Book 3: Chapter 47: The Bloodletters

Book 3: Chapter 47: The Bloodletters

When Ezekiel returned to the front of the manor, night had already fallen. Despite the hour, the training field was still as lively as it had been when he had left.

A bevy of braziers kept the area well-lit and there were several duels being held. Zeke was certain that he would find Leo among the fighters, but to his surprise, the blonde boy wasnt anywhere to be seen.

After a bit of searching, he found a familiar figure in the crowd Mordred. The older boy was hugging a girl under each arm as he cheered for one of the fights between Grand Mages. On closer inspection, he realized that one of the competitors was Mordreds older sister Vanessa.

With swift steps, Zeke came up behind him. Mordred, do you know where Leo and Maya are?

Mordred was startled by the unexpected voice and spun to face him. Jeez, dont sneak up on me like that. His eyes were slightly unfocused and his speech slurred. It was clear that the older boy had enjoyed a fair bit of alcohol as well.

Zeke rolled his eyes. Sneaking? I could have walked up to you playing the flute and you wouldnt have noticed given how busy you were. He meaningfully glanced at the two girls who had continued to spectate the fight. Apparently, the apple didnt fall far from the tree when it came to Tristans son.

Fine, fine, whatever, Mordred said. The last time I saw that rascal Leo was when he was brought into the healers tent. But that was hours ago.

Zekes expression turned serious. What happened?

Mordred waved him off. Hey, theres no need to make such a scary face. You should know best how your brother is. The maniac challenged Phillip and James to a two-on-one fight and got his ass kicked. Nothing serious, but his core was depleted again. I think the healers tied him up after that. They got sick of him fighting even without any Mana. Your sister went with them as well.

Zeke smirked. Knowing Leo, his brother was probably already planning his escape. After Mordred pointed him in the right direction, he was en route to the healers tent. While making his way over, Zeke spotted his mother and father sitting to the side at one of the dinner tables. They were still talking to the same man he had seen them with earlier.



Moments later, he arrived in front of a big tent. Inside he could see a few empty beds that were divided by a piece of cloth hanging from the ceiling. Almost all of them were unoccupied. This made perfect sense, considering that Blood Mages could recover from most injuries with their own strength.

Toward the back of the tent, the last bed on the left side was the only one where the covering was closed. Zeke could even hear muffled voices coming from inside. While stepping closer, he could make out Mayas tinkling laughter.

Zeke stuck his head through the opening, only to be greeted with a peculiar scene. Leo was lying flat on his back, with black ribbons tying him to the bed. He was writhing and squirming like a worm, but no matter what he tried, the restraints held. Maya, on the other hand, was sitting sideways on his stomach and kept poking him in the face. For some reason, she was giggling while doing so.

Whats going on?

The moment Maya heard his voice, she immediately launched herself from her position on Leos chest, landing on the chair next to the bed. After collecting herself for a moment, she turned toward Zeke with a blameless expression, her sky-blue eyes the very picture of innocence. Hello, big brother

Zeke! Save me! Leo screamed. This little monster has been torturing me for hours! I cant hold on any longer!

Zeke looked between his sisters innocent expression and Leos wide-open eyes full of pleading, before deciding to leave. This had nothing to do with him. Nope.

NOOOOO! HELP MEEEE! Leo cried.

With a sigh, Zeke turned again and entered through the curtain. Fine who is going to explain to me whats going on?

Shes a menace! Leo burst out immediately. She kept poking and taunting me while I was defenseless. I never knew a human being could be so wretched! That adorable facade hides the cruelest of souls! Mark my words, Zeke!

Zeke couldnt suppress a smirk. For Leo, who didnt even flinch at the gravest of wounds to be reduced to such a state. He wondered what his sister had done to him. However, he couldnt be biased. With a somber expression, he turned toward Maya and raised a single eyebrow in question.

It was his own fault. Leo completely lost it after you left, Zeke. He kept challenging one opponent after the other, even after his core ran dry again. His injuries would have been far worse if I hadnt convinced the healers to tie him up

That was your doing as well, vile creature? Leo yelled as he redoubled his squirming. Maya stuck out her tongue at him without any sign of remorse.

