Change

Rias' breath became irregular.

She clenched her teeth, digging her nails into her palm, trying to control herself.

But it wasn't working.

Because this scent...

This scent was turning the vampire blood burning in her veins into fire.

"Enough."

The words came out as a growl from her lips.

But Kylin just grinned.

"Really? But your eyes don't say that, Rias."

Rias balled her fists.

What do I do now?

Am I really going to bite her?

No...

No, I can't do that.

But my body doesn't think so.

She took a step.

A second step followed.

And by the third step, she was in front of Kylin.

Her fingers brushed her neck.

The skin was warm.

And the monster inside her was screaming like it had gone mad.

Taste.

Possess.

Drink.

"You're trying to look scary, but you're still hesitating, Rias."

There was mockery in Kylin's voice.

This drove Rias even further into madness.

Who?

Who do you think you are?

She's my student.

I'm her master.

I'm above her.

She's just a human.

But...

But why am I trembling?

Before Kylin could understand what was happening, sharp teeth sank into her flesh.

A moment of pain, followed by warmth.

As the blood was drawn, her vision blurred.

But that wasn't all.

Something was penetrating her mind.

Memories.

Feelings.

Things Rias had kept buried inside.

"You're mine."

Kylin's eyes widened slightly.

What...

What did she say?!

"Was... was that a confession, Rias?"

Rias' teeth were still buried in her flesh. But her eyes widened.

What...

What did I just say?!

Meanwhile, Kylin's voice trembled slightly.

"Hey... Look up and look into my eyes."

But Rias couldn't do that.

Because she couldn't deny the truth.

And she had no choice but to knock her out.

"Just... be quiet, Kylin."

The last thing she saw was Rias' rising hand and the encroaching darkness.

Two days later.

Kylin looked at the mission papers in front of Rias.

The tasks made sense. Various monster hunts, dangerous areas, and battles requiring high mana that would help her level up...

But what was strange was that Rias was personally giving these to her.

Her training had always been one-on-one.

Rias would teach her directly. She would demonstrate techniques and guide her in battles.

But now... it was just about the tasks.

Kylin lifted her head and looked at Rias.

The woman, as usual, appeared beautiful and strong, but her eyes no longer focused on her the way they once did.

She was cold.

"Are you really stopping the training?" Kylin asked, flipping through the papers in her hands.

Rias crossed her arms over her chest. "Yes. You need to move forward on your own."

Kylin chuckled softly, as if it was a joke. "Master, are you trying to get rid of me? Or is this some kind of development test?"

Calling her "Master" began to irritate Rias.

But Rias didn't show it. "It doesn't matter what you think. Go and complete these tasks."

The smile on Kylin's face disappeared. "But why? Are you tired of teaching me?"

Something inside Rias trembled. But she shouldn't show it.

"Don't question me, Kylin."

Kylin clenched her teeth. She didn't like this coldness. "I want to fight you. I want you to keep teaching me. But now you're just telling me to leave."

Rias furrowed her brows. "You've learned enough."

Kylin leaned toward the table.

She looked directly into Rias' eyes.

"No," she said in a low voice. "You're trying to push me away."

Rias looked away. "You're being ridiculous."

Kylin clenched her fist. "Tell me the truth, Rias."

The woman held her breath.

She didn't look at her.

This couldn't go on like this.

Kylin's persistence was only pushing her into an even more difficult position. She needed to stay away from her.

Rias leaned against the table to create more distance between them and spoke in a neutral tone:

"For me, you're just a student, Kylin. And I have nothing more to give you. If you really want to grow stronger, complete these tasks and don't come to me for training again."

Kylin's eyes narrowed.

She was lying.

But why?

The first day.

When Kylin stepped into the area of her mission, she took a deep breath to suppress the anger rising inside her.

She couldn't understand why Rias had pushed her away.

She didn't know if it was a test, but… it only made her angrier.

He struck. He slashed.

She took down her enemies one by one.

But nothing satisfied her.

There was something missing.

Someone who would give her orders, correct her techniques, force her to do more with mocking smiles in the middle of battle...

Rias.

Her Master wasn't fighting her.

Her Master wasn't touching her anymore.

Kylin gritted her teeth and cleaved the monster in front of her with a single strike.

The first week.

Rias was sitting on a high rock, watching Kylin from a distance.

Her loyal subordinate, Aiz, who was silently standing by her side, noticed her master's gaze.

"Master, why are you watching her?"

Rias didn't even blink. "You're not here to ask questions, Aiz."

Aiz was very familiar with the changes on her master's face.

Rias never watched like this. For this long… and so quietly…

"You're looking at her like you love her," Aiz said with a slight smile.

