Chapter 24: Chapter 24 : The Black Rose’s Mark

"Hnnghh—"

A sharp, breathless sound escaped from her lips, instantly melting into a long, trembling sigh. The brief sting of his sharp teeth plunging vanished before she could even feel it vividly. It was overtaken by a sensation so rich and overwhelming it felt like drowning in warm, sweet light.

Aeliz’s back arched instinctively, her body trembling, before collapsing fully against him.

Heat bloomed violently at the bitten marks, spreading outward in thick, rushing waves that raced down her spine and flooded every limb with heavy, liquid pleasure.

Her muscles turned soft and loose, her knees giving way as a heavy euphoria clouded her mind, wrapping her in a hazy, dreamlike peace. Every worry, every trace of fear, every memory of the battle raging around them simply dissolved, pulled away along with the flow of her blood.

’What is this? ’ Aeliz eyes widened as she let out another gasp. The feeling was intoxicating, unlike anything she had ever known.

A deep, throbbing hum settled deep in her chest, syncing the rhythm of her heart directly to his. She felt lighter, invigorayed and strangely whole—as if a missing piece of her had suddenly been put back into place.

’T-this is dangerous! ’ She felt her face heated as a sensation of something she couldn’t quite name rose.

Her hands flew to grip his shoulders, her fingers curling tight into his torn clothes, she pulled him closer. A soft, broken gasp vibrated in her throat, raw and honest.

Her head fell back, exposing more of her slender neck of its own accord, offering everything to him.

"T-take more" she mumbled, her voice barely audible.

"Sure, I won’t refuse then" Zeres smiled playfully as he sanked his sharp teeth on her slender neck once again.

The sensation she felt rushing through her veins was thick and potent, sweet as the rarest wine, hitting every nerve ending with a rush so intense it bordered on a blissful pain.

She found herself craving the next pull before the last one had even finished.

Her gasp echoed across the silent forest as she cobtinued to clutched tightly around Zeres’ back

"Thanks" Aeliz was pulled away from her thoughts as she heard his voice.

The wounds on Zeres’ body had already healed, the usual playful grin he has had settles back into his lips as he licked the blood around it.

Aeliz’ gaze snapped at his red lips—he was licking the blood way too intimate. Heat crept up to her neck up to her cheek, then she immediately stood up, but her balance fell off—she had no energy left!

"Hey! I said don’t leave me dry! " Aeliz huffed, still forcing herself up.

"Don’t trouble yourself, I can lift you up" Zeres laughed lightly, then he crouched down before her.

"What? " she asked, her arms crossed as her brows twitched.

"Come on. I’ll carry you, we failed the mission so there’s no credits" Zeres clicked his tongue.

"I’m not heavy am I? " Aeliz asked, her breath near Zeres ear as they walked away from the wrecked village under the illumination of the moonlight.

Unbeknownst to the two of them, a tattoo of a black rose had bloomed on Aeliz neck, it glowed like a blood before it faded quickly.

Under the illumination of the bright moon, Kale’s corpse stayed eerily calm—then it’s fingers twitched.

______________ 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

"You will still receive your credits, as you have brought an evidence with you." The young man before the counter said flatly, his eyes glancing back at the leather bag Zeres had brought with them.

"It’s worth the effort" Zeres yawned. On his hands were the credits they’ve earned from the troublesome mission.

’But still. He had already interfered directly at the plot, he had killed a named character that will be one of the named villains Saelyz will eventually face.’

Zeres shook his head, silently walking across the hallway.

"I’m still wondering how you survived in that place." Aeliz butt in, her elbows nudging his side as they walk side by side across the quiet hallway.

"When will you train? You’re slacking off lately. The gap between you and the Zenith will widen—" Zeres was unable to finished his sentence as Aeliz sprang straight towards the training ground.

Zeres chuckled then he went inside their classroom. No one was there, or so he thought—a sloth was sleeping there soundly.

_______________

The peaceful days continued, and the Luminary Trial was nearing.

"And as such, the weakness of a Forsaken of the Ravager and higher rank is their enemy finding out the name and function of their unique abilities" professor Yvette’s voice echoed on the background.

Zeres stared blankly, his fingers tapping the table, then a silent sigh escaped from him.

’What should I do? ’ he stared at the yellow parchment resting on his table, then an idea strucked him as he started drawing all kinds of masks.

’How boring’ he closed his eyes as he let his head rest on the table. His gaze drifted towards Feilres, his whole uniform was filled with intricate designs and a lot of expensive jewelries hung loosely on his shoulders.

’I want to be rich so bad’ he shook his head. Then his vision caught something, the storage ring.

’Right, I have many fortunes, better make a business for now’ he nodded to himself, raising his head, he grabbed a new parchments then began scribbling again.

’I need to find a broker on the black market’ he cocked his head to the side, black market was also one of the places he wanted to go to.

’I’ll go there on the weekend’ he finished scribbling, then his gaze went back on professor Yvette on the podium.

"You also know that the Gifteds have four class right? " she asked, her voice soft yet stern as she started to write on the board.

==Gifted Classes==

• Mage

• Knight

• Summoner

• Augmenter

=============

"All of your class as a gifted will be determined on the ’Luminary Trial’ at the end of the semester. " she announced, her voice carrying across the wide room.

____________

Haslien’s gaze drifted around the classroom, then her gaze halted at the white-haired vampire. He was drawing something amidst the class.

His head was resting on the wooden table, leisurely stroking the quill he had on the yellow parchment

’How disrespectful’ she sneered. Bit her curiosity got the better of her as she shifted slightly on her chair, and she saw it. Drawings of Masks with different designs.