A warm golden glow was emitted from the centre of Elaine’s body. Her long light brown hair began to sway left and right as the expression her face grew even more relaxed.

Her already smooth skin seemed to grow even smoother as the glow pulsated from her body. The pulse was full of light indicating that her condition had stabilised.

‘Her energy reserves are replenishing…’ Xavier concluded as he watched.

Xavier proceeded to sneak a glance at the butler. ‘Looks like it wasn’t all talk. That tea he made, it’s the real deal.’

Xavier let out a quiet sigh before turning away from the bed and walking towards the door.

“Where are you going?” Anastasia asked, turning to him.

Xavier rubbed the back of his head, wondering how to phrase his answer.

“Elaine ended up in this condition out of fear for our safety, knowing her she’ll keep pushing herself to this point. She’s stubborn.”

‘You don’t need to go this far to keep us safe.’ He thought to himself as he glanced at Elaine.

Anastasia narrowed her eyes.

“Yes that’s true, but that doesn’t answer the question. Where are you goi-“

Anastasia felt her heart sink as Xavier’s figure suddenly appeared before her, interrupting her whilst gazing into her eyes.

“I’m going to get rid of the root of that fear.”

His eyes were dark and cold and his expression showed neither a hint nor trace of emotion. A frightening amount of slowly pouring out of him.

“Getting rid of the root… You don’t mean…”

Xavier could only mean one thing by getting rid of the root.

“Yeah, I’ll kill the queen.” Xavier muttered.

The moment he said the words, he could feel the tension drop in the room as all eyes fell on him. Cold sweat poured down Anastasia’s face as she stared at him.

“I-It’s too soon… T-Think things through… It hasn’t even been a month since you’ve become a Vampire. Y-You’re signing a death wish.”

Ignoring her, Xavier continued his walk towards the door. Upon doing so, however, he noticed a smile painted on the Butler’s face, as if he had expected this reaction.

There was something about the smile that pissed Xavier off, but he decided to ignore it due to the fact that Elaine’s condition had been stabilised thanks to him.

Right as Xavier was about to exit the room Anastasia appeared before him in the doorway blocking his exit path.

“Move.” Xavier commanded.

“I can’t do that. Take a moment to think things through, you won’t even make it to the palace’s door step. If you die everything will collapse and the young lady will-“

“Are you saying you’re going to stop me?” Xavier asked as he gazed at her coldly.

Another droplet of sweat slowly poured down her face as she averted her eyes towards the Butler, to her surprise he hadn’t made any moves in regards to way Xavier was acting.

‘You’re telling me I’ll have to restrain him on my own? That’s impossible…’ She thought to herself.

“But if that’s what it takes…” She whispered.

“Is that so.” Muttered Xavier as he let out a sigh. “Then, stop me.”

In that instant, Anastasia felt shivers rush down her space as Xavier’s figure disappeared from before her. Her eyes widened as she quickly realised that it wasn’t he who had moved but rather, she herself.

[Rewind Level 2: Retract]

Xavier had reverted her position a few seconds back to a previous one inside of the room, quickly moving her away from his path in the entrance.

Quickly realising this, Anastasia turned to subdue him before he could get away. But just as she was about to take her step to leap at him, she noticed that he hadn’t even moved from his spot.

He was just standing there, gazing at her with a bored look. The clock frame in his red eyes had slowly began to turn anti-clockwise.

“Trying to stop me is pointless… I told you already, didn’t I? Whether it’s a nobility, royalty or even the fucking ancestor himself, if they ever did anything to harm me or anything close to me, I’d devour them.”

Xavier then pointed at the ceiling.

“Look at the condition the mansion is in… She sent people to attack us and will continue to do so You think I’ll just sit idly by and watch that happen?” A grin grew on Xavier’s face. “Not over my dead body.”

Xavier then directed his gaze from the ceiling back over to Anastasia who was frozen on the spot.

