The Bloodline System Chapter 4 - Non-existent Family Bond

"Hold on, perhaps I'm becoming a bit overly thrilled," Gustav settled on the tub's rim and grasped his chin once more, "What if it's merely imagination playing tricks on me," He pondered his mental state.

"How might I verify that all this is genuine? Should I attempt employing these skills and powers? If it's authentic, wouldn't that seem almost unbelievably fortunate?" He wondered aloud in a skeptical voice.

[To use unlocked skill, call out the name of the skill in your mind while adding activate behind or in front]

A prompt popped up in his vision, right above the skills and abilities display.

Gustav scanned it, narrowing his eyes, "Activate... So, which ability should I test initially?" He aimed to check if his thoughts were deceiving him, eager to validate the system's legitimacy without delay.

His gaze returned to the skills and abilities interface.

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[Skills and Abilities]

»Dash - Level 1

»Regeneration - Level 1

»Morph - Level 1

»Toxin immunity - Level 1

»Recreation - Level 1

»Bloodline acquisition level 1

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Scanning the list, Gustav soon realized that Dash stood out as the most suitable skill for a quick verification.

Rising to his feet, he headed toward the door across from the tub.

Examining the room more closely revealed scant furnishings: just the central tub where he'd rested and a compact wardrobe in the eastern corner.

"Close system interface!" Upon his command, the display vanished, along with all the text and symbols.

He'd resolved to experiment with the Dash activation outdoors.

Exiting via the door, Gustav emerged into a narrow corridor leading to the living area.

"Endric, Mother believes you'll shine today," A gentle, affectionate woman's voice echoed from ahead, "I've heard those evaluators are handing out MBO academy scholarships,"

"Yes, Mother, I'll make you proud," A youthful boy's voice responded, "The evaluators would have to be sightless to overlook me, as the top-ranked mixed-blood in the whole school," Pride colored the boy's tone.

"That's my boy," The woman said, "Now, allow me to take you to school," As her words ended, Gustav stepped into the living room.

The modest yet neatly arranged space featured walls lined with faintly luminous blue tiles. L-shaped green couches flanked one side, while a cabinet stood several paces back. Atop the cabinet sat a spherical device casting a holographic projection of three figures, reaching seven feet high.

The projection displayed a square-faced middle-aged man with unkempt blond hair, a woman in her early forties with flowing brown locks, and a boy resembling Gustav but with striking curly black hair.

The speaking woman lingered by the doorway, accompanied by a five-foot boy in a maroon uniform matching Gustav's.

Their features mirrored those of the woman and child in the hologram.

These were Gustav's mother and younger brother. They spun around, spotting Gustav approaching from the hallway.

"Let's head out," They brushed him aside completely as the mother swung the door wide, saying, "Hnm," Endric agreed with a nod.

"Mom, won't you take me to school as well?" Gustav called out hastily before they could leave.

His mother halted, pivoting to glare at him with revulsion, "I've warned you against that term! I'm not your mother! I have just one child, and he's standing right here!" She declared, stroking Endric's hair, "You're nothing but a burden, utterly worthless!" Her words cut deep.

"You ought to be grateful that my parents let you stay here and cover your tuition, even if it's pointless!" Endric chimed in.

"I can't fathom how Liam and I produced something as pathetic as you!" His mother continued.

Gustav lowered his gaze in despair as they mocked him. Though accustomed to such treatment, the sting remained sharp each time.

He could endure disdain from strangers, but coming from supposed family, the pain cut profoundly.

He held no grudge against his little brother, shaped as he was by their harsh societal norms.

"A loser like you should trudge to school on foot," Endric sneered, tugging his mother's arm as he turned away.

Slam!

The door banged closed behind them, stranding Gustav in solitude and sorrow as he lingered motionless for several moments.

Memories surfaced of Endric at five, when they'd frolic outdoors endlessly, his sibling affectionate, joyful, and full of warmth.

Once, during hide-and-seek, Endric suffered a scrape, and Gustav took the fall, enduring over two hundred lashes from their father's belt. The agony etched deep; his buttocks bled as he pleaded, but his father raged on, "YOU WORTHLESS FOOL! YOU TRYING TO HARM MY ONLY VALUABLE SON!" His mother yelled from nearby. It was a trivial wound that mends swiftly, yet they punished him as for a grave crime. At that young age, even severing a limb could be repaired, let alone a small scratch.

By Endric's eighth year, his demeanor had shifted to match society's scorn. He lashed out with bloodline powers, slashing a seven-inch wound across Gustav's back.

Those same parents, who'd flogged him severely for Endric's slight injury years prior, now chuckled and commended Endric's growing command over his bloodline. The scar on Gustav's back lingered untreated to this day.

After freezing in place for some time, Gustav resumed moving, "What did I hope for? Haven't I endured this routine forever?" He chuckled bitterly, exiting the door, "MBO inspectors arriving today? I need to reach school promptly!" Excitement lit his face as he dashed off.

In that instant, thoughts of testing his new skills faded; his focus turned to hurrying to school, as the inspectors would assess the middle school section—his brother's domain—before heading to high school.

On the avenues, Gustav raced frantically, drenched in sweat like a fugitive facing judgment for homicide.

This was Plankton City's thirty-fourth street, a bustling commercial zone on the outskirts, dominated by low-rise structures. Yet, many adopted an octagonal design with a futuristic flair. Certain ones could reshape or burrow underground at the owner's whim.

Pressing onward, Gustav neared the cluster of skyscrapers. Aerial vehicles zipped overhead, offering a mesmerizing spectacle, though commonplace for natives of this era like him.

Plankton City ranked among the world's six pinnacle tech hubs, born from the slarkov arrival. Towering, captivating edifices exuded sci-fi allure. Several broadcast videos across their facades, advertising services and internal operations. One looming ahead resembled an inverted conical flask. Its surface featured a promo for a fresh medical item: a blue-haired young woman in lab attire held a three-inch crimson vial while speaking.

"At Foton Lab, we've developed a novel grade A formula to boost bloodline enhancement..."

The sound reached Gustav's ears as he bolted past, yet he ignored it and pressed on.

A grin spread across his face upon spotting a circular azure luminescence on the sidewalk near the roadway.

Pedestrians stepped into the glowing ring and vanished instantly.

Spacious enough for over fifty, the portal allowed smooth entry without pause, given the sparse foot traffic.

"One more after this, then another, and I'll be at school," Gustav murmured, stepping inside.

These portals dotted the city for swift transit. This pedestrian version connected to a distant urban spot, slashing travel time by two hours in the sprawling metropolis.

Activation occurred once ten entered, provided no one stood within seven feet outside.

Inside with about thirty others, a suited businessman joined beside him. As additional nearby folks entered, the man's expression twisted in unease; soon, he shifted to stand by a lady.

'Hmm?' Gustav puzzled over the odd reaction until he caught his own scent.

"Eww! I skipped my bath this morning," In his obliviousness, he blurted it out, drawing disgusted glares from everyone in the circle.