Chapter 45
“Noona, are you ready?”
“Let’s just get this over with. Don’t drag it out for no reason.”
Inside the Academy’s Training Grounds.
Lisa was holding a greatsword, while Jason gripped his saber. The two faced each other in silence.
“Alright, let’s finish this quickly. But Noona, aren’t you using your Blood Energy? Normally, you’d be drawing power even before the fight started, bleeding as you did it.”
“…Shut up. I’ll handle it myself.”
Lisa spoke sharply, almost without realizing it.
It was a rare sight—Lisa, who was usually calm and composed, was visibly irritated.
And even she was bewildered by her own state.
‘My emotions… I can’t control them.’
Lisa had been on edge since morning.
And she knew very well why.
‘I’m thirsty. So thirsty.’
An unbearable thirst had been tormenting her since dawn.
Because of that thirst, irritation and anger kept bubbling up inside her chest.
“Urgh, haaah…”
“You look like you’re struggling, Noona. Are you alright? You even look like holding that sword is hard for you.”
“I told you… to shut up, didn’t I?”
Lisa glared at Jason.
His sly grin made her blood boil.
She wanted to smash that annoying face with a single punch.
“You son of a b—.”
With those words, Lisa finally drew out her Blood Energy.
Blood flowed from her hand gripping the greatsword, wrapping around its blade.
As a red aura began to flicker around her body—
“Urgh?! Huhk, haaah!”
Lisa suddenly dropped her sword and collapsed to the ground.
She clutched at her neck with a pained expression.
“Thirsty… I’m thirsty, thirsty…”
She muttered in a cracked voice.
It was an agony she had never experienced before a dryness so severe it felt like her throat was being torn apart.
“Huff, haa, urgh…”
“Just as I thought.”
Jason let out a short, hollow laugh, sheathed his saber, and approached her.
From his coat, he took out a small bottle filled with a red liquid.
Then he poured it into Lisa’s mouth.
“Huh? Urk? Cough?! What… what is this?”
“Cow’s blood. It should ease your thirst a bit.”
“…It really does.”
The thirst didn’t vanish completely,
but it subsided enough for Lisa to regain her composure.
“Noona, be honest. You drank Gideon’s blood yesterday, didn’t you?”
“…How did you know?”
“My father told me before.”
Jason sat down beside her with a plop.
“A member of House Balmuth must drink human blood when they approach adulthood. If they fail to perform their first feeding on time…”
“…They go into a rampage. I know.”
“You almost did last night, didn’t you? From what I heard, you drew out a lot of power without having drunk blood.”
“…I thought I wouldn’t need to drink any until before graduation. Most of our family only start after they graduate.”
“Usually, yes. But you matured faster than most in House Balmuth, didn’t you? Since you grew faster, the time for your first feeding must’ve come earlier, too.”
“You sure know a lot, don’t you.”
Lisa’s expression returned to her usual stoic look.
But her tone carried disbelief.
“You really are a member of the Hawkbat Family.”
“Well, it comes with the family. Anyway, Noona, now that you’ve started feeding, you know that your use of Blood Energy will have restrictions, right?”
“I… knew. But actually feeling those restrictions firsthand—it’s unsettling.”
Lisa brushed her hand along her neck.
That suffocating thirst she’d just felt was an excruciating experience, one she’d never want to endure again.
“The more you use your Blood Energy, the stronger the thirst gets. And to quench that thirst, you must drink blood.”
“Right. And to add, the first person’s blood you drink is quite important. No matter how much time passes, or how many others’ blood you drink, you can never forget the taste of the first.”
“I know. That’s what makes it worse.”
Lisa sighed, looking visibly troubled.
“…I don’t want to block Gideon’s path, Jason.”
“You seem to care a lot about him.”
“He’s a swordsman with great talent. I don’t want to ruin that with my own hands.”
“I’ve heard that those who are bitten by someone from House Balmuth usually become bound to them. But they tend to live quite contently afterward.”
“They’re given adequate compensation, so I suppose it’s understandable. But I don’t want to give Gideon a life like that. I want him to flourish on his own.”
“Hmm, Noona. Then how about this.”
Jason paused for a moment, then spoke carefully.
“Why not make Gideon your husband?”
“…What?”
“If you don’t want to make him some blood-supplying livestock, then make him your husband. That way, he’ll have freedom while still staying by your side.”
“Marriage isn’t something you decide that easily.”
Lisa’s usual calm expression crumbled.
Her face flushed red as the composure of the cool-headed noble vanished, replaced by that of a flustered girl.
“Marriage is something between a man and a woman’s feelings…”
“Noona, let’s be honest—you do like Gideon a bit, don’t you?”
