The blood ritual was unlike anything Damien had experienced before. As Lady Lilith activated the final runes in the sequence, the diluted noble blood rose from its container, forming a swirling crimson mist that enveloped him completely. Within seconds, he felt the foreign energy probing at his essence, seeking pathways into his magical core.

  [Foreign Blood Magic Detected] Analysis: Noble-caste blood (diluted) with compatibility testing enchantment Current Status: Probing host energy pathways System Protection: Active

  The faint system notification was reassuring as Damien felt the blood magic attempt to map his internal energy structure. With his system in dormant mode, the foreign magic encountered only what Lady Lilith expected to find—unusual but still fundamentally demonic energy pathways.

  "Remarkable," Lady Lilith murmured, monitoring crystal dispys that showed his body's reaction to the noble blood. "The compatibility rate is nearly seventy percent—I've never seen a reading above forty in any mixed-blood subject."

  The other robed figures in the boratory exchanged gnces, their surprise evident even through their professional demeanor. One leaned toward Lady Lilith and whispered something Damien couldn't hear, but her dismissive gesture suggested she disagreed with whatever concern had been raised.

  "Increase the concentration by ten percent," she ordered, adjusting controls on the ritual array.

  Immediately, the crimson mist thickened, and Damien felt increased pressure against his magical barriers. A sharp tingling sensation spread across his skin as the noble blood attempted to establish deeper connections with his energy system.

  [Warning: Increased Blood Magic Intensity] Recommendation: Limited Controlled Response Suggested Action: Demonstrate moderate compatibility without full acceptance

  Following the system's guidance, Damien allowed a measured response to the blood magic—enough to satisfy Lady Lilith's experiment without revealing his full capabilities. He visualized partial pathways opening, permitting the noble energy to trace limited routes through his magical network.

  "Compatibility now at eighty-three percent," one of the assistants announced, their voice betraying astonishment. "Blood resonance patterns stabilizing."

  Lady Lilith's crimson eyes gleamed with scientific triumph. "The subject's energy adapts to noble-caste patterns without rejection symptoms. Precisely as I theorized." She circled the ritual ptform, studying the interaction from different angles. "His mixed heritage must include bloodline components specifically conducive to energy assimition."

  For twenty more minutes, Lady Lilith adjusted various parameters of the ritual, testing different aspects of Damien's response to noble blood. Throughout the procedure, his system remained in dormant mode, providing only minimal guidance while avoiding detection.

  Finally, Lady Lilith deactivated the outer ring of runes, causing the blood mist to gradually dissipate. "That's sufficient for today. The data exceeds my expectations."

  As Damien stepped down from the ptform, he felt oddly energized rather than drained. The noble blood had left traces of its power within his system, small amounts of higher-caste energy that his body had absorbed during the experiment.

  [Foreign Energy Assimited] 5 Banes of Noble-caste energy integrated into host system Temporary DE capacity increase: 25 → 30 Banes Analysis of noble energy patterns added to system database

  "How do you feel?" Lady Lilith asked, her clinical gaze assessing him for adverse reactions.

  "Different, my dy," Damien replied honestly. "There's a... warmth spreading through my body."

  "Expected with successful partial integration," she nodded, making notes on her crystal tablet. "Your unusual blood compatibility allowed you to retain small amounts of the noble energy. Most subjects would have rejected it immediately, often violently."

  The assistants were already collecting samples and recording data, their efficiency suggesting they'd performed simir procedures many times before, though perhaps never with such positive results.

  "Return to your quarters and rest," Lady Lilith instructed. "Your body will need time to process the foreign energy. Report any unusual sensations immediately through the communication crystal."

  As Damien left the boratory, he noticed the assistants gathering around Lady Lilith, their hushed conversation punctuated by gestures toward the ritual ptform he had just vacated. Their excitement was palpable, confirming that today's experiment had yielded results far beyond normal parameters.

  Back in his quarters, Damien allowed his system to reactivate fully from dormant mode. The interface expanded to its normal configuration, immediately dispying detailed analysis of what had occurred.

  [Blood Magic Interaction Report] - Successful limited integration of noble blood energy - Blood composition analysis added to database - Magical patterns from House Bloodfang cataloged - Host blood compatibility confirmed as exceptionally high

  [New Ability Unlocked: Blood Sense] Through exposure to blood magic, you've developed rudimentary ability to sense and identify blood types and properties. Current Level: 1 Experience: 0/100

  The new ability was an unexpected benefit of today's experiment. Damien experimentally focused on his own hand, activating the Blood Sense skill. Immediately, he perceived details about his own blood—its unusual hybrid nature, enhanced magical conductivity, and traces of the noble energy he had just absorbed.

