"What did you say?", Ruth asked, unable to believe what she heard. The whole room was silent as everyone looked at Vanessa.
She was unaffected by the attention and kept her eyes on Ruth. With a nod, she spoke, "I witnessed the creation of your ancestor and I taught him about the world. I also was the one who killed him and cursed his family."
"Kryos was a good friend of mine and helped me ascend to the throne. Even after starting a family, he supported me.", she said with a sad smile.
"No way.", Ruth said in disbelief, "A demon lord cursed him."
Vanessa shook her head, "The truth changes through time. Since I became forgotten, the story of the demon lord originated in your family."
"Then if Kryos was your friend, why did you kill him and curse our family?", Ruth asked. Seventeen saw mist form around them and ice crackled in the room. Zephyrus shivered as the temperature dropped but Seventeen was unaffected as he had disabled his thermal sensors.
The queen of vampires took a deep breath as if thinking about what to say. "As you know, Homunculi are vulnerable to Black Magia. Kryos's brother, one of the Homunculi created along with him became a Fallen."
"He stormed my palace and killed my family while I was away. Kryos immediately knew what was happening and went to stop him. When I returned, I found the corpses of my family and noticed a battle on the roof."
"Filled with rage and grief I rushed to the battle and saw two Homunculi fighting. Blinded by my emotions, I unleashed a powerful enchantment that would be known as the curse of the Aevas."
Ruth didn't say a word. Her fist clenched as she listened. Ice formed on the shelves and desk. Seventeen narrowed his eyes and tried to intervene but Zephyrus looked at him and shook his head.
The message was clear. Don't interfere.
Unaffected by the cold, Vanessa continued her story, "It was a fatal blow. I then realized what I had done and rushed towards Kryos. But it was too late. He was dying. I lost my family and friend on the same day and it was all my fault."
"But he never blamed me, he said that even gods can make mistakes.", she smiled ruefully, "As if I am a god."
"He died in my arms and I soon found out that his family had gotten the curse as well. I tried to find any way to remove it but it was all in vain. I even asked Eravon's help, but he failed to find a solution. I could not help but watch Kryos's children succumb to the curse I had created."
"For three thousand years I regretted my actions and am still haunted by his death.", she looked away, "Kryos was one of the few who were close to me and I killed him. I am responsible for the curse that ruined your life."
She looked at Ruth, "I understand you will hate me and I am ready to accept any retribution for my actions."
Ruth didn't speak a word and her face was unreadable.
In a flash, her dagger was inches away from Vanessa's neck, a strong magia pulse was released and a wave of cold mist followed.
The Vampire Queen barely flinched as she kept looking at the instructor. "I would gladly give my life if it were possible. I am truly sorry.", she bowed her head.
Seventeen and Zephyrus gazed in anticipation at the standoff. Their bodies are tensed like springs, ready to jump in to prevent more trouble despite knowing they shouldn't interfere.
"Raise your head, Vanessa. You are a queen and must never bow to anyone.", Ruth said, tucking away her dagger and looking at the girl. She raised her head and she was surprised by this reaction.
"You don't hate me?"
Ruth sighed, "How can I hate a person for what happened a long time ago? My goal was to find a way to remove the curse, not take revenge for my ancestor. What you did was an accident. As you said, you were blinded by your emotions."
"But Zephyrus told me about your past. Your parents, your sister. They died because of me.", Vanessa said in a confused and surprised voice.
"Well. I would be lying if I said I am not angry at you for that. But you realized what you had done and regretted it for 3000 years. I believe that is enough."
"Besides.", Ruth smiled, "My parents and sister would not want me to take a path of vengeance for them. They only wanted me to live free and thanks to Seventeen, I can do that. And like you said, I can't kill you."
"I don't know if that is reassuring or not.", Vanessa said. A scary smile appeared on Ruth's face, "I guess I could make your lessons more challenging. Although I said I will not hold anything against you. I am a little pissed off about what you did."
The mighty queen of vampires paled under her gaze. "Oh my. You are a scary woman."
"I get that a lot. Thank you."
Seventeen gulped. To make CAT-5 being nervous with just her gaze. His coworker is terrifying. "You will have a lot of ground to cover compared to the other students. First, you will have to tell us about your knowledge of magia and then we can choose the most appropriate course for you.", he said.
