Who wouldn't want to be crowned the strongest in Hagun Academy?
Students from all grades participated, and nearly everyone was in attendance, creating an electrifying atmosphere.
Rei Ao: "The duel hasn't started yet, has it?"
Rei Ao appeared beside Kurono Shinguji, with Shizue Izawa following close behind.
Shizue Izawa: "There are so many people."
Kurono Shinguji: "Stella's duel starts in a few minutes."
Kurono, unfazed by their sudden arrival, calmly answered, gesturing toward the countdown displayed in the arena center through the glass.
Rei Ao scanned the surroundings.
Rei Ao: "You picked a pretty good spot."
The location was a private viewing box extending from an upper platform at the edge of the dueling arena.
A massive pane of glass in front provided a clear view of everything happening below.
Kurono Shinguji: "This is a special observation box that only the academy director has the privilege to use."
Kurono Shinguji: "The glass was recently upgraded to one-way, magic-resistant material."
It wasn't necessary for her to specifically mention the glass, yet she did, prompting Rei Ao to give her a meaningful look.
Rei Ao: "You're certainly well-prepared."
Upon closer inspection, Kurono Shinguji wasn't dressed in her usual formal director's attire. Instead, she wore a sleek, black gown that perfectly accentuated her figure. It was clear she had planned ahead.
???: "So this is another world?"
A sudden voice drew everyone's attention.
Shinoa Hiragi and Hijiri Kasuga had appeared in the room. They had ultimately decided to cross over to verify the situation themselves, even requesting leave from their schools to make the trip.
Hijiri Kasuga: "The magical energy here is so abundant."
Sei could feel the mana in the air.
An entirely different world, yet it was brimming with magical energy!
Before she could marvel further, or before Shinoa could take in the scene, Rei Ao suddenly blinked forward, appearing right in front of Shinoa.
Shinoa Hiragi: "What are you doing?!"
Thinking Rei Ao was about to attack her, she tensed up defensively.
Rei Ao: "Tch!"
In truth, Rei Ao did act, but his target wasn't Shinoa herself. His cold gaze seemed to pierce through Shinoaor rather, into something deeper.
Rei Ao: "Stowaway. Looks like I'll have to invite you out."
With a swift motion, Rei Ao's hand grabbed hold of a dark, gaseous energy emerging from Shinoa's body and yanked it out.
A black-green scythe materialized in his hand.
Shinoa Hiragi: "What are you doing?!"
Shinoa's expression turned grim.
That scytheit was her cursed weapon, Shikama Dji.
Shizue Izawa and Kurono Shinguji also looked confused by her sudden reaction.
Rei Ao: "Tch, tch. Looks like your world-hopping brought along a hitchhiker."
Rei Ao smirked coldly, speaking directly to Shikama Dji.
Rei Ao: "The First Vampire Progenitor, Shikama Dji, isn't that right?"
Shinoa Hiragi: "What?!?"
Shinoa's eyes widened in shock.
Did she hear that correctly?
The First Vampire Progenitor!
She knew very well what a Vampire Progenitor was.
Vampires were bloodthirsty beings that dominated the world after its collapse. They possessed physical abilities far beyond humans and subsisted on human blood.
The most powerful vampires were natural enemies of humanity, enslaving humans and building vampire cities filled with both common vampires and vampire nobles.
At the top of the hierarchy were the Vampire Progenitors, rulers with unparalleled power and authority.
Yet, humanity knew very little about the Progenitorslet alone the First Progenitor.
But now, the person before her not only forcibly removed Shikama Dji from her, but also referred to it as the First Progenitor?
Shinoa Hiragi: "What nonsense are you spouting? Shikama Dji is the sealed demon of a cursed weapon."
Shinoa's voice was firm, though doubt flickered in her eyes.
Demons resided within cursed weaponshow could one of them possibly be a Vampire Progenitor?
Her skepticism was reasonable, yet it only deepened her confusion.
Rei Ao glanced at her.
It seemed Shinoa wasn't aware of the true secret behind her cursed weapon.
He didn't mind explaining.
Rei Ao: "I know a fair bit about your worldor, to be precise, more than even you do."
Rei Ao: "So, have you ever considered the possibility that the so-called demons in your cursed weapons are actually vampires who lost their physical forms?"
Shinoa Hiragi: "That"
Shinoa Hiragi was utterly shocked.
She had never considered such a possibility before.
Throughout her education, from elementary school to university, nothing like this had ever been mentioned.
Rei Ao: "Stowaway, I'll give you three seconds to come out on your own, or I won't hesitate to reduce you to ash."
