Bloodline Evolution: I Can Choose Opposing Paths-Chapter 55: Storm In A Bottle

The landlord barely looked up when Aren stepped back into the office.

"Back again?" he muttered, flipping through a thin stack of finalized forms. "You college kids move fast."

"Just here to sign the last page," Aren replied.

The man nodded in acknowledgement and slid the document across the counter. "Initial there. And there."

Aren signed neatly.

The landlord scanned the page once more before stamping it with a firm press.

"That’s that."

He leaned back in his chair and studied Aren for a moment longer than necessary.

"You’re a lucky guy, you know that?"

Aren paused.

"...Lucky?"

The landlord snorted softly.

"Rooming with a girl like that? Most boys your age would sell a kidney for that arrangement."

Aren opened his mouth, then closed it. The landlord waved a hand dismissively.

"Just make sure my walls survive whatever... extracurricular activities you youngsters get up to."

Aren decided it was wiser not to fan the flames. There was no winning a battle that existed entirely inside an older man’s imagination.

He cleared his throat instead.

"About the rent," he said carefully. "Since it’s already mid-month... do I need to pay for half?"

The man stared at him for another second before letting out a short huff of laughter.

"Relax. Rent’s due on the first. I’m not charging you for the remaining two weeks."

"...You’re not?"

"Too much paperwork," the landlord waved a hand dismissively. "And you college kids usually stay long enough for me to earn it back anyway."

That’s... unexpectedly reasonable.

Aren felt a small wave of relief. With everything that was going on, at least his housing wouldn’t be an issue.

"Thank you," he said sincerely.

"Just don’t make me regret it," the man said before turning back to his computer.

Aren gave a small nod and took the final copy of the lease before heading upstairs.

He quickly got to his unit, slipped the keycard onto the detector. With a soft beep, the door unlocked and he pushed it open.

Luna was already home. She sat cross-legged on the floor near the low coffee table, a small stack of folded clothes beside her.

She looked up the moment the door opened.

"You’re back."

"I am," Aren replied.

He stepped inside and shut the door behind him, holding up the thin folder in his hand.

"Lease is official."

Luna rose smoothly to her feet and walked over.

"Let me see."

She scanned the pages quickly, eyes moving at any cheeky unknown clause but found none.

"So it’s settled."

"Two weeks free," he added.

Her brows lifted faintly.

"That’s pretty generous."

Then she extended her hand toward him with a smug expression on her face.

"Congratulations."

Aren blinked.

"...On?"

"Moving out," she said simply. "Officially."

He hesitated only half a second before shaking her hand.

"Congratulations to you too."

Her lips curved slightly.

"I already unpacked your things," she said. "You didn’t have that much."

He glanced around the living room. She hadn’t just unpacked, she’d arranged everything. His books were aligned neatly on the shelf. His clothes folded and placed inside the wardrobe. Even his training mat had been rolled out near the window.

"You’re pretty capable, Young Missus."

"Stop that!"

Aren set his bag down by the couch before taking off his jacket.

"Oh," Luna added, walking toward the kitchen. "I bought something."

She returned with two chilled cans of soda, though it was obvious she’d literally just put them in a few minutes ago.

Aren took another sip of soda before answering.

"You already know about the Orientation Exchange, right?"

Luna gave him a look.

"Of course."

"What’s your department’s record like?" he asked. "Apparently, mine hasn’t won in five years, and my teacher’s already trying to bribe me."

Luna side-eyed him briefly before returning to folding a neatly pressed shirt.

"Seems like you had an eventful day."

She set the folded shirt aside.

"The Ice Department hasn’t lost in three years in a row."

"Damn," Aren sighed.

"We’ve won the last three Orientation Exchanges," Luna said as she took a sip of her soda.

"And this year?" he asked cautiously.

"I intend to ensure the streak continues."

Aren stared at her.

"That means—?"

"Yeah, I’m one of the three participants for the Ice Department," she said casually. "But were you really surprised?"

"Fighting words," he said, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. "Remember, I’ve got an entire city in my chest."

Luna shrugged nonchalantly, "Which means I know your secret weakness."

"...Touché."

He decided to leave Luna to her own devices, walking to his bedroom door.

The room was relatively simple, the bed was against the wall, the desk was near the window, and the curtains were half-drawn.

Better than I thought. Though I could probably just do with a bed and a TV to be honest.

He sat cross-legged on the floor and withdrew the small vial from his pocket. Even in the dim light, the Storm Essence Bottle shook faintly.

Aren exhaled slowly.

"Let’s see if you’re worth it."

The reaction was immediate as he uncorked the vial. A thin stream of condensed lightning leapt into the air, splitting into two before snapping toward his chest.

He inhaled sharply, getting into the lotus position, and entering his Canvas.

Aren started absorbing the raw energy. His Pure Lightning Seed responded instantly.

Deep within his core, the seed trembled. Lightning energy was pulled inward, drawn toward the seed like a magnet. What would have shredded ordinary ether channels flowed into the seed instead.

Aren gritted his teeth. His veins lit up faintly beneath his skin, discoloring into a slight purple.

He felt the changes immediately. The seed was ’eating’ all the energy and had converted it into refinable ether without wasting a single drop.

Aren didn’t waste his chance, absorbing it all and channeling it into his Dragon.

His Bloodline had roared in response, but the change was clear. Even being confirmed by his Records.

[Lightning Element: Stage 1 → Stage 2]

Aren exited the Canvas. His chest still throbbed faintly, residual heat coiling under his ribs. But the Pure Lightning Seed had done what it was meant to do.

He flexed his fingers. Immediately, a small arc of lightning snapped between them.

Outside his room, he could faintly sense the temperature drop.

Luna’s training too.

Aren allowed himself a small smile.

"Three days, huh..." Aren muttered, clenching his hand into a fist.

"I’ll make sure to make the most of it."