Can’t stay here for long, Lucas thought, I just need to figure out which of the three is the one I’m looking for.

Finishing his preparations, Lucas adjusted his academy uniform, scrutinizing the fit in the mirror.

Hmm… at least it’s comfortable.

Satisfied with his appearance, he turned to his bag and began gathering a few items. His gaze lingered on a blood bag for a moment. Weighing his options, he debated whether to bring it along or leave it behind. Ultimately, he slipped it into his jacket pocket—just in case.

Exiting his dorm, Lucas made his way toward the academy. His senses remained sharp, scanning his surroundings as he walked. The closer he got to the school, the more students appeared, chatting and laughing as they filed toward their classes. The sight momentarily caught him off guard.

This place seems so peaceful… especially for a school full of monsters.

Despite the tranquil atmosphere, Lucas didn’t lower his guard. Soon, a familiar figure came into view.

Tsukune… possible vampire.

Fixing his focus on Tsukune, Lucas subtly trailed him, observing his every move. His thoughts turned to the other rumored vampires.

Junya, another possibility, is always sticking close to Moka. Setting territory? Could be.

Lucas was well aware of the territorial nature of vampires, where dominance dictated relationships and alliances.

If Tsukune and Junya are both vampires… maybe Moka chose the stronger mate.

That theory gnawed at him, but Lucas didn’t dwell on it. His mission was clear, and distractions could prove costly. He followed Tsukune into the classroom, blending in effortlessly. During lessons, Lucas pretended to pay attention, occasionally exchanging pleasantries with his classmates. Yet, his true focus never wavered.

When lunch arrived, Lucas excused himself, subtly shadowing Tsukune’s movements. He predicted the lone student’s path and stayed close without drawing attention. Finally, they arrived at an isolated spot.

Perfect, Lucas thought.

Through careful manipulation, Lucas eventually managed to hold a blood bag in his hand, casually offering it to Tsukune. With a composed, nonchalant expression, he scrutinized Tsukune’s every reaction—body language, facial expressions, even his breathing.

Not a vampire, Lucas thought, his disappointment barely hidden behind his neutral demeanor.

Still, a small part of him doubted his conclusion. Maybe I’m reading him wrong.

Tilting his head slightly, Lucas adopted an air of false concern. “Aren’t you thirsty?” he asked, his voice calm but pointed.

Despite his outward composure, Lucas subtly tensed his muscles, ready to bolt immediately. Waving a blood bag in front of a vampire and asking such a question was akin to taunting a predator with a fresh kill. He braced himself for any sign of aggression—a hungry glare, fangs bared, or even a sudden lunge.

But to his surprise, the reaction he got was entirely different. Instead of predatory hunger or irritation, Tsukune’s face paled, his expression shifting to shock—perhaps even mild disgust.

No, not disgust, Lucas realized, his sharp eyes catching the subtle nuance. More like… confusion. The idea of drinking blood doesn’t disgust him—just surprise.

Lucas furrowed his brows, his frustration building. Is this guy a vampire or not?

Despite his growing irritation, Lucas’s patience paid off as he eventually gained an answer.

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Tsukune stared at the blood bag in Lucas’s hand, his confusion evident. A mix of surprise and discomfort crossed his face as he tried to process what was happening. Then, with a sinking realization, he remembered the lie he and Moka had concocted to deter unwanted attention.

A lot of good that did, he thought sarcastically, silently cursing their poor foresight.

Tsukune’s attention snapped back to Lucas when the latter asked if he was thirsty. For a brief moment, Tsukune considered leaving—pretending to take offense at Lucas’s strange behavior and cryptic question. But something about Lucas gave him pause.

Lucas doesn’t seem like a bad guy, Tsukune thought, studying the other boy carefully.

If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

Over the past few months, Tsukune had noticed a peculiar ability to sense malice—or the lack thereof—in people. It wasn’t perfect, but it had served him well in the academy. And Lucas? Lucas didn’t seem to exude any ill intent.

Unlike Junya…

The thought of Junya made Tsukune feel a twinge of embarrassment. He couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling Junya gave him, but he’d written it off as jealousy. After all, Junya seemed closer to Moka than he ever could be.

Still, Tsukune chose to trust his instincts. Fixing his gaze on Lucas, who still seemed oddly tense, he made his decision.

“I’m not a vampire,” Tsukune said firmly, his voice calm but clear.

The tension in Lucas’s frame eased immediately. He quickly stashed the blood bag, nodding. “I see. My apologies—I trusted the rumors too quickly.”

Tsukune nodded back, relieved to clear the air. But one question lingered in his mind. “So… are you a vampire too?”

For a split second, Lucas’s expression hardened. A flicker of hatred—raw and intense—crossed his face, startling Tsukune. But just as quickly, it vanished, replaced by a calm, almost detached demeanor.

“Yes, I am,” Lucas replied matter-of-factly.

Tsukune nodded slowly, his curiosity shifting to concern. What was that? he wondered, still unsettled by the flash of hatred he’d seen.

As he mulled over the odd interaction, his gaze drifted to Lucas’s striking features. Another thought crept into his mind, unbidden and slightly ridiculous.

Are all vampires this good-looking?

Of the three so-called vampires he’d encountered, all were undeniably attractive. Moka, of course, was in a league of her own. But Lucas’s sharp, symmetrical features and Junya’s polished handsomeness followed closely behind.

Tsukune sighed inwardly. If looks were the only thing that mattered to Moka… I never had a chance.

The two men ate their lunches in silence before parting ways. As Lucas walked off, he silently crossed Tsukune off his mental list.

Two more to go.

Returning to class, Lucas shifted his focus to Moka, watching her subtle movements. She seemed distracted, preoccupied with something—or someone.