Rei Ao's threat seemed casual, but it carried a weight that was impossible to ignore.
Almost immediately, the scythe began to stir.
Black energy surged once again, this time materializing into a humanoid figure.
Shinoa Hiragi: "A vampire?!"
Her gaze sharpened instantly.
She recognized the distinct physical features unique to vampires at a glance.
The figure, identified as Shikama Dji, looked at Shinoa and sighed.
Shikama Dji: "What a surprise. I never thought you'd encounter something like this."
Shinoa Hiragi: "Are you really the First Progenitor?"
Her eyes locked onto him, burning with an eagerness to uncover the truth.
Shikama Dji: "In the presence of this esteemed individual, it seems I cannot deny it."
There was a trace of bitterness in his voice.
The First Vampire Progenitor, a being far removed from humanity, now had no choice but to show deference to a human before him.
It was an undeniable reality. Rei Ao's presence was far more overwhelming than his own.
Simply standing before Rei Ao was enough to sense a power surpassing everything Shikama Dji had ever knowneven greater than the forbidden "Seraph of the End" he had personally created.
And given that this was not his own world, even the First Progenitor had to behave.
Rei Ao: "Spare me the flattery."
Rei Ao had no interest in his respect or compliments.
Rei Ao: "No matter how pretty your words are, as a stowaway, you must die."
His tone made it clear: he fully intended to eliminate this intruder.
Not out of some noble duty to protect humanity or any particular race, but simply because this being had trespassedand because Rei Ao would not tolerate a dangerous presence lingering near Shinoa Hiragi, his intended target.
The atmosphere grew tense.
Shikama Dji, sensing the calm resolve in Rei Ao's demeanor, felt a pang of helplessness. He could tell that this human was not someone who could be swayed by mere words.
After a long silence, Shikama Dji's gaze shifted. He assessed his surroundings, scanning the quietly observing Shizue Izawa, Kurono Shinguji, and Hijiri Kasuga.
Rei Ao: "I'd advise you against having any designs on them. Otherwise, your death won't be so merciful."
With a sudden roar, crimson flames erupted in Rei Ao's hand.
Shikama Dji: "...!!!"
Just looking at the flames made Shikama Dji feel as if his soul was being burned. These weren't ordinary flames; they were the True Crimson Flames, capable of incinerating even the soul.
A swift death would be the greatest mercy he could hope for. But if he dared to resist, Rei Ao wouldn't hesitate to make him suffer a fate worse than death.
Shikama Dji: "Your power is truly awe-inspiring, esteemed human. I've never encountered anyone like you before."
Reluctantly, Shikama Dji abandoned his last thoughts of resistance.
Shikama Dji: "Rest assured, I hope for a swift death as much as you do. In fact, I've long wished for someone who could kill me."
Escape was impossible. Even his soul warned him of this.
For Shikama Dji, resignation was the only option.
He wasn't wrong, either. In his original world, no one could kill himnot even the "Seraph of the End." Somewhere deep down, he had indeed wished for someone capable of ending his existence.
Rei Ao: "Ah."
Rei Ao chuckled softly.
He wasn't particularly concerned about Shikama Dji trying to flee.
[Vampire]: Shikama Dji
[Level]: 35
[Abilities]: "Vampire Progenitor"
His power was decent, but nothing extraordinary. If he did attempt to run, it would simply mean a little more effort on Rei Ao's part.
After all, the overall strength of Shinoa's world wasn't very highnot even the artificially created entities like the "Angel Horns" or "Seraphim" could measure up.
That said, in that world, vampires were undeniably dominant, their strength holding humanity firmly underfoot.
Shikama Dji quickly realized that Rei Ao's stance remained unmoved.
At this point, he was certain there was no chance of escape.
With a faint smile of resignation, he murmured:
Shikama Dji: "To think I'd meet my end because of her unexpected encounter. It's a shame I couldn't complete my plan."
His tone carried a mix of helplessness and a strange acceptance of death.
Shinoa Hiragi: "A plan? What exactly are you plotting?"
The revelation of Shikama Dji's identity had flooded Shinoa's mind with questions.
How could the esteemed First Progenitor of vampires become a mere sealed spirit within a cursed weapon? Something was profoundly wrong here.
Shikama Dji: "Esteemed one, I hope you don't mind if I borrow a bit of your time to explain some things to her."
Having come to terms with his fate, Shikama Dji was unbothered by the vampire-human conflict in his original world anymore.
Rei Ao: "You have five minutes."
Stella's duel would start in five minutes, and Rei Ao had no intention of wasting time on a soon-to-be-dead individual.
Shikama Dji didn't arguehe knew he wasn't in a position to negotiate.
