Blood Awakening: The Strongest Hybrid and His Vampire Bride

Chapter 68: Monster Arena - Rookie League!

Nikolai constantly pondered back to the beautiful Mistress Zara he met earlier. He wondered if he could truly learn the skills of other monsters by devouring enough of their blood. At first, he felt sceptical, thinking that it only worked for the Tepes bloodline because she was related to him.

ʼHowever, it turns out weʼre not even squire and master... Does she also realise that?ʼ

He looked towards Selene beside him who was seriously reading the rules and registration for the arena.

There were various types of battles, from squire fights to monster battles and the rare Knight battles, which usually dealt with the clanʼs serious matters and were managed by a third party to avoid any issues.

ʼEach world has an arena. This one should have many criminals from the Jhin clan that I can fight to take their blood... but it seems even the monsters of this world have a small amount of the Jhin bloodline. Rather, they carry the ancient Jhin bloodline rather than the diluted current one.ʼ

Nikolai learned this information from Zaraʼs book. The notes on the first pages were a complete introduction to the Jhin spirit magic and also which monsters would carry the same bloodline that could help him grow.

”Are you alright, Selene?”

”Mm... itʼs a little overwhelming. Are you sure you want to fight here? Iʼve only come as a guess with my mother and father a few times in the past.”

”Oh! The Sabertooth has fallen to the Son of darkness in a surprise upset!” An announcerʼs voice echoed from a distance. The shouting crowd, both pleasure and anger at their loss, filled the entire venue with energy and excitement.

”It seems people really enjoy these places...” Nikolai gave a wry smile while checking the opponents for him today in each of the leagues.

ʼRookie League. It seems that this is my current level; most of the enemies are within range of me winning, though a few are dangerous.ʼ

”Well, are you sure youʼre going to fight? I know that you need something from this place. Otherwise, you wouldnʼt have asked to come, but...”

Seleneʼs face seemed a little strange—her eyes were sharp, yet deep inside, a soft, caring light shone when she looked at Nikolai.

”I will fight. Thereʼs nothing to worry about, trust me.” Nikolai said, smiling back at her.

”But—”

”The next fight is a special event. Our famous dark knight, the Undefeated Prince, has requested to appear in the rookie league with some of his new creations!”

ʼAn undefeated prince, but heʼs using creations?ʼ

The concept felt strange for Nikolai, but then again, he wasnʼt too interested because an undefeated prince was likely someone above his current strength. He wanted to fight some basic monsters to grow in strength before he could finally start collecting the Jhin blood in full swing.

[Be careful, the arena might be dangerous for you who donʼt know about most monsters and races... They all have a speciality or hidden card like your claws and blood arts.]

ʼI understand; Iʼll be careful and start from the very bottom and rise.ʼ

”Ignore that announcement, Nikolai; letʼs register for the Rookie league together, then fight some safe opponents.”

Selene once again grasped his hand because they started doing it in the city. It seemed to have become second nature to her. No longer getting embarrassed about it, the pair walked towards the information and registration booth.

Nikolai marvelled at the size of the arena; it was like four massive football stadiums fused for each of the leagues—thankfully, there was a mini gate that teleported you between the four stadiums when needed.

At the registration desk, the clerk behind the desk raised an eyebrow, looking at the two humanoids in front of them. His face was covered in scales, while two horns protruded from his temples, with a blue-coloured tint.

[Hmmm, a blue Dragonoid? Interesting]

”So, what can I do for you both today?”

”Weʼd like to enter the Rookie league, registering for the beast and monster sections.”

”Hahaha, Iʼm sorry, I think youʼve got the wrong place. The Rookie League is only for low-class squires or rookie beasts, not for true-blooded nobles... Besides, why would a young Mistress and her servant want to participate in these fights? Youʼd most likely get hurt.”

The clerk couldnʼt believe that this beautiful pair wanted to fight. However, the next moment, Selene took out her identification and also seemed to have Nikolaiʼs as she placed them on the desk.

The cards stated both of their bloodlines were of the highest order, progenitor for a vampire and origin for a werewolf. It was quite amusing the moment the clerk with his blue hair saw them and turned pale.

”R-Royal... Origin?!”

”You see, because of an issue with his awakening, my fiancé didnʼt manage to awaken till a few days ago. Thus, he only has a weak aura. Do you understand? This is not my servant but the future husband of the Tepes clan and heir to the Volkov clan!”

Seleneʼs voice was sharp, and it caused the clerk to shiver because he understood now. Not only was her bloodline pure, but the other personʼs was equally so. It meant that if they were offended, it would not be good for the arena or him at all.

ʼWow... Selene is quite intimidating when sheʼs angry. Though, did she get angry because they called me a servant or refused her registration?ʼ

”Do not worry. I can see your terror, but we do not seek to cause a problem. My fiancé only seeks to improve himself faster so that my family might approve of him and we can get married sooner.”

”I understand... However, can I get confirmation from a higher-up that I have not overstepped my bounds?” The clerk felt a little odd. Although he was just doing his job and informing a young lady who looked like she was just playing, he could have angered a powerful family. Even in the Nexusʼs underworld, the Tepes clan and royal vampires were one of the six big races.

”Very well.” Selene nodded, and a short distance away, an elderly-looking man with a black suit arrived a few minutes later and spoke to the clerk. He seemed interested in Nikolai more than Selene, and came to the desk with the blue-haired dragonoid looking down.

”Forgive our clerk; he was a little rude and thought you might be joking; please allow us to extend our hospitality and show you the best rooms for you and your fiancée to stay.

In addition, we will set up a private audience so that you can observe and enjoy the fights at any time without hassle from the crowd. As for your registration to perform inside the arena, I have added a licence for all rookie-level competitions to you, sir Nikolai Volkov.” The man knew their full names because of the identification cards used.

”Can you change it to Kai, if possible and for my Fiancé, use the name Lena? We would like to hide ourselves to enjoy dates when visiting the arena if possible.” Nikolai said this with a straight face, but his intention wasnʼt as romantic as it sounded.

He wanted to visit the arena as often as possible and learn everything about the world and using his true name could cause issues in the real world, eventually.

As for Selene, he could sense her trembling, and her cheeks flushed. It was the first time he spoke so assertively about her, after all.

”Understood, Lord Kai. As for Lady Lena, you must take part in the intermediate-grade battles because of the difference in strength, and you have cleared the Rookie rankings already. Is this alright?”

”If she canʼt join the rookie league, then it would be fine.” Nikolai smiled.

”There are no issues since the intermediate league is what most heirs of families with true blood take part in. Though a royal might find it too easy, it is the best league for her to improve.”

”Almost all monster nobles are required to at least clear the Rookie rankings at a young age by their families to secure succession. So, the battles are usually between those of equal power and status. The battles are all single elimination, and there is a larger reward for victory.”

ʼGood... Selene looks happy, and now I can enter all the leagues. This old man is pretty good!ʼ

Since his business was complete, Nikolai thanked the old man, while taking Seleneʼs hand as the pair of them headed to the arena list where one could choose an opponent from the thousands of contenders in each rank and league.