My name is Elijah Everett. I'm sixteen years old. I'm a warlock...no. A Sorcerer? A wizard? Which one sounds more like me? Well, to be fair, I've barely shown attributes of any of those since I was born. If anything, I'm just a human with a witch for a mother and a human for a father. Of course, if I say that, It's a one-way ticket to expulsion from Yokai Academy. This doesn't mean I'm completely helpless like any ordinary human.

Yokai Academy. Like a human school, Yokai Academy teaches academic subjects, such as literature, foreign language, mathematics, art, gym, and cooking. In addition, Yokai Academy teaches monsters how to blend in with human society and learn to live in peace with them. It's always been my dream to bring peace between humans and monsters. There are so many things that we can learn from each other, not to mention how we can benefit each other. With me being somewhere in between, I feel like I can be the perfect bridge between our worlds. I know the journey will not be easy, especially with humans and monsters alike not wanting anything to do with each other, but I'm not the type to give up that easily. I have my parents resolve to thank for that.

It's been a long ride to Yokai Academy, but at least the other guy on the bus has been quiet. He's wearing the same uniform as me so he must be going to Yokai Academy too. The guy looks average, even though he's got a weird aura about him. Must be some monster I've never encountered before. Maybe I should have a conversation with him. We still have a little bit to go until we reach the Academy, plus it's good to have friends. "Hey."

The boy turns to me somewhat startled after being in deep thought. "Oh, Hi."

"You going to Yokai Academy too?"

He nods. "Yeah. I guess you are too, since we're both wearing the same uniform. Are you a first year too?"

"Yeah, that's right. What brings you to Yokai Academy?"

He laughs nervously. "Well, that's...kind of a long story..."

"So..." Our conversation is cut short by the bus driver. "...you two entering Yokai Academy, eh?"

The boy answers for both of us. "Uh... Yeah."

"Heh. I hope you said all your goodbyes..."

"WHAT?!" The boy exclaims, nearly bursting my eardrums.

"Geez, not so loud dude."

"Because as soon as we come out of this long tunnel...you'll see the Academy. And perhaps...never see anything again!"

"Well that's a little over-drama-" As I look over to my right, I see the boy with a terrified expression on his face. Does he think the bus driver is serious? "You okay, dude?"

"Woah. It's like a completely different world on the other side of the tunnel. Is that the school?" The boy looks to the distance to a mansion-like building. We don't exactly have a good view of it all the way back here at the bus stop. But it seems to have a few floors. It kinda reminds me of the haunted houses that humans make around one of their holidays.

"I guess so. Wish they'd drop us off closer though."

"I'd watch your back if I were you two." The bus driver vaguely says as the bus door closes and he drives off, leaving me and the other freshman by ourselves.

"What do you think he meant by that?"

I shrug. "Probably nothing. Maybe he was just trying to scare us."

"I should probably call Kyoko." The boy pulls out his phone and tries dialing a number to no avail. "That's strange. I had a signal before we entered the tunnel."

Deciding to see it for myself, I pull out my own phone and try using the internet. Like he says, there's no connection. "Well damn, I got nothing either."

The boy grabs his bags and looks to me. "I guess we better get walking."

I nod. "Guess so. By the way, I never got your name."

"Oh. My name's Tsukune. Tsukune Aono."

"Elijah Everett." I extend my hand out for him and he shakes it.

"Nice to meet you."

"Likewise."

We walk down the long path through a creepy yet equally cool-looking treeline. The path is lined with unmarked tombstones, probably for aesthetic, either way, it looks cool. It's a nice walk, but I can see Tsukune glancing around in the corner of my eye. Is the guy afraid or something? "You okay there, Tsukune?"

"This place is really creepy. Don't you think so, too?"

I shrug. "Sure, but it's not that bad."

"'Not that bad?' I swear I feel like something is about to jump out and nab us." As soon as he says that, a flock of bats flies out from the bushes. This causes Tsukune to fall down on the ground.

"Come on," I say as I help him to his feet. "You're really jumpy, aren't ya? Kinda like a regular human."

