Solo Max-Level Newbie – Pure Blood

Chapter 2: The Coming-of-Age Ceremony of Ataraxia (1)

A gust of wind sliced through the air.

A blade swung in a straight line, striking precisely toward Ophelia’s shoulder.

A strike measured as if drawn with a ruler.

Its sharpness and precision were astonishing.

Even so, the difference in outcome came down to superiority in speed and strength after the clash.

Above all, there was far too little magic to support the swordsmanship.

Ka-a-ang!

The moment the blades collided, sparks burst apart into fragments.

Countless shards of blood and flame painted the air crimson.

“……!”

The one who had attacked first found themselves forced into defense instead.

Of course, the result had already been decided—but the very reversal was absurd.

‘It’s not working.’

Yohan clicked his tongue inwardly.

It had been his best strike, yet the blade had not reached.

There was no way that terrifying hunting dog would give him a passing grade for something like this.

However, Ophelia was shaken for an entirely different reason.

This feeling.

This sensation.

A chill ran down her spine, and fine hairs along her back stood on end.

“Ha ha ha.”

The laugh slipped out unconsciously, not because she was amused.

It was a sound born of confusion and disbelief.

A monster with absurd potential.

For such talent to come from a fledgling vampire barely twenty-five years old—unbelievable.

Completely different from those foolish children who prattled under moonlight about their nobility while drinking blood and wine.

“Has the Lord of the House—or rather, your father, that merciless human—been personally training you?”

“They’re all quite busy these days.”

“Well, yes. The Tower’s mana has been behaving unpredictably lately.”

Everyone had been away, trying to determine the cause.

In other words—

He had done it without anyone’s help.

It was an achievement accomplished purely with his own strength.

Ophelia’s lips curved into a crescent moon.

This was going to be interesting.

She couldn’t wait to see how those who quietly looked down on the half-blood would react at the coming-of-age ceremony.

“I think this will be enough preparation for the ceremony next week.”

Retrieving her sword, Ophelia turned to leave—but glanced back at Yohan.

Then she added casually,

“Oh, this isn’t really a reward, but as a bit of motivation… I heard that the winner of this ceremony will receive one of the family’s sacred relics as a prize.”

So don’t even think about slacking off.

That was what she meant.

And those words struck a deep chord within Yohan.

‘If the reward includes something from within the Blood Vault…’

There was exactly one thing he wanted.

An item that could create a huge variable if he could bring it into the Forbidden Book.

Originally, he had planned to just get by casually, aiming for the middle.

Now, he had a reason to take the ceremony seriously.

Yohan began calmly piecing together his plans.

＊＊＊

A week later.

Vampires from many houses gathered in one place within the Black Castle.

Not only the main branches, but the cadet lines and newly joined houses as well.

The sight of so many faces not seen for years was, in itself, spectacular.

“Oh-ho, the Rosaria Clan, I see.”

“Good to see you again. How long has it been?”

“Have you been well?”

Warm greetings were exchanged.

Of course, behind them lay a different intent—each probing the strength and growth of the others.

Especially this time, since a special prize was to be given to the one deemed to have the greatest potential.

[On the night of the first full moon of their twenty-fifth year,

The one who proves their worth

Shall be permitted to receive the purest power of Ataraxia.]

Whether it be a sacred relic from the treasure vault or anything else desired—

It would all be granted in the name of Alice von Ataraxia.

No wonder the atmosphere was tense with unspoken rivalry.

And as always—

Such twisted ambitions inevitably turned toward the easiest prey.

“It seems Lord Yohan hasn’t changed much.”

“I hear he disappears for entire days and rarely attends gatherings.”

“Well, he does have a bit of a human side. I suppose that makes him… different from us.”

The recluse of Ataraxia.

Unlike others who delighted in social gatherings and revelry, Yohan always kept to himself.

It was an act completely against the norm, where building one’s faction from childhood was considered common sense.

Thus, everyone assumed—

The Prince of Ataraxia had no interest in succession.

