I stood in front of the mirror, my reflection staring back at me, sharp edges softened under the dim light of the room. The suit felt strange against my skin, even compared to the academy’s uniform. It was too stiff, too formal, I didn’t like that.

I adjusted the cufflink of my left hand with my Phantom Hand, watching the shimmering false flesh do the work. Once I was done, I turned off my Phantom Hand. My clothes went flat around my arm. Nobody, even Solara and Nebula, knew of this yet, and I planned to reveal it soon. But I decided to keep it a secret until the party ended.

Perhaps, if things went wrong and we were attacked tonight, they’d underestimate me for lacking a hand, and that single point might as well earn me victory when I do bring out my hand.

Lilian walked over then, her fingers brushing mine aside, mumbling under her breath as she began to work. "I still don’t get why you have to go this far just for a party you plan on leaving right afterward," she muttered, shaking her head.

I could only offer a small smile. I knew why. She knew why. But none of it changed how this whole thing felt, so she asked anyway. It felt like a time bomb ticking away. I could feel it in the pit of my stomach, a gnawing sense of unease that wouldn’t let up. The party was a trap, and I was walking right into it. It wasn't bravery—it was a necessity. And that didn't make it feel any less dangerous.

Lilian moved around me, adjusting the folds of my suit and straightening the collar. Her fingers brushed against my skin, lingering for a fraction longer than necessary. I caught her gaze in the mirror—her eyes meeting mine, the worry there so plain it almost hurt to see. I didn’t like that. She never worried for me before the Holy Knight incident, for she thought I was invincible. But now she was acting like this.

Even after that, she usually kept this sort of thing hidden. But now, it was all out in the open. “I don’t like this," she said, her voice quieter now. "The fact that they’re not allowing maids. You’ll be alone without me to watch your back.”

“Yeah.”

“That Trollkin would have killed you if I wasn’t there, you know that?” She looked into my eyes. “Young master, are you really sure about this? That vampire girl is stubborn and arrogant. She can just listen to you and not attend this."

I sighed. “I wish everything went according to my logic, but well, people have different priorities. And it’s not as if her fear is misplaced. They can indeed target her father’s Barony if they’re offended.” I hoped she’d understand. It wasn’t Nebula’s fault.

“They already are offended though,” Lilian argued. “Both of them have a bad history with you, and Victor Seraph wants you dead.”

“They still don’t have justification for targeting Baron Carlstein,” I said, and in response, she just grumbled. She couldn’t understand it, and honestly, as a modern man, I also had trouble wrapping my head around it. But it was true; at least, Nebula believed so.

I knew Lilian. Despite all her jokes and playful antics, she was sharp. She understood just how dangerous this was. But she also understood why it had to be done, why there were no other options. The tension between us was thick, but she soon let out a sigh of understanding. It was always like this before something risky.

Lilian stepped back, her face easing into a smile, one that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “Just promise you’ll call for me, alright?” she said, her voice lighter now. “I can’t stay here in the dorms, don’t tell me to. Instead, I’ll be nearby. Shout, and I’ll come running.”

Lilian was strong. She couldn’t defeat the Holy Knight, who was at Level 95, but she could hold her own against him, unlike what happened to me.

[Level 87]

I raised her for six months, and that was showing. She was now more than double the levels she’d gained in her entire life before she met me. Although, yes, leveling did speed up after reaching 2nd and 3rd Ascension since not everything could pose a threat to a person then, so hunting became easier. However, as a person would level up more, it began to slow down again as it required more experience for each level.

She was someone I could trust my back with, so I didn’t reject her proposition. I nodded. “I’ll do that. I expect nothing less from my trusted wolf hero,” I could feel the tension break for a second, the atmosphere lifting as she grinned. But then her hand slowed on my collar, and she stared up at me, her eyes searching. She went silent, her lips parting slightly as if she wanted to say something else. But whatever it was, she swallowed it back, her gaze dropping.

A moment later, she stepped away, giving me one last nod before slipping out of the room, leaving me alone.

The heaviness returned almost immediately as I shook my head. I adjusted my collar one last time, exhaling slowly. This could all go horribly wrong. It was a thought that lingered, no matter how much I tried to push it away. I had to be aware of that.

