[Vol. 7] Chapter 124: The Eve
"By the way… Selna."
"I'm at your service, Lady Violet."
The maid, now in her true form, lifted her head again. Her hands were gently folded in front of her waist, and aside from her usual calm expression, every movement she made carried an air of respect and the refined elegance of a true professional.
The black-haired girl scratched her cheek, looking a bit awkward about the topic she was about to bring up.
"Since you're with Lucine and part of the secluded, conservative vampires, I guess you don't go out hunting much in a place like Sainz, where you live long-term, right? I've always been curious, how do vampires like you maintain a steady supply of blood? Do you just drink animal blood to get by? I heard that stuff tastes terrible to you."
"Of course not," Selna shook her head.
"Please don't worry, Lady Violet. Since Mia and I became vampires, we've never used violence or coercion to take blood from anyone. The Academy City Sainz has a dedicated blood donation charity, which is managed by Lady Lucine. We vampires can visit the blood bank regularly and select suitable food from there."
"Besides that, every vampire usually forms relationships with a few trusted friends. People they like, who are open-minded about our nature, and don’t have strong prejudices against us. With their consent, we can establish an arrangement where we exchange goods or money for their blood. As long as it doesn't harm their health, we can feed in a controlled, permissible manner."
"I see..."
"By following these two methods and managing our intake properly, we don’t have to worry about going into a frenzy from hunger or causing any trouble for you."
That was actually a surprisingly reasonable and well-structured system. It was definitely much safer than the vampires in folklore, who attacked humans in the dead of night or forcibly turned people into blood slaves, stirring public outrage and ending up hunted down.
Maybe it wasn’t as satisfying as indulging in an all-you-can-eat blood feast, but at the very least, it was enough to survive.
Lucine really went to great lengths to ensure the survival of the conservative vampires.
Violet nodded in understanding and stood up.
"That’s enough for today. Also, about you and Mia, I’m sure you already have some understanding of your situation. I want to explore it further and try a treatment. It might require some experimentation, and the process is a bit complicated, but I can promise it won’t cause you any harm…"
"What do you think? If you're not willing, I won't force you."
Hearing the word "treatment," Selna subtly furrowed her brows for the first time. It was almost imperceptible, but she quickly regained her usual calm expression and nodded without hesitation.
"I don’t feel like I need any treatment, but since it’s my master's request, I have no complaints. What do you need me to do, Lady Violet?"
"Hmm… Let’s start with the most basic test."
After a brief moment of thought, the black-haired girl took out her staff. A golden light, radiating pure and divine energy beyond comparison, slowly illuminated the sealed hall, shining like the morning sun.
"You don’t need to do anything. Just watch carefully and tell me exactly how you feel afterward."
"……"
As expected, the vampire girl didn’t respond to Violet’s words. Instead, the moment the radiant power unfolded before her, she was instantly captivated. Her crimson pupils widened in awe, as if she were a devout believer gazing upon a god. For a moment, she was completely dazed, unable to move.
Violet didn’t interrupt. She steadied herself, carefully adjusting the intensity of her magic while fully activating her [Yin-Yang Eyes] to observe the state of Selna’s soul.
"Alright… Let’s begin, [Birth of Flowing Aurora]!"
………………………………………………
The next morning, which was the second day since Violet and her group arrived at Sainz Academy…
Just after sunrise, Yulia, who had guided them the day before, returned and knocked on the front door of their lakeside villa.
Selna was the one who answered the door. For some reason, she seemed especially full of energy today, like she had just indulged in the finest pureblood feast to her heart’s content. She looked so lively that, at first glance, Yulia almost mistook her for Mia.
Although a bit curious, Yulia didn’t pry. Everyone had their own personal matters, and since Mia and Selna had already left the Blood Rose maid corps and officially found a master, she had no intention of interfering in their lives, despite once being their head maid and their first sire.
Vampires were a loosely organized race, with the conservative faction being even more so. Ever since their progenitor fell a thousand years ago, Princess Lucine had gathered those who no longer wished to fight for power and just wanted to live in peace. Meanwhile, the other ambitious princes and princesses had gone their own way.
Like attracts like. As the trusted maid who had served the Second Prince the longest, Yulia never had much of a strong desire for control or power. In fact, aside from important figures and major events like this, she had already delegated most of her responsibilities to trusted subordinates. She now focused on her role as an instructor at the academy, training young maid trainees, one of her few personal passions.
Because of some procedural matters, Yulia had come alone today to meet with Violet. When she followed Selna into the living room, she saw the priestess enjoying breakfast with the two little girls she had brought along, while Mia served them. It looked like they were just about finished.
The black-haired girl sitting there looked young, almost like a delicate and refined noble lady. At a glance, she seemed barely older than the two petite girls beside her. Yet, she was an honored guest personally instructed by Princess Lucine to be treated with the highest regard.
Aside from what Yulia already knew about Lenka Dorgon, both Violet and Xiao Guang, were wrapped in layers of mystery.
Their origins? Unknown.
Their age? Unknown.
Their strength? Unknown.
It was as if everything about them was hidden beneath a thick veil.
Especially Violet. Even though her rise as an adventurer, climbing at an absurdly fast pace to legendary status alongside her companions, was well-documented, any trace of her existence before appearing beside the former royal princess of the Human United Kingdom was completely nonexistent.
Princess Lucine seemed to know something but hadn’t shared it with anyone. Since her master had her reasons, Yulia didn’t question it. As a maid, all she needed to do was fulfill her duties.
Maintaining her composed demeanor, the young secretary, dressed in her usual maid uniform, placed a hand over her chest and gracefully greeted the honored guests who had turned to look at her.
"Good morning, Lady Violet. All the necessary paperwork has been completed. Today marks the official enrollment of the two young ladies. Is everyone ready?"