And the taunting? Zeke asked, getting more amused by the moment.

That was because he didnt listen to me! Maya exclaimed. I told him he would perform far better if he gave his body a bit of time to heal between fights. According to the textbooks you had me read, it would have prevented his core from getting strained as well. But he didnt listen. And now I lost all my money!



A present from Tristan Bloodsword. Try not to lose it, Zeke teased.

David scoffed before fading back into the shadows, package in hand. Even with his [Perfect Spatial Awareness] Zeke had not seen where he disappeared to. He had learned that the passive spell wasnt great at penetrating active concealments. Another topic he would have to research in the future.

He approached the table his parents were occupying. The man sitting with them was a Grand Mage. However, from the looks of it, he was long past his prime. He looked to be about the same age as Maximilian, which meant that he was nearing the end of his lifespan.

The moment he saw Zeke approaching, he got up. Give it some thought, Geralt. You would bring honor to yourself, and to your family. With those words, he left, nodding briefly at Zeke before doing so.

Zeke sat down at the spot the man had just vacated. His parents both had frowns on their faces. What was that about? he probed.



His mother glanced at her husband. After a moment of silence, Geralt sighed. That was my father.

Zekes brows furrowed. Despite having suspected something like this, it was still a shock to hear his father confirm it. However, from what he had observed, their conversation had been tense far too tense for a talk between father and son. Youve never talked about your family, Dad.

Geralt sighed again. Because there was nothing to talk about. I was disowned years ago and even forbidden from using the family name.

Zeke nodded. He was pretty sure he could guess the reason. Because you dont have a core?

Geralt nodded. Yes, that was part of it. I could have stayed with the family, but my future would have been dire. You can probably imagine what my fate would have been

Zeke grimaced. In the empire, if a member of a household didnt manifest a core, they were referred to as Faulty Progeny. Those descendants were often paired up with each other to produce more offspring. Passing down their genes was all they were used for in most cases. Zeke didnt expect the Valor kingdom to be much different in that regard.

So? What did the old man want from you? Zeke asked.

Geralt only looked in Zekes direction, not saying a word. However, his meaning was clear. Of course, they would also be greedy for Zekes perfect affinity. Technically, he was even a direct descendant from their bloodline, so they had a stronger claim than even Tristan. Not that something like that mattered much

What did you tell him? Zeke asked.

What else? Geralt scoffed. I told him that we were called von Hohenheim now. The man has been dead to me for years. I wont let him worm his way back into our lives now that he wants something.

A radiant smile bloomed on Zekes face. It was a great feeling to have his father use the von Hohenheim name in such a way. To him, this symbolized that his father had truly accepted this new identity and life.

Mia was also nodding, squeezing Geralts hand tightly in her own. Zeke realized how nerve-racking it must have been for them to stand up to a Grand Mage for so long. The pressure of a high-level Mage would become burdensome even to him after a while.

Zeke decided to change the subject. Why did you never tell me? You probably knew all along that I had a high chance to have a blood affinity, given my hair color.

Mia nodded. Of course, we had our suspicions, she said with a pained smile. But what good would it have done to tell you? In the empire, your fathers name would have done nothing for you, except make you a target.



Zeke wanted to say something, but his mother didnt give him the chance to interrupt.

Also, you were so determined to become a Mage, we didnt want to give you even more reason to leave. Do you think we were unaware of how hard it would have been for you as a Blood Mage in the empire? I can not express how thankful I am to Maximilian for looking after you. I was worried sick every night until you finally wrote that first letter.

Zeke grimaced. It had indeed been rough before Maximilian had taken him in. Who could say how his journey would have ended without the old man? Despite feeling wronged by their decision, he couldnt really fault his parents for not telling him. Knowing what he knew now, he wasnt so sure if it had been a wise choice to go to the Elementium. Zeke was under no illusions: It had been more luck than skill that had led to his success. If he had different affinities

Zeke let all the frustration seep out of him with a drawn-out sigh. Fair enough, he said, smiling at his parents. They had worried expressions on their faces. This confession must have been hard for them as well.

If the Bloodletters want to create trouble in the future, Ill deal with them. Lets just forget about all that and go home.