After a short explanation from Daniel, Mash was ready to begin. It was a simple process all things considered. It wasn’t even a matter of effort or skill. That would only come in once he started moving along the path. The only thing he needed to do at the moment, was given the book a drop of his blood. Before he did that though, he opened the book. Most of the pages were empty, but he could at least see the name of the path.

Path of the Blood Bond

There was no other information on it, and Daniel didn’t have anything to add either. Most of what was known on the paths were from previous owners of it. Most paths that the sect used commonly were well known, but Daniel had little to add about this one. He knew that it was mainly used by swordsmen, but that didn’t really attest to much when describing the path. Daniel had given mash a brief overview of what to expect. Paths usually granted people five skills, though secondary paths only ever gave one. He could still progress the path even if it was secondary, but he wouldn’t gain as many benefits. Daniel wasn’t sure whether this path would be secondary or not.

It would relate to how his core was tied to his abilities, and Mash wondered if their class worked similarly to these paths. Hearing about how secondary paths would only give him one ability was weird too. Daniel explained that paths weren’t about the variety of techniques given but building more depth on the few skills that it granted. It was a little different from the way classes worked, but there were some similarities. All of his advancements thus far had involved improvements to his skills, and many of the benefits felt like they were related.

Mash was more interested in what training the path entailed. Daniel had said that he would teach them about it after they got their paths. It would take a while and be a waste if they couldn’t get one. As it turned out, he would be the only one to receive the lesson. That was for later though. He needed to get this done, and he pricked one of his fingers with a thin needle. The drop of his blood slowly formed at the edge of his finger. His blood had become a little thicker, and it dripped almost like honey as it fell onto the book.

Instantly, Mash felt a change within him. It felt like something within him was breaking, but he couldn’t quite understand what. Different emotions swirled as pain settled over his body. It was a slow pain, like an old ache that was resurfacing. He worried about his class and if he had broken it somehow. The fear was probably irrational, but he couldn’t help but check his status in a panic. His heart was beating quickly, as the information flooded his mind. A slow breath left his lips as he realized that nothing had changed. Then the reality settled in, and he found himself speaking unintentionally.

“Nothing happened…”

He said the words for himself, but Jill and Daniel were close enough to hear. Red and Luke were still looking at the items. Mash turned a questioning gaze toward Daniel. The man was ready with a reply.

“There is nothing wrong. The book will have the techniques you have access to, but to see more details you will need to use this.”

Daniel handed Mash a glass bead. Mash recognized it. It had been what Daniel had used to display his status earlier. Honestly, Mash wasn’t sure if it would work, and he didn’t really know how to use it in the first place. Thankfully, Daniel seemed to realize that too as he brought out another of the beads.

“You just pour your energy into it. Like so.”

Mash could use his domain to see exactly what Daniel was doing. It wasn’t really complicated. He had been able to push mana out of his body since he was a child. Mash looked at the information that was displayed though, curious to see how he would compare with this system in mind. Jill leaned over his shoulder, obviously interested in what was happening.

Daniel Artwood

Age: 19

Ki-Realm: Early-Transcendent Realm

Body-Realm: Saint Realm

Path: Path of Guiding Torch

Vitality: 105

Strength: 126

Dexterity: 211

Mind: 201

Ki: 431

Mash eagerly replicated Daniel’s actions. He was extremely interested in seeing how it would define his abilities. Mash pushed his energy into the bead, and he waited patiently while it presented the information.

Mash Stellumbra

Age: 18 (15)

Ki-Realm: Third Monstrous Realm

Body-Realm: Golden Chimeric Body

Path: Path of the Blood Bond

Vitality: 300

Strength: 250

Dexterity: 252

Mind: 221

Ki: 4070

Mash read the information and first paused upon reading his age. It listed two ages, one that would be his age in accordance with his world, and the other for this world. He wondered which world was working with better standards, but it ultimately didn’t matter. He would eventually become immortal, so worrying about a year or two was pointless. Mash’s eyes drifted to the realms displayed, and he realized he couldn’t understand them even if he tried. He didn’t bother trying to understand it on his own and turned to Daniel.

The man thought, didn’t look like he had noticed. He was just staring at the screen, his face frozen. The raised eyebrows and wide eyes made Mash think that something was wrong.

“Daniel?”

Mash asked the question while grabbing the path book from the ground. He wanted to look at what techniques he got, but he kept his eyes on Daniel. Daniel spoke, but the words didn’t really feel like they were directed at Mash.

“That shouldn’t be possible. Your stats, your realms…”

Mash could see that Daniel was distracted and waved his hands in front of the man’s face. Daniel stepped back almost tripping over his own feet. However, he did look at Mash afterward.

