Vincent stood at the entrance of the arena, his gaze focused ahead as students filed into the expansive coliseum. His pulse remained steady, as if the chaos of Ardent Academy could never touch him. In the midst of the chatter and anticipation, he felt nothing but silence in his mind. His body, calm and collected, was poised for whatever came next.
Today, his bloodline would be tested.
"All first-year students, report to your assigned rooms for the Initial Bloodline Evaluation!" The voice echoed across the arena, firm and commanding. Without hesitation, Vincent stepped forward, his boots clicking against the cold stone floor. He noticed students glancing at him, whispers following in his wake, but he paid them no mind. His goal was clear, and nothing else mattered.
He was the heir to the Supreme Valenciari Bloodline, and today, the world would know it.
As Vincent made his way toward the testing rooms, he caught sight of Clara Moretti, the red-haired girl from earlier, struggling to maneuver a suitcase far too large for her. She caught his eye and waved awkwardly.
"Good luck, Vincent!" she called out, offering a nervous smile. "I hope I don't get eaten alive by these people."
Vincent gave a slight nod in her direction, his usual impassive expression softening just a fraction. "You'll do fine," he replied curtly before continuing his stride. Clara watched him for a moment before shaking her head, half-amused, before she disappeared into the crowd.
The instructor assigned to Vincent was Isabel Stroud, a woman of striking beauty and power, her bloodline connected to psychic manipulation. She was known for her impeccable skills and her no-nonsense attitude. Students had heard of her fierce reputation before. Yet, as Vincent entered the room, Isabel's sharp, calculating gaze assessed him with curiosity rather than judgment.
Vincent was given the number 35, and just like all the others, Isabel knew nothing about his background—only his number. The anonymity was part of the Academy's tradition, ensuring that the evaluation was based purely on talent, not lineage.
"Student 35, step onto the platform," Isabel's voice rang out. It was clear, precise, and expectant. Vincent complied without a word, stepping onto the marked area in the center of the room. The floor reacted immediately, ripples of energy flowing through the stone beneath his feet.
Level of Bloodline: SSS
Isabel's eyes flickered to the glowing screen in front of her as the results updated. Her face showed no outward reaction, but the slight tightening of her jaw betrayed her thoughts. An SSS-level bloodline was rare, especially in a first-year student.
"Impressive," she remarked, but there was no surprise in her voice—only acknowledgement.
"Next, we'll test the potential of your bloodline as a Bloodline Master," she said, her tone shifting. "Demonstrate your abilities."
Vincent's gaze didn't waver. He was prepared for this. Without a moment's hesitation, he reached down and, in an instant, the Phantom Arsenal system activated, unlocking his arsenal of weapons.
[System Notification: Temporary Unlock – Phantom Arsenal.]
[System Notification: Arsenal Ready.]
Vincent's hand moved with effortless precision, and a gleaming M1911 pistol materialized in his grip. His finger brushed the trigger, and without so much as a pause, he aimed and fired at the target that appeared before him.
The gunshot rang out, the sound crisp and sharp in the quiet room.
Isabel raised her hand just in time, her psychic barrier forming instantly to stop the bullet mid-air. The bullet hovered, inches from her face, before dropping to the floor harmlessly.
Vincent didn't flinch. He just watched the bullet fall to the ground, a small smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.
He holstered the pistol with a fluid motion, his voice cutting through the tense air.
"Per la famiglia, solo le armi parlano." he said, his voice carrying the weight of the phrase. For the family, only guns speak.
For a moment, Isabel said nothing. Her eyes locked onto Vincent, and for the first time, a slight flicker of recognition passed through her expression. She stared at him with a knowing glint in her eyes, as if she was piecing something together.
Suddenly, Isabel's lips curved into a wide grin. She threw her head back and laughed—a full, genuine laugh that echoed in the otherwise silent room.
"You shot at me, didn't you?" she said, still laughing. "I stopped that bullet before it hit me, but you knew exactly what you were doing. You were aiming at me from the start, not the target."
Vincent remained still, his gaze unwavering, but inside, he couldn't help but smile. This was exactly what he expected from her.
"Do you know," Isabel continued, her laughter dying down but her amusement still clear in her eyes, "I respect people like you. Reckless, confident... and apparently very skilled."
Vincent simply shrugged, offering no explanation.
As she stared at him, the last piece clicked into place. Isabel's eyes widened slightly, the recognition now clear in her gaze.
"Wait..." she murmured, her voice dropping slightly. "The motto... For the family, only guns speak. That's the Valenciari family motto, isn't it?"
Vincent's lips quirked into a slight smirk. "You could say that."
Isabel's expression shifted, and in that moment, she realized who she was dealing with. The infamous Valenciari family, one of the most powerful mafia bloodlines in the world. And here stood their heir, calm and unshaken, displaying his power with no care for the consequences.
She nodded slowly, a mix of admiration and respect in her eyes.
"You'll go far," she said, stepping back. "I can see it now."
Vincent simply turned, his steps confident as he exited the room. As he walked out, he could feel the weight of the world shifting ever so slightly around him. The test was over, but his journey was just beginning. And now, everyone in Ardent Academy would know the name Vincent Valenciari.
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TO BE CONTINUED...