Magic is a system I had heard of since a long while ago. It originated from an old schor adventurer who dissected countless monsters who had various magical abilities. After studying them for a long time, he found that monsters with simir abilities had a simir core with slightly different symbols found in them. After a long time of trial and error, he found that humans could manipute their own energy through their own willpower to follow the tracts the monsters had. After passing down his knowledge to several disciples, each disciple inheriting a certain element, they passed the knowledge to their disciples and so on till the was quite spread out.

  Those disciples founded the Nine Circles Tower and officially became the first magic based organizations. Although the tower masters have died, their inheritance was passed down from generation to generation. A long time had passed and even the former stalwart force had fallen, their inheritance now spread all across their world. With each generation, more diverse ways of using magic are found and instead of division by element it becomes a division by types of magic.

  All of this is to say that magic is an ancient and well developed system. Although it used to be restricted to the world Archivius, it has now spread due to an invasion of that world by outside forces. Now it has developed in the various nds that we all live on.

  Compared to other systems, Magic is quite universal due to its only requirement for cultivation being the respective elements presence. In contrast, various bloodline based abilities like the dragon nguage magic of the dragons and the blood techniques of the vampire are almost exclusive to their respective race.

  Because of all of this, even various races with their own bloodline based abilities like to use magic to supplement their shortcomings.

  There is one caveat to magic besides talent and elemental presence. That caveat is that learning magic requires a good enough brain. Unlike with other abilities, magic requires the constant input of knowledge to grow. The more that you know, the more you can use your magic to do things that other abilities can't.

  Because of this, I am now sitting here in my room pulling hairs at the knowledge I have to learn. In front of we is a pile of textbooks about the usage method of Blood element magic. Since we vampires have a natural inclination towards the blood element, we have studied extensively of the usage of blood magic in comparison and cooperation with our blood techniques. Some powerful techniques can be developed into being as comprehensive as magic is, but those abilities are usually found in only some of the highest bloodlines.

  My dad's technique for example, is the Blood Oath and the main abilities are contracting with other races and being able to bring those creatures around at all times. This makes most situations manageable for the Blood Oath user. The only notable weakness is that the user themselves are not improved by this technique.

  So, my Dad's lineage has developed special blood magics that allow for extra defense for the body as well as the ability to defend yourself even if you had no contracted objects.

  In my case, there may have been magic that was developed to fit my technique, but due to it being an ancient lost technique, any records of such magic would be lost to time.

  After learning this, it was decided that I would learn magic myself and make my own magic that fits my technique. This is only possible because my parents gave me some magic to use as reference to see what I ck in my combat system and what magic I would need to cover it.

  Now that all of that is out of the way, it is time for me to see what exactly I am missing in my combat system. The first step in this would naturally be to look up the magic used to help other people and use those as a reference for my own magic.

  First of all, I must consider what my own combat system is. According to my dad, combat systems are first divided by what method is used, such as techniques or magic. Then it is determining what role I py using those abilities.

  For me, I would be a technique based summoner. The advantages of knowing this is that I can find out what each part of my combat system is weak against and see what I need to fix first.

  Looking at the textbooks, I don't see an analysis for my own ability. I am the first one with this technique in a long time after all. What I can do is look at simir techniques and see what weakness they have and see how they make up for them.

  I checked up on the various vampire summoners to see how they solved their problems.

  After checking a while, I saw that those examples would be of little use to me.

  With techniques like the Blood Oath, their weaknesses can be made up for by contracting different beasts. For me, my summons are fixed as my skeletons so those don't fit me.

  Because of this, I then turned to the fixed summon type fighters.

  Those of the fixed summon variety usually have several different types of summons still that can help make up the difference. According to what I read, although my technique has less variety, each summon is on average stronger than the other types.

  Normally this would be a good thing, but my ck of variety leads to more holes in my combat system than I thought.

  In addition to my inability to hit aerial and ranged objects effectively, I also have no counter against rge area of effect attacks as well as things like underground and aquatic attacks. I also have no perception abilities so stealth would be a decent weakness as well as cking in any way to deal with speed type fighters. Finally, although I am a summoner type, I don't have various spells to buff my summons.

