Chapter 242: The Handsome Kaiser
Adele’s sudden confidence was adorable. Hermione and Dorothy, however, didn’t discourage her, their gazes softening with affection. The change in the Blood Trial’s rules was a mixed blessing. On the one hand, it meant Adele would be in the same Secret Realm, allowing them to protect her.
Within the realm, it would be a true survival of the fittest, and sticking together would be the only sensible option. Unless, of course, you were strong enough to go solo. But among the vampires, only Dorothy possessed such overwhelming power.
Hermione could perhaps handle two or three Sequence Ones, but any more than that... So Dorothy and Hermione exchanged a look, a silent agreement passing between them. They would temporarily put aside their differences and prioritize Adele’s safety above all else. If they couldn’t find Adele, however, it would be back to competing for resources. This was their primary concern: the random nature of entry into the Secret Realm.
This Blood Trial was essentially a large-scale battle royale, each participant dropped into the Secret Realm at a random location. Some might be lucky, landing in an area rich with resources, while others might be instantly eliminated, facing insurmountable odds against powerful monsters or a hostile environment. Fate, it seemed, would play a significant role in this trial.
The Blood Trial was set to begin in two days, and the list of participants was almost finalized. The three reclusive True Ancestors, who rarely appeared in public except for Lady Chen Xi, held a grand banquet with her, inviting all the young vampires participating in the Blood Trial. A ball would follow the feast, a dazzling display of elegance and grace as the young vampires danced with their chosen partners. It would be a beautiful, if somewhat tense, affair, given that these same participants would soon be facing each other in a deadly competition.
After Dorothy’s visit, Hermione, taking advantage of her proximity to Adele, extended an invitation to be Adele’s dance partner. Adele, however, couldn’t dance, her embarrassment evident. Hermione, ever the patient instructor, spent the afternoon teaching Adele the steps, even gifting her a beautiful gown and shoes, ensuring she was perfectly prepared for the evening.
As the evening approached, vampire youths began arriving at the banquet hall, their faces alight with excitement and anticipation. Beautiful girls in stunning dresses and handsome boys in sharp suits mingled, the air thick with anticipation. Even the knowledge that they would soon be facing each other in a deadly competition couldn’t dampen their spirits. Some even indulged in fleeting romances, savoring the brief respite before the trial.
Adele, still unaccustomed to heels, carefully navigated the crowded hall, clinging to Hermione’s arm for support. She felt a little more confident knowing her “harem” would be present, a silent threat to anyone who dared to mock or underestimate her.
Before they even reached the entrance, Adele’s eyes lit up. She spotted a familiar splash of sunshine gold amidst the crowd. Celeste, her long golden hair cascading down her back, stood near the entrance, scanning the arriving guests, searching for her master. A sudden warmth on her skin made her turn, her eyes locking with Adele’s, a spark igniting between them.
Hermione, though reluctant, released Adele’s hand, allowing her to reunite with Celeste. She had monopolized Adele’s attention for the past few days; any more would be greedy.
Adele, her elegant dress swirling around her, hurried towards Celeste. Celeste, though not a Sequence One, carried herself with the grace and confidence of someone accustomed to high society gatherings.
As they met, Adele threw herself into Celeste’s arms, inhaling the girl’s warm, milky scent.