Olvia adjusted her glasses and pushed them gently up her nose.
"Celestial Genesis? Hmm, not a bad name."
Carl smiled faintly, closing the book in his hands and giving it a slight shake.
"For now, it seems your work is satisfactory. I've decided to reward you."
Olvia shook her head, her voice soft but firm.
"No need. I'm doing this to atone for my sins. I have no right to ask for a reward. Besides, didn't you just give me a Devil Fruit? I really like this one."
Carl leaned closer to Olvia's ear, his voice calm but commanding.
"A promise is a promise. Since I said I'd reward you, I will. You don't have the option to refuse."
Olvia's cheeks reddened slightly as she turned away, her tone stiff.
"Yes—ah!"
Olvia suddenly felt a cold sensation on her neck, her body freezing in place.
Not far away, Pudding's eyes widened as she watched Carl lower his head and bite into Olvia's pale neck.
Moments later, Carl lifted his head, a trace of crimson blood on his lips that made him look unnervingly sinister.
As a user of the Mythical Zoan True Ancestor Fruit, Carl had a unique sensitivity to the taste of blood. The more beautiful the person, the more exquisite the taste of their blood.
In truth, Carl's so-called reward for Olvia was more about his own indulgence.
Being bitten by Carl's ability typically led to two outcomes: death by blood loss or transformation into a vampire with extended youth and lifespan. Olvia clearly fell into the latter category.
Olvia turned to Carl, her expression hesitant.
"What... what did you just do to me?"
Carl smiled faintly. Under Olvia's puzzled gaze, he reached out and removed her black-rimmed glasses.
It was then Olvia noticed her vision had become much sharper. She instinctively raised her hand to rub her eyes, only to pause when she felt her skin—smooth and supple, like that of a newborn.
Carl studied Olvia with interest. Now, with her silver hair tied back, she looked like a fair-haired version of Nico Robin—no, more accurately, Robin seemed like a dark-haired version of Olvia.
As Carl contemplated fetching a mirror for her, Olvia had already taken a small one out of her pocket. She immediately focused on her eyes in the reflection.
Carl chuckled.
"Seems like you noticed the crow's feet around your eyes. I didn't think you'd care about such things."
Olvia, still staring into the mirror, replied, "Carl, you don't understand women at all. Every woman cares about wrinkles. Just the other day, Robin pointed out that mine were getting deeper…"
"Well, she won't be saying that anymore. Standing next to her now, people might think you're sisters."
Olvia laughed softly, tucking the mirror back into her pocket before pulling out a black hair tie. Carl raised an eyebrow, inwardly amused by the array of items in her pockets.
Under Carl's watchful gaze, Olvia tied her silvery hair into a high ponytail. Turning to face Carl, hands clasped behind her back, she smiled brightly.
"It's been a while since I've worn a ponytail. What do you think?"
Carl tilted his head, evaluating her.
"Not bad. But it feels like something's missing."
Olvia blinked. "Missing what?"
Carl thought for a moment, then removed the lenses from her black-rimmed glasses and placed the frame back on her. With her high ponytail and glasses, Olvia now radiated an air of both elegance and charm.
"Now it's perfect," Carl said with satisfaction.
Olvia laughed.
"Who knew you had such a preference?"
"Insolence."
Olvia pouted and muttered under her breath, "...so stingy."
Carl sighed, exasperated.
"Don't you want to know what happened to you?"
Olvia blinked. "Does it matter?"
"Doesn't it? Where's your scholar's curiosity?"
"Didn't you always say that too much curiosity is a bad thing? I'm working on it."
"..."
Carl rubbed his temple while a sly glint flashed in Olvia's eyes.
Before becoming engrossed in the Poneglyphs, her personality had been more mischievous—a trait Robin seemed to have inherited but rarely displayed after meeting Carl.
Carl explained the process of transformation, emphasizing that Olvia's life and death were now tied to his will.
But Olvia was unfazed.
If Carl had wanted to kill her, he could have done so as easily as swatting a fly. Whether or not she'd been transformed into a vampire made little difference to her.
"So, I'm completely yours now?" Olvia tilted her head, her silver ponytail swaying as she spoke.
Carl's lips twitched. Catching the glint of mischief in Olvia's eyes, a wicked grin crossed his face. He grabbed her chin, pulling her close.
"Exactly. So, how do you plan to serve me?"
Olvia finally cracked, her face turning pale as she stammered.
"T-this is the library!"
Carl's grin widened.
"Doesn't that make it more exciting?"
His devilish laughter sent shivers down Olvia's spine. In her panic, she glanced toward the doorway, where Pudding was still standing, gawking unabashedly.
Desperate, Olvia pushed against Carl's chest and stammered, "Wait! There's someone watching!"
Carl released her, watching with amusement as Olvia hastily adjusted her clothes.
"I hope you've learned your lesson about sassing me."
Olvia nodded quickly, her voice small.
"I... won't dare anymore…"
Satisfied, Carl turned his attention to Pudding and motioned for her to come closer.
Pudding froze, trembling as if struck by lightning.
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+250 chapters on p@treon/tambeerg