  Seeing that I had so many weaknesses already, I was already getting a little discouraged at my chances of getting a good ranking now. Although I can be considered strong for my age, I am not strong enough that I can overwhelm everyone with my strength. From what I saw from the previous competitions, I can be considered a strong contender. The only problem is that in almost every competition, there are multiple competitors like me. Not only that, there is also usually at least one 'champion contender' and, while not rare, sometimes multiple champion contenders.

  Without my giant form skeleton soldier, I wouldn't even have my current confidence in myself. After this review session, I have found out that I have a lot to do in order to fix all of my current shortcomings. Now that I know my most gring shortcomings, I need to see what I should fix first based on how common the ability is.

  First off, I think the most common type of attack that I can't deal with is ranged attacks of any kind. Single target ranged attacks can target me directly while area of effect attacks can hit me indirectly. The easiest way to deal with them is to have a barrier protect me while my summons attack from another angle.

  Another way is for me to have a ranged attack of my own. Although I have my skeleton archer, they are still not so strong that they can fight most vampires in the competition. So, I would not only need to learn a ranged attack as well as learning to aim the attacks to save my inner energy value.

  Due to the competition being restricted to a certain space, I can summon my giant skeleton and when it uses fighting spirit it can cover most of the arena quite comfortably so a ranged attack isn't so necessary. Not only that, any ranged attack that I learn now is going to pale in comparison to most of the enemies I a likely to face in the competition.

  I don't know if I have told you yet, but the age group of the competition is from 4-10 years old. While that may sound quite young, I am still 4 years old. Although a while has passed since my 4th birthday, my body has developed to an incredible level. This is mainly because of the blood energy that I absorbed as a child. According to the books I have read, the crystals in my crib as a baby were blood crystals that help in the development of the body as well as the physical talent of the recipient.

  The vampire cn is the biggest exporter of this crystal and most blood crystal mines are concentrated in the ancestral nd of the vampires. Because of all of this, almost all marquis and above vampires use blood crystals to not only strengthen the body and energy of their children, but also their potential.

  All of this leads to my 4 year old body being surprisingly strong and that all goes for all of my competitors. The biggest things to look out for are against possible prince level bloodlines participating as they have even better resources than even my family, as well as the older participants from the age of 8-10 as their bodies have fully grown to the next stage.

  Although those that are 5-7 years old have a time advantage over me, I still believe that I have the advantage in terms of willpower. You can't expect a bunch of children to train diligently.

  Now, for barrier type spells, there are various records in the books given by my dad. From various elemental barriers to fighting spirit barriers to even beasts that some people contract to become meat shields. Since my affinity is for blood magic, the best option for me would be the blood barrier.

  I looked for the blood barrier page in my book and saw the spell and the knowledge required to cast the spell.

  Since magic requires knowledge and energy control, that is what I will be focusing on until I am satisfied with the result.

  And so I went to studying. Blood barriers are like almost any type of barrier in that it blocks external attacks. Unlike elemental barriers, the blood barriers way of blocking damage is by redirecting the blow with a thick almost liquid like consistency. Elemental barriers block by cshing with the energy contained in the enemies attack. Because of the blood barrier's peculiarity, it is a barrier that relies on the skill of the user.

  A skilled blood barrier user can completely deflect all attacks coming at them and even divert attacks towards their enemies at an almost minimal price while an inexperienced one would be worse of then just using an elemental barrier.

  All of this is to say that even if I can cast the blood barrier, I still have to study up on how to manipute and use the barrier effectively before the competition.In addition to a barrier technique, I hope I can be able to cast a spell that increases my movement speed.

  Speed boosting spells are quite simple to use compared to other types of spells. The effect to the speed boost is solely dependent on how flexible you can use that extra speed. Because of this, I am not as worried about the use of the speed boosting spell compared to the barrier spell.

