(Elianna’s POV)
From the very first moment that I laid my eyes on him at the city gates, he managed to catch my full attention.
I felt a strange aura radiating from him— those striking red eyes and that unnervingly pale skin... I know that having those traits are not always absolute signs that someone is a vampire, which is exactly why we do not spread this specific information to the general public; but my personal instinct was screaming at me that there was something fundamentally different about this man.
However, I had no actual proof to back up this feeling of mine, nor did I have the time to sit around and confirm my suspicions. So, in the end... I just decided to let it go for a while.
I cannot simply go around accusing innocent people of being a vampire based solely on a gut feeling, after all.
But today, as I was escaping to the local library just to get some much-needed rest and read through the sacred teachings of [The Sun God - Helion]; I happened to see him once again.
He was standing out like a sore thumb, dressed quite casually, yet somehow exuding a very elegant and regal presence all around him.
He looks like a noble.
My attention was immediately caught by him for a second time, and almost unconsciously— I ran after him and stopped him before he could leave the establishment.
I clearly saw how his eyes twitched the very moment I introduced myself as the saintess of [The Radiant Church]. That tiny reaction alone just made my suspicion grow even stronger than before.
Though right after that moment, he immediately regained his composure and started acting very casual... way too casual for comfort, to be honest. But I do not really like dealing with tiresome etiquettes myself, so I just decided to let him be.
It is actually quite refreshing to have someone treat me like a normal person despite all of my status and high titles.
The man then went ahead and introduced himself as Verc, a simple wandering knight.
I carefully observed him and his two companions; I did not find anything suspicious about the other two, as they seemed like perfectly normal humans to me.
But my gut feeling was really warning me about this Verc guy, and thus, after using some calm and steady convincing— I invited him to go talk in private, far away from the prying eyes of the others.
He started a bit of small talk as soon as we sat down together, and I honestly do not know if he is just an airhead or if he is actually really bold. He even went as far as telling me to just reject every single meeting request I was getting if it was bothering me so much... what a carefree and simple way of thinking.
I found myself feeling quite envious of just how free and unrestricted his thinking truly was.
Anyway, getting back to the main topic at hand— I went straight ahead and asked him directly if he was a vampire. To which, he denied it immediately without a second thought.
I was already expecting that kind of answer, but fortunately, based on the secret teachings of the sun god; I know a specific method to find out for sure if he is one or not.
[The Blood Method]
Vampires simply cannot resist the smell and sight of blood, as that is exactly where their immortality comes from. It is rooted deep in their instinct to consume blood the moment they see it.
So, with total confidence— PSSHK-!
I bit down hard on my left hand and made it bleed on purpose.
I kept a small smile on my face as I looked over at Verc’s reaction.
He turned his gaze toward the blood, looking at it like he was almost amused by it, then he turned his eyes back to me with a visible frown on his face.
I was waiting for him to finally try and attack me. I do not have any of my personal equipment on me right now— but I know I can easily deal with him the very moment he shows his fangs to me.
At that exact moment, Verc opened his mouth. I prepared my whole body for what was about to come next!
"Weirdo."
Though... my whole body froze up in an instant when he said that one word. I was... completely speechless.
Tap- Tap- Tap-
And right after that, he just turned around and walked away from me.
"..."
Leaving me standing there all alone in the corner.
"...!"
My whole face heated up intensely from the sheer embarrassment of it after processing what happened, my smile crumbled away and my face twisted into a deep frown.
’Ugh...!’
I could not do anything else but let out a frustrated groan internally.
*****
(Verc’s POV)
’Phew... That was a really close call.’
I thought that to myself as I quickly ran away from Elianna.
Seeing the fresh blood on her hand, I was immediately attracted to it— the intense urge to consume it erupted from deep within my body.
Luckily though, [Hunger Suppression], which was the passive skill I had acquired by eating those gross insects inside the cave; acted up and stopped me from turning into a mindless, hungry monster.
It is a skill I acquired through pure coincidence, and I really thought it was not going to be that useful for me— but it just saved my life right now.
’What kind of insect did I even eat back then that gave me this...? I should definitely try to level up this skill some more.’
I asked myself that question as I continued walking quickly through the building.
Though, a very curious thought entered my mind as I was heading back toward Geremie and Albert.
’I wonder what kind of skill I would have gotten if I had actually drunk her blood?’
I asked that question at the back of my head.
Moving on, after a while— I reached Albert and Geremie, and they both quickly ran toward me the moment they saw me approaching them.
"W-What happened?"
Albert asked me that, his curiosity completely unhidden. Geremie looks like he was waiting for my answer as well. They really are being quite nosy.
I just shrugged my shoulders at them, then opening my mouth to answer—
"She said she fell in love with me at first sight, so she pulled me aside in private just to ask me more about myself."
I said that with a casual tone. I saw the two blush a little after hearing what I said... they’re really gullible.
"..."
A small smile appeared on my face.
"DON’T YOU DARE SPREAD WEIRD RUMORS!!!"
But just then— I heard Elianna shout that from behind me!
My whole body flinched at the sound.
’Uwahhh... How can she still hear me from that far away?’
Anyway, I quickly grabbed Albert and Geremie, then I immediately left the library with them.
I don’t want to stay any longer near someone who is basically my natural enemy.
’Let’s not meet each other again, miss saintess.’