"Awake at last?"

Just as Xueluo was still struggling with Irina beside him, the room door creaked open slightly. Zerich then slowly stepped through the doorway.

"Oh, thanks to you," Xueluo said bluntly, watching Zerich enter.

"If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t even need to sleep."

"Tsk tsk tsk~ Is this how you treat your mentor? I’m a little hurt now."

Zerich slipped his hand into his pocket, then walked up to Xueluo.

"So, you don’t need this thing anymore, then?"

As he spoke, he extended his hand.

Xueluo saw a small box resting on Zerich’s palm.

"What’s this?"

Gently taking it, Xueluo opened the box.

Inside lay two lightweight contact lenses.

"This is what I mentioned earlier—the Blood Hunter’s contacts for that Half Vampire. They block UV rays, letting her see clearly even in strong sunlight."

*This is useful, Contractor,* Guya whispered softly in Xueluo’s mind.

*With these, we won’t get blinded by Mages’ Soulblades in future fights.*

That makes sense, Xueluo thought inwardly. She snatched the box, tucked it into her pocket, then placed her hands over her chest to form a heart shape. With an overly sweet voice, she chirped, "Thank you, Master~ I love you, mwah~"

...

The air seemed to freeze. Zerich, Rosa, and Irina all stared rigidly at Xueluo’s face, stunned.

The scene turned painfully awkward.

*Put your hands down,* Guya murmured in Xueluo’s head. *Even I’m cringing.*

"Oh dear~" Xueluo laughed, lowering her hands. Facing Zerich’s expression—clearly thinking, *How did I end up with such an idiot disciple?*—she smiled apologetically. "At least the love came through, right? Hehe~"

She struck an exaggeratedly cute, clueless pose.

Suddenly, Xueluo heard heavy breathing nearby.

"Sister... sister..." Irina raised her hands with a doting, drooling grin, shuffling closer. "How can you be this adorable...? Come~ let big sister hug you~"

"No no no! I refuse! Everything but kisses is a no! And I’m your older brother! Mommy!"

Before Xueluo could react, Irina lunged forward, pressing her face hard against his and rubbing vigorously.

"Mmmph! L-let go, you silly girl..."

Xueluo’s struggling only seemed to excite Irina more. Zerich sighed deeply, hands back in his pockets.

"Well, regardless, I’d like you to listen to this next part."

He pulled a silver cylinder from his pocket.

At the sight of it, Xueluo and Irina paused.

"This... is a Soulblade?"

"Not exactly..." Zerich murmured. He unscrewed the cylinder’s base, sliding out a glass tube filled with blood. "I designed this specifically for that Half Vampire. Instead of magic-powered, runes carved inside the cylinder amplify a Blood Kin Bloodsword’s strength—adding magic and cutting power. That blood vial holds Blood Kin blood."

He handed the cylinder to Xueluo. "I took the liberty of using a bit of your blood. After some adjustments..." Zerich placed it before Xueluo. "It’s yours now."

...

"Thank you, Master Zerich."

Whether due to the serious mood or learning from last time, Xueluo accepted the Bloodsword solemnly. "I’ll use it well."

"Well, I hope so." Zerich clapped his hands lightly. "You should go now—it’s getting dark. Come back tomorrow."

"Got it. We will."

Xueluo tucked the Bloodsword into her pocket and, with Irina beside her, slowly headed for the door.

Watching Xueluo’s retreating back, Rosa stood up and turned to Zerich.

"That... was Grandma’s heirloom, wasn’t it?"

...

Zerich stayed silent. He clapped his hands again, murmuring, "An item’s just an item. As long as it’s useful."

After speaking, he quickly turned toward the side window.

In the distance, a shadowy figure flashed past outside.

After a moment’s thought, a smile spread across Zerich’s face.

"Well, it looks like it’ll be put to use very soon."