The morning sun peeked through the curtains as I opened my eyes.
For a moment, I just lay there — staring at the ceiling, listening to the faint hum of mana lines running through the academy walls. The soft pulse of energy was comforting in a way, a rhythm that reminded me this world was real.
Another day. Another chance.
I pushed myself up, went through my routine — jogging around the academy courtyard, showering, cooking a simple breakfast. Everything felt ordinary. Peaceful, even.
But deep down, I knew nothing about my life was ordinary anymore.
After finishing my meal, I packed up, slung my bag over my shoulder, and stepped out of the dormitory.
The academy grounds were quiet. Dew sparkled on the marble paths, and the morning mist coiled around the tall spires. Students were still asleep, the air filled with that brief stillness before the day began.
And that's when I saw her.
Standing just beyond the academy's main gate was a woman dressed in dark, elegant clothing — the kind nobles would wear to a moonlit ball. Her long crimson hair shimmered like liquid fire, her eyes a deeper red, gleaming with unnatural beauty.
Carmila Noctharyn.
The vampire princess.
Her pale skin glowed faintly under the morning light, and her lips curved into a faint, knowing smile as our eyes met. She was beautiful — heartbreakingly so — but behind that beauty was danger.
The kind of danger that could make kingdoms fall.
In the novel I read in my previous life, Carmila was never meant to look at me. She was supposed to fall for Kael Rivers, the protagonist.
At first, she saw Kael as a toy. Then as a challenge.And finally… as someone she couldn't live without.
Her obsession consumed her. She fought, killed, and destroyed for him — until her jealousy against the other women in his harem drove her mad. In the end, Kael had no choice but to kill her.
She died smiling, whispering his name as blood stained her lips.
But this time… she's looking at me.
Why?
In my past life, Carmila never spared me a glance. She only looked down on me — a weak, foolish noble who picked fights with Kael out of envy. I was jealous of his strength, his charisma, his ability to take everything that was supposed to be mine — my fiancée Evelyne Auraldane, my sister Selene Ravenshade, even my family's respect.
I was pathetic.
I chased after people who didn't love me, begged for scraps of affection, and ended up dying for it.
But that life is over.
This time… things are different.
Carmila's crimson eyes softened as I approached. Her voice, melodic and dangerous, slipped past her lips."Darling, you've arrived."
My entire body stiffened. For a heartbeat, I forgot how to breathe.
Darling?
That wasn't meant for me. That was supposed to be Kael's line.
I forced my expression to remain calm, my tone flat and cold."I'm not your darling. Don't call me that again."
She blinked once — then smiled wider, her fangs barely visible beneath her lips."Oh? Then what should I call you, hmm?"
Her voice was soft and teasing, yet every syllable carried a charm that tugged at the edges of my mind.
My heart pounded. I hated that sound. The weakness of it.
In my last life, I never knew love — not from my parents, not from my sister, not from Evelyne. I was invisible to them, mocked for my weakness. Maybe that's why her words hurt more than I wanted to admit.
But this time… I wouldn't let anyone play with my emotions again.
"Just my name," I said quietly.
Carmila's smile deepened. She leaned close enough that I could feel her breath against my ear."Then… my Adrian," she whispered, her tone dripping with amusement.
I froze. My heartbeat roared in my chest like thunder.
I quickly stepped back, turning away before she could see the tension in my face. Without a word, I walked toward the academy's teleportation gate.
I didn't need to look to know she was following me. I could feel her gaze — heavy, obsessive, burning.
We reached the portal gates at the edge of the academy. Dozens of students and adventurers waited in line, their chatter mixing with the low hum of mana.
When it was finally our turn, I handed my ID to the guard."Destination?" he asked.
"Evolon City. Ashbourne Territory."
He nodded and adjusted the coordinates. The portal flared to life — a swirling pool of silver-blue mana.
"Proceed."
We stepped through.
Light swallowed everything. The sensation was dizzying — like being pulled apart and stitched back together again.
When I opened my eyes, I was standing in the heart of Evolon City.
It was breathtaking.
Towering spires of steel and crystal reached for the clouds, the air alive with mana currents. Merchants shouted over the noise of mana-powered vehicles gliding along glowing tracks. Children ran between shops. Adventurers in polished armor laughed at taverns.
A city full of life.
A city that might soon die.
Because if the ritual succeeds… all of this — the laughter, the light, the people — will be erased.
This was supposed to be Kael's responsibility. He was meant to stop it with Selene's help.
But the butterfly effect of my rebirth had changed everything.
Now it was me standing here.
And beside me — the vampire princess who, in another life, was doomed to die.
I clenched my fists. No more running. Not this time.
"I won't let this city fall," I whispered to myself. "Not while I'm here."
Carmila tilted her head, her crimson hair swaying gently."Oh my," she murmured, amusement dancing in her voice. "Such determination suits you, Adrian."
I ignored her and started walking. The streets were bright, noisy, alive — a stark contrast to the dark weight in my chest.
We walked for fifteen minutes before stopping at a tall building of black stone and glass. A hotel.
Inside, the scent of lavender and mana crystals filled the air. The receptionist smiled as we approached."Welcome. How can I help you today?"
"Two separate rooms, please," I said immediately.
Carmila gave me a playful look, lips curving upward, but didn't argue.
"Of course," the receptionist replied, typing something into a glowing crystal panel. "Rooms 876 and 877. Second floor."
I took the keys and nodded. "Thank you."
As we stepped into the mana lift, Carmila finally spoke again."You don't trust me very much, do you?"
"Trust isn't something given," I said. "It's earned."
Her eyes glimmered. "Then I'll make you trust me."
The lift hummed softly, then opened with a quiet ding.
I stepped out without responding. "Goodnight," I said, walking toward my room.
She chuckled. "Goodnight, my Adrian."
I didn't look back.
Inside my room, I let out a long breath. The space was modest — a bed, a desk, a mana lamp, and a small balcony overlooking the city. I sat on the bed and pulled out my notes.
Time to focus.
Our target: Fredrick Antonio.
Age forty-six. Registered as an F-rank merchant.In truth — a B-rank operative of the secret organization Erebus.
Erebus — a group of humans who had traded their humanity for demonic power. Their influence ran deep, hidden behind politics, business, and military fronts. Only the elves — beings attuned to nature — could sense their corruption.
Fredrick was one of their agents. Intelligence suggested he was preparing a ritual — one strong enough to summon a greater demon.
If that ritual succeeded here, in Evolon City… the entire population could be wiped out in minutes.
I flipped through the mission brief again. Maps. Guard rotations. Known safehouses. Every line burned itself into my mind.
Carmila's role was reconnaissance. Mine was elimination.
Simple. Clean. Dangerous.
A knock came at the door.
"Room service," a voice said.
I opened it. A young man pushed in a trolley of food — roasted mana-beast meat, bread, and wine. I thanked him quietly, took the tray, and set it down.
After eating, I stepped onto the balcony.
Below me, Evolon City shimmered under the night sky. Mana lights flickered like stars, and laughter echoed faintly from the streets.
So fragile. So alive.
If I failed… this beauty would burn.
I clenched the railing, knuckles white. Not again. I won't die a fool. I won't be weak.
Somewhere beyond the rooftops, a pair of crimson eyes watched silently.
"Goodnight, my Adrian," a faint voice whispered, carried by the wind.
I turned — but the balcony was empty. Only the moonlight remained.
I sighed, leaning against the wall, exhaustion finally settling in.
Tomorrow, the mission begins.
And whether fate likes it or not… this time, I'll change everything.