The Loli Gets All the Passive Skills

Vivienne stared at Edith, her mind racing. Seriously? I've been here for all of thirty minutes, and I'm already being summoned like some sort of problem child?

Claire's eyes flicked toward Vivienne, her brows furrowing. "The headmaster wants to meet her personally?" she echoed, her voice cautious. "That's... unusual."

Edith nodded. "He was very clear. He wants to speak with her as soon as possible."

Vivienne sighed, standing up with a reluctant stretch. "Of course, he does." She glanced at Claire, who looked like she was weighing whether or not to intervene.

Claire gave her a small nod. "If the headmaster called for you, I'd suggest you don't keep him waiting." Then, her expression softened slightly. "But don't let him intimidate you, either."

Vivienne smirked at that, though there was a nervous flutter in her chest. "Me? Intimidated? Never." The rabbit, now perched on her shoulder, muttered, "Liar."

Edith gave Vivienne an appraising look. "Follow me, please."

Vivienne fell into step behind her, Claire watching with a faint trace of concern before the crowd swallowed her view. The hallways felt longer and quieter as they walked, the hum of distant conversations gradually fading. Edith didn't say a word, but the steady, calm rhythm of her steps only made Vivienne more restless.

"So," Vivienne ventured, "are you, like, his assistant or something?"

Edith glanced back, her green eyes unreadable. "I'm one of the student aides chosen to assist with special matters. The headmaster is... selective."

Vivienne narrowed her eyes. "Special matters, huh? And I'm 'special' because...?"

Edith paused at the base of a grand staircase and turned, her expression serious. "You're the little sister of Elisabeth de Vermillion, the Blood Queen. Not to mention a vampire princess who just woke up after over a century sleep. The headmaster just wants to talk. This will probably be a diplomatic talk. "

Vivienne sighed inwardly, following Edith up the grand staircase. Her heels tapped against the polished stone steps, each sound echoing in the quiet hallway. 'A diplomatic talk', she thought bitterly. 'Why does that sound more terrifying than a straight-up interrogation?'

The ornate doors at the top of the staircase loomed ahead, tall and imposing, adorned with intricate carvings of ancient battles and crests of legendary knights. Edith stopped in front of the door and placed a hand on the cool surface, giving Vivienne a brief glance before pushing it open. The doors creaked as they swung inward, revealing the headmaster's study.

The room was vast and lined with tall bookshelves stuffed with old tomes and scrolls. The scent of parchment, ink, and a hint of something metallic lingered in the air. A large desk, polished to a shine, sat near the back of the room, facing a massive window that overlooked the academy grounds.

Headmaster Leonhardt stood by the window, his hands clasped behind his back as sunlight cast a faint glow around his tall frame. He turned as they entered, his silver eyes locking onto Vivienne like a hawk spotting prey.

"Vivienne de Vermillion," he greeted, his voice calm yet weighted with authority. "Please, come in."

Vivienne stepped forward, feeling the weight of his gaze. She fought the instinct to shrink under it and instead lifted her chin defiantly. "Headmaster," she greeted, her voice steady.

Edith bowed slightly and excused herself, the doors closing behind her with a soft thud. Now alone with the headmaster, Vivienne felt the room grow heavier.

Leonhardt gestured to a chair in front of his desk. "Have a seat."

Vivienne hesitated but complied, settling into the plush leather chair. She crossed her legs and rested her hands on her lap, trying to project confidence. "I'm guessing this isn't about welcoming me to the academy," she said dryly.

Leonhardt's lips quirked slightly, almost a smile. "No, it isn't."

Vivienne leaned back, raising an eyebrow. "Then what is this about?"

The headmaster regarded her for a long moment before speaking. "You're the princess of the red tower of the Lawless City as well as the little sister of the Blood queen. I understand your... diet is different from my other students. Am I safe to assume you need appropriate feeding options? Your sister made it a priority to contact me to discuss such things,"

Vivienne froze for a split second before catching herself. Of all the things she'd expected the headmaster to bring up, this wasn't on the list. Her crimson eyes narrowed slightly as she studied Leonhardt's expression, but there was no mockery or condescension in his tone—only practicality.

