Chapter 27
Chapter 27
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 27
Chapter Title: Instead, Be My Maid
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I took the two water bottles for now. Sophia, beaming at me with her friendly smile, and Isia, fidgeting with her mouth.
Glancing back and forth between the two of them and the bottles, I handed one to Raphael.
"Huh? What's this water for?"
"It's from our evolved elite maid and that guy from yesterday."
"Aha."
I unscrewed the cap and drank the liquid inside. An incredible sense of refreshment flooded my mouth. As expected, water after exercise is the best.
It's no different from honey. No, it's even better than honey. People who spend good money on honey should reflect on themselves. Water after twenty laps around the track is sweeter than honey—why buy it?
Feeling pity for those who've wasted half their lives, I drank it all down. Amid that, I overheard the awkward conversation between the two who'd been eyeing me nervously.
—Thank you for yesterday. You saved my life.
—No big deal. I just ran toward the fog. Lucky I was nearby. Anyway, you okay? Didn't it bite you?
—Oh. Someone saved me before it could suck my blood. I'm fine.
—Good to hear. Take care of yourself. Head to the hospital if anything feels off. It was probably just feeding. Don't worry about turning into a familiar.
—Yeah... You seem to know a lot about vampires.
—I'm interested in them. Haha...
The same conversation. Wow. She's the perfect good girl. With that innocent face and friendly smile to boot.
It's weirder not to be fooled. If I didn't know her true nature, even I'd be charmed.
But I know. Her true identity. Her future.
Right now, she's all smiles, but come the second semester, she turns villainous. Her expressions darken, relationships sour,
and suddenly she's the Night Queen raiding the academy. The reason? She's a vampire, plain and simple.
No matter how hard she tries, she can't change that fact. She'll get found out eventually—humans don't easily accept other races.
In short, she's a ticking time bomb. Someone who might snap and attack at any moment.
It's like living with a wild beast. We never should've crossed paths, but who could've predicted a vampire attack? Not my fault, okay? No intention on my part?
"Thanks. Drank it all good."
As I said that, Sophia smiled brightly and extended her hand. What? A handshake? Felt awkward to refuse, so I took it.
Grab, shake, let go—that's how it should go.
"Um...?"
"..."
She wouldn't let go. Then she smiled. Sophia was smiling. Her eyes smiled, but her mouth didn't. I felt silent pressure.
Like she was saying, 'Talk about yesterday, and you die.'
A bit scary. She's gripping tighter—it's starting to hurt. Let go, please.
"Uh... something to say?"
"No. Nothing. Just."
Then let go already. As if my plea reached her, Sophia released my hand, hid it behind her back, and gave a gentle smile.
She's smiling, but why's it so scary? Looks like she's nailing down that I shouldn't spread yesterday's events.
Talking might really get me killed. Avoiding her burdensome smile, I turned and met Isia's eyes.
Thank goodness. Something to change the subject.
Isia flinched at my gaze, then blurted out like she'd been caught.
"I-I have no business! I just came as your maid to bring water!!"
You're fully a maid now, aren't you?
"My head itches."
"It's not your head—it's Lee Seong-hoon's muscles that itch. Hurry up so we can rest too. I want to experience skipping training for once."
"Impossible. Hope for it in my next life. Planning to be reborn perfect then."
"What makes you think that?"
"Compensation psychology from ruining this life. Can't ruin the next one too, right?"
"You can."
"What? Liar. Look me in the eye and say it. Hey. Don't look away. Eyes here. Say no—!"
Morning run over, now muscle training.
Sophia sat in a chair, watching the two bicker with trivial chatter.
Staring so hard lasers might shoot from her eyes. Would be nice if they actually pierced. With that intent.
Simple reason.
Worried Lee Seong-hoon might blab about yesterday. If he does, she's positioned to rush and shut his mouth.
She'd already given him a look during the run, so if he has any sense, he won't. Still, anxiety lingers.
"Uwoooo!! Muscles tearing!!"
"..."
Watching Lee Seong-hoon grunt through the equipment, Sophia felt doubt. Morning run, now training—
Why struggle so much? She knew he ranked 1028th. Hard not to, with his antics from day one.
But Justitia's training is basic for any entrance exam passer. No exceptions, even at 1028.
Plus, he beat Magic Association heiress Isia and could kill vampires—
Why? Hiding his power?
'He was suspicious.'
Mana Eye not working on him screamed unusual. Yesterday's panic skipped that, but if he can't be killed?
Imagining worst-case, Sophia glared seriously, but he just focused on training.
She kept glaring after.
Muscle training done, sparring, lunch, afternoon theory: Hero History, Dimensional War Developments, Great Heroes—all skipped just to glare.
But Lee Seong-hoon didn't talk to anyone. Mostly slumped desk-bound during class.