“…I do. But marriage isn’t something you do just because of a simple liking. It needs something deeper. And I don’t even know if Gideon feels the same about me…”
“You’re from a ducal house, and Gideon’s from a baron’s. If you propose, he’d have no choice but to accept.”
“I don’t want a forced marriage. Marriage should come from mutual love.”
“I didn’t expect you to be such a romantic, Noona.”
Jason smirked faintly.
“Well, it’s your choice. I’ve got nothing more to say.”
“…Did you get all the information you wanted?”
“Yeah, this much is enough.”
Jason pulled out a crystal sphere and began entering information into it.
Lisa watched him with a weary gaze.
“Your family is essential to the Empire, but sometimes, you’re downright creepy.”
“I hear that a lot. But it’s part of our duty.”
After finishing, Jason pocketed the crystal sphere again.
“Information about the Empire’s key figures is a serious matter, after all.”
“Since when was I considered one of the Empire’s key figures?”
“You’re the next head of House Balmuth. That’s reason enough.”
Jason replied casually as he stood up.
“Let’s go get lunch. Oh, and before that—try contacting Lady Kafka. It’s best to ask her for advice.”
“My mother?”
“She knows far more about House Balmuth than I do. And, well…”
Jason grinned mischievously.
“If you’re going to plan your marriage with Gideon, it’d be better to discuss it with Lady Kafka in advance—”
Bang!
Lisa raised her greatsword and slammed it down where Jason had been standing.
Of course, Jason dodged easily.
“If you spread this nonsense anywhere—”
“Relax, Noona. I won’t say a word. Calm down, you’re getting uncharacteristically riled up.”
“…Shut up.”
Lisa could feel her face burning, but she stubbornly ignored it.
Seeing that, Jason let out a soft chuckle.
“Make sure you contact Lady Kafka today. And while you’re at it, visit the family—you haven’t seen them in a while.”
* * *
Meanwhile, at the same time—
Inside the Imperial Audience Chamber.
“Your Majesty, may I speak?”
A middle-aged man with black hair and black eyes calmly opened his mouth.
The blond-haired Emperor, Nazar Arium, nodded.
“Speak, Duke Isrinbloom.”
“I have fully understood the situation. As a solution, our family will dispatch an inspector to the Academy to oversee and manage the matter so that the same incident will not occur again.”
“Understood. Then Duke Hawkbat, provide Duke Isrinbloom with any relevant information about this case.”
“I, Andrew Hawkbat, accept Your Majesty’s order.”
Andrew bowed his head respectfully.
The Emperor nodded once more, then turned his gaze to the red-haired woman beside him.
“Duke Balmuth, prepare a formation plan to deploy additional troops to the Academy.”
“Eh? But, Your Majesty, sending additional troops over this incident is a bit… well…”
Kafka trailed off and let out a small sigh.
Then she turned her head toward the scribes, the Emperor’s secretary, and the other attendants in the Audience Chamber.
“Everyone, leave. I wish to speak privately with His Majesty and the other dukes.”
“B-but, Duke Balmuth, Your Grace, that might not be—”
“Let them go.”
Nazar gestured calmly.
“It’s fine. It’s been a while since I’ve spoken with the dukes alone.”
“Understood. Then… everyone, withdraw.”
At the secretary’s words, the officials swiftly exited the chamber.
Only four people remained.
“Come on, Nazar-oppa. Honestly, this is an overreaction on your part.”
As soon as the attendants left, Kafka spoke in an exasperated tone.
“I mean, dukes personally giving orders because of something that happened at the Academy—does that even make sense?”
“Kafka, mind your tone before His Majesty.”
“It’s fine, Dilug. It’s more comfortable to talk like this.”
“…Understood.”
The black-haired man—Dilug Isrinbloom—looked at Kafka with disapproval.
But at the Emperor’s words, he closed his mouth quietly.
“Anyway, Kafka. Layla is currently at the Academy, and… I can’t help but be worried about her.”
“The Princess is important. I know that. But I’m not creating a troop formation myself for the Princess’s safety. What are we doing, going to war?”
“Nazar, I actually agree with Kafka.”
Andrew smirked and spoke up.
“I think sending an inspector is fine. But extra troops? That’s excessive. It would just burden the soldiers already stationed there.”
“Hmm, perhaps… but I’m still worried about Layla…”
“Overprotective parenting isn’t good. Everything should be done in moderation.”
“You’ve got a point.”
“Exactly, Andrew’s right, so let’s end the meeting here. I want to go home.”
“The meeting’s not over yet, Kafka. Since we’re all here, we should handle the other agenda items too.”
“No! I said I want to go home!”
“…Kafka, what’s wrong? You seem more sensitive than usual today.”
