Hermione couldn’t shake off the unease that had settled over her since hearing that interrupted cry. Even with the looming battle against Dorothy, even in this moment when she needed to be at her most focused, her mind was elsewhere.

Her gaze swept across the training ground, her Ice Queen aura silencing the whispers and murmurs around her.

Adele was nowhere to be seen.

The first-years weren’t participating in the ranking battles, but they were expected to attend, to observe and learn. Adele was a diligent student, both academically and magically…

But perhaps the world was inherently unfair.

Some were born with power and privilege, their starting line already miles ahead of others. For Adele, those advantages were a distant dream, a goal she could only strive for.

But she never gave up.

It was that unwavering spirit, that inner strength, that drew Hermione to Adele, among her many other qualities. The more Hermione got to know Adele, the more she fell for her.

Adele possessed a light, a spark, that even a Sequence One like Hermione lacked.

“…”

The battles commenced, but Hermione’s gaze remained unfocused, her anxiety growing with each passing moment.

Dorothy took it as a challenge, a sign of disrespect. Hermione gritted her teeth, determined to end this quickly.

Only after defeating Dorothy could she search for Adele, could she finally find peace of mind.

She unleashed her full power from the start, aiming for a swift, decisive victory, consequences be damned.

The training ground was protected by powerful wards and barriers, designed to contain any magical outbursts. But the moment Dorothy and Hermione clashed, the temperature plummeted, the air turning icy cold. Snowflakes swirled around them, transforming the training ground into a frozen wasteland.

The protective barrier activated, a translucent dome shimmering into existence, encasing the entire arena. Frost spread across its surface, snowflakes clinging to it like icy jewels, separating the combatants from the audience.

The students gasped, their faces pale with awe and fear.

Even Lady Edith, the president of the Black Feather Society, couldn’t help but be impressed, a flicker of envy in her eyes. She had always believed that she was on par with Hermione, perhaps even slightly stronger.

But reality had shattered her illusions.

Not only was she no match for the Student Council president, that human monster… but even Hermione, Dorothy’s supposed second-in-command…

She clenched her fists, her heart pounding with a mix of fear and frustration.

*If I continue like this… I’ll disappoint Mother.*

Beside her, Vicky, her loyal vice-president, watched the battle unfold with a stoic expression.

Winona, the Headmistress, however, simply smiled, a knowing glint in her eyes.

The instructors and professors, seasoned veterans of countless magical duels, were also impressed by Hermione’s power. She was one of the most gifted Elemental-type vampires in history, having reached the eighth level of Elemental Refinement at such a young age. And the power she wielded seemed to surpass even that level, approaching the realm of high-level magic, spells usually reserved for those who had reached the ninth level.

Celeste, who had been hailed as a genius for reaching the seventh level, was almost two levels behind Hermione.

Even Celeste, seated among the audience, couldn’t deny the awe and fear that gripped her. It was as if she had just climbed a small hill, her heart filled with confidence, only to find a towering mountain range blocking her path, its peaks hidden in the clouds, its depths unfathomable.

A wave of despair washed over her.

She whispered her master’s name, her only solace in this moment of uncertainty.

“Adele… Master…”

*I need to find Master!* she thought, her resolve hardening.

She turned towards the section where the Sequence Fives were seated, her gaze searching for Adele. But she only saw Tang Linlang, her expression frantic, her eyes scanning the crowd.

Celeste’s heart skipped a beat. A terrifying thought crossed her mind.

Ignoring the stares of her classmates, she jumped up and ran towards Tang Linlang, her heart pounding.

She had to find Adele.

On the battlefield, the clash between Hermione and Dorothy reached its peak.

Hermione had the initial advantage, controlling the environment, turning the entire training ground into her personal domain. Ice shards and frostbite slashed at Dorothy’s face, drawing blood.

But Dorothy simply smiled, her amusement growing with each wound.

Thanks to Azathoth’s blessing, she hadn’t felt pain in a long time.

It was… exhilarating.

“But if this is your full strength…” Dorothy said, her voice cold and mocking, “then you’ve disappointed me, Hermione.”

She unleashed her counterattack.

The abilities of Familiar-type vampires could be broadly categorized into four levels: Blessing, Possession, Summoning, and Advent.

Blessing was the most basic level, granting the vampire various benefits depending on the nature of their familiar. Enhanced psychic abilities, increased strength, and a variety of other enhancements.

Dorothy, relying solely on Azathoth’s blessing, turned the tide of the battle. She moved like a monster, her strength and speed rivaling that of a Strength-type vampire. She closed the distance effortlessly, her movements blurring, her attacks overwhelming Hermione’s defenses.

She even managed to conjure rudimentary fire magic, matching Hermione’s icy blasts blow for blow, transforming the training ground into a chaotic landscape of fire and ice.

And her psychic attacks were relentless, insidious whispers of madness and despair, chipping away at Hermione’s sanity.

—”Meow!”

A sudden meow, echoing in the depths of her mind, snapped Hermione out of her trance.

Clarity returned, but at a cost.

She had left herself open.

Dorothy’s fist connected with her jaw, sending her flying.

Dorothy stood over her, her pink hair swirling around her like tentacles, her smile cruel and triumphant.

“You should be honored,” she purred. “I rarely go all out~”

Hermione had anticipated this outcome. Dorothy was even stronger than the simulations had predicted. But Hermione had faced countless simulated Dorothys, had memorized every move, every counter.

She had lost her focus, distracted by her concern for Adele. And Dorothy had exploited that weakness.

There was no easy victory here.

Hermione spat out a mouthful of blood. She wanted to continue, to fight until she could fight no more. She might still lose, but there was a chance, a slim chance, that she could win.

But this battle had been about Adele.

And if Adele, the reason for this fight, the anchor that kept Hermione’s heart from succumbing to despair… if she was gone…

Hermione would abandon everything to find her.

No matter the cost.

The flames of Dorothy’s magic consumed Hermione’s icy domain. The protective barrier, sensing the sudden drop in magical energy, deactivated, the snowflakes that had clung to its surface dissolving into nothingness.

Dorothy watched Hermione flee, her brow furrowed.

But then, she shrugged. Why bother analyzing her opponent’s motives?

Hermione had lost. She was afraid.

And Dorothy had won.

She was always the winner.

She turned towards the audience, her chest swelling with pride, seeking Adele’s approval.

*Adele, I won—*

But Adele was gone.