This scene was originally a kiss, but I now realize how awkward that is when it comes to vampires drinking blood. It is a shame, but I am changing this scene from a kiss to a puncture on the neck. This doesn't mean that people like Roselia or Vita won't be considered for the harem. It's still too early to tell~
There's only 140 chapters or so before this rewrite is finished and everything is caught up!
*
Before Roselia and I knew it, I felt something fluffy enter my lap, only to see a silvery-white fox with six tails now lazily slumping her body over the bedside with me at its center. Further away, a black cat observed the two of us from afar with a mixture of doubt and confusion in her eyes. Who else could these two be but our two familiars, Tamamo and Celine? If only Vita were around, we would see Grianos too. But unfortunately, she's currently partying up with Crow and is underway tackling the Azure Trials. So for now, it was just Celine and Tamamo.
It didn't help the fact the two currently saw Roselia cupping my chin with one of her hands. From their point of view, this position was likely awkward to them. She even squeezed my cheeks. A faint red mark was beginning to form. It seemed goofy, no doubt. With Celine and Tamamo dropping in so suddenly like this, what they saw could be misleading.
To make matters worse, Roselia revealed a playful grin the moment she saw the two return. Seeing the deadpan look in Celine's eyes, Roselia decided to put on a front. As to where the two have been up until now, only the Goddess knows the answer to that. But I am sure Tamamo would love to tell me all the adventures she's been on since we left Saint-Arkh and arrived here in Heimdallr. Roselia spoke out before I had a chance to.
"Well how nice of you two to drop by. 'Tis a fine morning, is it not?", Roselia said, greeting the two. "And I meant what I said, you foolish cat. Thanks to a certain someone, I am just about depleted of my Mana. I need a recharge, and seeing everyone in a festive mood to celebrate the next century, I figure it would be a good time to do a little check-up. This is nothing more than pure happenstance, I tell you."
"Uh-huh. I bet you planned this whole thing out, didn't you? Stupid Rose.", Celine retorted with a harrumph. It's weird seeing a cat do that, but this is Magic we're talking about here, and you can do just about anything with Magic. It all depends on your own imagination!
"Don't sweat the small details, Celine. Rose came, so all's good in my books!", Tamamo happily said. "But speaking of Mana, can I have a snack, Master? I'm quite famished myself and I don't think I can wait till breakfast is ready."
"Haha.", I replied, laughing. "Perhaps I've spoiled you a little too much, Tama. Is my Mana really that delicious?"
"It sure is!", Tamamo happily replied. "Your Mana is extremely pure, Master. It doesn't have a single impurity in it at all. I always enjoy the taste whenever you give me some Mana as a snack.", Tamamo continued. "And you know Master. It's your fault that I grew up this fast. I'm already at six tails and can speak the human tongue!"
"What did you just say?", I shot back with a retort.
"It's nothing, heehee.", Tamamo giggled.
"This stupid fox will never learn.", Celine said, and shook her head in disappointment.
"'Tis a good sight seeing such a close bond shared between a Familiar and their Master. It almost brings a tear to my eye.", Roselia said, still grinning. "Nonetheless, you two came at a good time, like I said. You see, I plan to teach Naoto and Emma a rather complex incantation. In fact, it is one of the biggest known secrets in our Hexen Clan."
"You can't be serious. since when did we have such an incantation?", Celine asked, still doubtful.
"You wouldn't know, since it is only the Elder who has knowledge of it. Even Vita tried to ask in the past, but after knowing about you-know-what, I shot her down. You can rest assured not a single soul knows about this incantation, Naoto. It will be left to you to use it.", Roselia explained.
"Vita tried to ask about it, eh? I can see why.", I replied, nodding my head. Well, that just consolidates my position about how the future October War will go. Vita would work alongside Rufus and House Cayanne to force Prince Cedric to awaken as the vermillion Awakener. Since I've stepped in and with Roselia having learned of my memories, she has taken own security measures to make sure Vita doesn't learn about Lucifen Lied. This time around, it will just be Emma and I who will learn it.
"What are you blabbering about now?", Celine asked. "I can't follow this train of thought."
