Daily Rewards! Transmigrating into a novel as a side-character!

After training my {Blood Enhancement} trait to increase its level inside my dorm, I discovered two significant drawbacks through experimentation.

The first drawback was duration dependency. The enhancement's lasting power directly correlated with both the quantity and quality of blood used. Elite-rank blood maintained the enhancement for extended periods while providing stronger overall effects. Noble-rank blood, by contrast, offered shorter duration and weaker enhancement benefits.

The second drawback related to equipment rank. Higher-ranked items required substantially more mana investment to maintain the enhancement effect. It operated like a transaction system, I had to spend mana to extract enhancement benefits from the blood. Once the blood was exhausted, additional mana input became irrelevant.

The half-hour training session didn't yield immediate improvements, but I wasn't rushing the process. I decided to continue practicing the skill while walking to my next class, realizing I should have been training it during travel time from the beginning.

As I made my way through the academy corridors, I practiced subtle applications of Blood Enhancement on my Typhoon Pendant that I had gotten from the weapon treasury inside the academy.

Other students passed by without noticing my discrete practice sessions. The ability to train continuously throughout the day would accelerate my skill development significantly compared to my other skills.

The only reason I was able to practise the skill, was because I was in the academy. I didn't worry too much about using my mana, threats wouldn't make it inside the academy, so there was no need to fear an attack whilst having little mana to work with.

As for students, nobody dared to attack me. I wasn't someone to be bullied after all. Whether it was strength or background, I was superior to everyone else in both.

I arrived at the classroom slightly earlier than usual, with about five minutes remaining before the lesson started. I decided to use that time to continue practicing my Blood Enhancement trait.

There weren't many students inside at this early time. Once I entered and made my way to my seat, I noticed several classmates nodding acknowledgment in my direction, which I returned politely.

Settling into my chair, I resumed my discrete training with a small pendant, focusing on maintaining steady mana flow. A minute later, Emmet Cole arrived, hands buried in his pockets with a naturally angry expression on his face.

Our eyes met briefly across the room. Instead of heading to his usual seat on the opposite side, he changed direction and approached my desk directly.

I stopped enhancing the pendant and slipped it into my pocket before he reached me.

Once he stood before my desk, I looked up and said, "What's up?"

"I want to have a spar with you after class."

His directness was almost amusing, no greeting, no small talk, straight to his purpose. This was exactly what I had appreciated about his character in the novel. Unfortunately, the author had killed him off for the sake of Kyle's character development.

Sensing the perfect opportunity to build a connection with him and potentially alter his fate, I smiled and replied, "Sure."

I knew Emmet had little patience for pointless conversation, so I didn't waste time with unnecessary pleasantries. His eyes showed a flicker of approval at my straightforward acceptance.

"After Sylvia's class then," he confirmed with a slight nod.

"Sounds good."

He returned to his seat just as more students began filtering into the classroom, preparing for another lesson with their favourite instructor.

...

The class began with Sylvia taking on a more formal tone than her usual combat instruction style. Today's lesson focused on the historical foundations of our kingdom.

"The Kingdom of Eldrathia was not born from peaceful negotiation or gradual expansion, It was forged through blood, sacrifice, and the unwavering determination of those who believed in a unified future."

She gestured to a large map that materialized through magical projection, showing the continent as it existed before the kingdom's establishment.

"The first King, unified these lands, the continent was fractured into dozens of warring clans. Each clan controlled small territories, constantly fighting over resources, bloodline purity, and grudges that stretched back generations."

The map shifted, showing the chaotic borders and frequent conflicts between different coloured territories.

"The first King possessed the same legendary Tiger bloodline that his descendant, King Aldric wields today. But bloodline strength alone does not create kingdoms. It was his vision of unity and his willingness to pay the ultimate price that changed everything."

Sylvia's expression grew somber as she continued. "For thirty years, he fought campaign after campaign, not for conquest, but for consolidation. He offered every clan the same choice: join willingly as equals in a united kingdom, or be exiled from the land to face the vicious beasts."

The map displayed the gradual expansion of royal territory, showing how scattered clan holdings were slowly incorporated into a growing central authority.

"The soil of our kingdom was literally soaked with the blood of those who fought for this vision. Thousands of soldiers, both royal and clan forces, sacrificed their lives for the idea that a unified nation could provide greater security and prosperity than endless tribal warfare."

I found myself engaged with the lesson. Understanding the kingdom's violent founding helped explain the current political tensions between the great houses and the crown.

"Many clan leaders chose to submit rather than see their people slaughtered. These became the founding noble families we know today. The four Great Ducal Houses, Blackwood, Stormwind, Ironhold, and Rosewood all trace their origins to clan leaders who recognized the wisdom of unity over destruction."

Sylvia paused, her gaze across to find my eyes for a brief moment before continuing. "The kingdom you live in today exists because countless individuals chose to sacrifice personal ambition for collective stability. Never forget that the freedoms and opportunities you enjoy were purchased with blood and determination."

The weight of that bloody history settled over the classroom as students contemplated the price of their current comfortable lives.

The class ended soon enough.

Elen stood up from her seat with an excited look on her face. "Adrian! Want to go out to eat? I've got something I want to show you later."

With an apologetic look, I shook my head. "Sorry Elen, but I have a sparring match right now. Maybe later?"

Elen tilted her head curiously. "Sparring match? With whom?"

Emmet walked toward my seat and positioned himself right next to Elen, his sudden appearance startling her slightly.

"With me."