The large gates of Serolf Academy swung open. Xylon led the way, followed by the others. The two guards bowed as they passed.
"Are you all ready?" Xylon asked.
Everyone nodded. They all grabbed onto Xenon, who then teleported them.
They arrived at the boundary of the Academy, where the bus awaited to take them to the town. The driver bowed to them.
Xylon glanced back at the academy once more. "I'll be back soon, Jade," he whispered.
Then they boarded the bus and departed.
.
.
Yvess gently brushed Lilith's long hair. At first glance, they seemed like Yvess was the older sibling and Lilith the youngest.
"Sister, the prince is heading to the town with the other nobles today," Yvess informed her.
Lilith turned to him, her eyes reflecting worry. "Isn't that too risky?" she questioned.
A reassuring smile graced Yvess's lips. "They wield considerable power, so I believe they'll manage," he replied.
Their conversation was interrupted by the creak of the chapel gate swinging open. Yvess's expression turned to one of alarm as he rose to his feet.
"Grrr, how could someone breach our protective barrier?" he growled in frustration.
Lilith reached out to calm him down.
As the chapel door opened, Yvess was surprised to see Jade step inside.
"W-What are you doing here?" he asked, his surprise evident.
Jade, too, seemed taken aback by the unexpected encounter. "Y-Yvess? Do you know Lilith?" she inquired
Yvess glanced at Lilith, seeking clarification. "Sister, what is the meaning of this?" he inquired.
Lilith lowered her gaze, struggling to find the right words.
"Please, don't be upset with her. I happened to be wandering around when I stumbled upon this place. I saw her here before and felt compelled to visit again because we didn't get a chance to have a proper conversation when we first met," Jade explained.
"But how did you get in? No one else can enter here except me. The whole chapel is protected by a barrier, so it's strange that you got in," Yvess queried, his brow furrowed in confusion.
"Perhaps it's because she's human. You designed the barrier exclusively for vampires, after all," Lilith explained.
Yvess rubbed his temples in frustration and sighed.
Jade, sensing an unresolved matter, sought clarification. "Why have you confined Lilith here?" she asked, her concern evident.
Yvess's response was swift, filled with conviction. "Because I want to protect her, especially now that the chimeras are spreading," he explained earnestly.
Understanding dawned on Jade's features. "I see," she murmured thoughtfully.
Lilith, her attention drawn to the window, voiced a troubling premonition. "I sense impending danger... we must all exercise caution," she warned, her words weighted with urgency.
"What do you mean, sister?" Yvess inquired, his concern deepening.
Lilith met his gaze, her expression grave. "I can't say yet. Just be careful, everyone," she urged.
A silent exchange of understanding passed between Yvess and Jade as they absorbed Lilith's cautionary words.
.
....
Fall visited her sister Snow at their mansion. As she entered the room, a sense of dread washed over her at the sight of Snow's deteriorating condition, which seemed to worsen with each passing day.
"How is Snow, Father?" she inquired.
The chief minister shook his head. "As time goes by, Snow's condition continues to deteriorate. She's been harming the servants and even herself," the minister explained.
"Tss. This is the prince's fault! He has no mercy. I want to kill him!" Fall exclaimed angrily.
The minister chuckled. "Someone else will take care of him, Fall," the minister replied cryptically.
He signaled to a servant, and the door opened, revealing a woman who appeared like a doll.
"And who might she be, Father?" Fall asked.
"She is Love, my latest creation," the minister announced proudly.
Fall scrutinized Love closely. "A chimera? What can she possibly do? Vampires are undoubtedly stronger than chimeras," Fall remarked skeptically.
Love smiled cryptically.
"Don't underestimate her, Fall. She will be of great help to us," the minister insisted.
"Very well, Father," Fall replied, turning her attention back to Snow.
"How is Phoenix, by the way?" the minister inquired.
"That one is stubborn; he doesn't listen to anything I say," Fall grumbled.
"Hmm, perhaps it would be beneficial for him to experience some pain. If Jade were to end up with the prince, surely anger would fester in his heart. That's how we'll force him to seize the throne," the minister proposed cunningly.
A wicked grin spread across Fall's lips as she contemplated the minister's words.
.
.
Jade was walking back to her dorm when someone whistled at her. Tilting her head, she spotted Phoenix perched in a nearby tree, smiling at her. She waved back, and Phoenix quickly descended from the tree and approached her.
"Are you alone? Where are your friends?" Phoenix asked.
"I don't know. They mentioned something about heading home to visit their families," Jade replied.
They started walking together.
"I've noticed that everyone seems to be quite busy," Phoenix remarked.
"Indeed. Even Xylon ventured into town today," Jade said.
"Really? Well, that's good then," Phoenix said.
"Huh?" Jade's brows furrowed in confusion at his response.
Coming to a halt, Phoenix reached out and clasped Jade's hand in his own, his expression earnest.
"Jade... do I stand no chance with you? I love you, Jade, more than words can express... the thought of losing you is unbearable," Phoenix confessed, his vulnerability laid bare.
"P-Phoenix... what are you saying?" Jade's voice wavered, a mix of surprise and uncertainty coloring her words.
"Jade, I love you... I can offer you a love greater than Xylon's, if only you'll come with me," Phoenix pleaded.
As Phoenix leaned in for a kiss, Jade instinctively recoiled, taking a step back.
"I'm sorry, Phoenix... but my heart belongs to Xylon now," Jade uttered softly, her words hanging heavy in the air as she retreated into her dorm.
With Jade's declaration, a sense of devastation washed over Phoenix, his heart feeling as though it had been shattered into a million pieces. Anger flared within him, fueled by the realization that yet again, Xylon seemed to be taking everything away from him... even Jade. He was the one who had been there for her from the beginning, the one who had shared countless moments with her. It should have been him...
.
....
The sun was setting when Xylon arrived in town with his companions. They strolled through the marketplace, observing their surroundings. Blake paused in his steps when he noticed a familiar figure.
"Hey guys, isn't that Stephen?" Blake pointed out.
Xylon, Xenon and Heberlin quickly turned to look.
"It is indeed. Let's go approach him," Heberlin suggested.
Stephen carefully selected vegetables, grateful that there were still vendors open at this hour. He paused when he felt a shift in the atmosphere—a presence of vampires. He turned around and saw Xylon approaching.
"Your Highness..." Stephen greeted respectfully, quickly kneeling before them.
"Relax, no need for the formalities, mate," Xylon said with a chuckle, giving Stephen a reassuring pat on the shoulder.
Stephen rose to his feet, greeted warmly by Blake, who enveloped him in a tight embrace.
"Long time no see, bro. Why haven't you returned to the Academy?" Blake inquired.
"I've found solace in the simple life here in town," Stephen replied with a faint smile.
"It's obvious. You never used to enjoy market trips before, haha," Heberlin teased.
Stephen couldn't help but chuckle at the memory. "So, what brings you guys here?" he asked.
"We're here to investigate the recent attacks by chimeras," Xylon explained.
Stephen nodded solemnly. "They've been wreaking havoc, spreading fear among the townsfolk," he observed.
"You're right, that's why we need to take action," Xenon added.
"By the way, do you have a place to stay?" Stephen inquired.
Xylon and his companions exchanged glances.
"The truth is, not yet," Xylon admitted, his expression tinged with uncertainty.
Stephen fell into a contemplative silence, pondering their predicament.