For as long as humanity has existed, vampires have been more than legends. Once regarded as both hunters and rulers, they were living gods to early humans. Gifted with unparalleled physical prowess, powerful youki, and almost divine beauty, vampires stood as untouchable titans in a world where humanity was frail.

In those ancient days, vampires played a dual role: predators to the weak and protectors to the devout. To some humans, they were pitiless overlords, treating them as cattle to be bred and bled. To others, they were divine beings to be revered, offering protection in exchange for servitude. Yet, in both roles, humanity was always beneath them.

But humanity learned. Over time, legends of ordinary men and women slaying vampires and other creatures that once seemed invincible emerged. These tales became symbols of hope—a testament to humanity's unyielding drive to overcome the impossible.

As the centuries passed, this drive evolved. Hunters, or slayers as often called, inherited the accumulated knowledge of generations. Armed with ancient wisdom, occult practices, and the advancements of modern technology, humanity finally gained an edge against its monstrous adversaries.

Lucas was one such hunter. A member of the Black Hounds, he was a specialist, trained specifically to hunt vampires. Watching Moka, he could sense the danger radiating from her mere presence. She was unlike any opponent he’d faced before—her strength beyond comprehension, her presence a testament to why vampires were once called gods.

She’s incredibly powerful…

Lucas also knew that vampires had evolved alongside humanity. They had adapted to the world’s progress, becoming as cunning as they were strong. They were no longer easily outwitted by modern technology or ancient tricks.

Then I’ll adapt, Lucas thought, gripping his weapon tighter.

This was humanity’s greatest strength. Not its raw power, but its relentless ingenuity.

Despite knowing Moka’s immense power—far exceeding that of the average vampire—Lucas felt a rush of excitement coursing through him.

But… something doesn’t add up, he thought, narrowing his eyes. Why would a vampire, this powerful, stoop to victimizing random women?

Lucas was certain Moka wasn’t the culprit behind the crimes he was investigating. Yet, deep within his otherwise calm and disciplined demeanor burned a simmering rage—an animosity toward vampires that refused to fade.

It doesn’t matter, he resolved, gripping the hilt of his silver dagger tightly. Even if she isn’t the one I’m after, the world will still be better off without another bloodsucking monster.

He moved with precision, stepping out of his concealed position. With a flick of his wrist, he hurled a knife. Its blade cut through the air, enhanced by the anki-powered spells woven into his enchanted clothing. The strike was perfectly aimed, swift, and deadly.

Moka, standing relaxed a few feet away from Tsukune, sensed the attack instantly. With a simple shift of her weight, she dodged the projectile as if it were a bothersome insect.

As expected, Lucas thought, his eyes sharp. He dismissed his invisibility spell, his form shimmering into view before Moka, Tsukune, and the approaching Kurumu and Yukari.

The confrontation had begun.

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Hearing Lucas’ words, Tsukune’s mind raced. Lucas’ declaration struck something deep within Tsukune, a realization that sent chills down his spine. For a fleeting moment, he considered the impossible: Could Lucas be human?

H-He can’t be… right?

The very idea seemed absurd. A human, standing against Moka after witnessing even a fraction of her power, would have to be either suicidal or delusional. Tsukune himself had endured rigorous training and still couldn’t match Outer Moka’s strength—much less the overwhelming might of her inner self.

No, he has to be some kind of monster, Tsukune thought, desperately clinging to the more rational explanation.

But then Moka spoke, her voice calm yet dripping with menace, confirming his worst fear—and perhaps one of his hidden hopes.

“What is a human hunter, especially one as young as you, doing in this academy?” she asked. Her crimson eyes narrowed, and her tone sharpened. “This is a den of monsters. Even if I do nothing, they’ll tear you apart.”

Tsukune swallowed hard, a lump forming in his throat.

“Tsukune,” Kurumu whispered, her sudden appearance startling him as she leaned in closer. “What’s going on? Who is that?”

“I… I’ll explain later,” Tsukune stammered, his gaze flickering between Moka and Lucas. “Right now, Moka might have to fight again.”

Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

Kurumu frowned but nodded, glancing warily at Lucas. “But… if Moka says he’s human, there’s no way he can win, right?” she asked, her voice tinged with doubt. Though Kurumu had absolute faith in Moka, meeting Tsukune had taught her to keep an open mind.

While they whispered, Yukari was fixated on Tsukune’s injuries. Her young face was pale, her eyes wide with concern.

He should’ve gone into shock by now!

It was proof of Tsukune’s resilience—the product of constant training and survival in the academy—that he endured injuries that would cripple most humans.

“Tsukune, don’t move! I’ll heal you,” Yukari said, her voice trembling slightly.

Tsukune gave a small nod, feeling the warmth of her magic spread through his battered body. The healing process was painful, drawing a wince from him, but his focus never wavered. His eyes remained locked on Lucas and Moka.

Lucas stood tall, his expression unreadable, but a storm brewed beneath his calm exterior. His right hand gripped a spiked silver knuckle knife—a weapon designed for close combat with vampires.

He remained silent in response to Moka's words, his silence already an answer.

Moka, for her part, wore her signature smug smirk. Yet her crimson eyes glimmered with something more.

Two things... two things that remind me of the past, she thought, memories swirling in her mind. She recalled a tall figure—a man whose power had once awed her.

Father...

Moka blinked, shaking her head as the image faded. Her smirk widened, an amused chuckle escaping her lips.

This time, it’s my turn to face these arrogant challengers.

