**Chapter Seven: Training**
“Not necessary.”
The sky was filled with twinkling stars. Today was the new moon—a day when the powers of the night’s denizens were at their weakest. Since that time, I had not encountered another soul, and my journey had been progressing smoothly. The path was gradually becoming clearer, and I would likely reach the town within a few days.
Once I arrived in the town, it would be difficult to conduct practical training. I couldn’t possibly showcase the powers of a Vampire in the middle of the streets.
Near an oasis, I had asked Senri to teach me combat techniques while we sat around a campfire. After a moment of contemplation, she spoke.
“Don’t misunderstand… It’s not that I don’t want to teach you. You and End are… far too different. Human techniques are tailored for humans. That doesn’t necessarily mean they will become your strength.”
“…But… our body shapes are the same. The way we use them should be similar, right?”
“Right now, yes. But… soon, it definitely won’t be.”
Her eyes held a hint of melancholy as she spoke. While a smile could be pleasant, it was an inappropriate topic; that expression was also quite alluring.
“We, the End Knights, learn footwork and breathing. First and foremost, we drill the importance of evading and deflecting attacks. Why? Because we cannot withstand a blow from a Vampire that has built up its power.”
I understood. It made sense. The more blood I consumed and the more negative energy I accumulated, the greater my strength became. There were limits to the growth of a human body. Indeed, even if we shared the same physical form, if there were fundamental disparities in our physical abilities, then the techniques would not be useless, but their priority would certainly diminish. If I could regenerate instantly, then taking a hit might be an option.
“Using Blessing can enhance physical abilities, but Blessing is consumable. A Vampire’s power, on the other hand, is fundamentally non-consumable. In terms of endurance and physical capabilities, we are always forced into a disadvantageous position.”
“I don’t see it that way. Nebira and Rufuri were incredibly strong.”
“…That’s why we, in principle, aim for short battles. We strike first to inflict damage and, as much as possible, avoid fighting on even ground.”
Her words aligned with my preconceived notions of the relationship between Vampires and the End Knights. The language of the End Knights was always one of hunting monsters. A fair duel rarely occurred.
I realized that Senri’s combat techniques were not suited for me. However, that didn’t mean I had no reason to learn about their battles.
“True Vampires fight like beasts. They are not bound by human logic. Surely, if End were to mutate and become a Vampire, you would understand.”
With that, Senri lightly brushed off the dust from her clothes and stood up.
Her slender frame was wrapped in attire of white, complementing her silver hair beautifully. The silver longsword she carried at her waist, held with an air of elegance, made her look like a fairy tale knight. Though she wasn’t particularly tall or well-built, there was a grace about her that even the dirt from her long journey couldn’t hide.
She was so captivating that I felt an overwhelming urge to sink my fangs into her neck right then and there. With a graceful motion, Senri drew her sword from her waist. It was a beautiful blade made of holy silver. At first glance, it resembled a piece of art, but I had seen her use it to slay magical beasts on several occasions.
As she positioned the sword before her, she spoke from beyond the blade.
“But… I’ll indulge you a little. Your concern is indeed valid. Knowing the combat style of the End Knights could increase End’s chances of survival.”
Impressive. It seemed she had grasped my intentions. I stood up as well. Though I had never been particularly well-built, my body had grown larger after mutation, now twice the size of Senri. I hesitated as I reached for my axe at my waist. Seeing this, Senri smiled.
“Feel free to draw it. You can come at me with all your might. Right now, in this state, I cannot be harmed. This is… merely training. I won’t use any release-type techniques either.”
It appeared that the disparity in our abilities was still quite clear. Since she was observing my fighting style, I had no reason to worry.
I drew my “Light-Eating (Blood Ruler)” axe and awkwardly positioned it.
The atmosphere of battle ignited a heat deep within my mind. I contemplated. My physical strength was formidable. If I swung down with all my might, I could likely split a rock in two. I couldn’t imagine a human enduring such force, but if it came to that, I could always halt my motion… or so I thought. If I suddenly stopped my full force, my arm might break, but I could regenerate, so there was no need to worry.
