Blood 31 Hidoin

"U... ggh!"

Clutching my mouth in panic during class, overcome by nausea.

Ever since I've been vomiting frequently lately, I was even muttered "Gero-in" by my master—just a moment ago.

I don't want to be called by such an undignified name.

"Sophia, again?"

My vision blurred as the face of Prince Wald, suddenly appearing inches from mine, filled my field of view.

That was my limit.

I lay on a cot in the infirmary.

Since being scolded by Melazofis, I've been visiting the infirmary repeatedly.

Not due to physical illness—entirely a mental condition.

It's unbearable to face any of the boys I've used enchantment on, starting with Wald.

I could no longer tell which side to lower. Once they had been nothing but sustenance—natural, unthinking. Now that I recognized them as proper humans, it was over.

I’ve never had a normal conversation with another person, not even a single one.

Not with a man.

I know I’ve already crossed the line, but I can’t help it.

Back then, I saw them as objects only.

I didn’t recognize them as beings.

I enchanted them. Brainwashed them. Treated them as things.

Even I admit—this is the lowest.

Since I realized this, I’ve avoided them completely.

The enchantment skill included in vampire abilities isn’t as strong as standalone enchantment skills.

I had complete control over them only because of the status gap.

But now that I’ve stopped enchanting them and put distance between us, they should have regained their senses.

Several had already distanced themselves from me.

Yes, several.

Unfortunately, some remain engaged despite the enchantment's dissolution.

Wald is among them.

I do not know their intent, but proximity alone now causes me mental strain. I wish they would cease.

This was beginning to stabilize—symptoms subsiding—when my master dropped a bombshell.

What is this? World's end? Preventing it?

How am I supposed to respond to something like that out of nowhere?

I am preoccupied with my own concerns. Then, suddenly, a far greater crisis is revealed. What am I supposed to do?

I do have reservations about the Divine Word Church.

Had there been no war with the Divine Word Church, my parents might not have died.

But if asked whether that would have been better— I cannot answer immediately.

Words from Melazophis resurface.

And I begin to question myself.

Am I now someone my parents could be proud of?

The answer is no.

To those who were once human, my existence as a vampire would never be acceptable.

Then, if the war had never occurred, and I had lived with my parents—what would I have become?

Could I have lived among humans, concealing my nature as a vampire?

I do not know.

It is merely a hypothetical. My limited imagination cannot conjure even a fragment of such a scenario.

In the end, I can only arrive at the truth of myself as a vampire.

The fact that I am a vampire cannot be changed.

It cannot be denied.

I am helplessly a vampire now, and somewhere within me, I have accepted this.

To ask plainly—would I return to humanity now, if I could? I would not agree.

If the system ceases to exist, my skills will be lost.

At that moment, my vampire skills would vanish.

So, I’d cease being a vampire?

Just become ordinary—human?

No.

That wouldn’t be me anymore.

I am a vampire. There is no me without being a vampire.

But if I don’t destroy the system, this world will end.

If the world ends, there is only death.

Death or losing my vampire nature.

There’s no choice here.

What am I supposed to do?

Sleep-deprived, my mind grows hazy.

Even with Stun Resistance, there is a limit.

The pain is nullified, so poor health is ignored—but blood is mixed in every vomit. A hole in my stomach is certain.

I’m honestly terrible at this.

Ah… I want to drink blood.

I haven’t had a single drop since then.

As the True Ancestor, I do not die without blood, nor do my stats decline.

But it is a matter of condition.

Abstaining from blood is akin to a human living solely on nutritional supplements.

One can survive, but the experience lacks vitality.

Even without stat impact, not drinking blood causes irritation and restlessness.

“How are you feeling?”

I notice, for the first time, someone standing beside the bed.

Even if unwell, this is overly careless.

“I’m fine.”

I reply, maintaining composure.

Looking up, I see Wald’s figure, as expected.

“Don’t lie. Saying that while looking this pale won’t convince me.”

Wald leans in, examining my face.

He places both hands on the bed, as if blocking my escape.

“What are you trying to do?”

"Want to drink blood, don’t you?"

My reaction was involuntary.

I had been thinking about it just moments ago.

Wald, his enchantment broken, seemed to sense my true nature.

Gulp. My throat tightened.

The boy before me looked like a sweet, delicious fruit.

My heightened senses picked up the scent of his sweat, the slight rise in body heat, the rapid pulse.

Even without the enchantment, Wald still seemed lost in me.

"I’d give you everything."

Those words burned through my reason.

"I’ve gone too far."

I couldn’t return to the dorm. I had left the academy and come straight to my master’s residence.

"I feel light-hearted."

Wald smiled, nodding.

His mouth revealed long canine teeth.

Yes, I did it.

I got carried away and sucked too much.

Being fed on by a vampire turns you into a vampire.

But merely being fed on does not make you a vampire.

To become a vampire, one must either be fed upon by a vampire who desires you as a subordinate, or be drained of a lethal quantity of blood and die.

This time, I hadn’t fed in a while, and I overindulged.

As a result, Wald is now a proper vampire.

“You’re a noble’s son! Turning into a vampire—this is nothing but a problem!”

Why did I have to pile another problem on top of this already chaotic situation?!

Ugh, what even is this!?

What should I do!?

“Quiet.”

I writhed in agony—then was kicked by my master.

I want to cry.