Since she had borrowed Tang Linlang’s notes, and since the girl was clearly watching her intently, Adele felt obligated to at least put on a show of diligence.

*Might as well practice my handwriting.*

It wasn’t that she had no interest in learning. On the contrary, if she could learn some kind of magic or secret technique that could pin down a nasty piece of work like Dorothy… she’d dedicate herself to her studies with a fervor she never thought possible.

But the reality was, that was nothing more than a pipe dream. In the short term, Adele couldn’t even beat that Sequence Two, Celeste.

No, scratch that. She couldn’t even beat Tang Linlang!

Linlang at least had the Tang family’s martial arts and assassination techniques to fall back on. Sure, she might have struggled with them, never quite mastering them to the extent her ancestors had, but at least she had something. Adele, on the other hand, had absolutely nothing.

Besides her “sweet blood,” she had yet to exhibit any other notable qualities or abilities. Trying to go up against those Sequence Ones, those beings who had been born with power far surpassing her own, who stood at the pinnacle of the vampire world… it was an exercise in futility.

So yes, Adele’s lackadaisical attitude in class was nothing more than a small act of defiance, a passive resistance against an unavoidable reality.

When class ended, Adele approached Tang Linlang and carefully returned her notebook. “Thank you, Linlang,” she said, a gentle smile gracing her lips as she met the other girl’s gaze.

There was a warmth in her eyes, like the soft glow of the morning sun, that was surprisingly comforting.

“…It’s nothing, really. It’s the least I could do,” Linlang mumbled, her cheeks flushed pink, making her look even more adorable and innocent. Adele had to resist the urge to reach out and pinch her cheek, or perhaps ruffle her hair. Her self-control and manners were the only things stopping her.

Tang Linlang was the kind of girl who deserved a carefree life, a childhood filled with laughter and joy. But fate had played a cruel trick on her, burdening her with the weight of her family’s tragic past, forcing her to carry on in this world alone, weighed down by a grief that was far too heavy for someone so young.

A wave of sympathy, of heartache, washed over Adele. In the original story, Linlang had been one of her allies in the later chapters. By then, she would have endured countless hardships, transforming herself into a powerful vampire hunter, her story unfolding in the shadows of the narrative the author had chosen to tell.

Together, they would bring about the downfall of the entire vampire race.

The author might have created this world, but once it was set in motion, it took on a life of its own. All those untold stories continued to unfold beyond the pages of the novel.

Who knew what trials and tribulations Linlang would have to face? Would her path be paved with good fortune, or would it be a long and arduous journey?

Just imagining this sweet, innocent girl transforming into the cold, ruthless vampire hunter, the commanding presence she would become in the future… it was hard to fathom the pain and suffering she would have to endure to get there.

What could possibly drive her forward? What would give her the strength to keep going, to walk that long, lonely path until she finally reached Adele’s side in the distant future?

Was it simply the thirst for revenge? Or was it something more…?

Adele couldn’t say for sure. She only knew that the warmth in her gaze intensified as she looked at the girl before her. Suddenly, she reached out and took Tang Linlang’s hand.

“Linlang,” she said, “I need to use the restroom… Want to come with me?”

She had heard that the best way for girls to express their friendship was to invite each other to the restroom during breaks. She wasn’t sure if it was true, but she was willing to try. She’d never been one to shy away from a little boldness.

Tang Linlang froze, her eyes widening in surprise as Adele’s hand enveloped hers. Then, a flicker of something akin to joy danced in her eyes, and her cheeks flushed even redder.

“T-To the restroom!?” She stammered, her voice barely a whisper.

To think… something she had only ever witnessed other girls do was actually happening to her!

It wasn’t just that Tang Linlang didn’t have any friends; it was more like she had never even considered the possibility of having a friend, at least not until now. Before today, she had only admired Adele from afar. It was a spur-of-the-moment impulse that had driven her to approach the other girl.

“Yeah, what’s wrong?” Adele asked, tilting her head to the side with an innocent look on her face. She looked so endearing, so utterly irresistible, that it was almost unfair.

“N-Nothing…” Linlang stammered, her body betraying her words as she instinctively rose to her feet. Her face felt like it was on fire, and her breathing turned erratic.

“Great! Let’s go then~”

Adele looped her arm through Linlang’s, snuggling close and resting her head against her shoulder.

*This… This is bliss!*

Linlang felt a wave of dizziness wash over her. It was the sensation of being completely overwhelmed by happiness.

