"Yes, alright, I understand," said Hanah as she hung up the phone.
Nolan, who was sitting relaxed on the sofa reading a newspaper, turned toward his wife. "Hm, what's wrong?"
"Nova's teacher just called. She said Nova still hasn't come to school until now," Hanah replied as she sat next to Nolan.
Nolan frowned, closing his newspaper. "Hasn't come in? Didn't he leave this morning?"
"Yes, he did leave the house. But... I don't know, what is he actually doing now? This is the first time Nova has skipped school," Hanah let out a long sigh.
"Maybe he's having some problems. You know, kids Nova's age definitely have periods like this. But if he doesn't come home for too long, I'll go look for him."
◇◇◇
"I don't know what's really happening with you, kid. But that's not a problem for me at all. No matter what, you're still just a kid!"
Blood began flowing out from both of his palms, forming sharp projectiles like arrows. With swift movements, he launched the blood attacks toward Nova from a distance.
Nova saw the attacks coming. But strangely, his body moved with an instinct he had never felt before. Instead of retreating or seeking cover, Nova actually moved forward while dodging each blood projectile that shot toward him.
*Whoa, my movements have become faster than before,* Nova muttered to himself.
"What?!" The vampire looked shocked seeing Nova running toward him at a speed that was unnatural for a kid.
The vampire immediately gathered his blood in front of his body, intending to create both a shield and a close-range attack. However, Nova was already right in front of him.
BUGH!
Nova threw a hard punch with his right hand directly at the vampire's face. The force of the punch was so tremendous that it sent the vampire flying far back and crashing into a large tree with a loud sound.
"Wow, my punch strength has also become much stronger than before," Nova stared at his own hand. "But I still can't use this enhanced body properly yet."
The vampire got up with an angry face. Blood flowed from the corner of his mouth due to Nova's earlier punch. "You... you've really made me angry now!"
Suddenly the ground beneath his feet began shaking violently. Nova felt strange vibrations and when he looked ahead, his eyes widened in shock.
Five large creatures the size of bears were running toward him. Their bodies appeared to be formed entirely from the vampire's blood that had thickened and hardened.
The five blood bears attacked Nova simultaneously. Nova moved nimbly, dodging each claw and bite attack. However, one of the bears managed to catch Nova with its large hands.
"Damn it!"
Suddenly the body of the bear holding Nova began glowing brightly.
"Ha, this is really bad!" Nova tried to break free.
At the same time, the other four blood bears ran toward Nova and hugged him tightly as well. The next second, a massive explosion occurred.
BOOOOOM!
The deafening explosion sound echoed. Thick smoke covered the battle area. The vampire laughed with satisfaction from a distance.
"Hahaha, did you think that being slightly different would make you capable of defeating me?" the vampire said while laughing loudly.
When the smoke began to thin, the vampire could still see Nova's figure standing in the distance. "Ha, so you're still alive, kid."
Nova was indeed still standing, but his body was severely injured. Blood flowed from various wounds on his body. His school clothes were torn everywhere. If Nova hadn't instinctively strengthened his body, he might have died right then and there.
*This is really bad,* Nova thought while feeling his trembling body. *I've used up too much energy. Even though my bones have been strengthened, it's still not enough. How can I defeat this vampire?*
"I don't know what you're thinking in that head of yours, kid," the vampire began releasing blood from both his hands again. "What's certain is that there's nothing you can do here except die. So you'd better give up now and stop resisting."
Nova looked at the vampire while smiling slightly. "Haah, you're right about my current condition. But unfortunately, I won't give up my life that easily to a creature like you."
"Stupid stubborn kid! Now die!" the vampire launched a giant blood attack shaped like a spear that shot toward Nova.
Nova, whose body was already severely injured, could only stand and watch the deadly attack heading toward him. He smiled while closing his eyes.
But suddenly...
"Hah?!" The vampire was startled.
Nova managed to dodge the attack with one movement. But there was something strange about Nova at that moment.
*What just happened?* Nova felt something odd. It was as if his body moved on its own without his command. That dodging movement wasn't something he did with full consciousness.
The next second, Nova suddenly lost consciousness but his body remained standing upright with his eyes closed.
*Was that just a coincidence?* The vampire felt suspicious and decided to release his blood again. The second attack shot toward Nova.
But at that moment, Nova opened his eyes and dodged those attacks.
"What... you... what's really happening with you?"
When the vampire looked into Nova's eyes, he could see something very different. Nova's eyes now appeared empty, with no light of consciousness in them. It was as if he was already unconscious but somehow could still stand and move.
*This kid... who is he really?* the vampire began to feel strange. *I have to kill him right now before something worse happens.*
The vampire prepared to launch his attack again, but suddenly Nova was right in front of him without making a single footstep sound. Nova swung his right hand toward the vampire's face.
WHUUUSH!
Nova's punch this time created a tremendous strong wind. The vampire was thrown very far, destroying several trees behind him.
The vampire got up with a severely injured face, though his wounds slowly began healing on their own thanks to his vampire regeneration ability.
*What the hell is this? His punch has become much stronger than before. What's really happening with this kid now?*