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

Fire

……

When Arein maintained her silence, quietness returned to this place.

-Zzzzzz.

“Arein. What do you think of this class?”

……

“If you don’t want to make this into a big issue, you’d better listen to me.”

-Whirrr.

The pure white aura vibrates. Eliana is certainly no ordinary knight.

-Rustle. Rustle.

Along with an unpleasant sound, the vampire familiar’s killing intent moves toward Eliana.

Consequently, the familiar’s power exerted on me gradually weakens.

“If we fight here, we’ll definitely be expelled.”

-……

Their battle of wills continued for a while. I can feel the surrounding mana slowly gathering between these two.

-Rustle.

And I was completely liberated.

“Huff. Hah! I’m… alive.”

-Whoosh.

Eliana threw the torch she brought to light the firewood.

“Cough. Cough.”

Foam-mixed saliva flows out.

‘This familiar is like a dog, really. This is shit.’

This was the most dangerous situation so far. It feels unreal, like I was on the brink of death.

-Clank.

When I couldn’t gather my senses due to the remaining pain, Eliana helped me stand up.

“Are you alright?”

“Huff… Yes, more or less.”

……

Arein sat in her place with her head bowed.

‘That’s somewhat fortunate.’

The worst-case scenario didn’t happen.

Forget about me crossing the Jordan River, if these two were to fight, it would be catastrophic.

A fight between the Serius and Asphodel families. It wouldn’t end easily.

-Whirrr.

The powerful mana that had gathered around here had already disappeared.

“Though I don’t have a habit of eavesdropping, I heard most of the conversation. It doesn’t seem like a harmonious master-servant relationship.”

Last time too, she said she doesn’t have a habit of eavesdropping but heard everything.

It seems explaining this will be quite troublesome.

-Swoosh.

Eliana spoke while sheathing her sword after observing my condition.

“We should report this matter to the higher-ups.”

Report? I’m going to get blamed for this again.

“…No. I don’t think we need to make this into a bigger issue.”

Though I answered, Eliana looked at Arein suspiciously.

“Ha-yu… it’s okay. You can be honest now.”

She spoke while looking back and forth between Arein and me.

“Come this way first. We’ll talk after that.”

Just like when we first met, Eliana was extending her hand to me.

And with a benevolent smile too. As if reaching out with a helping hand.

Of course, I can’t take it. The power of being a familiar is more certain than any verbal alliance with humans.

“If you’re being exploited…”

“Lee Ha-yu.”

Then, cutting off Eliana’s words, a voice pierces my ears. It’s Arein’s voice.

“Yes.”

I respond reflexively.

“Come here.”

This is driving me crazy.

Perhaps because his head is lowered, I can’t see Arein’s expression clearly.

-Trudge.

As I mindlessly took a step toward Arein,

“I cannot allow this.”

Eliana stopped me.

It makes sense. She just saved someone who was about to die. Sending them back to the perpetrator is absurd.

“I am the teaching assistant for this class. I at least have the right to protect the students.”

Like a shrimp caught between fighting whales. What am I supposed to do now?

“Lee Ha-yu.”

Arein calls my name again.

And it became a cycle of me trying to go and Eliana stopping me.

“You’re human. Not a demon.”

I know I’m human, but I’m also a demon’s familiar. No one can understand this position.

In the end, the familiar’s power is directly linked to my life. It’s a choice with a predetermined answer.

As I got closer to Arein, Eliana spoke hesitantly.

“…I’ll take responsibility for you.”

“?!”

“I’ll… make you my familiar. So, come this way without worrying about consequences.”

She turned her gaze away as if embarrassed.

Excuse me?

Her pure white hair swayed.

This is clearly an impulsive decision.

A statement perfect for going against Arein’s wishes.

‘Ha-yu.’

‘Don’t go.’

‘Ha-yu.’

‘You can’t.’

My mind is in chaos. Everything’s mixed up. I’m dizzy. I can’t hear the sounds around me. All I can see is Arein’s lips.

Repeatedly mouthing the three syllables: Ha-yu.

‘I…!’

I don’t want to go where I’m told or come when I’m called. Why are they so desperate to control me?

Will I ever, ever be able to escape this endless frustration?

I want to scream that I’m not an object, but the words won’t leave my mouth.

I confirmed Arein’s true feelings earlier. Now it’s really over.

She has no intention of letting me go. She probably plans to use me as a blood bag forever.

So, wouldn’t it be okay for me to be a little selfish too?

Isabella’s duel. I just need to pretend I don’t know about it.

Until right before the duel, I just need to comply with Arein a little.

*Step*

I moved toward her slowly. Now I’m confused whether it’s the power of being a familiar or my own will.

I just want to break the familiar bond. That’s all.

As we got closer, she raised her head. Her already pale face had become even more colorless.

And the moment our eyes met,

‘……’

She showed a faint smile.

*Thud*

And very lightly, Arein’s body collapsed.

She had fallen.

‘…My… lady?’

‘Arein?!’

.

.

.

*****

.

.

.

Royal Class Arein’s dormitory room.

She lies unconscious on the bed. Her expression had become more stable after the priest’s visit.

‘Since she’s been overusing magic recently…’

‘She should be fine after getting some good rest.’

According to the priest, it was caused by accumulated fatigue and stress.

I thought she might be worse than me, but she’s quite particular.

It seems to be because she’s changed sleeping quarters and has to be mindful of others’ gazes as the academy’s only demon race.

On top of that, she used her familiar forcefully, which might have been too much for Arein, who is still an incomplete demon.

‘Of all times, why did you have to collapse then.’

After hearing Arein’s true feelings, I had definitely decided to draw her into a duel.

It may be selfish, but I can’t live trapped by the Asphodel family forever.

-Crumple.

The note in my pocket crumples.

