A ritual?
Olivia knew that rituals were a transcendent technique that could only be mastered after reaching the rank of at least a Pilgrim—not counting the initial advancement ritual.
At the monastery, there were courses related to rituals. If she returned, she would eventually be introduced to such lessons.
She continued to turn the pages, pretending to read, but her mind was elsewhere. She had no idea what the second story was even about; her attention was entirely focused on her surroundings.
However, she didn't sense anyone nearby.
'If the ritual is being set up for me, the distance shouldn't be too far. Yet I can't detect anything. Is the opponent's concealment technique that superior?' Olivia wondered.
Fortunately, Melanie, a chanting nun, was in her pocket, giving her enough confidence.
Melanie's voice came again: "The barrier ritual is complete. From now on, no matter what happens within this range, it won't be noticed by anyone outside. Currently, there are only the three of us inside the barrier... Hmm, he's setting up a second ritual. It looks like a dark ritual, a classic favorite for vampires."
Why did vampires like setting up dark rituals?
Olivia asked the question directly.
Melanie explained, "It's actually quite simple. It relates to the vampire's inherent abilities. Even a vampire who has only undergone their first advancement possesses strong dark adaptation. While others can't see anything in the dark, they can see clearly. Therefore, a dark ritual that brings total darkness effectively increases their combat power."
Olivia understood.
Just as she realized this, she sensed the surrounding environment suddenly plunge into darkness. Even the slightest trace of light vanished, leaving it so black she couldn't see her own hand in front of her face.
This was the dark ritual!
Guided by touch, she slid the book back onto the shelf. Olivia gripped the Cross Grace around her neck with her right hand and whispered, "What should I do?"
"Defeat him, of course," Melanie replied.
"Me? Defeat him?"
"If you can't, I'll step in. Don't worry, I don't feel like this guy is very strong."
Melanie's voice grew fainter, as if someone was approaching and she didn't want to be detected.
This served as a warning to Olivia that danger was drawing near.
She no longer hesitated. She pulled off the Cross Grace, letting it transform into the size of a normal sword, and gripped it tightly. Closing her eyes, she relied on her hearing to perceive her surroundings.
In the pitch-black environment, she heard absolutely nothing, yet an inexplicable sense of alarm rose in her heart—it was her own spirituality providing an instinctive warning.
'No sound, yet he's still approaching me. Vampires truly can move without a sound. This is a bit troublesome.'
Olivia knew all the abilities a vampire possessed at the Pilgrim rank. She had learned this information back at the orphanage by questioning the magic mirror.
Relevant details flashed through her mind once more.
They have excellent vision in the dark.
They can coordinate their bodies to minimize noise.
They master a few temporary curse abilities.
They can control bats, but bats don't appear out of thin air; they have to be raised.
After these pieces of information flickered through her head, Olivia deduced how the opponent would likely strike. She immediately reached her left hand into her pocket.
Since she knew she was acting as bait today, she had naturally prepared plenty of talismans.
However, when her fingers brushed the Flash Talisman, she thought for a moment and switched to a different one.
The existence of the dark ritual meant the Flash Talisman would be useless; all light would be swallowed by the ritual.
This reminded her of Ashley Hewitt back at the orphanage, who had suffered a backlash from the light of a Flash Talisman. At that time, Ashley hadn't set up a dark ritual—not because she couldn't, but because an advancement ritual cannot coexist with any other ritual. She’d had to settle for a naturally dark environment.
Olivia chose a Wind-Chanting Talisman. She pulled it out and tore it open instantly. Along with a surge of magic, a violent wind was generated, blowing fiercely in all directions.
Numerous sounds immediately erupted in the darkness. The pages of many books on the shelves began to flutter loudly, and some shelves even creaked and swayed, as if they were about to be blown over.
Furthermore, there was another sound in the wind—the faint rustle of clothing being disturbed.
Found him!
Olivia raised the Cross Grace without hesitation. With a single thought, her body moved automatically, like a compressed spring suddenly released. She rapidly closed in on the source of the noise, her sword reaching the opponent even faster than she did.
In that instant, Olivia heard a curse from ahead. It wasn't Kelidosian, but seemed to be the language of the Moriah Empire. She vaguely recognized the meaning of the words; it seemed to be a common swear word in that empire.
As the thought crossed her mind, Olivia sensed the sound of fluttering clothes retreating.
Vampires possessed excellent physical coordination, which naturally granted them sufficient agility and a certain level of combat skill. Of course, their combat skills couldn't compare to an Arbiter, let alone an Ascetic.
Olivia continued her pursuit, the Cross Grace following the opponent like a shadow. Although the cold glint of the blade's tip was invisible under the effects of the dark ritual, it was enough for Cyril Booker to sense the danger.
'Wasn't my target supposed to be a novice nun? A novice nun should just be an Initiate, right? But this girl has clearly become a Pilgrim, and she seems to be following the Arbiter's path.'
Cyril cursed inwardly, feeling he had miscalculated.
While retreating, a dagger appeared in his hand, and he swung it forward violently, clashing with the Cross Grace.
With a loud clang, Cyril felt an irresistible force surge toward him. The dagger nearly flew out of his hand.
In that single moment, he realized he should not engage this opponent in a direct confrontation.
He retreated again. Using his dark vision, he leaped over a potted plant in the aisle. When Olivia pursued, she was tripped up by the plant, causing her body to lurch forward uncontrollably.
Just as Cyril wondered if this was his chance, he saw that even as Olivia leaned forward, the cross-like sword in her hand spun into a protective flurry, blooming around her. In such a state, no one could get near her.
Cyril had no choice but to continue retreating, hiding behind a piece of cover.
Although the trip hadn't caused an opening for Olivia, the opponent's movements had vanished once more.
She used another Wind-Chanting Talisman, letting the howling wind sweep in all directions, but this time, it failed to reveal any abnormal sounds.
The guy had hidden himself.
So, what method would this vampire use to attack her next?
Rate on N.U.