"What is that supposed to mean? I am a human."

I stop in my tracks and look over to Tsukune, trying to process what he just said. "What?" I knew something was off when I sensed his aura earlier on the bus, it's not like any monster that I've ever encountered. It's...similar to my own... "Wait... You're a hu-"

"Look out!"

"Huh?" We both say simultaneously as we see a flash of pink and green heading right towards us. The unknown source hits both of us and knocks us a few feet away to the ground. Tsukune and I groan in pain along with a third voice...of a girl?

"Ow...what the hell was that?" I look over to my left to see a bike, that must've been what hit us, but where's the person riding it?

"Man, that really hurt-" The sound of a pained moan brings my attention back to my right. Looks like I found the rider...and so has Tsukune. It was a girl...a really beautiful girl I might add.

"Dude, hand!" I say in a rushed whisper. Gesturing my head towards Tsukune's hand that's resting on the girl's thigh. He must've accidentally put it there.

"Oh!" Tsukune quickly retracts his hand. I nod to him. No need to make wrong impressions after an accident.

"Are you okay?"

"I'm sorry..." The girly says weakly. "I'm anemic... I get a little dizzy sometimes..." The girl brushes her long, pink hair out of her face, revealing her beautiful emerald-green eyes. Tsukune must be as stunned as I am since we're both too silent to say anything else. "Oh no, you guys are bleeding..."

"Huh?" I feel around my face, noticing the small amount of blood on my fingertips. Looks like I am. I look over at Tsukune, he's bleeding from his nose. "You okay man?"

"Yeah, I'll be fine."

"I can...smell it..." Us boys look back to the girl in confusion. Smell what? She suddenly collapses in Tsukune's lap. Both of us look to her in concern. "Oh no... It's happening again..."

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah, we can get you to a nurse, or I can use-"

"I'm sorry...I can't help it...because I'm a vampire." The girl then puts her mouth to Tsukune's neck and bites it. The boy is perplexed, meanwhile, I'm confused but not as much as Tsukune is. So she's serious, she is a vampire. That at least explains the blood. But I've never seen a vampire like her before, well, I've only seen one vampire in my lifetime and she looks nothing like that one. Once she's done sucking Tsukune's blood, she looks over to me. Oh boy... "M-May I...?"

"Uh...hold on just a sec-" Before I can even finish, the vampire girl bites down on my neck. I don't want to be a jerk and just push her off of me but I'm not exactly okay with some random person practically using me as lunch! She pulls away, her cheeks slightly pink. "Well, that's a fine way of saying 'hello'..." I rub my neck now stinging from the bite mark.

"I-I'm sorry! I didn't mean to! Umm...are you two...going to Yokai Academy, too?"

"Uh, yeah," Tsukune answers. "It's our first year."

The girl beams at us. "That's great! This is mine too!"

"Huh, what are the odds?" I say.

"Um...I have to ask... What do you think about...well, about vampires?" The girl fidgets with her school bag nervously as she looks down at the ground.

Tsukune and I exchange a look, his is more confused while mine is indifferent. Going off the fact that Tsukune could be human, he's probably thinking this is some kind of joke. I'll have to confirm my theory later by asking him, he could be in real danger if he really is a human. I help Tsukune up to his feet, and he dusts himself off. "Fine by me. I don't have a problem with vampires in the slightest. If you wanna call yourself a vampire, then more power to you." Tskune adjusts his tie as he says this, probably more so out of nervousness.

"I've only met a vampire once before, so I have no quarrels with them myself."

"Thank you!" The girl literally leaps onto us for a hug. Guess she's never heard of personal space, but she's friendly so it's fine. "If that's the case, maybe we can all be friends. What do you say?"

"Oh, sure."

I shrug. "Sounds fine to me."

"Oh, fantastic!" The girl gets off of us, and Tsukune and I get to our feet. "I was nervous because I didn't have any friends here yet. Oh, my name is Moka Akashiya by the way."

"Oh, I'm Tsukune Aono."

"Elijah Everett."

It's barely even our first day and I've already met a beautiful vampire and a potential human attending a monster school. What the hell have I gotten myself into?

