Blood Awakening: The Strongest Hybrid and His Vampire Bride

Nikolai spent most of the morning and afternoon dealing with Selene and Nikita.

He felt a headache, though he desired them both and felt a deep attraction to Selene. The feelings built over a decade with Nikita were different, more precious and solidified.

'If Nikita is a rock that supports me in my darkest moments, then Selene would be the flame that lights the way... A blazing scarlet flame that although intense feels it could wither and fade into the darkness if I take one wrong step...'

Sarah stood in the kitchen preparing a cup of iced coffee. The annoyingly loud blender churned the ice and caramel along with milk and coffee, helping Nikolai think to himself.

'If it is too greedy to give one of them up, then I am a greedy man, haha. Though I feel no such feelings for Sarah.'

Nikolai gave a wry smile, touching his chest as he felt the different bloodlines pulsing through his transformed heart. Two halves, yet both the size of a normal person's. He could only let his lips distort in self-reflection.

'A monster, yet with a human mind. I pray to keep this feeling of balance and remain humble. Lest I forget my origins and become like those drunk on their nobility and the purity of their bloodline.'

He felt a sense of peace knowing that, even though Anya and Sarah were almost equal in beauty and sensuality compared to Selene and Nikita, he saw them differently. Nikolai feared that if he became greedy, then would it end at those two?

Maybe he would forget himself and the feelings he held and get lost in the delusion of his grandeur.

'I do not seek a harem of beauties, dozens of them flocking to my side only to sped a moment with them and forced to switch partners to avoid them stabbing each other in the darkness out of jealousy or envy.'

Once again, he observed Sarah Maddison, a woman who tried to seduce him on three occasions. Yet now, inside his chest, it was calm and like the ocean on a summer's day.

"Although beautiful, it's as if I have already adjusted my heart for those two alone..."

'Yes, Sarah Maddison is my employee, my squire someone who will serve me and run the business in my stead. I do not have much time or desire to become the true owner. She will be the face of whatever company I form and I will just sign the paycheck and ensure nothing goes wrong.'

He tapped his chin, the distorted smile and his unclear feelings now like the morning clouds as the sun began to shine through them.

"She will need people to help her, trustworthy and skilled. They cannot become my squire, though it seems somehow I feel there is a chance I can make another... Is it just my idle thoughts?"

[No... Nikolai, you are correct. Forgive me for sleeping and not being of any help.]

'Do not apologise, Eliza, if not for your guidance on that stormy night. I would have died.'

Sarah finished the iced coffee. The way she twisted the caramel syrup and whipped cream showed her past skills. Nikolai knew she worked as a barista for five years during high school and her first years of college.

So, at least, she could make him delicious coffee and tea when he was thirsty. Almost like a maid, yet free of the tiresome bindings.

Nikolai didn't want to treat the people who would support him like servants or slaves. So even if she performed such tasks, he would never consider such a role for such a talented woman.

'I will make sure she can fulfil her dream and shine brightly, in return for her loyalty to me future clan.'

[It seems you already understood your father and mother's plans for you...]

'How couldn't I? The knowledge you grant me is more than a mere vampire or werewolf, it's like you are giving me the successor course for both races. Even the engagement with Selene and Nikita it is also for the future right?'

[Where did my cute and clueless Nikolai go?!]

'Eliza, for now please rest. I know that you cannot maintain this form forever... I do not wish to lose you just yet.'

[Ah.... Mm.... I understand, Nikolai. If you ever need me, please call me... But if I sleep, how will you...]

He watched Sarah approaching while twisting his palm to face the ceiling.

The next moment, his fingertips pointed to her, and a red and blue aura began to form on his hands, like a smoke image that gradually grew larger until it stopped, with both colours at roughly the same level.

'So she roughly has a mental average of twenty-six? Her physical is thirty.'

[H-How?!]

[Sarah Maddison]

[Physical: 32]

[Mental: 27]

'Because I trained with your help, how to convert the numbers back into actual force and aura. Thanks to my blood aura, it's possible for me to detect their celestial aura and vermilion essence just by observing them for a moment. All the pendant did was make them into a numerical value for me to understand right?

If I know what 1 and 10 feel like, then I can probably guess the enemies strength without relying too much on that pendant.'

[....]

[Please don't grow up so fast—I will have nothing left to teach you!]

'Haha, then get some rest, so you have more energy to do so.'

Nikolai changed his feelings towards Eliza from the moment he accepted and understood what she truly was. Now, he just wanted to make her proud, to show off. He was just like any child who wanted to earn their mother's praise.

However, while focusing on the pendant, his hands stroking the dull, glowing gem, Sarah called out to him while placing down the drinks.