Rias' expression hardened. "Stop being ridiculous."

But her eyes remained fixed on Kylin.

She could feel her anger.

Every time Kylin threw a punch, every time she used a skill, Rias could see the waves of fury rising within her.

What was it that made her so angry?

The second month.

Kylin was now silent.

In the past, in the middle of a battle, she would be confident, have fun, and sometimes mock her enemies. But now…

She only struck.

She tore her enemies apart.

She couldn't understand why Rias had left her.

She clenched her fists. If the reason was weakness, she would get even stronger.

If it was because she had lost her trust in her, she would regain it.

But if… it was someone else...

Kylin's eyes darkened.

She crushed the head of the creature in front of her with one hand. Blood splattered across her face.

The third month.

Did Rias have to watch this?

Aiz had tried to stop her mistress several times.

But Rias came here every time.

She watched.

And that feeling inside her kept growing.

Kylin was changing.

Those eyes, once warm, were now as cold as a winter night.

"If this continues... the old Kylin will be gone."

Aiz saw her mistress clenching her fists. "Mistress, is this really true? You can't watch her any longer. You must call her back."

Rias closed her eyes.

Kylin… When she comes back… she won't be the same person.

Five days later.

Kylin fixed her gaze on Rias

When Rias summoned Kylin to the palace, she thought everything would be just like before.

The moment she stepped into the room, seeing him there brought a strange sense of relief. But Kylin's eyes…

They weren't the same.

They were cold as ice.

Rias placed the scroll in her hand on the table and spoke. She tried to keep her voice as authoritative and composed as always.

"There's a new mission. It's suited to your level. Read the details."

Kylin narrowed his eyes at the table. There was a brief silence.

Then, as if nothing had happened, he spoke:

"I refuse."

Rias furrowed her brows. "That wasn't a request, Kylin."

But Kylin simply shook his head with a faint smile.

"I'm not your student anymore, Rias."

For a few seconds, Rias just stared at him.

What did he just say?

Not his student?

Was this really Kylin speaking?

Her fingers unconsciously pressed against the edge of the table. She tried to keep her voice steady.

"What kind of nonsense is this?"

Kylin shrugged, his gaze never leaving hers. "It's simple. I'm not under your command anymore."

Rias' eyes widened slightly.

Something inside her tightened.

But she was Rias.

She couldn't show her emotions.

She took a deep breath and spoke with cold composure:

"Is this truly your decision? Or just an emotional reaction?"

Kylin's smile faded.

"I abandoned my emotions a long time ago, Rias."

Rias clenched her fists involuntarily.

This couldn't be real.

She knew Kylin's stubbornness, his defiance, his rebellious nature… But this?

This wasn't real.

Suppressing the turmoil within her, she asked in a firmer tone:

"What are you trying to do, Kylin?"

Kylin took a step back.

"I'm leaving."

In that moment, it felt like a blade pierced Rias' heart.

But outwardly, she remained as unshaken as stone.

She steadied her breath.

Furrowing her brows, she spoke in a more commanding voice:

"Do you think I'm giving you permission?"

Kylin gave her a mocking look.

"Can you stop me?"

Rias' anger exploded in an instant.

Was he ordering her around?

She was his master!

Kylin couldn't come and go as he pleased!

"Don't you dare defy me, Kylin!"

Her shadow trembled, the space around her suddenly flaring with light.

Blood energy filled the air.

And in an instant, she vanished.

Kylin sensed something, but before he could react, Rias lunged at him.

Their bodies collided.

But Kylin didn't even take a step back.

Rias' eyes widened.

She was supposed to be overpowering him… Yet she couldn't move him.

She gripped his shoulders, trying to force him to his knees. But…

Nothing happened.

She increased her pressure.

Blood energy surged even more.

But Kylin just stood there.

His eyes were calm.

Rias' breath became uneven.

This power…

Was this real?

Had Kylin truly become this strong?

Kylin tilted his head slightly.

"Did you really think you could stop me?"

Rias gritted her teeth.

"You can't just leave me whenever you want!"

But Kylin's expression never changed.

It was cold and resolute.

"Was it not a problem when you abandoned me, Rias?"

Rias' heart nearly stopped.

The strength in her hands wavered for a brief moment.

And in that instant…

Kylin's body flickered like a shadow.

Rias tried to hold on tighter, but…

Something slipped him from her grasp.

His body was merging with space itself.

His eyes met hers one last time.

And his lips parted with a final sentence:

"I no longer follow you, Rias."

And in an instant—

Before Rias' eyes, Kylin's body shattered into a vast spatial distortion.

A moment of silence.

Then…

He vanished into an endless distance.