A knock on the door pulled me from my thoughts. I crossed the room, pulling it open to find Solara standing there, her fiery hair done up elegantly, her wings folded behind her. She liked to wear her wings proudly in public, so she rarely hid whenever we were hanging out. She looked beautiful, no doubt about it, her usual grin firmly in place.

But there was something else there—something beneath the confidence. Nervousness. Unfortunately, I didn’t think that was enough. “Excited?” she asked, her voice carrying a mix of amusement and sarcasm.

I hesitated, staring at her for a beat. She didn’t know. She didn’t realize what she was walking into tonight. I could see it in the way she stood; she was so casual and unaware. Finally, I spoke, my voice dropping, the levity gone. “Solara… About Victor.”

“Hm?” Her grin faltered, her brow furrowing as she took in my tone. “What about him?”

I stepped aside, gesturing for her to come in. “There’s something I need to tell you,” I said, my gaze locking onto hers. I could see from her expression that she hadn’t fully realized what we were walking into tonight.

She was taking this too lightly. She thought I was the main target for standing up against Victor in the restaurant, but that wasn’t true. She didn’t know the truth—that Victor’s family was the one that orchestrated the attack on her house. She didn’t know that tonight, she was the real target.

And if she went into that situation unprepared, unaware of that truth, things could go south fast. I needed her to understand and be ready. I took a deep breath, knowing the next words were going to change everything for her.

There should have been a better time for this talk, but we had to work with what we had.

****

The party was grand, and the hall was buzzing with people. They were mostly third-year and fourth-year students. Faces I only vaguely recognized, though none of them carried any warmth. They were older, stronger, and on the enemy side, given they attended Victor’s party.

“If they attack us,” Nebula said, her voice sickly, “we’re done for.”

“They won’t attack us, in a possible fight. Only a few will. They will obstruct our escape route though, in the worst case scenario.” I muttered to her, and she sighed. “It’s okay, I am here.”

There was a layer of tension that hung in the air as I walked in through the large door, Nebula and Solara flanking me. Solara’s earlier smile was nowhere to be found, her expression now guarded, her eyes cold as they scanned the room. The eyes in the room also scanned us in return. The bright lights of the chandelier above caught the edges of her fiery hair, making her seem almost otherworldly.

“That’s the younger brother of Riasmin?” People talked.

“Heard he was trash, but recently his achievements…”

“Well, what do you expect? Haah, lucky bastards born with good genetics.”

I ignored them. Although I liked that the ‘trash’ part of the rumors had started to fall off lately. My eyes drifted somewhere else. Victor stood at the center of it all, full of charm and charisma, his laughter ringing out every now and then, easy and carefree. He had that natural ability to draw eyes, to command attention, even I had to admit. A charming criminal. Beside him was his friend Cedric, whose birthday it supposedly was.

[Cedric Valemont; Level 66]

Cedric wasn’t that strong, so it was odd that Victor was throwing a party for him. My already confirmed suspicion was even more solid now. If we were talking about Levels, there was someone right beside Victor who stood out.

[Bastian Frostbane; Level 88]

I recognized him, he was one of Victor’s most trusted men, Bastian Frostbane, the heir to the Glacier Hall in the northern part of the Empire. Unlike Sevrin, who was a third year, this man was a fourth year, and therefore much stronger too.

None of them were more important than Victor himself, of course. His eyes turned to us. He parted his lips as if to call me, but before he could, and before we could even find a place to stand, someone cheered. “I-it’s him!” Our heads turned to the door to find Prince Orion, the Future Emperor, the Main Character of the World, and the most popular man in the academy right now, walking inside.

“Oh-ho, Your Highness!” Victor grinned and walked over, Cedric following him like a rabbit. The three of them started with polite greetings, maintaining a princely demeanor.

“The Prince…” Solara’s eyes narrowed as she muttered with venom in her words.

“Hey, I told you the Prince doesn’t know any of this. He’s not related, he was too young to,” I warned her, just in case she tried something. I realized how telling her this could backfire, but I had made this decision knowing that. Hopefully, she won't disappoint me.

“He’s not related, yeah,” Solara said. “But his father is. His entire family is. And that bastard,” her eyes flicked to Victor, who was laughing with the Prince. “He’s related.”

