Fini’s anxious expression made Lorevil feel somewhat concerned.
Though she was the one being thanked, she found herself instinctively trying to comfort Fini instead.
“Don’t worry, Fini. You’ve been at Second-Tier Peak for so long now, and your Blood Qi reserves are plenty sufficient. Your awakening is bound to succeed.”
Lorevil picked up her spoon and scooped a piece of pudding into Fini’s bowl.
For Vampires, Third-Tier Awakening was indeed a crucial turning point—one misstep could leave you falling behind your peers.
Fini glanced up at Lorevil.
If the awakening failed, she wouldn’t be qualified to stay by Lorevil’s side anymore.
The old Lorevil would have been fine—uneducated, unmotivated, just coasting through her days.
But Lorevil had changed!
In just these few days, Fini had already realized the gap between herself and Lorevil.
If she didn’t catch up soon, she truly might never see her again.
So Fini’s eyes flickered with a hint of confusion, along with a trace of reluctance.
The hand resting on her knee tightened unconsciously.
“From what I know, the family’s awakening ritual has been passed down and has its own merits. Though there’s no mentor guiding you, it’s still possible you could awaken a powerful talent that suits you perfectly. You never know.”
Lorevil didn’t notice Fini’s emotional shift and simply continued speaking.
Fini stayed silent, her heart struggling fiercely within.
Failure wasn’t scary—but the result of failure was something she refused to accept.
Fini would have to leave Lorevil.
“Fini, your practical combat ability has never been lacking. Even if you don’t awaken the most顶尖 talent, your combat awareness will let you bring out maximum power from whatever you get.”
Seeing Fini not respond, Lorevil furrowed her brows slightly.
“And even in the worst case, if the awakened talent isn’t convenient to use at first, you can exchange for other Secret Arts later once you’ve accumulated enough points to complement it.”
“Lorevil, stop…”
“I know all this, but… but what if my awakening fails?”
Fini’s voice trembled, a trace of bitterness spreading across her face.
“Fail?”
Lorevil was taken aback, then realized something was wrong.
She had been operating on the assumption that Fini would definitely succeed.
In that case, her words would only add to Fini’s psychological burden.
Thinking this through, Lorevil said seriously:
“Fini, deciding you’re bound to fail at something that hasn’t even happened yet isn’t right. I’ve never once thought you couldn’t do it—whether it’s hunting Blood Beasts or awakening a talent, it’s all the same.”
“If you want to grow stronger, your heart needs to be stronger too. Understand?”
Lorevil spoke earnestly.
“I keep trying new things, I don’t fear failure, and even when I go through painful experiences, I don’t give up. That’s exactly why I am where I am today.”
Lorevil thought back to how she’d worried about struggling to find her footing at first, and now she was handling everything with ease.
A flood of emotions washed over her.
In this small corner of Vampire society, she’d advanced to Third Order, built her own influence, and gained quite a lot.
Fini was momentarily stunned by her words.
Why did Lorevil have such deep insights?
They had grown together, yet Lorevil seemed to have gone through an extra chapter of experience, maturing so much more.
She couldn’t help but wonder:
Was Lorevil still the same girl she knew… or not?
Or perhaps—
The familiar girl had grown too fast, while she herself stayed in place, which was why she felt like she couldn’t keep up?
But Lorevil’s words did wake Fini up.
She really couldn’t keep denying her own efforts, or she’d never make progress in the future.
The path of Vampire advancement was long to begin with, and those with weak resolve would be weeded out, reduced to mediocrity.
But understanding the logic and actually putting it into practice were two entirely different things.
Fini let out a long breath, her gaze turning resolute.
The worry on her face vanished completely, replaced by her usual liveliness.
“If I awaken a speed-type talent, I can help you pin down more Blood Beasts.”
“If it’s a defense-type, I can block damage for you. Even a support-type works—I can boost your Blood Qi.”
Fini chattered away, her face glowing with excitement as if she’d suddenly seen the light.
“Anyway, I’m definitely going to succeed!”
Common Vampire talents generally fell into a few categories—speed, defense, support, and attack—each with their own strengths and weaknesses.
Talents that could be augmented, and those with special traits like Laide’an’s Berserk Lion Bloodline, were few and far between—and devastatingly lethal.
Not to mention Catherine’s top-tier Bloodline, which came with ice-type characteristics.
For example, the Blood Shield Secret Art carried an earth-type trait that doubled defensive power.
Unfortunately, such trait talents were rare, extremely difficult to cultivate, and consumed a massive amount of Blood Crystals!
Lorevil listened with a smile, occasionally nodding in agreement.
But she didn’t notice that in the shadowed corner, four cold gazes were locked onto them.