"Uhm... I am not sure how to call you anymore, but please enjoy this iced caramel latte." Sarah's voice was clear, like a bird singing. Although she changed significantly with wine-red eyes and silver hair, it seemed that her nature remained the same.

"Do not worry; if you want to call me Nikolai in public, then do so." He lifted the cold cup and sipped on the sweet, creamy nectar of the gods with a bitter kick.

"Though, the rules of vampires and other monsters are rather strict so when around the other's. Master or Lord is fine—blame those damn nobles for such annoying customs."

"I see, it's rather strange that I do not feel any pressure or force to act any differently. Lady Selene and Nikita said a squire normally felt compelled to follow their master blindly. However. why is it that you allowed me so much freedom?"

"Why?" Nikolai watched the woman who was so confident when they first met now, twiddling her fingers and looking at him with a worried gaze. She felt like a tamed wild cat before the owner suddenly became distant.

"I find your abilities and mind too brilliant to stain with my greed and desire to control you. However, it might have been easier to make you a squire who obeyed me without question. Isn't it more interesting to have someone who can tell me when I make a mistake or step on the wrong path while remaining loyal to me?"

Sarah's hand holding her hot milk tea trembled. It was strange for her. Because he didn't kill her human mind, she now also had her new thoughts and feelings from becoming his squire on top of her past dreams.

Now, Sarah held the desire to serve and make him stand at the top while she, too, would become a pronounced business figure.

"You are a little strange—at first, I thought you were just some handsome, rich guy—however, master. If this is the path you wish to take. I can only say thank you." Sarah placed down her tea and stood for a moment before giving a polite bow towards Nikolai.

"Thank you for letting me remain myself, for not taking away my dreams and believing in me."

"Don't worry, I am not interested in business or all that boring detail. There will be too little time in my life with those two women for me to even try. That is why, Sarah, I do not seek you to sacrifice your life to save me or protect me. Please, because my support and fulfil your dream and make me rich enough that I can live a life without working or burden!"

"What?! Master, you're going to leave everything to me?" Sarah seemed shocked—well, he understood because most would want to steer or control their business and cash cow themselves. However, Nikolai believed that her vision and ideas were better than his.

'So, I'll just sit back and wait for my dividends! Also. I enjoy fighting and killing a little too much, and one scandal would kill my entire future. So let's be a silent, hidden investor and owner!'

Nikolai chuckled before tossing a bank book, stamp and various documents he asked Nikita to find before she left.

"This is my new bank account with the Scarlet Groups International Bank. Use these funds as your startup capital. I don't care what you sell or trade. You don't need to answer me unless other supernaturals threaten you."

While speaking, he leaned back—his celestial aura seemed to leak through his skin, forming a beautiful radiance that made his body shine in the evening light.

"But.... Master!"

Sarah held the documents with trembling hands, because she found there was her name on the account and the money was over twenty million!

'How can he trust me so much?! What if I fail?!'

"Your face looks about to cry. Maybe you think you might fail? Then~ that just means we will have to try again and use what you learned to improve."

"!!!"

Nikolai cared little about being some young master forced to do business all day or sit at his desk. He wanted to roam the world, discover more monsters and maybe because of his Volkov blood... Fight them and beat them all.

Maybe he had changed from the moment Selene bit him and awakened his bloodline.

'However, I like my new self and wouldn't change it for the world.'

"Can you support me in this way, Sarah? I want to see how far you can go and how much money you can make me. My little silver wild cat."

Sarah's eyes widened, and she felt her heart racing. Not from love or the shallow feelings she held in the past, wanting to climb into his bed.

It was because he acknowledged her, accepted her talents and was giving her the chance to fulfil her dreams and prove herself. His eyes didn't watch her like a predator. Those cold yet confident crimson eyes were like a king looking at his trusted duchess, like a right arm.

'Maybe I read too much villainess manhwa... but why does he seem like the Male lead of a female aimed novel right now!'

Nikolai's smile grew as he watched Sarah take the book and clench it to her chest before giving him another polite bow.

"I will do my best, for my future dreams and our future clan."

"Good, I look forward to seeing your name all over the world. Sarah, shall we celebrate tonight? What is your favourite food, thank to inheriting my blood you can still eat human food."

Sarah tapped her chin before showing the brightest smile Nikolai saw her make before she giggled. "I want to eat the expensive pizza! That costs $50!"

'This silly woman, why did she pick something so simple? Well... I guess we'll be drinking wine tonight. Should I call Selene rather than Nikita? Though I hope I find someone suitable for my second squire... since I can have two, they shouldn't fulfil the same roles right?'