The contract on my neck emitted a faint red glow, its light sparsely scattered across my cheeks. Its surface, made of unknown material, looked soft enough to tear easily. But only those who truly knew the truth understood this contract was utterly unbreakable.
It was a blessing from the Crimson Queen to her descendants—a form of protection.
In the Bloodline’s long lives, chances to meet intriguing prey were countless. Yet those they chose to sign contracts with, to share these endless years, were exceedingly rare.
It wasn’t that the Bloodline lacked beauty or allure. Rather, time had already scarred every Bloodline heart beyond repair.
Centuries ago, the Demon Hunters’ purge war taught every Bloodline member to fear humans. Countless descendants fell to their enchanted weapons. Entire families were wiped out, erased from the continent’s history.
Hate and animosity took root deep in every Bloodline heart. A question also arose within them:
When did lowly creatures like humans start threatening the Bloodline?
To seek revenge, the Bloodline hunted innocent humans on a massive scale. They turned them into servants, lurking in cities to slowly erode souls and lives. Only when a city fell did they move to the next.
Fortunately, Demon Hunters hidden in the city discovered this bloodbath plan before it fully unfolded. Under their overwhelming advantage, the Bloodline suffered heavy losses. They abandoned the plan, hid away, regrouped, and rebuilt strength for the next revenge.
After this, the Bloodline realized not all humans were culprits in the purge war. The true enemies were the Demon Hunters.
Thus, the unending enmity between Demon Hunters and the Bloodline began.
...
“I truly didn’t expect, Wu, that this is how you see me in your heart. Was my joke earlier too much?” Senior Thousand Feathers smiled beautifully at the contract, her lovely face holding an indescribable expression. Her gaze at me was like examining a new toy.
If I were awake and saw the contract on my neck, I’d definitely freak out.
Yes—it looked exactly like a pet collar. Anyone unfamiliar might mistake it for some kind of kinky toy.
“You know, Wu, the contract indirectly reflects my place in your heart.” She propped my body up and settled me in her lap, resting my head against her chest’s softest part. “How would you react if you knew? I’m so looking forward to it, hehe.”
Her hands no longer roamed my skin as before. Instead, she gently pinched its surface, as if searching for something.
“...So that’s it. I can’t fathom how you’ve lived these dozen years, Wu—utterly wasting time. But tonight, I’m the lucky one. Otherwise, succeeding wouldn’t have been so easy.”
“Rest well, Wu. Tomorrow, you’ll face this school’s true nature head-on. I hope you keep your most innocent heart.”
Senior Thousand Feathers gently kissed my cheek. The kiss brimmed with care and deep love, yet carried a trace of resolve—nothing like the person who’d just done such outrageous things to me.
“Rest, my Wu...”
The night deepened. Outside, scattered leaves lay quietly on the windowsill. Inside, two people held each other. Who could know what path lay ahead...
...
In a room somewhere in the school, curtains were drawn tight—no sliver of light could enter.
The floor’s center was covered in symbols of unknown material. Nearby, a few extremely dim lights glowed.
“...So, you called me back this afternoon to delay acting against her?”
A female voice drifted over, indifferent and emotionless, like an untouchable fairy’s whisper.
“Yes. The Ancient Deity faction wants you to wait for meeting approval first. Only then is it a fair competition.” Another voice answered—more spiritual, yet more tangible than the first.
“...Understood. Tell them this: if delayed, and that blood-soaked monster finds her, they know the consequences.”
“Understood. May your battle fortune flourish...”
After the last words, the room fell silent again. Not even a breath could be heard.