“Hey, look over there—”
A Second-rank Vampire with a mohawk haircut and a short-handled scorpion axe slung on his back nudged his companion with his elbow, sneering.
“Isn’t that Lorevil? Back at the Academy she was a total waste, couldn’t even beat a Second-rank Blood Beast. Now she’s sitting at the same table as Fini.”
Three companions sat beside him.
A young man carrying a heavy sword embedded with a Blood Core, his aura steady and composed.
Another held a spiked Blood Whip, wearing leather armor—the spitting image of a street thug.
The other two Vampires both gripped slender daggers.
“That’s Fini? She’s got some looks, I’ll give her that. Shame her strength is pathetically weak.”
The dagger-wielding Vampire licked his cracked lips, his gaze lecherous.
“I’ve looked into Lorevil.”
The Third-rank young man with the Blood Core heavy sword spoke up.
His name was Gray.
He’d spent three years stuck in second year before barely scraping his way to Third-rank. A seasoned veteran.
“She really was bottom of the barrel before—couldn’t even control basic Blood Energy. The last time she outdid Laide’an in the Blood Hunting Ground, she probably used a disposable item from her family. In a true contest of strength, she’s not necessarily stronger than me.”
“No need to even say it!”
The mohawk Vampire slammed the table, the noise loud enough to draw stares from nearby diners.
He lowered his voice, fuming:
“Laide’an is a Berserk Lion Vampire! His talent speaks for itself. How could he lose to some former trash? Lorevil must have played dirty!”
“Since we ran into her today, let’s give her a lesson she won’t forget.”
A sly dagger-wielding Vampire said maliciously, then elbowed Gray.
“Gray, you’re Third-rank. Dealing with her should be child’s play, right?”
“Those two girls are pretty and weak—perfect to grab together and bring back as a surprise for Lord Laide’an. He’s bound to reward us well. Maybe even give us rank-up rewards.”
“That’s right, I’m with that too.”
The other honest-looking dagger-wielding Vampire chimed in.
Gray nodded silently, effectively giving his approval.
If Lorevil really was as pathetic as the rumors suggested, this would be a perfect chance to curry favor with Laide’an.
And even if she did have some strength, there were four Vampires on his side, with him as a Third-rank anchoring them.
They weren’t likely to lose.
The group was loudly scheming when they suddenly saw Lorevil walking toward them.
“Oh? She noticed us? Saves us the trouble of going to her. Saves some energy.”
The mohawk Vampire slicked back his hair arrogantly.
“We were so hidden. How did she spot us?”
The honest-looking dagger-wielding Vampire asked, his forehead gleaming.
Gray raised his hand to signal them to calm down, his scrutinizing gaze meeting Lorevil’s cold stare head-on.
“What were you all just saying?”
Lorevil asked in a calm, unwavering voice.
She’d overheard faint mockery directed at Fini, and those words had stirred up anger within her.
“What were we saying? Saying how someone used to be useless, and now who knows what dumb luck she hit, strutting around the Academy like she’s somebody.”
The mohawk Vampire laughed, puffing out his chest, his gaze filled with malice as he looked at Fini sitting at the table.
“Keep your mouth clean. Fini’s strength is none of your business to judge. If you’re looking for trouble, say so outright. Don’t waste my time.”
Lorevil’s Blood Energy rippled faintly around her, forming an invisible pressure.
“We are looking for trouble. Today we’re going to teach you a proper lesson and show you the Academy isn’t a place for you to run wild!”
The Blood Whip-wielding Vampire stood up as well, while Gray remained silent in his seat.
“Planning to gang up on me?”
Lorevil scoffed in disdain.
“Starting a fight here would just ruin everyone’s mood. If you’ve got the guts, follow me to the alley out back.”
She didn’t want to fight in the dining hall, but these people had come looking for trouble and insulted Fini so shamelessly.
It genuinely lit a fire in her.
“Trying to change locations? Afraid of getting beaten up too badly here and losing face?”
The mohawk Vampire grabbed his weapon, sneering.
“Fine, wherever we go. Today you’ll learn what happens when you cross us.”
The mohawk Vampire didn’t think much of it.
He just assumed Lorevil was all bark and no bite.
He’d already decided that once they got to the alley, he’d take her down along with the Fini who’d followed along.
“No one else will bother us in the alley either. Perfect.”
The honest-looking dagger-wielding Vampire chimed in.
Gray, who had been coldly watching the situation unfold the whole time, finally crossed his arms and replied:
“Fine. I’ll go with you.”
Fini had somehow appeared at Lorevil’s side by now, speaking firmly:
“I’m going with you too.”