I Want to Break Free from the Vampire’s Blood Bag

Conditions

Late at night, at the Quarter-class dormitory.

I am sitting on a bed next to an unidentified girl…

“First, one question. How much do you know about vampire’s vassals?”

“Well…”

Vampire’s vassals…

I haven’t really thought about vassals since they were transferred at Arein’s coming-of-age ceremony.

Could there perhaps be a separate explanation in the status window?

As I focused my mind, a familiar sound effect rang out.

-Ding.

[Active Debuff]
[Vampire’s Vassal : Caster : Arein S. Asphodel]

But that’s all there is. There’s nothing more to know.

“Then I’ll explain about vassals first. You know that demons expand their influence through vassals, right?”

Of course I know. I’ve been around the demon world for 10 years. Though I haven’t been to their capital Pandemonium, I know the geography of the Asphodel family territory like the back of my hand.

Unlike humans who buy people with economic power, establish hierarchies through family names or positions, or expand influence through religion, demons expand their authority through absolute power.

Becoming a vassal has many significant implications.

Simply belonging to that family guarantees a certain level of identity and safety, and since vassals can receive mana support from their lord, they can become stronger.

I’ve heard that unremarkable demons sometimes line up to catch the eye of powerful demons.

However, there is one major drawback to being a vassal.

That is having to comply with the absolute commands of their lord.

-Boing!

Isabella began explaining while bouncing on the bed.

It varies by demon. While some masters can control their subordinates’ power well, others can’t. The number of absolute commands they can use per day and the conditions for use are also completely different for each.

-Rolling around.

And before I knew it, she was rolling around on my bed.

“Hmm, so this is what a Quarter-class bed is like? Pretty cheap.”

“Then how can the subordinate bond be released…?”

When I asked about the core issue, Isabella shouted while sitting on the bed.

“Don’t rush! If you keep hurrying, I won’t tell you.”

Such a bouncy personality. Seeing how she explains about subordinates, she’s definitely Duke Izanek’s daughter.

I want to give her a smack on the head, but she could potentially become my absolute benefactor.

I steadied my breath and spoke slowly.

“Then please tell me slowly.”

“Ask me nicely.”

“Please tell me. I beg you.”

When I spoke seriously, she giggled and rolled around on the bed.

“Well, actually I came to make a deal.”

“What? A deal?”

“Why are you surprised? Did you think I’d just release you and disappear with a poof?”

“Well, that’s true.”

This is confusing. So what do you want, kid!

“Ugh.”

She took a bite of my cabbage and made a sour face as if it didn’t taste good.

‘Tomorrow morning…’

Of course, I didn’t think that breaking a familiar bond would be something a third party could easily do just like that.

After all, it’s the familiar bond that’s been binding me tightly since Arein’s coming-of-age ceremony. It’s not something that can be done quickly.

She cleared her throat and began speaking again.

“Ahem. Since ancient times, our family has built power through business. But seeing your reaction, I kind of want to tease you? When you want something so desperately, you can’t negotiate as equals.”

“……”

The little girl is right. If it’s a deal, then Isabella must also want something from me.

If I show a submissive attitude, it won’t be a profitable transaction.

“Don’t make such a dejected face!”

She grabs both of my cheeks and stretches them.

“Okaaay…”

Though there wasn’t much change in my expression. She’s certainly sharp-witted, befitting a businessman’s daughter.

“Then what do you want to trade with? As you can see, I’m quarter-class, so I don’t have money.”

“That’s fine. You’re famous at Lachesis Academy, aren’t you? The only human servant of demons. There’s something that someone like you needs to do.”

“Something I need to do……”

“You, I heard you applied for a duel to skip a grade?”

“Ah, that was somehow forced on me this morning. But how did you…”

To think she already knew about news from just this morning.

“Gathering information is essential, you see. Ahem.”

This kid who shrugs and clears their throat is annoyingly peculiar.

At least they have some cute aspects, which is fortunate. I’d really rather not have a classmate like this.

“Yes, yes. How impressive.”

Isabella, seemingly hurt by my indifferent tone, grabs and tugs at my sleeve.

“Eek! Are you going to keep looking suspicious? I promise. If you just agree to my request, I’ll free you from being a subordinate.”

And she continued, sitting on my thigh.

“The bald mister was angry, wasn’t he? I wonder how you managed to sweet-talk him. At this point, we could probably expand the scale.”

The bald mister she’s referring to must be the temporary instructor Daim Patrick. But what does she mean by expanding the scale?

“A grade-level duel doesn’t necessarily have to be with the third class, right?”

Her skillful way of revealing her cards makes me feel like I’m being drawn into a swamp without realizing it.

What is she trying to say? Does she want to fight me?

“No way…”

“Yes. Let’s fight.”

“What???”

The small and cute princess was pointing at me, challenging me to a duel.

* * *

-Pachik!

After that night’s secret agreement, I can’t concentrate on classes at all.

