In the center of Vincent's brain, there were nine dots, each so small that a person couldn't take a look at them without using the latest object magnifying devices.
However, Vincent was able to see them. It was as if he had gained the ability to look inside of his brain for a moment. He concluded that it was a one-time wonder, a miracle of some sort that came to him because some conditions got met.
His gaze landed on the nine dots. As he concentrated, he found out that he was able to zoom into them. A closer look told him that the nine dots were all shaped like ruby tablets, and each of them had a character on top of them.
Right then, the power that Blood had unlocked so that he would be able to defeat the crimson one left his body in the shape of numerous red wisps. They twirled around him, showing that they were reluctant to part ways with him. Vincent didn't want to give up on this power either. He tried to hold on to it. Alas, they weren't the ones making the decision. Everything followed the will of the ninth, and it pulled the red wisps away from Vincent's body.
They then charged towards his forehead, touching it, entering it. After that, he saw them dashing straight towards the ninth seal with the characters F and C on it. He believed that they were the initials of the two words, full controls.
"Will I ever be able to get it back?" Vincent sighed. He was sad to see his innate racial trait getting sealed inside the ninth seal, but he could do nothing to stop it.
[Yes, but you need to become stronger than you're right now. Increase all of your stats to at least 200 units. Only then will your body become a suitable enough vessel to contain the power of the ninth seal. Similarly, as you grow stronger, I will release the strength held inside the nine seals, one by one, just as the ninth intended.]
Blood's answer told him a lot, making him understand a little more about the situation. For example, his father, the ninth head of the family, sealed his powers in the nine seals because his body couldn't contain them. Vincent subconsciously believed that they would've hurt him, and that's why his father had no choice but to look them away until he became strong enough to contain them in his body without any harm.
"Increase my stats to 200 units? That's all I need to do?"
[Yes.]
As if to prove its words, Blood also issued a new mission to Vincent.
[Main Mission Activated]
[Mission Name:- Reclaiming innate racial skills]
[Objectives: Evolve and make your body strong and sturdy enough to contain the powers sealed within the nine seals.]
[Current Goal: Increase all your stats to 200 units or above.]
[Rewards: Full Control (Innate Racial Trait)]
Vincent wasn't too far off from hitting this goal. By combining a few items and creating another overpowered thing like the bracelet of strength, he would increase his stats to 200 units.
"What about the crimson one? Who is he, a part of me or something else? Can you tell me why father sealed him within me and where exactly? Like, is there a prison-like space in my head or something along the line?"
While sitting on the water-like surface that had long turned as clear as an ocean, Vincent hurled a few questions at Blood. It was the only one that could give him answers and clear the fog of confusion surrounding his soul. After all, Vincent hadn't met a lot of people when he was a child.
Now that he thinks about it, he doesn't remember anyone except for his parents! His childhood memories only held them. He couldn't remember anything that happened when he was 1 to 5 years old. After that, he remembers his parents going was to fight for the sake of the federation. And then, ten years went by with his living alone, getting taken care of by robots, specially created to tend to his needs.
For a while, no reply came from the other sides. A couple of seconds later, Vincent thought that even Blood wouldn't tell him anything and decided to give up. It was at this moment that a monotone voice rang in his head.
[Since you've already come across the crimson one, it won't be wrong to let you listen to the message left behind by the ninth. If possible, Ninth Lord Aaron didn't want you to hear it until you've come of age. He told me to reveal it to you if the crimson one comes out before the predetermined time. Would you like to listen to the recording?]
"Father left behind a message?"
Vincent was so shocked to hear its words that he forgot to ask about what it means to come of age. Of course, it wasn't something sensual—just a rite of passage performed by the vampires to grow into adults.
Vincent was eager to hear his father's voice more than know the answer to his question, so he didn't hesitate to play the recording.
A holographic screen popped up in his vision, showcasing his father, and he was holding the hand of his mother. When the recording started, they were both staring at each other with eyes filled with love. Their eyes only had the appearance of the other in vivid details as if nothing else mattered in the universe—this was love, one at an extreme level.
Though, when they turned to look at him, he same the same level of love reflecting in those sun-like and night-like eyes. That was the love his parents had for him.
"Father, Mother, I miss you."
Instantly, his barely calm mind went over the edge, and tears welled up in his bright, crimson eyes. It has been a while since their death. But even before then, he wasn't able to spend a single day with them. However, he knew that it was because they were busy upholding their duty that they failed to get to him, and he missed them very much.
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