Blood Master

He Xi's internal alarm bells went off!

What a joke!

What if that Dwarf Mage actually tested something? Wouldn't the origin of the pillars be exposed on the spot?

Wouldn't his dramatic performance just now, filled with tears and accusations against the "culprit" who almost destroyed his house, be utterly ridiculous?

No! Absolutely not!

But refusing directly would seem suspicious.

He Xi's mind raced, but he put on a curious expression. "Mr. Duggan, are you here specifically to test Plint's talent?"

"Mm..."

Cyril responded vaguely, his voice tinged with a hint of disappointment and embarrassment.

He Xi instantly guessed it.

It seemed Cyril's test results weren't very good.

He shifted to a gentle expression. "Becoming a Mage surely isn't that simple, Cyril. Can you tell me how the test was conducted? I'm quite curious about the world of Mages too."

Unlike when facing his two attendants, Otto and Ferdinand, the master-servant relationship prevented them from communicating as equals.

Cyril felt he could confide in He Xi more easily.

He Xi's ideas were always unconventional, and he was also very understanding.

Cyril, without realizing it, poured out his experiences of the past few days—Duggan's visit, the uniqueness of Insect Mages, the bizarre communication tests, the frustration of trying countless types of insects without ever establishing a "unique connection"...

He Xi listened with great interest. He hadn't expected such an obscure and peculiar school of magic.

Dealing with insects all day?

Seeing the undisguised disappointment on the face of the Baron's son before him, He Xi decided to help him.

After all, Cyril had always treated him well.

"Have you... tried mosquitoes?" He Xi mused, stroking his chin as if deep in thought.

"Mosquitoes?" Cyril blinked.

Over the past few days, he and Duggan had tried beetles, praying mantises, ladybugs, fireflies, and even the ill-tempered rhinoceros beetles, but mosquitoes... such common insects, they really hadn't tried them.

"No..." Cyril answered honestly.

"Why not try them?" He Xi began his act again. "I think mosquitoes are actually very powerful insects! With immense potential!"

"Powerful?" Cyril looked confused.

Besides buzzing and sucking blood, what else could mosquitoes do?

"Of course!" He Xi analyzed with feigned seriousness. "Think about it, if you could control a large swarm of mosquitoes.

Just the overwhelming buzzing sound alone would be enough to drive enemies mad and break their spirits."

He paused, emphasizing his point. "Moreover, there are many kinds of mosquitoes! Some carry terrible diseases, like malaria, yellow fever... uh, anyway, they're very potent!"

Cyril listened, dumbfounded. Were mosquitoes really that powerful?

It sounded somewhat plausible, but the crucial point...

"But... He Xi," Cyril said with a pained expression, "the problem is I can't command them! Mr. Duggan's test is about communication ability..."

He Xi smiled mysteriously, lowering his voice as if imparting a secret. "I've heard a saying, I don't know if it's true... Apparently, there's a special 'ritual'."*

"A ritual?" Cyril's curiosity was piqued.

"Yes!" He Xi said with a solemn expression. "You need to willingly offer your blood as a 'tribute'."

"Offer... offer blood?" Cyril instinctively clutched his arm.

"Don't be nervous!" He Xi waved his hand. "It's not about cutting yourself! It's... letting the mosquitoes drink your blood!"

Cyril: "..."

"Of course, just letting a mosquito bite you won't do," He Xi continued his deception. "While the mosquito is feeding on your blood, you need to concentrate all your spirit and devoutly chant an ancient incantation..."

Cyril grew more confused. "An incantation?"

He Xi cleared his throat and recited in a deep tone:

"Wings that hum in the dark night, Messengers who suck the nectar of life! With my flowing blood as sacrifice, I call to you! Heed my will! And venerate me as— "Blood Master"!"

Cyril: "..."

The corner of his mouth twitched uncontrollably.

This... why did it sound like a shoddy story spun by a bard? "Blood Master"? How embarrassing!

He Xi seemed to see through his thoughts, wearing an expression that said, "You don't understand." "Don't find it strange, Cyril.

All things have spirits; even mosquitoes have their beliefs and worship. You must show sincerity and respect, using blood and incantations to build a bridge of communication!"

He patted Cyril's shoulder and said earnestly, "Give it a try! Mr. Duggan is still here anyway, so there's no harm in trying. What if it works?"

The moment his palm touched Cyril's shoulder, He Xi's heart stirred.

"The term '[Swarm Leader]' is like a useless piece of chicken bone to me, but for Cyril, this might be his only chance to become a mage."

As soon as this thought surfaced, the mysterious light cluster in his mind immediately responded.

[Target selected: Human · Cyril]

[Granting target the term -- Swarm Leader]

After a series of prompts were completed.

He Xi withdrew his hand calmly, as if his earlier action was just a normal gesture of encouragement.

Cyril, however, was completely unaware of this.

He simply looked at He Xi's sincere gaze, his heart in turmoil.

Reason told him this was absurd.

But the sliver of unwillingness deep within his heart and his desire to become a mage gnawed at him like little claws.

Mr. Duggan was returning to Fernandez soon... this might be his last chance...

Fine, he'd try! At worst... he'd just get bitten by a few more mosquitoes!

"Alright..." Cyril nodded with difficulty. "I'll... I'll give it a try."

He Xi smiled in satisfaction and added, "I won't be going back to the manor with you. I might be moving out in a while."

"Moving out?" Cyril was startled. "Where are you going?"

"Who knows," He Xi shrugged, his gaze drifting into the distance. "Perhaps... I'll go take a look at Fernandez."

Cyril's eyes lit up instantly. "Really? He Xi? You're going to Fernandez?"

"Maybe," He Xi smiled. "If you pass the test and become an Insect Mage, perhaps we'll meet again in Fernandez?"

This thought invigorated Cyril.

If he could truly become a mage, he could not only escape his annoying father and breathe free air.

He could also see He Xi then!

He wanted to ask He Xi about his specific plans, but his peripheral vision suddenly caught sight of--

On the road in the distance, a convoy of carriages and horses, carrying torches, was heading towards the manor.

In the flickering firelight, he could vaguely discern the familiar, sharp Eagle Claw banner on the lead carriage.

It's over!

Father has returned!

And... he had run off to watch the excitement instead of training at the manor...

Cyril's face instantly turned pale.

"He Xi! I have to go! Father's back!" he stammered, not bothering to ask further. "Thank you for your suggestion! I... I'll go back and try right now!"

Before he finished speaking, he turned and bolted like a startled rabbit, sprinting towards the manor. His speed was almost that of a warrior's charge.

He Xi watched Cyril's panicked retreat and couldn't help but wave his hand with a chuckle.

He really couldn't stomach the idea of someone actively feeding mosquitoes.

Giving it to Cyril was more like making the best use of things.

As for the results...

The term had already been given away anyway.

The rest would depend on Cyril's own fortune and... the mood of those mosquitoes.