Chapter 195

"No, it's true that the Spirit Key can only unlock the seal after absorbing enough power through Shadow Duels. But it also has to be held by someone who's spent a long time at this Academy, someone with dueling strength enough to earn the seal's recognition."

The figure shrouded in the gray cloak answered Camula's question methodically, without hurry.

"That said, aside from the seven students Chancellor Sheppard selected, including Rowan, there were originally one or two other viable candidates as well."

Hearing this, understanding began to dawn on Camula.

"So you're saying, if the key were handed over to one of those other candidates, and they went through a Shadow Duel with it, the seal could be unlocked that way too?" she asked.

"Exactly."

The cold, masked figure beneath the gray cloak gave a small nod.

"So if you can steal the Spirit Key from Rowan and help that great lord successfully break the seal on the Sacred Beasts, once he claims their power, he'll be able to grant your wish as well, freeing you from the Shadow Card and restoring you to true life among your own vampire kin."

"That's..." A look of difficult hesitation crossed Camula's face.

While sunbathing yesterday morning, she'd caught a glimpse of that mark on Rowan's wrist, carrying the unmistakable aura of divine power. Someone chosen by a god surely had some manner of special ability at his disposal. Camula didn't have much confidence in her odds of successfully stealing the key away from him.

"Don't tell me you've already grown attached to staying by Rowan's side, and no longer wish to leave," the gray-cloaked figure said, watching her reaction carefully.

"Absolutely not!" Camula shot back instantly, her eyes flashing sharp enough to cut.

"..." The gray-cloaked figure broke out in an awkward bead of sweat at her overly intense reaction, privately wondering just how much torment this Rowan fellow must have put the woman through to build up this much pent-up resentment.

"Then, while Rowan's still asleep, I'll leave it to you to get close to him by whatever means necessary and steal the Spirit Key."

The gray-cloaked figure let out a barely audible cough, then slowly dissolved away in a ripple of distinctive green alchemical symbols.

"Damn it, and now I'm the one who has to do the dirty work..." Camula grumbled under her breath, clearly displeased.

Still, this seemed to be the only viable path she had left toward escaping her imprisonment in the Shadow Card. With that thought, she finally turned and made her way back toward the luxurious little cabin.

What she completely failed to notice was that not only had a shadow already slipped away ahead of her, returning in secret, but back in the tree shadows, the gray-cloaked figure, having seemingly vanished already, soon reemerged from behind a large tree once she'd gone.

Watching the direction Camula had left in, the figure murmured quietly to himself. "Consider this the one gift I can still manage to offer you, Rowan, in whatever days this alchemical body of mine has left to keep functioning."

"And call it advance payment, too, for whatever trouble you're bound to help clean up afterward. Having a student around who's this thorough at squeezing profit out of every situation, and with such a wicked sense of humor besides, is a genuine headache to deal with."

If he didn't offer something worthwhile in exchange, there was no telling whether Rowan would even bother lending a hand later on. And this whole plan of nudging Camula toward stealing the Spirit Key was, in fact, just one small piece of that larger scheme. As for actual monetary compensation, well, as a devoted cat lover, his entire salary had gone toward cat food a long time ago.

Back in the living room of the luxurious little cabin, Camula, completely unaware she'd been followed, paced restlessly back and forth in front of the sofa, her mind tangled up over how exactly to get close enough to Rowan to snatch the Spirit Key pendant he wore.

Oh, someone get her some flowers.

Maybe while he was soaking in the hot spring bath? She usually waited by the edge of the springs with juice and towels for him during those times. But Camula quickly talked herself out of that idea. Even during bath time, Rowan never actually handed the pendant over to her to hold. And even if he did, she'd never dare openly steal it right there in front of him.

Not to mention, those three miserable little Ojama brothers would definitely be watching her, ready to tattle the second something looked off. Especially the round Kuriboh, with its uncannily sharp sense for malicious intent.

The best option, Camula decided, was clearly to make her move while Rowan was still fast asleep.

If she moved carefully enough, she might be able to cut the cord holding the Spirit Key with a quick burst of strength, then immediately grab it and...

Once she'd steeled her resolve, Camula crept carefully up to Rowan's bedroom door. Peering inside, she found him still sleeping soundly and contentedly. The ghostly form of the round Kuriboh lay curled up near the pillow, looking like a small, tawny-colored ball, tucked in under a tiny blanket of its own.

"The Spirit Key... it's right there!"

The moment Camula spotted the key's position, she crept closer to Rowan's side, just about to reach for it, when a voice suddenly rang out in the empty air, sounding groggy and irritated at having been rudely woken up.

"Hm? What are you doing in big brother's room?"

Camula froze on the spot, her whole body going rigid. She slowly turned her head and saw the ghostly form of Ojama Yellow, that irritating little yellow figure, floating in midair not far from the round Kuriboh, rubbing its eyes as if it had just been startled awake, staring straight at her.

Beside it floated two more familiar shapes, Ojama Green and Ojama Black, apparently woken by the same mysterious disturbance, both turning their gazes toward her as well.