Edmund held his breath and slipped past with steps as light as a whisper. He continued through the forest, his eyes constantly scanning for the other guards.
As he approached a clearing, he spotted another guard. This area had light so he couldn't use dark veil to just wander past.
The guard was also more alert with keen senses.
Edmund paused whilst considering his options. He decided to circle around, using the thick underbrush as cover.
Halfway through, a twig snapped under his foot. The guard's head snapped in his direction, and Edmund froze, willing himself to become one with the shadows. The guard sniffed the air, his eyes narrowing as he scanned the area.
After a tense moment, the guard turned away, convinced it was a false alarm. Edmund let out a silent sigh of relief and continued on his path.
He encountered two more guards, each one requiring a different approach. He used the natural cover of the forest, moving with the grace and stealth that only a vampire could achieve.
Finally, he saw the marker—a large, ancient tree with a distinctive hollow in its trunk.
With a surge, he darted towards it. His presence was concealed until the very end. He touched the marker just as the timer beeped, signaling the end of the exercise.
"Well done, Edmund," Lady Aisenburn said as she approached. "You completed the course without being detected."
Master Lucius nodded in approval. "Your stealth has improved greatly. Remember, the element of surprise is one of our greatest assets."
While they said this, each of them was screaming in their heads.
How did he manage to pull that off in one breath? What was even more concerning was the fact that even they couldn't sense him.
They were seasoned vampires specially picked by the emperor himself... They were no ordinary vampires and yet just like some lowly guards, they couldn't sense the presence of a newbie.
Two of them were not going to let their pride take a hit so they never mentioned it to each other.
Edmund allowed himself a small smile as his body thrummed with adrenaline. "Thank you. I'll continue to practice and refine my skills."
As they made their way back to the training grounds, Edmund felt a sense of accomplishment. He knew there was still much to learn, but he was making progress.
He never thought a day would come when he would feel what it was like to be a supernatural creature... Nonetheless, a royal vampire.
...
Another day had gone by and Edmund was yet in another training session.
They began with Blood Fusion, and Edmund concentrated on forming the blades once more. This time, he felt a deeper connection to the blood essence, the shapes coming more naturally.
"Excellent," Lucius praised. "Now, maintain control."
Edmund took a deep breath, focusing all his will on keeping the blades stable. They floated around him, sharp and deadly, responding to his every command. For a moment, he felt a surge of triumph.
"Yes, that's it!" Lady Aisenburn exclaimed, clapping her hands in delight.
But the blades wobbled slightly, and Edmund felt his concentration waver. The blood lost its form, splattering across the floor.
"Almost there," Lucius said encouragingly. "You're improving."
Edmund had managed to keep them active for a longer period this time.
They moved on to Internal Accumulation, and Edmund channeled his blood essence to his legs, feeling the power surge through his muscles. He took off running, and his speed and agility enhanced.
"Faster, Edmund!" Lucius called out. "Push yourself!"
Edmund pushed harder, feeling the exhilarating rush of power. He completed several laps before slowing to a stop.
"Well done," Lady Vivienne said, smiling. "Your control is improving every day."
The training session soon ended.
As night fell, Edmund returned to his chambers. He spent the next few hours practicing his light essence.
He noticed that he could draw light from the surroundings to enlighten his being in a type of way.
Besides this, he was starting to learn how to manipulate light within a certain range.
One thing Edmund noticed was that the system never displayed any abilities related to light essence. Only Blood Essence could be seen and he wondered why.
...
The night was still and quiet as Edmund roamed the darkened halls of the palace.
He was once again engaging in his other night activity.
This one included a desperate search for answers about his mother, Clarisse, and the circumstances of his birth—answers that his father stubbornly refused to provide.
On the previous nights, he had spent countless hours in the royal libraries, poring over old tomes and scrolls. While he had broadened his understanding of the world's history and geography, he had found nothing about Clarisse or her place in human society.
Tonight, he was determined to search a different area, hoping to uncover something, anything, that would shed light on his mother's past.
With his Dark Veil skill activated, Edmund moved like a shadow through the dimly lit corridors, blending seamlessly into the darkness.
The palace was a maze of hallways and hidden passages, but he knew them well. His feet carried him to a section of the palace rarely visited at this hour.
As he approached a corner, he heard hushed voices. Edmund pressed himself against the wall with his senses heightened. Peering around the edge, he saw a vampire in dark robes handing a small vial to someone who appeared to be a cook.
His curiosity piqued causing Edmund to focus on the conversation. The vampire in dark robes spoke in a low, conspiratorial tone. "Two drops of the vial should do the trick. The crown prince's essence will be overwhelmed from the inside out, and he will explode."
Edmund's blood ran cold as he heard his name mentioned. Realizing the gravity of the situation, he decided to follow them, using his Dark Veil to remain hidden.
The cook, a nervous-looking man with shifty eyes, nodded. "Understood. I'll make sure it's done during the banquet."
The vampire in dark robes nodded, his expression hard and calculating. "See that you do. If you fail, the consequences will be severe."
The cook gulped, visibly trembling. "Yes, of course. I won't fail."
As they parted ways, Edmund continued to follow the vampire in dark robes, keeping a safe distance. He needed to find out who this traitor was and who they were working for. The vampire moved swiftly through the palace but eventually vanished with a burst of red light.
Edmund looked around for him and rushed from place to place but he was gone.
Edmund's heart raced as he made his way back to his chambers.
The memory of the conversation he overheard echoed in his mind, and he couldn't shake the feeling of dread.
He had to find out who the vampire in the dark robes was and why they wanted to poison him.
He knew that as the crown prince, he would be scrutiny to a lot of sabotage but still visibly witnessing it was quite grueling.
Upon entering his room, he found Sasha waiting for him. "Edmund, you look troubled. What happened?" She voiced with a look of concern.
He took a deep breath, recounting the events of the night. "I followed a vampire in dark robes who was handing a suspicious vial to a cook. They mentioned my name and talked about using the vial to poison me. It will overwhelm my essence and make me explode."
Sasha's eyes widened in horror. "That's terrible! Did you find out who the vampire was?"
Edmund shook his head. "Not really, they vanished before I could properly identify them. But I got a good look at them. Tall, lean, with sharp features and a scar above their left eye."
Sasha frowned, deep in thought. "That sounds like Malachi. He's known for his alchemical skills and his... less-than-loyal tendencies. But we need to be sure."
Edmund nodded softly. "Can you find out more about him? We need to know why he wants to poison me and who he's working with."
Sasha's expression hardened. "Leave it to me. I'll find out everything I can about Malachi. In the meantime, you need to focus on preparing for the banquet."
Edmund sighed, knowing she was right. "Alright. The banquet is a day after tomorrow, and I need to make sure everything goes smoothly."
The next morning, Edmund rose early, ready to tackle the final day of preparation. He made his way to the training space where Lady Vivienne and Master Albus awaited him.
"Good morning, Your Highness," Lady Vivienne greeted him with a warm smile. "Today, we'll focus on refining your performance for the banquet. You must be flawless."
Master Albus nodded in agreement. "Remember, your highness, ball dancing with a partner is just as important as the royal dance. Let's begin."