Amidst the swirling chaos, I found myself motionless, trying to comprehend what was happening around me.
What the hell is going on? How did this happen? I don't know. I was at a loss as to how everything had escalated so quickly.
The third song has yet to begin. So why has the massacre already started? And instead of one vampire, we're now dealing with two!
It seems like that, much like always, something went wrong. Maybe I created some kind of butterfly effect, or some other force was at play here.
I don't know.
"Haa, just my luck."
Fine, if this is the hand that I've been dealt, then I'll have to roll up my sleeves and engage in the battle actively.
With that realization, I decided to take action.
Amelia had already darted off to assist others in the fight against the blonde vampire, while Nero was valiantly fending off a horde of mind-controlled individuals under Magnus' sway.
If we go by sheer numbers, I should go help out Nero, but I'd rather steer clear of the vampire he's up against.
In a one-on-one fight, I know I wouldn't stand a chance against Magnus and only drag Nero down.
Magnus is a lethal adversary and a killing machine, so it's better if I leave Nero to tackle him.
I mean, let's face it - Nero's the protagonist, not me.
He's got plot armor on his side, whereas all I have going for me are my striking good looks and a sharp intellect. Hehe.
Ah, damn it!
I need to concentrate. I should focus on the task at hand and not let my narcissism get the better of me!
Shaking my head to clear my thoughts, I scanned the banquet hall, which now resembled a battlefield.
This grand ballroom had two exits - one to the east and the other to the west.
Needless to say, both were crowded with panicking people trying to flee the chaos.
Unfortunately, Magnus had already cast his mind control over those attempting to escape through the eastern exit, leaving us with only the west exit.
But that, too, was blocked by the other blonde vampire who came with Magnus.
Their plan was clear - trap us in here and slaughter us like sheep. It was a sound strategy, really.
The fewer witnesses left alive, the more difficult it would be for the military to track them down before they could flee across the border.
Regrettably for them, I am no sheep.
Suii—
I summoned my yumi bow and swiftly notched an arrow, adopting a steady stance and drawing the bowstring taut.
Focusing my aim on the blonde vampire, I took a deep breath and imbued my arrow with a surge of mana.
Fifteen cadets were embroiled in combat against my target vampire, so avoiding friendly fire was a challenge.
But since I have honed my archery skills through numerous target practices after coming into this world, I was confident in hitting my target.
Swish—!!
As I released the bowstring, the arrow shot forward and whizzed through the air with lightning speed.
"....?!"
Cling—!!
Unfortunately, even though I shot the arrow from her blind spot, the female vampire sensed the incoming projectile and raised her claws to deflect it with quick reflexes.
"Tsk," I clicked my tongue in annoyance before dashing in to engage the enemy up close.
–"Hiyaa!"
–"Surround her!"
–"Do not look into her eyes! And watch out for any spells that could affect your mind– khak!"
As I charged forward, the battle cries of the cadets fighting the vampire rang in my ears.
Some just screamed incoherently, and others barked orders while one cadet in particular attempted to warn his comrades about the dangers of a vampire's mind control abilities.
Sadly, before he could complete his warning, the blonde vampire appeared before him and slit his throat, ending his life in an instant.
Thud—
As his lifeless body fell to the ground, those nearby - who appeared to have known the fallen cadet - stepped back with a terror-filled look in their eyes.
"Fuck," I couldn't help but curse under my breath as I saw that happen.
They let their guard down.
Vampires use dark magic to control the minds of other creatures. Just like all the spells in existence, there are ways to counter this spell too.
One way was to maintain a clear, focused mind, free of any overpowering emotions such as love, hate, lust, anger, fear, or sorrow. This would enable individuals to resist the effects of mind control.
Alternatively, one could avoid being struck by the mind control spell in the first place.
Seems simple enough, right?
Yeah, well, in a real-life battle, both of these options prove exceedingly difficult to execute.
Unless your name starts with Nero and ends with Dekrauf – the only individual capable of resisting mind control through his sheer willpower – if you let your guard down and get hit by a mind-control spell from a vampire, it's over.
They could turn you against your own allies or make you kill yourself.
"Haaa!"
So as soon as the cadets stepped back in fear, a surge of dark energy emanated from the female vampire, enveloping all those who stood close to her.
The faces of the cadets twisted in agony as the mind control spell took hold of them.
Soon, however, the look in their eyes turned blank, and their movements stopped.
Clearly, they were now under the female vampire's control.
Luckily, I was out of range of the mind-control spell when it was exerted.
Also, luckily, it seemed that only extras and side characters were caught in the female vampire's mind-control spell.
Amelia, Anastasia, Aster, Grace, Drake, Chase, Elijah, and Hugh Jass had managed to jump back and avoid the spell just in time.
Okay! One variable, one third-year cadet, one side villain, the female lead, and four other main characters – I can work with this team.
As soon as I reached them, Amelia, noticing my presence, asked: "Do you have a plan?"
"Of course I have a plan," I replied matter-of-factly.
"What is it?" Anastasia chimed in with gritted teeth. "We are outnumbered, so anything that can help will work."
"Listen up," I barked. "Amelia and Hugh, you both will stay back and give us cover. Chase and Grace, you both will rush forward and clear my path. Elijah and–"
However, before I could finish, Drake chipped in. "Wait," he said. "I'm in the third year here. You all will follow my orders! Do as I say, and we'll get out of this alive!"
"Yeah, I'd much rather listen to a third-year cadet's instructions than his," Chase directed a scowl at me.
"What? Did you forget the Mock War, Chase?" Elijah tried to retort.
"That was Mock War! Here our lives are in real danger! We won't open our eyes in the real world if we die! I am not comfortable following his instructions and putting my life in his hands!" Chase yelled back.
"Chase–" Anastasia was about to argue, but I interjected.
"Stop it, you all!" I shouted, my eyes still fixated on the female vampire who had her claws up and minions ready to attack us. "This is neither the time nor place to have this stupid argument. Mr. Drake, if you think you can— huh?!"
Swish–!!
Before I could finish speaking, the blonde vampire's figure blurred, and she popped up right in front of me with her claws drawn back.
In a split second, the female vampire lunged at me, her dark claws aimed at my neck as she sought to cleave it off.
Swish–!!
But her claws met nothing but air as I dodged her attack with lightning-fast reflexes, stepping back and crouching just in time to save my neck.
But I didn't stop there. Seizing this chance, I used the momentum of my duck to pivot on my left foot and deliver a swift, spinning kick to her unguarded chest.
Thwack—!!
"Tsk," to my frustration, however, my attack dealt no damage as the vampire stood there unharmed.
Bang, Bang, Bang—!!
She went to grab my foot, but before she could do that, Hugh fired three bullets from his twin handguns and hit the vampire right in her face.
I used this opportunity to retreat my foot and hop a few steps back to safety.
"You will die first," the blonde vampire spoke in detest while looking at Hugh, seemingly unharmed by his bullets.
"No you," Hugh replied.
"..." What? Did he really just reply with a 'No you' when he could've said all the cool things in the world?!
I swear to god, if this wasn't a life or death situation, I would've had a long chat with him about being lame!
"Amelia, Hugh, and Lucas, you three will cover us. The rest of you will vacate my path and help me get to her. Try not to kill anyone since they are our allies," Drake instructed, raising his sword and pointing it at the female vampire. "Once I get in close range with her, I'll kill her."
