[Step back a bit, Contractor.]

After the Soulblade opened, Xueluo heard Guya’s soft voice in her mind. She took a few steps back, feeling a strange burning sensation from the blade.

[*Generally, this weapon targets Vampires. Its special design includes UV rays to burn our skin and block healing.*]

Ugh…

Muttering, Xueluo retreated slightly more. Audran mistook her caution for fear. A proud smirk spread across his face as he stepped forward.

“What’s wrong? Is your courage as small as your chest, woman?”

Ah… I’ll definitely kill this guy.

[*Agreed. But why do humans obsess over chests so much…*]

Audran didn’t hear Guya. He advanced again, waving the Soulblade before Xueluo.

“You’d be better off raising kids and tending to your husband. With that pathetic, tiny body, you couldn’t even birth decent offspring.”

Tch.

Xueluo’s brows furrowed instantly.

Boom!

A gunshot exploded right before Audran.

“What?!”

Xueluo drew her waist pistol in a flash—so fast it seemed she hadn’t moved. She fired precisely at his wrist. The bullet grazed it, leaving a long bloody line. His Soulblade snapped shut and clattered to the ground.

This woman…

Staring at his grazed wrist, a bead of sweat rolled down Audran’s forehead.

*She grazed my wrist that accurately…*

*And that speed…*

*I have to eliminate her.*

“I expect a little respect, man,” Xueluo snapped, ignoring her past life as one.

“I became a Blood Hunter at ten and fought in the last Holy War. A trembling chicken like you belongs at home raising kids.”

“Uh… you…”

Audran strained to spread his injured hand, but his wrist had lost all strength.

“Enough. Stop this.”

Rosalie’s voice cut through. She raised her hand, telekinetically snatching Audran’s fallen Soulblade.

“Audran has a point, Miss Xueluo.” She tossed the blade to Xueluo. “This is a training Soulblade. Try activating it. Fail, and you don’t join our drills.”

“Hmph! The upcoming mage test includes a crucial Soulblade swordsmanship exam!” Audran shouted, seizing his chance. “Blood Hunters are relics! Your era ended long ago!”

…

Xueluo curled her lips slightly and gripped the Soulblade tight.

“Channel your magic to activate it,” Rosalie called softly. “But magic alone won’t work. Find the hidden switch inside the cylinder.”

*I don’t need your lecture.*

Xueluo closed her eyes.

[*Let me guide you, Contractor.*]

Guya whispered. [*This weapon’s intricate, but with me…*]

Xueluo felt her magic flow smoothly into the device. It located the power source and infused it. In that rhythm, she sensed the hidden switch.

[*Push it with your magic, Contractor.*]

Hum!

The Soulblade erupted with dazzling light, extending fully.

“How…?!” Audran gasped. Everyone in their small class had taken days to master activation. Yet this woman did it instantly.

Xueluo stared blankly at the glowing blade, her skin stinging faintly.

“I really hate this thing…”

[*UV sensitivity? But as a half-Blood Kin fused with my bloodline, you shouldn’t reject it much.*]

“No…” Xueluo whispered, still gazing at the blade. “I feel like using this’ll chop my hand off.”

[*…*]

After a long pause, Guya murmured. [*Are you really a Skywalker?*]

Rosalie squinted at Xueluo’s slender, fair arms, disbelief gripping her. *Even with Grandfather’s standards met… how could this petite, cat-like girl dissect the Soulblade’s structure so fast?*

The Soulblade was elegance incarnate—a symbol. Anyone could wield a gun, but mastering this blade proved you transcended humanity.

And this girl channeled magic like it was her own limb. Relaxed. Breathing steady. This wasn’t even her full effort.

“This… Xueluo…” Irina’s thoughts reeled. *It took me three days to activate one. She did it on her first try.*

The wide-eyed kids gaped silently. Rosalie forced a bitter smile, exhaled deeply, and stepped forward.

“Now I understand Grandfather’s choice. Welcome, Miss Xueluo. I’ll teach you everything I know.”