At the training grounds, three days had passed. With each day, the training grew more intense. At that moment, I was sparring with Serapynhe.
It was yet another session to enhance my regeneration. However, this time, she aimed directly at my internal organs. Every clash of her spear meant losing something.
Without exception, she didn't waste a single movement. Every attack, every shift of her body was technically flawless. Even the smallest gaps were exceptional traps.
Despite her demonic heart, I have to admit: she's a perfect fighter. It's impossible to imagine how many battles she's faced — and even more, how many she's won.
Her movements were lethal. She was like the embodiment of war itself.
She mastered every weapon with exquisite skill. And every power, even the simplest, was elevated to a terrifying level.
Her main element seemed to be ice, but she attacked using all elements — and their divergent forms.
Lightning, fire, gravity, water, earth, metal, magma, glass, blood, wind, sound, plants...
Each element was used in flawless alternation, her attacks blending without ever clashing.
Unfortunately, I was the target of all of them. And I wasn't a specialist in everything. So, I got hit by them all.
Fortunately, my regeneration was developing at a surprising rate — even if the pain was unbearable.
With a simple spear in hand, I braced for her next attack. Serapynhe advanced, now wielding an axe, spinning it suddenly. A swift slash came at me.
I tried to parry with the spear's shaft. Useless, of course.
The axe shattered my weapon and tore through my body. Still, with what remained of the shaft, I slashed toward her face.
She dodged with absurd elegance — it looked like a dance — and in one fluid motion, a kick struck my ribcage, hurling me heavily to the ground.
Boom.
"Ahhh…"
Groaning, blood dripped from my mouth as I tried to stand. She'd probably destroyed another organ.
Then her voice rang out:
"You're bold, brat. What did you think you were doing?"
She spoke with a strangely amused expression.
I rose, trembling, trying to explain.
"Well... so far, I haven't been able to hurt you at all... so I thought I'd try an attack…"
As soon as I finished speaking, I noticed her gaze shift. Something strange — overly excited, almost insane.
She smiled... and it wasn't a normal smile. It was almost possessive.
Shit. Did I say something I shouldn't have?
She slowly approached, graceful as ever, and crouched in front of me, still holding my chin, forcing me to meet her eyes.
"You tried to hurt me? How adorable…" she whispered, eyes locked on mine.
Then she licked a drop of blood that had trickled down my face. Her eyes sparkled for a moment.
"It's sweet... and slightly spicy."
There was something different in her now. Her eyes slowly dropped to my collarbone, as if studying something more... intimate.
"In all these years, I've trained many disciples... even my own daughters. But only you had an idea so idiotic as to try hurting me."
"They always took my attacks passively. Always afraid of retaliation."
"But you...? You dared to try something like that."
She let out a small laugh.
"Truly... only my son-in-law would do something so bold."
Hahaha.
"I'm starting to feel truly excited again, after such a long time. Get up. We'll train even more intensely."
The following day was hell.
She attacked from all sides, non-stop. I dare say she was torturing me. But the most terrifying part: she was happy.
We fought for hours until I was finally released.
But even after that... I had no peace.
Beneath the castle, she watched me with a strange look. She asked questions every few minutes.
This woman... she's either planning to drain every drop of my blood, or she's figuring out a way to kill me and still justify it to Flávia.
Did I offend her that much?
The room I was in was simple. Just a bed and a painting… of Serapynhe, of course.
Actually, there were paintings of her all over the house. I'm not surprised. With all her actions, narcissism doesn't even seem like the worst.
Curiously, the paintings didn't show her brutality. Only her noble, beautiful, and elegant side.
I dare say, in secret: it's better to look at the paintings than face Serapynhe herself.
Lying on the bed, I pushed thoughts of her aside and focused on my training. I really was evolving quickly.
Of course, the pain remained unbearable. Watching your own organs being pierced and ripped out is pure hell.
Especially the heart.
Without it, vampires become 90% weaker — and the pain is excruciating. The consumed blood barely reaches the Blood Star, causing deep weakness.
Exhausted, my fragile mind and broken body finally dragged me into a deep sleep.
---
The next day, something was different.
Serapynhe attacked with unprecedented ferocity. Yesterday, there were still gaps, chances to counterattack. Today, there were none.
She used only a spear, keeping her distance. Each strike brought pain.
Arms, legs, organs — half my body was being destroyed. Every hit more calculated, more ruthless.
It no longer felt like training. It felt like torture.
"Prepare yourself," she said, now coming at me with just her fists.
Boom.
A hole opened in my chest. Then she hit me again. And again. And again.
The punches created holes, shockwaves. My body no longer felt like my own.
The spear had already evaporated, and I couldn't defend or dodge anymore.
But she didn't stop.
Even after the regeneration potion wore off, the punches kept coming.
And then a thought cut through my mind like a blade:
"She's going to kill me."
I conjured a ring of fire around me — a warning system — to alert me when she got close.
Useless.
She passed through it as if it were air.
Morning turned into night, and the attacks continued.
When another punch struck my chest, I was thrown against the magic barrier.
Boom.
Smoke, trembling energy.
My mind screamed: "She's really going to kill me…"
I stood up in pain and summoned another fire barrier.
Also useless.
But it would serve to hide what I was planning.
A black book appeared in my hands. Thick, but with only ten pages.
It was a Spell Recording Book. Each page held a spell — all of the same element. And all would activate instantly.
Perfect.
I opened the book.
Vuuush!
Ten fire spells exploded in all directions, tearing through the barrier.
I advanced, using the flames as cover. Amidst the fire, I saw Serapynhe.
Her eyes locked onto mine instantly — ignoring any illusion.
She advanced.
As she disappeared into the flames and reappeared to strike, all the spells adjusted and turned toward her.
Useless... again.
But at that instant, I threw a magic bracelet at her. It expanded around her wrist.
Vush.
She vanished from sight for a moment.
When I felt the punch coming, I raised two fingers.
Crack!
The bracelet latched onto her wrist, revealing her location to me.
I turned quickly and — Pah! — landed a spinning kick to her chest.
The first hit I'd ever landed...
Thanks:
Yesterday, I received my very first Power Stone, and I'd like to thank Neon_Ssx.
This truly means a lot to me — from the bottom of my heart, thank you.