"Good morning, students, if you're new here, welcome to Yokai Academy! I'll be your homeroom teacher, Ms. Shizuka Nekonome." Is it just me, or is this teacher really pretty? Even for a Neko-Musume, or "cat-girl", she has such a friendly demeanor about her. Tsukune seated to my left seems to think so too since he's practically beaming as she speaks. "Well, I'm sure everyone already knows this fact, but Yokai Academy is an incredibly unique school. One's that's exclusively for monsters." Lightning seeming strikes out of nowhere, making it even more strange since it's a sunny day out. That was dramatic timing, why would- Oh. I think I understand this cosmic coincidence as I see Tsukune out of the corner of my eye start to cower in his chair. "Currently, this planet is well under the control of humans. So in order for monsters like you and I to survive, class, the only option that we have is to learn how to co-exist with them!" I smile to myself. I think I'm starting to like her a lot more, she seems so enthusiastic about this Academy's goal. So am I. "And that brings us to our first rule! As long as you remain on campus, you must remain in your human form. Everybody got that?" That's an easy task for me, being practically human myself. "Rule number two, never ever reveal your true monster identity to another monster student. I'm sure you all understand why."

Well, I guess that vampire girl already broke a school rule without even knowing it, but I don't think it's such a big de- "What a bunch of lame rules..." My inner thoughts are interrupted by some guy to my right.

"Oh, you are..." Ms. Nekonome looks down at her roll book. "Saizou Komiya, right?"

"Why can't we just eat all the humans? I could start with the cute girls." The boy slides out his long tongue, making me want to vomit.

I scoff. "Good luck getting any girl near you with that ugly mug of yours."

The asshole glares at me, but Ms. Nekonome speaks up before he has a chance to. "Now now, no need for hostility on the first day. Besides, don't worry about running into any humans here. All the faculty and staff are monsters. So, no exceptions. got it?"

Well, I don't know about everyone here... I think as I glance over at Tsukune now hiding his face behind a school pamphlet, shaking like a leaf.

"You see, this school is enclosed in a giant secret barrier. So even if a human got through it somehow and wandered in here, they would be killed immediately!"

What the fuck?! That's a little extreme. I guess I'm not the only one since Tsukune nearly yelps, dropping his pamphlet and picking it right back up in a panic.

"Say whatever you want, but I swear I've been smelling a human this whole time."

This guy is really getting on my nerves. "You sure you just haven't showered?" A couple of students get a laugh out of my insult, but the prick doesn't think much of it as he gives me that same glare. Glad to see I'm already making 'friends.'

"I'm so sorry I'm late!" The call from the classroom door grabs all of our attention, the voice belonging to a familiar face.

Oh, don't worry, it's alright. Go ahead and introduce yourself."

The girl stands in front of the classroom. "Hi! I'm Moka Akashiya." The entire class, excluding me and a still terrified Tsukune all sit and gawk at Moka's beauty. It puts a bad taste in my mouth. I mean, she's pretty and all, but she's a person, not some object for you people to drool over. Moka heads to the back of the classroom, quickly noticing Tsukune and me. "Tsukune? Elijah?"

Tsukune looks up from his pamphlet. "Moka...?"

"It's you guys!" Moka practically leaps onto us for the second time today, hugging both Tsukune and me. "I'm so glad we're all in the same class!"

"Gah! Moka! Not so hard!" I struggle to get out of her grip. Damn, vampires are strong!

After class, the three of us walk around the Academy, mostly through the main hall. Moka is gripping onto Tsukune really tightly, she'd be holding onto me as well but I politely declined before she even got the chance. I like the girl, but she's a little too touchy. Tsukune doesn't seem to mind. Well, not that much, but I can't help but feel like we're being watched. Many students have been side-eyeing us as we walk through the hall, a look of plain jealousy on their faces. I can't help but find amusement in their state. Although I think Tsukune might have more of a target on his back than me, I may be walking with Moka, but she's holding onto him like they're already a couple.

"Hey, why don't we all grab a drink from outside?" Moka asks cheerfully.

