Clotilde Volkom, thirty-one years old, second daughter of Viktor Volkom.
Unlike her two younger sisters—or at least the ones I have met so far—she looks far less feminine.
She stands close to two meters tall, with shoulders wide enough to rival those of a wrestling champion.
Only then I notice a rather short and petite girl hiding behind Clotilde's towering figure. Her short blonde hair is styled exactly like Clotilde's.
Judging by her clothes and haircut, she must be her familiar.
Yet, the two are complete opposites—like Levreshka and Gerard, but reversed.
«I told you a thousand times—I don't tolerate your childish behavior! If you insist on settling disputes with brute force, then do it in a Judicium Sanguinis!» Clotilde roars, slamming her huge fists together—knuckle against knuckle—unleashing a massive shockwave. «Or, if you are so eager to fight, then face me!»
Judicium Sanguinis? Never heard of it.
But Ayra told me clearly not to meddle in vampire affairs, so I'll follow her advice.
The two Volkom sisters take a step back, visibly intimidated by Clotilde's presence and tone.
Sasha's scythe dissolves into a swarm of red particles that vanish into the ether, and Ayra's sword follows the same fate.
Clotilde cut off that fierce quarrel before it even began—she must surely be far more responsible and mature than her younger sisters.
And yet, my body is shaken by an overwhelming excitement—not for the nudity of Sasha and Ayra, not only—but for that display of power.
The thought that one day—even I—might unleash such force… it drives me crazy! Maybe I will never reach the level of a vampire, but I will surely surpass every other familiar! It's only a matter of time before I leave that rat hole called Lunae Novae dormitory and enjoy the luxury of Lunae Plenae.
«So you're the so-called Predestined Familiar…» Clotilde says calmly. «Tomorrow you'll fight again. Are you ready?»
«Well, uh…» I hesitate, intimidated by this imposing woman. «I didn't have much time to train, but I already learned to cast two Blood Words Lv.1, so I feel fairly confident…»
«You mastered two Blood Words Lv.1 in just a day and a half? Impressive—but I expected nothing less from a fated familiar…» Clotilde comments. «Tell me, though, you've also developed your Vis energy, not just Sanguis, right?»
«Actually… no,» I answer, slightly puzzled. «Since I can already use Blood Words, I don't see the point in training Vis energy. It feels much weaker to me…»
«Were these two the ones who filled your head with such nonsense?!» Clotilde's voice booms like thunder as she throws a menacing glare at Sasha and Ayra. «Sanguis energy grants access to powerful spells, true—but it does nothing to enhance your body. Vis energy, on the other hand, makes you tougher and physically stronger. What's the point of casting devastating attacks if you collapse from a single punch?! Vis and Sanguis are opposites, yet they complete each other. Only by mastering both will you become the strongest familiar of this era!»
My skeptical look seems to enrage Clotilde.
With a heavy slap on the back, she pushes her familiar forward—the petite blonde girl who had been timidly hiding behind her.
Honestly, I have no idea how she didn't shatter into pieces after such a blow.
«Go on, Angelica. Show Lyon the true essence of Vis energy!» Clotilde's tone is more an order than encouragement.
«Y-Yes, Mistress…» the girl murmurs, barely audible, as she takes a hesitant step toward me.
«Clotilde, this isn't necessary!» Ayra intervenes, her voice sounding more fearful than annoyed. «Lyon has only been here for a couple of days. He'll figure it out on his own with time!»
Clotilde shakes her head, disapproving. «That boy advanced so quickly with Sanguis because he believes in its power. As long as he sees Vis as inferior, he won't apply himself the same way. Now shut that mouth!»
Ayra, intimidated, doesn't need to hear it twice. Keeping both her and Sasha—two hotheads—in check is one thing, but making them obey like trained puppies…
Clotilde must truly be on a whole different level!
Now Angelica and I stand face to face at the center of this small arena, no more than ten meters apart.
Do I really have to fight this girl?
She looks as fragile as a twig—I could snap her just by touching her.
And yet, Ayra seemed strongly against this match. Maybe she fears that if I hurt Angelica, Clotilde would come after me.
Or perhaps, behind that innocent look, this girl hides an incredible power?
Only one way to find out!
«Begin!»
With a sharp gesture, Clotilde gives the signal to start the battle.