  And so, my studying began. Although I still will have weaknesses after learning these two spells, I can't split my time any further than this. I not only have to study the basics of blood magic, but also I still have to keep training my original skills. Although my other skills wouldn't rust so quickly, I need to always remember to keep my strengths up as if I gat a little unfamiliar with my strengths, the competition would only be more difficult.

  ...

  Time passes and it is now a week before the competition. My performance and training will determine whether I can awaken my fighting spirit early. A month has passed in all of my training. Now, I can cast both blood barrier as well as a speed boosting spell known as blood boost. Although not skilled with deflecting with my blood barrier, this competition would likely get me the training needed to get used to using the blood barrier.

  Now I am riding a different carriage to the competition. This competition will be held in the capital territory of a blood prince. After asking my parents, I learned that the whole competition is held in a device known as a blood pool. The blood pool is something like a super virtual reality device except instead of technology it is made with an energy known as dream energy and can read the mental scape of the user in order to replicate their strength in the arena as blood avatars.

  Because of this, the arena battles can be recorded and put onto the disk that my mom had shown me.

  I heard from some of the guards that only official tournaments held by prince-level bloodlines would be allowed to use the technology as it is mostly used for military training otherwise.

  On the horizon I finally saw the destination point that we were headed towards. The Capital of this blood prince is known as Valency and is one of the older territories of our race. The reason this competition is held here is to commemorate a certain event that most people don't know about. It is said that here in Valency, a vampire prince had been itching for a fight and called all the beings in the area for a bloody battle royale and the prince then decided to cim this nd as his territory and built this city upon the center of that battlefield.

  When we finally approached the gate, our carriage headed toward one of the entrances and were stopped by the guard there. The guard then used a device to scan the carriage and after showing a green light we were allowed entrance into the city.

  This city is massive if I had to make a comparison to the city I explored with Mifune, I could travel around in a week at most. Here, the city is so massive a month wouldn't be enough to see all that can be seen. At least on foot anyways.

  When we got down from the carriage, Mifune then went to a building that helped bring our carriage to our final destination. Then we walked around the city on foot. While walking, we wandered past several buildings. Most of the buildings were quite familiar as many of them were from the same companies that had branches in the city I explored before. Interspersed between them were several unfamiliar names, most of which triggered no interest from me.

  We continued wandering and when I encountered an interesting location we would head there and see what was going on. Finally we arrived at the arena that I would be competing in for days to come. The building looked like a rge stadium colored blood red with an almost glossy finish.

  After watching it for a while, we decided to continue walking around in search for anything interesting. Unlike the city that Mifune had led me through, this city is a complete mystery for both me and Mifune. So when we found ourselves in a more deserted area we couldn't really tell where we were.

  Mifune: It seems we have strayed from the regur path. Celine, do you want to backtrack and get back to the inner city or do you want to explore here. Although I can guard you here, it is absolutely less safe here.

  I thought for a moment. Although going back would be safer, I kind of want to explore this area. In the other city, we just went to more poputed areas and never explored off the beaten path. Maybe it's the inner child in me that is getting curious.

  Celine: Let's explore here a little bit!

  Mifune lets out a sigh before agreeing. Before exploring, I see her begin to cast a spell and a magic circle appeared in front of her. From the circle a faint buzzing noise sounded as she finished her chant.

  Mifune: Summoning Magic - ShadowFly Mother

  A loud buzzing suddenly echoed in the surrounding before it quickly gets silenced. In front of Mifune was a rge bck fly like creature. The creature was the size of a human fist from what I can recall. The buzzing may have quieted, but I can feel the subtle vibrations in the air from the fpping of its wings. Mifune then calls it over to her to give it a command.

  Mifune: ShadowFly, keep watch of the surroundings and inform me when anything in particur is happening.

  After a second, it then quickly rushes into a wall. Before I could excim, it suddenly melts into the wall and disappears.

  Mifune then looks at my confused expression and expins.

  Mifune: This is a ShadowFly Mother, It lives in and travels through shadows and can quickly give birth to many children. The children and mother body are all able to share vision beyond the shadows and create a complex visual network in their surroundings. They are mostly used for monitoring important locations. The mother body has a computer like brain and can easily absorb all of this visual information and sort it on the spot. Once it finds anything, it can inform me through the connection between summoned and summoner.

