Xialin watched me sleeping, pausing her movements. She straightened my body, leaning me against her shoulder. Her right hand gently caressed my cheek as she let out a soft chuckle.

Yet that deeply hidden mischievous glint never faded from her eyes.

"Quite the prime catch..." Xialin murmured to herself. She turned over my right arm, her bright blue eyes locking onto the detection Runic Spell on my inner forearm.

"So you're just an ignorant little one. Few Demon Hunters can teach such Runic Spells. Whose family are you from?" Xialin seemed puzzled. Her left hand steadied my arm while her right index finger—slender and long—lightly tapped a hexagonal corner of my rune array.

After overlaying the Runic Spell, she set my arm down. She turned sideways, gently pressing her forehead to mine.

"Rest well. You didn’t sleep last night. Skipping this boring ceremony start is fine." A trace of soft light flowed in her eyes. Smiling faintly, she stroked my black hair like a doting pet owner.

My defenseless sleeping body found something to lean on. It instinctively curled closer, settling only when warmth spread wider. .......................

"...Mmm." The noisy chatter faded, replaced by a louder broadcast voice crackling with static.

I struggled to open my eyes but failed. My body felt uncontrollable—even blinking was impossible.

"Mmm." I made a vague sound. A familiar female voice sounded in my ear.

"Awake?" Her words were a lifeline, pulling me free. My eyes opened, stung by bright light. Tears welled up involuntarily.

"Eh? Why crying suddenly?" Her voice turned anxious—I heard genuine worry.

"N-nothing... Just the light stung my eyes," I whispered softly, my voice unusually gentle.

Still, I couldn’t place her voice.

My vision adjusted quickly. I recognized her: the light-blue-haired girl we’d just met. She looked worried—probably because of me.

"Xi... Xi... Xialin?" The name slipped out, feeling oddly familiar, like I’d said it countless times.

"Awake, Wu? Poor rest last night?"

Regaining body control, I felt tingling numbness from staying still too long.

"Hmm, when did I fall asleep? Long?" I rubbed my drowsy eyes, apologizing to Xialin.

"Not really—you just slept through the leaders’ speeches. I envy you; they’re as dull as ever. Wish I could’ve slept too." Xialin replied casually once sure I was fine. That ease felt like old habit.

"Hmm... before?" I echoed curiously.

"Ah, no—I meant middle school opening ceremonies had boring speeches too." Her explanation cleared my doubt.

Certain I was unharmed, I noticed the ceremony shifting phases.

"Next, our Student Council president will speak! Applause!" The host’s tone turned oddly starstruck. Students ahead buzzed excitedly. The auditorium’s mood twisted strangely.

"Student Council president?" I frowned at Xialin. "Why’s everyone acting weird when she appears?"

Xialin’s expression tightened but she explained: "Well... students call her ‘Onee-sama.’ She’s supposedly the school’s most beautiful girl—many adore her."

"Ah, I see." I nodded, a hint of anticipation rising.

*I really want to see the school’s most beautiful girl.* (eagerly)

Amid fanatical applause, a tall, slender girl with pink hair stepped out. But distant seats and standing students blocked my view.

*Ugh, this height is awful. I hugged myself, sobbing inwardly.*

As I shifted to see better, a violent magical surge erupted from my forearm’s rune array. I froze, stunned.

*A Monster? Where...* I swung my right hand left—too far. Adjusted right. Yes, this direction...

Facing the podium again, I wondered: why no alert when I entered? It reacted only when someone specific arrived.

*Someone specific?* I slowly lifted my head. A terrifying thought struck—I couldn’t believe it.

*This evil aura... plus direction...* I stared at the radiant "Onee-sama" greeting everyone. I gulped; my magic flow slowed.

The Student Council president was a high-tier Bloodline—possibly a Vampire Queen!

Panic surged. I buried my head like an ostrich, praying to stay hidden.

Damn Dad—why give this mission to a rookie Demon Hunter? Aaah, I’m doomed... (panicking)

*No mistake—this magic level is royal tier...*

A strange, curious gaze pinned me from stage. I looked up: beautiful pink eyes, smiling faintly, locked onto me.

*I’m done for.* Realizing this trembling newbie was spotted, my mind blanked. I stared back—she seemed to speak silently.

*Found you, little one.* The words flashed in my head. Terrified, I clutched Xialin’s arm tight.