The silvercrest dining room exuded an air of elegance and refinement, befitting the noble vampire family that resided within its walls in the Kingdom of Nocturna, the vampire kingdom.
The long, mahogany table was adorned with fine silverware, crystal goblets, and delicate porcelain plates, each meticulously arranged. Candles flickered, casting a warm glow over the room as the family gathered for their evening meal.
Celine, a young 11 year old vampire girl with silver hair and porcelain skin, took her seat at the table, her eyes shining purple with youth and anticipation.
To her left sat her mother, Celeste, a graceful vampire woman with flowing silver that cascaded down her back. She possessed an ethereal beauty that seemed to be untouched by time.
On Celine's right was her father, Alexander, sitting at the end of the long dining table. He was a distinguished vampire with sharp features and a commanding presence. His dark eyes held a depth of wisdom that spoke of his experience and knowledge of the world.
As the servants served the first course, a fragrant soup, the conversation turned to Celine's progress in her studies, a subject that held great importance in the Silvercrest family.
"My dear, how are your studies progressing?" Celeste, Celine's mother, inquired, her voice gentle and melodious.
The little girl straightened in her chair, a spark of excitement gleaming in her eyes. "Mother, Father, I've been practising diligently, as you have always encouraged. I can now perform basic spells with ease and control, and my swordsmanship lessons are going quite well."
Alexander nodded approvingly, a hint of pride shining in his eyes. "That is excellent news, my daughter, as expected."
Celine's smile widened, basking in the praise from her father. It was a moment she had eagerly awaited, wanting to make him proud of her achievements. However, the conversation soon turned to the future, to a pivotal moment that awaited her, just like every youth across the kingdom that could afford it.
She had always looked forward to the academy, a place where she could fully immerse herself in the world of magic and learn from the most skilled and knowledgeable instructors.
"The Academy is politically neutral," Alexander added. "You'll be treated well."
Celine nodded, her mind filled with dreams of what awaited her, she imagined herself surrounded by classmates who shared the same passions, engaging in social events, but what she was most excited for was making friends her age.
"I promise I will make the Silvercrest name shine brightly among the ranks of the most accomplished students, and make you both proud, Mother, Father." Celine proclaimed with determination tinged in her voice.
After a while, the conversation at the dining table took a momentary pause. It was then that the servants entered the room, each bearing a small silver tray with vials of human blood.
Each member of the family reached for a vial before then pouring it into their mouths, its rich aroma waving through the air, and blessing their taste buds.
As Celine poured the contents of the vial into her mouth, her eyes briefly glowed bright purple for a moment before rapidly going back to normal. The first sip sent a shiver of pleasure down her spine, as the vibrant warmth and taste of human blood coursed through her body, invigorating her senses.
"Human blood really does taste quite nice." Celine commented.
"Personally I prefer the taste of elf blood," Celeste chuckled.
.
.
.
Blood was a substance that vampires especially loved and craved. It's what allowed them to maintain their immortality as they're able to absorb life essence from it. However, the only blood they could drink was from the humanoid races such as: humans, elves, and dwarves else they would feel sick.
***
After the conclusion of dinner, Celine excused herself and made her way back to her room. The soft moonlight spilled through the open curtains, creating a serene atmosphere as she entered her private sanctuary.
Sitting cross-legged on top of the soft covers of her bed, she retrieved a tier 2 book on magic from her bedside table. Its pages were filled with intricate designs and magical symbols. Turning page after page, her eyes scanned them with intense focus.
Her vampire heritage bestowed upon her certain advantages in the realm of magic. The potency of her mana, the vital energy that fueled spells, was more easily felt and acquired. Celine would draw upon mana in her surroundings with greater efficiency due to a vampire's heightened senses.
Excited to test her abilities before going to bed, Celine closed her eyes and took a deep breath. With the book open and laid flat in front of her, she extended a hand, and started casting magic.
A soft, pulsating glimmer emanated from her hands, a vibrant manifestation of light magic. The glow intensified, flickering and dancing in front of her as she channelled her mana.
Without the need for chanting or hand motions, due to her many years of practice and understanding of mana, she began to trace intricate patterns and drawings in the air made of light with her index finger. Placing her other hand in front of her, tiny sparks of fiery red erupted into existence, swirling and twisting in a mesmerising display.
Heat radiated from the little sparkling flames, Celine was playing and having fun.
As she practised, her eyes began to shine with a purple hue, a reflection of the power coursing through her veins. The glowing of eyes when using magic was a unique manifestation of her race, adding an almost ethereal aura to her spellcasting.
Getting lost in her own little world, Celine continued to weave spells in her room. Her dolls came to life under her command, their porcelain limbs dancing and prancing around as if guided by invisible strings – she was using puppetry magic on a small scale, something she had learned not too long ago from her magic instructor.
With a contented smile, Celine ended her magical practice for the night. As she laid down in her bed, her mind buzzed with anticipation for the future, she couldn't wait to grow older and fast!
***