Prom night at Vampire Noble Academy was the epitome of elegance and sophistication. The grand ballroom was adorned with Gothic chandeliers, crimson and black decorations, and an aura of Vampiric charm that enveloped the entire room. It was a night when the graduating upperclassmen, the elite of the Academy, mingled with the First Years, who had earned their spots among the top five ranks. For Kaizer and his friends, this was an opportunity they couldn't pass up.
However, prom night brought an unexpected twist. Darcia, the most confident among them, already had a date—a formidable Fifth Year vampire named Vincent who exuded an intimidating aura. Thalia and Alaric were attending as a pair, leaving Kaizer and his best friend, Lucius, as the remaining duo. Justice did not attend this prom because she was not in the top five ranks. The two First Years, clad in their finest attire, looked at each other with a mix of excitement and nervousness.
"Lucius," Kaizer began, adjusting his perfectly tied bow tie, "we've got to make a good impression here. We're among the top five."
Lucius nodded fervently, his pale complexion flushing with anticipation. "Absolutely. We've got to show them we deserve these Ranks. Just... be cool."
As they entered the ballroom, the sight of upperclassmen in elegant, centuries-old attire took their breath away. They stood like fledgling vampires, unsure of their next move.
Thalia and Alaric glided onto the dance floor effortlessly, swaying to the rhythm of a waltz. Darcia and her date commanded attention with their regal presence, their eyes gleaming like twin orbs of crimson.
Lucius tugged at Kaizer's arm, eyes wide with panic. "Kaizer, what do I do? I think I just stepped on someone's cloak!"
Kaizer glanced around, noticing the imperious gazes from upperclassmen. He muttered, echoing Lucius's previous advice. "Just act natural. Blend in. Remember? Cooool."
But blending in was not their strong suit. They joined a group of students chatting near the refreshment table, but as Kaizer reached for a glass of red "blood" punch, his hand slipped, sending crimson liquid cascading onto the tablecloth. Gasps rippled through the crowd.
Lucius attempted to strike up a conversation with a poised upperclassman, but his nervousness caused him to accidentally fling his napkin into the air. It fluttered like a wounded bat before landing atop a nearby candle, promptly setting it ablaze.
Kaizer and Lucius exchanged a horrified look, but their mishaps weren't over. When the orchestra began playing a lively tune, they decided to join Thalia and Alaric on the dance floor. However, their uncoordinated moves resembled a pair of marionettes with tangled strings, causing more than one upperclassman to raise an elegant eyebrow.
As the night continued, Kaizer and Lucius became a source of amusement for the upperclassmen, who exchanged knowing glances whenever the First Years ventured near. Every step seemed to lead to another comedic mishap, from tripping over their own feet to accidentally toppling a decorative suit of armor.
Amidst the chaos, they caught sight of Darcia, who seemed to be enjoying herself immensely. She winked at them, a mischievous smile on her face, as if to say, "Welcome to the world of upperclassmen."
Kaizer blushed, much to Lucius's amusement.
"Go talk to her," Lucius said, nudging Kaizer forward. "Vincent's gone for the time being. This is your chance."
Kaizer, in his finely tailored suit, navigated through the crowd until he finally caught up with Darcia, who stood resplendent in her crimson attire, her fuschia eyes sparkling like rubies.
"Darcia," he murmured.
She turned, her gaze locking onto Kaizer's. A seductive smile curved her lips as she approached him with a sultry sway of her hips. "Kaizer. You look positively delectable tonight," she purred, her words dripping with allure.
Darcia's prom attire clung to her every curve, showcasing a physique that could only be described as captivating. Her dress accentuated her slender waist and the gentle swell of her hips, making her figure both elegant and sensuous. With every step, the fabric caressed her form, leaving a trail of desire in its wake.
Her pink hair cascaded like a waterfall of silk, brushing against her shoulders and teasingly grazing her exposed skin. As she moved, the scent of her intoxicating perfume lingered in the air, a heady blend of delicate florals and a hint of exotic spices, heightening the senses of anyone fortunate enough to be near.
Upon her lips, a lip gloss glistened like stardust, catching the light in a way that seemed almost enchanting. It added a touch of temptation to her already magnetic allure, drawing the gaze of those who looked upon her. Her erotic figure, accentuated by the dress, was a study in temptation, an embodiment of beauty and desire that left Kaizer spellbound, overwhelmed by the intoxicating pull of his Human desires.
Kaizer felt his heart quicken as he found himself drawn closer to her magnetic charm. "Darcia, I..."
Before he could utter another word, a shadow fell over them. Vincent, the formidable Fifth Year Vampire, returned from his brief absence. His piercing gaze landed on Kaizer and Darcia, and his jaw clenched with visible displeasure.
Vincent's commanding presence was impossible to ignore as he loomed over the prom crowd. His tall, muscular stature was a testament to his power and experience, surpassing Kaizer's by far. His charcoal-grey suit accentuated his imposing figure, tailored to perfection and exuding an air of sophistication.
His intense, crimson eyes bore into those who met his gaze, radiating authority and dominance. His slicked-back silver hair added an element of mystique, the perfectly coiffed style showcasing his meticulous attention to detail. While Kaizer felt uneasy in the presence of this upperclassman, Darcia, by his side, appeared to find amusement in the tension between the two.
"Vincent," Darcia greeted him, her voice smooth as silk. "I was just having a friendly chat with Kaizer here."
Vincent's glare intensified, and his voice was cold as ice. "Friendly chat, you say?"
As Vincent's anger simmered, a hushed murmur swept through the ballroom, drawing the attention of upperclassmen and First Years alike.
