Lin Shu suddenly turned around, and a purple figure appeared in her sight.
It was Saifina.
This bloodline of the Drago family slowly walked out from behind the tree and came to stand before Lin Shu. Under the cover of moonlight, the white stockings on her legs reflected a soft, gentle glow.
A faint, ambiguous smile played on her face as she gazed at Lin Shu.
Why is she here?
“Miss Saifina.” Lin Shu greeted her calmly, quietly moving the hand gripping the key behind her back.
“No need to hide it, I already saw it.”
Saifina exposed Lin Shu’s little action directly, tilting her head slightly, her long purple curls cascading over the side of her face with the motion.
Knowing it was pointless to conceal, Lin Shu could only bring her hand out.
The key granted by the system lay quietly in her palm, its metallic surface gleaming coldly under the moonlight. At the top of the key was a hollowed-out filigree design, carved with a mysterious pattern.
Saifina stared at the key. After examining it for a moment, she spoke: “This pattern, it looks like something from the Holy Clan.”
“Holy Clan?” Lin Shu’s heart skipped a beat, and she pressed, “You know where this pattern comes from?”
Saifina didn’t answer directly. The smile on her lips deepened, and she countered, “Is it very important to you?”
Lin Shu remained silent, neither confirming nor denying, but Saifina saw it all.
Saifina didn’t mind, her gaze drifting over Lin Shu’s body.
Lin Shu’s arms and legs still bore faint marks where wounds had just healed. Liya’s treatment had been a bit rushed, leaving the scars untreated.
“Little cutie, you must be feeling awful, aren’t you?” Saifina spoke languidly.
“Eh?” Lin Shu was a little stunned, not expecting her to say something like that all of a sudden.
Saifina stepped forward, leaning slightly closer, her face approaching Lin Shu’s: “I know everything, you know. Ever since you became a familiar, you’ve worked so hard, but Liya still treated you that way.”
Lin Shu instinctively tried to step back, but her retreat was blocked by the tree trunk behind her, forcing her to meet those crimson eyes: “Why are you… telling me all this?”
“Because… I’ve always been watching you, little cutie.”
As she spoke, Saifina extended both hands clad in lace gloves, gently cupping Lin Shu’s cheeks. The chill of her fingertips seeped through the gloves.
Lin Shu had always known that Saifina’s gaze on her was different from how she looked at others, but she had never imagined it would be this intense, burning emotion.
At this moment, her own reflection shimmered in Saifina’s scarlet eyes, the corners of Saifina’s lips curving into a gentle smile.
Her thumb caressed Lin Shu’s face as she spoke, word by word:
“Let me be your master. I won’t make you sad like Liya did. I’ll make you happy.”
Moonlight fell on Saifina’s profile, carving her features into something pale and exquisite.
She glanced at Lin Shu’s hand clutching the key, then continued, “And also…”
“I’ll do my best to help you investigate clues about this key.”
“My family may not be as illustrious as the Tepes, but I have contacts in the Holy Clan’s domain. If you’re willing, I can try to help you.”
Lin Shu’s heart tightened. Clues about the key—this was exactly what she needed right now.
After thinking for a moment, she asked, “Do you know the rules of a familiar contract, including how to change the contract?”
Lin Shu had the system, so she naturally understood the rules for signing a familiar contract.
When a familiar’s desire to break the contract is strong enough, and a new contractor offers a pact, the original contract becomes invalid.
Very few bloodkin possess familiars, so even fewer know this rule.
“Of course. There was a time I liked locking myself in the library.” Saifina explained easily.
Lin Shu was a little surprised. Someone like her could also be so into reading?
“She might come looking for trouble with you,” Lin Shu said. “Even so, are you still willing to do this?”
“She” referred to Liya.
Lin Shu didn’t know what kind of reaction Liya would have after she left, or what expression would appear on her face.
Maybe she wouldn’t care at all? But that had nothing to do with her anymore…
“Then let her come. Don’t worry.” There was no change in Saifina’s expression. “You’ll stand by my side, won’t you, little cutie?”
Out of the corner of her eye, Lin Shu noticed that Saifina’s gloves were still stained with a little blood.
It was her own blood, left behind when, just before reporting to Liya, she almost collapsed from exhaustion and Saifina caught her.
The hand she extended, and Liya’s cold indifference, formed a sharp contrast.
At this moment, a commotion arose from the camp. Family members and warriors were pulling out their horses, preparing to set off.
They seemed about to head for the depths of the Forbidden Forest, and Liya would definitely come looking for her.
“It’s almost time.” Saifina smiled and reminded her, “I’m only here to assist, I don’t have to go with them. If little cutie is willing to trust me, we can leave this place right now.”
Fragments of memories with Liya flashed through her mind. Lin Shu shook her head, casting off those chaotic thoughts.
If she left recklessly and went to the Holy Clan alone, Liya would definitely rush over to stop her. Without healing magic, and relying only on her own blood for combat, she couldn’t get very far.
She needed a means to protect herself, to leave the demon territory.
Saifina had clues about the key. Even if she went back on her word in the end, Lin Shu could use her system’s wish points to gain a bloodkin trait.
Whether it was self-healing or allure, either would give her enough power to protect herself, allowing her to enter the Holy Clan’s territory and seek a way home.
Lin Shu closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and opened them again. A calm light shone in her eyes:
“I agree.”
Saifina beamed with satisfaction, her voice cheerful as she said:
“Then remember, your new master is Saifina Drago.”
She slowly leaned in toward Lin Shu. As that beautiful face grew closer, Lin Shu’s heart raced uncontrollably and she reflexively closed her eyes.
“Chu~”
A soft kiss landed on Lin Shu’s forehead—right where her familiar’s mark was.
Saifina’s lips were unbelievably soft. Her falling hair brushed Lin Shu’s cheek, making her feel a little ticklish.
A warm current flowed from her forehead into Lin Shu’s body, an unfamiliar power coursing through her. A fierce sense of conflict ignited inside her, two opposing forces clashing, almost tearing her apart.
Lin Shu gritted her teeth, suppressing the uncomfortable sensation within.
At last, the new power completely suppressed the rejection, and her body gradually calmed down.
Saifina slowly pulled back, looking at Lin Shu’s forehead with satisfaction. The mark of the familiar had already changed.
At the same time, the system panel floated before Lin Shu’s eyes once more:
[Detected host’s faith in new master. Contract has been updated!]
[Your master: Saifina]
[Race: Bloodkin]
[Acquiring contract skill…]
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