Lucy's plan was intricate and daring, leveraging her advanced surveillance capabilities and the unique abilities of Dee, Cayden, and Cindy. As she explained each step, their excitement grew, tempered by a sense of nervous anticipation.
"We'll need to draw Sebastian and his lackeys out into the open," Lucy said, her eyes gleaming with mischief. "Once they're isolated, we can strike hard and fast, using the element of surprise to our advantage."
Dee nodded, her mind already racing with combat strategies. "I can use my vampire speed and strength to take out the bulk of his forces, while Cayden's water manipulation can create barriers and disorient them."
Cindy chimed in, her voice filled with determination. "And I'll focus on protecting our team and healing any injuries with my Qi abilities. We'll be an unstoppable force!"
Cayden grinned, cracking his knuckles. "Sebastian won't know what hit him. It's time we teach that bully a lesson he won't soon forget."
As they fine-tuned the details of their plan, Lucy couldn't help but feel a sense of belonging wash over her. For so long, she had been isolated by her incredible intellect and family name, yearning for true friends who would accept her for who she was. Now, surrounded by these brave and compassionate individuals, she finally felt like she had found her place.
Far away on the planet Umbralis, Cid's training had completely merged his vampire energy and Qi energy, becoming a vampire that doesn't require blood but Qi instead. The most interesting aspect of this situation was that since Cid now had Qi in his body, which is essentially life energy, he had become a living vampire. He was now alive and still possessed all his vampire abilities, with all the blood skills he would normally utilize now functioning with Qi instead of blood. Right now, Cid was doing his best to master the basic four stages of Qi with Zeph's guidance. Zeph explained that the four basic stages of Qi, in summary, are:
Enhancement of Physical Attributes: The initial stage involves using Qi to improve physical senses, attributes, and abilities, including voice projection. Practitioners learn to harness and channel their Qi to enhance their body and perception.
Creation of Invisible Armor: In the second stage, individuals develop the ability to project their Qi outside their bodies to create an invisible protective barrier. This defensive armor becomes stronger with better control over Qi and increased Qi capacity.
Coating and Empowering Objects: The third stage allows practitioners to envelop objects with their Qi, making them more resilient or powerful. Highly skilled individuals can infuse some of their Qi permanently into these objects, significantly enhancing their capabilities.
Advanced Control and Healing: At the final stage, individuals gain mastery over their Qi and the Qi around them, allowing them to manipulate the Qi of others if focused enough. They can absorb natural Qi for healing and sustenance. Additionally, they can control their Qi within a defined radius, empowering objects without direct contact and extending their influence for various purposes.
Aside from these, there are also two other secret stages, but we'll discuss those another time.
"I will now instruct you on how to develop all four stages. However, I must caution you that attempting to do so quickly in any location besides this planet could cause your Qi to become unstable and potentially harm you. Now please, close your eyes and concentrate on my instructions."
Cid closed his eyes, his body relaxing as he immersed himself in the tranquility of the Whispering Woods. He focused on Zeph's soothing voice, allowing it to guide him deeper into a state of heightened awareness.
"First, concentrate on the Qi within your body," Zeph instructed, his tone gentle yet firm. "Feel it flowing through your veins, pulsing with each heartbeat. Imagine it as a vibrant purple energy, the very essence of your being."
Cid's mind's eye filled with the image of his Qi, a shimmering network of purple strands weaving through his body. As he focused on it, the energy seemed to grow brighter and more intense.
"Now, direct that energy to your physical attributes," Zeph continued. "Allow it to strengthen your muscles, sharpen your senses, and enhance your natural abilities. Feel the power coursing through you, making you faster, stronger, and more attuned to your surroundings."
Cid felt a surge of energy as his Qi responded to his will. His muscles thrummed with newfound strength, and his senses expanded, allowing him to pick up on the faintest rustles of leaves and the most distant chirps of birds. Even his voice, as he exhaled, seemed to carry further, resonating with a deep, rich timbre.
"Excellent," Zeph praised, sensing the change in Cid's aura.
Following Zeph's guidance, Cid began to visualize his Qi expanding outward from his body, forming a shimmering, translucent barrier around him. At first, the invisible armor was thin and fragile, like a soap bubble ready to burst at the slightest touch. But as Cid focused his mind and poured more of his Qi into the barrier, it grew stronger and more resilient.