  For the remainder of the day, Damien alternated between resting as instructed and experimenting with his new ability. Blood Sense allowed him to detect the presence of blood within a short range, though currently limited to only a few meters, and to discern basic properties like caste origin and magical potency.

  By evening, he had gained enough experience with the new skill to understand why Lady Lilith found his blood so fascinating. Even to his novice perception, his blood showed patterns that didn't match any single caste, combining elements that should theoretically be incompatible.

  The communication crystal on his desk chimed as he was preparing for sleep. When he touched it, he received not just the usual location impression but an actual message—a new development suggesting increased status within Lady Lilith's household.

  "Tomorrow's session cancelled. Analyzing today's data requires full attention. Continue independent studies. New texts provided on blood magic basics—review thoroughly."

  Damien acknowledged the message with a simple touch response, then checked the shelf where new books typically appeared. True to her word, several slim volumes on elementary blood magic now sat there, their crimson bindings marking them as restricted knowledge normally forbidden to lower castes.

  [Quest Update: Hidden in Pin Sight] Progress: 1/14 days completed Note: Access to restricted knowledge presents both opportunity and increased risk

  The system was right—blood magic texts represented another level of trust from Lady Lilith, but also increased scrutiny. If he demonstrated too much aptitude too quickly, it might raise suspicions.

  The next morning, Damien awoke feeling physically different. The noble energy he had absorbed had been fully processed by his body overnight, leaving behind subtle changes in his magical pathways. According to his system, these changes were beneficial—slightly increased energy capacity and improved efficiency in certain types of magic.

  With no formal session scheduled, Damien spent the day studying the blood magic texts. The system provided helpful annotations as he read, connecting theoretical concepts to his practical experience from yesterday's ritual.

  [Intelligence check passed: Enhanced comprehension activated] Comprehension efficiency increased based on current Intelligence score (16) Blood magic principles assimited at accelerated rate

  By mid-afternoon, Damien had developed a basic theoretical understanding of blood magic that would normally take weeks to achieve. The principles were fascinating—blood as both conduit and catalyst for magical energy, its properties determined by caste, lineage, and individual magical signature.

  The most interesting sections concerned Blood Bonds—the formalized magical connections that allowed lower-caste demons to exceed their natural power ceilings through bonds with higher castes. The texts described the process in clinical terms, but Damien read between the lines to understand the social implications: advancement through submission, power gained only through accepting a higher demon's dominance.

  [Special Research Topic Identified: Blood Bonds] This subject directly retes to host advancement potential System will prioritize data collection on this topic

  As evening approached, Damien practiced the basic blood magic exercises described in the texts. These were simple diagnostic techniques—using small amounts of his own blood to create rudimentary magical effects like detecting enchantments or testing material properties.

  [New Skill Acquired: Basic Blood Magic] Through study and practice, you've learned fundamental blood magic principles Current Level: 1 Experience: 5/100

  The days without formal training sessions continued for nearly a week. Each morning, Damien received a brief message from Lady Lilith instructing him to continue independent studies, occasionally with specific focus areas or additional texts provided.

  During this time, his system continued to gather data about Bloodfang Manor through his daily observations and interactions with servants. Maps of accessible areas expanded, staff routines were cataloged, and magical security measures were analyzed. All this information was compiled in a growing database that Damien could access through his system interface.

  On the sixth day since the blood ritual, Damien was surprised to receive a different message through the communication crystal.

  "Your presence required. Formal attire provided. Attendance at research presentation."

  When Damien touched the crystal to acknowledge, he received more detailed instructions: he was to wear the new garments delivered to his quarters and report to Lady Lilith's personal study at precisely the evening bell.

  The "formal attire" proved to be significantly different from his usual assigned clothing. The crimson remained Bloodfang's signature color, but the quality of the fabric was visibly superior, with subtle silver embroidery along the colr and sleeves. More surprisingly, the cut and style suggested something appropriate for a research assistant of actual standing rather than a sve being used for experiments.

  [Social Status Change Detected] New attire indicates potential adjustment in household position Recommended: Adjust behavior to match apparent status increase while maintaining appropriate deference

  Heeding the system's advice, Damien prepared himself carefully. Even his posture needed adjustment—not quite the submissive stance of a sve, but still respectful and subordinate to Lady Lilith's authority.