Before the monster gripping the black axe that seemed to absorb light, Senri showed no change in expression. She lightly adjusted her stance and narrowed her eyes.
“I’m coming.”
“Bring it on.”
First—this would be a test.
I kicked the ground hard and swung my axe down from an angle above, channeling all my strength into the strike. Senri had said to evade and deflect. Therefore, all I needed to do was deliver a blow with enough force that she couldn’t deflect it.
She was strong. Far stronger than I was, but I felt she was underestimating me.
The threat of the End Knights lay in their immense Blessing. I had yet to think of a way to counter release-type attacks, but without that, I should be able to hold my ground. Perhaps to avoid hurting me, Senri wasn’t clad in her Blessing armor as she would be in a real battle.
Senri stepped back just enough to evade the blade that sliced through the air, completely avoiding my strike. Despite the speed I had put into it, she had… seen through it entirely. It seemed that this level of attack didn’t even warrant a need for her to block.
As I admired her agility, I quickly returned my axe to a ready position. Senri’s voice came, almost reproachful.
“I told you… you can go all out.”
“Uh… right.”
“I know your humanity. But if you don’t give it your all, it won’t mean anything.”
Even so… Senri wasn’t going all out either. She was wielding a genuine weapon. If by some miracle I were to accidentally kill her, how would I survive?
Indeed, my current strike was not at full power. I recalled the first time I fought a magical beast under the Lord’s orders. I could swing my axe down with enough force to self-destruct my own body if I wanted. It would be a blow that even a Vampire’s resilient body couldn’t withstand. If I struck with just a sword, I might be able to cleave a person in two along with the weapon.
Perhaps sensing my hesitation, Senri let out a deep sigh.
Then, right before my bewildered eyes, she lightly adjusted her collar, exposing her white neck and said, “…Understood. End… if you can defeat me, you may bite my neck.”
“What!?”
My gaze was riveted to her translucent, white neck. The faint heartbeat that always pulsed weakly now beat strongly. My breath had grown ragged, and the heat in my mind intensified.
I had only bitten her neck and drawn blood once before. Just that one time.
Receiving blood from her finger had been pleasurable. However, burying my face in her neck and drinking directly from her was an entirely different experience. The sensation of her hair brushing against my cheek and the smoothness of her skin against my lips were all vividly etched into my mind.
Though I was told not to hold back, her blood was precious. The production rate wouldn’t be that fast either. After a long journey, I was already fatigued, and I couldn’t afford to ask for it too often.
“Y-You’re being ridiculous…”
This was merely training. In response to my words, Senri traced her finger along her neck, a gesture that was somehow seductive.
“You want to bite, don’t you? Vampires, regardless of age or gender, tend to prefer biting necks. When they capture their prey, they bind them tightly and take their time drinking their blood. …End, your eyes are bloodshot.”
It was a provocative suggestion. Of course, my eyes were bloodshot. If I were to say whether I wanted to bite or not, I desperately wanted to.
No Vampire could resist the allure of such exquisite prey.
I licked my lips. Though I felt as if I were being toyed with, I tightened my grip on the axe.
Senri was underestimating me. I opened my eyes wide, took a deep breath, and tried to calm my racing heart.
“Could it be that you’ve developed a habit of being bitten on the neck?”
In response to my provocation, Senri didn’t even raise an eyebrow, merely smiling faintly.
“Perhaps I have. End, come.”
I would make her regret having seduced this harmless me. I would pin her down, and with my fangs, I would leave a small mark on her neck, taking my time to savor her blood.
I surrendered to my impulses, kicking the ground with all my might and charging at Senri with the speed of a cannonball.
—
Fast. No, it wasn’t just fast—it was skillful.
The axe I swung with nearly all my strength met no resistance. Senri was right in front of me, close enough to touch, yet every strike I made missed its mark completely.
