Outside the Moonshade Main Building, the night wind moved gently across the stone courtyard.
Three figures stood under the lantern light.
Blood Soldier Captain Hall crossed his arms.
Vanguard Vice Captain Zed tapped his boot on the ground.
Highest Vanguard Captain Cedrick stood with a calm expression, though his eyes never stopped scanning the night sky, as if he was waiting for someone.
They were deep in conversation. It was the kind of talk that only seasoned officers shared. It was long. It was heavy. It was full of pride and worry.
Hall said, "I still can't believe it. Madam Cornelia broke through again."
Zed nodded. "Twice. In two days. That shouldn't even be possible."
Cedrick exhaled slowly. "From seventh stage blood infusion to eighth last night. And now… ninth stage. It doesn't make sense."
Hall shook his head with a stunned face. "A vampire needs months for one breakthrough. Sometimes a year. Sometimes many years. But she… she does it overnight? Then again tonight?"
Zed stepped closer. "Do you think she hid some secret method? Some inherited technique? Or maybe she found something in the dungeon?"
Cedrick shook his head. "I inspected her mana flow last time. Everything was normal. No signs of forbidden magic. No signs of an artificial boost. Her advancement was pure. Smooth. Like it was prepared for her."
Hall whistled. "If someone told me she used a divine treasure, I might actually believe it."
Zed scratched his head. "What about a blood catalyst? A ritual? A forbidden charm?"
Cedrick frowned. "She doesn't practice that kind of thing."
Then Hall laughed and nudged Zed with his elbow. "Well, maybe the answer is simple."
Zed grinned. "Yeah. Maybe it's because of Captain Cedrick."
Cedrick blinked slowly. "…What?"
Hall stepped forward with a huge smile. "Come on, Captain. Maybe she broke through because she was inspired… I'm sure she's inspired by you! Sigh… If you could only marry Madam Cornelia, everything would be perfect."
Cedrick stared at them with a stiff face. "What are you two talking about?"
Zed pointed a thumb at him. "We've seen how you look at her."
Hall added, "We've seen how you talk to her. How you soften your voice. How you never let her walk alone. How you turn into a wolf when someone bothers her."
Cedrick sighed. "You two are imagining things."
Hall grinned. "Are we? Really?"
Zed leaned close. "What about that time last week? She dropped her training gloves and before she even bent down to pick them up, you already grabbed them. Fastest move we've ever seen from you."
Hall punched Zed's arm. "What about when she praised your sword form? You smiled like a boy receiving candy."
Cedrick tried to keep his expression straight. "I didn't."
Hall raised a brow. "Then why are you smiling now?"
Cedrick blinked. He felt the corner of his mouth rising. He quickly forced it down.
"I'm not."
Zed laughed loudly. "Too late, Captain."
Cedrick shook his head slowly. "Ma'am Cornelia is married."
Hall rolled his eyes. "To who? Cain?"
Zed snorted. "That paper husband? That man is a joke."
Hall lifted his chin proudly. "I bet he's never touched even a hair on any of his wives. Especially Madam Cornelia."
Zed nodded. "Three beautiful wives and he acts like he owns a broom. Even Madam Cornelia avoids him."
Hall grinned again. "And who does she back up every time Cain causes trouble?"
Zed lifted his hand with a flourish. "You, Captain Cedrick. She always sides with you."
Cedrick looked away. His ears warmed slightly.
Hall added, "Just last time, Cain tried to impress her. He ended up causing trouble. Who cleaned up after him? You. Who did she defend? You."
All three laughed loudly.
Zed leaned in closer. "If you want… we can arrange a little something. That man Cain keeps causing trouble for us. He keeps causing trouble for you."
Hall nodded. "Just say the word. We'll handle it quietly."
They did not say the word assassination. They didn't have to. The intent was clear.
Cedrick understood immediately. His eyes narrowed for a moment. Then he said calmly, "No need. As long as he keeps causing trouble… that will be enough."
Hall grinned. "Lazy approach. I like it."
Zed stretched. "Cain will dig his own grave eventually."
Cedrick said nothing. But in his heart, he whispered, So long as time moves forward, she will come to me. He hid the thought behind a calm expression, but his confidence was sharp and cold.
Suddenly footsteps echoed across the courtyard. A soldier ran toward them as fast as he could. He stumbled twice. He gasped for air. His breath shook so hard he almost fell when he stopped in front of them.
Cedrick lifted a brow. "What happened?"
The soldier opened his mouth. No sound came out. He tried again.
"Sir… there's… there's… someone…"
Hall frowned. "Someone what? Speak clearly."
The soldier's lips trembled. "Someone c-causing trouble… at the training grounds."
Zed stepped forward. "Who? Which idiot dares cause trouble?"
The soldier tried to form a name. But every time he tried, his jaw locked. His voice cracked. His tongue twisted. He looked terrified. Sweat dripped down his forehead.
"I… I… it's… Ca… Ca… Ca…"
He clutched his throat like something blocked him from saying the name.
Hall grew furious. "You can't even speak? What's wrong with you? Say the name!"
Zed snapped, "Spit it out!"
The soldier's knees shook. "I… I c-can't… sir… b-but he… he said… he said… he demands all Captains. All of you. Even… even Captain Cedrick."
Cedrick's eyes narrowed sharply.
Hall and Zed exchanged shocked looks.
Zed muttered, "Demanding all senior officers? That's bold."
Hall scoffed, "It's stupid."
Cedrick sighed. "I'm still waiting for Madam Cornelia. You two go."
Hall grinned. "Relax. We'll handle it."
Zed nodded. "Daring to cause trouble in our training grounds? I'll break his teeth."
They stepped forward with pride and anger. Cedrick stayed behind for a moment, thinking about Cornelia again. Then, after a long sigh, he followed.
…
Meanwhile, inside the training grounds, the scene was chaos.
Cain stood in the center of the sand field. His clothes were stained with dust. His breath was calm. His eyes had a bored look. Trooper Captain William lay under him, unconscious. The other soldiers were scattered everywhere. Some lay on their backs. Some were buried in the sand. Some looked like they had passed out with their eyes open.
Cain did not even look tired. He nudged William with his foot.
"Boring."
He kicked another soldier who lay too close to him.
"Boring."
He looked around slowly. "Is there any more?"
Not a single soldier moved.
Then Cain turned his head toward the entrance. He sensed footsteps approaching fast. The corner of his mouth lifted.
He cracked his neck.
"Oooh. Finally, they are a bit slow but… their timing is on point..."