"So we're really going somewhere alone, master?"
"Yes. It's a very dangerous place, so be careful in case we get separated."
Classes had ended, and the two were preparing for the vacation that had just begun.
Only a week had passed since Enrico gave the training plans to his companions, but it was already possible to notice some progress, especially in Kai and Serenya, who seemed to be the most excited about it. He had prepared plans for practically everyone, including Danyana, whom he had met only recently.
The only exceptions were Elowyn and her subordinates. Enrico might want her to evolve so she could become more useful in the future, but he would not risk helping her in that way.
"At this place, you will be able to test your second magic so we can see how it works."
"Alright. I trained a lot, so I think I can use it well."
It would be a good opportunity to discover more about Yumeha's new magic and understand how it would behave.
At the same time, that place would be perfect for Enrico to advance several levels above the others.
He had planned a new method of evolution that would depend on some things existing in the place where the vampires lived and, although it could be extremely dangerous, it could also accelerate his growth considerably.
'I hope it works and I don't end up dying.'
The two continued walking through the academy's corridors until they turned a corner.
Enrico stopped for a moment when he noticed someone ahead, while Yumeha immediately directed a deadly look toward the person waiting for them.
She had already seen that girl watching her master for weeks and had never liked her very much. Even so, there was something about that woman that caught her attention.
'That's the girl who's been watching master for weeks. I don't like her... Although she does look somewhat similar to master's face.'
"Hello, little brother."
"Miss Platina."
Yumeha was immediately surprised.
'Little brother? So she's my sister-in-law...?'
The girl in front of them really did have an appearance similar to Enrico's, although some features were different. Her hair was long and black, reaching down to her lower back, while her eyes were silver.
She was Enrico's older sister and was in her final year at the academy. Upon hearing the formal way he called her, she gave a small smile.
"You can call me big sis if you want."
'You can say that, but your cold expression doesn't make me trust you at all.'
"Sorry, but I feel more comfortable calling you the same way as always."
Yumeha had already heard from the others that Enrico's family did not treat him well. From what they told her, on one occasion, when he went to visit them, he ended up returning completely injured, and that had been enough for her to develop some resistance toward that family. She might wish for their approval because of Enrico, but that did not mean she liked them.
'Just like me, he was the failure of the family.'
The difference between the two families was still great. At least, even if Yumeha's own family ignored her, the only person who used to hurt her was her brother, who ended up being executed by their own father after committing a betrayal.
'He never went as far as hurting me as much as master's family did to him.'
Her eyes remained focused on the girl in case she tried anything against her master. The two siblings had cold expressions as they continued their conversation.
"I know our father told you not to call any of us by family nicknames, but now that you've become strong, you can relax and use them."
"I'm already used to speaking this way."
That was troublesome.
Enrico did not understand why she was insisting so much that he start calling her that way. He really was much stronger than the original Enrico had been at that time, but even so, it was strange. Perhaps they could simply have waited a little longer before starting to act that way.
'If the original Enrico were here, he would have hopeful eyes from finally being recognized.'
[He would want to jump for joy.]
There was only one thing that could have made the family recognize him: his status within the academy. This probably meant that they already knew that, besides being Rank 7, Enrico was being recognized by Virelle as a possible disciple.
Director Hao himself also showed considerable interest in him, and the person who had probably told the family everything was the other Class S teacher, Carter Blihinld, his knight teacher, who had a connection with the Solcren Ferreira family as a guardian.
'So far, he hasn't spoken to me even once. He just kept watching me from afar.'
"Maybe next time you'll call me that. The important thing is that I came to give you a letter from our father."
"A letter?"
Enrico received the envelope and opened the letter to read its contents. It was a summons for him to return home during the vacation, as there were some matters that needed to be resolved.
Apparently, another problem had arisen. If it wasn't, it could be considered an affront to the family, but if he agreed to return immediately, he would lose an important period for his own training. That was also an especially important time to find the vampires, since, according to what he knew from the original story, it was precisely during this period that they began looking for people with suitable blood.
Enrico raised his eyes toward Platina and decided to tell a lie that could easily be confirmed by Virelle. After all, she probably already knew how the family treated the former Enrico.
"I'm sorry, but Professor Virelle ordered me to go to a training location that would help me become stronger."
"Are you going to ignore our father's orders?"
For a moment, when Platina realized that he might be refusing, the atmosphere seemed to become heavier. Enrico immediately noticed the change and responded before she could interpret it as an affront.
"No. I will go as soon as I can. It was simply an order from Virelle to increase my chances of becoming her disciple."
The tension gradually disappeared. Platina remained silent for a few seconds, apparently reflecting on that, before finally turning around to leave.
"Alright. I'll inform our father, but don't take too long."
"Alright, Miss Platina."
"Big sis."
"No way."
After the two said goodbye, Enrico let out a relieved sigh.
He knew Enrico's family quite well, mainly because they appeared as villains in the original story, but it was still difficult to consider them truly his family.
Enrico did not like them and had no desire whatsoever to create that kind of closeness. Fortunately, the original Enrico was already used to calling them that way, so he could continue doing the same without having to pretend to make a sudden change.
"Master, so she's my sister-in-law? She doesn't seem like a nice person."
"And she isn't."
[You two already act like husband and wife. Those massage sessions must have brought you quite close.]
Enrico ignored the system's sarcastic comment and turned his attention back to Yumeha.
After that, the two said goodbye to the others and headed toward the academy gate.
For any other student, that would be the beginning of vacation, a period to rest, have fun, and enjoy their time away from classes. For Enrico, however, that vacation would only be the beginning of another sequence of training, dangers, and changes to the future he knew.
As soon as they passed through the gate, Enrico and Yumeha continued walking without realizing that they were not alone. In the distance, hidden among the paths and buildings near the academy, three shadows silently followed them.