"I and the ice queen will provide private sessions and will make sure you are up to date on the magia knowledge of this age. I don't think you need combat training. You are clearly at the apex of that."
Vanessa nodded, "Yeah. But I can still learn."
"I would love to learn some ancient combat techniques.", Seventeen said.
"Feel free to ask me to teach them anytime."
"And what about your understanding of this age?", Ruth asked.
Vanessa looked confident, "I know a fair about the current world. The Dragon Lords keep me updated every time they visit me."
"So you know the Dragon Lords?", Seventeen asked her to which she nodded.
He wasn't surprised by this revelation. The Dragon Lords have been around for a long time and Vanessa is a CAT-5 being so of course they had reached out to her.
Zephyrus laughed, "This is by far the most interesting year of my life. First, the appearance of Seventeen, and now the mythical Vampire of the Purple Rose has become a student in my academy."
He stood up and bowed, "Queen Vanessa. As the Air Cardinal of Crystalia and the Headmaster of Cardinal Academy. I welcome you."
Vanessa smiled, "Just call me Vanessa. Also, I am grateful to finally have an academic life. Thank you for accepting me.", she said with a nod. She then shook hands with Seventeen and Ruth, the latter was still a little miffed but smiled.
"Now then.", Zephyrus sat down and laced his fingers, quickly changing the subject, "I have noticed something strange about last week's incident."
Seventeen and Ruth nodded while Vanessa looked between them, "What incident?", she asked calmly.
"I believe you should know this since you are now a student of Special Class A."
The Headmaster told her everything about the attack on Special Class A. Vanessa gave a small smile, "Ah. I get what you're saying."
"You caught on pretty quickly. Your intelligence is formidable.", Zephyrus remarked in an impressed tone.
He looked at Seventeen and Ruth, "I believe you guys understood what I just said?"
They nodded. "I've had my suspicions which Seventeen then confirmed. The attack on the dorm was not just an act of aggression by Classes B and D.", Ruth said.
Zephyrus nodded, "It may seem like Marvin Ravis instigated the students to attack Special Class A and Class E. At face value, that story is credible but when you dig deeper, things are actually not what they seem."
Seventeen smiled, "I doubt we're the only ones who came up with this conclusion. I believe the students have already realized it."
Zephyrus grinned while Vanessa chuckled.
"Looks like I chose the right class."
*******
Arthur enjoyed the cool morning breeze as he sat on the roof of the dorm building. He was one of the first to wake up. Their instructors had left a note saying that the training will be in the afternoon.
He was glad about this break, just as the name suggested, the previous week was hell. But he felt that the brutal training is improving his strength. At this rate, he will be able to freely control liquid magia by the time of the Battle Festival.
Underneath him, the rest of the dorm residents are milling about, enjoying their short reprieve. He saw Jason and Ray walking around the compound, conversing with each other. Robin and Rhea were working on the garden along with Oliver.
He could hear Damien and Flare bickering in the kitchen while Claire tried to stop them. Arthur spotted Gray on the second-floor balcony, gazing at the tall towers of the academy building visible from the treetops and sipping a glass of what looked like blood.
His eyes lingered on the young Aria, amazed by her beauty and grace. He then shook himself from the trance and returned to the thoughts that were nagging him the moment he sat on the roof.
He was so deep in thought that he didn't notice the two individuals behind him.
"Something bothering you?", a familiar voice asked. Arthur was startled and turned around. Minerva stood behind him, her long hair swayed in the breeze and her green eyes twinkled.
Beside her stood Kate. Her blue eyes gazed at him as if to read his mind.
Arthur smiled, "I would be lying if I said no."
They sat next to him on the roof. "I wonder if you are thinking the same thing as me?", Minerva asked vaguely. "Oh shut it with the mysterious act.", Arthur rolled his eyes.
"I am bothered by last week's incident", he said.
Minerva nodded, "Indeed. When you think about it, instructor Marvin Ravis instigated the students of Classes B and D to attack us and Class E. That is a good reason. But it is too good. I am not denying that he had no part in this whole incident but that is not the only factor."
He agreed with her, "You're right. We have someone else who was pulling the strings."
Kate leaned back, "Interesting. The question is. Who?"
Arthur smiled, "I believe we will know by today."