I nod. "Sounds good to me. Tsukune."

"Uh, yeah!"

The three of us head outside to the vending machines. I grab myself a bottle of water, Tsukune grabs himself a coffee, and Moka has herself some tomato juice. We all have a peaceful moment as we enjoy our drinks, even Tsukune seems at peace given the dire situation he'll be in if he's ever discovered as a human. "Hey, you guys finished? I'll take care of the trash."

"Oh, thank you, Elijah!"

"Yeah, thanks, man."

I nod to them both. "No worries." I take their cans and head over to the trash cans nearby. This school should really look into recycling. Besides coexisting with humans, we should also look out for the planet we live on. Maybe I can put a good word in with the school board.

What am I even saying? My main concern should be the fact that Tsukune may very well be a human attending a school for monsters! I barely know the guy, but that doesn't mean that he should die! Woah. Calm yourself, Elijah. I need to think rationally about this. I could help Tsukune leave this place...but then again, that would probably break Moka's heart. I can already see that she deeply cares about him despite only knowing him for a short while. But...what if Moka found out he's human? Oh my God, she'd be devastated.

"Tsukune!"

Moka's cry makes my head spin back towards the two...no, three. Who the? Oh, it's him. The prick from earlier decided to pay Moka a little visit, and now he's grabbed Tsukune by his shirt collar and pinned him up against the wall. "So tell me, what's a smokin' hot chick like you making friends with a numb-nuts like this guy? I mean, come on!"

"Excuse me." The guy turns his head to look at me, confused. "I guess you didn't hear me before. How could any girl approach you with that ugly mug of yours?"

He gives me a quick glare as he recognizes me. "Huh?! yo- GAUGH!" I give the prick a good punch in the gut, knocking the wind out of him momentarily as he drops Tsukune.

"Guys, come on! Follow me!" I lead the others away before he has a chance to pick himself up and try anything else. I may have stunned him momentarily, but I doubt I can handle myself in a real fight. Not for long anyway

We all found safe haven on the roof of the Academy. Tsukune looks pretty out of it, but he hasn't been hurt too badly. He does seem a little...disheartened? I guess I can understand that. Being powerless in a situation like that can take a toll. Moka seems a little shaken up. I guess she's not used to conflict. "Wow, that was really scary. Are you sure you're all right, Tsukune?"

He sighs. "Yeah...I'm alright. He was pretty strong though."

I playfully punch him in the arm, trying to ease his worry. "Come on, that pushover? If I can make him fall to his knees, anyone can."

"I guess... By the way, Elijah. Why did you do that for me?"

I shrug. "Cause you're my friend. Why wouldn't I?"

Moka laughs. "Oh Tsukune, you're so funny! Back there you acted as if you've never seen a monster before!"

Well, she's not wrong.

"So, what kind of monsters are you guys anyway? Oh, wait, we're not supposed to reveal that to each other, are we? Sorry, never mind you guys don't have to tell me."

"But we already know what you are, Moka." Tsukune points out. "Since you told us you were a vampire."

"Not to mention the fact that you bit both of us," I add.

Moka puts her hands on her face that's now flustered. "Yeah, I know. But when I told you guys I had no idea that was a rule here. And...I'm still sorry that I bit you both."

"You know, you don't look like a vampire very much."

"Tsukune's got a point, you definitely don't look like any vampire I've ever read about."

"Well...not right now, but..." Moka puts her hands to her chest. "Look..." She refers to the cross she's wearing around her neck. A silver cross with a red jewel in its center is held by a chain connected to her choker. It rests on her chest, but little did Moka know that she's unintentionally showing off some of her bust. I pay more attention to the cross since I can sense an unfamiliar energy around it, but Tsukune... The boy is flustered.

"L-Look at what?! No! I can't look there!"

"She meat the cross, you dingus."

Moka nods. "It's okay. Look at the rosary. If I were to take this off, I would change. I'd change into my true form, a powerful and terrifying vampire. So..."

"...A real vampire?" Tsukune asks.