“W-what are you talking about, oppa?”
Kafka avoided the Emperor’s gaze and pretended to stay composed.
“I-I’m the same as always…”
“Lisa drank her junior’s blood.”
“Hey! Andrew! Why are you saying that?!”
“Lisa? Kafka, isn’t that your eldest daughter?”
The Emperor looked surprised.
“Oh?”
Even Dilug, who had been quiet, widened his eyes.
He looked genuinely taken aback.
“So Lisa finally chose her future husband? That girl who always refused arranged marriages since childhood?”
“No, wait, oppa! I only just heard about this myself. I don’t even know if the junior she bit is a boy or a girl…”
“I heard it was a boy.”
Andrew projected a photo from his crystal sphere.
The image showed a white-haired boy—Gideon.
“Jason just contacted me. Apparently, this is the junior Lisa like a bit.”
“Really? Hey, hey—give me that crystal sphere. Let me see.”
Kafka peered closely at it.
“Oh, that white hair is striking. He’s handsome too, and looks well-built… appearance-wise, he passes. So, what’s his name? Did Jason say who he is?”
“His name is Gideon Kyrgram. He’s from a baron family.”
“Kyrgram? What’s that?”
Kafka tilted her head, and Nazar did the same.
“Kyrgram? Was there a family by that name in the Empire?”
“I just asked my people—they said he’s a noble overseeing Serenus, the Protected Zone for Other Races.”
“The Protected Zone? Hmm, that’s been ages since I’ve heard of that place. Come to think of it, Kara once made an inquiry about it…”
“…A baron, you say?”
While everyone reacted mildly, Dilug alone looked deeply displeased.
“Kafka, you’re not actually thinking of letting your daughter marry that man, are you?”
“If Lisa wants to, then I’ll let her.”
“Look, Lisa is the next head of your house. Someone of that position could have countless better suitors than some no-name baron…”
“My family matters are mine to handle.”
“Kafka, treating a ducal title so lightly is—”
“If you’ve got complaints, don’t say them—fight me.”
Kafka reached for the greatsword on her back as she spoke.
Dilug also moved his hand toward the rapier at his waist but sighed and let go.
“I apologize, Your Majesty. I’ve shown an unseemly display before the throne.”
“It’s fine, Dilug. Seeing you two like this reminds me of the old days.”
“Thank you for Your Majesty’s generosity.”
After bowing to Nazar, Dilug looked toward Kafka and Andrew.
“Let’s stop chatting. With His Majesty and the three dukes all gathered, we should have a productive discussion.”
“Haha, understood, Dilug. Kafka, calm down.”
“Haaa… fine, fine. But Nazar-oppa, do we really have to hold this meeting today?”
“Since we’re all here, let’s. When else would we get everyone together? Besides, Kafka, I heard there’s been an issue with your knight selection process lately?”
“Oh, right! Listen to this. Recently, during our family’s knight selection exam, there have been some serious problems with the process…”
It seemed like a constructive meeting was about to begin.
But that atmosphere didn’t last long.
Kafka’s crystal sphere rang, and as she checked the contents—
“Huh? Wait, what?!”
“What’s wrong?”
“Hey, Andrew, look at my crystal sphere. I’m not seeing this wrong, right? It says Lisa’s coming home this evening, doesn’t it?”
“Hmm, if Lisa’s returning home at this timing…”
“It must be that! She’s bringing that boy—Gideon—to introduce him to me! Oh my god, what do I do? It’s my first time meeting my daughter’s boyfriend—how should I act?”
Kafka’s face showed genuine panic and excitement.
Dilug sighed and spoke in a scolding tone.
“Kafka, as I said, we are in the middle of—”
“Forget it, Dilug. Just let her be.”
“But, Your Majesty, still—”
“This kind of thing is surprisingly fun to watch.”
Nazar chuckled lightly as he looked at Kafka.
Her anxious yet thrilled demeanor really was amusing.
“Hey, Andrew, what do I do? You must know something about this—you had to deal with Jason and all his girlfriends, right?”
“Jason’s… a special case, so I’m not sure I can give advice.”
Thus, the meeting of the four highest authorities in the Arium Empire ended far less seriously than expected.
Time passed, and that evening—
Lisa arrived at the gates of the Balmuth Ducal Estate.
And there, she found her mother waiting.
“Mother, it’s been a while…”
“What? You came alone? Where’s he?”
“Eh? What do you mean…?”
“The white-haired boy! That junior of yours you bit—the one who’s your boyfriend! Where is he, and why are you alone?”
“No, what are you—haaah… Mother, please…”
Lisa couldn’t help but sigh deeply.
Because her mother was just as incorrigible as ever.
And because the misunderstanding had taken root far too deeply.