Azaroth stood ahead of Patrick with a solemn expression.

The other elders, Noah, and Laura were gazing at them from the sidelines.

​​

Beneath Azaroth and Patrick's feet was a red-colored pentagon. It contained power beyond Patrick's understanding, and he couldn't help but feel goosebumps as he stood over this unknown array.

"This is Bloodline Awakening Array. Your bloodline is related to stimulating your heart. This array would be perfect for awakening it completely." Azaroth spoke with a hint of a smile on his face.

"I see. Then please start it, Lord Azaroth." Patrick spoke excitedly.

"Very well." The grin on Azaroth's face widened. He raised his hand and sliced the air.

A red energy slash was launched towards Patrick. Patrick nervously crossed his arms to block that attack.

The attack soon landed on his body. He felt that energy slash cutting a bit of his skin but soon dispersing.

He was surprised… Wasn't this attack too weak? He saw Azaroth grinning mysteriously.

Just what was going on? Why had Azaroth attacked him? And if Azaroth did want to attack him, why was his attack so weak?

"You should be more attentive. Look behind you." Azaroth noticed that Patrick was still confused, so he gave out a hint.

Patrick was puzzled, and he turned his head.

What he saw shocked him greatly. It was a red-colored liquid mixing together to conjure some sort of being.

This red liquid was undoubtedly Patrick's blood that had leaked out when Azaroth's attack landed on his body.

Soon, the shape of that blood beast could be recognized. It was a small dog-like being. This was none other than a Blood Mastiff.

As soon as that Blood Mastiff was formed, it attacked Patrick.

There was a ruthless look on that Blood Mastiff's face as if Patrick had killed its beloved one.

Patrick was confused about the situation, but he didn't want to get hurt by the Blood Mastiff's attacks. Thus, he immediately counterattacked.

He drew out his trusted Axe and attacked the Blood Mastiff.

Before he could hit the Blood Mastiff with his Axe, the Blood Mastiff had already changed his path and attacked Patrick from another direction.

Since the Blood Mastiff was rather small, his movements were nimble. Using Axe to hit this puppy-like beast was more or less impossible!

The Blood Mastiff managed to bite Patrick's arm, which held his Axe.

Patrick screamed out in pain, "Ahhhh…." It was an earsplitting scream which forced the other two elders to cover their ears.

Laura and Noah stared at that array. They couldn't help but remember the second phase of their training under Azaroth.

It was a lot similar to what they were witnessing right now.

The Axe slipped out of Patrick's hand as the Blood Mastiff bit his arm. While Patrick was screaming, he had brought his other arm towards the Blood Mastiff's face and was pushing it with all his might.

Unconsciously, he began to use the Raging Heart Bloodline to increase his strength. This allowed him to push the Blood Mastiff away.

Patrick stared at his arm. Especially the spot where the Blood Mastiff bit him. Even though he could see the bite mark that had pierced his skin, no blood was leaking from that wound.

As he raised his head to look at that Blood Mastiff, he noticed that it had grown larger.

At around this moment, Azaroth spoke and explained, "This is a Blood Mastiff, congealed from your blood. Every time it touches you, it will absorb your Ardor. If it hurts you and makes you bleed, it will absorb that blood and grow stronger."

Patrick felt like cursing Azaroth at this moment.

If he knew this earlier, he would have fought more seriously and not allow this Blood Mastiff to drink his blood.

In reality, Azaroth had concealed a piece of important information from him. This Blood Mastiff contained the true essence of Patrick's Bloodline.

If Patrick could defeat this Blood Mastiff and absorb it in his body, he would possess the ability to control his Raging Heart Bloodline.

Also, the Blood Mastiff would continue to grow stronger, but it won't grow stronger than Patrick.

This was the greatest advantage of this array. It was in huge favor of the user trying to awaken his Bloodline.

Patrick charged at the Blood Mastiff and brandished his Axe to destroy him. The Blood Mastiff dodged those slashes as if it was very familiar with them.

As soon as the Blood Mastiff found an opportunity, it attacked Patrick.

This time, Patrick was ready for this attack. He knew that his Axe attack wouldn't be able to hit the Blood Mastiff because of its superior agility. Thus he was waiting for the moment when the Blood Mastiff would attack him.

Patrick raised his right hand, with which he held his Axe. He couldn't allow this Blood Mastiff to bite it again.

He planned to have the Blood Mastiff bite his left arm and then strike it using his Axe with his full power.

However, the Blood Mastiff had realized Patrick's plan.

It had immediately changed its target from Patrick's left arm to his leg. Its speed had been quite fast as it tackled Patrick.

The tackle had messed up with Patrick's balance as he fell down.

The Blood Mastiff was now biting Patrick's stomach.

It was absolutely merciless as it bit Patrick. Once again, Patrick let out a loud scream of pain. This time, he was somehow even louder than before.

Patrick let go of his Axe and held the Blood Mastiff's head before using all his Ardor to push it away.

Azaroth saw the fight between Patrick and the Blood Mastiff before he sighed out.

He could imagine the result from what he had witnessed. Patrick was bound to fall unconscious sooner or later. Meanwhile, the Blood Mastiff was growing even stronger.

Azaroth walked towards the other two elders, who stood by Noah and Laura's side.

The two elders were quite worried for Patrick. They looked towards Noah and Laura and spoke, "Shouldn't we go and help him out? He will die if this continues."

Noah and Laura remained silent as they gazed at Patrick.

Azaroth spoke up at this moment, "The Blood Mastiff will disappear once Patrick loses his consciousness. However, make sure to hide this from him. He needs to be under a constant threat of death to activate his Bloodline."

He then focused on the two elders, "For the two of you, I was thinking of awakening the bloodline hidden within your bodies, but it is far too faint, and even after awakening it, you might not experience a boost."

The two elders looked at each other and bitterly smiled. The two then stared at Azaroth, "Please do not mind us two. We are already satisfied as long as you can train our disciples and make them stronger."

Azaroth looked surprised at their answer and then shook his head, "You misunderstood my words. I didn't mean that."

Azaroth spoke seriously, "I meant that I was going to give you another bloodline altogether. It would be much superior to the bloodline you currently possess."

The two elders were surprised, "G-Give us a Bloodline? But it's very precious. Why are you wasting it on us?"

"Whether I am wasting it or not, only time will tell. Your only task is to do what you are ordered. Don't be bothered about the other things that are outside your control." Azaroth spoke while shrugging in response.