“Come to think of it, this System actually comes with rewards. I thought it was just for support.”
Ailaira Green followed the instructions and opened the System mailbox, noticing a red exclamation mark popping up. Her obsessive tendencies made her want to click it right away.
But then, Ailaira paused to consider: since this System was forcibly imposed on her by the Mother Goddess, could this so-called reward also be a trap?
Like, once she claimed it, she’d get forcibly summoned to the Godrealm, and then have to endure some domineering goddess’s forced love scenario?
Ailaira had always been one to suspect the gods of the worst intentions, so she held back the urge to click, returned to the Research Laboratory, locked the main door tight, and used her stored materials to set up a full-scale protective ritual.
Even though Ailaira could casually arrange a Ritual Magic with the power of a sixth rank, setting up this one still took her the entire morning.
Complicated magical patterns sketched a circular formation.
As Ailaira cut her fingertip and used her own blood as the catalyst, the magic circle shone with a silver light.
In an instant, all the materials imbued with divinity that were placed on the array turned into flowing light, merging completely with the formation.
“Blood Contract Ritual. Silver Oath.”
“Let this self not hear the whispers, not see the false forms, not waver in heart, not be tainted by dust’s shadow.”
The brilliance bursting from the magic circle transformed into an invisible barrier, settling all around Ailaira.
Only after the array was fully activated did Ailaira steel herself to finally open the mail.
Although this ritual certainly couldn’t block a god’s full power, since the other party couldn’t descend in person and could only act from afar through guidance or abnormal intrusion, the ritual was sufficient to ward off such threats.
Taking a deep breath, Ailaira resolutely clicked open the mail.
[Reward received. Red Dragon Bloodline (filtered) has been extracted into the host’s body.]
Ailaira stared, puzzled, at the transparent Crystal that materialized out of thin air before her—an odd form, like blood-red mist condensed, bearing a strange, eerie beauty.
She was about to fetch a container to collect it for research when the flowing Crystal shot into her body, moving faster than she could react.
She instinctively checked the state of the defensive ritual, but the ritual—bound to her own condition—remained utterly still, meaning it had determined this substance posed her no harm.
Only then did Ailaira carefully check her body for any changes. Though she could also view her panel through the System, given their shared origin, she distrusted the System’s judgment and relied on her own methods. She was astonished to discover:
“This special magical fluctuation… It’s really similar to when Andrea uses her power. After gaining her bloodline, do I also get some of her magical attributes?”
“And besides that, there are other features…”
Harnessing her control over her body, Ailaira tried to activate that part of her bloodline to its fullest, directing its power to the surface.
In the next instant, Ailaira opened her eyes to see her arm had completely transformed—solid red dragon scales covered it, and talons, sharp as fine steel, glinted coldly.
Ailaira swung her dragon-arm at a sandbag nearby. The sturdy sack burst apart in an instant, sand spilling everywhere. Admiring her new ‘equipment,’ a strange look flickered in her gaze: “Guess I won’t need a can opener anymore.”
“But I should still run a battery of tests.”
Ailaira ended the ritual, deactivated the Dragonization on one arm, and, wielding a scalpel, began studying the Dragonized arm in detail: dissection, blood analysis… She worked all the way until midnight, when Jody arrived at the Research Laboratory door and knocked:
“Miss, it’s almost time for the evening banquet.”
The laboratory’s door slowly opened. Ailaira stepped out, her eyes bloodshot, exhaustion written all over her face—yet her gaze brimmed with excitement, scaring Jody into taking two steps back.
Noticing her own loss of composure, Ailaira patted her cheeks and quickly composed herself, regaining her usual aloof calm: “Mm, I’ll go wash up. Go get the carriage ready.”
“Miss Andrea is still in the bath. The dresses prepared for both of you are ready and placed in the dressing room.”
Waving her hand, Ailaira dragged her weary body to the bathroom.
The moment she stepped inside, she heard singing—Andrea’s melodious voice echoed through the room, making the space sound even more ethereal. As for the quality of the singing itself… well, perhaps ‘melodious’ only applied to her voice, since the tune itself was rather off-key.
Andrea was still lost in her own world. Ever since discovering her abilities had improved, her mood had soared. While the courtyard was empty, she’d sneaked off to test her new powers: before, she could only spew black smoke, but now, like a true dragon, she could unleash scorching Dragon Breath!
Overexcited, Andrea ended up burning a swath of flowers, trees, and grass for fun, which then earned her the furious pursuit of Gardener, who worked so hard to maintain the garden’s beauty.
But these were just tiny setbacks on the King’s Road! With this breakthrough, Andrea was sure she was still growing, and someday, her wings would shroud the entire Mainland.
By then, Ailaira would be nothing more than a Wild Dog on the roadside—she could wipe her out with a sneeze!
Wait, no, sneezing her to death seemed too easy! Better to collect her as a trophy, and whenever she felt like it, take her out and squeeze her a few times to relieve stress.
“Heh heh, I’m invincible…”
Andrea was lost in her happy daydream, utterly unaware as someone walked past her and slipped into the bath.
Ailaira leaned against the edge of the bath, glancing sidelong at Andrea’s silly smile, then cupped water in her hand and splashed it right into Andrea’s face.
Startled awake, Andrea shook her head vigorously and glared at the culprit, planting her hands on her hips with fiery indignation: “Why are you picking on me again! I haven’t even forgiven you yet!”
“I don’t recall doing anything that needs your forgiveness.”
“You villain, not only did you do that to me, you also took all those things as your spoils!” Andrea was still fixated on those bottles and jars, her eyes sharpening. “I’m watching you! If you use them for something evil, I’ll… I’ll…”
Ailaira calmly combed her wet hair and replied flatly, “You’ll what?”
Andrea eyed Ailaira’s smooth, jade-white back.
The mist pooled into tiny droplets at her slender waist.
Though she didn’t have explosive curves, Ailaira’s tall, well-proportioned figure radiated a harmonious beauty, making the not-so-tall Andrea a little envious. Suddenly, she raised her finger, thinking up a brilliant idea:
“I know! I’ll tattoo my emblem on your back!”
Hearing this, Ailaira paused mid-scrub, giving Andrea a once-over with a look of unfamiliar appraisal, then genuinely sighed: “Didn’t expect this. After just one experience last night, you’re already getting adventurous?”
“Did I unlock some hidden button of yours?”