I Was a Loner, but My Class Got Summoned to Another World…

"Oh? What for?" Logan asked, standing cautiously by the door, unwilling to get too close to the blood crystal that seemed capable of turning him into a vampire.

"There… I'm done here," Serana said, finishing her meditation and rising to her feet.

"I really need blood, Logan. I've been relying on the crystal to nourish me, but I won't take blood from another person…" she admitted, her crimson moon-like eyes locking onto his. Unlike Rubina's fiery glint, Serana's gaze was darker, like the essence of blood itself.

"I understand. How about we leave this room first?" Logan suggested, stepping back as the crystal, no longer drained of its mana, began to radiate powerful pulses. The energy made his blood feel as though it were being pulled from his veins.

"Sorry, I forgot it reacts differently for others," Serana said, attempting to stand but nearly collapsing.

Logan didn't hesitate. He rushed forward, scooping her up and pulling her out of the room as quickly as possible.

"What are you thinking, Serana?" Logan asked, feeling her hunger through their connection.

"I don't need anyone else's blood…" she huffed, her voice strained.

"Don't be like that. You need at least a few drops from someone else," Logan said firmly. Without waiting for her protest, he quickly cut his finger and placed it against her lips.

Serana latched on, her strength returning with each drop of his blood. Logan could feel her hunger subsiding as her eyes began to glow, their crimson hue intensifying with renewed vitality.

"You good now?" Logan asked, waiting a few more seconds to ensure she had her fill.

"Yes, much better… a lot better. Sorry, I wasn't thinking straight," Serana said softly, licking the remnants of blood from his finger.

"It's just that unless I get the blood of a hero, it won't suffice. And I don't want things to get... complicated with those I know. I held back as much as I could until my mind nearly went crazy," Serana admitted, her voice tinged with frustration.

"Didn't you have any more in storage?" Logan asked, puzzled as to why her reserves hadn't lasted as planned.

"I did, but with the creation of my minion, I had to use more than I anticipated. After that, it all went downhill. And like I said, I won't drink from others—only creatures," Serana replied, licking her lips as if the thought alone stirred her hunger.

"And what will you do if you start turning on your friends because of that choice…" Logan flicked her forehead.

"Now then, let's begin with our day. I need to know what you were up to while I wasn't here and why you're not sleeping at this hour." Logan pulled her up, now that she had regained her strength.

"I had to use the crystal's power to stay strong. I didn't even warn Silvia since it would have put her in danger. Thankfully it didn't come to that, thanks to your arrival. Now, I guess we should hurry—I know your time is precious. I've made one of the bats my minion, just like those I turn into. We can swap places, even from a greater distance. It would be great if you could take it along with you when you go looking for beasts, so I can always be with you," Serana explained, summoning her minion.

"This is it. She's small now but can also grow large depending on how much power she chooses to use," Serana said as a tiny bat clung to her finger.

"And, of course, she needs blood," Serana added, handing the bat to Logan.

Logan studied the five-centimeter creature with fascination. Despite its size, he could sense the pulse of blood magic emanating from it.

He opened his wound again, letting his blood drip into the bat's mouth. It hung from Logan's index finger, eagerly drinking the drops as they fell.

"Just how much does it drink? I know it can get bigger, but it's hard for me, especially after just giving you blood," Logan said, placing his storage ring to his mouth to sip mana water, replenishing his strength.

The minion, now sated with his blood, flew off his finger. As it soared, its body began to grow in size before gliding effortlessly out of the cave.

"Where did it go?" Logan asked, puzzled by its sudden departure.

"It wasn't enough blood," Serana explained calmly. "It's likely gone hunting. Thankfully, with your blood, it can resist the sun for a little while by using its power."

"That is good to hear. How about the other minions—where are they now?" Logan asked, wondering why they weren't present.

"They're sleeping. They should be out and about after sunset," Serana replied.

"Guess we can enjoy a bit of time together then. Have you noticed any demons around? Since I took Zephyr, only the bats have been here to check for demons. I wonder if they've seen anything like what we saw in the northern kingdom happen here," Logan said, walking toward what seemed like a resting area in the lab.

"No, they haven't seen anything so far, but they keep watch every night to see if anything changes. What they did find, though, is that monsters are drawn to the energy from the crystals. It might be helpful in the future if you tame a leader from each species," Serana said, sitting next to Logan, who had found a comfortable long sofa in the room.

"I'll have to get stronger first. I only have enough mana for another monarch so far, and it will probably be either an ent or a thunderbird, which we're going to try taming next," Logan said, pausing for a few seconds before pulling Serana closer.

"Serana, thank you for helping me and understanding my situation so far," Logan said, pulling her in for a kiss.

"We can't really do much more due to time, but we can at least enjoy this much, right?" Logan smiled, kissing her again while holding her close.