And the fact that he lacked the vampires’ trademark silver hair and crimson eyes—having mostly black hair and eyes, with only a streak of silver in his bangs—only reinforced that belief.

At that moment—

“Pleased to meet you.”

A girl approached Yohan with a peculiar smile.

Her hair, white as snow, reached down to her waist, and her eyes gleamed red.

Even among vampires, known for their striking beauty, she stood out.

“I am Scarlett de Juliard.”

The House of Juliard—

A vampire family that had joined Ataraxia fifteen years ago.

Even someone as indifferent as Yohan had heard the name several times before.

Scarlett of the Blood Threads.

Her ability to manipulate threads of death spun from blood was unmatched.

No wonder she was regarded as the most likely candidate to win this year’s ceremony.

“I’m Kang Yohan.”

“Of course, I know. Identifying one’s rivals is the most important step toward victory, after all.”

He didn’t mind her cheerful chatter at first.

The problem was—

To a girl whose pride pierced the heavens, the word rival was simply too enticing.

“My Blood Threads are amazing, you know? Even among my family, I’m the youngest ever to master them…”

“What kind of power have you trained in, Lord Yohan? What will you show at the ceremony?”

She followed him around, peppering him with endless questions, boasting about herself in between.

Yohan tried to slip away quickly—

But shaking off this leech was no easy task.

“Lord Yohan? Lord Yohan! You’re listening, right? When a lady speaks, shouldn’t a knight at least show some interest?”

It seemed she had learned a little about etiquette—

But she was young.

No, just immature.

Then again, for a vampire who lived for thousands of years, twenty-five was practically an infant.

Had it not been for his experiences in the Forbidden Book, Yohan might have been as mentally green as she was.

*

Feeling a headache coming on, he pressed his temples hard.

Upon the Obsidian Chair, Sat the mighty figures of Ataraxia’s highest ranks.

“This is worrisome.”

“The Prince really should get along better with the other children…”

“Indeed. If he continues to isolate himself like this, it will only lead to hardship.”

The nine black wings that moved Ataraxia.

They were beings who had accumulated countless achievements and experiences, reaching the pinnacle of purity.

Though tangled in various interests, they all shared one pride — the will to protect their family.

If possible, they wished for Yohan to inherit that position.

However—

If he could not, there was nothing to be done.

In a world ruled by the absolute law of survival of the fittest, the weak could only be eliminated.

If Yohan failed to prove his worth as the heir...

A new Lord would naturally take his place.

“Let’s begin.”

In place of the absent Lord, Vermilion, ranked second in hierarchy, raised his hand.

[The Coming-of-Age Ceremony begins.]

[Become the last one standing at the Lake of Dragon’s Blood.]

[Any act that may cause a fatal injury will be stopped by the judges.]

Forty-five vampires standing by the lakeside glanced warily at one another.

Everyone here was a competitor.

Only one would savor the sweetness of victory.

Naturally, the common tactic was to go after the weakest first.

“I’ve heard the rumors, but seeing you in person—black hair, dark eyes—you look even more human than I thought. Too delicate, really. Are you sure you even deserve to be here?”

A branch member of the House of Mardios approached Yohan.

The intent to provoke and belittle him was obvious.

“Wow. You’re quite something—throwing insults that casually.”

“What?”

“My human-like looks come from my father. So basically, you’re saying, ‘your father’s human,’ huh?”

Discrimination based on species? That would be enough to cause an uproar in the Tower’s Rights Protection Association.

“I didn’t mean it that way…”

“Then are you insulting my mother—the Lord of Ataraxia—for marrying such a man? What, are you saying her standards were pathetically low?”

“……Hic!”

The moment the Lord of Ataraxia was mentioned, his flushed face turned pale.

Yohan didn’t miss the chance to twist the knife.

“So, can I take that as the official stance of the House of Mardios?”

“N-no, of course not! How could I dare…!”

The disrespectful tone instantly flipped into one of utmost formality.