I sighed. Thankfully, it didn’t seem like she’d jump them. For the next few minutes, we grabbed some food from a nearby table, ignoring the stares of our seniors. I kept an eye out for Victor. His eyes were sharp, calculating as they moved from person to person. I waited for when they’d land on us, and it wasn’t long till that happened.

You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

Victor looked at me. A flicker of something passed across his purple gaze—something that sent a chill down my spine. His eyes lingered a moment too long on Solara and even longer on Nebula.

Beside me, I caught the way Nebula’s shoulders tensed, her head ducking slightly as her eyes darted around the room. She wasn’t eating anything, and she looked pale, even more than usual, her fingers curling slightly at her sides.

“Iskandaar,” she leaned in closer to me, her voice so soft I barely caught it over the music. “There’s blood… mixed with a lot of the wine glasses. I am certain,” she muttered, a hint of panic creeping into her voice. “I don’t like the smell.”

My stomach dropped. So this is the trap? Turtle bastard. Victor was testing her. My gaze swept the room, taking in the glasses of red wine in people’s hands, the way Victor’s attention kept slipping back to Nebula. He knew. He might actually know her secret.

We were in more danger than I’d initially thought.

As if he could read my mind, that I had realized the trap, Victor didn’t waste any time to allow us escape. He moved toward us, his smile unwavering as a group of third-year students trailed after him—two girls, three guys, all part of his circle.

He stopped in front of us, his grin almost blinding. “Iskandaar, Nebula, Solara. The young dark horses among freshmen,” he greeted us, his voice dripping with polite warmth. “Welcome. I thought we could… enjoy the night a bit. Perhaps a dance?”

The suggestion didn’t wait for us to accept. The girls and guys stepped closer, and the two senior girls moved towards me, smirking as they put their hands on my shoulders. “You’re quite handsome, junior~. I’m Eira Frostbane, the little sister of the heir of Glacier Hall. Let’s dance, shall we?”

I shook my head, gently pushing her back, my voice firm. “Nebula’s not feeling well. She won’t be dancing tonight,” I pulled her closer by her waist. “And as her fiancé, it’d be simply rude for me to dance when she cannot.”

For a moment, I saw Victor’s smile twitch, annoyance flickering in his gaze. His eyes narrowed, just a fraction. His eyes flicked to Solara then, and his smile returned. “How about you, phoenix princess?” He reached out a hand. “Let’s rekindle some old memories? Remember our dance during your eighth birthday?”

Solara’s expression was a mask, her eyes flat as she stared at him. For a moment, I was sure she’d set him ablaze right then and there. Instead, she smiled. “Ah, Victor… after that dance, I realized I’m not into guys. I’m sorry.” She said, smiling softly.

The guys stepped back, visibly taken aback, an awkward silence spreading around us. Victor’s face was unreadable, but it was clear he didn’t enjoy the insult. He gestured, and one of the girls moved towards Solara. “That’s alright, I respect that. And since that is the case, these girls can accompany you then,” he said smoothly.

But before she could even reach Solara, Prince Orion walked over from a distance, his presence enough to cause the room to shift. “May I?” he asked, his hand extended towards Solara. “And yes, I know you’re not interested, but I’m not trying to court you—just a dance.”

Solara eyed him, her gaze calculating, her expression unreadable for a long moment. Then she smiled. It was a sharp, almost predatory smile. Uh-oh, this isn’t good.

“Sure,” she said, her voice dripping with a mock sweetness as she took his hand.

I felt a twinge of unease, my eyes following them as they moved to the center of the room. There was something dark in the way Solara looked at him, something almost dangerous. She was up to something, I was sure of it. But it was too late to stop her.

Dammit. I hope she won’t mess this up, I thought while Victor’s gaze swung back to me, his smile polite, his eyes colder than before. He took a step closer, his voice dropping slightly as he spoke, “I wanted to apologize, you know. About the misunderstanding at the restaurant.” His words were smooth. He was trying to play the amicable host, but I wasn’t buying it for a second. “That was why I was proposing the dance. What a pity.”

“A pity, indeed.”

“Right?” He asked and clapped his hands, the sound echoing in the room as servants moved in, carrying trays of wine glasses. He reached for one, offering it to me with that same smile. “Then a toast, perhaps? To new beginnings?” His other hand presented one to Nebula.