“Calm down. What happened? I literally have no idea if I should be freaking out with you or not.”

Mash tried to sound calm, but he was getting a little anxious too. Daniel’s reaction didn’t sound like one of enthusiasm. No, it felt much more like fear and panic. It was strange to be able to read people from his domain. It wasn’t perfect, but it gave him a sense of the person’s focus and thoughts. Daniel shook his head fervently, before speaking.

“No, it's nothing. However, I will need a minute to gather myself.”

Mash nodded. He was about to look through the book but stopped as he felt Jill appear beside him. After sparring with her a little, he was getting much better at tracking her movements through his domain. He wondered if he would eventually be able to catch her and win one of their spars. Losing got annoying fast.

“Let’s look at your techniques while we wait.”

Mash rolled his eyes, as Jill spoke. It had been his plan either way, but now he felt like delaying just to be annoying. Though that thought was nothing compared to his curiosity. He wanted to see the techniques more than she did.

“That was the plan.”

Mash opened the book, slowly turning the pages to try and find writing. It had been blank before, but now he saw some new text on the page. He couldn’t stop a grin from forming as he began to read. Jill read along, her head hanging just over his shoulder. The first page just contained the name of his path.

Path of the Blood Bond

He didn’t stop there and saw something new on the next page. It was obviously a list of his techniques and he saw many empty rows. Only the first row had anything written in it.

Techniques:

Blood Bond

Mash was a little disappointed when he saw the list. A single entry meant that this path was considered secondary, and he guessed that his class was occupying the primary role. His mood turned around as he flipped the page again. The technique in question was written with a lot of depth. It easily covered several pages, and he guessed that he had started further along the path than most. His lone technique looked like it already had a lot of depth.

Blood Bond: Form one bond with an item, linking it to your own life. It will grow in strength as you do, its state is irrevocably tied to your own. The bond changes based on the type of item.

Weapon: A bonded weapon, that shares your power. In turn, it shares its own power with the wielder. It will always come to your aid.

Instant Equip: Instantly summon the weapon, regardless of distance.

Vampiric: Heal for 5% of all damage dealt. Can over-heal up to 10% of Vitality.

Strength: The weapon will gain weight proportional to two times your Strength.

Sharpness: The weapon will gain sharpness proportional to two times your dexterity

Armor: A bonded armor is a set meant to represent and protect your life. It signifies the strength of your life. It will forever match you.

Shaping: The armor automatically shapes itself to fit your body, regardless of changes.

Connection: The armor’s state reflects your own, its design molded by your thoughts.

Physical Defense: The armor’s physical defense is proportional to 1.5 times your Vitality.

Magical Defense: The armor’s magical defense is proportional to 1.5 times your Mind.

Accessory: A tool always kept by your side; it adapts to best fit your needs. That which holds the most value to you will do so in kind.

Manifestation: The accessory can change its style, regardless of size.

Division: The accessory will act as a second mind.

KI Growth: Increases the rate at which your Ki grows.

KI Regen: Your KI regenerates at a rate proportional to 10% of your Mind per second.

There was more information in the book, and Mash skimmed it briefly. It just went into further details of the path and explained some more on the skill. It didn’t add anything to the skill but served to give him a better understanding of what each bond could do. Each type was accompanied by a short story describing a previous follower of the path. He wasn’t interested in the weapon or the accessory, neither of them felt particularly useful.

Honestly, he had been a bit disappointed by the path in general. The first story pertained to the weapon and was well written. It had been the tale of a hero, one who rose through his bond. The weapon grew along his side and ultimately granted him the ability to fight against a dragon. He had died against the beast, but the weapon had lived on. Becoming a true blade for heroes, as it had been reforged by the hero’s soul. It was a good story and one he enjoyed. However, the next story had a much bigger impact on him.

The Dark Moon descended, and the world quaked beneath its power. Its descent had been foretold, but the Azure Queen had not headed the warnings of her prophets. Never had she bowed to anyone. Now, she could do nothing, and simply stared as the endless void of the Dark Moon’s maw slowly fell upon her kingdom. The sun could no longer warm the winds, and a chilling breeze froze the world. The oceans had begun to drown the lands, the moon’s closeness stirring the water’s violence.

She stood at the top of her castle, gazing over the kingdom she had sworn to protect. When she had ascended the throne, the kingdom had become hers, a duty that she had been unprepared to fill. The years of her rulership were coming to an end, but she had never let ruin befall her home. When foreign kings tried to conquer her kingdom, she had acted as the walls to shield her people. When the storms threatened to claim the lives of her people, she had been the roof to withstand the winds. Now, the dark moon herself descends to claim all that belonged to the Azure Queen.