She nods. "That's why I wear it," Moka holds her rosary in her hands. "as a charm to seal my powers away. I can't even take it off myself."

"Oh... Well, that's okay."

"Huh?" Moka is a little taken aback by Tsukune's words.

"Even if you get a little scary at times, I'm sure you're the same moka."

I'm not entirely sure about that, but Moka loved what Tsukune had to say as she held him tight, hugging him. "Oh, thank you so much I knew you'd understand!" The girl pulls away but still has her arms wrapped around Tsukune's neck. "You know...you guys are my first friends here. And...I feel I should tell you that you two are also my first in...a different way."

I tilt my head as I fold my arms. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Moka blushes as she looks away from both of us, her fingers lightly grazing over her lips. "Before today, all I've ever had was tomato juice and transfusion bags. I've never sucked anyone's blood before." She looks over to me. "Your blood was good, Elijah."

"Uh... Thank you?"

"But..." Moka looks back up at Tsukune, her face almost completely flustered. "yours, Tsukune... It was so sweet, so rich. That feeling... I'll never forget it." The girl holds him close, putting her face back to Tsukune's neck. Oh boy...

Just when I think she's about to have seconds on a healthy serving of Tsukune, the boy gently pushes her away, looking a little frightened. "I'm sorry. I uh...have to go! I'll see you guys later!" He hurriedly leaves us alone on the roof, leaving Moka confused.

"Huh? Why'd he leave?"

I look over to her. I really don't feel like lying to her, but I shouldn't just flat-out tell her that Tsukune might be a human. I have no idea how she would react to it. So, I use the best excuse I can think of. "Well, when you gotta go, you gotta go. I guess."

Moka and I decided it would be best to find Tsukune. I want to find him because he's in danger meanwhile Moka just cares for the kid. I do too... Well, to some extent. "Damn, where the hell is he?"

"Do you think...that jerk got him again?"

I shake my head. "Nah. I bet that guy is still on his knees." I say, but I'm not confident about it.

"Wait, there he is!" Moka points to the front gate of the school...and she's right. Tsukune has his back to Yokai Academy, carrying his school bag and suitcase. "Tsukune!"

Both of us head over to our friend, he looks back at us with a face of surprise...and despair. I know asking this is probably a bad call, but a friend needs to ask. "Hey, you okay man?"

"You were acting kinda weird back there."

"I just..." My friend looks down to the ground, struggling to even look at us. "I think I should go to a human school..."

Oh no...don't tell me...

"A human school? Why?"

Tsukune looks back to us. "Look, I really like you guys, but I just can't stay here! "

"No way!" Moka protests. "You can't go to a human school! You can't!" Moka rushes over to Tsukune, grabbing his bag and trying to pull it away from him in an effort to make him stay.

"Moka! Please!" The two fight over the bag for a few seconds before I intervene.

"Guys! Guys! Calm down!" I manage to pull them apart, and Moka is released from Tsukune's bag.

"I'm sorry..." Moka looks down to the ground in solemn, speaking more to Tsukune than me. "It's just...I don't really like humans very much. They can be cruel...and I know because I attended human schools all the way until junior high. I was lonely, because humans...well, they don't believe in monsters. I felt so...different. Like I shouldn't even be there. That's all I ever thought about when I was there..."

"Moka..." I, to an extent, understand how she feels. Back home I was ridiculed because I couldn't conjure any magic on my own, even after being born from an incredible witch. Sure, I can use a form of magic by utilizing it with cards, but that's because my mother makes them. I only use them for emergencies only, even then, I doubt they'd be much use in my hands. When it comes to actual spells, enchantments, and curses, I can't do a damn thing.

"But...when I met you guys. You said that you guys like vampires." Moka smiles at us, mostly at Tsukune. "So for the first time, I know I'm not really alone."

Tskune looks to the ground once more, only this time, in shame. "But still, what if... What if I turned out to be one of those humans you hate so much? Would you still feel the same about me? What about you Elijah?" Moka just looks at Tsukune, confused. "I'm...a human! I'm sorry, but that's just what I am!" So, it's true... "And the only reason I'm even here at all is because of a major mix-up!"