  After nodding in understanding, I then asked her about that connection between summoned and summoner.

  Mifune: Oh, have I not expined that? Ok, here is the expnation. A summoner usually makes a contract with the world of the summoned. The contract is that you can call upon a being in that world of a simir strength to yourself or weaker. Generally, starting at the Gold level, you can start to specify what kind of summon you want. After calling upon a specific creature, you can then make a personal contract with that creature. Generally, you either sacrifice a certain amount of resources or consume extra energy to keep them by your side.

  With the expnation out of the way, we can officially begin our exploration of the complex alleyways in this capital city.

  We first decided to go straight ahead as the only other way would be to go back. After walking a while further, several branching paths id before us. After randomly choosing a side, we walked along the path while looking at all of the weaker and older houses on the way. Although there were a few passerby, they generally quietly rushed to their destination without heeding us any mind. After a while of walking we finally found a pce of interest in this slum like area.

  Celine: Weaver Auction House... This looks interesting! Can we check out what's inside?

  Mifune: If you really want to check it out it is fine. There are bigger auction houses in the inner area so don't expect to find anything too outstanding here.

  After a few precautions and after handing me a mask to wear, we finally walked into the auction house. After entering, we were greeted by various staff walking around and helping various people see the offerings. After a few seconds, a staff had noticed us and began to introduce us.

  Auction Staff: Welcome to the Weaver auction house, you are just in luck. Today we are having our monthly auction and have many new products for auction. Would you like to participate in the auction or auction a product off?

  Mifune: We are here to check out the auction. Here is a card for identification.

  Mifune pulls out a purple card from her pocket and fshes it towards the staff.

  After a brief shock, she then invited us to a separate room near the top of the auction house. After pcing some snacks and informing us of the fridge in the room, she asked us to ring a bell if we needed anything and to await the start of the auction.

  When she left, I asked Mifune about the purple card.

  Mifune: That is a purple card from the World Council Bank. The card has several colors representing different identities. This purple card is a retively high identity so it is given such a status in most establishments.

  Afterwards, I noticed a brochure on the table. After looking at it, I found that it was a list of the items for auction. Most of the materials were considered quite rare in the dark continent, and there were plenty of products found on other worlds.

  The st three products were even hidden and kept secret on the brochure.

  After skimming the brochure, most of the materials were various ores and herbs that made no sense for me to obtain. We then waited for the auction to begin as more people began arriving. When a few minutes passed, the auction was finally beginning.

  A woman stood at a pedestal and called everyone to attention.

  Auction Host: Welcome all guests, we are proud to be hosting this Weaver Auction here once again. Let me introduce myself, I am Vivian, your host for today. Now, before we get started I would like to inform you that this auction is overseen by our Weaver Group, so any rule breakers shall be dealt with by them.

  After that, the auction began and the first product was wheeled out and uncovered.

  Vivian: Todays auction shall begin with this product. This is a Deep Sea Pearl, a treasure of the Gold-rank and the effect is that it helps with the meditation and casting of Water element wizards. The starting auction price is 100 Gold.

  With the reveal of its appearance and effect, many people began bidding and the price rose quickly. In the end it was auctioned for the price of 250 Gold by a passerby in the lower section of the auction.

  For the next while, the auction items offered were all various products that didn't interest me at all. Most of them were items for the level of Silver that my own family could procure quite simply. Other than that, only a bunch of jewelry and the like were there which interested me even less.

  Even though I have become a girl after reincarnating, I still don't find things like that interesting. I would rather train and get stronger than to do the more delicate things as expected from a princess. Although I take some etiquette lessons due to my standing and my mom's encouragement, I still find training myself much more interesting.

  The various products pass by as the auction gets livelier and livelier. There were even notes of various different types of magic offered. I was intrigued for a second before they announced that they were the notes of a necromancer.

  Although I have no absolute dislike towards the undead due to my summons, with my technique's development I would most likely not need to learn these kinds of things.

