"Hold the sword with one hand, Contractor."

At Guya’s voice, Xueluo clicked her tongue softly. Slowly, she raised the Soulblade in her right hand.

Seeing her fighting stance, Odell ahead didn’t hesitate. He swung his own Soulblade up and gripped it with both hands.

"Protect that pretty face of yours, girl," Odell sneered, twirling his blade twice with a lewd grin. "I’m about to scar it."

"Then I’ll just have to scar you down there," Xueluo retorted calmly. She lowered her hand but tilted the Soulblade upward, aiming at Odell. Feeling insulted, he spat and tightened his grip on his sword.

"Die, bitch!" Odell roared, lunging forward with a wide swing of his Soulblade.

But watching his reckless move, Xueluo only lifted her blade slightly.

"Crushing Swordplay isn’t about brute force," Guya’s voice echoed. "It was forged to counter Mages who rely on magic and UV blasts, swinging wildly."

Xueluo stepped forward as Guya spoke.

"Deflect force with force—that’s the basics. Slide along the opponent’s blade after clashing to gain advantage."

The moment Guya finished, Odell swung his Soulblade horizontally.

"Angle your blade downward, Contractor."

Understanding instantly, Xueluo raised her arm but dipped the Soulblade slightly. Her wrist and blade formed a triangle.

Then—violent collision.

As Odell’s Soulblade slammed down on hers, Xueluo suddenly increased pressure. She slid her blade along his, grinding fiercely before thrusting downward.

Pure magic sparked and screeched. Amid flying sparks, Xueluo’s blade stabbed into Odell’s thigh.

"Argh!"

Like struck by lightning, Odell stumbled back. Xueluo didn’t pursue. She retreated a step, resetting her stance.

"You little whore!" Though training Soulblades couldn’t pierce flesh, Odell’s right leg was numb with magic. After slapping his thigh hard, he bellowed, "I’ll chop off your head!"

"Oh?" Xueluo raised her blade, knowing it was bait. "Then I’m coming."

"Unlike human swordplay’s heavy slashes and blocks," Guya murmured, "Crushing Swordplay uses subtle moves: dodges, thrusts, and cuts."

Xueluo chuckled dryly. "Real-time lessons? How generous."

She stepped forward, single-handing the Soulblade.

"Attack and defense conserve energy. One-handed grip ensures speed and range."

As Guya spoke, Odell raised his blade for a diagonal slash.

Facing the flash, Xueluo halted. She tapped the ground lightly and glided back an elegant step.

The instant Odell’s blade fell—

Xueluo thrust her sword at his chest.

Thud!

Electric shock jolted Odell’s chest. Staggering back, he roared and charged again.

But every swing missed. Xueluo slipped through gaps, thrusting her blade in precise, stinging jabs.

Like sipping alcohol, the "scars" of her hits seeped through Odell. His attacks slowed, breath ragged.

"She’s gifted. Is it because she’s a Blood Hunter?" Rosalia murmured to the raven on her shoulder, watching Odell pant like a dog being toyed with. "I’ve never seen that style. Grandpa, is it Blood Hunter technique?"

The raven—Zerich in disguise—stayed silent.

"Grandpa?" Rosalia whispered, puzzled.

Thud!

Xueluo slammed her Soulblade onto Odell’s arm.

"Aaahhh!"

Odell stumbled back. Xueluo steadied her breath, planting her feet.

Her delicate brows were faintly furrowed, a soft smile on her refined face. Amid life-or-death clashes, she stood serene—as if strolling her garden. That unearthly beauty stirred a tender ache in every onlooker.

She seemed a statue of grace. A fresh, subtle fragrance spread through the air, settling softly in hearts.

"I know that swordplay," the raven croaked, watching Xueluo’s poised stance.

"Aaaaaah!"

Odell heaved his blade up, charging desperately for a final strike.

But Xueluo simply dropped her stance. She sheathed the Soulblade elegantly.

Seizing the opening, Odell ignored his paralyzed body. He raised his sword high, roaring, "Die, you bastard—"

Suddenly—

Muscles tore with a death rattle.

Thud. Odell collapsed like a puppet with cut strings.

"How... why now..." He writhed on the ground, twitching like a worm, unable to rise.

Xueluo placed a hand behind her silver hair, brushing it lightly. Even blind men could smell her sweet scent. Even deaf ears could hear her soft, captivating voice.

"You lost, classmate Odell." She rested the Soulblade at her waist, smiling faintly. "And I won’t help you up~"

She’d even calculated his collapse...

Rosalia stared at Odell’s spasms, awed. The Soulblade activation earlier, passing Grandpa’s test... Her data-processing was insane. Like two minds in one body.

"After class," Zerich whispered, "send her to me. Prepare my sword. Xueluo might be... a Vampire."