CHAPTER 21: A DATE

Sept air was still electric as I walked off the platform. Cheers and claps echoed nonstop as I walked out of the arena.

’Pixia, how did I do today and how many girls fell for me?’

(Nineteen. Four screamed your name, one proposed marriage, and—let’s just say—one threw her underwear at you. Honestly, Host... you’re an epidemic.)

I grinned as I walked toward the exit tunnel, heading to the spot Synthia told me to meet her. But before I got far, Leon ran up to me, eyes shining like he’d just seen a divine revelation.

"That was amazing! You really stood up to Lady Nivera! I... I want to be strong like that too."

I patted his shoulder. "You’re already impressive, Leon. Just wait till you beat an instructor next time."

He nodded, ears red with embarrassment. "So, what’s your plan until the ranking match in two days?"

"Nothing much. I’m just gonna chill and go on dates with my girls," I said casually.

We kept chatting for a bit—until Mera showed up and dragged him away like an angry lover.

Eira came next, her silver hair a bit messy, eyes narrowed like a predator.

"You let her touch you."

’Uh-oh.’

She lunged, sniffing me.

"Mmm... she bit you, didn’t she? I can smell her."

"Eira. Personal space."

Before she could lick me or worse, Alicia arrived. Arms crossed, aura sharp.

"So, you flirted with a Warlord vampire... in front of the entire academy."

’I should’ve run.’

(You deserve this.)

"I was being polite," I said. "You know. Diplomacy."

Alicia blinked. Then sighed. Then punched my arm. Hard.

"You’re lucky you’re cute."

After calming Alicia down and getting rid of Eira (who was still muttering "mine" under her breath), I made my way to meet Synthia.

---

[Corridor—Back of the Arena]

The corridor behind the arena was quiet. Cool. Only the distant hum of mana shields and lingering echoes of applause remained. I turned a corner—and there she was.

Synthia.

She stood by the railing, arms crossed, gazing out toward the training grounds with that same unreadable look that somehow made my heart skip.

"You came to see me off?" I teased.

She didn’t respond immediately. Her crimson eyes flicked to mine, softening just a bit.

"You were reckless."

"Admit it," I grinned, stepping closer, "you liked it."

"You’re a headache, Ravin," she said, voice low but not angry. "A dangerous one."

"Would you prefer a quiet, obedient student?"

"I’d prefer you not fight Warlord-rank vampires like it’s foreplay."

I smirked and stepped right into her personal space. "Can’t help it. Danger finds me. Also didn’t you find me hot while I was fighting? I can feel your body heat u-"

Her fingers gripped my collar before I could say another word, and in one sharp pull, I was against her.

Warm lips brushed mine.

It wasn’t aggressive. Or sweet.

It was... possessive.

And I liked it.

I held her waist and kissed her back, slow and deep, until she finally pulled away—barely.

"I should punish you for making me feel this way during a public duel," she muttered.

"Later," I whispered against her lips. "We will see who punishes whom."

She finally let me go, but her hand lingered on my chest.

"Now go. Before I drag you into a supply closet and ruin your perfect fanboy image."

’Pixia, did you see that?’

(CP +40,000. Affection +8. Synthia: 108/100)

(Yes, Host. I’m emotionally compromised now. Carry on, you sexy war criminal.)

---

The next morning, I took Alicia to the city for a date. I’d been neglecting her way too much and it’s time for me to make up for all those years.

The marble streets gleamed with morning dew, sunlight streaming between floating spires and crystalline towers. Flowering vines trailed down balconies, perfuming the breeze. It was the perfect day for a date—and Alicia needed one after nearly collapsing in her duel.

Alicia clung to my arm, wearing a crimson tunic with silver embroidery. I kept it simple: black shirt and trousers.

"This place is beautiful," she said, smiling. "But I’m glad you’re the one showing me around."

"Of course," I said. "Only the best for my lovely flame."

(CP +50,000 From the crowd, affection + 1 Alicia:105/100. CP + 5000)

Pixia popped in.

(Host. You’re farming CP like it’s a harvest season.)

’Let me have this moment with Alicia.’

(You do realise that there are two stalkers following you, right?)

’We both know, but what can we do. Eira, I can understand, but why is Nivera following us?

(Oh, my bad Host, I forgot to tell you that your blood is like a divine feast for all races. So you better be careful to whom you give your blood.)

’Sigh.... Whatever now let me enjoy this date.’

We strolled through gardens, shared sweets, visited a bookstore, and posed for a floating portrait together. Her eyes sparkled the whole time and she never stopped smiling.

"Hmm? What are you looking at with a lost face?" Alicia playfully asked catching me mid-stare.

"I was looking at you," I smiled. "You look so beautiful when you smile."

She blushed after hearing my reply and hid her face with her sleeves.

(Why does she act so cutely, Host? Now I’m not even mad at her for hogging all your attention today.)

’I agree with you on that.’

I wisely chose not to comment on the second part.

(Affection +3. Alicia: 108/100. CP +25,000 Alicia is very happy that you think she is beautiful.)

[Eira’s POV – Nearby Rooftop]

I crouched above, eyes narrowed.

Alicia was holding his hand.

She was laughing.

HE WAS SMILING.

"Mine," I growled, fingers twitching toward my hidden daggers.

