Chapter 41: The Blood Moon’s Whisper

The academy halls were alive with anxious whispers. News spread fast — and this time, it wasn’t gossip about test scores or rival duels.

“Hey, did you hear? The vampire attacks… they’ve reached near the academy!”
“You’re kidding!”
“No way, that’s terrifying…”
“I just hope the authorities handle it soon.”
“Idiot, they’re already overwhelmed! What chance do we have?”

The fear in the students’ voices filled every corridor.
Kanata, sitting by the window in his usual lazy slouch, didn’t even bother to join the noise. His mind lingered elsewhere.

“That woman… why did she look so much like Celestine?”
He muttered quietly, gazing out at the overcast sky.

A cheerful voice snapped him out of his thoughts.
“Yo, Kanata-kun!”

Kanata groaned. “Reiga. What now?”

“Ohayo!” Reiga waved casually, surrounded instantly by the excited murmurs of female students.
“Reiga-sama!” they cried. “You look so cool today!”

“What do you want?” Kanata asked flatly.

Reiga grinned. “Do you have any free time?”

“Waaah! They’re going on a date!” a girl squealed from the back.

Kanata’s face turned red. “D-don’t get the wrong idea!”

Reiga laughed. “Relax. Just meet me in the main hall at three. We have something to discuss.”

Kanata frowned. “And if I don’t?”

Reiga’s smile turned sharp. “Then something bad might happen… and besides, your friends are already invited.”

The academy hall buzzed with tension.
Celestine, Itsuha, Rio, Aine, Nagisa, Reiga, and Kobayashi were already there when Kanata arrived.

“Now that Kanata’s here,” Reiga said, clapping his hands, “let’s begin.”

The atmosphere grew heavy as he spoke.
“A civilian was attacked near the academy this morning — bitten on the neck. The infection spread instantly, and the victim turned violent. Witnesses described the attacker as a blonde-haired girl.”

Kanata’s eyes widened. “Wait. Blonde-haired girl?”

Reiga nodded. “You know something, Kanata-kun?”

“Yeah. I saw her a few nights ago, during the first full moon. She was standing on a rooftop, looking at the sky… but when I got close, she vanished. Like smoke.”

Kobayashi’s eyes met Reiga’s. “Could it be her?”

Reiga exhaled heavily. “Most likely. Subject-02.”

The room fell silent.

“Subject-02?” Aine asked, confused.

Kobayashi explained calmly.
“That’s the codename for the girl behind these attacks. A containment subject that went rogue. We thought she was harmless… but something woke her.”

“Woke her?” Nagisa repeated, her tone sharp.

“According to our last report,” Reiga continued, “she mentioned a coming Blood Moon — a lunar eclipse that will awaken dormant vampires across the city. Once that happens, they’ll begin the hunt.”

Gasps filled the hall.

Then — a cold, confident voice echoed from the entrance.

“Which means you’re already out of time.”

Everyone turned.

“You…!” Reiga’s eyes narrowed. “Evelyn. I knew you’d show up.”

The silver-haired woman stepped inside, her presence commanding.
“I had no choice. The situation’s escalating too quickly. And since we can’t delay the academy exams, we’ll have to handle both at once — protect the students while neutralizing Subject-02.”

Her eyes flicked toward Celestine.
“You, come to the medical wing after this. There’s something I need to discuss with you.”

Celestine nodded, uneasy.

Nagisa frowned. “You people accelerated the exams in the first place. Don’t pretend this isn’t your doing.”

Evelyn turned to Reiga. “You didn’t tell them the full reason, did you?”

Reiga sighed. “Fine. The truth is, the High Elite need someone powerful — someone like Kanata. After the Caine incident, remnants of The ACID are still active. We believe Subject-02 might be under their control… possibly by a surviving Banshee.”

A heavy silence filled the room.

“A Banshee?” Rio repeated softly.

“Yes,” Kobayashi said grimly. “They’re seeking to gain strength from the Blood Moon ritual. If they succeed, Tokyo will drown in blood.”

Evelyn folded her arms. “Then we have no choice. We work together — under one condition.”

Her gaze locked with Reiga’s.
“Kanata Tendou is not to be forced into your ranks.”

Reiga smirked. “Fine by me. For now.”

Evelyn stood beside Celestine as the younger girl sorted bandages and potions.

“You’re sure he isn’t dangerous?” Evelyn asked.

“He’s not!” Celestine snapped, flustered. “Kanata is kind. He gets along with everyone — even me.”

Evelyn smirked. “Oh? My little sister’s fallen for him, huh?”

“K-Kaa-san, stop!” Celestine’s face flushed red.

A drunk man stumbled through an empty alley, cursing under his breath.
He spotted a tall figure in a black cloak ahead, pale under the streetlight — fangs glinting faintly.

“Heh… nice cosplay,” the drunk chuckled, swaggering closer. “Hand over your wallet, freak.”

The figure didn’t move.

Then, without warning, it lunged.

A sharp, wet sound. The man’s scream was cut short as blood sprayed against the alley wall. His body went limp, his throat torn open.

Police sirens wailed in the distance — too late.

High above the streets, the cloaked vampire stood under the bright, perfect moon.
Its red eyes shimmered with hunger as it whispered softly into the wind.

“The Blood Moon is coming.”