[Quest: Eliminate Marius Tepes. Rewards: 2 Spins.]

  The bold notification fshed in my vision, and I couldn't help but roll my eyes. Two spins? Really? That's all I get for taking out a pompous vampire lord? I sighed, leaning back on the tree log I was sitting on. The forest was quiet, save for the occasional rustle of leaves and the distant chirping of birds. This was my spot—the pce where I trained every day, where I pushed myself to get stronger. And now, it was about to become a battlefield.

  My fingers absentmindedly traced the hilt of Lostvayne, the bde resting against my thigh. Marius Tepes. The name alone made me want to gag. The st time we crossed paths, he'd run away like a scared puppy, using his fellow vampires as meat shields. What a joke. I wasn't scared of him. In fact, I was almost bored. But I knew he'd come back. Pride was his fatal fw, and pride would bring him straight to me.

  I'd sent Asia away with one of my clones, just to be safe. My familiar was with her too, ready to step in if things got messy. Marius was too arrogant to resort to sneaky tactics, but I wasn't taking any chances. Valerie, on the other hand, was here with me. She'd been training under my watchful eye, and though she compined endlessly, I could see the progress she was making.

  "Kazuya?" Her voice cut through my thoughts, light and cheerful. I turned to see her approaching, her blonde hair catching the faint sunlight filtering through the trees. She tilted her head, her big blue eyes filled with curiosity. "What are you thinking about? You look… serious. It's kinda scary."

  I smirked, leaning back on the log and crossing my arms. "Just thinking about doubling your training regimen. You've been scking, Valerie. I'm disappointed."

  Her eyes widened, and she took a step back, waving her hands frantically. "W-what? No! Please, Kazuya, have mercy! I've been training so hard! My arms are still sore from yesterday!"

  I chuckled, summoning three clones with a flick of my wrist. They materialized behind her, their arms crossed and smirks pstered on their faces. "Mercy won't make you stronger. Spar with them. No breaks."

  Valerie groaned, slumping her shoulders dramatically. "You're a demon, Kazuya. A demon!"

  "And you're whining too much," I shot back, grinning as the clones moved in. She yelped, drawing her training sword and barely managing to block the first strike. The sound of cshing bdes and her frustrated yells filled the forest, and I couldn't help but ugh. She's getting better, but she's still got a long way to go.

  Dawn broke, the first rays of sunlight piercing through the canopy. And then, as if on cue, he appeared.

  Marius stepped into the clearing, his crimson eyes gleaming with malice. His presence was heavy, the air around him thick with dark energy. He stood tall, his bck coat billowing dramatically in the wind. Oh, great. He's going for the whole 'dark lord' aesthetic. How original.

  I didn't flinch. Instead, I greeted him with a casual wave, as if he were an old friend. "Took you long enough," I said, my tone light. "I was starting to think you'd chickened out."

  His lips curled into a snarl, and his hands clenched into fists. "You're as insolent as ever, Kazuya. But this time, you won't be so lucky. I won't rely on my underlings. This fight is between you and me."

  I stood, Lostvayne gleaming in my hand. "Good. Just don't cry when I beat you. I won't go easy this time."

  Marius smirked, his arrogance radiating off him like a foul stench. "Today will be your st day, fool."

  In an instant, his body was enveloped by writhing bck snakes, their dark energy amplifying his aura. I recognized it immediately—Ophis's snakes. So, he's borrowed some of her power. Cute. But not enough to save him.

  The battle began in a blur. Marius lunged at me, his sword sshing through the air with deadly precision. The snakes around him shed out, their fangs bared. But I was faster. Ice erupted from the ground, forming a barrier that shattered his attack. I countered with a swing of Lostvayne, the bde cutting through the air with a sharp whistle.

  Marius turned into a swarm of bats, evading my strike. He reappeared behind me, his sword aimed at my back. I smirked, activating my Compress quirk. The space around me warped, and his bde was sucked into a marble-sized orb. His eyes widened in shock, and he stumbled back, staring at the orb in my hand.

  "Too slow," I taunted, tossing the orb into the air and catching it. "You're gonna have to do better than that."

  He growled, his face twisting in rage. "You insolent brat!"

  I smmed my palm into his chest, ice spreading from the point of impact. He broke free, but not without effort. His movements were frantic now, his confidence wavering. This is almost too easy.

  Valerie watched from the sidelines, her hands csped over her mouth. "Kazuya… he's toying with him," she muttered, her eyes wide with a mix of awe and fear.

  I was. And I wasn't ashamed to admit it. Marius was outcssed, and I wanted him to know it. Every time he attacked, I countered with ease, my ice and swordpy overwhelming him. He tried to use his enhanced speed, but I matched him step for step, my movements fluid and precise.

  "Is this all you've got?" I mocked, freezing his legs in pce. "I expected more from a Tepes."

  He roared, breaking free once more. But his attacks grew sloppier, his desperation more apparent. Finally, I decided to end it. With a swift motion, I disarmed him, Lostvayne resting against his throat.

  "Any st words?" I asked, my voice cold.

  Marius's eyes darted to Valerie, pleading. "Sister, make him stop! I won't chase you anymore! I'll leave you alone, I swear!"

  Valerie turned her gaze away, her expression unreadable. Her hands trembled slightly, but her voice was steady. "Do it, Kazuya."

  Marius's face twisted in rage. "You traitor! How dare you—!"

  I interrupted him, my ice creeping up his body. "You should've thought twice before threatening the people I care about."

  He screamed as the ice encased him, his threats turning to incoherent rambles. "The Khaos Brigade… they'll come for you! You'll regret this!"

  I smirked at his words and let my actions do the talking.

  With a final surge of power, I froze him completely, his body now a lifeless statue. I stepped back, admiring my handiwork. Not bad, if I do say so myself.

  But I wasn't done yet. Activating my shadow extraction skill, I began the process of awakening his shadow. It took two trials of Arise, but eventually, the shadow of Marius emerged—a purple-bck vampire soldier, kneeling before me.

  "Master," it intoned, its voice hollow.

  I stored the shadow away, satisfied. Valerie approached, her expression a mix of relief and disbelief. She stared at the spot where Marius had been, her hands clenched into fists.

  "It's over," I said, tapping her forehead lightly. "You don't have to live in fear anymore. Let's go home."

  She nodded, a small smile tugging at her lips. "Thank you, Kazuya."