In my previous world, vampires were said to be creatures who feed on blood. It was still the same for this world except for the fact that there were two kinds of vampires.

The first one was the Converted Bloods. If a sentient creature would drink the blood of a vampire, they would become one. However, they would transform into a human-looking creature. Beastmen would lose their animal features and demons would lose their innate strength. In exchange, they would have the abilities of a vampire such as pseudo-immortality.

The second one was the Pure Bloods. These creatures were the descendants of the First Blood, the first vampire who existed. They are far stronger than Converted Bloods and their blood could turn any creature into a vampire without the risk of death.

I was curious about what counted as a Pure Blood. If a Pure Blood would have children with a non-Pure Blood, would their children be also a Pure Blood? Otherwise, the family tree would be very questionable seeing how they all descended from the First Blood.

But that question was something I shouldn’t ask for now. We were in front of the gates of a large mansion to ask a vampire what she knew about the Dark Corruption. It was as magnificent as what Noir described though.

“Now what? There’s no doorbell. Should we shout?” Ollie asked.

“Mel Yozora is a powerful Pure Blood. I’ve met her several times as the president of the Underworld Academy’s student council. She’s someone we don’t want to offend”, Ayame shook her head.

“It’s not like she’s an enemy. We’re here to ask questions relating to what Noir said. I’m worried if he would offend her though”, Rushia said.

“We have him under control”, I told her.

Or do you? Ars’ magic is powerful and prevents me from taking over. I’m surprised that you thought of that. How are you dumb enough to think that I can’t break free even if I place enough effort? Noir asked.

At least you won’t make that amount of effort just to mess around, Anya replied.

Now watch me do it out of spite.

Of course you would. I expect you to be someone who is that spiteful.

…. Okay. I’m spiteful enough to not do something you would expect. You win this time, child. Do you want milk or should I sing you a lullaby? You might wake up 4000 years later after being sold as a cheap sword again though.

Please don’t fight inside my mind, I told them.

“So… What should we do?” Ollie asked.

“I normally send a letter requesting an audience with her but this is an emergency. Mel Yozora will hear us out”, Ayame said.

As if on cue, the gates opened on their own. Ayame gave a slight bow and we ended up doing the same. She then walked forward and the rest of us followed her lead.

I looked around and saw that the path leading to the mansion had a nice view. The plants were cut into shapes and roses bloomed along the path. Several armored statues were also on standby and they looked like they could move.

And then they moved as they drew their swords.

“Ayame!” Rushia shouted as green butterflies appeared around her.

Ayame nodded and unsheathed her katanas. I followed along and unsheathed Anya while Ollie did some stretches.

The first statue swung its sword and I blocked its attack after wrapping darkness around Anya. I willed my shadow to rise up and bind it in place while I slashed its torso that had a crystal.

However, the statue broke free and I somehow managed to block its slash.

I should’ve known that the crystal was a dud. The statue was most likely a golem and Oga taught me that cutting off its power source was the most effective way of dealing with it. That’s why I should’ve realized that the power source wouldn’t be in an obvious place like that.

“What should I do?” I asked.

Mikage, that thing is a golem. It will move as long as it has a power source… or if it can still move, Noir sighed.

I see. That was a good idea. I only need to do one thing now.

“Synchronicity Re-”

But before I could get into Synchronicity, my body stiffened and a ringing noise appeared in my mind.

Don’t use your trump card like that easily. If you rely too much on Synchronicity, you’re just a parasite leeching on power that’s not your own. I’d rather not be associated with a useless 9th master when the previous ones are legendary, Noir scolded me.

Noir! This isn’t a good time for a lecture! This is a fight! Anya shouted.

The statue raised its sword and swung it down towards me. My body was still stiff and I couldn’t dodge. But before I got hit, my own shadow rose up and turned into a wall which protected me.

That’s where you’re wrong, Anya. This is a good time for a lecture. That golem is not strong enough for this to be considered as a ‘fight.’ Mikage can handle this one on his own without Synchronicity. He just needs to be aware of his own power, Noir said.

