Elena checked into the Royal Hotel in Brighton.
In the last century, a famous doctor mentioned in a paper that drinking seawater and bathing in it could significantly improve one's health. Because of this, Brighton, a seaside resort town, became highly sought after by nobles, celebrities, and even royalty. Many seaside hotels were built, and the Regent had a royal palace constructed here. After the railway was completed, day-trippers from Lounton flocked in large numbers, making the small town even livelier.
The Royal Hotel in Brighton was the most luxurious hotel in the entire town. The four-story building stood majestically, facing the city with its back to the sea. It was only a short five-minute walk across a wide main road to the beach. This was precisely why Elena chose to stay here. As for the cost, thanks to the great success of her Ghost Tour, she certainly had no shortage of money for the room.
After settling her luggage, Elena gently drew aside the curtains, revealing a mesmerizing view of the sea — she had specially booked a sea-facing room. Sunlight sprinkled over the sparkling water like a layer of golden brocade. In the distance, the waves gently lapped the shore, producing a soft, rhythmic sound. Seagulls soared overhead, occasionally letting out a clear, crisp call. A few sailing boats floated like white butterflies on the water.
On the beach, small groups of tourists enjoyed the sunshine and sea breeze. Some lay on the sand soaking up the sun, some played and frolicked, and others strolled leisurely. However, no one was bare-chested or wearing revealing swimwear — that was unthinkable.
Men and women alike wore seaside fashion: women in light cotton dresses boldly patterned with wide stripes, and men dressed similarly to navy uniforms.
Fortunately, it was early spring, and the seawater still had a chill. The beach wasn't overcrowded. Otherwise, Elena might have needed to find a more secluded spot, since she definitely didn't want anyone to see her "performing magic."
She took a deep breath, the salty sea breeze brushing her face, making her feel especially refreshed. She carefully scanned every corner of the beach until she found a small area at the far end, surrounded by scattered rocks that formed a natural barrier, isolating this spot from the outside world.
Elena silently took note of this place, drew the curtains closed, dispelled her disguise, and organized her ritual supplies again, mentally rehearsing every step of the ceremony over and over.
Once everything was ready, she returned to the window and continued watching the beach until the sun set and the crowds gradually dispersed.
Night fell, and the beach grew quiet. The sound of waves hitting the rocks became clearer, and the sea breeze seemed cooler.
As the time approached, she changed into her going-out clothes, took her transformation amulet and ritual tools, and hurried downstairs. Tonight, there was no moon — only the orange glow of kerosene street lamps lit her path.
Elena couldn't help but feel nervous as she approached the rocks she had scouted during the day. The place was deserted, with only the sound of waves softly hitting the stones.
She undid her disguise and buried the amulet far away, marking the spot so she wouldn't lose it. Then, following the ritual steps, she drew a circle in the sand, placing a golden mirror at the center. White candles were lit in front of the mirror. She opened a perfume bottle and gently sprayed it on the mirror. Using a feather pen, she wrote her wish on parchment and placed it on the mirror, weighing it down with a pearl.
Elena closed her eyes and chanted prayers to the goddess of beauty. Beneath the twinkling Venus in the night sky, she felt the goddess's blessing surging through her body.
After finishing the incantation, she opened her eyes, tied a golden ribbon around the mirror, then closed her eyes again, visualizing the goddess's descent and gently kissed her own forehead. She opened her eyes, took a deep breath, and softly blew out the candles.
She strictly followed the ritual's rules and did not peek into the mirror—a huge test of her self-control. But with firm faith, Elena resisted her curiosity.
After the ritual, she carefully packed all the ritual tools and securely stored the parchment scroll and pearl. For the next half month, she was not allowed to see her reflection anywhere but in this golden mirror—not in any other mirror, glass, or water surface.
Every day, she had to recite her wish facing the golden mirror.
If all went well, the power of the ritual magic would gradually change her appearance during these two weeks.