Then I heard another whisper from beside me.

"I didn’t expect to run into another stalker today."

I turned—and there she was.

Lady Nivera. Draped in a casual black velvet cloak, parasol in hand, lips curled into a lazy smirk stood beside me.

She licked her lips.

"He’s addictive, isn’t he?"

I glared. "He’s MINE."

Nivera sighed. "You girls are so territorial. His blood is divine. I just want another taste."

I growled. "I will end you."

Nivera smiled. "Try."

( Nivera: Affection +5: 20/100. CP + 5000)

---

[Ravin’s POV]

After spending the entire afternoon exploring places in the town, we went to a good-looking restaurant to eat.

After eating our meal, we left the restaurant to go to the final spot I had prepared for today, and as we reached there, it was already evening.

The sun was beginning to dip behind the horizon, painting the sky in streaks of rose gold and violet. The lake shimmered under the gentle light, bordered by ancient trees and glowing mushrooms along the forest edge.

It sparkled like a scattered bed of diamonds, its surface still and smooth beneath the early stars. The forest around us whispered with wind, and little fireflies blinked in and out in a unique rhythm.

I leaned back on my elbows, watching the sky shift from lavender to deep violet.

Alicia sat beside me, her toes brushing the water’s edge. Her crimson hair flowed down her back in soft waves, catching the fading light like strands of burning rose petals.

She was quiet—but not in a brooding way. More like she was... soaking it all in.

"I swear," I said, glancing at her sideways, "if this lake were any more romantic, it’d start playing background music."

She snorted. "If it does, I’m blaming you and your weird affinity for dramatic entrances."

"I do not have a weird affinity—"

"You made a storm cloud rain glitter on your arrival day."

’... But Pixia was the one who did that.’ I complained mentally while making a face as if I had been wronged.

(You asked me to. ’Make me look like a divine reincarnated fashion god,’ remember?)

"Lies and slander," I mumbled.

Alicia laughed. The sound was soft and light, like wind chimes in summer.

We were quiet again. The breeze teased the water’s edge. I glanced over and caught her looking at me—really looking.

"What is it?" I asked.

She shrugged. "Just wondering if this is one of those fake romantic dreams or if it’s really you."

"I can pinch you, if that helps."

"Don’t you dare."

I smirked. "Then I guess this is real."

She looked away with a faint blush. "It feels weird, you know? Being with you like this. After all those years."

"Weird good or weird bad?"

"...Weird good," she admitted, then playfully narrowed her eyes. "Though I do have a complaint."

"Uh-oh."

"You gave your first time to Synthia?"

’Ah. So that came up.’

(Oh boy, here we go.)

I raised both hands in mock surrender. "In my defense, I thought I was dying. She looked like she was going to kill me either way."

"You always say that when you’re cornered," she huffed, lips puffed out adorably.

"You’re not mad?"

"Oh, I am mad," she said sweetly. "Just not enough to murder you. Yet."

"Alicia~" I reached over, tugging her gently into my side. She let herself fall against me with a quiet huff.

"I mean," she continued, resting her head on my shoulder, "I knew you were going to build a harem. But..."

"But?" I tilted my head toward her.

"I wanted to be your first." Her voice was soft. "I was your first love, after all."

"...You still are," I said without missing a beat.

She looked up at me, surprised.

"My first time may not be with you, Alicia," I said gently, "but you’ve always been special. No one else gets the version of me that you do."

Her cheeks flushed. "...You’re saying that to all the girls, aren’t you?"

"Nope. Only to the girl who set my coat on fire when I refused to hold her hand in the festival."

"That was one time!"

"And my favorite memory," I added with a grin.

She playfully punched my arm. "Ugh. You’re impossible."

"And you love me anyway."

She rolled her eyes dramatically. "Against all logic, yes."

The stars above shimmered brighter. The lake around us glowed silver under the moonlight.

She rested her head on my shoulder. "...I hated watching you fight her."

"You mean Nivera?"

"She looked at you like she wanted to devour you."

’She kind of did.’

Before she could say anything else, I tilted her chin up.

Her eyes met mine—playful, flustered, but glowing with warmth.

"I want to kiss you," I said.

She didn’t pull back.

"Then stop talking and do it."

We both leaned in—

"RAAAVIIINN~!"

"OH NO YOU DON’T!"

I sighed as the forest exploded with chaos.

"Are those—?"

"Yes." Alicia’s face darkened. "They’ve been stalking us again."

"I knew it."

A twig snapped.

Leaves rustled.

And from the bushes emerged—drumroll, please—

One: silver-haired, eyes burning with possessiveness, gripping a tree like it had wronged her.

The other: a smirking vampiress licking her lips... and my blood off her glove.

"Sorry for interrupting your... mortal bonding ritual," Nivera purred.

"I WAS HERE FIRST!" Eira screeched, hurling a rock into the lake and accidentally vaporizing half the surface with pure bloodlust.

Alicia stood frozen for a second.

"I should’ve melted those two when I had the chance," Alicia growled, mana already flickering in her hands.

I just sighed and leaned back.

"Well... so much for peace."

(At least you got a solid +30,000 CP from the lead-up. Also, Host? You owe her that kiss.)

’I’ll collect interest later.’