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Chapter 169: Blood Rock

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The exterior of the high tower had no visible windows, standing alone prominently amid a cluster of low-rise research buildings. However, the tower was rarely frequented, maintaining a quiet and deserted atmosphere.

The sunlight cast a huge shadow from the tower. Lockfield looked up at this white giant tower, striding quickly inside.

This place was the highest sanctuary sought after by Necromancy mages, also the headquarters of the Immortal Throne, the White Tower Terrashir. It was a colossal alchemical life that condensed the essence of both Necromancy and Alchemy. Lockfield’s destination for this visit was the topmost level of the White Tower.

Taking the elevator, Lockfield quickly arrived at the office at the top of the tower. The view was excellent, and through the windows surrounding the room, he could see vast plains and the glaciers of the lingering winter. The beauty and cruelty of the world blended together, presenting a grand and majestic scene.

In the spacious office, there was only one desk. When Lockfield arrived, several mages were reporting in front of the desk.

“In the above four countries, the influence of ‘Blood Rock’ is most severe, and it has even involved upper-class nobles and some mages. The sources of these ‘Blood Rocks’ are very concealed. What we have seized so far are just some lower-level distributors.”

“The manufacturing process of this substance is not too complex, but purification of it is challenging. We have found two types of ‘Blood Rocks’ among those seized. One is poorly made, circulating widely among the general public, often found in bars, restaurants, and private gatherings.”

“The other type is of extremely high purity, requiring at least a third-level alchemical workshop for production. The high-quality ‘Blood Rock’ is expensive, and usually only nobles at the lord level can access it, with stronger effects and dependence.”

“The creators of ‘Blood Rock’ seem to intentionally create this situation, using cheap and inferior ‘Blood Rock’ to attract newcomers, screening out the wealthy and influential people, and then selling high-quality ones to them, causing the local law enforcement to only catch some insignificant small dealers.”

After their report concluded, the person listening to the report spoke.

“As for the matter of ‘Blood Rock’, you two continue the investigation. If necessary, you can use extreme methods and report to the High Council promptly.”

Behind the desk, Charles Preston was holding his hands together, placed in front, covering the lower half of his face.

“You can go for now. Because there may be the involvement of mages in this matter, you must be cautious and prioritize safety.”

The two mages, upon hearing this, saluted and withdrew, passing by Lockfield and giving him a slight nod.

“Good afternoon, Lord Lockfield.”

Lockfield nodded in acknowledgment and then walked briskly to his own teacher, Lord Preston.

“Harvey, both Sherlock and John are battle mages. Has ‘Blood Rock’ become so serious?”

Rather than directly stating his purpose, Lockfield seemed more interested in their conversation from earlier.

‘Blood Rock’ had appeared in various countries in the last few months, a prohibited drug causing mental addiction. Typically mixed into tobacco, it induced euphoria and lustfulness upon consumption, but once the effect wore off, the person would immediately become lethargic.

Moreover, discontinuing usage led to strong physiological reactions, possibly resulting in self-harm.

Initially, this drug didn’t attract much attention among the public. It wasn’t until last month when a viscount died suddenly due to excessive use of ‘Blood Rock’ that the Magic Association truly began to take notice of this new type of drug.

“In severely affected countries, ‘Blood Rock’ has even become a formal commodity, showing great signs of replacing regular currency. They even let children consume these substances. It’s despicable.”

Preston lamented, theoretically, the Magic Association couldn’t intervene in the governance of other countries at will. Although they had warned the rulers of those countries when they noticed the danger of ‘Blood Rock,’ on the lands where ‘Blood Rock’ was spreading, those rulers seemed to have lost control.

The Association’s forced intervention could only save some victims. The elusive strategy of the ‘Blood Rock’ manufacturers made them difficult to catch. Despite multiple attacks, although they confiscated a large amount of ‘Blood Rock’ and arrested many practitioners, the true source remained unknown.

“Let’s not talk about this. Harvey, why did you come today, and has there been progress in your research?”

Preston shook his head and continued to ask. The research on using radioactive substances to treat that disease was something Preston had assigned Lockfield to do. However, there had been no substantive progress during this time. It seemed that there was still a long way to go to cure that disease.

“No, actually, I came because of this thesis.”

Lockfield presented Reiner’s thesis to him.

“Reiner Ian Gray.”

Preston didn’t expect to see Reiner’s name again so soon, and it was in an academic thesis.

“This thesis proposes a theory on species inheritance. I think you should take a look at it, teacher.”

Directly explaining, Lockfield stated the reason for disturbing Preston.

“Interesting. I didn’t expect that young man to be researching Necromancy as well.”

Preston picked up the paper and carefully read through it. His expression occasionally became serious, sometimes focused, as if he wanted to fully comprehend every word before turning the page.

After a long time, Preston let out a sigh.

“If the theories on this paper are confirmed, it might become the last straw that crushes the pure-blood families.”

A large part of the reason the twenty-seven pure blood families could maintain their current status was because their members could advance faster than others, thus occupying a part of the mainstream mages. Additionally, the secret methods they possessed for merging bloodlines were worth exploring in magical creature research.

However, if bloodline factors truly existed, the mysteries surrounding the pure blood families, shrouded in secrecy for so long, would likely be stripped naked and exposed. This would be a significant blow to the status of the pure blood families.

The lengthy trial-and-error bloodline transformation process of the pure blood families versus the modern magical means supported by theoretical knowledge could be easily compared, a clear winner emerging from the two.

“In fact, teacher, regarding bloodline factors, I have some clues.”

Lockfield informed his teacher about the papers he had read related to chromosomes. He didn’t hide anything, as Preston, as an expert in Necromancy, must have read that paper as well. Perhaps, while Lockfield was narrating, Preston had already connected the dots.

“If we can verify that bloodline factors do exist on chromosomes, then the fusion of bloodlines won’t be the exclusive domain of blood mages anymore. Also, some incurable diseases that people are born with might find new ways to be cured.”

After listening to his student’s narration, Preston muttered to himself. He had not been as excited as he was today for many years and was eager to go to the laboratory to verify these conjectures.

But before that, Preston knew he had one more thing to do.

“I need to write a letter to Reiner Ian Gray. Immortal Throne owes him another favor.”

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