Just as Elena dug out the transformation amulet and changed herself into an ordinary man's appearance, a faint sharp intake of breath caught her ear.
Alert, she carefully moved toward the rocks.
"Who's there?" she asked tensely, her heartbeat echoing in the silent night. She clearly remembered no one had been on the beach moments ago—no one bold enough to swim at midnight.
Loudly, she said, "I see you."
From behind the rocks, two hands slowly rose, and a delicate-faced girl peeked out, her eyes full of fear and anxiety.
"Don't… don't misunderstand, I'm like you," the girl said softly.
Under the dim glow of the kerosene lamp, Elena saw that the girl's lower body spread out like a fish tail. She could hardly believe her eyes.
Could it be that the legendary mermaids truly existed in Brighton's waters?!
She had wondered before, but never imagined she'd encounter one on her very first day.
"I sensed the flow of ritual magic," the mermaid— or more simply put, the little mermaid— whispered with a melodious voice. "I was too curious and followed. I'm sorry. I'll compensate you. Please don't kill me, Blood Demon."
What? Blood Demon? Me?
That name actually matched her race's characteristics quite well.
Countless possibilities flashed through Elena's mind, but she forced herself to stay calm, not wanting to reveal weakness to the mermaid.
She took a deep breath and tried to sound calm and authoritative: "Who are you? How do you know I am a Blood Demon? And how did you get here?"
The little mermaid trembled, her voice trembling as she answered, "My name is Lilian, a mermaid living in the nearby sea. I didn't mean to spy on your ritual—I was just too curious. As for your identity, there have been recent rumors. In Kent County, the court found a new race with deep red skin and sharp teeth, said to feed on human blood. They call them Blood Demons. I'm sorry—that name was not given by us."
Elena frowned slightly. Both the undead she met before and now this mermaid feared her race deeply.
She hadn't expected her kind to have such a terrifying reputation in the outside world, enough to frighten anyone.
Was this simply a prejudice based on appearance, or was there malicious slander behind it? Either way, it was not a good sign.
"Alright, Lilian," Elena softened her tone somewhat. "I believe you didn't mean it. But you must understand that spying on someone's ritual is very rude."
Lilian's face turned even paler. She understood how serious it was to spy on other races' ritual magic. Coupled with the merciless reputation of the Blood Demons, she hated her own ill-timed curiosity. After a moment, she mustered courage and cautiously said, "Is there anything I can do for you? I swear by the Sea God's name to keep what I saw tonight completely secret."
"I haven't decided yet," Elena replied. She was quite tempted to bring her back to land for study, but she knew mermaids weren't like fairy tales—they couldn't simply turn legs and walk ashore. "But you can swear now."
Lilian solemnly raised her right hand and swore by the Sea God's name to keep her secret.
As the vow was made, Elena clearly sensed an invisible bond quietly forming between them.
The little mermaid then pulled a pure white conch shell from somewhere and handed it to Elena.
"If you need anything, please blow this conch by the sea or river—though it's better not to do it by the river—and I will come to you following its sound."
It was a pure white conch, looking ordinary. Elena took it hesitantly and asked, curious, "Why is it better not to do it by the river?"
Lilian showed a disgusted expression. "The Lounton River is too dirty. But if you blow it by the Lounton River anyway, I will still come."
Finally, she bowed respectfully and flicked her fish tail, diving back into the sea.
Elena returned to her lodging. Although it was already late, so many things had happened that she lay awake for a long time, thinking about Lilian's appearance and the precarious reputation of her race.
Only then did she finally fall into a half-sleep.
The next morning, sunlight streamed through the window, waking Elena from her dreams.
She yawned, washed up, and eagerly took out the golden mirror.
Nervously, she closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and slowly opened her eyes to look into the mirror.
Reflected was her pale red skin—like the flushed face of someone who had drunk too much wine—but it was enough to bring tears of joy to Elena's eyes.
She had become a normal person!
She could finally go home!