I glanced at Nebula beside me, her face pale, her eyes fixed on the glass in Victor’s hand. My heart thudded in my chest. Yep. The wine was mixed with blood. He was testing her, trying to force her hand.

I shook my head, giving him a tight smile. “Actually, I think lemonade would be better for us tonight. Nebula’s still recovering. Again, I don’t want to disrespect her by enjoying wine when she can’t.”

Victor’s eyes narrowed, just for a heartbeat, before the smile returned, even brighter than before. “Of course,” he said, his voice smooth, almost too polite. He gestured, and a servant brought lemonade instead, placing it in front of us.

I exchanged glances with Nebula, and she nodded. The lemonade was safe. We drank it, and it was tasty. But Victor wasn’t done.

He turned, clapping his hands again as he called out to the room, “Everyone! Since it’s Cedric’s birthday, I thought we might share a tradition from his home—a small game, a test of courage. What do you say?”

There was a murmur of interest, people gathering closer as Victor continued, his eyes flicking to me every now and then, gauging my reaction. “A simple test,” he said, his smile never wavering. “We prick our fingers. You can use your Skills, your mana, or maybe the hairpin from the lady beside you?” He asked, earning a chuckle from the crowd. “The game is that, we let a drop of blood fall into this goblet, and then we drink together. A sign of unity, of shared strength.”

This fucking bastard.

****

I glanced at Nebula, seeing the way her skin had gone even paler, the way her eyes kept darting towards the goblet she’d just drank from. “It’s okay,” she whispered to me, “as it was my own blood, there’s not much of an effect. But the smell… from when they all cut their fingers… it’s messing with my mind.”

Nebula swallowed, for the smell of blood was almost tangible earlier.

Victor knew. He had to know. This wasn’t just a party. This was a hunt, and Nebula was the prey. And as Victor’s smile grew, I realized that he wasn’t planning on letting us leave this party unscathed.

The evening dragged on. The music seemed to swell louder, the laughter more raucous. The crowd grew heavier, their movements more erratic, drunken smiles plastered across their faces as they spun and twirled across the polished floor. The air felt thicker with every passing moment—a blend of wine, sweat, and something darker, something metallic. It pressed down on us, suffocating.

Beside me, Nebula was struggling. Her face had gone pale, her breath coming in short, shallow bursts. Her fingers twitched at her sides, her eyes wide as they darted around the room, trying to find some point of focus. “Are you alright?” I asked.

She turned to me, her voice tight, strained. “I need to leave,” she whispered, her hand wrapping around my arm, her grip so tight I could feel the desperation behind it. “Please.”

I nodded, my gaze already shifting, looking for the quickest way out.

But then Victor stepped before us, his smile widening, that predatory glint back in his eyes. He raised his voice, just enough for those nearby to hear. “Leaving already? The party’s just starting. Isn’t this rude? The Prince might take offense.” His eyes flicked to Orion, still on the dance floor with Solara.

I followed his gaze, watching as Solara danced—if you could call it that. She was moving wildly, with no rhythm, her wings swaying unpredictably, her feet deliberately off-beat. The Prince was struggling, his movements stiff and awkward as he tried to keep up, his expression shifting between irritation and forced politeness. She didn’t care about appearances, didn’t care if people thought she looked foolish. She was doing this deliberately, trying to embarrass him, and honestly, I couldn’t blame her. But it also meant Orion wasn’t paying attention to us—yet Victor was still pushing.

Victor’s voice carried over the noise, drawing the attention of those nearby. I could feel the weight of their stares, the curiosity in their eyes as they watched, waiting to see how this would play out. “Just one more dance, maybe? Or at least a toast? It’s a party, after all,” he insisted, his tone light, almost teasing. “Since you’re leaving anyway, one toast should be fine. You two can then return home and haha… enjoy your engagement?”

The crowd laughed, but Nebula’s grip on my arm tightened, her knuckles going white. Her control was slipping—I could see it, feel it. Her breath hitched, her eyes flashing red, just for a moment. But it was enough. Enough for Victor to notice. His smile widened, his eyes gleaming with a sick satisfaction.

He knew.

He knew, and he was savoring every second of this.

