As the sword drew closer, my anger only grew. After everything, I could not accept dying here. Not when a whole new world opened up to me. I drew more prana than my feeble source could provide. A heat grew within my chest as my source was strained even further. The increased strength gave me a single second. But it was more than enough to throw myself to the side. The blade missed my head and bit halfway into my left shoulder instead. Cutting through flesh and bone, it separated my shoulder bone, causing the arm to hang limply. I screamed as the red-hot blade cauterized the wound. The smell of blood and burnt flesh was pungent in the air. My hate-filled gaze met the exhausted eyes of the swordsman. Whatever he did clearly took a lot out of him.
Right as he was about to strike again, a throwing knife shot through his throat, leaving a gaping hole in its stead. Confusion and fear crossed his eyes as he tried to stop the blood leaking from his wound. His body fell to the ground as he began spasming with his death throes. The slow click of footsteps came from behind me as the final contestant walked towards his latest kill. I was lying on the ground, struggling for breath as my borrowed time had run out. A great weakness washed over me as my consciousness began to fade. But even then, I refused to submit. My anger was like a mountain refusing to fall. The final enemy stood over his kill, kneeling down to observe his handiwork. He completely ignored me, probably assuming that I was already dead. That was his final mistake, with the last vestiges of strength my body could offer. I stabbed my knife into his heart. On instinct, he smacked me away. My body was too weak to resist, and I fell back to the ground, wincing in pain from my many wounds.
But none of that mattered anymore. I had done it. I have won, the victory felt empty as my life slowly bled away from me with my many open wounds. My mind slowly began to drift from my control. As I finally fell asleep, I saw words appear in the darkness of my mind.
[Memory shard has been defeated. Analyzing results… Access to the system has been granted. Bloodlines detected. Error: conflicting bloodlines present. Bloodlines have been merged. Welcome to the Way of Kings. May your sword smite your foes. And your banner spread fear across the lands.]
The sweet bliss of sleep was intoxicating after all the stress and tension from the shard. But all good things must come to an end. As consciousness began to return to my exhausted mind. The first thing that returned was the pain. My entire body felt like one large wound. From my overstrained muscles to the many open wounds covering my body. Opening my eyes slowly was a struggle in and of itself; my eyes had adjusted to the darkness. So the light of the sun from the open window was blinding. I tried to sit up, but a lancing pain from my right shoulder stopped me in my tracks. The exertion caused an itch to form at the back of my throat. The all too familiar tall of an incoming cough. I no longer had the strength to resist, and the reaction was like opening the floodgates.
Damn, this sickness! It was one of the sick jokes of my rebirth, giving me a body too weak to handle my soul. Any form of magical exertion caused the sickness to flare up with a vengeance. The coughing spree was like a signal for my awakening. Not long after, Lionel walked in with a concerned look on his face. He was so concerned that he had not even curled his magnificent mustache. His salt and pepper hair was slicked back as always. But he had swapped out his armor for more comfortable clothes. Behind him entered an unfamiliar woman wearing simple clothes, carrying a bucket of water. She had long brown hair. With similar brown eyes. She refused to make eye contact even when she drew closer. And began removing my bandages one by one to clean the wounds.
"Report, Lionel." My voice was hoarse as my throat was dry like parchment.
Lionel stood at attention by the foot of my bed as he looked at me with visible concern. "All has been quiet since you entered the shard, my lord." His voice may have been calm, but I could see as his eyes trailed across the many wounds littering my body. I mirrored him as I took a look at myself. What I saw was shocking. My blood had turned to a dark red almost deep crimson color.
"That is good to hear…" My words were interrupted by a wince of pain as the healer's washcloth grazed the wound on my shoulder.
"Sir, if I may ask. What skills did you gain from the true path?" I could see anticipation written clearly on his face as he asked.
"I have yet to look, Lionel, but I guess there is no time like the present." With that in mind, I thought up the word 'status,' and to my surprise, it had an instant response.
[ Name: Drakus El Drakkar
Race: Half Elf (Stage 1)
Bloodline: Will of Conquest - Purity 12%
Affinities: Greater Affinity of Space
Middling Affinity of Lightning
Middling Affinity of Blood
Skills: Blink lvl 1, Lightning bolt lvl 1, Blood Drinker lvl 1]
I read the information out loud so that Lionel could follow along and give some advice. He was shocked when he heard of my affinity for space. He composed himself quickly, waiting for me to finish before speaking. "That is certainly a unique combination, my lord. It is a shame that your dominant affinity is space, though." His words only caused me to become even more confused.
"If I'm not mistaken, isn't space a greater affinity. So what do you mean by it's a shame that it is my dominant affinity?" I was genuinely confused, as I thought that should be a good thing.
"Well, my lord, how should I put this. Space is a support affinity, mostly just used for various forms of teleportation. Although it is a very useful thing, when it comes to combat, it is not necessarily very good. Not only do you need a high affinity to even get a combat skill, but even then, they are extremely rare. Considering the fact that, as a Drakkar, you are expected to one day lead soldiers into battle, you can understand my trepidation." His explanation was more of a lecture, but it was extremely insightful. But even then, I do not know if I agree with his reasoning. Just because it is generally seen as a support affinity does not mean it is limited to such.
"Either way, Lionel, it is not that big of a deal. I still have my lightning affinity for combat, so it is not detrimental." I waved away his concern as I was lost in thought. "Now, if that is all, Lionel, I am in extreme pain. I would prefer to rest for a while, so do not bother me unless absolutely necessary." He only bowed in response before making his exit. The healer had finished a little while back, so once again I was left alone in the small room.