For an entire month, Lisa, Devina, and Irene underwent grueling training at the Heliosbane estate, mentored by the formidable Holy Knights. The trio never failed to leave the elite guardians in awe, their unique abilities and raw potential shining brighter with each passing day.
This admiration even reached the ears of the Vice Commander of the Holy Knights, who strongly recommended that the trio be immediately recruited as official members. However, that decision crumbled when Raiden took a different stance. He firmly rejected the proposal. To him, Lisa, Devina, and Irene weren't mere disciples who would join the ranks of the Holy Knights. They were his ace cards that he intended to keep closely guarded—hidden powers that only he could control, separate from the shadow of the Heliosbane family. A secret unknown to anyone outside his inner circle.
There was a compelling reason behind this. If the three joined the Holy Knights, they would have to register with the official association, obtain magical user licenses, and most challenging of all, explicitly reveal all their abilities and powers. A risk Raiden couldn't afford to take.
During that month, they didn't just strengthen their bodies and enhance control over their magical energy. The Holy Knights also guided them in creating new techniques aligned with their individual preferences and unique powers. They learned to overcome various constraints when using their magical talents, both under high pressure and in hostile environments. Training after training sharpened their physical endurance and agility—making the trio not just powerful, but ready to face any challenge the future might hold.
Unlike Devina and Lisa, whose magical talents are honed to specific domains, Irene stands as an entity entirely apart. As a being from a race so extraordinary, she is a living enigma—a goddess of darkness harboring powers so vast and multifaceted that they defy comprehension. Raiden, with eyes brimming with awe and curiosity, often gazes at Irene not merely as a companion, but as a lethal masterpiece, a walking legend among them.
Amidst the myriad of awe-inspiring abilities Irene possesses, three powers in particular captivate Raiden the most—three pillars of might that evoke memories of his favorite vampire characters from the games he once played back on Earth. These powers are not only mesmerizing but also stir a deep nostalgia for the fantasy worlds that once served as his escape.
The first is Eternal Recursion, a power that mirrors the eternal cycle of the ouroboros, the serpent devouring its own tail. Whenever Irene suffers a fatal wound or even "dies," her body does not simply vanish—it disintegrates into black ash or a pool of viscous, crimson blood that seems alive, pulsating with an eerie sentience. Within mere seconds, the ash and blood coalesce, reforming her flawless form without a single blemish. This rebirth is as breathtaking as it is terrifying, for each time Irene returns, her aura grows denser, darker, as if death itself nourishes her soul, enriching her essence with every cycle.
The second, Blood of Origin, is the primal source of all vampiric existence in this world. Irene's blood is no mere life essence; it is raw, unadulterated magical power capable of altering fate itself. From a distance, she can manipulate an enemy's blood, forcing it to solidify into deadly weapons—swords, spears, or even whips that dance to her will. More chilling still, with just a single drop of her blood, she can transform foes into obedient minions, bound to her commands with no hope of resistance. Yet, this blood is a double-edged sword. For non-vampires, Irene's blood is corrosive, searing flesh and soul with an indelible curse. Conversely, for vampires daring enough to consume it, unimaginable power courses through their veins—though at the risk of losing themselves to eternal madness.
Lastly, Lord of the Nightspawn cements Irene's status as the primordial vampire, the absolute sovereign over all children of darkness. With a mere glance, she can summon armies of vampires from the farthest corners of the world, commanding them to fight to their last drop of blood or even absorbing their strength to bolster her own. Whispers circulate that Irene can create new vampires with a gentle bite to the neck or a single drop of blood upon the skin. Those born from her are not mere subordinates—they are slaves, shackled by an unbreakable loyalty, incapable of defying their mistress's will.
Raiden, once lost in the realms of fantasy games, cannot conceal his admiration. These three abilities feel so akin to the imaginings of his youth, as if the legendary vampires from his computer screen have stepped into reality before his very eyes. Each time he witnesses Irene wield her powers, his heart trembles—not solely from fear, but from a profound, unshakable awe.
