“Student Fini, it seems you are more interested in snacks than my lecture. However, that is fine. I am certain you have a deep impression of the Bloodline Secret Arts from our last class. Why don’t you recount their significance?”
Master Jerwen’s expression softened slightly when he noticed Lorevil sitting nearby, but his tone remained firm as he addressed Fini.
“Significance? Quick, save me!” Fini gestured frantically to Lorevil under the desk.
‘This girl is truly beyond help.’
Still, they were seatmates. Lorevil couldn’t just stand by and watch her get punished by Master Jerwen and forced to stand in the hallway all day.
“Bloodline Secret Arts are the core method for Vampires to convert their bloodline energy into practical combat, survival, and inheritance abilities. They are the key to amplifying innate talents, defining rank-based combat power, and maintaining the survival of the race,” Lorevil whispered. “They are also the core mark that distinguishes Vampires from other races.”
The Vampires had seemingly adopted the teaching methods of her previous world—lecturing on importance and historical significance first while being vague about the actual mechanics. Fortunately, Lorevil had dabbled in political theory for her postgraduate exams in her past life.
Fini’s eyes lit up, and she repeated Lorevil’s words verbatim.
“While Bloodline Secret Arts are important, very few Vampires can truly master them. Sit down, Fini. If you dare sleep in my class again, it won’t be as simple as answering a question.” Master Jerwen sighed and turned his gaze toward Lorevil.
“Lorevil, since you were able to prompt Fini, you must have a solid grasp of this material. So, let me ask you: in practical application, what is the most common error that occurs, and how do you correct it?”
Lorevil’s heart skipped a beat as she stood up. ‘This is bad.’
Although the original owner of this body had been a student at the Holy Blood Academy, her heart had never been in her studies. Her head had been filled with thoughts of chasing Catherine and researching outfits; theoretical knowledge of cultivation had long since been cast to the back of her mind.
She had only been able to prompt Fini because Lorevil’s own memory was decent. Now that the teacher was pressing for details, she naturally couldn’t answer.
Master Jerwen’s lingering anger hadn’t fully dissipated. He tapped the blackboard. “In truth, the most common error is a mismatch in strength.”
“Rank 1: The Blood Breath Embryo, the introductory level.”
“Rank 2: Bloodline Vessel Opening. This involves physical strengthening and the formation of basic combat power.”
“To the truly strong, a Rank 2 Vampire is nothing more than a newborn human infant—completely powerless.”
Lorevil’s body felt stiff. As she listened to the teacher’s explanation, she shot a reproachful look at Fini out of the corner of her eye. Fini squirmed in her seat, waving her hands piteously to beg for Lorevil’s forgiveness.
Master Jerwen glanced at the assembled students. “Once you reach Rank 3, your strength reaches a watershed. The bloodline within your body finally awakens, unlocking your exclusive talent and making you a true Vampire.”
The Vampire students didn’t dare breathe loudly, listening with increasing intensity.
“This is also why the academy holds combat courses—to hone your bloodline energy…” Master Jerwen’s voice was like a resonant bell. His gaze swept over every student before he gestured for the embarrassed Lorevil to sit down. “Only then will you have the capacity to master Bloodline Secret Arts.”
Master Jerwen paused before continuing, “As for the correction, one must use mild Blood-Pattern Stones to neutralize the energy…”
***
After class, Lorevil felt her head throbbing.
The blank areas of knowledge left behind by the original owner were being forcefully filled by Master Jerwen’s lecture. It felt as if a sudden influx of Vampire knowledge was being shoved into her mind.
‘I feel like… I’m going to break.’
Lorevil walked down to the student building and began to wander aimlessly, hoping to clear her head and ease the pain. The courtyard of Holy Blood Academy was impeccably maintained. Ancient trees with lush foliage blocked the sunlight, providing a pleasant chill that allowed Lorevil’s nerves to relax slightly.
However, after a few minutes…
‘I’m lost.’
Lorevil was certain she had forgotten the way back.
‘I didn’t realize the original owner was so directionally challenged,’ Lorevil grumbled internally.
As a noble institution within Holy Blood City, the Holy Blood Academy covered a vast area. Even the teaching district alone was enormous. Without realizing it, Lorevil had wandered into a secluded garden on the west side of the academy.
Few people came here. ‘This is a good place to relax,’ Lorevil thought.
There was a lawn shaded by trees, with a stone table and several stone chairs placed at the edge. On the open ground near the chairs, a familiar figure was crouching.
Is someone there?
Lorevil stopped and got a clear look at the person.
Catherine.
‘Why is she here?’ Two questions immediately flashed through Lorevil’s mind.
If Lorevil was only there because she had lost her way while walking, surely Catherine wasn’t there for the same reason.
Catherine wasn’t wearing her black academy uniform today. Instead, she had changed into a light purple corseted gown, the hem of which rested on the grass.
Subconsciously, Lorevil didn’t like this “ice mountain” teacher because she had been accidentally dragged into certain events at Rose Manor. However, she had to admit that the corseted gown perfectly outlined Catherine’s curves—especially at the waist…
Catherine’s silver hair was loosely tied up, revealing her smooth forehead and elegant neck. Her usually cold eyes were much softer in this moment. A warm piece of blood jade adorned her fair neck, adding a touch of enchantment to her appearance. Beneath her skirt, her elegant feet were encased in purple high heels.
*Meow, meow~*
Several kittens with various coat colors surrounded her feet. Catherine held a small bag of snacks, breaking them into tiny pieces and placing them onto a dish. She looked like a completely different person from the cold teacher in the classroom.
Lorevil was stunned.
The original owner of her body had pursued Catherine for so long, yet she hadn’t even received the same treatment as these cats. Sunlight fell upon Catherine, coating her in a dreamlike glow.
Catherine had a black cat resting on her lap. Perhaps startled by the sound of footsteps, the black cat raised its head and looked at Lorevil warily, letting out a sharp “meow.”
“Why are you here?” Catherine asked. Her voice had returned to its usual coldness, but she didn’t leave immediately.
“Class ended, so I came out for a walk,” Lorevil explained, stopping a short distance away. “I didn’t expect to run into you here, Master Catherine.”
“They come here often,” Catherine said plainly, turning her gaze back to the kittens.
The black cat was nudged off by the slight rise and fall of Catherine’s chest as she moved. It rubbed against the hem of her dress, looking helpless. Lorevil watched the cats finish the snacks in the dish and circle around Catherine. It was clear that Catherine came here to feed them often; otherwise, the kittens wouldn’t be so close to her.
“Do you like cats, Master?” Lorevil asked curiously.
“They are pure. They don’t have so many complicated thoughts,” Catherine whispered after a pause, not answering directly.
Lorevil misunderstood her meaning, thinking Catherine was implying that dealing with the original owner’s harassment was far more exhausting than spending time with kittens. She didn’t press the matter further. Standing to the side, she watched from a distance, careful not to disturb the feeding.
However, Catherine began breaking the biscuits a little faster.