can restore my lost energy just by drinking blood."
We chatted for a while longer.
Tick-Tock.
It was now 8:00 AM.Dev and Jeevan grabbed their heavy sacks filled with soil and left the room. I parted ways with them and headed towards the Weapon Classes.
Walking through the corridor, I spotted Barsha ahead. She was carrying a bow on her shoulder. Upon seeing her, I decided not to engage. To avoid her, I quietly blended into the crowd of students.
Barsha was walking confidently when she suddenly spotted a familiar face. As an archer, her vision was as sharp as a hawk's; she recognized me from a distance with just a single glance.
"Aditya!" Barsha shouted.
Hush...
Hearing her shout, the students around me instinctively stepped aside, creating a clearing. Finally, I had been spotted.
I walked towards her, feeling a bit awkward. "Barsha, how did you recognize me? I had blended into the crowd."
Barsha puffed out her chest proudly. "Aditya, you shouldn't forget—before being a user, I am an archer. My eyesight is as sharp as a hawk."
I hadn't noticed that detail. If I had known, I could have avoided her.
"Aditya, sorry about that night," Barsha said, her tone softening. "I got too excited that day. I do want to become a vampire, but not with that level of craziness again."
Phew.
I breathed a sigh of relief. I really didn't want to deal with the crazy version of Barsha, but she seemed normal now.
"Barsha, which class did you choose?" I asked.
"You can't even guess?" she chuckled, tapping her bow. "As an archer, I obviously chose the Weapon Class. By the way, Aditya, which class did you pick?"
"I also chose the Weapon Class," I replied with a helpless smile. "But... I don't have a weapon yet."
I do have the Fire Dragon Whip, but I can't bring it out in front of everyone. It's Michael's Soul Weapon—I stole it after killing him using my Possession Plunder skill. Besides, equipping it actually lowers some of my stats, so I don't want to use it anyway.
"Well, let's go," she said.
Side by side, Barsha and I headed towards the Weapon Class.
Following the navigation route displayed on our smartwatches, we arrived at our designated classroom.
I looked up. The Weapons Hall was a structure completely separate from the main college building. It was an imposing edifice with a massive steel door, beside which a scanning device was mounted. Outside, a large crowd of students had gathered—everyone who had chosen the Weapon Class, or more accurately, the Beast Weapon Class.
One by one, students raised their wrists to the device.
Beep!
A laser beam shot out, scanning their smartwatches.
Hiss—Klank.
Upon confirmation, the heavy steel doors slid open automatically, allowing them entry.
Barsha and I joined the queue.
"Aditya, I didn't expect the Beast Weapon Class to be this famous," Barsha whispered, looking around. "I never thought so many students would choose this class."
I nodded in agreement, just as surprised as she was.
...
Finally, it was my turn. I stepped up to the door and raised my hand. The device on the wall projected a light over my wrist.
Vrrrt... Scan Complete.
My smartwatch vibrated, and a message flashed on a transparent green holographic panel:
[ Student Aditya has selected this Class. From now on, this will be your designated department. Since Student Aditya currently possesses no Skill Book, you retain the option to change your Class later. ]
I nodded at the notification and stepped forward.
Whoosh.
The doors parted, and I walked inside.
My eyes widened. The interior was cavernous. The ceiling soared nearly 20 meters high, creating a sense of immense space. The walls were lined with countless weapons—strange, jagged, and fierce-looking implements forged from the bones and materials of Alien Beasts.
In the dead center of the hall lay a large arena. It looked like a dueling ground where students would likely spar against one another.
Tap, tap.
Barsha finished her scan and walked in, coming to a stop beside me. The other students were wandering around, gazing in awe at the beast weapons hanging on the walls.
I, however, began scanning the room for the instructor. After looking around for a moment, my eyes landed on a solitary figure.
He was a man who looked to be over forty. He was completely bald and dressed in rugged leather armor. Hanging at his waist was a Katana. The handle was rough and serrated, looking almost like a set of teeth, and the scabbard seemed to be crafted from the same hide as his armor.
A vicious scar ran across his face, making his appearance even more menacing. He stood perfectly still, his eyes closed, exuding a heavy aura.
That sword...
I analyzed the weapon at his hip. Judging by its texture and aura, I guessed it had been forged from one of the strongest beasts found on another planet.
Just then, a girl entered the Weapon Hall. My eyes widened in surprise. It was Gayatri, the girl who had taken the college entrance exam alongside me.
But what is she doing here? Her ability was Ice, wasn't it? She should belong to the Elementalist Class. Why is she in the Weapon Hall?
I wasn't the only one confused; like me, many other students were thinking the same thing, and whispers began to spread.
"What is she doing here?"
"Shouldn't she be in the Elementalist Class?"
"Who cares? If I defeat her, do you think she'll go on a date with me?"
To be continued...