"Umu. I don't expect you to, you foolish cat. Instead, just watch. I did not lie that I require nourishment.", Roselia said, and bared her fangs again, before looking back at me. "You should know what to do, yes?"
"Do I even have a choice in the matter?", I asked, and sighed. I turned a little, and revealed my neck. Thankfully, my violet hair is short, so I didn't have to move it around.
"Meow!?", Celine exclaimed, becoming shocked this time. "You're seriously going to do that here? There's a time and place for everything!"
"Aww, Rose gets a snack but I can't?", Tamamo said, wanting me to make me sigh a second time. And yet, she did those big puppy eyes, despite the fact that she was a fox. You win this time, Tamamo.
"Fine. You can join in too.", I said. "You don't mind, do you, Rose?"
"As long as I get my fill, it does not matter what happens. Having your Familiar feed off of your own Mana is not only resourceful, it is a proven fact that it serves as one of the quickest ways for a Familiar to grow. You should consider doing it more with Emma, you foolish cat.", Roselia said, glancing back at Celine.
"Yeah, how about no? I much prefer eating fish and drinking milk.", Celine said, only to jump onto a nearby table and begin to lazily stretch out her body, just like how a cat would.
"Haha. Your loss.", I laughed. Instead, I used my spare hand, and reached toward Tamamo. The moment she saw a bluish aura wrap around one of my fingers, her eyes turned into literal stars of excitement.
"Kyuuu!", Tamamo yipped, and didn't hesitate to chomp down on it. It's feeding time, I guess. And in more ways than one. At the same time, Tamamo's six tails began to thump against the bedside happily.
"You ready?", Roselia asked, now looking right at me with those fangs of hers.
"Yeah. Let's get this over with. I'm curious to see if something will happen this time around. Quite a lot happened the last time, so I am looking forward to it, as weird as that sounds.", I said with a nod.
"Umu.", Roselia nodded. She knew of the Gamer System. The only person who actually did. The rest around me just see it as some weird ability. But she knows all about those numbers and how it can influence the real world. Perhaps she was looking forward to seeing what would happen too. But nothing else was in our way, so braced for the impact.
CHOMP!
Roselia's two protruding fangs punctured my neck. A quick splash of blood splashed onto Roselia's face before she made sure not to miss out on any more. The sharp pain I felt the previous time made me squint my eyes, albeit only for a moment. The pain faded, and I felt a sweet numbness. It almost felt...pleasurable? Is that even the right choice of words here? As that happened, the scent of iron began to waft around the room while Roselia's throat began to move, drinking drop after drop of blood.
A little stream of blood escaped from her lips, trickling onto Roselia's face. As Roselia enjoyed her drink, I saw Celine shake her head.
"I can't believe you're really letting Rose do this.", Celine murmured.
"It's not like this is the first time. If Rose wants to drink some blood, why am I one to turn her down?", I said, grinning.
"Well if something happens, I'm not supporting you.", Celine shot back.
"Haha.", I laughed, letting Roselia continue drinking my blood. Just like this, a blissful moment passed by. Pop!
Before long, two large holes appeared over my neck, still wet with a couple drops of blood. Seeing a small trickle on Roselia's lips, I saw her click her tongue. She then used her finger, wiping the rest of it away, and licked it clean. At the same time, Greater Regeneration kicked in, and already began to close the wound she made.
"Tch. I really am rusty at this, but that will suffice for now. Thank you.", Roselia said, only to raise her eyes at the rapidly closing wound. "Is it me or did your regeneration grow much stronger during our time apart?"
"You didn't see that wrong. It's Greater Regeneration now. You've missed out on a lot. I'll introduce you sometime, but sadly, she's away for the time being.", I said, smiling.
"Oh! Are you talking about KeA?", Tamamo said, taking a moment to speak.
"Yep. Rose has yet to meet her. Well, no. That isn't right. You did. It was just for a brief moment last night. It's that little fairy.", I said.
"Umu. I remember that little fairy. You were looking to find out more about her, right?", Roselia asked, recalling what took place last night.
"Pretty much. Because of that, KeA will not be around for a while.", I said, only to have my eyes remain on Roselia's face. The blood was now gone, but the scent of iron remained. I wonder, did Roselia see my blood as some sort of delicacy? Or is this the Gamer System at hand here? I do not know.