"My diet, huh?" Vivienne's voice was calm, but there was a faint edge to it. "You mean blood."

Leonhardt inclined his head slightly. "Precisely. While you may not require it often, I imagine it's still a necessity for you to function at your best."

Vivienne shifted in her seat, folding her hands together. "Most people get squeamish when it comes to this topic."

"I'm not most people," Leonhardt replied evenly. "The safety and well-being of my students—regardless of their origins—are my responsibility. That includes ensuring you have what you need to maintain control and composure. Elisabeth insisted that I make... preparations."

Vivienne's lips twitched at that. "Of course, she did. She's overprotective like that."

Leonhardt's eyes softened briefly, as though he understood something deeper. "It's not unreasonable. You've only just awakened after centuries. Adjusting to this new environment will be difficult enough without unnecessary complications."

Vivienne exhaled and leaned forward slightly. "Alright. What kind of arrangements are we talking about? I'm guessing you're not about to let me snack on my classmates."

A ghost of a smile appeared on Leonhardt's face before vanishing. "Correct. We have blood vials provided by trusted donors who remain anonymous. They've been enchanted to stay fresh and are stored safely in the medical wing. You'll be able to access them as needed."

Vivienne's eyebrows rose. "You've really thought this through."

"As I said, I don't take risks when it comes to the stability of the academy," Leonhardt explained. "I trust you to be discreet, but should you ever need more than what's provided, you must inform me directly."

Vivienne nodded slowly. "Fair enough. I appreciate the... consideration."

Leonhardt studied her for a moment before continuing. "One more thing. While your sister trusts you implicitly, there will always be those who look for any reason to undermine or vilify you. Your feeding habits will be one of the first things they target. You must tread carefully."

Vivienne's gaze hardened. "I know. People love to turn anything they don't understand into a weapon."

Leonhardt's voice lowered slightly. "Then you understand the importance of controlling the narrative. You are powerful, Vivienne—but perception can be just as dangerous as any blade."

She nodded, understanding his unspoken warning. "I'll be careful."

The headmaster leaned back, seemingly satisfied. "Good. That will be all for now. If you need anything else, don't hesitate to reach out."

Vivienne stood, giving him a respectful nod. "Thanks... for not making this awkward."

Leonhardt's lips twitched again, almost imperceptibly. "I've had stranger conversations."

As she turned and made her way to the door, she paused, glancing back. "Just out of curiosity... how did Elisabeth convince you to go this far for me?"

Leonhardt's eyes gleamed with amusement. "Let's just say she can be... persuasive."

Vivienne let out a small chuckle before stepping out of the office. As the doors closed behind her, she let out a long breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding. Edith was still there, waiting with her usual calm expression.

"Everything sorted?" Edith asked.

Vivienne nodded. "Yeah. Apparently, the headmaster's more reasonable than I expected."

Edith gave her a small smile. "He tends to surprise people."

Vivienne fell into step beside her as they headed back toward the assembly hall. She could still feel the weight of the conversation pressing against her mind, but she also felt a strange sense of relief. At least one part of her new life at the academy had been accounted for.

Now, if only the rest of it could be as simple. 'But knowing my luck... probably not.'

As Vivienne and Edith walked down the hall, their footsteps echoing off the stone walls, the familiar sound of heels clicking at a precise, steady rhythm reached their ears. Vivienne's sharp senses recognized it instantly.

"Princess," a familiar, cool voice called out from behind them.

Vivienne turned to see Anna striding toward her with her usual calm grace. Her long, wavy strawberry-blonde hair shimmered in the light, and her crimson eyes were as sharp as ever. She moved with the air of someone who always knew exactly where she was going and why, her pristine maid uniform immaculate as usual.

"Anna," Vivienne greeted, raising an eyebrow. "What are you doing here?"

Anna stopped a few steps away and gave a polite bow, though her eyes briefly flickered to Edith with a subtle, assessing glance. "I was informed that you were summoned by the headmaster. I came to ensure everything was... handled appropriately."

Vivienne tilted her head, a small smirk forming on her lips. "You mean you came to check if I didn't cause any problems with my words?"