Iris, I hadn’t seen her in the supply room. That was enough.

That’s what I decided. I just, by Harold…

“She’s definitely overworked.”

Eliana said, looking at Arein’s office.

As she said, the desk was piled with numerous books of all kinds.

Additionally, many letters were scattered about in disarray.

While most would be from students, there were also a few bearing the family seal.

Perhaps one of the causes was trying to maintain top grades while cutting back on sleep.

The Royal Class is a gathering of geniuses. It must be straining to maintain the top position there.

“Your Holiness, please check this person as well.”

At Eliana’s request, the priest examined me too before leaving.

Fortunately or unfortunately, there was nothing wrong with my body.

…

…

…

“Mmm……”

And not long after, Arein opened her eyes.

Agnel, her supervising professor, checked her condition and spoke.

“…Are you alright? I think we should contact the Asphodel family…”

“…That won’t be necessary.”

Arein firmly refused.

Of course, it’s standard procedure to notify guardians when someone is sick, but if the Asphodel family finds out about this, they might come rushing to the academy and cause a commotion.

She’s the only demon exchange student. It’s bound to be sensitive.

“I think… I’ll be fine with some rest.”

Agnel looked at Arein with concern before turning to me.

“You’re Lee Ha-yu, correct?”

“…Yes.”

“Checking on your master’s condition is also a servant’s duty. Haven’t you noticed any signs recently?”

I thought I just had to do the blood-drinking well. From an outsider’s perspective who doesn’t know the circumstances, it’s my fault.

“I’m sorry. I’ll be more mindful.”

“I heard that Lee Ha-yu is first in the night watch rotation.”

“Yes.”

“Your master seems to have a lot of interest in you.”

“I’m ashamed.”

This has completely become my fault. I guess I should just accept my terribly twisted fate.

Agnel let out a small sigh and carefully spoke in a worried tone.

“Sigh. I heard about the duel too. I heard it’s scheduled for next week. As a leader, I’m concerned.”

“Ah… about that.”

So it will be cancelled after all.

“It’s alright, Professor.”

When I hesitated to answer, Arein answered instead.

…Is Arein planning to proceed with this duel no matter what? Perhaps even more than me.

At her response, Agnel’s voice became slightly stern.

“We’ll monitor the situation. If it seems unfeasible, I’ll discuss with Instructor Daim about canceling it using my authority. A duel is… not child’s play. This is the first time for a cooperative duel from the magician’s side, and many eyes are watching.”

“Yes.”

This is becoming bigger than I expected. It must have been somewhat troublesome for the Academy as well.

“For now, get plenty of rest today. Eliana, report on the progress later.”

“Yes, Professor.”

After Agnel left the room, Eliana approached me with a worried look.

“Lee Ha-yu…”

I answered with a smile.

“No, it’s my fault this time too.”

At my apology, Eliana made a very troubled expression.

“What fault could you possibly have…!”

Then Arein coldly commanded.

“Get out.”

-……

The conversation stopped at her single word.

I immediately headed toward the door.

“Yes. Get some rest.”

The anger that had clearly built up in Arein remains unresolved.

Still, the stakes of the duel are a matter of life and death.

Although I just had my life threatened, I didn’t want to direct a hateful gaze at someone who was hurt.

‘Surely… they won’t fight when left alone, Eliana and… Never mind. Who am I to worry.’

Even I think I’m too soft.

-Click.

“Not you.”

As I opened the door, Arein’s words struck the back of my head.

-Pause.

If not me, was she telling the vice president and senior student Eliana to leave?

Eliana spoke while watching Arein getting up from the bed.

“…Arein. How informal.”

She was pretending to maintain a calm voice.

Arein, seemingly having regained some strength, shot back,

“I think it’s more discourteous for a knight to only want to communicate with their sword.”

Once again, sparks flew between the two.

‘Oh boy.’

The calm before the storm.

-Swoosh.

Fortunately, Eliana held out a paper instead of speaking.

“These are Professor Agnel’s instructions to check and report on the condition every 30 minutes. I’ll be back in 30 minutes.”

“……”

Arein frowned as if annoyed.

Eliana approached me by the door and whispered.

“Lee Ha-yu. If anything happens, signal…”

“Don’t speak to my servant, just leave.”

At Arein’s blunt statement, Eliana shook her head and said to me.

“30 minutes, I’ll come to check every 30 minutes.”

[‘Arein S. Asphodel’ gains 2 points in the Seven Deadly Sins: Pride.]

She left after emphasizing the ’30 minutes’ several times.

“Lee Ha-yu.”

Sigh. How many times is she going to call me today?

“Yes.”

“Are you sulking because you got on the professor’s bad side?”

Crazy. Am I a child? As if I’d sulk over that. I almost died.

“No. In the future, I would appreciate if you could let me know in advance when you’re feeling unwell.”

“In the future? In the future…”

She keeps muttering ‘in the future’ as if she likes how it sounds.

Then she smiled at me and asked.

“Were you… worried?”

An innocent, shy smile as if she knew nothing.

‘Hah.’

She seems to have forgotten about almost killing me while being possessed by the familiar.

Should I mention it or not?

“Because I’m your servant.”

“No, not as a servant.”

…What kind of answer does she want? This is annoying.

“Well, I suppose so.”

Arein slightly lifted her blanket instead of answering.

“As I thought…”

“Pardon?”

She keeps talking to herself. Then she snaps a command at me.

“That’s enough. I’m hungry.”

It’s very late, but the Academy has everything. Take-out food should be possible.

“I’ll bring you a meal. Please wait a moment.”

“No, come here.”

What?

Before I knew it, Arein was sitting on the bed. With her legs crossed, no less.

“Take it off. I’ll finish within 30 minutes.”

“……”

Damn. This is rather infuriating.