The Gigolo System in the Academy of Magic-Chapter 13: Taking the Potion

"It must have been expensive..." James was a little shocked.

Selena shook her head:"This is from an unknown magic beast, there is no information about the origins of this drop of blood. Otherwise I wouldn't have been able to afford it. Of course if you are willing to wait, I can ask my family for something better but that might take a few months..."

James took the bottle of blood into his hand while Selena continued to explain.

"I have seen people use root changing elixirs before but the reason it's not popular is because it has the possibility of damaging your roots and making them worse, but yours...they should already be low."

Hearing this James coughed bitterly. Then he held out the blood, "Then this?"

"Root changing elixirs stimulate the body's potential, including bloodlines. If you take it along with the essence of a magical beast then there is the potential to awaken the same bloodline."

"Is it safe?"

"It should be safe, after all it's only a single drop of essence blood. You are an apprentice mage so it would be dangerous to handle the blood of beings above level 8, but level 7 should be fine."

"But...we don't know what kind of creature it is, it may be a very weak level 7 magical beast, and because bloodlines can't mix it may affect you in the future if you find a better one."

James hesitated. He had the system, there was always the possibility of getting a better bloodline from the store or from the mission rewards. But when would that day come? His life was full of uncertainties at this moment, even with Selena's help...

"I'll use it."

Just as James spoke he received a system notification that changed his worried expression into one of ecstasy.

[Host has received a drop of unknown magic blood from the contract: Selena Vaughn]

[Congratulations on receiving the first gift!] fгeewёbnoѵel.cσm

[The aim of the gigolo system is to grow stronger through the support of contracts. Enhancing gift now...]

[Gold Level Item: Abyss Walker Essence Blood Lvl.8]

[A drop of essence blood from the lvl.8 magical being Abyss Walker. Taking it along with the root-enhancement potion will increase the chance of awakening the same bloodline.]

James had heard of Abyss Walkers, they were a type of magical creature that lived between dimension cracks in the most turbulent regions of space. They were very hard to find let alone kill, no wonder no one was able to identify it. But then how did someone get this drop of blood?

And level 8 huh?

Of course he would have liked it if it could be upgraded to a level 9, but then again he wasn't sure if his body could handle it. Anyway as far as he knew level 8 was the highest level of Abyss Walker that has been found in the wild, but because of their special powers they were very hard to kill so even level 9 mages could do nothing to them.

James turned to Selena: "You said the blood of a level 8 magical beast could be dangerous for me?"

Selena didn't know why he was asking this question but she still explained patiently:

"The essence blood of a creature contains a trace of that creature's magical powers and aura, and sometimes even memories. A level 8 magical being's aura can erode a person's soul, that's why it's dangerous for low level mages with weaker soul power."

Soul power...If it was something else James may have hesitated but he could feel with the merging of his two identities, his soul was now very strong.

"Alright, I'm going to take it. Watch over me."

James looked at the glowing blue liquid and then downed it quickly, before he could feel anything he also drank the bottle of essence blood immediately.

The first second, nothing happened.

Then—

Agony.

James doubled over, clutching his abdomen. It felt like fire was eating him from the inside out. No, not fire—lightning. His nerves burned. His bones twisted. He bit his lip so hard he tasted blood. Muscles clenched. Mana raged through his veins like a tidal wave crashing against a wooden house.

"James!"

Selena was stunned. She hadn't expected such a violent reaction. What went wrong?

His entire body trembled, spasmed. Sweat poured down his face. He collapsed onto his side, teeth gritted so tightly his jaw ached.

"What's going on?" she whispered, holding his hand. "James... James, answer me!"

He could barely force the words out: "It's working..."

Selena held him, watching as his skin pulsed faintly, his veins glowing for a moment with a soft silver-blue hue before fading.

Her arms wrapped tighter around his shaking body. She felt powerless for the first time in her life.

But James, even in pain, managed to look up at her with a grin.

"Don't do anything to me when I'm unconscious alright? At least wait for me to wake up so I can feel it." he whispered.

And then he passed out. The last thing he saw was Selena's red eyes and her quivering lips.

...

James awoke to the feeling of sunlight on his face.

There was warmth.

And softness.

Something gentle rose and fell beneath his head, and there was the faint sound of a heartbeat echoing in his ear. His whole body ached with a dull, heavy fatigue, but it was no longer pain. It was the aftermath — like a battle had been fought, and his body was the battlefield.

He blinked groggily.

The room was still dim, lit by soft morning filtering in through the curtains. He was lying in bed. The blankets smelled faintly of roses and lavender.

His head...was on someone's chest.

James glanced up, barely moving.

Selena was sleeping beside him. Her arm loosely draped over him, her chest rising and falling with each breath. Her red hair was fanned out across the pillow like a fiery halo. She looked peaceful, her face calm. Without that cold expression on her face, James almost felt like she looked angelic.

James shifted from the bed trying not to wake her and slowly sat up. He could feel that his body had gone through many changes.

"Panel." James muttered softly.