AN: Read three weeks ahead of Royal Road.
patreon.com/FAMILYABOVEALLNOVEL
*****
Julian looked at the dark looks on the faces of the students and opened his mouth:
"It is unfortunate that a number of you died in your training. Out of 179 students, we confirmed 44 dead."
A deep silence enveloped the whole class for a moment.
"But nothing in this life is free from danger. The only way to ensure your survival is by having enough power to protect yourself. That is why you are here in this academy."
Seeing that the situation remained the same, Julian decided to change tactics.
Instead of encouraging them, he would shift their attention to something more important.
"In two days, the awakening ritual will be held in the academy!"
Sure enough, the students showed visible reactions to his words.
"Take your mind off unnecessary things, and focus on the ritual. Do not forget that the ritual is the greatest opportunity of your lives."
Done addressing the issue, Julian moved to more important matters.
"Today you will be taking trade classes. Come in!"
At his behest, the door opened and two students walked in.
Aside from the insignia of their respective clan on their uniform, the two students had the numerals II drawn on their uniforms, showing that they were second-years.
Julian continued:
"There are many trade works such as Formation masters, Tailors, Blacksmiths, Alchemists, Potion masters, Talisman makers and Adventurers."
AN: I will change fashion designers to tailors.
"But because of the limitation of our race, we only have formation masters and fashion designers in our school."
Before Julian could continue his speech, Rosaline interrupted him by raising her hand and asked:
"What do you mean by the limitation of our race?"
"Certain conditions need to be fulfilled for a person to practice each of these jobs. But because we are vampires, we can only practice two jobs which are formation mastery and fashion designing."
Rosaline still seemed to be confused so Julian decided to give an example:
"Take, for example, to become a Blacksmith or an Alchemist, one must have an affinity with fire laws. Most of the ores and materials needed have been strengthened by mana and can't be handled by normal flames. But as vampires, our natural affinity is with darkness, so we can never become alchemists or blacksmiths."
Rosaline finally nodded in understanding.
"Now you will follow each of the students to the central region of the academy, where you can learn either Tailoring or formations. But before then..." Julian paused before raising his right hand.
A ring on his forefinger flashed, and then several pouches appeared on the table before him.
"Even though your mission yesterday ended prematurely, after assessing your performance and the cores you brought back yesterday, the academy has decided to reward the top students."
"First place is Ric with twelve beginner cores, three advanced cores, and one master beast core."
The students gasped upon hearing that Ric acquired a master core.
"How is that even possible?"
"Don't tell me he defeated a master realm beast?"
Ric walked out proudly from among the students.
Julian handed him a silver pouch after which he returned to his seat.
What the students didn't know is that Ric didn't kill the beast himself, and only took advantage of when Grim left to dig out the bear beast's core.
But even knowing that the academy still decided to award him for bravely resisting the bear so that Sol, James, and Lysa could escape safely.
"Second is Rosaline, with 15 beginner cores, and four advanced cores."
After giving the top three positions their reward, Julian spoke:
"Arlo, Arianne, and Joe come out!"
Because the ape-like beast chased Arlo for a long time, he only harvested a few cores.
The same was for Arianne as she only focused on killing the beasts to enjoy and train herself. She didn't care about the rewards.
As for Joe, nothing needed to be said. He wasn't even able to collect five beginner cores.
Julian studied the pitch-black snake coiled around Joe's neck briefly, before focusing his attention back on the trio.
To their perplexed expression, he answered:
"It's time to receive your reward as the top three in the ranking war."
A look of understanding flashed on Arlo's face.
He handed a pouch to Joe and Arianne who received it impassively before shifting his attention back to Arlo.
"I don't have your gifts with me right now."
Arlo didn't seem to mind, but Julian's next words threw his emotions into turmoil.
"Since you are not a vampire and a beast, I can't reward you with dark stones or beast cores. But the academy has decided to give you materials that can help you temper your body. But to do that you need to follow me to the only blacksmith in school."
Arlo nodded his head willingly and clenched his fists.
'Finally, I will grow stronger.'
He was too excited to notice the fact that a blacksmith being in the academy is weird in itself. Only a few of the students did.
After that, Julian told the students to follow the second-years.
Over a hundred of the students followed the female student, as they wished to study tailoring.
The same went for Arianne.
Only a few students followed the male second year as they wished to study formations. Joe followed this group.
When all the students left, Julian finally took Arlo with him.
Throughout their journey, Arlo didn't appreciate the various luxurious buildings and structures in the central region of the academy.
Instead, his mind was clouded with many thoughts.
'What do I do about Rosaline, Bon, and Judi?'
He saw the way the trio threw glances at him, and didn't know how to respond.
He wasn't sure they would keep his secret, but so far they were yet to make any move.
'But I don't regret my decision.'
If not for Anita, they all would have died last night.
He was sure they also understood that, so he only hoped they would consider it.
What Arlo didn't know is that while Rosaline and Bon appeared to be calm on the surface, they were actually scared and not sure of what to do.
They all saw how Anita could absorb monsters and use their powers for herself.
The thought of if she could do the same for vampires had been disturbing them.
Even Judi who seemed to have a crush on Arlo was now scared of him.
Finally, they arrived before a smithy.
Ttang! Ttang!
Ttang! Ttang!
The sound of metal colliding with metal drifted into his ears.
Julian entered, and he followed after him.
He saw a man working before a furnace.
Arlo stopped in place and his eyes widened like saucers.
Ever since he entered the northern continent, he became accustomed to seeing people with pale skin, black, or white hair, and most importantly attractive appearances.
All the vampires he had met so far, whether old or young, male or female, were incomparably remarkable in appearance.
But what is this?
In front of the furnace stood a well-built man, with red flaming hair.
His hair reminded him of his sister Anna who he missed so much.
A human?
*****