Hagun Academy
The dueling arena was packed to capacity once again today.
The excitent was far greater than during the director's duel last ti—this was the annual School Battle, an event that determined the academy's strongest rankings.
Who wouldn't want to be crowned the strongest in Hagun Academy?
Students from all grades participated, and nearly everyone was in attendance, creating an electrifying atmosphere.
Rei Ao: "The duel hasn't started yet, has it?"
Rei Ao appeared beside Kurono Shinguji, with Shizue Izawa following close behind.
Shizue Izawa: "There are so many people."
Kurono Shinguji: "Stella's duel starts in a few minutes."
Kurono, unfazed by their sudden arrival, calmly answered, gesturing toward the countdown displayed in the arena center through the glass.
Rei Ao scanned the surroundings.
Rei Ao: "You picked a pretty good spot."
The location was a private viewing box extending from an upper platform at the edge of the dueling arena.
A massive pane of glass in front provided a clear view of everything happening below.
Kurono Shinguji: "This is a special observation box that only the academy director has the privilege to use."
Kurono Shinguji: "The glass was recently upgraded to one-way, magic-resistant material."
It wasn't necessary for her to specifically ntion the glass, yet she did, prompting Rei Ao to give her a aningful look.
Rei Ao: "You're certainly well-prepared."
Upon closer inspection, Kurono Shinguji wasn't dressed in her usual formal director's attire. Instead, she wore a sleek, black gown that perfectly accentuated her figure. It was clear she had planned ahead.
???: "So this is another world?"
A sudden voice drew everyone's attention.
Shinoa Hiragi and Hijiri Kasuga had appeared in the room. They had ultimately decided to cross over to verify the situation themselves, even requesting leave from their schools to make the trip.
Hijiri Kasuga: "The magical energy here is so abundant."
Sei could feel the mana in the air.
An entirely different world, yet it was brimming with magical energy!
Before she could marvel further, or before Shinoa could take in the scene, Rei Ao suddenly blinked forward, appearing right in front of Shinoa.
Shinoa Hiragi: "What are you doing?!"
Thinking Rei Ao was about to attack her, she tensed up defensively.
Rei Ao: "Tch!"
In truth, Rei Ao did act, but his target wasn't Shinoa herself. His cold gaze seed to pierce through Shinoa—or rather, into sothing deeper.
Rei Ao: "Stowaway. Looks like I'll have to invite you out."
With a swift motion, Rei Ao's hand grabbed hold of a dark, gaseous energy erging from Shinoa's body and yanked it out.
A black-green scythe materialized in his hand.
Shinoa Hiragi: "What are you doing?!"
Shinoa's expression turned grim.
That scythe—it was her cursed weapon, Shikama Dōji.
Shizue Izawa and Kurono Shinguji also looked confused by her sudden reaction.
Rei Ao: "Tch, tch. Looks like your world-hopping brought along a hitchhiker."
Rei Ao smirked coldly, speaking directly to Shikama Dōji.
Rei Ao: "The First Vampire Progenitor, Shikama Dōji, isn't that right?"
Shinoa Hiragi: "What?!?"
Shinoa's eyes widened in shock.
Did she hear that correctly?
The First Vampire Progenitor!
She knew very well what a Vampire Progenitor was.
Vampires were bloodthirsty beings that dominated the world after its collapse. They possessed physical abilities far beyond humans and subsisted on human blood.
The most powerful vampires were natural enemies of humanity, enslaving humans and building vampire cities filled with both common vampires and vampire nobles.
At the top of the hierarchy were the Vampire Progenitors, rulers with unparalleled power and authority.
Yet, humanity knew very little about the Progenitors—let alone the First Progenitor.
But now, the person before her not only forcibly removed Shikama Dōji from her, but also referred to it as the First Progenitor?
Shinoa Hiragi: "What nonsense are you spouting? Shikama Dōji is the sealed demon of a cursed weapon."
Shinoa's voice was firm, though doubt flickered in her eyes.
Demons resided within cursed weapons—how could one of them possibly be a Vampire Progenitor?
Her skepticism was reasonable, yet it only deepened her confusion.
Rei Ao glanced at her.
It seed Shinoa wasn't aware of the true secret behind her cursed weapon.
He didn't mind explaining.
Rei Ao: "I know a fair bit about your world—or, to be precise, more than even you do."
Rei Ao: "So, have you ever considered the possibility that the so-called demons in your cursed weapons are actually vampires who lost their physical forms?"
Shinoa Hiragi: "That…"
Shinoa Hiragi was utterly shocked.
She had never considered such a possibility before.
Throughout her education, from elentary school to university, nothing like this had ever been ntioned.
Rei Ao: "Stowaway, I'll give you three seconds to co out on your own, or I won't hesitate to reduce you to ash."