  At the appointed time, Damien presented himself at Lady Lilith's study, where he found her reviewing notes with two other nobles. Unlike the boratory assistants, these demons wore the distinctive attire of House Bloodfang's senior researchers, their status evident in both their clothing and confident bearing.

  "Ah, Damien," Lady Lilith acknowledged his arrival with a slight nod. "These are Magisters Corvin and Era, specialists in blood compatibility research from the main Bloodreach Academy."

  Both magisters studied Damien with the clinical interest of researchers examining a promising specimen. Their expressions revealed the briefest fsh of surprise at his appearance—clearly, they had expected someone who looked more obviously like a experimental subject rather than a research assistant.

  "This is the mixed-blood subject with the exceptional compatibility readings?" Magister Corvin asked, his tone skeptical despite his obvious interest.

  "Indeed," Lady Lilith confirmed. "Damien, show Magister Corvin your left palm."

  Understanding the instruction, Damien extended his hand palm-up. The magister produced a small crystal wand which he passed over Damien's skin. The crystal glowed brightly in response, dispying swirling patterns of light that represented his blood's magical properties.

  "Extraordinary," Magister Corvin admitted, his skepticism faltering. "The resonance patterns are unlike anything in our reference database."

  "His compatibility with noble blood exceeds all previous recorded cases," Lady Lilith expined, her tone betraying pride in her discovery. "I believe his mixed heritage includes components that specifically enhance magical assimition."

  Magister Era circled Damien slowly, her analytical gaze taking in details that might escape less trained observers. "You've conducted preliminary integration testing?" she asked Lady Lilith.

  "Yes, with diluted samples only. The results are detailed in my report." Lady Lilith gestured toward the crystal tablets arrayed on her desk. "Even at low concentrations, he achieved compatibility rates above eighty percent with no rejection symptoms."

  The magisters exchanged meaningful gnces. "The Academy will be extremely interested in these findings," Magister Era said. "Your research presentation tomorrow should generate significant attention."

  Throughout the conversation, Damien maintained appropriate silence, speaking only when directly addressed. His system remained in passive mode, recording every detail of the interaction for ter analysis.

  As the meeting concluded, Lady Lilith turned to Damien. "You will accompany me to the Academy tomorrow for the formal presentation. Your presence will provide necessary demonstration of the research findings."

  "Yes, my dy," Damien replied with a respectful bow.

  After the magisters departed, Lady Lilith studied Damien with those penetrating crimson eyes. "You've conducted yourself well during these independent study days. Your progress with the blood magic texts is evident in your aura patterns."

  "Thank you, my dy. The texts were most informative."

  "Tomorrow's presentation represents an important advancement in my research. Many influential members of Bloodreach society will be present." Her gaze remained steady on his face. "You understand the opportunity this represents?"

  Damien recognized the unspoken message. Lady Lilith's research, with him as its centerpiece, could significantly enhance her standing among Bloodreach's magical elite. His role was to validate her findings through his very existence.

  "I understand, my dy. I will comport myself appropriately."

  "See that you do." Lady Lilith turned back to her notes. "This research has implications beyond mere academic interest. Blood compatibility mechanisms fundamentally affect our society's advancement structures."

  As Damien returned to his quarters, he reflected on the significance of tomorrow's event. Being presented at the Bloodreach Academy would expose him to wider scrutiny beyond Bloodfang Manor, potentially creating both opportunities and risks.

  His system summarized the situation succinctly:

  [Significant Event Approaching: Academy Presentation] - Exposure to wider magical community - Increased value as research subject - Higher social visibility - Greater access to knowledge - Increased risk of deeper scrutiny

  [Quest Update: Hidden in Pin Sight] Progress: 7/14 days completed Note: Academy presentation requires exceptional caution to maintain system secrecy

  Damien prepared for sleep with his mind racing through potential scenarios. Lady Lilith's research clearly focused on blood compatibility and its retionship to the Blood Bond system that governed advancement in demon society. His unusual properties made him uniquely valuable to this research—a fact that offered protection but also made him a potential target for others with interest in the same field.

  As he drifted toward sleep, one final system notification appeared:

  [Daily Status Report] System Integration: 27% Complete New Abilities Stabilized Next Evolution Milestone: 35% Integration Recommendation: Continue cautious advancement while gathering critical data on Blood Bond mechanisms

  Tomorrow would bring new challenges and opportunities as Damien ventured beyond Bloodfang Manor for the first time since his arrival. Whatever happened at the Academy presentation, it would mark another step in his journey from sve to something more—a journey now quantified and enhanced by the system that had become his greatest secret and advantage.