Chapter 0008: The New Head Apprentice

When the blood was finally wiped clean from her face, the girl in red turned, her delicate and alluring visage once again revealed to the two apprentice sorcerers. Unable to withstand such a powerful visual shock, Fenrir dramatically fainted.

The savage, terrifying expression that had contorted “Mary’s” face moments ago was gone, replaced by the tall, beautiful maiden with striking features. Yet those crimson, piercing eyes and the pair of sharp fangs protruding from her lips betrayed her true nature.

Even though half her graceful body was bathed in blood, her face remained immaculate and enchanting. Such a stark visual contrast—even for Grim, who peered through the crack of the door—was enough to fill him with dread.

A newborn vampire fears no physical injury; as long as their attack causes blood to flow, they draw endless vitality from fresh blood. These immortals, spoken of only in ancient tomes of the Sorcerer’s Continent, have nearly vanished due to relentless sorcerer hunts. The few survivors hide in wild forests or among humans, never daring to show themselves.

Grim was deeply shaken by Mary’s sudden transformation into a vampire. Yet beyond the shock, he felt a chilling unease toward the sorcerers’ sinister methods.

What kind of sorcerous experiment had Mary endured to turn from an ordinary human girl into this bloodthirsty, ancient creature? Was the strange nocturnal noise he’d once overheard her mutating?

As the red-clad Mary advanced upon the trembling Allen, the torches lining the dim stone corridor suddenly flared to life. A sinister figure stepped from the shadows, his voice cold and commanding.

“Stop, my child. Today’s slaughter has completed your final stage of evolution! From now on, you must restrain your hunger for blood and return to the ranks of seekers of knowledge.”

The visitor was hunched, his face creased and sagging, dressed in a robe of pure black and topped with a pointed wizard’s hat. His gnarled staff was crowned with a large green crystal, from which tiny sparks spilled and scattered radiant light through the air.

This aged man was none other than the sole master of the tower, the illustrious Sorcerer Anderson.

As for his rank, Grim could only guess; it was beyond his understanding.

Anticipating that today’s events would alarm the tower’s master, Grim prudently dispelled the elemental vision from his eyes. Yet when Sorcerer Anderson appeared, the potent aura radiating from him was so overwhelming that Grim was moved to tears.

Grim quietly closed the wooden door, hiding in his room, no longer daring to spy. If he glimpsed secrets Anderson wished concealed, his life would surely be at risk.

These official sorcerers were ruthless and cold-blooded, conducting all manner of dangerous, evil experiments on living subjects. No matter how careful Grim was, he could not escape Anderson’s psychic detection. But his actions were a statement—he would not pry into a sorcerer’s secrets. At least until something truly happened, he was safe.

Outside, separated only by a wall, an awkward standoff continued.

Mary had reverted to her savage form, her blood-red eyes gleaming with feral light. Her fingernails grew wild and sharp, transforming into claws that glinted coldly.

Transformed into a vampire, Mary was maddened by the scent of blood. She crouched, lizard-like, moving at astonishing speed across the vertical stone walls. Her target was none other than the tower’s master—Sorcerer Anderson.

She raced along the walls, and as she neared him, her powerful hind legs pushed off, her long body darting toward him like lightning. Midair, her claws extended viciously, aiming straight for the sorcerer’s heart.

Facing a rampaging newborn vampire, Anderson only smiled cruelly and with satisfaction, unperturbed. He struck the ground with his staff and a whirlwind formed, blocking Mary’s attack.

“A modified creature, after all. To think that bloodlust has suppressed her intelligence—what a pity…”

Mary’s altered form was slight, classed among small humanoids, favoring speed and agility. Yet such extraordinary abilities posed no threat to a sorcerer. As her claws pierced the whirlwind, they were caught and held fast.

As the wind’s force intensified, Mary cried out, her body sucked in, spinning dizzyingly until she was thrown out by the whirlwind, smashing into the stone wall. Though the impact was not severe, it robbed her of all strength—Grim even heard the crack of breaking bones through the door.

“A mindless newborn vampire—what use have I for you? Die!” Anderson snarled, raising his shriveled right hand. A pale necromantic flame floated above his palm, and he pressed it toward Mary’s struggling forehead.

Sensing death’s approach, the vampire’s savage aura receded. Mary shrieked shrilly, desperately retreating, her eyes now emerald and filled with terror of the necromantic flame.

Anderson paused, his hand still. The cold flame burned silently, without the crackle of ordinary fire, casting Mary’s pallid face even whiter, as if dusted with stone powder.

“Curious—your fear of death restores your intelligence? That’s a phenomenon I’ve never seen, worth investigating.” Anderson muttered to himself, snuffing out the flame with a gesture. With a flick, a dozen small whirlwinds appeared at Mary’s neck, limbs, and joints, binding her tightly.

He glanced at Ankso’s remains.

Mary’s brutal feeding had drained all blood from the body. Ankso’s corpse decayed swiftly, the once smooth skin now cracked and shriveled like a mummy buried for decades.

“The old apprentice leader is dead; you’ll take his place. Make sure to keep these apprentices in line.” Anderson, frowning, pointed coldly at Allen, who was barely upright against the wall.

Once his words were spoken, the torches in the corridor dimmed abruptly. When their light returned, neither the sorcerer nor Mary could be seen.

After surviving a bloody spectacle and unexpectedly being promoted to apprentice leader, Allen trembled uncontrollably, his trousers damp, his face a mix of shock and delight.

Suddenly, he thought of something, stumbling to Ankso’s corpse and frantically searching its pouch.

Now that he was apprentice leader, the sorcerous amulet marking the leader’s rank was his to claim—he had to seize it at once.

Pouch, chest, neck, boots…

He searched every possible hiding place. The corpse that had terrified him moments ago was now a treasure trove, filling him with giddy joy.

At last, he found the amulet at the ghastly wound on Ankso’s neck, raised it high, and laughed aloud, oblivious to how mad his behavior seemed to others.

Fenrir, who had collapsed, stirred, forcing himself upright against the wall. He cast a covert glance at Allen, unable to hide the murderous intent in his eyes.

He had awakened long ago, but feigned unconsciousness while the situation was uncertain. Never could he have imagined a moment’s hesitation would cost him the prestigious apprentice leader’s rank. Now, he burned with hatred, longing to tear Allen apart.

“Why didn’t that vampire kill him!” Fenrir raged inwardly.

But outwardly, he quickly concealed his disappointment and fury, and when he rose, his face wore a fawning smile.

“Senior Allen, please get up. The floor here is filthy—I’ll help you clean up the rest of the mess!”

Fenrir’s interruption quickly restored Allen’s composure.

Allen sprang up, straightened his attire, turning the amulet in his hands, his face naturally adopting a look of arrogance and authority.

“I’ll leave this to you! The former apprentice leader is gone, I need to inform everyone. Please take care of things here! I recall the giant swamp crocodiles need feeding…” He finished, his words squeezed out between clenched teeth, cold.

“Understood, understood, I’ll get right to it!” Fenrir bowed even lower.

Enjoying for the first time the intoxicating thrill of power, Allen couldn’t help but laugh again, striding swiftly down the corridor.

Ankso’s possessions were all looted, but his room might hold more treasures. So, leaving Fenrir with the mess, Allen rushed toward the end of the corridor.

As his laughter faded, the noisy hallway fell quiet once more.