Bang!
Cain's fist hit Cedrick square in the face.
The impact echoed through the hall. Cedrick was thrown back and crashed into the wall. The ceiling shook and dust came down.
Cornelia froze.
Cedrick slid down the wall, groaning.
Ivira grabbed her sister's arm to keep her from rushing forward.
Cain lowered his fist slowly. A small smile curved on his lips. His eyes shifted toward Cornelia. Inside his head, his thoughts roared like a storm.
Good. Get angry. Hate me. That's what I deserve. You big titty lady… Come come…
Suddenly, the dust settled around Cedrick. Cain pointed at him with a sharp, mocking glare.
"Try to fight back," Cain shouted. "And I'll let you know what crossing someone like me means. I'm a noble; you're nothing but a commoner made from a drop of blood! You're nothing but a blood slave, yet you talk as if I am your colleague or something. Are you asking to die?!"
Suddenly, Cain would imitate what Cedrick said earlier…
"It seems you're showing a little improvement, Master Cain."
And then spit on him twice. Puteh! Puteh! And then he'd harump!
"Hmmp! Acting like we are some kind of colleague, you disgust me…"
Meanwhile, Cornelia clenched her fists. Cain, who was paying attention to her, saw her anger rising and almost laughed out loud. Somehow, he felt like his heart hurt a little, but he forced that feeling down as if I didn't matter.
Yes. Hate me more. The more you hate me, the further you'll push me away. That's fine. I can work in the shadows after that and never be close to you vixens! Blood pact blood pact, I'll nullify you, but I won't sever the connection of our bloodline sharing so in the future, it would be me who benefits… yes… yes… yes…
Cedrick pushed himself up. His jaw was clenched tight. His pride burned, but he forced himself to keep quiet. He knew exactly what Cain was trying to do. Cedrick's eyes flicked toward Cornelia, then back to Cain.
"My apologies… Young Master Cain," Cedrick said, bowing his head. "It was my fault. I shouldn't have spoken."
Cain barked a harsh laugh.
"Now that's how you should sound—a fitting reaction for a typical blood slave. Just because you are our Vanguard doesn't mean you should act like your masters. You should be grateful I didn't break your legs."
On the other hand, Cornelia's anger spiked. But Ivira held her arm even tighter.
"Cornelia, wait," Ivira whispered.
"No," Cornelia hissed. "I won't let him bully Cedrick again."
Cain kept shouting.
"I'm a noble vampire," Cain declared. "You're a lowborn commoner. If you dare raise your fist, you'll face punishment, understand?"
Cedrick nodded. "Yes sir!"
He watched Cornelia's reaction every single time he talked. Her face reddened in fury. Her breathing grew sharp. Cain's heart beat faster.
That's it. Hate me. Push me away. Send me far from this city. Once I'm gone, I'll just make sure your bodies will transform naturally because of my Overgod Mana. You'll become strong. Strong enough to survive. And after ten thousand years, I'll recover my peak.
His eyes narrowed.
And the Moonshade family? They'll all die in the hands of the Chimera Ant Demon Emperor. But I'll protect you two in the shadows until then. As long as you two live… that's enough.
Cornelia shivered. A chill ran down her spine. She saw his eyes. They were too calm. Too calculating. Too strange. Her chest tightened.
So that's what he's planning…?
But she bit her lip. She didn't want to believe he was anything more than an arrogant noble brat. She stepped forward.
"You," she said sharply. "You make me sick, Cain."
Ivira tried to grab her arm again, but Cornelia pulled free. Her boots echoed across the floor as she walked toward Cain with fierce, trembling steps.
Cain smirked inside.
Yes. Come closer. Yell at me. Hit me. Throw me out. Come on, Cornelia. Hurry up before I lose my patience and actually start beating Cedrick seriously.
He braced himself for Cornelia's slap.
But instead—
"Madam! Madam! Justice!"
A voice rang across the hall.
A Vanguard soldier made it inside while holding his side. His face was obviously severely bruised. His armor had cracks on it.
More recruits came in behind him. They limped. Some held injuries. All of them looked beaten.
Cornelia turned toward them, shocked.
The soldier fell to one knee.
"Young Master Cain bullied us all!" he cried. "He… he used some kind of magic scroll to enhance himself to beat us all up! Madam, please! Seek justice for us!"
Cornelia stiffened. She blinked.
"He… what?" she whispered.
She thought Cain was only bluffing when he swaggered earlier. She thought his strength was just for show to intimidate Cedrick. But this? There were over a dozen soldiers. All bruised. All beaten.
Cain's eyebrow twitched.
Inside his head, he yelled.
Me? Use an enhancement scroll? I'm an Overgod! Why would I need a scroll to beat you worms!?
But then he paused. Wait… He clicked his tongue.
Wait… wait… wait… this is even better. The more they lie, the more Cornelia thinks I'm shameless. Good. Perfect. Keep lying. If I knew you were all this shameless I would've done this a long time ago.
Cain smiled at the soldier. The man paled.
He decided to back their claim up. After all, the more you tell the truth, the more people will not believe you.
"You're lying," Cain said coldly. "You were the ones who annoyed me." He pointed at Cornelia. "You made her work all her vacation. You useless fools. She shouldn't even be with the Vanguards. She should be home. She should rest. She should prepare to return to the Academy yet you all are useless so I decided to beat you all up."
Cornelia froze.
Ivira looked at her sister and swallowed hard.
Cornelia suddenly remembered Ivira's warning.
Cornelia… if you hear his inner voice… never let him know.
Cornelia knew she should have trusted every single thing her sister said. He was dangerous.
But right now… she had heard everything in his head. Every cruel plan to push them away. Every thought about protecting them in the shadows. Every calculation.
She stared at him.
He insulted her soldiers. He insulted Cedrick. He insulted everyone.
But his thoughts were not the same as his words.
He wanted her to be angry. He wanted her hatred. He wanted her to push him away. Because he believed it cut their ties.
Ivira's eyes met hers. She knew Cornelia heard something. She knew Cornelia was shaking. Cornelia needed proof. She needed to stay calm. She needed to think.
If Cain truly didn't care about the Moonshade family… if he really was an Overgod… they might be doomed if they acted rashly.
Cornelia inhaled slowly.
Then she turned toward Cain.
She studied him carefully. His smile was wide and arrogant. His eyes glowed faintly with pride. His stance was smug. He looked like a spoiled noble child who thought he ruled the world.
But inside, she could hear his thoughts swirling.
Come on… hate me. Just do it already. Push me away. Let me complete the ritual.
Cornelia's lips trembled.
She took one step toward him.
Cain tilted his head.
Cornelia stared straight into his eyes.
"Cain…" she said softly.
He blinked once.
She swallowed.
"Is what they're saying true?"
The hall fell silent.
Cain's smile froze.
Cedrick held his breath.
Ivira's hands tightened.
Cornelia stood still, her eyes locked on Cain, waiting for his answer.