"Good," Zeph said, nodding in approval. "Your armor is taking shape. Keep concentrating, and try to maintain it even as I test its strength."
With a flick of his wrist, Zeph sent a small pebble flying toward Cid. The stone struck the invisible barrier and bounced off harmlessly, eliciting a grin from Cid. Emboldened by his success, he redoubled his efforts, fortifying the armor until it thrummed with power.
"Now, let's move on to the third stage," Zeph instructed. "Reach out with your Qi and envelop your scythe. Infuse it with your energy, making it an extension of your own being."
Cid unsheathed the Inferno Scythe, holding it before him. He closed his eyes once more, visualizing tendrils of purple Qi snaking out from his hands and wrapping around the weapon. The dark metal began to glow with an otherworldly light as Cid's energy seeped into it.
As Cid infused the Inferno Scythe with his Qi energy, he could feel the weapon hum and resonate with power in his hands. The dark metal blade took on an ethereal purple glow as it became one with Cid's essence. He marveled at the connection, feeling like the scythe was a natural extension of his body and will.
"Excellent work, Cid," Zeph praised. "You've achieved a deep bond with your weapon. With practice, you'll be able to channel your Qi through it to unleash devastating attacks and enhance its capabilities even further."
Cid opened his eyes and gave the scythe an experimental twirl. It moved with fluid grace, perfectly balanced and responsive to his every thought. He grinned, excitement building within him at the prospect of mastering this new technique.
"Now, for the final stage," Zeph said, his voice growing serious. "This will be the most challenging but also the most rewarding. You must learn to extend your Qi beyond your immediate vicinity, controlling it within a defined radius around you."
Zeph demonstrated, closing his eyes and extending his hands. A faint shimmer appeared in the air, expanding outward from his body like an invisible dome. Leaves and pebbles within the dome's perimeter began to float and swirl gently, caught in the currents of Zeph's Qi.
"Within this field, you can manipulate Qi to empower objects without direct contact and heal wounds."
Cid focused intently, drawing upon the well of Qi energy within him. He visualized it expanding outward, forming an invisible dome around him just as Zeph had demonstrated. At first, nothing seemed to happen. But as Cid poured more of his concentration and willpower into the task, he began to feel a faint tingling sensation in the air around him.
Slowly, almost imperceptibly at first, leaves and small stones within his radius began to tremble and lift off the ground. They hovered in the air, caught in the swirling currents of Cid's Qi field. A smile tugged at the corners of his mouth as he realized he was succeeding.
"Well done, Cid," Zeph said, pride evident in his voice. "You're grasping the fundamentals of advanced Qi control remarkably quickly. Keep practicing, and soon you'll be able to maintain this field effortlessly, even in the heat of battle."
Cid nodded, his brow furrowed with determination. He focused on expanding his Qi field further, pushing its boundaries outward. The dome grew larger, encompassing more of the surrounding foliage. Cid could feel the life energy of the plants and creatures within his radius, a web of interconnected Qi that he could now sense and influence.
Suddenly, a flicker of movement caught his eye. A small bird, injured and struggling on the ground, lay within his Qi field. Instinctively, he used his ability of animal communication to speak to the bird, enhancing his voice so that it could hear him. "Stay still; I'll help you," he said with intention in his words. The bird immediately calmed down, and using the natural Qi energy in the area, he was able to heal its injuries.
The bird, now fully healed, chirped happily and fluttered up from the ground. It circled around Cid's head once before landing on his outstretched hand, its tiny claws gripping his finger gently. Cid marveled at the connection he felt with the creature, a bond forged through the nurturing power of his Qi.
"Thank you," the bird trilled, its voice like a tiny bell in Cid's mind. "You have a kind heart, Qi Vampire."
Cid smiled softly, stroking the bird's delicate feathers with his free hand. "You're welcome, little one. I'm glad I could help."
The bird cocked its head, studying Cid with bright, intelligent eyes. "You are different from the others who wield Qi here. Your energy is uniquely balanced—a harmony of life and death. A great destiny awaits you, young master of the scythe."
With those cryptic words, the bird took flight, its wings beating the air as it disappeared into the shadowy canopy above. Cid watched it go, a sense of wonder and purpose settling over him like a mantle.
Zeph approached, placing a hand on Cid's shoulder. "You've done well, my friend. To heal an injury and communicate with an animal on this planet so effortlessly is a testament to your growing mastery of Qi."
