In a faculty office at the Holy Blood Academy…
“You mean you gave Lorevil to that woman, Seraphina?”
A woman’s cold voice rang out.
The silver-haired woman directed her icy-blue eyes toward Jerwen, who sat behind the desk, with a look of fury.
Astonishingly, this exceptionally beautiful woman had silver-white hair and eyebrows. Her fair cheeks were so delicate they looked as though they might bruise at a touch, and beneath her brows sat a pair of deep blue eyes as cold as ice.
As the most sought-after new instructor at the Holy Blood Academy, Catherine was known for her composure and self-restraint. This was the first time Jerwen had ever seen her lose her cool.
Jerwen sat in his oak chair, looking puzzled. “Catherine, didn’t you always dislike the arrogant Lorevil most of all? Why do you suddenly care about where she went?”
“That…”
Catherine choked on her words, momentarily silenced by Jerwen’s point.
It was true. Whether Lorevil lived or died, or who she was taken by, should have had nothing to do with her. In fact, due to the girl’s frequent pestering, Catherine had harbored more than a few complaints about the young Vampire girl.
However, the moment she heard that Lorevil had accepted a task from Seraphina, an inexplicable irritability clouded her mind. She had rushed to Jerwen’s office almost instinctively.
‘Why is this happening?’
Catherine’s silver-white eyelashes trembled slightly, and a hint of panic flashed in her ice-blue eyes.
‘Is it because Seraphina has a bad reputation among the Vampire nobility? I don’t want Lorevil to be associated with her. Or is it because…’
“Even so, you shouldn’t have handed her over to Seraphina.”
Catherine suppressed the turmoil in her heart, though her tone was no longer as firm as before.
“Madam Sharon personally requested Lorevil. What could I do?”
Jerwen raised an eyebrow. “Lorevil didn’t even object. You came charging in here to interrogate me so desperately. Could it be…”
“You don’t actually hate her?”
Catherine froze for a moment. Then, as if her deepest secret had been exposed, she hurriedly tried to defend herself. “That’s not it…”
Jerwen gave a half-smile. “Then why did you come to my office?”
“Ahem.”
Catherine cleared her throat, avoiding his gaze. “I’m a little short on funds lately. Give me a few blood crystals.” As she spoke, she decisively held out her pale palm.
Blood crystals were the energy cores of the Vampire race, and they were exceptionally rare. Not only were they as hard as iron, but they also required high-level craftsmen using special spells to mine them without damaging the pure energy inside. Furthermore, all veins were strictly controlled by ancient nobles, making them a symbol of status and power.
A large quantity of blood crystals could foster high-ranking Vampires, directly impacting the continuity of a noble family’s status. Even instructors at the Holy Blood Academy received only twelve as a monthly stipend.
“I only have three left.”
He rubbed the three blood crystals before finally tossing them into Catherine’s palm. “I have no idea where you spend all of yours.”
“Cultivation and maintaining barriers… which of those doesn’t consume energy?”
Catherine pursed her lips and muttered under her breath, but she couldn’t help but think of how extravagant Lorevil usually was. That girl used to come find her every day carrying blood crystals the size of a fist.
As an instructor, Catherine couldn’t flatly refuse her, so she could only give Lorevil a few tips on training her bloodline energy. However, while Lorevil seemed to listen on the surface, she was actually quite impatient; she only wanted to use the blood crystals to curry favor with Catherine.
In the entire Holy Blood City, only a Vampire from an ancient family like Lorevil could afford to be so wasteful. Her family’s foundation was so deep that other Vampires couldn’t even hope to compare.
“By the way,” Catherine said as she tucked the blood crystals into the storage bag at her waist. As if suddenly remembering something, she added without looking up, “When Lorevil gets back, tell her I’m hungry. I want to go out for lunch with her.”
‘I should have a proper talk with her during lunch.’
—
After leaving Madam Sharon’s house, Lorevil planned to find Jerwen to ask about the situation and see if there was a solution. Upon arriving at the office, she knocked on the door.
“Come in.”
Lorevil pushed the door open, entered, and walked to the desk. Seeing Jerwen frowning over some documents, she hesitated slightly. “Teacher, I wanted to ask you about Madam Sharon.”
“Lorevil?”
Jerwen rubbed his brow, set down the documents, and looked up at her. “Things at Madam Sharon’s didn’t go smoothly?”
“They went very smoothly.”
Lorevil hesitated for a moment before speaking frankly. “Teacher, I don’t quite understand. Madam Sharon is a Level 4 Vampire, and her manor has magical barriers. She doesn’t need protection from a Level 2 student like me at all.”
“Why did she really ask for me?”
Jerwen’s fingers tapped the desk. He was silent for a moment before slowly speaking. “Do you think she simply wanted you as a dance partner?”
“Isn’t that the case?” Lorevil countered. “She only asked me to eat with her and attend a ball. In the end, she didn’t even let me inspect the security of the manor. This mission… is just too strange.”
“Of course not. Seraphina’s situation is more complicated than you think.”
Jerwen shook his head. “Since the Duchess’s death, she has lived alone. While she looks prestigious on the surface, her situation is actually very difficult. The nobles eyeing the Duchess’s inheritance are constantly tripping her up, both openly and in the shadows. Some are even trying to force her into a remarriage…”
“But what does that have to do with me? Why did she choose me of all people?”
Lorevil was stunned, interrupting Jerwen’s explanation. As she suspected, Madam Sharon didn’t simply want a dance partner.
“Is it because my family’s influence is so strong that no one dares to move against me easily?”
Lorevil felt a bit dejected. Many things were not as simple as they appeared. Her background was likely something the Madam had known by heart for a long time; otherwise, it wouldn’t have been such a coincidence.
“But if someone moves against my family or friends because of this, I can’t take on so much risk just for a mission.”
Lorevil thought of the blackening value above Madam Sharon’s head. The reason a blackening bar had appeared that could threaten Lorevil’s life was because Madam Sharon’s current situation had her on the verge of a breakdown. Like Mahina, she was a pitiful soul.
‘When a Vampire’s emotions are suppressed for too long, they either wither away or turn to extremes…’
Jerwen seemed to see through Lorevil’s thoughts, and a flash of melancholy appeared in his eyes.
“Seraphina’s situation is already very dangerous. If no one helps her, the consequences will be unthinkable. That’s why I…”
“So, the three days allotted for the mission were meant for me to think it over before making a final decision, right?” Lorevil asked gloomily.
“Yes. Madam Sharon only considers using your identity to block those unnecessary harassments. With you by her side, those who covet her will at least be somewhat restrained.”
Jerwen sighed. “I’m sorry, Lorevil. Both Madam Sharon and I hid this from you at the start.”
Lorevil’s brow furrowed. Although her time with Madam Sharon had indeed been pleasant, knowing there was a hidden motive behind it made her feel quite uncomfortable.
Premium Chapter
Login to buy access to this Chapter.