Already two days later, today is the day of Arein’s basic magic practice lecture.

I’m following Arein around like a golf caddie.

‘Rise up!’
‘Burn up!’

The students cast their various spells.

In this crappy game, magic requires three elements – spell formula, mana, and a medium – but there’s one woman who casually ignores these requirements.

That would be my master. Arein casts lower-circle magic without incantations, doing so with just a snap of her fingers.

‘Snap!’

Since she was an unprecedented genius even among demon-kind, it was natural that she became the center of attention at the academy.

‘Look at that. She must have made a contract with a devil.’
‘Hey! She might hear you.’

These are the jealous ones.

‘Look at her casting magic with one hand. So cool.’
‘Is she more seductive because she’s demon-kind?’

And then there are these half-crazy cheerful guys who rather enjoy Arein’s appearance.

Anyway, what should I do? I hastily accepted Isabella’s promise.

‘Potion.’

‘……’

Yesterday, Isabella challenged me to a duel that would allow skipping a grade.

And there was an additional requirement. That was…

‘Lee Ha-yu?’

‘Ah, yes.’

Arein wanted me to open the potion bottle and hand it to her.

As befitting a Royal Class, she uses potions instead of taking breaks for mana recharge.

As I put down the journals I was holding in both hands, Arein came closer, seemingly frustrated.

‘Don’t tell me she’s going to bite again…?!’

My eyes squeeze shut.

“It’s fine… I’ll do it.”

Arein took out a potion from my belt on her own.

-Pop.

-Gulp. Gulp.

And she drank the potion with satisfaction.

A drop of sweat trickles down her nape. I hurriedly wiped it off while thinking.

‘Looks delicious.’

This is serious. Now even the potion looks appetizing.

As I stared for a while, she asked me.

“Do you want some?”

“I’m fine.”

Isabella is a Royal Class. If I were to face her one-on-one, it’s natural that I would lose.

But this wasn’t simply the condition she demanded.

She wanted Arein and me to come to the duel together.

And Isabella also brought her servant to propose a 2:2 cooperative battle.

I don’t know why she set this as a condition, and I’m not sure if it will happen.

Well, since I promised about terminating the contract as a servant.

For me, the only key issue is how to persuade Arein.

‘For now, I should try to stay on her good side.’

At this point, the best I can do is wag my tail a bit and casually make the suggestion when the opportunity arises.

Somehow she seems less picky than usual, even though she doesn’t look to be in a good mood.

“After this… we’ll have a meal. Get ready.”

“Food?”

“We agreed to do it once a week, didn’t we? If you don’t want to, just say so.”

“How could I not want to?”

That thing I rarely get a chance at – food.

Come to think of it, she fed on my blood yesterday during magic lessons, so it is about time for me to eat.

.

.

.

* * *

A place I’ve never set foot in since coming here – Lachesis Central Dining Hall.

‘Finally getting to visit this place. *inhales deeply*’

As soon as I entered, I took in the scent to my heart’s content.

Soon, I’ll be able to savor these smells with my mouth.

The dining hall interior had clear glass walls showing the surrounding scenery, with various menu items prepared for dining.

Since it wasn’t expensive, many people regardless of their class were dining there.

Among them, pink hair caught my eye. It was Floria dining with her fellow students.

She was laughing and chatting happily. She seemed to be doing well.

!!

For a moment, our eyes met as Floria looked toward the entrance.

‘Oh… dear.’

Reading her lips, it seemed she was calling my name.

She put down her utensils and ran over to me.

‘Ha-yu! Are you feeling alright?!’

‘Yes.’

With Arein present, I felt self-conscious and chose to give a short answer.

‘Did you take your medicine?’

‘…Yes.’

Actually, I hadn’t taken it.

‘I’m so glad. You look well. I’m really relieved.’

‘It seems you’re doing well too, Floria.’

‘Hehehe.’

-Ding.

[Gained 1 point of Patience in Seven Virtues toward Floria Endelson]

‘Huh?’

It’s been a while since I’ve seen the Seven Deadly Sins status window.

But I wonder if there’s really a need to collect them from Floria.

‘What has she been enduring…’

I could see dark circles under her eyes that even makeup couldn’t hide.

Has she been enduring guilt about me since that day?

‘Ha-yu! Since we met, shall we have a meal together…’

She pulled my hand with a faint smile.

‘Ah, well…’

That’s when the coldest words I’d ever heard came from Arein’s mouth.

‘…Let go.’

‘Pardon…?’

Floria’s voice was trembling.

Arein let out a deep sigh as if annoyed.

‘Huu……’

‘……’

‘Didn’t you hear me? I said let go of Ha-yu.’

[Gained 5 points in Seven Deadly Sins: Envy from ‘Arein S. Asphodel’]

5 points.

The last time I gained 5 points in Envy was at Arein’s mansion, in my room, the day before the Academy.

I had gained those 5 points then through some inexplicable way.

Could it be that jealousy… was that kind of jealousy?