Moka slowly backs away from Tsukune. "You're lying...you have to be! No human couldn't have gotten in here!"

"I should have known you guys would look at me like that..."

"Tsukune..."

"It's really true, Tsukune?" Moka tries reaching out for him.

"Just stay away from me!" Tsukune glares back at us, but I can see the pain in his eyes. He...actually cares for us, but he's afraid of us at the same time. "You hate humans, right? Don't you?! Well, that's okay! I don't need you! I don't need monsters for friends anyway!"

That...actually hurt, but I know he doesn't mean it, I can see it right in his eyes. And the way he looked after he said that tells me it hurt him too. But he still runs off away from the academy. Leaving myself concerned, and moka...I can't even begin to imagine how she feels. "Tsukune! Wait!"

"Hold on, Moka." I stop her from leaving. "He didn't mean that."

"How do you know?"

"I have a way of reading people, trust me. It hurt him saying that just as much as it hurt you and me hearing it."

"So what are we gonna do? We have to go after him! I...I don't-"

"I know, Moka. Stay here, I'm sure I can bring him back." I run off after Tsukune, heading for the bus stop since that's the only way to leave the sacred barrier of Yokai Academy. I just hope I catch him in time.

Just as I thought, Tsukune was waiting by the bus stop. The same place where he and I first arrived here. I'm nearly out of breath from all the running. I really need to get in better shape. "Tsukune!"

He's startled by my yelling, but once he sees it's me, he just looks away. "Oh...what do you want?"

I really hope I know what I'm doing. "Tsukune, I know you really didn't mean those things." The boy barely looks at me, but at least it's progress of some kind. "I know you're scared, you don't know how to handle all of this. But you have to trust me when I say...I think you're a good human. I truly believe that the three of us can be great friends."

"...Why? Don't you hate humans?" Tsukune finally makes eye contact with me.

I shake my head. "Actually... I'm more human than you might think. Since you and Moka already broke school rules, I think it's my turn."

"Huh?"

"I'm a warlock of sorts. A wizard? A sorcerer? I can use magic basically."

"Magic? Really?"

"Yes. And...like you, my kind are hated by most monsters since we're somewhere between human and monster."

"Monsters...hate your kind?"

I solemnly nod. "Yeah. And...I'm even hated by some of my own kind... You see, I may be magic, but I can't even conjure up even the most novice of spells."

"You...can't use magic?"

"No, at least, not on my own. I can use other ways, but as for conjuring my own? No."

"...Elijah-"

"AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!"

Our heads turn on a dime back to the forest behind us to that scream we heard. It sounded...familiar. I look back to Tsukune and I can already see he's reached the same conclusion as me. I told her to stay at the Academy! She must've wanted to look for Tsukune too—no time for that. We have to find out what's going on! "Tsukune! Come on!"

"But...what can I do? I'm just a human..."

"So? That doesn't mean we can't go help our friend!"

Tsukune shakes any remaining self-doubt. "You're right, come on!"

Tsukune and I desperately try to find Moka, but that scream could've come from anywhere in these damn woods and we haven't heard anything else. Dammit! Wait... "I've got an idea!"

"What is it?"

I pull out my backpack, hoping I remembered I kept- Yes! My tarot cards. I skim through them, trying to find the specific one I need for a situation like this. Tsukune looks closer, slightly confused. "What are those?"

"Tarot cards. Some wizards and sorcerers alike use these to channel their innate magic and draw on all energies of the world. They can be used for all kinds of spells, and the more powerful the user is, the more powerful the spell is."

"Wait, how do you even have these if you can't use magic?"

My mom made these for me in case of emergencies. She's a really powerful witch. Now where is...aha! Here it is." I pull out the card labeled 'Clairvoyance.' "I really hope this works." I take a deep breath. With my tarot card set in between my index and middle finger. "Clairvoyance!" I toss my card into the air and it disintegrates in front of me. My sight grows dim, and the area around me turns to a darker shade of blue. I can sense Moka's presence more clearly now. Yes! It worked! Thanks, Mom. "Alright, I know where to go. Follow me."

