Rose arrived shortly at Dream UniversityRose arrives breathless at Dream University. Scattered traces of chaos still mark the grounds. Vampire students assist one another across the lawn, many bloodied, leaning heavily on friends, their wounds fresh and painful. Rose’s heart hammers as she sprints toward the dormitories—first the ladies’ hall, then the men’s. She exhales in quiet relief when she finds both areas secure. The defenders have held their ground. The students are safe.
She turns and races toward the central campus grounds. There she finds Rosella and the others still locked in fierce combat against Harold’s allies. Rose draws her sword and leaps into the fray, silver blade flashing, cutting through the opposition with swift, precise strikes.
“Right on time,” Rosella says, stepping back to back with her, watching every direction at once.
Rose parries a blow and counters. ”Sorry, got a little caught up”
They stand shoulder to shoulder, guarding each other’s blind spots, fighting as one.
Inside Majestic Academy’s great hall, Harold stands over Andrei and Zyber. They lie upon the stone floor, bloodied and bruised—claw marks tearing their clothing, their bodies aching from being hurled repeatedly against walls and pillars.
”You’ll never win against me, do as I say and we all live” Harold says, his voice cold and absolute. He turns to leave, intending to finish what he began elsewhere. Then Andrei speaks. The single word halts him in his tracks. “Is this… for revenge?”
Harold looks back at his son, his expression unreadable.
“You have no idea what history truly records,” he says gravely.
The answer only deepens Andrei’s resolve. He pushes himself slowly upright, every movement sending a fresh jolt of pain through him.
“What does ancient history have to do with today?” he demands. “With lives at stake? What debt costs an entire clan’s existence?”
Harold faces him fully.
“They started this. The Zhao clan is the reason every life stands in danger. It is an old debt—unpaid. And your generation is the one born to settle it. I did not raise you to throw your life away, Andrei. I raised you so you would survive them. Now I must kill that Zhao girl. I may not be able to wipe out her entire family, but her death alone… is the price that buys everyone else’s survival.”
Andrei steps into his path, ignoring the pain that flares as his wounds begin to close.
“I do not understand,” he says firmly. “Earlier you said they caused Mother’s death. Now you claim their existence threatens everyone? What truly happened? What crime did the Zhao clan commit that demands their destruction—and why now, after all this time?” He meets his father’s gaze steadily. “Convince me. Tell me the truth. And I will stand at your side.”
Harold lifts an eyebrow, clearly distrustful.
“You seek to buy her time,” he accuses. “Your heart belongs to her, does it not? No matter how you deny it… I am not the only one who has noticed.”
Zyber groans from the floor, pushing himself upright.
“See?” Zyber says. “No matter how you deny it, I guess I’m not the only one who noticed.”
Harold narrows his eyes.
“You cannot stop me, Andrei.”
With those words, he vanishes.
At Dream University, Rose freezes mid‑strike. A cold, familiar dread washes over her. She turns sharply.
“He is here.”
She dashes toward the source of that ominous presence, sword raised, striking from behind. Harold dodges effortlessly. His long claws scrape against the silver blade, sending a high, ringing shriek through the air.
“How impressive,” Harold says, glancing at her sword. “A sharp little knife. But tell me—do you have fangs as well? Or only a sharp tongue?” He steps closer, smirking. “You look exhausted. Shall I find you a suitable meal? A friend perhaps? What was her name again… Cherry?”
Rose’s eyes flash wide. Her grip tightens until her knuckles pale.
“Do not,” she warns, her voice trembling with suppressed fury. “Do not speak her name.”
Harold smiles—a terrible, devilish smile that reaches his crimson eyes.
“Oh, I would never harm her myself. But I believe her former companion… might not be so careful.”
Rose lunges forward in a blind rage. Harold vanishes and reappears instantly behind her. Rose spins, blocking his strike, leaping clear and swinging her blade toward him. Harold catches her wrist, deflecting the blow, and closes his other hand around her throat. Rose twists, driving the silver blade upward. Harold recoils, releasing her instantly, hissing as the silver burns him.
The battle rages—endless, evenly matched, neither able to gain ground. Then Andrei and Zyber burst onto the campus grounds. They rush to Rose’s side. Three against one.
Harold’s face twists with fury. Andrei stands beside her. Against him.
“Hell,” Zyber mutters, ducking a claw strike. “Are we here to help her… or get ourselves sliced in half?”
“I do not need your help!” Rose snaps, her blade swinging dangerously close to them both.
Harold smiles—a dark, knowing smile. He whispers a single word. Instantly, every Majestic Academy ally still on the campus surges forward, swarming around them in a tightening ring.
“Ah, here we go again,” Zyber sighs.
Rose sees it clearly now. He controls them. Every last one. She plants her feet, sword raised, ready to defend herself and her friends against the approaching horde.
“Rose!” Rosella shouts from across the grounds.
Rose raises her glowing blade, ready to cut through anyone who comes near. Harold watches from the rear, standing calm and unhurried, wearing a smile of quiet triumph.
But Zyber notices something else. While Rose and Andrei hold the horde at bay, Zyber slips silently away, circling wide. He reaches into his pocket and withdraws a small pouch.
Harold spots the movement and lunges.
Zyber flings the pouch upward the moment Harold turns. A cloud of pale, fine powder bursts forth directly into Harold’s face.
Harold inhales it.
His eyes widen. He gasps, staggering. His strength drains away in an instant. His crimson glow fades. His limbs buckle.
He collapses heavily to the ground, motionless. Unconscious.
Instantly, every attacking vampire halts. They shake their heads, blinking, looking around in confusion as if waking from a trance. The compulsion breaks. The control vanishes.
Rose lowers her sword slowly. She breathes deeply, steadying herself, then turns her gaze toward the fallen vampire lord lying still upon the grass.