Except ordering Raphael or Isia around. No one else.
'No friends.'
Unnecessary worry? No friends doesn't mean no rumors. He could post online—humans love stimulation.
Gossip's the best, especially "school good boy is trash?" Perfect spread.
Can't relax. Watch a month at least. Thus, Sophia followed here.
Dirty indoor space—club room or storage? Indistinguishable.
Four students gathered, including her.
"Why's she here?"
"No idea."
"You wouldn't know. Isia, ask her."
"Me? We're not that close.."
Whispering like she can't hear—but she does. Sophia forced a smile.
"I prefer studying magic over cooking."
Gazes converged on Sophia, then the three huddled whispering again.
"What do? Can't tell her to leave?"
"More members the better. We're down to three—need even one more."
"Isn't three enough?"
"Seong-hoon. Ever heard of strength in numbers?"
"Not the context—right?"
"Club room needs cleaning anyway. Extra hands help."
"True."
Meeting over, Isia approached, hand out. Welcome to our Magic Research Club vibe.
Sophia smiled, took it.
"Oh. FYI, I'm president. Nice no one else."
"Huh? Since when—"
"My call."
"...Okay."
This easy? Shouldn't Isia be president? Thought crossed, but Sophia didn't object. Here to monitor Lee Seong-hoon anyway.
"All agreed? Clean first. Filthy."
"Can I skip?! Can't Isia just magic it away?!"
"Work? You built it to break with magic?"
Tch. Raphael pouted, stuck tongue out, cleaning started.
Cleaning's simple. Ventilate, dust, wipe, toss old junk. Club room cleans up, feels lived-in.
Sophia sat on a desk in the refreshed space.
Leg crossed, arm on window sill, gazing out.
Isia and Raphael, losers of rock-paper-scissors, heading to dump trash. Lee Seong-hoon left to register himself as president.
Suddenly alone, Sophia breathed the quiet room's air.
'Maybe no plans to talk.'
Trailed all day, no sign. Her pressure? But he doesn't seem the type.
'Still, can't let guard down.'
Humans are like that. Relax, backstab; trust, betrayal. Trust is suicide.
For Sophia, this is last bastion. Rumors spread, can't come here anymore—then
—Squeak.
Mid-thought, corner of vision caught something. Small animal, long tail, short legs hopping—rodent.
Normal person screams, but Sophia drooled.
Vampires eat blood. No other food needed; blood nourishes, tastes sweet.
Animal blood fine.
"Ahem."
Sophia cleared throat, checked around. Isia and Raphael gone far; Lee registering, won't return soon.
Drool. Rat sensed threat, fled—but slower than vampire.
'What to do.'
Instinct.
Vampire bloodlust unavoidable. Beyond human instinct—essential survival act. Not called bloodlust for nothing.
Purebloods milder, but she's young.
Plus perfect timing. Skipped meals tailing Lee, stressed over exposure.
Irresistible for 17-year vamp.
"Still, can't just."
Prepare for what-ifs. Eating takes 3 seconds, but "never say never."
Magic suffices. Seal door spell.
Cast, confirmed door shut.
"Bon appétit."
Rat crushed, blood spurted. Into Sophia's mouth, sweet as honey.
Wiped lips, torched corpse for cleanup—
Met eyes.
Black hair, black eyes.
"Oh. Sorry, mid-meal. Should I go?"
"So you're president? Really? Everyone agreed?"
"Yeah, they did."
"Got it for now. Checking with Isia later. Don't start drama—tell now."
"Told you, true."
I left the office with the suspicious teacher's okay, headed to club room.
Light steps. Magic club mine now. Interfere galore at sports day, festivals—mess with Kim Tae-hyun~
Such thoughts, then blue window popped.
"Huh?"
Threat? I bolted. Magic indeed at club door. Raphael and Isia at trash—
Something happened? Opened [Inventory], grabbed practice scythe. No hesitation, stabbed magic's mana.
Magic unraveled, gone. Opened door—to Sophia squeezing rat blood overhead.
Instant realization. Ah. Fucked.
Why eat now? No self-control? To avoid detection, eat where no one's around.
Ah. Was empty, but I broke magic and entered.
Damn.
Ecstatic expression met my eyes.
3 seconds silence.
Heavy quiet, I spoke first.
"Oh. Sorry, mid-meal. Should I go?"
No way. Unfading Mana Eye showed.
Mana sucked toward Sophia. Magic power swirled, array floated.
"W-wait!!!"
Call ignored. Killing intent? For real?
I racked brain. Magic hits, dead no doubt—escape this—
Nothing. Blank. Silence means death. Blurted first thing.
"I'll keep your secret!"
She froze. Magic halted, but I didn't.
"Instead, be my maid... No. Will you?"