"It really is a shame that Emma likes you. You know I wouldn't be here otherwise.", Celine retorted, seeing the blood drinking now finished.
"Oh please. Didn't I tell you, you foolish cat? I am receiving what has long been overdue. Naoto has been taking far more Mana than what I have been receiving as of late. I feel much more recharged now.", Roselia said, and smiled back at me. "Perhaps it is enough to last another decade."
Oi. That's basically the entirety of the games! Isn't that a bit much?
"Uh-huh. Then tell me. Who is going to explain all of this to little miss goody toe-shoes princess over there?", Celine suddenly said, only to point one of her claws outward. She raised an unexpected question.
Sure enough, following Celine's gaze toward the bathroom door could now be seen wide open. A lilac-haired girl and a golden blonde-haired girl whose hair was still dripping a little with water came out, already dressed. They were looking to do their hair next, but couldn't proceed to do so. Instead, they walked into what was playing out before them. To my surprise, Sherryl currently had her hair down. She liked to tie it upward into a single knot. It seemed longer than what I had last seen before.
"Naoto...", Princess Alfin murmured, calling out to me with a gentle look in her eyes. As for Sherryl, she was more surprised to see Roselia seated next to me. I was still channeling my Mana, so there were several balls of light happily dancing around my body.
"You two sure took your sweet time there. I decided to join in on the fun in your place.", Roselia said, and grinned at the girls.
"...Just how much did you watch?", I decided to ask.
"Only the last part. I thought what took place on that island resort would stay there and that would have been the last time to see something like this, but I guess I was wrong.", Sherryl said, and sighed.
"It looked a little painful too...", Princess Alfin said with a hint of worry in her eyes. "Are you alright, Naoto? I recall us meeting last night. Did you really drink his blood?"
"Well, I'll tell you about it sometime, Alfin. Indeed this lady is the same person you met last night with that brief encounter inside the castle. Rose here, to put it simply, is my Master.", I said. "She has helped me in more ways than one. I'm her direct apprentice, and we both dabble in Magic. You just had your first exposure to it last night."
"And I'm Tama!", Tamamo said. Or at least
"Celine. I'm sorry to have you to be with Naoto of all people.", Celine retorted again.
"And what's that supposed to mean?", I shot back, glancing at the cat.
"A talking cat. And a talking fox. How cool!", Princess Alfin said. Her eyes sparkled again, seeing Magic played out before her eyes.
"Speaking of which, when are you going to turn off that light show? It's getting a little hard to look at you, Naoto.", Sherryl said, seeking the spheres of Mana still happily dancing around me.
Nonetheless, we took this time to introduce one another. Roselia nodded her head, affirming my words.
Taking a moment, I introduced Roselia, and the two Familiars to
"Umu. It is as Naoto says. I have a few reasons for coming here, and what you just saw was one of them. All manner of banter aside, I needed a good battery to replenish my Mana. I'll make those balls of light disappear for you. Just a moment.", Roselia said.
Roselia proceeded to release some of her own mana, before she swiped the nearest elemental ball of Mana that was floating around me. And yet, by the time Roselia brought the first one to her mouth, a powerful aura suddenly erupted from...Tamamo's direction?
I don't like where this is going...
"Oh no you don't. Those belong to me and me only!", Tamamo exclaimed before she suddenly used Blink.
"Eh?", Princess Alfin tried to say. In one instance, she saw Tamamo next to me. In the other, she now saw Tamamo rapidly approaching Roselia's position. Seriously, Blink is absurd. I'm glad it's my Familiar who has it.
Before Roselia could react, all she saw was Tamamo open wide, and bite down onto the fiery ball of Mana that was now in her hand. CHOMP!
"Seriously?", Roselia said, seeing Tamamo now enjoying her second snack. Tamamo was now in Roselia's embrace, in a way at least. Seeing this, I laughed again.
"Haha. Why don't you just let Tama take care of the rest?", I suggested.
"Umu.", Roselia nodded, only to look at the silvery-white fox now dangling over her hand. A fierce look could be seen in Tamamo's eyes, not wanting to let go. It was as if this snack was her most prized possession...