After defeating Odell, nothing particularly special happened for Xueluo.

She was assigned to the first echelon for Soulblade combat training.

This group held the class’s top students—the only ones eligible to compete for the Hymn Guild entrance exam.

Other students could still become Mages, but without Hymn Guild admission, they’d never access the Yileng Mine crystals monopolized by the Guild.

So their training focused on ordinary, long-range Mage techniques.

During sword drills, Xueluo learned more crushing swordsmanship tricks from Guya.

After blending them with Rosalie’s first combat form, her progress accelerated.

As for Rodell, he remained paralyzed until class ended.

“The session ends here,” Rosalie murmured softly, watching the sun dip below the hills.

“Tomorrow, we’ll hold a small exam for magic academy applications. Choose your schools wisely—don’t overreach.”

*She means don’t apply to the Hymn Guild,* Xueluo thought. *It’s brutally hard to get into, with only two slots. They don’t want crowds.*

Xueluo sheathed her Soulblade and handed it to Rosalie.

But as she turned to leave—

“Keep the sword. And Grandpa wants you in the basement,” Rosalie called out.

“He has matters to discuss.”

*So he’s starting lessons already? That old man’s in a hurry.*

After a quiet nod to Irina, Xueluo headed for the basement.

She navigated familiar corridors and entered the dim room again.

This time, Zerich stood at its center, back turned to the door.

“What’s up, sneaky old man?” Xueluo whispered, blinking slightly. “Why’d you call me?”

Silence stretched. Zerich didn’t reply.

Just as Xueluo frowned in confusion—

“Crushing swordsmanship was developed by Vampires to counter human Mages’ Soulblade techniques.”

!

Xueluo flinched instinctively, hand flying to her pistol grip.

*Be careful, Contractor.*

“But Vampires never realized swordsmanship has flaws,” Zerich continued.

*Whirr!*

A blinding white light-blade flared in Zerich’s hand, illuminating the darkness.

*Contractor!*

Zerich vanished—then reappeared before Xueluo, sword swinging down hard.

She drew her pistol—

*Hiss!*

His Soulblade sliced cleanly through the barrel, leaving molten-red edges on the severed metal.

“Tch!”

As Xueluo braced to defend—

Zerich tossed his blade skyward. In that instant, his palm slammed into her chest while his other hand snatched her second pistol.

The force shoved her backward. Zerich caught the falling Soulblade, leveled the pistol at her head.

*Use the Soulblade, Contractor!*

*Whirr!*

Xueluo yanked out the training Soulblade Rosalie gave her. Gunshots cracked—she blocked each bullet with Guya’s enhanced reflexes. After three shots, Zerich raised his hand. His sword landed neatly in his grip.

“The weakness of crushing swordsmanship? Over-reliance on speed, neglecting power.”

Zerich strode forward. Xueluo assumed the basic crushing stance.

*Crash!*

His two-handed strike hammered down like a boulder. Xueluo’s single-handed defense buckled under the weight.

*All I can do is hold on…* She grimaced at her trembling arm.

“Redirecting force is wise—but one-handed swords lack power. And if a Mage infuses magic into their muscles!”

*Clang!*

Another brutal blow sent Xueluo stumbling back.

As she lifted her blade—

Zerich’s sword flashed. Ultraviolet rays seared her vision white.

*His Soulblade’s combat-grade!* Guya’s voice cut through. *He’s coming! Defend center!*

*Thud!*

Xueluo blocked the strike but barely held her ground.

“And with UV-weakening on the blade!” Zerich roared.

*Thud!*

He sent her flying again. “A Vampire’s force-redirection shatters!”

Zerich raised his sword mid-swing and crashed it down.

*Boom!*

The impact ripped the Soulblade from Xueluo’s grasp. It clattered to the floor.

“Tch…”

Rubbing her wrist, Xueluo looked up. Zerich’s blade pressed against her chin.

UV rays sizzled against her skin as he spoke flatly:

“This sword was forged in wartime—eighty percent UV alloy. It limits magic infusion, reducing power. But it was crafted specifically to hunt Vampires.”

He lifted the blade slightly, examining her wound.

“Yet you fought back against it… and you move freely in daylight…”

After a pause, Zerich’s lips curled into a faint smile.

“You’re a Half Vampire, aren’t you?”