Cid turned to face his mentor, gratitude shining in his glowing crimson-purple eyes. After a final night of practice, they were prepared to return to Earth. As they planned their departure from the Cid system, a notification popped up on Cid's screen, congratulating him on becoming a Qi Vampire noble and surpassing the abilities of a normal vampire. The system also praised him for mastering the four basic stages of Qi and rewarded him with two cards to request anything from the system. Cid had also unlocked a new function that allowed him to learn multiple abilities. However, the ability they had must reach level six before it could become a system skill instead of just an ability. Once this occurred, he would be able to learn another ability outside of the system.
Cid stared at the system notification in awe, his heart racing with excitement. The knowledge that he had not only become a Qi Vampire noble but had also mastered the four basic stages of Qi filled him with a sense of pride and accomplishment. He glanced at Zeph, who stood nearby with a knowing smile on his face.
"Congratulations, Cid," Zeph said, his orange eyes gleaming with pride. "You've achieved something truly remarkable here on Umbralis. Not only have you merged your vampire and Qi energies, but you've also gained a level of control over your abilities that few could ever hope to attain."
Cid bowed his head in gratitude. "I couldn't have done it without your guidance, Zeph. Your wisdom and patience have been invaluable to me throughout this journey."
As he spoke, Cid's thoughts turned to the two cards the system had granted him. The possibilities seemed endless—he could request powerful weapons, rare resources, or even new abilities to add to his growing repertoire. But he knew he would have to choose wisely, for such gifts were not to be squandered.
The prospect of learning multiple abilities also intrigued him. Cid wondered what other powers he could master beyond his vampiric skills and newfound Qi techniques. The thought of becoming an even more formidable warrior, capable of protecting those he held dear, sent a thrill down his spine. They now headed back toward their original position to return to the school.
Meanwhile, at the military school, the day came when the gang was going to teach Sebastian a lesson.
The day had finally arrived for Dee, Cayden, Cindy, and Lucy to put their plan into action and confront Sebastian and his gang. They had spent the past few days refining every detail, coordinating their abilities, and preparing for any potential outcome. Now, as they gathered in Lucy's high-tech sanctuary, an air of determination and nervous energy filled the room.
Lucy sat at her command center, her fingers flying across the holographic keyboards as she pulled up multiple surveillance feeds on the large monitors. "Alright, team," she said, her voice steady and focused. "Sebastian and his lackeys are in the training grounds, just as we predicted. It's time to set the bait."
Dee nodded, her crimson eyes flashing with resolve. She turned to Cayden, who stood ready, his posture relaxed but alert. "You know what to do, Cayden. Draw them out and lead them to the ambush point. We'll be waiting."
Cayden grinned, cracking his knuckles. "Leave it to me. I'll have those bullies chasing their own tails in no time." With a confident stride, he left the room, heading toward the training grounds.
Cindy turned to Dee and Lucy, her green skin flushed with a mix of excitement and apprehension. "Are you sure this will work? What if something goes wrong?"
Dee placed a comforting hand on Cindy's shoulder. "We've planned for every contingency, and I trust in our abilities and teamwork. Remember, we're stronger together than they could ever be alone.
Zeph chuckled, his orange eyes twinkling with amusement. "Cid has come a long way in a short time. His mastery of Qi has grown exponentially, and I have no doubt he'll continue to surprise us all."
Dee slipped her hand into Cid's, intertwining their fingers. "I can't wait to hear all about your training, Cid. But for now, let's celebrate this victory and the fact that we're all together again."
The group murmured their agreement, their faces alight with joy and relief. As they made their way out of the alleyway and back toward the main campus, Cid couldn't help but feel happy that he was finally back with his friends. The whole gang made their way to Lucy's room since it was the largest and could accommodate them all without feeling cramped. Lucy's room was a wonder to Cid, filled with the latest technology. As they all gathered and chatted, Cid and the group got to know Lucy better. They learned that she was responsible for 80% of the security system at their military school, while her parents had contributed the remaining 20%.
After chatting for a bit, Cid began telling everyone in detail what had happened during his time away to get stronger.
Dee's voice trembled as she said, "That is truly astounding." The vampire community would never accept such a decision, but I don't care. I vow to always offer you my unwavering support, Cid. With every fiber of my being, I promise to stand by your side always!