Lucius, who had been observing from a distance, sensed trouble brewing. He hurried over to Kaizer and Darcia, whispering urgently, "We should go, Kaizer, before things get out of hand."
Kaizer nodded, breaking away from Darcia's magnetic gaze. "Sorry, Darcia, I have to go."
Darcia, her breath heavy with the scent of bloody punch, replied, "I understand."
As Kaizer and Lucius turned to leave, Vincent's voice echoed through the room, echoing with a mix of anger and pride. "You'd better watch your back, Human. I don't care how famous you get, you're still a Human! This is still our world, after all!"
As Vincent's anger simmered and Kaizer and Lucius made their hasty retreat from the ballroom, they stumbled upon a figure in the dimly lit hallway. A Second Year Necessary student stood casually against the wall. He had fiery red hair, freckles scattered across his cheeks, and eyes like amber gems. He regarded them with a knowing, friendly smile.
"Hey there," the red-haired boy said, extending his hand to Kaizer. "I'm Zachary. I couldn't help but notice you two, with all the commotion you go around causing — like typical First Years. You are the First Year students, right? The top-fivers?"
Kaizer and Lucius exchanged a glance before shaking Zachary's hand. "Yeah, that's us," Kaizer replied. "What are you doing here? Waiting on someone? You know, this is the Noble side."
Zachary's amber eyes twinkled with mirth. He pulled a pack of cigarettes from his pocket. much to the two Nobles' shock, and lit it. He noticed the boys' expressions. "What? Just taking a smoke break. Got these at the Bazaar, they're not that hard to find. But I will say, Humans from the Overworld are very creative." He sighed, looking at the burning cigarette, then took a long hit, and exhaled smoothly. "Just another one of my efforts to break the monotony of this energy-draining school. You see, there's something you need to understand about them. All of them, Humans and Vampires alike."
Lucius raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "What's that?"
"Prejudice," Zachary replied, his tone making it obvious that he was emotionally detached from the subject, yet still held personal convictions regarding it. He didn't even look at Lucius, making it explicitly clear who he wanted to speak to. "Vampires and Humans fear you, Kaizer, and others like you. They're afraid of your potential, so they're hateful. But don't let that get to you. You can rise above it all. You're different, I can tell. I see myself in you."
All Kaizer could think was, 'Where does this guy get off talking to me like that? He can't be that much older than me. Like I need a lecture about my 'potential' from a Necessary, anyway.'
Zachary offered to show them something secret, something that had remained concealed by powerful magic within the Academy. Intrigued, Kaizer and Lucius followed him down hidden passageways and through twisting corridors until they arrived at an unassuming door.
"I need one of you to cast this spell," Zachary said, handing Kaizer a book of Deception Spells, already opened up to page 378.
Reading the page, Kaizer took note that the Deception Spell was called, "Skeleton Key," and those with enough magical power to cast it could dispel any illusion that guards a hidden passageway, and open any secret door."
With a wave of his hand, Kaizer dispelled the magic concealing it, revealing a room that sent a shiver down their spines. Rows upon rows of captive humans, pale and weak, were imprisoned within the chamber. The sight was gruesome and disturbing.
"These," Zachary said somberly, "are the humans the Vampires use as a blood source. The Humans who don't choose to be Necessaries out of pride or fear, or the Humans who just aren't fit for the job. Vampires need a constant supply to maintain their abilities at full power. They breed them like animals, then store them here for further... consumption."
Kaizer's heart sank as he realized the extent of the horrors hidden within Vampire Noble Academy. He knew that Humans had served as a life source for Vampires for ages, but he had never imagined that it looked like this in practicality.
Zachary's voice quivered as he continued to reveal the grim truth hidden within the Academy. "Kaizer, you have to understand something fundamental about Vampires. To them, Humans have always been regarded as nothing more than livestock — resources — slaves. For centuries, their society has been built upon this hierarchy. The emergence of someone like you, with so much untapped power, it terrifies them."
He paused, his gaze filled with empathy. "Your potential, Kaizer, it's a threat to the very structure and values their society is founded upon. They've never seen a Human like you before. I don't blame them. Your kind of power should scare any proud Vampire to their core. You have more potential than any of us because you're so young, and you were raised by Queen Hundred herself. Even Elite Humans, like Professor Edmund, didn't start out with a good a hand as you. You got really lucky. I can relate to you. My own family disowned me because I chose to work for the Vampires, yet they're starving in this dungeon while I'm out here. Don't you see? No matter what you do, being stronger than the majority is always going to turn heads, and make people uncomfortable. Especially when they have fear holding them back from doing the same."
Kaizer's heart weighed heavy with the implications of what Zachary was saying. It was a sobering realization that his mere existence challenged the established order of the Vampire world. As he looked at the imprisoned humans, he couldn't help but feel a deep sense of responsibility and a burning desire to find a way to make a difference, not just for himself but for all those who suffered in silence within Vampire Noble Academy.
He understood that he should be grateful for what he had—his unique position as Queen Hundred's servant and the potential she saw in him. But as he looked at the helpless Humans before him, a sense of unease began to gnaw at him. He knew that Queen Hundred had seen something in him, a potential for change and progress — but what was she expecting of him, really?
Kaizer wondered if he really wanted to fight to preserve and improve a world as cruel as Sanguine. Were any of his efforts worth it? Why did Queen Hundred really save him?
From that moment, every day, Kaizer's questions about his purpose in the realm of darkness expanded. New answers to questions he didn't even ask seemed to present themselves to him boldly, as if the world of Sanguine itself was trying to lead him to something. He knew that in order to figure out his true place in this world, he'd have to trust his intuition and gather as much information as Humanly possible.