Rei Ao's threat seed casual, but it carried a weight that was impossible to ignore.
Almost imdiately, the scythe began to stir.
Black energy surged once again, this ti materializing into a humanoid figure.
Shinoa Hiragi: "A vampire?!"
Her gaze sharpened instantly.
She recognized the distinct physical features unique to vampires at a glance.
The figure, identified as Shikama Dōji, looked at Shinoa and sighed.
Shikama Dōji: "What a surprise. I never thought you'd encounter sothing like this."
Shinoa Hiragi: "Are you really the First Progenitor?"
Her eyes locked onto him, burning with an eagerness to uncover the truth.
Shikama Dōji: "In the presence of this esteed individual, it seems I cannot deny it."
There was a trace of bitterness in his voice.
The First Vampire Progenitor, a being far removed from humanity, now had no choice but to show deference to a human before him.
It was an undeniable reality. Rei Ao's presence was far more overwhelming than his own.
Simply standing before Rei Ao was enough to sense a power surpassing everything Shikama Dōji had ever known—even greater than the forbidden "Seraph of the End" he had personally created.
And given that this was not his own world, even the First Progenitor had to behave.
Rei Ao: "Spare the flattery."
Rei Ao had no interest in his respect or complints.
Rei Ao: "No matter how pretty your words are, as a stowaway, you must die."
His tone made it clear: he fully intended to eliminate this intruder.
Not out of so noble duty to protect humanity or any particular race, but simply because this being had trespassed—and because Rei Ao would not tolerate a dangerous presence lingering near Shinoa Hiragi, his intended target.
The atmosphere grew tense.
Shikama Dōji, sensing the calm resolve in Rei Ao's deanor, felt a pang of helplessness. He could tell that this human was not soone who could be swayed by re words.
After a long silence, Shikama Dōji's gaze shifted. He assessed his surroundings, scanning the quietly observing Shizue Izawa, Kurono Shinguji, and Hijiri Kasuga.
Rei Ao: "I'd advise you against having any designs on them. Otherwise, your death won't be so rciful."
With a sudden roar, crimson flas erupted in Rei Ao's hand.
Shikama Dōji: "...!!!"
Just looking at the flas made Shikama Dōji feel as if his soul was being burned. These weren't ordinary flas; they were the True Crimson Flas, capable of incinerating even the soul.
A swift death would be the greatest rcy he could hope for. But if he dared to resist, Rei Ao wouldn't hesitate to make him suffer a fate worse than death.
Shikama Dōji: "Your power is truly awe-inspiring, esteed human. I've never encountered anyone like you before."
Reluctantly, Shikama Dōji abandoned his last thoughts of resistance.
Shikama Dōji: "Rest assured, I hope for a swift death as much as you do. In fact, I've long wished for soone who could kill ."
Escape was impossible. Even his soul warned him of this.
For Shikama Dōji, resignation was the only option.
He wasn't wrong, either. In his original world, no one could kill him—not even the "Seraph of the End." Sowhere deep down, he had indeed wished for soone capable of ending his existence.
Rei Ao: "Ah."
Rei Ao chuckled softly.
He wasn't particularly concerned about Shikama Dōji trying to flee.
[Vampire]: Shikama Dōji
[Level]: 35
[Abilities]: "Vampire Progenitor"
His power was decent, but nothing extraordinary. If he did attempt to run, it would simply an a little more effort on Rei Ao's part.
After all, the overall strength of Shinoa's world wasn't very high—not even the artificially created entities like the "Angel Horns" or "Seraphim" could asure up.
That said, in that world, vampires were undeniably dominant, their strength holding humanity firmly underfoot.
Shikama Dōji quickly realized that Rei Ao's stance remained unmoved.
At this point, he was certain there was no chance of escape.
With a faint smile of resignation, he murmured:
Shikama Dōji: "To think I'd et my end because of her unexpected encounter. It's a sha I couldn't complete my plan."
His tone carried a mix of helplessness and a strange acceptance of death.
Shinoa Hiragi: "A plan? What exactly are you plotting?"
The revelation of Shikama Dōji's identity had flooded Shinoa's mind with questions.
How could the esteed First Progenitor of vampires beco a re sealed spirit within a cursed weapon? Sothing was profoundly wrong here.
Shikama Dōji: "Esteed one, I hope you don't mind if I borrow a bit of your ti to explain so things to her."
Having co to terms with his fate, Shikama Dōji was unbothered by the vampire-human conflict in his original world anymore.
Rei Ao: "You have five minutes."
Stella's duel would start in five minutes, and Rei Ao had no intention of wasting ti on a soon-to-be-dead individual.
Shikama Dōji didn't argue—he knew he wasn't in a position to negotiate.
Without delay, he began to reveal his purpose to Shinoa Hiragi.
~~~
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