"Wait, how? What did that card do?"

"Clairvoyance. It creates an invisible magical sensor at a specific location or person that lets me hear or see whatever I choose. I don't need a direct line of sight but I have to be familiar with the object, location, or person."

"Wow, that's cool! So, you know where Moka is?"

I nod. "Yeah, come on. This way." Tsukune and I make our way through this forest now that I know where I'm going. I just hope she's not hurt too bad, she may be a vampire but her gentle nature might get her hurt if she's not careful. Then again, she sounded like she was crying for help. As I feel her presence come closer, I notice that she's not alone. There's another person there with her, I can't tell who it is but there's definitely someone there besides Moka...and they're really big. It must be her attacker.

"Heh heh heh... Come on, babe, I'm showing you my true form so why don't you show me yours? Don't tell me that a sexy thing like you is shy." That voice...don't tell me... I motion for Tsukune to hide behind a nearby tree. From our hidden position, we see Moka cornered up to a tree...and her attacker in front of her is who I believe is that asshole Saizou in his true form...an orc. This may prove more difficult than I anticipated. I begin to rummage through my bag for an appropriate card for the situation.

"For one," Moka says firmly, her face betraying her voice. "It's against school rules."

"We're outside of school now so that rule doesn't mean crap to me!" Saizou moves closer to Moka, more disgustingly, his abnormally long tongue. Just when the sick bastard was close to Moka's face, Tsukune called out to him. I didn't even see him move from our position We still need a plan!

"Stop it!" His call gets his attention. "You. Get the hell away from her now!"

"What was that?!" Saizou towers over Tsukune, pushing him back over a nearby hill. Tsukune takes a hard fall, but he's alive. "Hahaha! What was that?! Are you a monster, or a mouse?! You're pathetic!"

"Tsukune!" Moka follows Tsukune down the hill.

"Hey, you, get back here!"

"Hey, asshole!"

Saizou now turns to me, looking more pissed off than ever. "You..." The orc slowly approaches me, towering over me like he did before with Tsukune. "I'm gonna enjoy kicking your ass."

"Sparks!" I throw my tarot card, disintegrating as it almost hits Saizou.

"Haha! What the hell was that supposed to be?!" I can feel the electricity flowing through my arms. A smile creeps onto my face, knowing that he's the one who's getting his ass kicked. Saizou looks bewildered as his opponent has this sudden power about him. "What the hell?"

"You were saying? Bitch."

Tsukune

"Ow... I messed up..."

"Tsukune!" The vampire reach reaches Tsukune as he struggles to get on his knees. Moka kneels over him, starting to cry. "I'm so sorry... I...want to believe that I could really have a human friend. But... I'm a vampire. I suck the blood of humans. I hurt them. I wanted to think that the right person and I...could overcome that..."

"...It's true," Tsukune says weakly. "I'm...weak...and ordinary... But...I can't just leave you, Elijah made me realize that. Moka... I want to be your friend."

"Tsukune..."

"Yes, you're a vampire." Tsukune smiles up at moka. "But I really like you!"

Elijah

Saizou is cornered just like he had Moka, but with me as the attacker. No, his opponent. This bastard needs to know his place. "So, you learned your lesson yet?"

The troll refuses to back down. "I'm not through, yet!"

I smile. "Neither am I." I instantly regret my words as I feel the effects of my spell wear off. leaving me defenseless over this beast of a monster. Before I could even reach for my bag for another one, Saizou punched me, causing me to roll down the same cliff Tsukune tumbled down. I don't know if any of my bones broke during the fall, but it still hurt like hell. I finally reached the bottom, landing right on top of Tsukune as he was about to get up.

"Ow!"

"...sorry. My spell wore off."

"Elijah! Are you okay?!" Moka asks.

"I'm good. I hate to interrupt the cute moment you guys might've had, but he's coming down the hill." I point up as the one I mention towers over me and Tsukune struggling to get on our feet. When we do, both of us block him from reaching Moka. We may be in pain, but we won't back down. "Back off..."

"Leave her alone..." Tsukune says in a pained tone.