“Are you still going to continue wasting my time? If you are, take that step. Just know that the moment you do…” Xavier’s eyes suddenly turned dark. “I’ll stop holding back.”

“…”

Anastasia slowly clenched her hands into a fist, tightening them as she lowered her head.

“Fine… Suit yourself, go die for all I care.” She muttered before turning away from him

Xavier smiled at her words and proceeded to vanish from her sight, giving Elaine one finally glance before doing so.

*Swoosh!*

And just like that, he left the room.

–

Just outside the room, a few doors down the hallway, Xavier noticed a girl standing by the door, leaning against it. Her long bright yellow swayed ever so slightly as she locked her golden eyes onto him.

“Did you overhear, Viera?” Xavier asked.

The girl nodded.

“…Won’t it be dangerous?” She asked. “Killing the queen and all…”

“I don’t understand much about the hierarchy, but the higher up the ladder, the stronger they are, right?” She added.

“Yeah. It’ll be dangerous.” Xavier replied.

Usually, he would have tried to play things off or make her feel as if she wouldn’t have to worry, but taking that sort of attitude in the current situation was impossible.

His younger sister was old enough to know of the risks and impacts of each choices made.

“Any normal person would die.”

“Then… Why? Why does it have to be you? Why do you have to keep risking your life? Why can’t it be the Butler or Anastasia or-“

Xavier interrupted Viera as he suddenly patted her on the head.

“Because I’m not normal.”

“But still… Beating a queen is-” She mumbled narrowing her eyes.

“Don’t worry, I have a plan. One that only I can pull off.” Said Xavier.

Viera’s ears twitched.

“A plan?” She asked, looking up at him. “What plan?”

Xavier didn’t respond to her question, he simply smiled.

If the plan were to be discovered by anyone, Xavier knew it’d be game over. Because the plan involved making use of his rewind ability. If people find out about it, it’d be the end for all of them.

Viera’s expression slowly shifted into a saddened one as she understood where her brother was coming from. Although it did make her all the more curious.

“Ah and you’re misunderstanding something… I’m not heading straight for the queen. I’ll climb up the social ladder devouring them until I’m near her level.” Said Xavier with a grin.

Besides even if he wanted to head straight for her, he didn’t know where to start. Anastasia was unlikely to tell him about the location either, the butler might’ve however.

Either way just barging into the palace would have been stupid. Although Xavier was curious about how he’d fare if he were to face her at his current level.

‘Should I just head straight for the palace just to see how powerful she is? I’ll die but I’ll at least get a sense of her strength… Problem is if I don’t die and end up losing consciousness. The risk is too big.’

“I get it… But I’m still worried… I-I’m going with you to watch over-“

“No.” Xavier instantly replied shooting her down.

There wasn’t even a hint of hesitation in his word, instant rejection.

“A-Ah… But-“

“Viera.” Xavier called out coldly. “You don’t need me to tell you, do you?”

“You’ll only slow me down if you come.”

The dark harsh truth sailed out of Xavier’s mouth without any remorse. A saddened and pained look loomed over Viera’s face before she lowered her head to hide her expression.

‘I may have been too harsh but she needs to know this… Last thing I want is for her to follow in my steps.’

“This isn’t a game, you’ll die for real.” Added Xavier.

Viera’s body began to tremble as she clenched her fists. “Fine…” Without looking up at her brother, she turned around and walked away.

Although he wasn’t able to see what sort of expression she’d made, it was clear as day to him that she was angry.

Xavier averted his eyes away from her towards the ground with a look of regret. After facepalming himself he turned and walked in the opposite direction.

–

–

–

*Step* *Step* *Step*

Xavier’s quiet steps echoed across the quiet hallway. He ignored the servants glances of fear yet admiration as they carried out their tasks round him, and sorted out his thoughts.

Eventually he came to a stop in front of two large doors which lead into a room. Xavier stared at it for a few seconds, for it wasn’t just any room. It was Sangrea’s.