Watching him tremble and sweat, Yohan almost felt sorry for the kid.

Almost.

This was exactly why teasing children was so amusing.

‘Ah right, I’m technically still a kid too.’

Sometimes he forgot, after everything he’d been through inside the Forbidden Book.

Just then—

“Pathetic. Move aside.”

Another stepped forward.

His appearance was as cold as ice.

The aura emanating from him was far stronger than that of the others surrounding them.

“And you are?”

“I am Cardmun of the Rosaria Clan.”

“Your tone’s a little short with me too, isn’t it?”

“Do you expect me to use honorifics? The Coming-of-Age Ceremony is sacred — all participants are equals. If you wish to earn our loyalty, prove your right through strength.”

Right to prove...

He wasn’t wrong.

Yohan looked down at the rippling surface of the lake.

The Lake of Dragon’s Blood was a kind of magical apparatus designed for young vampires who still lacked proper mana.

Of course, utilizing the dragon’s blood fully was nearly impossible—but even tapping into just one percent could unleash great power.

Patsuts…

From Cardmun’s hand, blood began to surge.

It coalesced into a crimson spear about a meter long.

“Ohhh!”

“He formed a Blood Spear in such a short time!”

Gasps of admiration rose from the gathered families.

For a vampire merely undergoing the coming-of-age, it was an impressive display.

Soon, others followed suit, manifesting their own powers one by one.

Spears, bats, and spheres made of blood filled the surroundings.

“You talk big about facing me one-on-one, but it looks like you’re all planning to gang up instead, huh?”

“Sorry, but there are no rules against that in this ceremony.”

The noble one overcomes every hardship — and alliances were permitted.

But then—

Slash!

Threads of crimson light cut across the field, crisscrossing the air.

A strike so swift and sharp it was barely visible.

Thud.

The shattered spears and blood constructs fell to the ground.

“Scarlett!”

Cardmun turned toward the source of the attack.

“Don’t tell me—you’re betraying us?”

“Ganging up on one person isn’t really my style. The victory will be mine anyway, but the Juliard Family values the process that leads to results.”

“A foolish choice. Even you can’t take on all of us!”

“From your perspective, I suppose that’s understandable.”

A confident smile spread across Scarlett’s lips.

[Scarlett activates her unique ability, Blood Threads!]

Kwakakakakaka!

Scarlet threads of blood surged above the Lake of Dragon’s Blood.

Hundreds of strands intertwined, forming a massive web.

At the same time, intricate patterns began to draw themselves behind it—forming a magic array.

“A large-scale area spell… Damn it, don’t let her complete it!”

“Attack her!”

“If that thing activates, we’re done for!”

Pwoooom!

Pupupupung!

A storm of blood erupted.

The Blood Threads whipped like lashes, slicing through countless spears and blood weapons around them—cutting down everything within reach.

She even connected her threads to enemy bats, seizing control of them.

The talent to draw out nearly ten percent of the Lake’s potential was dazzling.

Compared to Cardmun, who could barely utilize two percent, it was no contest.

She was strong—unbelievably so for one taking part in a coming-of-age ceremony.

But as Cardmun had said, even for someone like Scarlett, fighting over forty vampires alone was too much.

Her breathing grew heavier with every passing moment.

“Almost there! Keep pressing!”

“Just a little more, and we’ll win!”

The heirs of the noble houses grew wilder as they sensed victory.

The web was now full of holes, and the grand spell collapsed before completion.

“Haa… haa… haa…”

Scarlett wiped the sweat from her brow, her breaths ragged.

And at that moment—

Yohan stepped up beside her.

“That’s enough. I’ll take it from here.”

“What? No, I can still—wait, what are you doing?”

Scarlett’s voice turned urgent.

“You’re not seriously going to fight, are you? I barely managed to hold out! You’ll never win against them!”

“Just stand back and watch.”

Still—

It wasn’t so bad, having at least one person here who understood what honor meant.