After sating her thirst, Schwi reluctantly released her grip on Adrian''s arms and recoiled in shock, her eyes widening with realization as if emerging from a trance.


    "Had enough?" Adrian inquired casually, wriggling his arm free from her grasp. The wounds inflicted by her fangs sizzled momentarily in darkness before miraculously closing.


    "What... what did I just do?" Schwi stammered, struggling toprehend the implications of her actions.


    "You fed?" Adrian replied with an almost amused expression, regarding Schwi as if she had asked the most absurd question.


    His response triggered a surge of frustration within Schwi, yet now that her mind had cleared and the insatiable thirst had dissipated, a newfound awareness washed over her.


    The senses that had been veiled by her broken rationality and intense anger were now unobstructed, cautioning her to be wary and consider the option of fleeing if possible.


    She couldn''t pinpoint the source of this unease, but the rity in her thoughts warned her to tread carefully.


    Schwi''s gaze remained fixed on Adrian, her eyes narrowing slightly.


    Although all that met her eyes was an outwardlyposed figure, she couldn''t shake the instinctive feeling that he exuded strength, an undeniable aura of power thatmanded respect and caution.


    The intensity of her gaze conveyed a subtle acknowledgment of the potential threat before her.


    In that moment, Schwi slightly gulped while looking at the man in front of her.


    "Okay then, are you okay now?" Adrian inquired, sipping at his tea with a calm demeanor.


    "What happened to me? Where am I? Why are you here? How long has it been?"


    Schwi bombarded Adrian with a rapid session of questions, her mind still reeling from the recent events.


    "Slow down,dy. For starters, I''m the one asking questions right now, okay? I don''t have time, you see," Adrian said casually, his words carrying an air of authority.


    To Schwi''s surprise, her body instinctivelyplied, and she found herself forced into silence, staring at him as if he held some almighty power over her.


    "Schwi Heiron, what did you do to Louise when you invited her to your private office during that incident?"


    Adrian''s question was firm, the seriousness in his eyes indicating a demand for straight, truthful answers.


    The sudden shift in topic left Schwi slightly confused, wondering why he brought up that specific event in the midst of their current situation.


    However, an underlying sense of urgency and the gravity in Adrian''s gaze conveyed that the answers he sought were of paramount importance.


    For some reason, Schwi sensed that failure to respond truthfully or attempting to deceive him could have dire consequences.


    "I-I just invited Miss Louise Obelia there to get her support for my right and ims regarding the staff of Estelle"


    Schwi stammered nervously, her admission hanging in the air as she navigated the intricacies of her past decisions.


    Adrian nodded, a tacit acknowledgment of the circumstances. "As expected,"


    His understanding indicated that he had already surmised Schwi''s motivations, recognizing the desperation that had driven her actions.


    Schwi, grappling with the challenges she faced, had realized the futility of iming ownership over the staff through mary means.


    A mysterious old sage had unexpectedly outbid her, thwarting her carefully calcted ns. Despite her meticulous assessment of how much the sage could have bid, she found herself defeated and cornered.


    Pushed to her limits, Schwi employed every avable means to still stake her im on the academy''s staff. Garnering support from one of the top students emerged as a strategic move, ast-ditch effort in the face of her predicament.


    Yet, the majority of the top students remained indifferent to her overtures. In this desperate scenario, Louise Obelia emerged as Schwi''s final option.


    Of all the top students, she thoroughly investigated, trying to find their weaknesses. Information about Louise Obelia was as easy to find as trying to find grass in a field.


    It was basically out in the open for some reason, which goes to show just how little information security the Obelia family had.


    However, Schwi''s attempts to apply simr tactics to other top students proved to be a formidable challenge.


    The information about these individuals, nobles of higher rank or equal standing, was either hard to find or downright impossible to ess.


    "I can understand why you would call out Louise, but that''s not all, is there? I know Louise, and I don''t think a kind-hearted girl like her would lose herself over a small conversation about supporting you. So, tell me, what did you do to her?"


    Adrian''s inquiry held a weight of expectation, his piercing gaze fixated on Schwi.


    Schwi shivered under the intensity of Adrian''s eyes.


    A foreboding feeling enveloped her, and she sensed that no matter the answer she gave, consequences awaited her.


    Nevertheless,pelled by an irresistible force, her mouth moved on its own, and she found herself exining everything to Adrian.


    She recounted the calcted and ruthless approach she had taken, digging into Louise''s past and uncovering information about a tragic and traumatic history.


    Schwi described how she had attempted to use this knowledge to manipte Louise into supporting her cause after the initial refusal.


    The conversation had escted, emotions running high, and the turning point had arrived.


