I arrived at the mansion gate, the t iron bars casting long shadows uhe full moon. Hong Meiling was there, leaning against the wall, her arms crossed, head tilted forward—sleeping as usual. The gate was already open, so I walked in quietly, not wanting to wake her.

  Just as I passed through, Sakuya suddenly appeared before me, her presence as sharp as her knives. She offered me a polite smile. "Wele, Mister Carl. Lady Remilia is expeg you."

  Her gaze flicked to Hong, who was still sn softly. Sakuya's mouth twitched, a fsh of annoyance crossing her face. With a flick of her wrist, she threw a dagger straight at Hong's forehead.

  Hong's body swayed, her head tilting just enough for the bde to whistle past, embedding itself in the wall behind her—she dodged it in her sleep. My eyes widened in disbelief. Even while asleep, she could avoid Sakuya's attacks?

  Sakuya's mouth twitched again, clearly irritated. She sighed and turned bae. "I apologize, Carl. It seems I have some... unfinished busio handle. Please tinue on your own. Lady Remilia is waiting for you in the garden, where you pyed with Miss Fndre."

  I nodded. "Got it. Thanks, Sakuya."

  I walked away, hearing a otion behind me—Sakuya's voice, cold and anding, followed by the distinct sound of more knives being thrown. I decided not to look back.

  The path to the garden was illuminated by pale moonlight, the air heavy with anticipation. When I reached the clearing, I saw Remilia. She was floating high above the ground, her crimson eyes fixed on the full moon, her form silhouetted against its bllow.

  It was just the two of us, uhe ominous sky.

  Remilia spoke without looking at me. "I heard from Patchouli that you were searg for a way to win this match. Have you found it?"

  I crossed my arms, trying to appear more fident than I felt. "Who knows? Maybe I'll lose. Maybe I'll die."

  Remilia's lips curled into a mog smile. "It seems you're already aware of your fate."

  I ughed nervously. "It's not like we're fighting to the death. If I lose, I'll just bee your servant, right?"

  Her smile vanished, repced by a cold, pierg gaze. "It seems you're not taking this seriously."

  With a wave of her hand, the world around us twisted and ged. The garden, the mansion, even the distant ke vanished. I found myself standing on barren nd, under a crimson moon that seemed too close, te. It bathed the world in eerie red light.

  Remilia's voice echoed across the surreal ndscape. "This is a fake world, crafted by me and Patchouli. A special stage for your performance. Are you happy?"

  I looked around, unease prig at the bay neck. "Did we really o do this?"

  She hovered higher, her silhouette stark against the blood moon. "I must see if you have the power to ge our fate."

  My heart skipped a beat. "Our fate?"

  Her eyes gleamed with an a sorrow, hidden behind a pyful smirk. "You already heard from Patchouli about my ability, didn't you?"

  I thought back to Patchouli's words, her vague hints about Remilia's power. Destiny Manipution—the power to ge fate.

  Remilia bared her fangs in a wide grin. "Patchouli told you about my ability, so I asked her about yours, too."

  I ched my fists, not surprised. Of course she would be curious.

  Remilia's eyes narrowed. "I was curious... which power is stronger? My ability to trol fate... or your ability to make lies bee truth?"

  I looked up at her, unfling. "I don't know. I've never seen the full extent of your power."

  Her grin widened, her red eyes glowing ominously. "You will... soon enough."

  She pointed a pale fi me. "Now, transform into a vampire. Maybe you'll stand a ce of surviving."

  I reached into my coat and pulled out my Vampire Cheat Card. The familiar magic flowed through me as I activated it, my body enveloped in crimson light. Wings sprouted from my back, my senses sharpening as my transformation pleted.

  Remilia's eyes flicked to the card, her lips curving into a disdainful sneer. "Using such tricks... It seems that gap woman has taken an i in you."

  Did she mean Yukari? Just how much did she know?

  Remilia's gaze grew colder. "Don't disappoint me, Mirage Carl."

  She raised her hand, crimson light swirling around her palm. The air grew heavy, the pressure of her power suffog.

  My body tensed, adrenaline flooding my veins. I took a deep breath, steadying myself. There was n baow.

  Remilia's voice echoed through the fake world. "Show me... if you have the power to ge our fate!"