Anna's expression didn't change, but Vivienne could swear she saw a faint flicker of amusement in her eyes. "The thought may have crossed my mind, Princess."

Edith watched the exchange silently, her green eyes studying Anna curiously. After a brief moment, she gave a small, respectful nod. "I'll leave you in good hands, then." With that, she turned and walked away, her footsteps fading down the hall.

Once Edith was out of earshot, Anna took a step closer. "Was the headmaster difficult?"

Vivienne shook her head. "No, actually. Surprisingly straightforward... if you don't count the cryptic warnings."

Anna's gaze softened, a rare sign of her concern. "I'm glad. Your sister will be relieved to know that he was cooperative."

Vivienne sighed and ran a hand through her hair. "Yeah, I'm sure Elisabeth was ready to storm the academy if things didn't go her way."

Anna's lips twitched—the closest thing to a smile Vivienne ever saw from her. "She did threaten to, more than once."

Vivienne groaned. "Of course, she did."

Anna's eyes swept over Vivienne, her gaze meticulous. "Did he mention your feeding requirements?"

Vivienne nodded. "Yeah. He's got blood vials stored in the medical wing from anonymous donors. He was actually... kind of accommodating about it."

Anna's eyes narrowed slightly, as though weighing the situation. "Good. I expected no less. But if anything seems inadequate, you must inform me immediately. I will ensure you have everything you need."

Vivienne crossed her arms and gave Anna a playful smirk. "You're really determined to make sure I don't waste away, huh?"

Anna's gaze sharpened, but there was a faint warmth behind her words. "It is my duty to see to your well-being, Princess. And your sister... would not forgive me if anything happened to you."

Vivienne's smirk softened. "I know. Thanks, Anna."

Anna gave a small nod before gesturing down the hallway. "Shall we head out? I believe your next stop is the orientation banquet."

Vivienne groaned again. "A room full of nobles and new students? Sounds like a recipe for disaster."

Anna's eyes gleamed faintly. "Yes. Which is precisely why I will be nearby."

Vivienne chuckled as they resumed walking. "Good. Let's see how long it takes before someone says something stupid."

As they walked, Vivienne felt a sense of comfort in Anna's presence. 

As Vivienne approached the banquet hall, she paused, a sudden realization striking her. Wait a minute... Her crimson eyes darted around suspiciously. Where did that annoying rabbit go?

The little creature had a habit of appearing and disappearing whenever it pleased—usually at the most inconvenient times. It had been perched on her shoulder not long ago, snickering at her misery during the meeting with Leonhardt, but now it was nowhere to be found.

Anna noticed Vivienne's distracted expression and raised an eyebrow. "Is something wrong, Princess?"

Vivienne shook her head, trying to brush it off. "No... It's just—"

Before she could finish her sentence, a faint pop echoed nearby, followed by a familiar smug voice.

"You were looking for me, weren't you?"

Vivienne turned her head slowly, a look of resignation crossing her face. There, perched atop one of the ornate sconces along the wall, was the rabbit—its top hat somehow even more ridiculous than before, adorned with a tiny feather that hadn't been there earlier. It casually waved its paw, as though it had never disappeared in the first place.

Vivienne crossed her arms and glared up at it. "Where were you? You bailed on me the second things got serious."

The rabbit tilted its head, pretending to look thoughtful. "Bailed? I prefer to call it strategic retreat. Besides, you handled yourself just fine. You didn't need me chiming in."

Vivienne's eye twitched. "You mean you didn't want to sit through a serious conversation."

The rabbit let out an exaggerated sigh and leapt down, landing gracefully at Vivienne's feet. "Guilty as charged. Diplomacy isn't exactly my thing. But banquets, on the other hand? Now that's entertainment."

Vivienne groaned, already regretting her decision to wonder where the rabbit had gone. "Can we just get through the banquet without you being such an ass?"

The rabbit hopped beside her, grinning mischievously. "No promises."

Vivienne exhaled and pushed open the grand doors to the banquet hall. The scent of rich food and the sound of hushed conversations filled the air. She stepped forward, ready—or as ready as she'd ever be—to face the crowd of nobles, dignitaries, and overly curious students.

One way or another, she thought as the rabbit trotted beside her, this is going to be a disaster.