Vampire

Headmistress Claudia sat in her office chair, her desk filled with books and several floating screens before her.

She watched every battle, observing both cheating and violations, but this time, she could feel her magic being resisted.

The room was brightly lit even at night. The elderly woman, Headmistress Claudia, had cast protective spells on every building within the academy to prevent destruction during the first-year students' battles.

But this was severe—as if a massive iron force had slammed into the buildings. Battles were not supposed to be like this. Headmistress Claudia looked at the various screens, each displaying different dormitories.

However, the Drakvary Dormitory had yet to show anything, which made Headmistress Claudia suspicious.

---

A gentle breeze struck at intervals, sending chills across the skin. Below, the tiled floor at the base of the dormitory was visible from the rooftop of Drakvary.

The stars seemed to be watching the spectacle orchestrated by the blood moon. Wein observed his surroundings while his body followed his gaze.

He held a revolver, yet it felt as if he wasn't holding anything at all—until that hoarse and heavy voice echoed once more.

"You were looking for me, weren't you?" The tone was intimidating.

Wein glanced down once again, ensuring the mist had yet to reach this position and estimating it would take at least half a day to arrive.

He looked forward again, gripping his revolver tightly—his index finger hovering mere millimeters above the trigger, his thumb resting on the hammer.

Narrowing his eyes, he scanned the area before hesitantly opening his mouth.

"Who are you?" he asked slowly.

"You are quite extraordinary," the voice carried across the air, continuing, "That is why I brought you here."

Wein did not respond. He circled the small rooftop, trying to determine where this voice was coming from.

"Wein!"

A woman's voice called out—familiar yet only audible to him. Wein's eyes widened upon realizing Persephone was near.

He parted his lips but stopped when Persephone's voice cut in.

"Don't use your voice. He will hear. I can communicate telepathically if you speak only in your mind."

'Wait, are you sure?'

"Yes, I want to help, but my power is limited. I don't have enough strength to descend to your world."

"What is your name, young one?"

The hidden figure asked again. Wein lifted his head and opened his eyes after speaking with Persephone.

Wein sought to provoke. He would try. Opening his mouth, he declared, "I will not tell a lowly creature like you."

A growl echoed, but the enraged figure remained unseen until his rasping voice erupted.

"Fool! It is humans who are the lowly ones! We, the vampires, shall kill you!"

There it was—Wein had successfully baited him into revealing his race. A wide grin spread across his face, much broader than usual, further taunting the vampire.

Grrrr.

"Fool! Why are you smiling?"

"Because you just told me who you are, you damn vampire."

Wein grinned even wider, raising his revolver and pulling back the hammer.

"Damn you."

The revolver...

His finger pulled the trigger. The bullet, propelled by the internal spring, sparked against the barrel before shooting in a straight line.

A loud gunshot rang out, followed by a small burst of flame from the gun's muzzle, a thin wisp of smoke curling upward.

"Damn it!" Blood spurted as the vampire cursed. Slowly, a pale white hand emerged from the shadows, growing larger until half his body was exposed.

'Thank you.' Wein acknowledged Persephone for revealing the vampire's position. Though the shot hadn't hit his head, at least it forced him out of hiding.

[No problem.]

The pale hand then donned an old formal suit, its red, white, and black colors reminiscent of the 17th century. Finally, his face emerged.

Crimson eyes and two prominent fangs—an iconic vampire. He was angry but forced a grin toward Wein Arcveil.

Wein returned the gesture, rising as he cocked the revolver's hammer, sneering menacingly at the vampire.

"I hate those forced expressions."

"If that's the case, I feel like gouging out your eyes, boy," the vampire grumbled, extending his hand to reveal sharp claws as he advanced slowly.

'Persephone, where is my backup?'

"Oh yeah? Do it if you can!" Wein taunted further, leaping onto the long metal bars to create distance.

Tension thickened. Wein wasn't serious about his words—he was merely forcing himself to appear confident while the vampire closed in with mounting fury.

[Hold on a bit longer. I'm trying to channel my Aether.]

I should fight too, shouldn't I?

Wein stood, adjusting his stance. Extending his arm, he aimed the revolver directly at the vampire's head.

He pulled the trigger. The bullet fired, recoiling his hand upward before returning to position. At this close range, dodging was nearly impossible.

The bullet streaked straight through the air, heading for the vampire's heart. Only centimeters away from impact—suddenly, it vanished from its trajectory.

A third bullet came—directly at him, with no room to evade. But he did not hesitate. In an instant, his body twisted, feet stomping against the ground, and the bullet zipped past where he had been mere milliseconds ago.

A blink—no, even faster than a blink. Wein's eyelids closed momentarily, and when they reopened, the vampire was gone. He shifted his gaze slightly before the vampire suddenly reappeared right in front of him, his fist poised to strike.

Within seconds, the blow landed against Wein's ribcage—it felt as though countless large nails had pierced his organs. His body was flung far back, a gust of wind trailing behind.

Wein used wind magic to slow his momentum, preventing himself from crashing too hard into a large rock formation.

Clutching his ribs—it was a heavy hit, possibly displacing them. Wein stood once more, confirming with Persephone.

[Hold on, just a few more seconds.]

Wein rose, spitting out a tooth onto the ground. This time, he retrieved his sword from his magical storage.

Lowering the blade, he walked slowly toward the vampire, eyes locked onto him.

The moonlight was bright tonight, reflecting red against his black blade as he selected which elements to use.

"Hahaha!" The vampire laughed maniacally before grinning and lunging at Wein like a rocket.

"Using that old sword?"

"How pitiful."

He bared his fangs.

Wein inhaled deeply. The glistening sharp claws were in his sight before he raised his sword to parry.

A loud clang resonated as metal clashed with those steel-like claws. Wein staggered back a few steps.

The vampire grinned, exposing his sharp fangs. Strengthening his leg muscles, he dug his feet in before launching himself forward like a bullet.

It was so fast that Wein had only a fraction of a second to react. He lifted his leg and pushed off, barely dodging the attack.

A split second slower, and he would have been bitten. He raised his sword, preparing to counter as the vampire streaked past.

The sound of a blade cutting through air. The vampire used an air step, kicking off to propel himself away, simultaneously swinging his leg to strike Wein.

Wein tumbled backward but quickly scrambled to his feet, swinging his sword in the air to warm up.

Taking a deep breath, he channeled mana from his core into his hand, producing a small spark that grew into blazing fire.

The sight shocked the vampire—his greatest weakness was the sun, and now, Wein held that fear in his hands.

Wein lowered his sword as flames engulfed its blade, illuminating the highest rooftop of Drakvary.

He launched forward, closing in, his sword ablaze as he prepared to decapitate the vampire.

Just as Wein swung his sword, a glowing golden rune circle formed in the air, crackling with electricity.

A few seconds before the lightning struck, a silhouette appeared—a girl with long, ponytailed hair, clad in light armor.