"You two pricks are getting on my nerves!" Saizou hits us in one sweep, knocking me and Tsukune into Moka. From the corner of my eye, I thought I saw Tsukune's hand go for Moka's rosary...and from what I heard...it came off.

"My rosary... It...came off?"

The area around us all glows in a bright red light. I feel the ground shake as I see Moka give off massive amounts of monster energy. What's happening? Why did-

"Look at the rosary. If I were to take this off, I would change. I'd change into my true form, a powerful and terrifying vampire."

There's no doubt. Moka is turning into her true form. A powerful vampire. Her pink hair now fades into a beautiful silver, and her once green eyes have turned into a menacing glowing red, the overwhelming power...and her fangs. That's definitely not the same Moka from before, this is...something else. The most feared of all monsters...

"W-What the hell is this?!" Saizou says.

"So then," The vampire speaks. "I suppose the one who woke me up was you, huh?" Her eyes peer into Saizou's soul, causing him to shake in place. "What's the matter...little boy?"

That voice...I don't know what it is about it, but it's...something. I don't feel...afraid...but why? Saizou's dumbass nature causes him to not back down from this obvious losing battle. "Y-You don't scare me."

The Vampire only yawns, as if this is only a chore for her. "It's time you learn your place."

"Huh?"

The Vampire delivers the most powerful roundhouse kick I've ever seen firsthand. She knocked that orc out like he was nothing! I think she even kicked a few of his teeth out. Not to mention the tree he got knocked into, it was knocked over like a domino. "Typical monster. All size. I said, learn your place."

"Holy shit..." Her energy... So powerful...so cold... She's like...a completely different person... Is this...the true Moka? "So badass..."

"What? Are you afraid of me?" Moka asks not only me but Tsukune as well as she sneers at us. Her voice rattles my core...but not in a terrifying way.

"..."

"I'm...quite the opposite...actually..."

Moka snatches her rosary from Tsukune, causing him to jolt. "Don't be so jittery. It's been a while since I've been awakened... I'm still drowsy. I won't hurt you 'cause your blood tastes too good to me...as for you." Moka now looks to me. "You...intrigue me. Despite only being able to use your silly cards, you were able to handle yourself in a fight." She chuckles. "Even though you didn't last long."

"I'll...take that as a compliment."

"As you should. Until we meet again. You two just keep babysitting Moka, Okay?" Moka puts her rosary back over her chest, her hair and eyes now returning to the colors they were before. The girl, now passed out, falls into Tsukune's arms.

"Moka?!"

"It's alright, I think. I think that's what happens when she puts the rosary back on."

"...Elijah?"

"Yeah?"

Tsukune looks down to Moka's sleeping face, she still bears that same sweet smile she gives us. "...Which one is...the real Moka?"

"I...have no idea..."

The two of us stay silent for a few minutes, taking in all we have just been through. We saw Moka's true form, she's not only powerful, but she's absolutely beautiful. Could that Moka be her original self? If that's the case...where did the moka we meet come from? Who is she? And...If Tsukune is really feeling that way about her... I can't even begin to imagine how that would play out. I guess only time will tell.

"Wait, you're really gonna stay?"

Tsukune nods. "Yeah. I know I still have my doubts...but I have you guys."

"Speaking of..." I point to the now-approaching Moka running towards Tsukune.

"Good morning, Tsukune!" The girl pounces on him, hugging him from behind.

"O-Oh...hi, Moka."

I smile at the pair. They're going to be a cute couple someday. And who knows? Maybe I can meet someone here too. Honestly, I wouldn't mind hanging around with the other Moka... But that's out of the question. Besides, I doubt a badass vampire of her prowess has better taste in potential partners. Oh well... But that's not important to think about now. My goal in Yokai Academy is to excel in my classes and eventually bring peace between humans and monsters. There's still so much more to-

"No!"

"Come on, please Tsukune?!"

My internal dialogue is interrupted by Tsukune being chased around by Moka. I guess she wants his blood again. Good grief, I feel like this will be a casual thing between those two. Oh well, at least they're cute together.