I stepped forward, placing myself between him and Nebula, my expression hardening. “If the Prince can’t understand the troubles of his sick subject, then maybe he has a lot more to learn about ruling,” I said, my voice loud enough for those around us to hear. The words hung in the air like a challenge that left the crowd around us gasping softly.

Victor’s smile faltered, his eyes narrowing. He hadn’t expected that. “And the same goes for you, Heir of House Seraph,” I added, my voice dropping, my gaze locking onto his.

For a second, just a heartbeat, I saw a flicker of something in his eyes—annoyance, anger. I feared he’d make it even harder for us to leave now, but I was ready. Victor opened his mouth, ready to respond, but before he could say anything, the doors to the hall swung open, the loud creak cutting through the noise of the party.

The atmosphere shifted instantly. Heads turned, whispers spreading through the room. My eyes shimmered, my heart beating fast. A figure strode in—tall, confident, her long red hair swaying behind her, her golden eyes sharp as they scanned the room. Riasmin Romani. My sister.

“What’s this, Victor?” she called out, her voice cutting through the noise, clear and full of command. Her gaze locked onto Victor, her lips curving into a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “You invited my younger brother and not me?”

Victor’s expression shifted, a flicker of annoyance crossing his face before he quickly masked it with a smile, his eyes turning to Riasmin. I felt a wave of relief wash over me, the tension in my shoulders easing just a little. She was late, I told her to come a lot earlier, but she was here. And with her presence, the balance had shifted.

While Victor was forced to shift his attention to Riasmin, I didn’t waste a second. They started talking, while my hand moved to Nebula’s back, guiding her gently but firmly towards the exit.

“Thanks,” I muttered to Riasmin.

“Anytime, little brother,” she smiled, patting me on the shoulder.

I held Nebula’s weak body with my left arm as we walked. “Hold on for a bit,” I murmured, keeping my voice low, my eyes on the path ahead. We needed to get out before Victor could refocus on us.

As we moved, I glanced over to where Solara and Prince Orion were still dancing. Solara caught my eye, her gaze sharp. She acted quickly, her foot slipping out just as Orion moved. He stumbled, his balance faltering, his expression shifting from surprise to frustration. “Oh, my! I’m so sorry!” Solara exclaimed, her voice filled with mock concern, her eyes wide in feigned innocence.

But there was a glint there, a spark of mischief as she pulled away, slipping through the crowd and falling in behind Nebula and me.

“That was fun,” she said, laughing, “but is she alright?”

“I… I’m fine,” Nebula said, but neither Solara nor I bought it.

We moved swiftly, my eyes scanning for any sign of interference. The night sky loomed over us, and the outer gates of the castle just ahead, and I walked through, the cool night air rushing in, a stark contrast to the heat of the crowded hall. We slipped out of the iron gates, and for a moment, the tension eased, the immediate danger averted.

Nebula leaned against the wall, her breathing ragged, her eyes closed. I watched her, my jaw clenched, my mind already working. “Are you okay?” I asked, my voice softer now, my hand still on her back, feeling the slight tremor running through her. She nodded, though her eyes were still closed, her face pale.

Solara stepped closer, her wings folding in as she glanced back at the door, her expression tight. “What now?” she asked, her voice low, her eyes meeting mine.

Before I could answer, something flickered at the edge of my senses. “Shit,” I cursed. We needed to get out of here, far away from Victor and whatever else he had planned.

My Demonic Sphere had caught on something. I closed my eyes for a second, focusing. There—a group moving from inside the mansion, their steps quick, purposeful. My stomach twisted. Victor’s men. They were coming after us.

“I’ll fuck up that bastard someday, I swear,” I muttered, my hand tightening on Nebula’s arm. “We have to move. Now.”

Nebula’s eyes opened, wide and panicked, and I could see it—the way her blue pupils flashed red, the way her fangs peeked out just slightly. She was losing control, the full moon rising higher, the scent of blood still clinging to her senses.

“Can you walk?” I asked, my voice urgent, and she nodded, though her movements were shaky.

I glanced at Solara, our eyes meeting, and I saw the determination and readiness there. She’d be more than happy to burn Victor’s men. Together, we moved, slipping into the shadows, the cold night air biting at our skin as we made our way away from the mansion, away from the danger that was still hunting us.

This was a race against time—against Victor, against Nebula’s own blood, against the rising moon.