My body returned to normal as the ringing noise disappeared. I got out of harm's way after my shadow returned to the ground.

My own power… Noir was right. I relied too much on Synchronicity. I was only strong because Anya was amazing. If I continue on like this, then I would never grow.

I took a deep breath and darkness gathered around Anya. Magic needed an image and resolve. I was resolved to cut down my enemy using my strength. All I needed was an image for my victory.

The darkness wrapping around my sword became crescent-shaped. I needed to make it as thin and sharp as possible while compressing all of the darkness I could compress. And I didn’t need much effort to do that.

I swung down my sword and the darkness shot forward. It vertically cleaved the statue into two and even cut down the plants behind it before disappearing.

Congratulations. How do you feel from winning using your own power? Noir asked.

That was my own power… It felt like the darkness was willingly obeying me. I didn’t need to focus as hard as before. Was what I did even magic?

I looked at my other companions and they already finished beating the golems. They were just watching me.

“I’m the last one, huh?” I asked.

“Don’t worry! It took me some time to realize that I should cut off their legs in order to make them stop moving!” Ollie chuckled.

“I had to finish as soon as I could so I could observe Ollie”, Rushia said.

“Rushia’s heated and passionate gaze was great!”

“Why did the statues attack us all of the sudden?” I looked at Ayame.

“I don’t know. Is something happening?” Ayame rubbed her chin as she thought.

But before anyone could continue the conversation, I felt a presence behind me.

“Kapu!” a woman’s voice said.

I then felt something bite my neck and I let out a shriek.

###

“I’m sorry! I had to make sure you aren’t impostors or hostile. If the real Ayame was here, then she should be able to take care of those golems easily!” a blonde woman smiled.

We were in the dining room and eating sweets. However, I couldn’t focus well because of what happened earlier. That woman, Mel Yozora, did something that shook me to the core.

“Are you still hung up from being bitten like that?! I never thought you were a pure boy, Mikage!” Ollie teased as she held a cupcake on each hand.

“Everyone has their own weaknesses. Mikage being unable to deal with that is not something to look down on”, Rushia sipped her tea.

I rubbed my neck as I tried to calm my heart down. Since coming to this world, I’ve been in one dangerous situation after another. I even had a dangerous organization with eyes and ears everywhere target me! So why was I so flustered from that?!

“It’s funny seeing that face make the same reaction again”, Mel giggled.

“What do you mean?” I asked.

“What did you come here for? I don’t think it’s just to have a little tea with me”, she dodged my question.

“We are on a mission to investigate the strange energy in the Demon Realm and from this man’s information, we think you are a person of interest”, Ayame replied.

“I see. So you got here from the information of the Primordial Dark.”

“... That means you know something.”

A piece of paper appeared and landed on Mel’s hand.

“I don’t know if this little paper from a certain mean-eyed summoner counts as ‘knowing something.’ It’s just a little piece of paper, after all”, she waved the paper.

“We’ll take any hints and information”, I said.

Mel smiled while Ayame sighed. Rushia sipped her tea again while Ollie looked as confused as me.

“Bold of you to assume that I’m going to give it without a price”, Mel said.

“What do you need? I can use my authority to give you what you want”, Ayame told her.

“In this area, I’m the ruler. I have a town under my command and in exchange for protecting them and making sure they thrive, I’m enjoying my life in this mansion.”

Her face then became serious as the piece of paper disappeared.

“But it has become a ghost town ever since the Dark Corruption appeared”, she sighed.

“Were they kidnapped?” Ayame asked.

“No. They all left.”

“All of them? In these troubled times?” Rushia frowned.

“It happened because of a certain demon who has the Silver Tongue.”

“Wait… Don’t tell me… I haven’t heard from him for some time and he’s making a move now?” Ayame asked.

“Yes. Vox Akuma convinced my people to leave and follow him.”