?After the incident with the Vampire and the continuous investigation cases, Maya’s days had been busy all along.
She didn’t have any time to stop and take a breather. After all, she needed to be in control of her expressions and desires all the time.
Considering the fact that, for some reason, Maya was able to conceal the fact that she was a vampire alone made her different from the rest, and if possible, she wanted this to never be known to the real world.
The reason was simple. She didn’t want to lose her friends or her family…..And her junior.
Therefore, she was trying her best to make that possible, and her efforts paid off. For all this time, she had been on guard, and just as they had planned with her Junior, nothing suspicious came out.
Her test results were good; her alimony was matching with the crime scene and how she had defeated the vampire.
However, as the responsibilities she had slowly were removed and her state of mind returned to its normal state, a piece that she had missed also started revealing itself.
‘How did Junior beat that vampire?’
That was the first question she asked herself. How was it possible that her Junior, who was even that strong, managed to beat that vampire?
From what she had basically experienced, Vampire’s level was on a completely different level than any other cadet could possibly be.
Its rank was even possibly higher than some of the active Hunters. For this case, she was sure at least a very high-ranking officer from the demonic-human bureau was necessary.
However, for some reason, Junior is able to defeat that vampire on his own. She was sure that there weren’t any other humans nearby, and she knew that he hadn’t gotten any help unless her junior had lied.
Therefore, that brought her to this question.
‘Is he hiding his strength?’
If her Junior were hiding his strength, it would make sense. But only this situation would make sense.
Maya still remembered the time when she herself had taught Astron how to control mana itself, and referring to that time, she was sure that he didn’t even know how to control mana.
His mana levels weren’t that high either, and from how he looked, Maya judged he wasn’t possibly that strong.
Therefore, unless he was incredibly talented at hiding his strength, which she refused to believe since she quite trusted her eyes, he must have never been able to defeat that vampire on his own with the strength of that time.
That could mean one thing. The source of ths content is N(o)vl(ꜰ)ire.nt
He somehow got stronger in that short amount of time so that he could even meet the possible requirements to beat the vampire.
‘It is incredible.’
And that itself was an achievement that one needed to respect.
‘As expected, my eyes didn’t mislead me. He really was that talented.’
After all, if that wasn’t the case, who would give him such an expensive resource? She herself was very well aware of the fact that her Junior was exceptional, and she bet on that feeling.
And just as she expected, her feelings didn’t betray her, and she was here now.
‘But, why is he hiding his strength?’
There was no way a person capable of killing a vampire would refuse to get this acknowledgment. Just by imagining the resources and the recognition he would get if he were to reveal such information….
Even she couldn’t help but be greedy.
‘What reasons could he have?’
Maya wondered, her mind racing through various possibilities. Perhaps there was a personal code he followed, a mission he sought to accomplish without drawing unnecessary attention. Or maybe he simply wasn’t interested in the fame and recognition that would come with revealing his true strength.
Regardless of the reasons, Maya decided that she would support him discreetly. In her eyes, he was more than just a junior – he was her savior. His timely intervention in the vampire incident had not only saved her life but also provided her with a renewed sense of purpose.
‘I owe him my life.’
Maya acknowledged a deep sense of gratitude welling up within her. This debt became a driving force, compelling her to go above and beyond to repay it.
The realization that her junior had become an integral part of her life fueled her determination to ensure his success and safety.
Maya was willing to use her family’s resources, connections, and influence to support her junior in honing his abilities.
‘I will do whatever it takes to support you, Junior.’
If he chose to remain in the shadows, then she would be the silent force propelling him forward. She believed that everyone had their reasons, and her duty was to respect and protect those reasons.
‘I’ll make sure he reaches his full potential,’ Maya resolved, a newfound purpose igniting within her.
Whether he sought acknowledgment or redemption or simply preferred the solitude of the background, Maya was determined to be the pillar of support he needed.
After all, she herself was quite aware of how distant this Junior was when he was left alone. He was a weird guy at the end. She had already ordered a bunch of special herbs and elixirs from her family, and they were already on the way.
Of course, that wasn’t all that he was going to do; that was just the start. She was also searching for possible information about the vampires and what had happened to her.
Her Junior mentioned her becoming a completely different type of vampire because of her own feelings and evolution, but she wanted to know more about the details.
Thus, she had been looking for things, and she also commissioned her family to find something related to this herself.
After all, she wanted to revert back to her original self if she could, as she didn’t want to cause any unnecessary harm.
‘How can I revert back?’
Maya questioned, her mind spinning with potential solutions. The journey to reclaim her humanity seemed daunting, yet she remained resolute.
Her family’s resources and connections would be crucial in uncovering the secrets behind her transformation and finding a way to reverse it.
GROWL!
As Maya delved into her own predicament inside her classroom, another pressing matter surfaced – her growing thirst for blood. Her ‘stomach’ growled, though it was more of a psychological effect than a clear hunger.
‘Ah, it had been a while.’
It had been a while since she last fed, and the craving intensified. However, the repulsion towards the scent of other people’s blood was overwhelming.
‘It is disgusting.’
Inside the classroom filled with different humans, she didn’t feel any desire to attack them all. In fact, she rather felt repulsed by their smell. She didn’t know if that would change when she lost her control, but right now, she didn’t have reason to be drawn into the smell of random strangers.
‘It needs to be Junior.’
The dark allure of her junior’s blood became an undeniable focal point. Maya’s senses rejected the idea of feeding on anyone else, finding their blood repulsive. Yet, when she thought about her junior, the repulsion faded, replaced by an intense desire.