  Finally, it was time for the three mystery products. The first product shown was a unique surprise for me and Mifune.

  Vivian: Now is the time you have all been awaiting. This is the first of the three mystery objects offered today.

  She uncovered the veil on the object and present was a mini model of a boratory.

  Vivian: Given by an anonymous crafter, this mini model b is actually a magical object that be released and reveal a full size and operable boratory that is already ready for use. After opening, it can still retract back for easy travel usage.

  After revealing the product, I turned to ask Mifune what was going on, but was interrupted before I could ask.

  Mifune: This isn't technology developed in Asteria. It must be an artifact from the previous Nine Circles Tower, Only they had this level of spacial manipution. I'll take down this product and hand it over to your parents to check it out. If it is what I think it is, it might be an opportunity for us.

  As she was stating all of this, the auctioned item's price had gotten sky rocketed. Mifune began participating in the auction which surprised the others in the auction. Before long, the price had risen to a sky high at 1020 Gold.

  The price jumps stopped being so drastic and it was only Mifune and another person still bidding. After it reached 1500, they stopped bidding and Mifune took down the product. Minutes ter there was a knock on the door and one of the auction staff had arrived with the item in tow. After paying, Mifune finally received the mini b and after checking it out, she finally confirmed her suspicions.

  Mifune: This is a newly unearthed artifact from the Nine Circles Tower. Since it is so new, it means that few people have even seen it. There might be a relic of the Nine Circles Tower nearby. Once we find it we can obtain plenty of resources and from stronger. After we leave here, we must go and report this to your parents after this auction is finished.

  As she finished her check and dialogue, the second object was already being auctioned. It was a purple almost crystal like weapon made by a famous bcksmith in the capital. After seeing my interest, Mifune expined to me that the bcksmith who crafted this sword was on the same level as Earl who I had previously met and obtained a sword from. After hearing this and turning to watch the auction I knew how much of a bargain getting the sword from Earl was.

  Finally, the st item in the auction was rolled up. After a period of Bated breath, Vivian finally introduced this item while unveiling it.

  Vivian: For the st product, we have a special product that someone had offered to auction here. It is this, A mysterious Dragon egg!

  The veil was removed and an egg with scale like shell was revealed. It was shiny and prismatic and glowed with the colors of a rainbow.

  Vivian: This mysterious dragon egg was given to us to auction a few days ago and we have checked that the egg is in perfect lively condition. This egg was found by a dragon sying group who hunted down the Red dragon Nefarious. This egg was among the various red dragon eggs hidden there and the type of dragon is unknown to us. This Egg now has a starting price of 500 Gold and each increment must include at least 10 gold.

  The crowd suddenly burst into murmurs as everyone communicated and wondered what kind of dragon would come out of such an egg.

  The bids started and the bids all started to rise at a rapid rate. Soon, the bids exceeded the price of the mini b that we had purchased. Compared to a moving b, most dragons would usually be able to grow to a stable level. Labs are only as good as the people running them, so the dragon egg is usually a preferable option. Plus, the main reason the b even grew to that price was the spatial technology included in it.

  Bids kept on rolling as I turned to Mifune to see if she knew about the egg.

  Mifune: I am the wrong person to find for beast identification. However, what I can tell you now is that it is most likely a mutated species and whether the species mutates positively or negatively is all dependent on luck. It is much more dependable to just purchase a group of regur red dragon eggs than to bet it all on an unknown mutation.

  She then spoke more about various beasts as the auction for the dragon egg was completed. The auction was finally finished as another person from the same type of booth that we got had obtained the egg and left early. With Mifune guarding me, I don't have to worry that much about protection and so we patiently waited for the end of the auction. At the end, Vivian made some closing remarks about the next auction in a month. Since we got something here this time, maybe I'll participate in the next one?

  I kept on thinking while we left to return back to the main road. Unlike what I thought, there were no people obstructing us as we left the complex alleyways.

  What I didn't notice was just a few walls away, there were a group of thugs who had their shadows slowly disappear. A faint sound of buzzing could be heard from their corpse as the shadow disappeared and so did their body.