"So what?"

Even with the Soulblade at her throat, Xueluo remained eerily calm.

"Are you going to kill me? Just because I’m a Half Vampire?"

Though her current state might be far stronger than a typical Half Vampire, avoiding trouble meant staying as she was.

"No, no. I hold no special bias against Half Vampires. To me, the difference from humans isn’t great."

Yet Zerich didn’t lower his Soulblade.

"But you... you’ve never drunk blood, have you?"

............

Xueluo didn’t know how this old man knew such things.

She truly hadn’t touched blood—even after fusing with Guya and killing those Mages, she’d taken not a drop. In every sense, she still saw herself as human. Later events brought no thirst, so she’d forgotten it.

As if reading her thoughts, Zerich chuckled.

"Heh. I knew it. A magical Half Vampire... I’ve never seen such a thing in my life."

"Let me tell you something, Xueluo. Since you’re my student."

*Slash!*

Zerich swung his Soulblade—not at Xueluo, but slicing his own palm. Blood welled out.

Before Xueluo could react, he pressed the bleeding hand firmly over her mouth.

"Mmph!"

"An old man’s blood isn’t the best..."

*Thud!*

Zerich pinned her to the ground, pinching her nose shut as he whispered.

"Long ago, I fought alongside a Half Vampire Blood Hunter."

Unable to breathe, Xueluo instinctively opened her mouth—and tasted blood.

!

Instantly, her mind went blank. Guya’s voice faded. Her heart raced; dizziness hollowed her head. Like a drug rush, her slender hands clawed the floor, gasping as heat surged from throat to skull.

Watching her, Zerich slowly pulled his hand away.

The moment the blood vanished, Xueluo’s pupils snapped tight.

"Back to that Blood Hunter. He used his thirst to harness his Vampire bloodline. Then—"

*Thud!*

Xueluo lunged up, hurling Zerich into the air.

After barely steadying himself, Zerich grinned bitterly.

"—he gained Vampire abilities."

*Rip!*

As he spoke, Xueluo’s clothes tore apart, exposing her bare form in the dim light. Beneath the rips, blood seeped from her capillaries, coalescing into wing-like shapes.

Bloodwings...

Slightly startled, Zerich tightened his grip on the Soulblade.

Only fourth-generation Vampires or higher had such power. Her lineage... was extraordinary.

"Zerich!"

Clawing at her face, Xueluo ignored her nakedness. Bloodlust consumed her; her Bloodwings vibrated wildly, straining to burst free.

"Don’t blame me, Xueluo. Many Half Vampires suppress their thirst."

Zerich swung his weapon.

"But if they accept and control it, they master their Vampire blood. Gain enhanced strength—even unique skills."

Like those blood-formed wings on your back.

He raised the Soulblade.

"I only want my student to excel."

*Whoosh!*

The instant he finished, a long Bloodsword materialized in Xueluo’s hand. She stepped forward—but Zerich was no longer human to her. Just a pulsing blood bag.

"But if you fail," Zerich shifted into stance, "I won’t mind killing you."

*Clash!*

Xueluo leaped, Bloodwings flaring. Mid-air, she swung her Bloodsword down.

*Slash!*

In a flash, both bore deep wounds.

So fast.

Zerich frowned at his bleeding chest. Her bloodline was fourth-generation... perhaps higher. The thought thrilled him. She could become the world’s greatest Mage. But carelessness meant death.

After a bitter smile, he gripped his Soulblade with both hands.

"Fight your thirst, Xueluo!" He cranked up its UV output. "Don’t let beastly desire control you! Guide that bloodline!"

*I know, old fool!*

Xueluo’s mind was chaos. Her senses screamed—Zerich’s rushing blood, his heartbeat, like addictive poison. She tried calling Guya; no reply.

*You said accept...*

Her Bloodwings churned, driving her to bite him, claim his blood.

*What kind of teacher did I get?*

Limping forward, she ignored her trembling body.

Zerich braced, sweat beading on his brow. He hadn’t felt this nervous in years.

*If she can’t control it... I’ll have to kill her.*

Raising the Soulblade high, he settled into a solemn stance.

*Even a farewell should be respectful—*

*Rip!*

Xueluo plunged her Bloodsword into her own thigh.

"Huh?"

Zerich froze in surprise.

Xueluo screamed, collapsing to her knees. Agony struck like lightning—clearing her mind. Gasping, she guided her raging blood. Pain and will tamed the thirst, not by force, but by letting it flow, wash through her limbs. Finally, the hunger settled—accepted, like human thirst.

"Haa~"

Her Bloodwings and sword dissolved with a *whoosh*, splattering blood. But she knew: she could summon them again.

[Congratulations, Contractor.]

Guya’s voice echoed, weary yet proud.

[Now, Guya Asleiyr—the last Third Generation Blood Kin bloodline—is truly your power.]

*Ah... I understand.*

Whispering, Xueluo’s strength drained.

"I really..." She smiled bitterly at Zerich, lowering his blade. "What kind of master did I get..."

Her vision blacked out. *Thud.* She hit the floor.