(It's the last day of the month! Rolling around and acting cute to beg for votes!)
(The backend data still hasn't recovered. Who knows what the hell they're doing? There were clearly never problems like this before, but ever since the backend switched to a new version, this has happened twice. I'm seriously speechless. Anyway, I hope it'll recover in May, and I hope everyone can understand.)
"Haaaaaah—!"
At the outskirts of Vampire Castle, in an open clearing, Pest, dressed in a black-and-white spotted dress, let out a sharp cry. Black Wind continuously swirled around her body like a tornado, shooting straight into the sky.
"No, you're merely increasing your power!" Athena coldly rebuked her as she watched.
"What you need to improve is not your power, but the death within that power. Focus your attention, suppress its force, and strengthen the deeper aspects of your power!"
"Suppress its force... strengthen the deeper aspects..." Pest murmured. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes.
As Pest focused her attention, the Black Wind shooting into the sky gradually shrank. It was no longer as violent as before, instead becoming a pitch-black whirlwind that revolved around Pest like a sphere.
The Black Wind gradually diminished in scale, yet the wind swirling around Pest grew ever darker in color.
Watching the Black Wind around Pest deepen in color, Leticia's lovely face gradually turned serious beside Athena, and she spoke in surprise.
"Even though its force has weakened, why do I feel like it's more dangerous now?"
"Yes!" Black Rabbit said in equal surprise.
"Black Rabbit also feels that although Miss Pest's power has weakened, it has become more threatening."
"Is that so?" Asuka looked puzzled.
"Why can't I feel anything at all?"
"What everyone says is true." Yao stared intently at Pest