Without delay, he began to reveal his purpose to Shinoa Hiragi.
~~~
Patreon(.)com/Bleam
Currently You can Read 50 Chapters Ahead of Others!
Chapter 161: The Match of Stella
Shikama Dji's story was deeply tied to the Hiragi family, to which Shinoa Hiragi's lineage belonged.
The Hiragi family was a prestigious clan renowned as masters of sorcery, rulers of Japan's Imperial Demon Army, with a history spanning over 1,200 years. As the center of Japan's Hyakuya Sect, the Hiragi family commanded immense authority and influence.
Before the fall of the world, the Hiragi family stood at the apex of the religious organization "Demons of the Empire", wielding absolute power. To underscore their dominance, those bearing the name Hiragi were granted supreme rights and status.
Shikama Dji, however, was the true mastermind behind the Hiragi family, orchestrating countless tragedies from the shadows.
He had been possessing the head of the Hiragi family, Tenri Hiragi, for generations.
Revered by the Hiragi family as an "Old God," Shikama Dji conducted forbidden experiments involving the Seraph of the End, which he considered his property.
Because the Seraph of the End's power originated from him, it was incapable of killing him.
Shikama Dji had long awaited someone capable of killing Tenri Hiragi so he could transfer his possession to that person and make them the ruler of humanity.
Tenri Hiragi eventually perished, but the experiments continued.
Shinoa Hiragi and her elder sister, Mahiru Hiragi, were both artificially conceived as female test subjects infected with demonic essence.
Mahiru, over time, discovered that she could hear the calls of the demon residing within ShinoaShikama Dji. To protect her younger sister, Mahiru absorbed Shikama Dji into her own body.
She was subsequently transformed by the Hyakuya Sect into a demon weapon, shaped like a scythe. This weapon became Mahiru's second cursed tool.
Before her death, Mahiru decided to return Shikama Dji to Shinoa, believing she needed the weapon to protect herself in the event of the world's collapse. Thus, Shikama Dji once again found himself at Shinoa's side.
Shikama Dji's ultimate plan was to possess a member of the Hiiragi family, targeting either Shinoa Hiragi or her brother, Kureto Hiiragi.
His final goal? To revive his "child," Mikael, the most perfect vessel among his experimental subjectsMikaela Hyakuya.
Shinoa Hiragi listened intently, her thoughts swirling in turmoil.
She had never imagined that her family harbored such dark secrets.
Though she wanted to press for more details, the dueling arena's loudspeaker interrupted her thoughts.
[This duel features Stella Vermillion versus Ikki Kurogane!]
Rei Ao: "Time's up."
Right on the five-minute mark, Rei Ao acted without hesitation, not bothering to entertain any further discussion.
With a sharp motion, he thrust his right hand into Shikama Dji's chest.
Since Shikama Dji had no physical body, there was no blood.
Whoosh!
Crimson flames erupted from Rei Ao's hand, igniting Shikama Dji's form.
Rei Ao didn't settle for simply destroying the soul; he meticulously erased Shikama Dji's spirit, consciousness, and existence from his energy source.
The flames, unhindered, consumed Shikama Dji's soul completely.
As his body disintegrated, he reverted into pure black demonic energy, which gradually flowed back into Shinoa's cursed weapon.
Rei Ao casually tossed the weapon back to the stunned Shinoa Hiragi.
Rei Ao: "Your weapon is still usable, just minus the vampire."
He smirked.
Rei Ao: "I took care of the stowaway for you. No objections, I assume?"
Shinoa caught the weapon, her mind still reeling from the revelations and Rei Ao's decisive actions. After a brief moment, she shook her head.
Shinoa Hiragi: "No objections."
Meanwhile, Shizue Izawa pointed to the dueling arena below.
Shizue Izawa: "Stella is about to enter the stage."
As the duel began, Rei Ao turned to Kurono Shinguji.
Rei Ao: "Is there another room nearby where these two can stay?"
Clearly, he had plans and didn't want any "third wheels" lingering around.
Kurono Shinguji: "This way, please."
Understanding Rei Ao's intentions, Kurono led the still-confused Hijiri Kasuga and Shinoa Hiragi out of the room.
Rei Ao then stepped closer to Shizue, wrapping an arm around her waist and inhaling the scent of her soft hair.
Rei Ao: "Shizue, are you okay with becoming my woman in a world that isn't your own?"
Shizue immediately understood his meaning, her cheeks flushing with shyness. She nodded hesitantly.
Shizue Izawa: "Yes. I've already made up my mind."
Still, she hesitated for a moment before murmuring:
