Chapter Eighteen: Liliel Enrolls

As night descended, I sat by the window, admiring the view outside. The city lights sparkled, filling the world with a gentle warmth. Meeting Xingyu here was the greatest happiness of my life. I sipped my wine, a subtle smile playing at the corners of my lips.

A knock sounded at the door.

“Miss, Her Highness Liliel wishes to see you. Are you available now?” Ang’s voice came from outside.

“Let her in,” I replied, puzzled by Liliel’s unusual initiative to seek me out. It was a rare occurrence.

“Lilith, tomorrow I want to go to school with you,” Liliel announced the moment she entered, making a demand that left me stunned.

“To school? Why?” I asked in surprise.

“I need to supervise you, to ensure you don’t do anything that would bring shame to the honor of our kind,” Liliel declared with determination.

“No, absolutely not.” I rejected her at once. “Your body cannot withstand sunlight. It’s far too dangerous for you to be active during the day. I won’t allow it.” Unlike myself, Liliel, as a pureblood, could not come into contact with sunlight; a single ray would reduce her to ash. I could never permit her to risk it.

“Don’t think you’re the only one who can withstand the sun,” Liliel scoffed.

“Impossible. As a pureblood, you cannot survive sunlight.” If not for this fatal weakness, our kind would have taken over the world long ago. The reason we remain in the shadows, lurking between the human and demon realms, has never been a lack of strength, but the yearning and helplessness that sunlight brings.

“Hmph. Don’t forget, I was at the amusement park in broad daylight watching you the other day, and you didn’t even notice. Moving about in sunlight isn’t a problem for me,” Liliel boasted.

“That’s impossible. Purebloods cannot withstand the sun. How did you manage it?” I questioned her seriously.

“That’s not your concern. I have my ways. All you need to know is that I can move about in daylight now,” Liliel evaded.

It was unthinkable for a pureblood to endure sunlight. Yet Liliel had clearly found a way to resist its harm—an impossibility, unless she had renounced her lineage. Wait—could it be—“Liliel!” A sudden thought struck me, and I addressed her sternly. “Did you steal Father’s Seal of Demons ring?”

“I didn’t steal it, just borrowed it for a bit. As long as I return it before Father notices, it’s fine,” Liliel answered, shrinking back as I uncovered the truth.

I could only sigh. The Seal of Demons, together with the Devourer of Demons ring, is a symbol of princely authority—our race’s greatest treasures. The Seal of Demons embodies Father’s unquestionable majesty, while the Devourer represents his supreme power. The Seal’s purpose is to suppress all magic, abilities, even bloodlines. It was meant as a punishment for criminals, yet Liliel had used it on herself, sealing away her bloodline and transforming herself into an ordinary human, making her immune to the sun’s deadly touch.

“Liliel, you know what the Seal represents. That’s not a power you have the right to use.” My voice was severe.

“It’s just a stupid ring. If it weren’t useful, I wouldn’t bother with it.” Liliel scoffed. “I’ve already taken it—if I return it now, I’ll be punished anyway. Better to use it first and deal with the consequences later.” She sounded resigned to her fate.

There was little I could do. As for Father, let alone the ancient relics on the council—none of them would severely punish Liliel for this. At worst, she’d be grounded for a few decades, which for our kind, with eternity ahead, is nothing at all.

“I don’t care what you say. Tomorrow I’m going to school with you. Don’t think you can ditch me. If you won’t take me, I’ll go on my own,” Liliel glared, resorting to childish stubbornness. I pressed my fingers to my temple, exasperated. Though she was over a hundred years old, Liliel often behaved like a spoiled child. Even Father was at his wits’ end with her.

“Fine. You can come to school, but you must stay within my sight at all times,” I said, laying down the condition. In sunlight, with her bloodline sealed, Liliel was even more fragile than an ordinary human. I had to ensure her safety.

“Why should I obey your orders? I do as I please,” she shot back, her old antagonism returning.

“That’s my condition. Otherwise, I’ll report your theft of the Seal to the council at once,” I threatened.

“Hmph, just this once. It’s not that I’m afraid of you—I’m only going to keep you from bringing shame to our kind,” Liliel huffed, then turned and left the room.

When she was gone, I let out a long sigh. What would become of Liliel at Night Sakura Academy? I could not predict, but I hoped she wouldn’t cause too much trouble.

“Ang,” I called softly.

“Yes, Miss?” Ang appeared at my side with a respectful bow.

“Arrange Liliel’s enrollment. Put her in my class,” I instructed.

“Yes, Miss.” Ang retreated, leaving to carry out my orders.

The next morning, with Ang’s assistance, I dressed and prepared myself, then departed with Liliel for Night Sakura Academy.

“Nana, have you heard? Another transfer student’s joining our class,” Lexiao called to me as soon as I entered the classroom.

“Yes, I know,” I replied with a wry smile. I not only knew about the transfer, I knew exactly who it would be.

“Aww…” Lexiao let out a disappointed whine at my response.

“How did you know about a transfer student, Lexiao?” Xingyu, already in class, asked curiously.

“I overheard the dean and our homeroom teacher talking this morning,” Lexiao replied listlessly, her excitement deflated by my lack of surprise.

“Everyone, please quiet down and return to your seats,” our homeroom teacher called from the podium. Once the class had settled, he continued, “Today, a new transfer student will be joining us. Please welcome her.” The class immediately erupted in chatter.

“Another exchange student? This semester is strange,” someone remarked.

“I hope it’s a handsome guy!” sighed an infatuated girl.

“All right, settle down, everyone,” the teacher urged.

“Please calm down, don’t make things difficult for the new student,” Xingyu echoed, helping restore order. Watching this familiar scene, warmth spread through me. This was exactly how Xingyu and I had first met.

Lost in my memories, I was startled as the door swung open and Liliel strode in, head held high like a proud peacock. Clad in a crimson dress, with fiery red hair and eyes, and a face as exquisite as a porcelain doll, she left the whole class stunned—Lexiao and Xingyu included.

Lexiao stared wide-eyed at Liliel, then leapt up and shouted, “Why is it you?!”

“Such insolence! Have you no manners?” Liliel shot back, unyielding. The two glared at each other, sparks flying. Perhaps this was the natural repulsion of kindred spirits. The class was dumbfounded by their confrontation.

“This is Liliel Alucard, Liliana’s younger sister,” the teacher hastily interjected, introducing Liliel to the class.

“Liliana’s sister?” “Teacher, are you sure she’s a high schooler?” The class fell into chaos again.

“Hmph!” Liliel sniffed disdainfully. “You lowly creatures should count yourselves lucky to be in my presence. Any objections?” she declared arrogantly.

At her words, the class fell silent, cowed by her icy confidence.

“Just because Lilith, that ‘half-blood,’ deigns to mix with you doesn’t mean you have the right to stand beside me. In my eyes, you are all nothing but insignificant ants,” Liliel continued.

“That’s enough, Liliel. Apologize to Lilith,” Xingyu said angrily.

“Hm?” Liliel was taken aback by Xingyu’s assertiveness. “Hmph, and who are you to demand an apology from me?” she retorted scornfully.

“Lilith is your sister. How can you disrespect her this way?” Xingyu berated her. It was the first time I’d seen Xingyu angry—her anger radiated an undeniable authority.

“And who are you to lecture me, you lowly being?” Liliel would never submit to a human.

“That’s enough, Liliel. Apologize to everyone,” I said calmly, my voice tinged with quiet fury.

“Why?” Liliel did not feel she was in the wrong. To her, I truly was a “half-blood,” and to her, Xingyu and the others were mere mortals.

“Liliel, apologize. Or go home,” I said firmly, leaving no room for argument.

“Sorry,” Liliel muttered reluctantly, bowing her head to the class.

“Everyone, I apologize on Liliel’s behalf. Please don’t take offense,” I said, bowing to the class. Though they may be insignificant in my eyes, I could never forget the genuine kindness they showed me when I first arrived, a warmth I hadn’t felt in ages.

“Sister…” Liliel clenched her fists as she watched me. I could sense her anger. She had every right to be furious—I had once again shamed our kind.

“Sorry.” But to my astonishment, Liliel also bowed and apologized to the class. I stared at her, bewildered. Was this truly the proud Liliel I knew?

“It’s all right, we don’t mind.” “Really, it’s fine,” the class quickly reassured us, embarrassed by the scene and eager to move past it.

Their clumsy kindness warmed me once more. Perhaps, coming here truly was my good fortune.

And so, after causing quite a stir, Liliel officially joined Class Six of the second year at Night Sakura Academy.