With Junya and Moka constantly together, it’ll be hard to investigate Junya… I’ll have to wait until he’s alone.

Unfortunately for both Lucas and Tsukune, the following days saw Junya and Moka almost inseparable, spending nearly every free moment together.

From a higher floor, Tsukune stood at a railing, looking down as Junya and Moka strolled side by side. His neutral expression barely masked the sadness etched on his face. With a quiet sigh, he turned away and found an empty corner. Leaning against the wall, he slid to the ground, resting his head against his knees.

What am I going to do…?

Unbeknownst to him, Kurumu and Yukari watched from a corner, their expressions mirroring their concern.

“He looks so down…” Kurumu murmured, her heart aching for Tsukune.

“It can’t be helped,” Yukari replied, crossing her arms. “Moka’s been skipping the newspaper club for days just to hang out with Junya… It must feel like she’s avoiding Tsukune.”

Yukari’s voice carried a note of disgust as she continued, “It’s weird though. Junya invoked the law of vampires, but from what I’ve learned, he’s got a reputation. He chases after any beautiful girl he lays his eyes on—in and out of school.”

Her tone turned disappointed as she frowned. “I can’t believe Moka’s spending time with a guy like that…”

Kurumu remained silent, her disappointment hidden beneath her usual bravado.

I thought what she and Tsukune had would be… stronger. Harder to break. I guess a random handsome guy with red eyes is all it takes to turn her head.

Kurumu clenched her fists, frustration briefly surfacing. But she quickly pushed the thought away, masking it with defiance.

“Whatever,” Kurumu said, forcing a dismissive tone. “She found someone like her. Good for her!” She tossed her hair dramatically and shot Yukari a determined look. “Without Moka in the way, my path to Tsukune’s heart is clear!”

Her excitement surged, momentarily smothering her earlier disappointment. Thoughts of pulling Tsukune into her arms—or better, her dorm room—caused her succubus tail to slip out of her uniform in a burst of emotion.

“Kurumu!” Yukari snapped, swatting at the tail that had hit her. “Control yourself!”

“Hehe,” Kurumu giggled mischievously, her eyes sparkling with newfound energy. “Tsukune’s all mine now!”

While Tsukune wrestled with Moka’s absence, Kurumu schemed to fully win Tsukune’s affection, and Yukari tried to decipher Moka’s unusual behavior, Lucas was quietly shadowing Junya and Moka.

This marked the fourth day Junya had been glued to Moka’s side, and Lucas’s frown deepened as he observed their dynamic. It was becoming increasingly evident that Junya had no intention of giving Moka space.

What a lecher… Lucas thought grimly.

Using an illusion spell that rendered him invisible and masked his scent, Lucas stayed close without being detected.

Tsk, mid-circle spells burn through way too much anki, he noted irritably, already feeling the strain on his reserves.

Eventually, Moka, appearing fatigued, sat on one of the numerous grave markers scattered across the dead forest. She held a can of tomato juice in her hands, her eyes fixed on it, her thoughts seemingly far away.

Junya, intent on his pursuit of Moka, frowned deeply. With a swift motion, he crushed the empty can of tomato juice in his hand, the metallic crumple echoing in the stillness. "You're here in body… but not in spirit," he remarked coldly.

Moka, lost in thought, was startled by his words and looked up just as Junya stepped directly in front of her. With a dramatic flick of his hand, his youki flared outward, washing over her like an oppressive wave.

"W-What?" Moka gasped, her eyes widening in surprise.

"Where are you, Moka?" Junya asked, his expression feigning concern, but his tone betraying his irritation.

A pang of unease shot through Moka as she met his gaze. The smile he wore was meant to seem comforting, but it filled her with quiet disgust. Quickly, she masked her feelings with a strained smile. "Oh... Sorry! I was just—"

Before she could finish, Junya tossed the crushed can carelessly behind him and seized her wrist, pulling her to her feet. The sudden movement caused her to drop her can of tomato juice, the liquid spilling onto the ground. Junya's sharp crimson eyes locked onto hers as he leaned in closer, his intentions clear.

“H-Huh! Junya, wait!” Moka stammered as he moved in for a kiss.

Junya froze mid-motion, his eyes narrowing as his gaze darkened. "Why?" he asked, his voice low and pointed. "We're both vampires in a godforsaken place with no other kin around. Finding each other here—this is fate. We are meant to be."

Moka tried to pull away, her supernatural strength pushing against his grip, but Junya held her firmly. His smile faltered, and his grip tightened slightly. "Unless," he added, his tone growing colder, "you'd rather be with someone else…"

His youki thickened around them, suffocating, as he hissed, "Some non-vampire, perhaps? Like that man, Tsukune."

Moka's eyes widened, alarmed not only by Junya's growing anger but also at the danger this posed to Tsukune. Panic and guilt swirled within her as she scrambled to calm him.

"N-No! I'm not thinking about him!" she said quickly, her voice shaking with desperation. "And I've been with you the past few days!"

Junya's expression remained dark, his grip unrelenting. His aura continued to weigh down on her as his sharp eyes bore into her, unyielding. Realizing words alone wouldn’t soothe him, Moka made a calculated gamble.

He’s obsessed with our heritage. I can use that.

"I couldn't possibly think of him like that!" she blurted. "I-I mean, he's not one of us!"

Her words seemed to steady Junya for a moment, his oppressive aura receding slightly. But before the tension could ease completely, the sound of footsteps broke the charged silence.

Both Junya and Moka turned toward the source of the noise, only to see Tsukune standing a few steps away. His wide-eyed expression of shock betrayed what he had just witnessed—Moka in Junya's arms, locked in what looked like an intimate embrace.