Take, for example, the hunting tournament organized every year by the Academy—it exists precisely to cull the Blood Beasts on the outskirts of the Holy Mountain and prevent them from gathering in numbers large enough to threaten Holy Blood City.
Ira had deep personal experience with this.
“Besides the Academy’s students and instructors, the scions of the various Families, as well as the city guard of Holy Blood City and others, all take part in it.”
“Is it really that serious?”
Lorevil’s beautiful eyes widened in disbelief as she asked.
She seemed to recall Fini mentioning the hunting tournament back at the start of the term, but her predecessor had never participated and had no idea about the details.
“Of course—the most dangerous ones are the humanoid Blood Beasts.”
Ira lowered her voice, her expression turning grim.
“They’re quite intelligent, and they can disguise themselves as Humans to slip into Holy Blood City. They’re few in number, but every time one appears, it causes no small amount of chaos.”
“Humanoid Blood Beasts?”
“A wolf in sheep’s clothing?”
Lorevil was completely baffled.
She simply couldn’t connect those kinds of Blood Beasts with the ordinary ones she had been hunting these past few days.
“Thankfully, the City Lord of Holy Blood City keeps them in check, so they can’t stir up too much trouble.”
Lorevil breathed a sigh of relief, a quiet understanding settling in her mind.
The deep mountains might indeed be a good training ground for certain exceptionally powerful Vampire descendants, but the risks far exceeded those of the Blood Hunting Ground.
Still, for now, Lorevil’s goal remained advancing to Mid Third Rank.
Once she had enough strength, perhaps she could go ask Vivian whether she could test the waters in the deep mountains and hunt down stronger Blood Beasts.
“Thank you for telling me all this.”
Lorevil stood up, looked at Ira, and then headed for the door.
“I should get to class now. I’ll come by the Thorn Group next time we can talk.”
“Wait, Master—there’s one more thing I need to tell you.”
Ira suddenly remembered something and hurriedly called out to Lorevil.
“What is it?”
Lorevil turned back with a puzzled look and asked.
“This is something we found while doing the repairs.”
Ira took a deep breath, pulled a black pouch from her waist, and carefully handed it to Lorevil.
“A figurine?”
Lorevil took the pouch, opened it, and saw a delicately crafted doll inside.
The doll wore a maid outfit, its face incredibly cute, and it even had pink twin-tails with silky, smooth hair.
Lorevil examined it carefully for a moment, then placed the doll back into the pouch.
“Lady Lorevil, please don’t squeeze it too hard—it might break…”
Seeing Lorevil playing with the doll, Ira quickly spoke up to warn her.
Lorevil nodded, somewhat reluctant to put it down, but finally placed it back in the pouch.
“Where did this come from?”
“It was taken out from a hidden compartment when we knocked down the second-floor wall. I opened the special outer box myself.”
Ira explained in a low voice.
Out of concern for Lorevil’s safety, she had other Thorn Group members pry open the outer layer, remove the item, and test it for safety.
“In the end, Linuoer said it was a life-saving secret artifact, so I kept it. But please, when you use it, Master, be extra careful.”
“You’re thoughtful. I like it very much.”
Lorevil gave a slight nod at that, her mind drifting to Noxia, who was still at the Estate.
The problem that had been troubling her was finally solved.
The Estate’s defenses were weak—no powerful Vampire guarding the gate, no barrier protecting the grounds.
If danger ever struck, with this life-saving secret artifact, at least Noxia wouldn’t be easily harmed.
After bidding Ira farewell, Lorevil headed straight to Madam Sharon’s estate.
“Is the Madam in?”
When Lorevil knocked, it was the butler who opened the carved wooden door.
The butler said respectfully, “The Madam is in the courtyard. Please, come in, miss.”
Lorevil nodded in thanks, then walked inside, passing through the living room.
It was a rare sight to see Madam Sharon resting in a rattan chair in the courtyard.
Perhaps due to sitting for long periods, her figure had grown noticeably fuller than before.
Madam Sharon’s jade-like fingers held a blood-crystal staff, seemingly passing the time.
That elegant, composed demeanor made Lorevil stop in her tracks, and she couldn’t help but think of a gleaming gem resting on smooth velvet.
“Lorevil, you’re here. Come, sit!”
Seeing Lorevil enter, the Madam rose with a smile.
“Madam, regarding the Black Fang Gang incident before, and all the various troubles with the Thorn Group, I owe you a great deal of thanks. I came today specifically to express my gratitude.”
Lorevil stepped forward, bowed slightly, and said sincerely.
“Why be so formal with me?”
Madam Sharon pulled the girl down to sit on the rattan chair, her fair fingers gently patting the back of Lorevil’s hand as she spoke with soft affection.
“You’ve always been cautious since you were little, but now you’re growing more and more responsible.”
“Madam, this time I came to ask for your advice. The Thorn Group is expanding gradually, with more and more members, heavy expenses, and the control over personnel isn’t all that precise. Do you have any way to help me trim things down? With the rapid expansion, the framework naturally can’t keep up.”
After some small talk, Lorevil got down to business.
Madam Sharon elegantly picked up her tea from the table and took a sip.
“That is a problem. The Thorn Group was originally a small organization. With this sudden expansion, it’s indeed easy for such issues to arise.”
Madam Sharon frowned slightly.
“Let me think of a way to…”
“Is there any good solution?”
Lorevil looked at Madam Sharon with anticipation.
“There is, of course there is.”
Madam Sharon dragged it out teasingly, slowly setting down her teacup, her beautiful eyes fixed intently on Lorevil.
“When Lorevil runs into trouble and comes to me, I’m very happy, but well…”
Madam Sharon deliberately paused, a lonely expression flickering across her face.
“If you only ever come to me when you’re in trouble, that would really break my heart.”
When it came to being endearing, Madam Sharon was no less skilled.
Those beautiful eyes stared at Lorevil until the latter was the first to cave.
“Then, Madam… I’ve been causing you trouble.”
Lorevil blushed, scratching her head awkwardly.
She did indeed run to Madam Sharon every time she had a problem, and last time, when Madam Sharon invited her to share Blood Wine, she had politely declined.
“Sigh, I’ve been so tired lately. My shoulders are so sore.”
Madam Sharon let out a resigned sigh and pointed at her own shoulder.
“Then let’s begin now.”
“Mm, I’m counting on you.”
Lorevil understood, and so she walked around behind Madam Sharon.
Madam Sharon’s shoulders were slender.
Lorevil gently brushed aside her silver-white hair, then pressed her fingertips into the muscles around the shoulders.
“Madam, is there any spot that feels uncomfortable?”
“Nothing. Just continue.”
Lorevil asked softly, “How’s the pressure? Too heavy?”
“It’s fine.”
Madam Sharon replied quietly.
“I learned this during practical training—my technique is much better now than before.”
Lorevil said with a smile, adjusting the pressure slowly as she continued massaging.
The massage technique had originally been learned for Noxia’s sake.
Applying it now to Madam Sharon wasn’t a bad turn of events.
As the massage continued, Madam Sharon’s slightly furrowed brow gradually relaxed, and her tense shoulders slowly loosened.
“Mm…”
Madam Sharon let out a soft hum, then breathed a long sigh of relief.
Lorevil noticed her reaction and slowed her movements.
“Is that more comfortable?”
“Mm.”
Madam Sharon answered softly with her eyes closed.
Lorevil was a bit puzzled but didn’t ask further—she simply adjusted her technique.
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