Unlike her earlier fight with Junya, Moka adopted a proper combat stance. Her aura flared, radiating danger.

Lucas, unfazed, mirrored her movement, his knife glinting ominously in the fading evening light.

From the sidelines, Tsukune’s eyes widened in disbelief.

“What?” he muttered, his voice barely audible. “She’s… going to take him seriously?”

Throughout all the monsters Moka had faced, Tsukune had only ever seen her exert effort against Gin—a beast whose strength and abilities were said to rival her race. Gin’s use of advanced youki techniques was also a significant reason she treated him as a serious opponent, unlike their previous foes. Even Junya hadn’t earned such consideration.

But for a human to warrant this level of seriousness? It was nothing short of insanity.

Lucas clicked his tongue, realizing that while Moka was proud, she wasn’t reckless.

You’ve seen how fast she moves, he thought. Test her first… Will she kill me outright?

Noticing how Moka stood motionless, waiting for him to make the first move, Lucas knew the initiative was his.

Should I use the rosary?

His gaze shifted momentarily to the silver rosary hanging around his neck, its polished surface catching the fading evening light. But his attention snapped back to Moka, who had subtly repositioned herself, ensuring Tsukune and the others were safely out of their potential combat range.

Without hesitation, Lucas charged forward. A single thought activated the spell enchantments engraved into his clothing, causing them to flare to life. Anki surged from his body into the spellwork, amplifying his physical form.

Similar to the youki enhancement monsters used, Lucas’s enchantment was a finely-tuned counterpart designed specifically for humans.

90% efficiency. Perfect.

With his already impressive physical capabilities nearly doubled, Lucas now moved with speed and strength bordering on superhuman. He closed the distance to Moka in a flash, his blade slicing through the air in front of him.

But Moka, even without tapping into her youki, was leagues beyond him in physical prowess. She evaded the attack with a minuscule shift in her stance, a graceful motion that left her perfectly within striking range.

In an instant, she countered with a precise jab.

Though Lucas was slower than her by a significant margin, he had gambled on one key detail: that Moka wouldn’t unleash her full strength at the outset.

I’m right!

With razor-thin precision, he dodged her restrained attack and retaliated, thrusting forward with his silver-spiked knuckles. If slicing her wasn’t an option, piercing her might be.

Moka smirked as her thoughts briefly wandered to Tsukune.

Ah, so humanity has advanced this much in a few years. I wonder how he would look in hunter garb.

Amusement flickered across her face as she effortlessly evaded Lucas's swift counter, still indulging in the playful image of Tsukune as a hunter.

Well, that’s enough daydreaming.

Like flipping a switch, Moka’s aura exploded outward. The youki coursing through her surged into every cell of her body, granting her immense power. Similar to the enchantments Lucas employed, Moka’s enhancement instantly doubled her already formidable strength—and if necessary, she could delve even deeper for more.

Her speed now doubled, Moka prepared to end the fight decisively. Her next move would either incapacitate or kill Lucas, depending on just how durable this human hunter truly was.

It doesn’t matter. He attacked me first on academy grounds.

She deftly dodged a flurry of blade strikes from Lucas’s silver weapon, waiting for the slightest opening.

There.

She spotted it—a split-second delay in Lucas’s rhythm, imperceptible without her enhanced reflexes. Moka exploited it immediately, slipping inside his guard with blinding speed. Her hand, shaped like a blade, thrust forward with unerring precision.

Though made of flesh, Moka’s hand, reinforced by her vampiric strength and ungodly youki, was deadlier than any forged weapon. It pierced the air with lethal intent, aimed to strike true.

At such close range, Lucas had no chance to evade.

Moka’s expression remained cold and detached, a stark reminder to Lucas that beneath her humanlike appearance, she was, without a doubt, a vampire.

Moka’s strike connected, but instead of tearing through flesh as expected, her hand met an invisible force—a barrier of some kind. For a split second, it held firm under her immense strength before shattering with a crack under her additional exertion. The small delay was enough for Lucas to retreat.

He leapt back, creating distance between them, his eyes sharp as he observed Moka. She stood still, arms crossed, her gaze fixed on him with a mix of curiosity and faint amusement.

Her thoughts drifted to a different concern. How did he even get into the academy?

He’s no ordinary hunter, Moka mused. Nothing extraordinary—not like the ones from the past—but he has potential to become like them.

Her interest in Lucas as a hunter, however, was fleeting.

“You’re skilled,” Moka remarked, her voice even. “It would be cruel to waste such talent. Your hunt ends here. Leave now, and I won’t pursue you—though I can’t say the same for the other students if they catch you.”

Lucas frowned, his breath uneven as the strain of expending his anki reserves to fuel his enhancement spell weighed on him. Despite his exhaustion, his expression shifted to one of defiance.

“Do you think I came here just to hunt randomly?” he countered, his voice steady, carrying a hint of provocation.

Moka narrowed her eyes, while Tsukune and the others listened intently.

“Do you think an academy like this—one active for at least a hundred years—would allow a human to bypass its ancient defenses?”

Tsukune’s stomach dropped as Lucas’s words sank in.

Wait… that can’t mean…

Lucas’s tone turned sharper, more resolute. “I’m here because this academy’s powers allowed me to be here. The only way you’ll get rid of me is by slaying me. I have a reason to be here, vampire and it’s to slay your kind.”

With those words, Lucas tore the silver rosary from his neck and, without hesitation, drove it into his chest, directly over his heart.