The door closed. Chu Zihang was still staring at his palm. He was a proud person, an “A”-rank, and some thought he had already surpassed “A” and was nearing “S.” Yet he had been rejected by these weapons—mercilessly.
Anjou tossed a handkerchief from his breast pocket at him. “It’s a bloodline test.”
Chu Zihang wrapped the handkerchief around his hand and nodded. “I understand.”
“Finger managed to draw the third sword, but you were rejected. Why?”
“Because my bloodline purity is not as high as people think.” Chu Zihang said softly, “I’ve been blood-washed. My bloodline won’t reach its original purity for another month.”
Anjou nodded. “Yes, most people in this college believe you’re beyond A-Rank, that your bloodline purity surpasses even Caesar’s. They think you’re more deserving of the S-Rank than Mingfei. But you know the truth. Your bloodline purity isn’t even at A-Rank. Studying your parents closely, it’s evident—your father might be a rare hybrid, but your mother is purely human. It’s unlikely their child would be an outstanding hybrid. Mingfei’s parents were both hybrids. You have those ever-glowing golden pupils because you’ve mastered ‘Blood Rage,’ forcefully elevating your bloodline purity. Your inability to control the golden pupils is a sign of bloodline instability. I don’t know how far you are from ultimate corruption, but if you restrain yourself, you can extend your life.”
Chu Zihang nodded.
“You know your lifespan won’t be long, don’t you?” Anjou sighed.
“I realized it too late.” Chu Zihang spoke softly. “You’re right, Principal. Blood Rage is like a bottomless abyss. From the day I first used it, I began to slide downward.”
“So you’ve kept this technique secret from everyone.”
“Yes.”
Anjou threw a file in front of Chu Zihang. “We already know about the incident that happened to your father on July 3, five years ago. Until now, it remains a mystery. But if you want to uncover the truth of the past, you need to stay alive.”
“I understand,” Chu Zihang smiled silently. “Everyone wants to live.”
“Do you know about the Nibelungen Plan?”
Chu Zihang shook his head.
“Regarding Blood Rage, you didn’t get all the information.”
Chu Zihang froze, looking up sharply.
“There is indeed a way to enhance a hybrid’s dragon blood purity. It’s an alchemical technique, and with it, hybrids can avoid having their genes rewritten by higher-purity dragon blood. However, the cost of this technique is immense, and it can only be used on one person. The Nibelungen Plan is used by the college to eliminate unsafe bloodlines while also selecting a candidate to help them complete their ‘evolution,’” Anjou said slowly. “I think you understand the immense value of this gift. It is the only way to safely surpass the ‘Blood Limit Threshold’ and maximize the potential of your dragon blood. It is also your only chance to survive.”
“There’s really such a technique?” Chu Zihang’s eyes widened.
“Yes, and you are on the list of candidates.” Anjou waved his hand. “Go now. You need an honor to compete for this candidate seat against Caesar. He once killed a Dragon King; you should do the same.”
“Understood!” Chu Zihang hesitated for a moment, looking at Anjou, who was quietly sipping tea under the lamp. “Thank you.”
“No need.” Anjou raised his teacup in salute, smiling.
“One last thing,” Chu Zihang paused at the door, “if Finger really doesn’t want to go, I don’t think we should force him.”
“You all really think that guy is useless? Wrong. Finger von Frings was once an A-Rank student at the college and participated in multiple missions, making him the most experienced agent among the students. He stopped carrying out missions for only one reason—he was severely injured during one mission, even affecting his sanity. What you see now is not his true self… though he was always a bit of a mess in the past… just not like this. Ten years ago, I saw him the same way I see you now.” Anjou pulled out his ever-present folding knife from his sleeve and tossed it from upstairs. Chu Zihang caught it in mid-air.
“I’m lending it to you. It has the power to harm a First Generation. After my friend Manecke’s yatagan was broken, we forged this knife from the shards of the blade—it’s a precious memento.” Anjou gave a formal military salute. “Remember to return it when you’re done.”
“Yes, General.” Chu Zihang imitated him, returning the military salute.
The door closed, and someone emerged from the side door. The vice principal returned, pulling up a chair to sit by the table. “Now we can finally confirm that Lu Mingfei’s bloodline is truly deserving of the S-Rank.”
“Yes, in fact, he can draw up to Sloth. For Finger and Chu Zihang, they failed to draw the weapons because they were rejected by them. For Lu Mingfei…” Anjou shook his head, half laughing. “It was because he didn’t have enough strength.”
The vice principal sighed. “The swords already accepted him, moving in the scabbard, but they couldn’t come out due to the pull—these spirit-infused weapons must be quite frustrated too, right?”
“At least he’s the most suitable user for The Seven Deadly Sins we’ve found so far,” Anjou said. “We just need to add more physical training for him.”
“But being able to draw only four isn’t enough, is it? The last three are the true killing weapons.” The vice principal frowned.
“Maybe we should let Caesar try next time?” Anjou smiled.
“Why don’t you try it yourself?”
Anjou gently caressed the scabbard. “I’m a bit scared. Afraid to know my own limits, afraid to learn there are things I can’t do… I must believe that I am capable of everything—the one who will bury the Dragon Raja must not be someone with limits.”
Meanwhile, the main hall of Amber Hall was brightly lit. Caesar had rented this villa on campus as the headquarters for the Student Union and his residence. After renovations, it looked more like a palace. The table in the center of the dance floor was covered with black boxes. The lids were opened one by one, displaying a variety of equipment that no ordinary person could guess the use of just by looking at it. Even with a manual, using these things would be risky, as they were not developed by normal people.
The Gear Department of Cassell College made a grand entrance.