Reincarnated as the Vampire Princess' Familiar-Chapter 16 - 15- Why him, of all people...?

«And here we are at the battle everyone's been waiting for!» The announcer's voice booms across the arena. «The legendary predestined familiar of Princess Ayra Valakys—Lyon Valakys! Current ranking: 2014th place!»

The crowd erupts in a deafening roar as I step onto the battlefield, welcomed not just as a competitor but almost as their champion—or rather, their favorite gladiator.

Judging by the announcer's words, they're eager—almost desperate—to see me in action. I just hope I won't disappoint them. Or Ayra. Because I really don't want to find out what happens if I do.

«And his challenger... Luke Dulcar! Current ranking: 1791st place!»

A chill runs down my spine as he steps into the arena, shadowed only by the threats of his master, Markus Dulcar, seated in the front row. His glare is filled with hatred, fists clenched, each step heavier than the last.

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Shit... Of all the opponents I could have faced, why him?! Not that I'm afraid of his strength—he's only ranked 1791st. But despite that, he holds considerable influence over the other familiars in the Lunae Novae dormitory, meaning he's been here for a while. Still... the fury in his eyes unsettles me.

«You know, Lyon...» Luke's voice slithers into my ears like a venomous whisper—cold, laced with hatred. «I've been waiting for this. In the dormitory, fighting other familiars is strictly forbidden, but now...» His grin twists into something sinister. «...Now, I can finally unleash all the anger, all the resentment that I—no, that we all—harbor toward you, the vampires' golden boy.»

«The vampires' golden boy...» I echo, annoyance creeping into my voice. «Are you seriously still on about this bullshit?!»

«'Bullshit,' you say?» Luke scoffs. «Hearing the crowd roar for you only confirms what I already knew. Honestly, I'm surprised they still let you live among trash like us instead of inviting you to the Valakys' royal palace.» His voice drips with sarcasm.

«I've had enough of you!» I growl, teeth clenched in frustration. «I'll shut that damn mouth of yours once and for all!»

«Let the battle begin!» The announcer's voice rings out, marking the official start of the fight.

«Blood Word: Telum!»

A long, crimson sword materializes in my grip with blistering speed, the result of relentless nightly training by the lake—training that has refined this spell and more. The violet glow of Visanguis coils around me, sparking another wave of awe and excitement from the crowd.

«You even use their magic...» Luke sneers, his eyes filled with disgust. «And you still dare call yourself one of us?! You make me sick!»

A blue aura—Vis energy—erupts from his body. It lacks Angelica's refinement, but it's far more compact and controlled than Gerard's. Like a low-flying projectile, he lunges at me, fist aimed straight at my face. I angle my weapon, and his knuckles crash against the flat of the blade. The impact pushes me back a few centimeters, but nothing more. My stance holds.

Ayra's blows—ones I endured and blocked all night—were far stronger than this, even when she was only using a fraction of her power. And Angelica? She shattered my sword with a single strike. Their reflexes and speed are on a completely different level compared to Luke's.

Luke pulls back his right fist, preparing to strike again, but before he can, I swing my sword in a horizontal arc. Ayra would call this a 'Levreshka-proof' attack—a strike so predictable and sloppy that even her much-maligned little sister could see it coming. But it's enough. The blade cuts deep.

A deep gash runs across his chest from one shoulder to the other, forcing him to retreat with jerking movements, leaving behind a trail of blood and agonized screams.

Luke's face twists in fury and pain as crimson seeps from the wound, streaking down his torso and dripping onto the arena floor.

One strike. Just one, and he's already like this? Then again, my sword isn't just any weapon—it's a magical blade forged from Sanguis energy. According to Ayra, weapons created by Blood Word: Telum are bloodthirsty predators, especially against humans. Any wound they inflict causes severe, uncontrollable hemorrhaging by destroying all platelets in the affected area. In short, it completely halts blood clotting. Even a minor scratch could turn fatal if the fight drags on too long. And that's not all—the blade absorbs the blood it comes into contact with, converting it into energy that flows directly into my body through the hilt.

This is only Blood Word Lv. 1! I can't even begin to imagine what the higher levels are capable of.

«Y-You bastard...» Luke grits his teeth, his voice shaking. «BASTARD!»

A surge of newfound vigor ignites his energy, flaring even more intensely—I can feel the heat from meters away. He bends his knees slightly before launching himself at me with astonishing speed. Once again, I use the flat of my sword to block his strike, but this time, the force behind his punch is far greater.

Cracks spread across my blade at the point of impact. My body is hurled backward with violent force, yet somehow, I manage to land on my feet.

«Lyon, what the hell are you doing?!» Right on cue, Ayra's alarmed voice rings in my ear from the usual earpiece—a glowing sphere of light. «He's just a low-rank familiar! Why haven't you won yet?!»

«He's still a familiar ranked higher than me, with way more experience! I'm not fighting a damn training dummy!» I snap back, frustrated.

I don't even get to finish my sentence before—

Crack.

My sword shatters right at the spot where it was struck earlier. The upper half of the blade drops before my disbelieving eyes.

Oh shit...