It appeared to be an uneventful day, or rather, night, depending on one's perspective. It was marked by the routine interactions and relationships that had shaped Kaizer's experience at the Academy.
The students had been on a mission of helping to rebuild the dining hall, and Kaizer had asked for an immense quantity of Bloodcoins—the Vampiric currency—from Queen Hundred, who dutifully provided it to him, accompanying the gift with a few words of praise for his intelligent power move.
Taking a genuine path of action, but also having his own agenda in mind, Kaizer donated the entire sum of the money into the school, not only allowing them to rebuild and refurnish the dining hall, but all of the dorm rooms as well. This move solidified Kaizer as a public figure in his school, and many Vampires began to avoid him for an entirely different reason than animosity; they were intimidated by his public status.
Thus, Kaizer sat alone in the newly furnished dining hall, lost in thought as he considered the day ahead. His friends hadn't arrived yet, and he didn't mind the solitude; it allowed him to collect his thoughts before classes began.
As he took a sip of his crimson-tinged beverage, the chatter around him faded into the background. In a brief moment of acute self-awareness, he wondered when he started drinking Human blood? For some reason, he couldn't remember a time that he didn't. It felt so natural to him, and the potent liquid plastered his tongue with a metallic sweetness that he enjoyed.
His focus shifted when a familiar voice interrupted his musings.
"Mind if I join you, Kaizer?"
Kaizer's heart quickened as he looked up and saw Darcia, the striking Third Year Vampire with flowing pink hair and eyes that burned the same. Her presence always had a way of drawing his attention, and their occasional interactions had developed into a unique connection.
"Of course," Kaizer replied, a goofy smile tugging at his lips. He pushed aside his thoughts and made room for her, gesturing for her to take a seat.
Darcia gracefully settled into the chair beside him, her eyes locked onto Kaizer's with a captivating intensity.
"I heard there's something special planned in your Combat Arts class today. Are you looking forward to it? I will be honest, I already know what it is, because I've already taken the Level 1 class. And I think you'll love it."
Kaizer nodded, his gaze meeting hers. "Yeah, they say Professor Elysium has something challenging in store. I'm curious to see what it is. Don't spoil it for me, though."
Their conversation flowed effortlessly. It was clear to Kaizer that Darcia had a genuine interest in him, one that transcended the usual cliques and social dynamics of the Academy. As they talked, the world around them faded away, leaving just the two of them in their own quiet bubble.
As Kaizer continued his conversation with Darcia, the chatter in the dining hall gradually grew louder. Soon enough, the familiar voices of his friend group reached his ears. Lucius, Alaric, Thalia, and Justice had arrived, their laughter and chatter filling the space.
Darcia, aware of Kaizer's friends joining him, stood gracefully from her chair. "I should leave you to enjoy breakfast with your friends," she said, offering him a warm smile. "I hope to talk like this with you again, Kaizer."
Kaizer nodded appreciatively, his gaze lingering for a moment as she walked away. Then, he turned his attention to his friends, who had taken their seats and were enthusiastically catching up on the latest news and gossip from their classes.
Lucius leaned back in his chair, sipping his crimson-tinged beverage with an air of sophistication. "Did you hear about the new rule? No shadow manipulation in the dining hall? Pssh."
Thalia, her playful nature shining through, grinned mischievously. "Well, that certainly puts a damper on our entertainment. Well, it would if we actually listened." As she said this, she conjured a shadow ball and bounced it on the table.
Alaric, the stickler of the group, raised an eyebrow. "Speak for yourself. I've been using lunch breaks for meditation."
Thalia, always quick with a witty comeback, chimed in. "Ah, yes, meditating on how to outdo us all in the next Hand-to-Hand Combat class, I presume?"
It was known that Alaric was the least-skilled Vampire in the Academy when it came to practical combat. With a slender, scrawny physique, he wasn't much of a match for some of the more fit students in the Academy. He relied heavily on his Shadow Magic, much to the scrutiny of the upperclassmen.
A mischievous thought crossed Kaizer's mind, and he couldn't resist the temptation.
With a sly grin, he turned to Lucius. "Hey, Lucius, did you know that Alaric has a secret crush on Coach Ignatius? I heard that something else goes on in their private training sessions besides just 'combat training.' Maybe that's why he hasn't improved much — he's been fighting a different kind of shadow!"
The group erupted into laughter as Alaric's cheeks flushed with embarrassment. He shot Kaizer a mock glare. "Haha, Kaizer. As if I would even think of Coach Ignatius as anything but a dusty, old fossil. He is ancient!"
The air of the group faded into silence, the remnants of a few quiet exclaims lingering in the air. They all looked at Alaric expectantly. Alaric, looking around, seemed confused — but then, when he realized what their implication was, he slammed his hands on the table with such a force that it attracted the attention of the entire dining hall.
"I'M NOT GAY EITHER!"
The entire cafeteria erupted into ironic laughter. In moments like these, the weight of their supernatural abilities and the challenges they faced seemed to melt away, leaving behind the simple joy of friendship and shared laughter. Even Justice's maroon eyes crinkled above her mask.