Yet, behind these mesmerizing displays of might, Irene herself holds a particular fondness for another facet of her being—one that reflects the ouroboros, the symbol of eternal cycles. Her favored ability, Reweaving the Cycle, is a rare and extraordinary power that allows her to "reweave" reality itself on a localized scale. When activated, the world transforms into a shadowy distortion of itself, an unsettling mirror where the laws of physics and logic crumble. Gravity can invert, hurling enemies helplessly into the sky. Time can freeze, halting all motion of her adversaries while Irene moves freely, untouched by the constraints of reality. Within this warped domain she crafts, Irene reigns as an untouchable deity, a goddess dancing amidst chaos, beyond the reach of any who dare oppose her.
Finally, the clock struck noon—marking the end of lunch time and their last day of intensive training. Since all three women already possessed solid foundational skills, they no longer needed direct guidance to continue developing their abilities.
"Huff... huff... I'm so freakin' tired!" Lisa complained, her breath heavy as she flopped down on the green grass, spreading her arms in pure relief.
"Even though we've gotten used to the repetitive drills, when the intensity keeps ramping up non-stop, it's bound to wear anyone out," Devina grumbled, slumping down beside Lisa.
Irene, however, appeared much fresher. Her face showed not a single trace of fatigue, despite sweat pouring from her entire body. Her breathing remained steady and calm.
Suddenly, a flash of blue-silver lightning struck right in front of them. Raiden appeared as fast as the bolt itself, carrying three bottles of mineral water and a bag of light snacks. "Come on, get up! Time to head home," he said enthusiastically while handing them the water bottles.
Starving, Devina and Lisa didn't hesitate to tear into the plastic bag and snatch up all the snacks without leaving a single one for Irene. Seeing their behavior, Raiden immediately grew annoyed and spontaneously smacked both girls' butts with a firm slap.
"Angghh!" Both women moaned playfully, their bodies instantly trembling from the strange wave of sensation that rippled from the impact.
Over the past month, their familiarity with Raiden had deepened considerably. Even Devina and Lisa didn't mind when Raiden engaged in various mischievous and slightly excessive actions, as long as he was the only one doing it.
Shortly after, Raiden escorted the three beautiful women aboard a high-tech business helicopter—the vehicle his aunt and mother typically used to travel to the city without dealing with road traffic.
"Wow! Is this a real helicopter?!" Lisa exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. "I so want to try flying in this thing, it must be hella fun." She gently caressed the glossy black body of the helicopter.
Devina could only shake her head while smiling at Lisa's childish behavior. "Can't you fly on your own by manipulating gravity through your singularity powers?" she asked curiously.
Lisa nodded slowly in response. "Yeah, but I still struggle with freely manipulating gravitational vectors. Makes it kinda hard to maneuver," she answered with a dejected expression.
Raiden gently patted Lisa's shoulder, "Don't lose heart. Just go with the flow and let the process happen naturally. If you practice regularly, there's nothing you can't master," he said confidently, trying to encourage her.
Though still a novice in the magical world, Lisa was indeed a highly competitive and perfectionist type of woman. She never tolerated mistakes or shortcomings in herself.
Soon after, Sylvia appeared at the helipad, immediately taking control as the helicopter pilot. Beyond her duties serving Raiden with household tasks, Sylvia apparently possessed numerous skills across various fields.
Raiden sat in the co-pilot seat, while Lisa, Devina, and Irene took their places in the comfortable passenger cabin.
The helicopter took off vertically. After reaching altitude, it tilted slightly forward and proceeded at a moderate speed toward Raiden's penthouse.
Ten minutes later, the helicopter landed vertically on the highest helipad of Raiden's penthouse building.
As soon as he stepped off the helicopter, Raiden's expression instantly soured, his face contorting with annoyance.
Hundreds of men in black suits with muscular builds and towering heights had invaded his penthouse. "What the hell is this?!" Raiden growled, his voice carrying barely contained fury.