The academy's autumn term was approaching.
Students were preparing for their first major field assignment.
The academy had announced an expedition to the northern region.
Its official purpose was to study monster activity and investigate several abandoned settlements.
Adrian read the announcement twice.
The destination included Frostmere.
The village near the forgotten watchtower.
He looked at the expedition list.
Several familiar names appeared.
Leon Arclight.
Kael Draven.
Elena Seraphine.
Adrian leaned back.
"Of course."
The future heroes were gathering.
He examined the announcement again.
The academy expedition would provide transportation, supplies, and official protection.
It was an excellent opportunity.
He could investigate the watchtower without paying for a private expedition.
But there was a problem.
The northern region was dangerous.
Recent reports mentioned missing adventurers and unusual monster activity.
Adrian needed to prepare.
He visited Garrick.
"Sir, I would like to participate in the northern expedition."
Garrick frowned.
"The northern region isn't suitable for inexperienced students."
"I know."
"Then why go?"
"Research."
The old knight studied him.
"You've become interested in the north recently."
Adrian remained silent.
Garrick sighed.
"If you insist on going, you'll need better equipment and more training."
"I understand."
"Then we'll begin tomorrow."
Adrian nodded.
He also visited the herbalist workshop. This chapter is updated first at g.com.
The elderly woman had begun receiving more customers.
She showed him a letter from a merchant who had offered to purchase her northern herbs.
"This is good news," Adrian said.
"It is. But I don't know whether I should accept."
Adrian examined the offer.
The price was reasonable, but the merchant demanded exclusive rights to future supplies.
"Don't accept immediately," Adrian advised. "Ask for a shorter agreement."
The woman considered his suggestion.
"You seem to understand business."
"Only a little."
Before leaving, Adrian asked about the recent disappearances.
The woman handed him a folded document.
"An adventurer brought this yesterday."
Adrian opened it.
The report mentioned a strange creature near the northern forest.
A large wolf with pale fur and blue markings.
Several adventurers had encountered it.
Two had disappeared.
One had escaped with severe injuries.
Adrian read the description carefully.
An ancient frost-marked wolf.
He remembered something from the original novel.
A creature with similar markings had appeared in a side story.
It was believed to possess an ancient beast bloodline.
Adrian slowly folded the report.
A third bloodline opportunity.
But unlike Gareth and Victor, this target might be far beyond his current strength.
He needed to be careful.
That evening, Adrian sat beside his window and reviewed his status.
Adrian von Valen
Bloodline Usurper System
Attribute
Status
Physical Strength
6
Agility
7
Mana
5
Swordsmanship You are reading on g.com, the official source.
Beginner+
Bloodlines
2
Inheritance Capacity
Limited
Acquired Bloodlines
Minor Beastkin — Enhanced Hearing
Minor Fire Affinity — Fire Mana Sensitivity
Current Quest
Acquire three distinct bloodlines.
Reward: Bloodline Analysis
Adrian closed the window.
He had changed considerably since arriving in this world.
He was no longer the helpless noble who had awakened three days before his supposed death.
But he was still far from powerful.
Leon was growing stronger.
Kael was searching for his family.
Elena was beginning to attract the attention of the church.
And somewhere in the northern mountains, something ancient was waiting.
Adrian opened his notebook.
He wrote three objectives.
Survive the northern expedition.
Investigate the forgotten watchtower.
Find a safe opportunity to acquire a third bloodline.
He paused.
Then he added one final sentence.
Do not become the center of attention.
Outside, the academy bells rang.
The northern expedition would begin in seven days.
Adrian extinguished the candle and lay down.
He had no intention of becoming a hero.
He didn't need statues, titles, or applause.
Let Leon become the shining sun.
Let Kael uncover the secrets of the north.
Let Elena become the hope of the church.
Adrian would take the opportunities they overlooked.
And when the world finally realized that something had changed, it would already be too late.
The heroes were preparing to write history.
Adrian von Valen was preparing to inherit it.