‘I need his blood,’ Maya admitted to herself, the realization both unsettling and compelling.
The conflicting emotions surrounding her need for blood mirrored the internal turmoil she experienced during her earlier encounter with the vampire.
But in the end, she couldn’t refuse it. She knew she just wouldn’t be able to. Even after all this time, whatever she had tasted as a normal meal felt bland.
In her mind, she felt like only his blood would taste good. She also stopped eating snacks, as she felt like she didn’t even like eating them anymore.
‘I need it.’
Thus, she decided to seek him out. She didn’t even realize that her eyes turned crimson, and she was salivating a little herself.
‘I can feel his smell.’
Since he had a unique scent of blood that was engraved in her mind, it wasn’t even hard for her to find where he was. She just followed the trail of his scent, and not long after, she spotted him.
‘He is training.’
He was training against the PhantomGlide Dummy, so she decided to let him watch.
‘Now that I remember, this place was the first time I had seen him.’
At that time, she thought he was just a lost junior who didn’t know what to do with his mana, so she just offered to help him out.
Who would have thought that the tables would turn this quickly, and now she would be the one getting help?
Her gaze focused on the present; Maya couldn’t help but notice the significant transformation in her junior’s fighting style. The movements that were once hesitant and uncertain had evolved into a precise dance of skill and efficiency. His strikes were faster, and his footwork displayed a newfound agility.
‘He has improved so much,’ Maya marveled silently. The training against the PhantomGlide Dummy became a testament to the dedication and hard work he had invested in honing his abilities. Each movement spoke of progress and a commitment to becoming stronger.
However, Maya’s keen observation didn’t stop there. Her eyes caught the glint of weighed bracelets adorning her junior’s wrists.
A realization dawned upon her – he was deliberately limiting his own strength even in the midst of this training.
‘Why would he do that? Isn’t it a little risky?’ Maya wondered, puzzled by the decision to place constraints on his abilities. After all, he could injure himself since PhantomGlide Dummy was not going to be merciful at all.
Her junior’s actions raised questions about the depth of his hidden strength and the purpose behind such deliberate self-
restriction.
The conflict within Maya intensified as she wrestled with her own struggles and her growing desire for his blood. Watching him train, she realized that there was much more to her junior than met the eye.
‘I need to learn more about him.’
The layers of mystery surrounding him only deepened, and Maya felt an increasing need to understand the complexities that defined his character.
As Maya grappled with her own internal conflicts and the desire for his blood, the training session took an unexpected turn.
A sudden, sharp sound echoed through the room as her junior’s right arm bore the brunt of a cut. The PhantomGlide Dummy had landed a blow, leaving a visible mark on his otherwise agile and skillful form.
Maya’s eyes widened, registering the reality of the situation. The first cut marked the beginning of a more challenging battle. Despite the injury, her junior pressed on, determination etched on his face. Another cut followed, drawing a fresh line of crimson across his arm. The fight continued, but Maya could sense the toll it was taking on him.
As the training session reached its climax, her junior stood, breathing heavily, his form now adorned with the evidence of the simulated combat. The PhantomGlide Dummy, though just a training construct, had pushed him to his limits.
Though he lost in the end, it was remarkable that he could even withstand it that long with injuries and restraints on himself.
‘Blood.’
However, Maya’s keen senses heightened as the scent of blood mingled with the musky aroma of sweat in the air.
The metallic tang of her junior’s blood reached her, triggering a visceral reaction within her.
“Haaaaah…..Haaaah…..”
THUMP!
Her heart began to throb, and the controlled rhythm of her breathing wavered, becoming rough and uneven.
At that moment, Maya’s focus shifted entirely to her junior’s blood. The room seemed to fade away, leaving only the echo of his heartbeat resonating in her ears.
The evidence of his simulated combat, the fresh cuts on his arm, became a visual manifestation of the internal struggle she faced.
Her crimson eyes, clouded with an uncontrollable desire, fixated on the wounds. The scent of his blood intoxicated her senses, drowning out all other thoughts.
In the haze of her heightened emotions, Maya found it increasingly difficult to maintain control. Her breathing quickened, matching the erratic rhythm of her racing heart.
Maya’s restless energy surged within her as she approached Junior, unable to wait any longer. Her eyes betrayed a sense of urgency, and her legs trembled slightly as if she was having a hard time containing her emotions. Unconsciously, her mouth began to salivate, a physical manifestation of the primal instincts that threatened to surface.
“Junior, are you free?” Maya inquired, her voice carrying a subtle quiver. The weight of the unspoken desire hung in the air, and her gaze, locked onto his neck, revealed the true intent behind her request. His shivering skin became the undeniable proof of her hunger.
“Yes?” Junior responded, meeting her gaze with a certain understanding. The unspoken connection between them transcended words, and he sensed the nature of the private conversation she sought.
“T-then… Can we talk privately a bit?” Maya stammered, the tension palpable in her voice. She wanted to discuss matters that required discretion, matters that were deeply entwined with her vampiric instincts.
“Okay,” Junior agreed, recognizing the significance of their shared secret. He accepted the request without hesitation, understanding the delicate nature of the situation.
[Astron Natusalune, 1st year. Confirmed.]
[Maya Evergreen, 2nd year. Confirmed.]
[There is a high discrepancy between the estimated combat capabilities of the students. Do you still wish to proceed?]
“Yes.”
After that, the two of them found themselves entering a sparring field.
“Sorry.”
And Maya immediately jumped over him.