"Are you implying... in the... carnal sense?"

Xueluo blurted it out reflexively, not knowing why.

Sisilio, standing ahead, froze for a long moment at those words.

(He looked like... what filthy thoughts were actually swimming in this vampire's head?)

"It's your face anyway. I don't care, in every sense."

(Hey!)

"Well, I meant Lord Edward would perform all sorts of experiments on your body..." Sisilio sighed quietly.

"But if that scenario really unfolds, I'll come to partake too."

"Holy shit! You said something incredibly perverted with such elegance!"

"I find nothing strange about it," Sisilio replied calmly.

"You're quite beautiful. Tasting a woman like you would be a fine experience. And as a vampire, the flavor of vampire blood... such chances are rare."

(I don't even know if he's complimenting me or harassing me...)

"Screw it!" Xueluo raised her Soulblade and roared, "Chop him up! Especially the part between his legs!"

(No no no... that sword is made from my blood... thinking about it feels so gross.)

Ignoring Guya, Xueluo charged forward and swung her Soulblade at the enemy's chest.

Just as she lunged—

Clang!

Sisilio raised his sword, stepped forward, and blocked her strike.

Immediately after, he lifted his other hand.

The next second—

"Huh?"

An inexplicable force yanked at Xueluo's feet, slamming her to the ground.

As she fell, Sisilio reversed his Soulblade and thrust downward.

(Beware the Contractor!)

Bang!

Xueluo raised her sword to block the tip. Sparks flew as Guya continued, (The Third Combat Form uses telekinesis to aid battle.)

While Guya spoke, Sisilio raised his left hand.

The next second, Xueluo felt herself lifted by an unseen force.

(They use telekinesis to disrupt your rhythm!)

"I feel it!"

Bang!

Xueluo parried another strike and landed. "If he must focus to use magic!" She gripped her sword with both hands. "Then crush him with pure strength!"

She charged, swinging hard at Sisilio.

Bang!

Tch.

Fierce clashes followed. Whether from awakened bloodline or not, Xueluo's blade now held immense power. Sisilio was driven backward, barely holding her slashes even with both hands.

Naturally, he couldn't use magic.

This is getting troublesome.

Muttering inwardly, Sisilio braced again.

But this time—

Rip!

His Soulblade was nicked by her strike.

Impossible!

He retreated quickly but stared at the blade for seconds before it regenerated.

Though not top quality, his sword was decent.

Normally, cutting through a Soulblade requires an exceptionally pure crystal—no other way.

By pure, it means—

—completely free of impurities.

Such crystals are nearly unobtainable. Only a few Hymn Guild families can access them. They're not on the black market; even if sold, the price could buy a small nation.

But this vampire before him...

A bead of sweat rolled down Sisilio's forehead.

Xueluo charged again.

"Tch."

Bang!

After blocking her strike, Sisilio lifted his head slightly.

Time to change tactics.

"Aren't you worried about your companion?"

?

Hearing this, Xueluo froze for a moment.

"We didn't just bring apprentices. Honestly, we came to deal with a vampire."

For some reason, Xueluo's thoughts stopped dead.

(Contractor!)

"Do you mean other full-fledged Mages are coming?" she shouted, ignoring Guya.

"Ah~ Naturally. What did you expect? By the way, I wonder if that woman is already dead?"

Though Xueluo suspected a trick, her grip weakened slightly.

(Contractor!)

She regained composure at Guya's voice—but only for ten seconds.

That lapse proved fatal.

In those seconds, Sisilio spent five pulling a garlic smoke bomb from his pouch with magic.

He threw it in the remaining time.

Then—

Puff!

Xueluo coughed violently in the yellow mist. The moment she stepped out—

Puff!

Sisilio's sword pierced her right shoulder.

"Ah!"

He yanked it out, flicked downward, and sent her Soulblade flying from her hand.

"A calm mind is vital for a Mage. If your heart can't stay still, how can you wield magic?"

As her Soulblade clattered to the ground, Sisilio placed his blade under her chin.

"Unsettling enemies is part of our training. But wavering at mere words makes you a failure as a Mage, Vampire."

He looked at her murderous glare and smiled bitterly. "It seems I really will get to taste you, after all."