Wolf of the Blood Moon: A Blood Magic
Book 1: Chapter 44: Recruitment Part II and a Surprise

Scarlet

“Your team?” I repeat, a frown developing on my face.

If I remember correctly, the Guardian Universities Interschool Tournaments are always broadcast live to every city regardless of Tier. They are basically the replacement of the old world’s Olympics, making it the most important sporting event of the year to a lot of people.

The tournaments themselves are located in things called ‘Magical Realities’ which are created through specific types of magic put into magi-tech that allow a sort of virtual world where everyone who dies in the world is simply just kicked out of it with a massive headache. With no actual damage done to them. So killing is perfectly legal in these tournaments as it prepares the Guardians for real combat in Fractures. Which makes sense.

It’s honestly a little sickening how a lot of the powers Guardians gained were basically turned into ways to make them celebrities soon after the Demonic Assaults became less of a pressing issue and more something that many Guardians treat as ways to grow stronger and get more wealth and popularity. But I guess that’s human nature at its finest.

Especially considering all the suffering that the people went through in the process. But the people are the ones who put the Guardians on a pedestal in the first place, so. And the world was basically coming to an end in some ways at the time.

“You should know that I don’t tend to work well with groups,” I tell them, not breaking eye contact with Michael, who is obviously the leader of their little group.

He just shakes his head at that and retorts, “That’s not true. I saw you working perfectly well with those researchers and security guards in the video of your fight against the demon knight. You just prefer not to work with groups, or plain dislike it.”

I barely manage to hide my wince.

“In fact, I’d say you’re even pretty good at leading a team, or at the very least co-leading one,” he presses on, standing up from his chair to reach his full height, which is a few inches taller than me, making me look up to maintain eye contact. Which is rather annoying. “And you having blood magic makes you the perfect member of nearly any team. So what say you? Will you join?”

We continue our staring contest for who knows how long before I eventually turn around, breaking the stare lock as I bring my large number of trays over to the counter while calling back, “I’ll think on it.”

Whether or not I need a team will determine my choice. If I have to compete in the team branches of the tournament, then I will work with them. If not? Then I won’t.

That or a whim if I end up actually liking them.

I don’t look back to see what their reaction is, but I can still hear Michael’s previously racing heart slow down a little as he lets out a sigh and sits down.

Which wasn’t really something I noticed until I actually focused on it. The fact that I can literally hear a person’s heartbeat.

Maybe I can use that to my advantage? I feel like I remember hearing about Guardians with incredible hearing being able to detect lies or something.

I’ll have to look into that.

But first, it’s time to go visit the training hall. Because I really need to learn how to better use my skills in combat.

I frown as I reach training hall D and realize that the dummies don’t exactly have blood for me to experiment with. Nor do they have life energy, according to Tar.

Well, this makes things difficult.

Am I always going to have to test my skills blindly in combat? Because that doesn’t sound especially safe.

I stare at the terminal for several seconds, just frowning as I try to think of a solution until the sound of the door opening brings my attention back to the door, where I find Sylver standing there. And he doesn’t look surprised to see me in the least. In fact, he nods his head at me as the door shuts behind him and he begins walking over here.

The man is wearing much more casual clothes than the last time I saw him, with a simple hoodie and shorts on, each black and silver in color. Which is a good set of colors.

“Scarlet Wolf,” he says, a hint of amusement in his eyes as he no doubt links my name to my title, making my eyebrow twitch with irritation. But other than that, his face is still mostly without any real display of emotion. “I thought I’d come to assist you.”

I narrow my eyes. Sᴇaʀch* Thᴇ NøvᴇlFirᴇ(.)nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of nøvels early and in the highest quality.

“Why?”

He frowns before shrugging and saying, “Because you’re too reckless. And without proper training, or the knowledge of using your skills, you will end up dead.”

I stare at him for a few seconds before sighing.

He’s right. Putting how he came to know that I was in here aside for the moment, he is right.

“Alright,” I tell him while crossing my arms. “Train me then.”

He’s a Class II Guardian, so he has to be strong. And to have survived long enough, there’s no way he doesn’t at least know the basics. So even if he doesn’t end up being the greatest of teachers, he’ll at least be able to get me started while I wait for Allen.

He nods his head, “Good attitude. First, use whatever skills you need to test on me.” I frown at that, but he just adds, “Unless you’ve gotten new skills since, I can already pretty much guess what your skills do from the recordings. It’s one to manipulate the blood of your enemies in some way, one to somehow boil the blood of your enemies, and one to create claws of blood on your hands, right?”

I reluctantly nod my head, only to secretly hide a grin.

He doesn’t know about life drain.

From my understanding, most of a Guardian’s skills aren’t really possible to keep private. After all, we’re always using them in public to fight the demons, and a lot of people tend to get camera happy around Guardians. So most of the skills are leaked out rather quickly.

Not much use in hiding it, especially from a fellow Guardian in the same Association as me.

I won’t explain them though.

“Come at me whenever you feel ready,” Sylver says while stepping up a few steps before stopping in place and casually putting his hands in his hoodie.

Seriously? Am I that little a threat to you?

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