NOVEL NEXT Chapter 150: [Spin-off] The seed of hatred
The pale light of the moon filters through the shutters of Lyon's room, faintly illuminating the small space inside Sereltha's student dormitory. Even though it's late, Cassian can't fall asleep. He lies on his bed, eyes fixed on the ceiling, his mind drowning in restless thoughts. The past few days have been a whirlwind of events that shattered the dull routine of his life, leaving him uneasy and confused.
Suddenly, a strange sensation pulls him out of his thoughts. A shadow — a streak of black mist — seeps under the door, sliding silently like a serpent. Cassian watches with bated breath as two hands emerge from the darkness, Lilvyra's hands, rising as if from an abyss. A heartbeat later, her full figure materializes — terrifying, demonic, unmistakably her true form.
Though he has seen her like this several times before, Cassian still hasn't grown used to it. A chill runs down his spine, and a tremor shakes him. He sits up slightly, unsure what to do.
«Students aren't allowed in each other's rooms at night…» Cassian murmurs, his voice trembling — part from fear, part from the revealing outfit Lilvyra wears, every curve of her body taunting his composure.
Lilvyra smiles with mischief as she approaches the bed. «But I'm not a student,» she replies with a sultry tone, lying down beside him. «Close your eyes and turn around,» she orders softly.
Hesitant, Cassian obeys. He turns on his side, eyes shut as she asked. His heart pounds wildly, confused by her closeness and that mysterious tone. He doesn't understand why she told him to do that, but soon the reason becomes clear.
With slow, sensual movements, she slides off the top of his pajamas, letting the cool night air brush his skin. Then, she presses against him — her chest against his back — and her hands begin to roam over him. One of Lilvyra's hands covers his eyes, ensuring he doesn't peek, while the other strokes his chest with eerie tenderness.
His body reacts before his mind can stop it. Her soft breaths mix with his unsteady gasps, the air thick with a confused blend of desire and fear. When Lilvyra's moist tongue slides along his neck, up to his ear, Cassian's body shivers in pleasure. Her hand, resting on his abdomen, slips lower and brushes his growing arousal with a teasing touch.
The pleasure turns into a sharp flash of pain when Cassian feels fangs pierce his neck. He tries to jerk away, but her hand presses harder over his eyes, pinning him down. Her legs coil tightly around his, trapping him. Then the hand covering his eyes shifts to his mouth, stifling his cries.
The blood spilling from the wound doesn't stain the sheets. Instead, it evaporates — a thin red mist that Lilvyra inhales greedily through her nose and mouth.
After what feels like an eternity, her grip loosens. Cassian breaks free and stumbles out of bed, but when he turns around, she's gone — and so are the marks on his neck, though the pain still lingers.
♡♡♡
«Lilvyra… what happened last night?» Cassian asks timidly. Classes have just ended, and the two walk hand in hand through Sereltha's long corridors, heading toward the dining hall. His heart beats fast — not just because of her presence, but because of the confused memories of the night before.
Lilvyra gives him her usual mischievous smile. «The blood of the Thalukvar is my nourishment,» she explains simply. «You've noticed, haven't you? You've never seen me eat, right?»
Cassian nods. It's true — she never eats, even when disguised in human form. He'd already suspected something like that, but his question had meant something else.
Her smile grows more sensual, her eyes gleaming with amused light. «Ah, you meant that other thing...» She steps closer. «You see, human emotions affect the quality of blood. When you're in a state of pleasure, the energy you release is at its peak. You'll have to get used to it. You know... I'm always rather hungry.»
Cassian blushes, trying to process her words, but before he can answer, a violent shoulder slam nearly knocks him over. Only Lilvyra's firm grip keeps him on his feet.
«Sorry, bug. Didn't see you there,» sneers Eiric Serenvalir — a boy Lyon's age, but taller, broader, and crueler. Eiric has always been Sereltha's worst bully, tormenting his victims at every chance. Being the most admired and accomplished student in the academy, his actions are routinely ignored or excused by everyone, even the teachers.
His eyes slide toward Lilvyra, lingering shamelessly on her neckline. «I wonder why a girl like you wastes her time with a reject like him,» he says arrogantly, stepping closer. With a bold gesture, he runs his fingers through her hair, holding a lock between thumb and forefinger. «My dear Lilvyra, with a face and body like that, I might even grant you the privilege of—»
He doesn't get to finish. His body starts trembling violently. Lilvyra stares straight into his eyes, a cruel smile twisting her lips — a smile that strips away his arrogance, leaving only raw fear.
«Go on, finish your sentence. What privilege were you planning to grant me?» she asks in a low, cutting tone, brushing his hand away with the back of hers.
Eiric freezes. Each second that passes, his body shakes harder. His teeth chatter, his legs stiffen, his breathing grows shallow. The pride and mockery once shining in his eyes dissolve into sheer terror.
Lilvyra says nothing more. Her fingers intertwine again with Cassian's, and with a steady stride, she walks away — leaving Eiric standing there, paralyzed by fear. No one in the hallway dares to speak, too shaken by what they've just witnessed.
The incident with Eiric Serenvalir only deepens the hatred toward Cassian, now extended to Lilvyra as well. Yet alongside the hostility, fear begins to spread. How could the academy's top student be reduced to such terror — and without a single spell?
Sereltha's rules are strict: using magic on other students without authorization can lead to expulsion, or worse, death. Witnesses expected Cassian to be punished as her accomplice, but after investigation, all accusations were dropped. No magic had been used. Lilvyra had frightened Eiric with nothing more than a look.
«The end-of-semester exams are coming up soon. I swear those two will pay,» Eiric repeats constantly, referring to the special tournament held twice a year between all students, from first to fifth year. The results heavily influence graduation grades — and Cassian's anxiety grows.
Facing Eiric terrifies him more than he wants to admit, and his barely passing grades only make it worse.
«Don't be afraid,» Lilvyra says with her usual calm, seductive tone. «When the time comes, you'll be strong enough to face anyone in Sereltha.»
Cassian wants to believe her, but his awareness of his own limits gnaws at him. His poor evaluations over the last two years are a constant reminder of how far behind he is. And yet, every time Lilvyra speaks to him, a faint spark of hope ignites inside him.