“Impressive, Vampire… your strength is remarkable… it’s been a while since I’ve fought.”
Her whispering voice grazed my ears. The sweet scent wafting from her hair tickled my nostrils. It was as if she were inviting me to attack.
I swung my axe wildly, but it felt as though I were cutting through an illusion.
Senri’s footwork was minimal yet flowed with an elegance that seemed almost like a dance. In that fleeting moment, I was struck by the illusion that I was witnessing a performance.
It was too stark a contrast. Was this truly a second-tier “Eclipse Knight”? I had observed the battle with Lord from a distance, but now, facing it directly, the weight of that name became palpable. There was no despair, only a heat rising in my head.
Senri’s gaze tracked my movements with an intensity that made it clear I was struggling to control my own axe. This distance should have been within my reach, yet it felt impossibly far.
Lord had said that to fight an Eclipse Knight, one must at least be a Vampire. Vampires possess powerful special abilities—transforming into wolves, bats, or mist. I wasn’t entirely sure how far those abilities extended, but it was clear that I was lacking in power.
In terms of physical ability and endurance, I should have been superior, but the status I was currently in made that hard to believe.
Occasionally, a crisp sound echoed as my axe clashed with Senri’s sword. I felt no resistance at all. The contact was merely a fleeting instant. It was likely that she was deflecting my strikes with ease, showcasing her terrifying skill.
A violent impulse whispered to me to unleash more power, to crush her. I resisted that urge and took a step back. Swinging my axe mindlessly would get me nowhere; she still had plenty of composure.
I had to think. If I had any advantage over a typical Vampire, it was my ability to control my impulses, even if just a little.
Senri’s eyes widened. In that brief moment, I made a choice. A smile crept onto my face as I stomped the ground with all my might.
This was it. This was something only a Vampire could do. The ground shook violently. Senri’s stance faltered slightly. Seizing the opportunity, I swung my axe down with all my strength.
A high-pitched metallic clang reverberated through the air. For the first time, I felt a strong resistance.
And then, I was taken aback by an unexpected sight.
Senri was blocking my axe strike with both hands gripping her sword. Despite my full force as a Vampire, our blades were locked in a stalemate. Our gazes met at close range, and as I glared at her while channeling strength into my axe, Senri spoke.
“End… You are… strong. I’m a bit surprised.”
“Wasn’t the Vampire supposed to be stronger?”
“I am currently enhancing my physical abilities with a Blessing.”
“Currently… you say? So you weren’t enhanced just a moment ago?”
No, that didn’t matter. I had never anticipated that I could be matched in pure strength.
“I didn’t hear that.”
“You are using one hand, while I am using both.”
At her words, I instinctively lunged at her with my free left hand. But perhaps she had anticipated this, as Senri was already several meters away at that moment. My axe lost its resistance, and my body swayed heavily. Senri merely watched me from a distance, standing still.
She hadn’t even broken a sweat. If this were a real battle, I might have died a hundred times over. It was a humiliating defeat. I had to drain her blood to relieve this frustration. To be tempted yet unable to act was unworthy of a Vampire.
My eyes must have been gleaming with intensity. Yet, meeting my gaze, Senri showed no fear. She sheathed her sword and tilted her head slightly.
“Shall we play tag?”
“I will!”
I tossed my axe aside and kicked off the ground with all my might. My body surged forward with explosive speed, slicing through the air.
But by that time, Senri was already dozens of meters ahead. Even with my inhuman speed, it was hard to believe how fast she was.
Focusing intently, I could sense a strong Blessing emanating from her legs. I see… so she can enhance specific parts of her body. Perhaps by controlling it this way, she was conserving her energy.
However, my endurance should be superior. Senri herself had said so.
She swung her arms wide and dashed like a beast. Senri glided away effortlessly. We were merely caught up in a chase around the oasis, consumed by the thrill of the hunt.
The wind brushed against my cheeks. A beast that had come to drink water let out a cry. Yet, no matter how much strength I put into it, the distance between us remained unchanged.
