Just as the claw was about to grab Kadyn's throat his figures vanished mysteriously. The vampire was stunned and before he could understand what had happened his head was already detached from his shoulders. Kadyn was standing behind him with a blood-dripping sword in his hand with a cool expression. The headless body slumped on the ground and twitches in the blood briefly before becoming still.

The three figures behind him who were caught off by this sudden development were left stunned. "Space Element," Barret murmured and exchanged glances with two men beside him. He was shocked, not because Kadyn possessed Space Element, one of the rarest elements in the world but because he had seen with his own eyes Kadyn using a fire spell before.

​​

Now he was using Space Element as well, what does that mean? Barret was not someone like Hot Rod or Khrom could compare with, he was far more knowledgeable than them, and even he had never seen — or heard — one person possessing two elements.

Kadyn didn't seem to notice their shocked faces and continued to run after killing Rank 1 vampire mage. He could not believe how easy it was to kill that guy. Are they really that weak? He thought and shook his head.

Actually that man wasn't weak at all, but he was caught off guard by Kadyn. He had never thought that this weak-looking boy would suddenly disappear from in front of his eyes and when Kadyn would appear he would lose his precious head. His soul must be weeping at this injustice, and unfairness, after all he didn't even have a chance to show his strength, but could he blame others for his stupidity?

Barret used his earth element to slaughter any opponent who came to face him, Khrom used his wind magic to dash swiftly amide the corpses and fight and retreat without getting injured. He wasn't trying to kill them, because if he did he would have died hundreds of times by now, so he just harassed a few vampires and when they were distracted Hot Rod blasted them with his fire element into bits and pieces. Though he didn't have much experience in fighting, his strength was formidable. Enough to kill a few vampires who were enraged by a man again and again.

The surrounding was filled with death and slaughter, it was hard to who was who (that's why he and his companions didn't stray far from each other) one mistake and they could lose their life. One time Barret had almost lost his head, if it wasn't for Khrom's timely help he would have died and his headless corpse had been lying in the dirt and blood, under the feet of hundreds of people.

——

"You… what do you mean by they are here for you?" Nefia asked with a shocked and confused and bewildered expression. She could not comprehend what she meant, or maybe she knew what she meant but didn't want to admit it in her heart. She had played with Cecilia since they were little, how could this be, why is this happening? Nefia's body trembled ever so slightly and she bit her lips, praying that it must be a nightmare. Alas, it was no nightmare.

Cecilia peered at her and said with a firm tone. "They are here for me, because I'm one of them."

"You… you are one of them?" Nefia's face had turned pale and her legs felt weak as she tumbled back but was supported by the wall behind her back. "How could this be? How could this be?" she continued to murmur and stared at Cecilia as she was looking at a stranger.

"Yes, I'm also a vampire," Cecilia said. She had hardened her heart and told the truth she knew that it could — and definitely, it would — finish their relationship, but right now she had no option. She wanted Nefia to leave this place as soon as possible, only then would she have a chance to survive.

However, after a brief initial shock, Nefia recovered and took a step towards her and crouched down before holding her delicate hand. "I was just shocked and never thought that a vampire could be a cute and trustworthy and a careful person like you. I never thought that a vampire — a so-called blood-sucking vampire — would be no different than humans, with small dreams and romantic hearts — reading love stories in blanket without letting anyone know — and full of mischief." Nefia chuckled and wiped the wet corner of her eyes.

She really lost herself in despair for a moment, but then she saw Cecilia's anxious face. Why was she anxious? Because she wanted her to leave and stay away from her. At that moment she felt ashamed at her inferiority. How could such a person who thought about her at a time like this would be a heartless blood-sucking monster? She refused to believe it!

"Why are you still not leaving?" Cecilia's felt touched and her eyes became wet somewhat after hearing what Nefia said, but anxiousness increased on her face when Nefia refused to leave. "They are here because they want something from me, they are slaughtering everyone in your castle because of me. You should hate me, so hate me and go!"

"No, I would never…. Watch out!" suddenly Nefia shouted and pulled Cecilia from where she was sitting. However after that, she lost her balance and could not dodge the attack herself.

"Puchi!"

A sword pierced her shoulder and came out of her back. She vomited a mouthful of blood and stared at her attacker with a frozen expression. Only when the vampire pulled his sword from her shoulder did she tumble back helplessly with a dull expression.

The blood gushed out of her wound and painted her clothes, her face was pale and then… she fell. However, before she could collapse Cecilia held her. "Ahhh!" she screamed in agony for her friend. "Why did you do that, why why why!" her eyes had turned red as if blood would drip out of them any moment. Vampire, indeed she was. Nefia had never seen those red eyes prior to this day.

"I-I won't lie but for a second I actually doubted you when you told me about your identity. Maybe this is the punishment god has given me for doing it." Nefia said as the blood gushed out of her mouth. "Don't cry. You should go, run away from here."

"Run away?" someone sneered from behind Cecilia. "Do you think it is possible to escape now? You should come with us to the Nightshade without resisting because if you force us to take an action it won't be a good thing for you, girl."

Cecilia didn't reply nor did she turn back. She looked at Nefia and said with a gentle voice. "Just wait here for a moment. I won't let anything happen to you." Then she stood up with a cold face and peered towards the two men in front of her. In a single look, she could tell that one man was a Rank 2 while another was Rank 1. However, the most shocking thing was that there was no fear on her face. She seemed fearless and maybe some would say… stupid? Or why would she, a vampire, put her life on the line for a human?

Suddenly a tremendous amount of energy gushed out from her body and engulfed her surroundings. "Pea-peak Rank 2 mage!" Rank 2 vampire blurted and his pupil dilated in shock and he became alert instantly. He never thought a little girl who had escaped from Nightshade would have already become so formidable. However the shocked expression only lasted briefly then his face turned to normal again.

"You shouldn't have hurt her," Cecilia said emotionlessly. "You shouldn't have hurt her."

"Humph, so what I hurt her?" the man snorted, his voice laced with arrogance. "She is just a lowly human, and you, you are a traitor. So surrender!

"Gasp!"

Cecilia heard Nefia's long gasping breaths and her face turned colder and colder; she had no time to bicker. She needed to end this battle as soon as possible, but she had no confidence because that Rank 2 vampire was no weaker than her. Nonetheless, she still decided to attack. Immediately two shadows appeared from her body and then turned into her duplicate copy, staring at their enemies with cold expressions.

"Doppelganger?!" the Rank 2 vampire shouted while Ran 1 turned pale. The doppelganger spell was the supreme spell of vampires. Only nobles could practice it and after one succeeded he/she would be able to make his/her copy which would have exact strength as the original body. It was a powerful spell that all vampires coveted but only a few could practice.

"No, it's not a doppelganger," then Rank 2 Vampire noticed something and said, "Your copies have just about 20% of your strength. It is far inferior to the doppelganger."

"It is enough to kill you," Cecilia snorted and dashed to the man with one of her copies while another went to the Rank 1 vampire, and the battle started.