Extra's POV: My Obsessive Villainous Fiancee Is The Game's Final Boss-Chapter 13: BloodBound Pact

A week later, Ren found himself facing Squire Thorn in the training yard.

"Are you sure about this, my lord?" The boy asked in hesitance, physically, he was three years older than Ren. The thirteen year old was also bigger and had a longer reach.

Ren knew that the young knight trainee was skilled and he wouldn't necessarily win on their first bout but he had confidence in Unfettered Enhancement. Even if he didn't win, he'd be able to level up his sword fighting skills a few levels.

Sitting at Lvl 7, its growth had stalled and there was no one around to humor him. Sir Robert wanted him to be grounded in the basics first and was insisting that even though Ren's form was perfect, he still needed time to let the perfection sink in before going to the next level.

"Yes. I'm sure about this." Ren grinned at Thorn. "Don't worry about me and fight like you normally will."

Thorn hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Okay, lord Terence."

The moment the bout began, Ren surged forward, almost taking Thorn by surprise. With wide eyes, the squire parried Ren's blows before calming himself.

Ren grinned. Thorn had fought against barbarians. Of course, he wouldn't be that easy to beat.

Meeting Ren's eyes, Thorn charged at him, his wooden sword coming down in an overhead strike.

Ren's eyes widened and he barely dodged, throwing himself to the side.

Thorn pressed the attack, keeping Ren on the defensive. The moment Ren rolled to his feet, Thorn's sword was there, cutting and slashing in a way that left no room for a counter.

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Ren's arms burned with exertion as he blocked the strikes he couldn't dodge, but he refused to back down. He could feel his sword fighting skill improving with every strike.

A grin came over his face as he stepped inside Thorn's reach, aiming for a quick jab at his ribs. Thorn twisted, catching Ren's blade with his own and forcing it to the side.

Ren saw an opening and took it. He ducked low, feinting left before darting right. Thorn reacted fast, pivoting to block, but Ren had anticipated it. He spun back to the left, striking Thorn's leg, knocking him slightly off balance.

A second later, Thorn recovered and delivered a powerful downward slash. Ren barely managed to raise his sword in time, the impact reverberating through his arms.

Before he could do anything, another strike came down on him. He gritted his teeth as his arm shook.

And with a final downward strike with all his weight behind it, Thorn knocked the sword off Ren's hands.

As his sword clattered to the floor, Thorn raised his sword to Ren's neck.

After a second of silence, Ren sighed. "You win."

Just before the fight ended, he'd felt himself get to almost the same level as Thorn. He checked his notifications, seeing that he had leveled up sword fighting to lvl 10. This meant Thorn had to be lvl 11 or 12. Where would that put someone like his father or Sir Robert? Lvl 50?

He sighed and stood as Thorn stepped back, removing the sword from his neck. At least, he'd also leveled up his speed and agility.

"You're tougher than I expected, my lord." Thorn admitted with a grin. "In a few months, I think you'll even surpass me."

Ren grinned at Thorn's words. "Then I'll keep training."

Of course, he had a divine gift. If he kept up with the pace, he should be able to surpass Thorn in a week's time. In a day if he fought seriously with someone stronger. Since his level was now closer to Thorn's, his growth would be slower the more he fought him.

Darius, who had been watching from the sidelines, finally spoke after the match ended. "You're stubborn, I'll give you that."

Ren wiped the sweat from his brow, looking up at his brother. "Did I prove it?"

Darius was silent for a long moment. Then, with a smirk, he said, "Fine. I'll teach you. But you better be ready. Bloodbinding isn't something you learn halfway."

Ren grinned as his heart pounded with excitement. "Of course."

Darius walked closer and with a nod, dismissed Thorn. Then, he stood there with his arms crossed, watching Ren with an appraising gaze.

"If you really want to learn Bloodbinding, you need to pass the Bloodbound Pact."

Ren frowned in confusion. "The Bloodbound Pact?"

Darius nodded. "All humans have the potential to use Bloodbinding, but unlocking it isn't as simple as learning a technique."

"Unlocking the ability requires a trial. One that awakens the latent power within your blood. Until you undergo this trial, you can't Bloodbind anything."

Ren absorbed the information. This was one of the things that hadn't been explained in the game. No one knew how the characters learn Bloodbinding. And here he was, about to learn it first hand.

He grinned, unable to contain his excitement. "What does the trial involve?"

Darius sighed. "The Bloodbound Pact is a confrontation with your lineage, your past, and your very nature."

"It's a spiritual test as much as a physical one. You'll be sent into a vision that you'll have to survive. In that vision, you'll be tested, forced to endure pain and struggle. Only when you survive and overcome the trial will your blood resonate with the power to bind."

Ren nodded. "So if I pass, I'll be able to use Bloodbinding?"

"Not just that." Darius' expression turned serious. "Passing the Bloodbound Pact means becoming a Rank 1 Knight. It's the first true step toward mastering Bloodbinding."

"At Rank 1, you gain the ability to imbue abilities into your weapons and armor using your own blood. Your body will also change. You'll have a higher blood capacity than an average human, allowing you to use Bloodbinding without exhausting yourself immediately."

Ren nodded, taking in the explanation. "So using too much blood in Bloodbinding can be dangerous."

"Exactly." Darius confirmed. "It's why Knights are trained to manage their blood usage carefully."

"You'll also have the ability to enhance your weapons and armor further using the blood of enemies and monsters. All blood carries energy that strengthens Bloodbound equipment over time."

Ren frowned in thought. "And there are ranks beyond Rank 1?" He should've expected something like this. The game had levels. Who says real life can't have them too?

Darius smirked. "There are nine ranks of Bloodbinding, divided into three levels. The first level consists of Ranks 1 to 3, where you build your foundation and learn to master the basic principles of Bloodbinding."

"You don't need to know about the other ranks and levels for now. Focus on the first ranks."

"However, it is motivating to know that while very few people actually reach the highest ranks, those who do are among the most feared Knights in history."

Ren's heart pounded in his chest. The idea of unlocking that kind of power filled him with anticipation. "How do I take the trial?"

Darius placed a firm hand on his shoulder. "The only reason I'm doing this is because father would approve." He said.

"I'll guide you to the trial site. But you need to understand this. Once the trial begins, there's no turning back. You either succeed, or you fail. If you fail..."

Ren met his gaze. "I won't fail."

Darius studied him for a long moment before nodding. "Then we leave at dawn."

Ren hesitated before asking, "What exactly happens during the trial?"

Darius stared at him. "Each person's trial is different. It's not something that can be predicted."

"But I do know one thing. Your blood remembers. Your lineage, your ancestors, their struggles, their failures, their triumphs... all of it is inside you."

"During the trial, you will confront a vision, a challenge related to it. It will try to break you."

Ren swallowed hard. "And what if it does break me?"

Darius' gaze hardened. "Then, you were never meant to be a Knight."