    As Schwi sought to prate Louise''s vulnerable heart and mind, a manifestation beyond her expectations urred.


    A gigantic ming serpent, a high-ranking spirit, materialized at the first tear shed by Louise.


    Schwi, witnessing a high-ranking spirit for the first time, had been caught off guard, never anticipating that it would also be herst.


    Everything else happened after that.


    Schwi, along with everyone else present during that fateful incident, had been reduced to ashes under the wrath of Louise''s fiery and vengeful spirit.


    Adrian listened intently to every word Schwi uttered, his expression remaining neutral.


    "I see" he said calmly, giving away nothing of his thoughts or emotions.


    However, the atmosphere took an ominous turn as he suddenly opened his palms, and Schwi''s body convulsed with pain.


    "AHHHH!!!" Schwi screamed, the weird tingling sensation of intense agony corrupting her mind.


    Ringing noises echoed with each passing second, and the pain intensified with every cry she let out.


    Amidst the torment, she could hear the sharp sounds of metals shing against each other.


    Opening her eyes while still groaning in pain, Schwi witnessed a ck chain seemingly emanating from her neck, slowly connecting to Adrian''s palms.


    The mysterious link formed, and as it did, the excruciating pain dissipated. Schwi, drained and disoriented, copsed onto the table, her gaze fixed on Adrian through dizzied eyes, saliva trickling from her mouth.


    "Although I want to kill you, it seems Aunt has some other uses for you, so that will do for now"


    Adrian dered, his words carrying a sense of finality.


    ….


    As I sat in the carriage, contemting the recent events, I couldn''t help but mull over the peculiar situation with Schwi.


    ''Haah, I know I tormented her for days as I got pissed learning what she did to Louise, but isn''t her attitude too rude for someone who''s basically serving me? Should I punish her more?''


    The thought crossed my mind, but a quick reflection made me discard the idea.


    ''No, that wouldn''t work anymore''


    I decided, acknowledging that further punishment might not yield the desired results.


    Instead, I shifted my attention away from Schwi''s demeanor, choosing to gaze at the streets of themercial district.


    A faint smile touched my lips as a sense offort and nostalgia enveloped me; being back inside the academy brought back memories and emotions.


    The carriage came to a halt, and, as nned, Schwi stepped out, draped in my cloak of darkness, rendering her invisible to the naked eye.


    "You know what to do, right?" I asked, watching her slowly fade into the shadows.


    Her red eyes met mine briefly before nodding, and she subtly touched the ne I had given her before disappearing into the darkness.


    I sighed, observing her arrogant demeanor.


    Despite the days of torment I had subjected her to, she disyed a fiery spirit, attempting to deny me when she realized she wouldn''t actually die.


    Strangely, as time passed, she seemed to derive pleasure from what I was doing to her. I was taken aback by the sight of her blushing whenever I punished her.


    My initial intent had been to break her mind through pain, but it appeared that my own mind might be the first to crack, witnessing her unexpected and somewhat perverted reactions.


    The carriage picked up speed, making its way towards Lucian Hall.


    Although I had sent Meralda ahead to take care of Louise, who I had hidden in my room, a nagging worry lingered as I leisurely returned.


    ….


    In Adrian''s room, a sense of camaraderie prevailed among the four women who shared the living space.


    Despite their differing statuses and backgrounds, the atmosphere they created resembled that of a tight-knit family.


    Their interactions echoed the bonds of sisterhood, bringing a warmth and familiarity that transcended their individual circumstances.


    As the day unfolded, the room was filled with a serene ambiance. Louise and Meralda engaged in a friendly game of chess, theirughter harmonizing with theforting hum of domestic activities.


    Anlise was busy preparing a meal, the aroma wafting through the air and adding to the homey feel.


    Suddenly, Meralda''s attention was drawn to a familiar energy, and she swiftly flew up, disrupting the game and diverting everyone''s attention. Louise, innocent curiosity etched across her face, inquired, "Meralda?"


    Aria, who had been observing the chess match from the corner, also turned her gaze toward Meralda.


    An anticipatory energy hung in the air as they awaited Meralda''s response.


    "Master... He''s back," Meralda announced, a spark of excitement in her voice. The news quickly rippled through the room, eliciting joy and enthusiasm from all the upants.


    There was only one-man Meralda referred to as "master," and he was the focal point of affection for each of the women present.


    Without exchanging words with anyone, Aria gracefully rose from her seat and left the room.


    Her departure left the three remainingdies—Louise, Meralda, and Anlise—behind. Louise, caught off guard, tried to protest even though she knew it was an impossible request.


    "H-hey, wait, let mee—" but her plea was cut short as the door closed, leaving her words unheard.