Axel

Chapter 30: The Power of Bloodfire Qi

Added 2025-01-09 20:26:32 +0000 UTC

If it had been the Charlot of the past, he might have answered honestly. But now, Charlot simply smiled faintly and said, "Perhaps Senior Menielman will join the Navy."

Mrs. Pascal smiled slightly and replied, "Perhaps."

It seemed she had achieved her purpose and soon took her leave.

Charlot lingered in his office for a while, dealing with some administrative tasks before leisurely slipping away to head home.

He hadn’t made plans to meet Annie today. The talented Miss Bretagne was busy preparing for her final exams. Despite her brilliance, she could not ignore the university’s rules and would be unavailable for a few days.

Charlot took a public carriage to Elysée Avenue, had a meal, and then returned to 58 Elysée Avenue.

Since his spiritual abilities had advanced, his cultivation speed had risen to a new level. Blood Glory was nearing a breakthrough, and upon returning home, he immersed himself in intense training.

Hours later, the bloody vortex in his heart underwent an unexpected transformation. Countless delicate, pale golden runes appeared, forming a wondrous structure resembling a tiny golden heart.

A new extraordinary ability had quietly emerged.

Bloodfire Qi!

Bloodfire Qi was the foundation of the vampiric secret arts of House Adonis. It was also one of the Thirteen Miraculous Techniques of Blood Glory, created by the great human philosopher Protagoras.

A crimson aura of flame emanated from Charlot’s body, and the Vampiric Axe hanging on the wall also began to glow with blood-colored flames. The two streams of Bloodfire Qi resonated with each other. The axe, like a homing bird, flew from the wall into Charlot’s hand.

Thrilled, Charlot opened his eyes. The Vampiric Axe circled around his hands, as if guided by an invisible force, and shot forward like lightning.

Just as it was about to strike the wall, Bloodfire Qi erupted. The axe froze mid-air, its blade trembling with a faint hum.

With a gesture, Charlot summoned it back to his hand.

This was the foundational function of Bloodfire Qi, the bedrock of the vampiric secret arts of House Adonis and one of the most powerful Thirteen Miraculous Techniques of Blood Glory. Bloodfire Qi could sear an enemy’s life force while replenishing its master’s vitality. It also amplified the lethality of weapons and created a subtle link between weapon and wielder, allowing the weapon to be summoned back with a mere thought.

In Charlot’s mind, however, he wasn’t merely thinking about recalling weapons. Instead, he considered a combat skill that Protagoras, constrained by his knowledge system, had never envisioned or developed.

Telekinetic Control!

The image of himself controlling the flying axe to strike down enemies from a hundred paces filled Charlot with excitement.

His predecessor had been mediocre in swordsmanship and poor at close combat.

Charlot had inherited these shortcomings and also disliked grappling with enemies. If he could wield the Vampiric Axe through Bloodfire Qi for long-range battles, Charlot felt he would be unstoppable.

The Empire's bureaucratic system favored Transcendents. With extraordinary abilities, they could achieve merit far more easily than ordinary people, using their accomplishments for promotion.

Even better than the Imperial Bureaucratic System, however, was joining a recognized church of the Supreme Gods. With a divine appointment, one could enjoy many privileges.

Unfortunately, joining a church meant forsaking worldly power and living under restrictive doctrines, such as lifelong celibacy and the prohibition of private property. It was incredibly inconvenient.

Having transmigrated into this world, Charlot had no intention of becoming a Western monk.

Bonded with the Vampiric Axe, Charlot now had a newfound fondness for the weapon. He placed it back on the desk and reclined on the sofa to cultivate Blood Glory further. By four or five in the afternoon, he ate two croissants and decided to take a walk.

Initially, Charlot hadn’t planned to leave the house, content to spend the day at home. However, the breakthrough in Blood Glory, with the emergence of Bloodfire Qi—one of the most powerful Thirteen Miraculous Techniques—had left him too exhilarated to sit still. A walk would help him regain his composure.

Locking the door behind him, Charlot wandered down the alley, entering the bustling Elysée Avenue.

This 2,600-pimi-long commercial street was still lively, even at this hour, with people and carriages passing by in droves.

At four or five in the afternoon, most shops on Elysée Avenue would remain open for another two or three hours. The Fars Empire lacked streetlights, so even the busiest streets closed by dusk.

Charlot strolled for half an hour, visiting four or five shops without finding anything of interest. Just as he was about to head home, someone called out his name.

Looking up, Charlot saw a slightly worn but dignified carriage speeding towards him. Leaning out of the window was a youthful and beautiful girl waving at him—his former fiancée, Sylvie Martin.

Sylvie radiated happiness, her smile as bright as a flower. Clearly, she had encountered some good fortune.

Over the past few days, Sylvie had been leaving early and returning late. Charlot never asked about her whereabouts, but seeing her so cheerful, he couldn’t help but ask, "Miss Sylvie, what’s brought you such joy?"

The carriage stopped beside him, and another woman alighted alongside Sylvie.

The woman was tall and graceful, with an athletic figure. She appeared to be in her late twenties, with golden hair pinned neatly behind her head. She wore a hunter’s outfit and carried a slender walking stick. Her lake-blue eyes, finely sculpted features, and elegant bearing made her as beautiful as the talented Miss Annie Bretagne.

Of course, she couldn’t compare to Menielman Soumet. Nicknamed the Empire’s First Rose, Miss Menielman’s beauty was so unparalleled that even the mere act of comparing other women to her could provoke duels on the street.

Sylvie introduced them. “This is my cousin, Charlot Mecklenburg.”

“And this is the kind Miss Venie, who helped me recover my lost luggage.”

The woman placed a hand on her chest and performed a graceful Imperial salute. Her voice was pleasant and confident. “Venie Arsenault, president of the Cat Detective Agency. I’ve heard you work at Kilmainham Prison, Mr. Mecklenburg. If I ever have a case requiring your expertise, may I seek your assistance?”

Charlot smiled faintly. “By all means, Miss Venie. Feel free to reach out whenever needed.”

Sylvie added enthusiastically, “It’s perfect timing! Miss Venie’s detective agency was hiring, so she went to the city government, retrieved my records, and transferred my employment. I’m now an apprentice detective!”

Charlot was slightly taken aback. Though their engagement had been annulled, he still felt compelled to offer advice. “Have you given it proper thought? The pay for private employment is nowhere near that of a civil servant.”

The National Institutes mainly trained talent for various levels of government, though graduates could seek private employment. However, private jobs offered fewer benefits, and few chose them over a government post.

Sylvie replied, “I’ve looked into it. If I were assigned to the countryside, I’d become a Level Three Registrar with little chance of promotion for years...”