Was our speed equal? If only it weren’t a new moon tonight, I could have pushed myself harder. I had heard that Senri lacked endurance, but there was no sign of her slowing down. As I watched her run, it became clear she wasn’t running at all. Her smooth movements hardly involved her legs.
At this rate, she wouldn’t accumulate physical fatigue. I felt no fatigue myself, nor did I need to breathe, yet Senri maintained an equally composed expression. I couldn’t fathom how she was doing it, but perhaps it was related to her Blessing.
She had said she wouldn’t use any release-type techniques. How long could she maintain that? I felt no fatigue, but I was bound by time. Dawn was approaching. There was a possibility that the blood of Senri within me could run dry.
This wouldn’t do. I couldn’t win by playing it safe.
I leaped several meters into the air. Upon landing, almost instinctively, I dropped to all fours and began to run.
It was a surprising action, even for me. Yet, my instincts as a Vampire urged me to do so.
Logically, running on all fours should reduce my speed. But unbelievably, the distance between Senri and me began to close. Senri, turning to face me, widened her eyes and halted.
Had she given up? Just as I kicked off the ground with my hind legs to try and knock her down, Senri leaped into the air.
“…Huh?”
Not as a metaphor—Senri was flying. She didn’t jump like I did; she hovered in the air, suspended. Blessings gathered around her, forming wings of light. …What kind of nonsense was this?
“Is that even allowed?!”
“Release-type techniques refer to those that convert Blessings into energy for destruction. ‘Light Wings’ is not a release-type technique.”
How… unfair. She was releasing energy after all.
As I narrowed my eyes in disbelief, Senri’s voice floated down from about ten meters above.
“Even a Vampire of this caliber can fly.”
Crap. Did she really want to avoid being bitten by me that badly? If it felt good, why not just give in?
But I wasn’t ready to give up yet. I couldn’t transform into a bat, so flying was out of the question.
In a half-crazed attempt, I took a long run-up and kicked off the ground with all my strength. My body soared into the air, reaching for Senri’s position. However, even with my high physical abilities, I couldn’t maneuver in midair.
As I leaped just out of reach, Senri covered her mouth and said, incredulously, “I’m amazed… do you really want to suck my blood that badly?”
“…It’s not over yet, so just a little!”
Senri suddenly dove diagonally. She landed with incredible speed, sending ripples through the ground.
It seemed that those wings of light were not just for floating in the air. But surely, the consumption must be significant. Up close, I could see the wings radiating a fiery energy. If they weren’t taxing her, she could have soared all the way to the city.
Gravity pulled her down, and she landed heavily, bending her knees. She was just a step away. Just one step, and I could reach her. I charged toward Senri on all fours—
“Ah, wait!?”
Suddenly, my strength gave out. Water splashed over me. It was then that I realized Senri was standing on the surface of the oasis.
In a panic, I scrambled to my feet. But like in my previous life, just before I became bedridden, I felt unsteady. Even with all my might, my limbs felt weak, and I could barely walk.
I saw Senri let out a sigh of relief as I stood up.
“Calm down.”
“Senri… that’s just too unfair.”
The flowing water was a Vampire’s weakness. I hadn’t expected her to exploit that. There was no way I could win now. It was underhanded. I should offer my neck as a penalty.
It’s fine, just a little sip—
Even as I swayed, raising my voice in protest, Senri delivered her merciless words.
“Yes. The Eclipse Knight is… unfair.”
“That’s…”
Exhausted, I collapsed into the water.
I was indeed feeling a bit overheated. Perhaps this was just what I needed to cool off…
As I sank into the water like a drowned corpse, Senri approached and looked down at me. She reached out to grab my ankle, as if to say, “Look, I caught you!”
With a resentful gaze, I looked up at her, and Senri spoke with a serious expression.
“The training is over. End… I will tell you this: if you encounter an Eclipse Knight, do not think of fighting. Just run with all your might. Even if I am captured, do not hesitate.”