At first, her body had felt stiff and awkward, but gradually, she began to relax into Adele’s touch, enjoying the warmth of her body pressed against hers, the sweet, almost floral scent that clung to her. Her lips curved into a soft smile.

If this were an anime, pink steam would be erupting from her ears and nose right now. But even without such exaggerated reactions, her heart was racing in her chest.

*Adele is so soft, so warm… and she’s leaning on me… *

Tang Linlang couldn’t even begin to describe the emotions swirling within her. She suspected she might need several cold showers to calm down after this.

Adele, on the other hand, was perfectly at ease. Hugging, cuddling… it was nice and all.

*Lifting her skirt is average though…*

And no, it wasn’t because she had a thing for girls with white stockings. Linlang might be petite, but perhaps due to her demeanor, even standing side-by-side, it was still Adele who appeared smaller and more delicate.

As they walked down the hallway, they couldn’t avoid passing by the classrooms of the higher-ranking vampires. A wave of oppressive mental pressure washed over them, a mixture of disdain and displeasure directed at Adele.

The air grew heavy, suffocating. Adele’s breath hitched in her throat. It felt like she was trapped in a confined space, surrounded by menacing shadows, with no escape.

“Linlang… Linlang!” she gasped, clinging to the other girl for support, her body trembling.

This was the best she could do. At least… it was better than collapsing under the weight of their mental pressure, reduced to a whimpering mess in front of those Sequence Ones.

It was a small comfort, a way to find humor in her suffering.

“Adele… are you alright? Should we go to the infirmary?” Linlang asked, initially confused by Adele’s sudden change in demeanor.

But then, she heard the sneers, the barely concealed mockery in the voices of those high-ranking vampires watching them from their classrooms. Her fists clenched, and she gritted her teeth, finally understanding what was happening.

It was the vampires’ mental pressure, the ironclad hierarchy that dictated their every interaction.

It was Adele who was suffering, targeted for her weaker bloodline. Linlang, as a human, was immune to such attacks. Yet, she felt a surge of anger, her eyes burning with unshed tears as she glared at those vampires who dared to mock her friend.

“What’s so funny!?” she shouted, her voice trembling with indignation. “You… you jerks!”

She pulled Adele closer, shielding her with her own body. In that moment, she was Adele’s only source of comfort, her only protector.

A fierce determination ignited within her.

*Adele… I won’t let them hurt you.*

Adele felt a surge of gratitude, her expression softening as she leaned into Linlang’s embrace, drawing strength from her warmth and protectiveness.

But as tempting as it was to lash out, to challenge those high-ranking vampires, she knew it would be unwise. “Linlang… thank you,” she whispered, her voice barely audible. “But we… we should go.”

Linlang bit her lip, trying to stop her teeth from chattering. She was terrified, but for Adele’s sake, she wouldn’t show even a hint of fear.

She nodded and was about to guide Adele away when a figure emerged from one of the Sequence Three classrooms, blocking their path.

It was a vampire girl, her features plain, her expression sharp and mean-spirited.

“Well, well, well. If it isn’t the Princess’s little cake~” she drawled, her tone laced with amusement. She didn’t even seem to view Adele as a fellow student, or even a fellow being. She was an object, nothing more.

Her gaze shifted to Tang Linlang. “And who might you be? A lowly human, daring to insult us?”

“Don’t think that the presence of those mediators will stop us from doing whatever we want.”

“Today, you two are going to give me and my friends a proper apology. Get on your knees and beg for forgiveness, and maybe, just maybe, I’ll be merciful and let you and this little cake go. Otherwise…” She trailed off, a chilling smile spreading across her lips.

And with that, the Sequence Three vampire unleashed her aura. A wave of oppressive energy, cold and suffocating, descended upon them, sending chills down their spines. Shadows, dark and viscous like a stagnant swamp, spread across the walls, as if a portal to some otherworldly dimension had been opened.

Something monstrous lurked within those shadows, its eyes gleaming with malice as it clawed at the edges of reality, its guttural growls sending shivers down their spines.

The worst-case scenario had come to pass…

Adele’s shoulders trembled, but not from fear. She was trembling because she was acutely aware of her own limitations.

She was too weak, too powerless! There was no way she could fight back.

*And there was no such scene in the original novel!*

*Hermione! Dorothy! Celeste! Anyone! Please, one of you attackers, come save me!*