As the laughter and banter continued among their friends, Lucius and Kaizer exchanged a subtle glance. Their shared experience with Zachary a few weeks prior flashed between them.
However, they understood the necessity of maintaining a facade of normalcy in front of their friends.
Lucius raised his scarlet beverage, taking a sip with practiced elegance, while Kaizer joined back in the lighthearted conversation. Their ability to compartmentalize the unsettling revelations allowed them to seamlessly blend into the familiar rhythm of their friend group.
In the unspoken words between them, Kaizer had a mutual understanding with Lucius — they both knew that addressing the issue would require careful planning and consideration. For now, they chose to keep the weight of their discovery hidden, preserving the illusion of an ordinary day at the Academy, and saving their revelations for a more appropriate time and place.
Professor Elysium, a distinguished Vampire instructor at Vampire Noble Academy, was renowned for his unconventional and challenging lessons in Combat Arts class. Today, Kaizer and his fellow Vampire students gathered in the spacious training hall, anticipation filling the air as they awaited the day's instruction.
With an air of mystique, Professor Elysium entered the room, his commanding presence immediately capturing the attention of his students. His piercing blue eyes scanned the eager faces before he spoke, his voice carrying a hint of excitement.
Kaizer hadn't taken explicit notice of Professor Elysium's blue eyes at first, and it occurred to him that this was the only other vampire he'd seen with an eye color other than the blood red crimson he'd grown accustomed to seeing — the other exception being Darcia. He thought it was interesting how Vampires' genetics could sometimes result in such vibrant, varied eye colors.
"Today, we shall explore a facet of our vampiric abilities that few have mastered—the art of shapeshifting through the blood connection."
Kaizer felt a ripple of curiosity pass through the room. Shapeshifting was a rare and complex skill, allowing Vampires to take on the form of creatures or people whose blood they had touched. It was a power that required finesse, control, and an intimate understanding of the blood's essence.
Professor Elysium began by explaining the fundamentals, emphasizing the connection between blood and identity. "To shift, you must delve into the memories and experiences contained within the blood. It's not just about changing form; it's about becoming the essence of the energy you feel in the blood. Tap into the abstract, the void that is the source of all energy, all life, and all bloodlines, and channel the connection you feel to the energy of your target into your body, and your body will follow the rest."
As the lesson progressed, the students gathered in pairs, practicing their newfound skills. Kaizer partnered with Lucius, their shared experiences and synchrony making them an ideal duo.
With a deep breath, Kaizer closed his eyes and focused on the blood connection with Lucius, his fingers resting on a slip of parchment that had Lucius's fresh blood on it. He delved into the memories they had made together since he enrolled in the academy.
Slowly, he began to shift, his body changing and morphing until he stood in Lucius's form. It was an exhilarating sensation, feeling the world through different eyes, experiencing the grace of Lucius's movements.
Lucius, in turn, assumed Kaizer's form, their transformation a testament to their trust and coordination.
Professor Elysium observed their efforts, nodding approvingly.
"Remember, shapeshifting is not just a physical change; it's an embodiment of the blood's essence. Master this art, and you will wield a formidable weapon."
As the class continued to practice, Kaizer couldn't help but marvel at the depth of their abilities. Shapeshifting was a skill that required not only physical transformation but also a profound connection with the essence of those whose blood they touched.
Later that evening, a soft knock on Kaizer's room door drew his attention away from his books. He opened the door to find the silver-haired girl from his Blood Magic Fundamentals class standing there, her eyes filled with an unusual blend of concern and determination.
"Can I come in?" she asked, her voice soft but resolute.
Kaizer hesitated for a moment before stepping aside to allow her entrance. She walked in and perched herself on the edge of his bed, her eyes never leaving his.
"Ya know, I don't think we ever formally introduced ourselves before," Kaizer began, feeling a bit uneasy. "I'm Kaizer."
"I know." The silver-haired girl said, then introduced herself as Iris before moving on to the subject she came to talk about. "I wanted to talk to you about Zachary."
Kaizer's brow furrowed with confusion, and there was a tinge of anticipation in his chest. Did she know about what happened last night at prom? "Zachary? What about him?"
Iris leaned forward, her silver hair cascading around her shoulders. "I've known Zachary since he was a fledgling. He's always been a bit unpredictable, and he often has some sort of trick up his sleeve. Lately, something about him just doesn't sit right with me."
Kaizer's curiosity was piqued. "What do you mean?"
Iris sighed, her expression troubled. "I don't have all the details, but I've heard rumors and seen things that make me believe he's gotten himself involved in something dangerous. I don't want to see anyone else get caught up in whatever he's mixed up in."
Kaizer couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. He barely knew Zachary, and he certainly hadn't expected a warning from someone like Iris. "I appreciate your concern, Iris, but why are you telling me this? What does it have to do with me?"
Iris met his gaze with a seriousness that sent a chill down his spine. "I can't explain it all right now, but just remember this—stay away from Zachary's path. He's bad news, and I don't want to see you or anyone else get hurt."
As Iris rose to her feet and made her way to the door, Kaizer was left with more questions than answers. He watched her leave, her silver hair disappearing around the corner, and couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to Zachary's story than met the eye.