The news broadcast flickered across the screen, its cold, sterile voice delivering grim tidings.
"Breaking news: A catastrophic event has left Northern Shinjuku in ruins. The destruction was unprecedented, leveling nearly a quarter of the city. Initial reports estimate over 309 confirmed deaths, with more than 400 critically injured. The government has issued an immediate lockdown—businesses and organizations will remain shut for the next week as investigations continue. Stay tuned for further updates."
The broadcast cut to grainy CCTV footage, distorted by static. For a fraction of a second, two figures blurred across the screen, locked in a battle so intense that shockwaves ruptured the streets, buildings crumbled, and the very air seemed to vibrate with raw energy. Then, the camera fizzled out into darkness.
A chill crept into the room.
Masaru sat still, staring at the television. His mind was racing.
"A battle between two supernatural beings… Was it possible for two people to cause this much destruction?"
He clenched his fists. No—this level of power was absurd. If he ever hoped to survive in this world, he needed to grow stronger. Much stronger.
A memory struck him suddenly.
"The old man..."
His eyes widened. His mentor's restaurant had been located in that very region. He hadn't visited in a week. Was he… safe? Or had he been among the casualties?
"Damn it…!"
The air in the room felt heavier.
"Things are starting to get intense in Shinjuku." Akane's voice broke the silence. She turned toward him, her crimson eyes filled with expectation. "You should focus on getting stronger. At least you've shown enough potential to master two Blood Arts in just forty-eight hours. That's impressive."
Masaru barely heard her, his thoughts still lingering on the devastation outside.
Then, Akane smirked. "I'll reward you with my blood."
He stiffened.
Her blood?
Akane's face turned slightly flushed as she leaned forward. "Since you are my Knight, by feeding on my blood, your growth will accelerate. Within a week, you could reach the level of a Low-Ranking Vampire."
Masaru swallowed hard.
Blood.
It wasn't the first time he had tasted it, but this time, he would consciously be feeding. The thought sent a strange sensation through his body—an odd mix of anxiety and anticipation.
Akane moved closer, her hands sliding over her shoulders as she gently pulled down her robe. However she had anything in mind, would she survive?"
Ever since she was a child, she had been prophecied to be the reincarnation of the vampire queen, Selene! her blood was too potent and anybody who had tried to be her knight ended up dying after sucking her blood, for some reasons she had fate that he would survive, maybe because her blood was already on him or because fate had also chosen him to carry out the will of Dracula.
Her skin was pale and flawless, smooth like polished jade. The way the dim light reflected off her collarbone made his breath hitch. His fingers twitched as an instinctive hunger awakened within him.
His fangs extended.
He hadn't even realized it, but the mere scent of her was enough to trigger his urges.
Akane tilted her head, exposing the side of her neck.
Her heartbeat was steady. She wasn't afraid. If anything, she seemed... prepared.
A part of him hesitated. Would he hurt her?
But the look in her crimson eyes told him not to hold back.
He wrapped his arms around her waist, feeling the warmth of her body. The moment his breath brushed against her neck, he felt something primal stir within him.
An urge.
A craving that was impossible to ignore.
He bit down.
The moment her blood entered his mouth, his world exploded.
A divine taste.
No—something beyond divinity.
It was as if he had been falling from the heavens, engulfed in an ecstasy that set his veins ablaze. His vision blurred as raw, unfiltered power surged through him. Every fiber of his being felt like it was on fire, melting away and reforming into something new.
His grip on Akane tightened as he pulled her closer, instinctively wanting more.
Her moan of pain snapped him back to reality.
His body tensed. What had he done?
He pulled away instantly, his lips stained with crimson. His heart pounded as he saw her expression—her face was flushed, but her eyes held nothing but relief.
"I… I'm sorry," Masaru whispered, guilt sinking into his chest.
She smiled weakly. "It's not about that."
Before he could respond, she leaned forward and kissed him.
A deep, passionate kiss.
His mind blanked.
The taste of her blood still lingered on his tongue, and her lips only intensified the sensation. His body reacted instinctively. His hands roamed over her, sliding over her waist, pulling her closer. Their kiss deepened, tongues intertwining as heat pooled in his gut.
Something inside him snapped.
His fingers moved on their own, undoing the buttons of her shirt.
Akane gasped softly as his hands found their way to her chest, caressing the curves of her body.
She moaned.
Everything became a blur of heat and hunger.
But just as they were about to lose themselves entirely—
A golden seal on their hands burned brightly.
A sudden pulse of energy erupted between them, forcing them apart.
The golden glow shifted—then turned red.
Before Masaru could react, a wave of exhaustion crashed into him.
The world faded to black.
The Next Morning
Masaru's eyes fluttered open.
The first thing he noticed was the soft warmth beside him.
Akane was still asleep.
Her face looked completely at peace, her lips slightly parted as her chest rose and fell steadily.
Then—
"Wait."
Masaru's entire body stiffened.
The memories of last night flooded in.
His face turned red.
His hands flew to his hair as he internally screamed.
"What the hell?! What the hell?! What the hell?!"
He had no control over himself last night. He had bitten Akane, kissed her, touched her—
A sudden cough caught his attention.
"I was wondering how long you'd keep staring," Akane's voice rang out teasingly.
Masaru froze.
He turned his head slowly, only to find Akane smirking at him.
The expression on her face was... different. She wasn't the cold, intimidating vampire she had been weeks ago. This version of her was soft, playful… seductive.
It stirred something deep within him.
He quickly looked away.
"Congratulations," she said suddenly.
Masaru blinked. "On what?"
Akane sat up, stretching lazily. "You've grown stronger. Much stronger. In an unpredictable way."
Masaru furrowed his brows. "What do you mean?"
She turned to him with a mischievous grin.
"You're no longer my Vampire Knight."
He frowned. "What?"
"You're a Vampire Sage now."
Masaru blinked in shock.
"...A what?!"
Akane giggled. "Your transformation accelerated beyond expectations. You're still technically a servant, but you've reached the level of a Vampire Sage. That's a huge leap."
Masaru processed this for a moment.
Then, a smirk played on his lips. "If I'm a Sage, then with my current strength, I can probably break that Ethercryst thingy with ease."
Akane's expression darkened slightly.
"Don't get ahead of yourself," she warned. "You've grown, but you're still far from reaching the real battle stage. Your next goal is to become a Low-Ranking Vampire."
Masaru stretched his arms behind his head. "Yeah, yeah… I get it."
Akane's eyes gleamed.
"Good," she said sweetly.
Masaru suddenly felt a chill run down his spine.
"Because today," Akane continued, cracking her knuckles, "we're going to see if you can last at least five seconds against me in combat."
Masaru's expression dropped.
"Oh, shit."