“Here you go, sweety.” Margret handed Shizuku a mug of blood, which Shizuku instantly downed. 

“Pah! That hit the spot. My skills are no joke!” Shizuku let out a satisfied sigh. Just the slightest usage of her blood, and she felt hungry. 

“I am not one to intrude, but sweety, I think you might want to get a slave. Not only to help you in the dungeon but also to have blood on hand.” Margret did not wish to see Shizuku drown in bloodlust. It would end up killing her or making her an enemy of the people.

“I have been thinking about that. I originally planned to test my skills out in the dungeon first, but this is a bit too much. Even if I brought a bag filled with blood, I might not be able to get through a single floor by myself.” Shizuku did plan to get a slave, but she had first planned to test her skills alone.

“If you want an endless supply, then I would suggest a beastkin. Their blood regeneration is quite high. They can have a hole in their stomach and still not die from blood loss unless they take a hit on a major blood vessel. I am sure the slave trader in town would love to sell you one or two.” Margret suggested. She had worked for a long time as an adventurer, so she got to know the ends and outs of many races.

“Then I will do that before going to the guild tomorrow.” Shizuku made up her mind. She would go to get a slave!

“I think that is best. Now!” Margret clapped her hands together. “Let’s go out back.”

Shizuku followed Margret out back. The sun was now down, but for Shizuku, it was still as light as day out. She could only guess that this was another vampire trait. Margret tossed Shizuku a short wooden sword and said: “I do not know your skills, but knowing how to use a sword is good in all situations. From what I know about vampires, your stats should be about even around 8-10 for level 1.” 

“Umm… what if they are more like 15-20?” Shizuku asked with pursed lips.

“Then I will say you are lucky. The higher your stats, the easier it is to live. Each level up will give you five stat points in each attribute. So, as long as you work hard, you can grow much, much stronger. I first need to see your abilities, so come at me.” Margret stood with a wooden sword at her side and motioned with her free hand for Shizuku to start.

Shizuku really had no idea what she was doing, but she still raised her sword and looked at Margret. She did not know what she was looking for, but as she stared, she began to see red lines running through Margret’s body. “Blood vessels?” Shizuku pursed her lips but then saw one spot that looked damaged. “A wound?”

It was a dark spot on Margret’s left thigh. She knew it was cheap, but if she attacked her left, she might be able to knock Margret off guard. “I will launch forward and cut in.” Shizuku thought to herself as she suddenly stomped her foot off the ground.

What she did not expect was that her burst of speed was beyond anything she had ever imagined. She was fast. Very fast! She calmed her excitement and aimed for her target. While Shizuku was making up her plan, Margret sized up Shizuku. When she saw Shizuku moving to her left side, she was surprised at first but then nodded in approval. Even if it was a slim chance, attacking a person’s weak spot was the correct decision. But it was too bad she was still too green. 

*Whack!*

“Ouch!’ Shizuku cried out as she lost 10 health. She fell on her butt and held her head with tears in her eyes as she looked up at Margret.

“You need to not only focus on your strike but also on your opponent’s movements. If you can’t read your opponent and react, you will lose your head!” Margret was like a drill sergeant as she yelled at Shizuku.

After the pain subsided, Shizuku stood back up and looked at Margret with determination in her eyes. She knew Margret was doing this for her own good. Pain was sometimes the best way to make your body learn. “Again, please!”

Margret grinned and nodded in approval once more. “Good!”

Two hours later….

*Whack!*

“Ahhh! My brain cells are dying!” Shizuku cried out. She had yet to land a single blow on Margret, while her poor head had multiple lumps now.

“You are learning quickly.” Margret began. “Your movement before was like a person rushing to their death, but now you are trying to use feints as well as moving in a more irregular pattern. But the most important thing is that you are trying to block when you know you can not succeed in the strike. I have had to pick up my attack speed as well to make sure you get hit.”

“What!?” Shizuku pouted as she sat on the ground. Margret was a meany!

“Haha! Sweety. I am only trying to help you understand that one wrong move can mean death. I think within a week of practicing, you will be as good as any C Rank. Especially once you begin adding your skills in. Tomorrow’s practice will be with your actual skills. I did not have you use them today for two reasons. First, pain helps you grow and second, you would drink us out of all the blood we have on hand. Get your slave first thing tomorrow. The training test for F Rank only uses wooden swords, and with your current abilities, you will pass without issues, especially if you have a slave to fight with you. Now then. That is it for tonight. You need to rest.” Margret put her sword back in the holder she had set next to the back door.

“Margret. Thank you. I do not know how I can repay all your kindness.” Shizuku bowed her head in thanks. Margret waved her hand and said: “No need to be so uptight. Just think of it as a mother trying to dote on her daughter.”

Shizuku raised her head and smiled. She could tell Margret was treating her way beyond just a guest. “Mmm..” Such kindness should be repaid. Shizuku did not mind taking up the daughter role for Margret.