"Okay..." Neraxis took a deep breath and stared directly into her eyes. "I want to ask you a question... What do you think of me?"
"What?" Aurelia's eyes widened. "W-What do I think of you?"
"Yep." Neraxis nodded. "Don't take it the wrong way, but vampire contracts work best if there's already an established connection between us... emotionally."
He was upfront about it, since he didn't exactly want to kiss Aurelia out of the blue.
After all, for all he knew, Aurelia had a crush on someone else, and then he'd simply be getting in between them.
Aurelia merely shook her head, slightly flustered. "Umm... I like you as a friend?"
"N-No... I don't know." Aurelia burrowed her face in her hands, her cheeks flushed.
So she has mixed feelings about me, aha.
"I like you," Neraxis said flatly. "Your expressions are cute, and you just seem so innocent, but even then, when things get rough, you become serious. I guess that's what I like about you...?"
Even he was slightly puzzled.
There were so many things he had in mind, but only her cuteness and fierceness in certain moments stood out the most.
Is this really my taste in women? Neraxis thought with a sigh, meeting Aurelia's shocked eyes.
"You like me...?" Aurelia muttered, taking her hands off her face. "Since when?"
Neraxis tilted his head at the question. "Since when what?"
"Since when did you start liking me?" Aurelia finished, causing Neraxis to fall into thought.
In their first encounter, she didn't stand out that much; however, the more he saw her, the more he began liking her.
Almost as if all the little things he hadn't noticed before came to light each time he saw her.
And the moment he actually had thoughts about her?
"Back in Stradon Fortress, I guess... I enjoyed exploring with you."
Neraxis had never thought of it consciously, since most of the time he was with Evangeline, but girls like Aella, Celina, and even Aurelia were always there inside his mind—some sooner than others.
Eris is also there... but I don't know if I like her or not. She left a not-so-fun first impression on me. Neraxis noted before extending his hand and gently stroking Aurelia's beautiful blue hair.
"I know it's a bit sudden, I didn't even take you out on a date, but hey, now's as good a time as any to tell you," Neraxis added with a chuckle.
Meanwhile, Aurelia's eyes were trembling, almost as if she was lost on what to do.
However, in the very next moment, she reached one of her hands for his, gently grasping it.
"I still don't know how I feel..." Aurelia trailed off, her tone serious. "But I think I like you too... I began paying more attention to you ever since you saved me alongside Celina."
A smile tugged at Neraxis's lips. "I just did what anyone would do in that situation."
"Well..." Aurelia scratched her cheek. "You did kind of stalk me to find where I was going, so I don't think just anyone would do that."
"Pfftt... yeah, makes sense." Neraxis chuckled. "Anyways..."
He brought her hand closer and delivered a kiss on her ring finger. "In order to become a vampire, you need to ingest my blood... A friend of mine suggested a kiss, but we can go with the more tame option."
With that, Neraxis bit his finger before extending it toward Aurelia's slightly flustered face.
"You just need to lick it, and I'll deal with the rest," he added.
But even after several seconds had passed, Aurelia didn't drink the blood, merely staring at it, her eyes darting between the blood and his lips.
"What are the odds I get cured?" Aurelia asked.
Neraxis sighed. "Higher."
Nonetheless, he scooted closer and bit into his lip, drawing blood, his face just centimeters from hers.
Her lips trembled, but she didn't back away. Instead, Aurelia closed her eyes as she tilted her head and slightly parted her lips.
With that, Neraxis leaned in, his lips gently intertwining with hers.
At the same time, he pushed the golden blood through the kiss, letting it trickle into her mouth
Her lips were surprisingly soft. Unlike with Evangeline, who was a masochist, Aurelia was delicate—so they separated after just a few seconds.
She wore an embarrassed expression as she stared at the ground in silence.
She's way too innocent, I almost feel bad for kissing her... Evangeline messed up my view of normal women...
"Aurelia?" Neraxis called out. "Do you feel any diff—"
Hmm... Neraxis glanced at the messages, a bit surprised by the extra steps.
Nonetheless, he pressed "Yes," and in the very next moment, another set of pop-ups appeared.
That fucking much? Neraxis's eyes widened.
If he were to share 75% of his total power with Aurelia, then she'd literally become S+ or SS- ranked in an instant.
Maybe even more if it took into account his total power combined with all the skills.
Still, the choice was obvious, so he picked the first option.
And to his surprise...
The ritual...? Neraxis's brows furrowed. However, before he could wonder further, Aurelia, who had been staring at him sheepishly a moment ago, suddenly arched her back, as if she were in pain.
Aurelia opened her mouth, trying to speak. However, the only sound that came out was a faint gasp for air.
Shit. Neraxis embraced her, using his mana to regulate her breathing.
And after just a few minutes, she could breathe again.
But that seemed to be the least of the surprises.
"I-It hurts..." Aurelia muttered, and the moment she did, he could see her teeth turning into fangs, followed by her blue hair taking on a golden shade.