Three Hours Later…
The forest canopy danced overhead, sunlight filtering through in fragmented rays that painted golden mosaics across the moss-laden stones. The air was thick with the scent of damp earth and ancient ruin—remnants of a forgotten structure nestled deep within the untamed woods. The quiet hum of life pulsed through the forest, yet within the shattered remnants of a collapsed temple, something far more extraordinary stirred.
Archi lay in the heart of the ruins, his body still, yet surrounded by a slow, steady current of ethereal energy. Threads of Mana shimmered faintly in the air, winding through the atmosphere like veins of liquid starlight—alive, vibrant, and pulsing with potential. The ambient hum deepened.
Then came a mechanical chime, sudden and clear, echoing not in the air but in Archi's mind.
[ NOTIFICATION ]
[ Through tireless efforts, host has gathered Mana and Formed a Mana Body ]
A/N* - Energy will be referred to as Mana, as to not confuse anyone
[ You have Acquired Physique: Pure Mana Body ]
A cloud of dense blue mist erupted from his skin, rushing outward like a living wave. It blanketed the ruins, crackling softly as it shifted and coiled before slowly dissipating into the air. In the mist's place stood a young boy—bare and bathed in sunlight—his body reformed, reborn.
It was Archi. Or rather, the boy who had once been known as Archivold Peristine.
He lifted his head, his silver hair catching the sun's rays like molten light. His eyes, vibrant and intelligent, narrowed slightly as he exhaled, tasting the fresh air on his lips. The earlier rainfall had vanished, the clouds swept away as if the sky itself made way for his return. Sunlight broke through the heavens in radiant streams, touching his bare skin like a divine welcome.
"Finally… I can move again," Archi murmured. His voice was soft, but his presence commanding. As he spoke, blue mist clung faintly to his frame before vanishing. A faint smile crept across his face.
"I've just been gathering Qi nonstop to stabilize this body…" he continued, voice steadier now.
A pause.
Then, laughter.
"I can finally talk again. Hehe… haha!" he burst out, a strange, almost unhinged joy lacing his words. He stopped, letting the echo of his voice fade into the forest. Then his tone shifted.
[ Blood Species: Species Whose Skills and Lifestyle are Inheredatly Tied To Blood, Vampire and Lycan's are of this species type, however, it is more known that Vampire's are Nobler ]
"Tch." Archi clicked his tongue. "System, show me my status."
[STATUS]
Name: Archivold Peristine
Race/Bloodline: Half Human / Half Lycan]
Level: 1 [0/100]
Strength: 1
Endurance: 1
Agility: 1
Spirit: 57
Divinity Content: 0%
Skills:
• 7 Myriad Bloodpath
• Wave Breathing
"Where am I, by the way?" Archi asked aloud, lifting his arm and casually waving his hand over a nearby patch of grass. In an instant, dark green garments shimmered into existence and wrapped themselves neatly around his body.
Now clothed, he stepped beyond the ruins and into the embrace of the forest. The sunlight greeted him again, glinting off his tunic and illuminating the crimson hue in his eyes. They glowed like twin rubies set aflame. His gaze drifted left, then right.
'There doesn't seem to be any landmarks nearby,' he thought.
Suddenly, a bush rustled. Instinctively, his body tensed. His eyes narrowed in the direction of the sound.
A short distance ahead, in a quiet clearing, lay a grey-furred wolf cub. It was slumped against a tree, shallow breaths rasping through its small body. Its fur was matted with dirt and blood, one paw twisted unnaturally beneath it.
"A wolf cub?" Archi said, stepping closer.
He let his presence radiate purposefully. The cub raised its head, whimpering weakly, its yellow eyes dull with pain. It tried to move but collapsed again, too wounded to flee or fight.
With care, Archi lifted his palm. A thin needle of energy formed at its center. He pricked his finger, letting a single drop of blood fall onto the cub's forehead.
"Soul Imprint."
[ NOTIFICATION ]
[ Host Has Used a Blood Submission Spell ]
[ New Skill Acquired: Soul Imprint ]
The blood shimmered, glowing softly before vanishing into the cub's fur. A sigil briefly flared on its forehead—then disappeared. The cub's eyes widened. Something fundamental within it shifted. It no longer saw Archi as a threat—but as its master.
'My name is Archivold. Call me Archi. I'm your new master, and as your master, how could I allow my subordinate to die in front of me?' he said, the words traveling telepathically.
The cub's wounds glowed green as Archi bathed it in healing light. Bones reset, gashes sealed, and color returned to its eyes.
'This is just basic magic manipulation to quicken the body's healing capabilities, a lesser for of what I did t grow up you could say' Archi thought inwardly
'Th-thank you, Master,' the cub said, its voice quivering in his mind.'Master, my family... they're... they're—'
"Show me," Archi said, his tone hardening.
The cub led him deeper through dense forest, past thickets and broken branches, to a clearing shadowed by jagged cliffs. A cave yawned open in the center, and in front of it—chaos.
A group of humans surrounded the cave entrance, their swords and tools soaked with blood. Severed pelts, once belonging to wolves, were being bundled into sacks. Lifeless bodies littered the ground.
Archi stood still, eyes cold. "Is that your family?" he asked.
The cub didn't answer. Its body trembled with rage, eyes locked on the men defiling its kin.
'I guess I don't need any more details,' Archi thought grimly.
The men were weaklings—fools who wouldn't pose a threat. Except one.
In the back stood a man distinct from the rest. His trimmed black beard was beginning to grow back, and he wore a spiked shoulder guard that caught the light. His hair was long, jet-black, tied back with a thin cord. No swords. No knives. Only a coiled whip at his side.
Archi's eyes narrowed.
"It wouldn't be a problem to get rid of the lesser fodder. But that guy at the back…" His gaze locked onto the man's stance. Controlled. Relaxed. Dangerous.
'It's not much, but he has an aura the current me can't deal with at this stage.'