“Lorevil, aren’t you… unskilled in practical combat?”
Fini spoke, her brow beaded with cold sweat after she finally regained her composure.
“Uh, maybe I just suddenly had an epiphany,” Lorevil explained.
“You’re so beautiful now, and your combat skills are so great. I’m actually starting to feel a bit smitten.”
Fini’s sudden comment left Lorevil stunned.
“Look around.”
Lorevil glanced at her surroundings and realized that wherever her gaze landed, many of the girls shyly lowered their heads.
It seemed her charm was quite significant.
Vampires respected strength above all else.
Lorevil’s performance was outstanding, and she was breathtakingly beautiful. Naturally, she appealed to both men and women among the Vampires.
“Focus during practice,” Catherine said through gritted teeth. “I’ll be your sparring partner.”
Catherine picked up a wooden sword.
“Will I hurt you?”
Lorevil hadn’t expected Catherine to spar with her personally. She glanced at the sharp sword in her own hand.
Catherine: “…”
“Go for it, Lorevil! Having Master Catherine guide you is a rare opportunity!” Fini shouted excitedly from the side.
‘Clack, clack, clack…’
The sound of wooden swords clashing echoed continuously.
Catherine’s attacks were far more fierce than Fini’s. Her wooden sword moved with speed and precision, each strike aimed at a vital point.
Lorevil had to give the match her full concentration. She mobilized her bloodline energy to increase her speed while trying her best to predict the direction of the attacks, dodging clumsily.
‘I always feel like Catherine is annoyed with me. Is it just my imagination?’
‘Whew—‘
After several exchanges, Lorevil’s forehead was covered in sweat, which trickled down her exquisite face.
Strangely, she didn’t feel exhausted. Instead, she grew more excited, and the flow of bloodline energy within her body became smoother.
“Rank 2 bloodline energy cannot circulate freely, but it can be condensed through intent,” Catherine’s voice rang out.
“Feel the energy core. Start from the heart, follow the blood vessels to the limbs, and concentrate it on the part where you want to exert force.”
Catherine didn’t stop her movements. She parried Lorevil’s attack, then used the momentum to twist her slender waist and swing her sword.
“Again.”
Lorevil channeled the bloodline energy in her arms to block Catherine’s strike.
The Vampires present watched the rapid exchange with shocked expressions and a hint of envy.
Lorevil’s progress was too fast.
They had all heard the conversation between Master Jerwen and Lorevil in class that morning.
Lorevil hadn’t even properly completed her practical combat notes, yet she was able to hold her own against Catherine without falling behind.
She was truly powerful!
“Alright, let’s stop here,” Catherine said, coming to a halt.
Lorevil panted excitedly, resting her hands on her knees, feeling a bit weak from the exertion.
However…
Lorevil felt that much of the frustration in her heart had been vented. Since arriving in this world, she hadn’t encountered anything good. She was constantly in danger, and the pressure of the darkening health bar made it hard to breathe.
During the spar with Catherine, she felt a long-lost sense of being fired up.
Combat was exhilarating!
The resting Lorevil’s face was full of excitement, and she subconsciously glanced at Catherine.
She saw a faint smile on Catherine’s face.
‘Did she… smile?’
When she looked again, it was gone.
‘It must have been an illusion,’ Lorevil thought, shaking her head. After the incident at the ball, Catherine clearly found her annoying, let alone smiling.
Just then, a commotion broke out on the other side of the training grounds.
A blonde Vampire girl stepped out from among the students.
Her golden curls cascaded over her shoulders. Although she wore the same protective training gear as everyone else, it couldn’t hide the arrogance in her expression.
“It’s Villody!”
Having been in the same class for 2 years, many students recognized her.
She was Villody, a sister from a branch of Catherine’s family.
Her theory grades were decent, ranking in the top 50 of the grade, and her performance in practical combat classes was particularly outstanding. Many students envied her results.
Villody was expressionless.
She had admired Catherine since she was a child and couldn’t stand the old Lorevil, who used to pester Catherine relentlessly.
Just now, seeing Lorevil make rapid progress under Catherine’s guidance, stealing the spotlight, and even making Sister Catherine show a rare smile…
In an instant, an inexplicable fire flared up in the blonde girl’s heart.
‘Why should this notorious person get Sister Catherine’s favor?’
Villody’s eyes narrowed slightly, her aura imposing as she spoke. “Lorevil, do you dare to accept my challenge?”
Seeing Villody step forward, Catherine had thought she wanted to ask for advice on combat techniques.
She hadn’t expected her to challenge Lorevil. Catherine’s brow furrowed instantly, and she scolded, “Stop being ridiculous, Villody.”
She knew Villody’s temperament—arrogant and competitive—and that she had always held a grudge against anyone who pestered her.
Villody challenging Lorevil now was likely driven by emotion.
“Master Catherine, this is just a spar… isn’t it?”
Seeing that Catherine intended to protect Lorevil, Villody shot Lorevil a vicious glare and spoke with a biting tone.
“I just… want to exchange pointers with Lorevil. I want to improve, and sparring with the strong is the fastest way to grow, right?”
Her implication was that Lorevil wasn’t actually strong and had only gotten lucky with the teacher’s guidance.
Catherine wanted to speak up to stop it.
After all, Villody’s strength was among the top for Rank 2 Vampires.
Meanwhile, Lorevil had only just mastered the basic skills in actual combat. She likely wasn’t a match for her, and injuries would be inevitable if they really fought.
“I accept.”
But before she could speak, Lorevil calmly spoke up first.
Lorevil wasn’t an impulsive person. Since transmigrating, she hadn’t known where her strength stood compared to other Vampires of the same rank.
Villody’s challenge provided a perfect opportunity to test herself.
She could see the true combat power of a peer while also taking the chance to consolidate the skills she had just learned. Why not?
“Alright. In that case, both of you be careful during the spar. Stop as soon as the point is made.”
Seeing Lorevil’s determined attitude, Catherine sighed and let it go.
She turned to the equipment rack, took two more wooden swords, and handed one to each of them.
“No heavy strikes allowed. As soon as someone surrenders, stop immediately,” Catherine warned.
Villody was momentarily stunned when Lorevil agreed, feeling a bit surprised. Then, she let out a cold snort and took the wooden sword.
‘I’ll show you what I’m made of in a moment. Let’s see if you still dare to pester Sister Catherine or try to show off in front of her!’
Lorevil also picked up a wooden sword. As the bloodline energy circulated through her body, the fatigue from her earlier spar with Catherine dissipated significantly.
“Lorevil, I won’t take advantage of you. You just sparred with Master Catherine, so take a 5-minute break. We’ll continue after 5 minutes.”
Villody glanced at the sweat on Lorevil’s forehead and spoke with feigned generosity.
“Fine.”
Lorevil didn’t refuse. She sat on the ground to rest, adjusting her breathing while mentally reviewing the techniques Catherine had just taught her.
“The rest of you can stop your practice for now and watch the two of them spar,” Catherine said to the surrounding students, deciding to turn this challenge into a practical demonstration.
“Villody’s foundations are very solid, and Lorevil is progressing rapidly. Watching their spar might help you learn something.”
As soon as she spoke, the surrounding Vampires, who loved a good spectacle, flocked over. They formed a circle nearby, staying close enough to see clearly but far enough to avoid being hit by the wooden swords.
“Lorevil, Villody is Master Catherine’s younger sister. She’s been receiving traditional Vampire training since she was a child, and she’s very strong. Be careful,” Fini said worriedly.
“I know. I will,” Lorevil said with a smile, reassuring her.