Lily sensually sucked Victor's lips while making eye contact with Edmund like she was trying to get some kind of reaction from him.
Edmund on the other hand got a few flashbacks of the past before he stopped attending the vampire academy.
'Ohh... Is this supposed to be some kind of teenage romance payback?' Edmund turned to the side and carried on with what he was doing.
He ignored everyone in the surroundings and began swinging at another dummy.
Lily had a slight look of discontent as the sound of the clangs drifted into her ears. She dislodged from Victor and pulled him away.
"Feel free to ask for pointers whenever, Your Highness," Victor's voice was filled with ridicule as he followed Lily away from the training grounds.
Edmund kept at what he was doing, feeling like he was slowly getting the hang of the sword's weight.
Lucien watched from a distance and shook his head; 'What a disgrace to the royal bloodline! He has to go!' He clenched his fist in frustration.
-
The rest of the day passed in a blur of classes and training sessions. Edmund worked to make sure he attended every single one of them and for the first time, the teachers were surprised to see him paying prompt attention.
That evening, as he returned to the palace, Edmund recounted the day's events. The academy was incredibly massive with many numerous structures and even isolated areas used for a variety of events.
He had gotten a map so he knew exactly where the red-horned dragon was located. According to what he knew, it was imprisoned underneath a restricted castle behind the area of magical beasts. Students could go anywhere except there because it was deemed too dangerous.
Edmund would have sneaked there but unfortunately, with so many eyes on him due to his sudden return, he never got the chance.
He'd have to wait for the buzz to die down before he would get the opportunity to sneak away to the restricted castle and retrieve a red-horned dragon scale.
Back in his room, Edmund found Sasha waiting for him. Her eyes sparkled with amusement and mischief upon spotting him.
"How was your first day back?" she asked with a look of genuine curiosity.
"Challenging," Edmund admitted.
She gave him a stare that said 'Keep going'.
"Those kids are too damn noisy and nosy... Darkblorne Vampire Academy? More like Academy for Infants," Edmund voiced while shaking his head.
"Hahaha! You could have just whipped them, Your Highness," Sasha laughed as Edmund recounted some of his experiences.
"Do they always have to remind me about my locked essence?" Edmund rolled his eyes.
"Well, you knew what was coming when you decided to head back. It is quite surprising you went a whole day without punishing anyone," Sasha smiled warmly while getting up from the bed to help Edmund out of his outfit.
"I wasn't buying the change earlier..." Sasha added with her smile widening. "You're making progress."
"I wasn't able to get to the restricted castle... too many eyes," Edmund said as she unfastened all of his buttons.
"The right opportunity will come soon... Or better still, you can create it," Sasha pointed out before moving towards the bathroom.
"Create it? ~sigh~" Edmund let out a sigh while standing in place.
"I've prepared a warm bath for you, Your Highness," Sasha gestured at Edmund to come into the bathroom.
"You can go back to pondering after you take your bath and have a meal," She added.
Edmund did as she told and they later spent the rest of the evening discussing strategies and plans.
...
...
...
The sun had barely risen over the Vampire Academy, casting long shadows across the ancient stone buildings.
Inside one of the grand lecture halls, students were already gathered with mixed expressions of anticipation and boredom. Edmund sat among them, trying to blend in despite the whispers and occasional glances thrown his way.
The teacher stood at the front of the room as his silver hair gleamed under the flickering candlelight. His presence commanded respect, his voice carrying the weight of centuries of knowledge and experience.
"Today, we will discuss the dynamics between the vampire kingdom and the other species that inhabit our world," the vampire professor began. "It is important to understand not only our own strengths but also the threats we face and the delicate balance we must maintain."
He paced the length of the room, his eyes scanning the attentive faces of his students. "The vampire race is one of the most feared and respected in the current world. Our strength, agility, and ability to manipulate blood essence and the minds of other living creatures make us formidable opponents. However, this power also makes us a target."
The professor paused to let his words sink in. "Many kingdoms, including those of the lycans, elves, dwarves, druids, and other supernatural beings, view us as a threat. Our history is filled with conflicts and wars, and though we have emerged victorious many times, it has come at a great cost."
A student raised his hand, and the professor nodded at him. "Yes, Felix?"
Felix was a tall athletic vampire with sharp features and calm blue eyes. "Professor, what about humans? How do they fit into this dynamic?"
"Excellent question, Felix," the professor replied. "Humans, despite their physical weaknesses compared to us possess a unique trait: adaptability. They are resourceful and, if they possess magic, can be quite dangerous. However, from a vampire's perspective, humans remain the best flavor when it comes to blood. Their blood is rich and satisfying, making them a preferred source to help in cultivating blood arts."
There was a murmur of agreement among the students. Edmund listened intently, absorbing the information. He had heard some of this before but never in such detail.
"However," the Professor continued, "we must exercise caution. While some human cities have entered into truces with the vampire kingdom, allowing us to coexist peacefully, not all humans are bound by these agreements. There are areas where vampires are free to hunt, but one must always be vigilant. A skilled human with magic can turn the tide of a confrontation."
The room fell silent as the gravity of the professor's words hung in the air. "This brings us to an important point," Professor Marlowe said as his tone grew more serious. "Vampires are not allowed to leave the Darkblorne Kingdom unless their essence is cultivated to a grand level, they are a part of the vampire army or they have become hunter vampires. The world outside our borders is fraught with danger. Many species hate us and would seize any opportunity to eliminate us and so therefore this rule is put in place by the royal family themselves to ensure preservation. Only those who have proper permits may be free to leave without issues."
Edmund took note of these points and stored the information away for future use.
The class continued with discussions about the political and social dynamics between vampires and other species, providing a comprehensive understanding of their world.
After the class, Edmund gathered his belongings and made his way to one of the training grounds for sword training.
The corridors were bustling with students, each one focused on their next task. As he walked, he noticed a commotion ahead. His curiosity was piqued as he quickened his pace.
He rounded a corner to find Lucien and a group of his friends surrounding a smaller vampire student. The boy, who looked no older than fourteen, had dark hair and large, frightened eyes. Lucien was holding him by the collar with a condescending smile on his lips.
"Please, Your Highness, I didn't mean to," the boy stammered, his voice shaking.
"Didn't mean to what, Jamie?" Lucien sneered. "Didn't mean to show your pathetic face in my presence? Didn't mean to help Rukia out with her punishment?"
The boy's eyes welled with tears, and he struggled to break free. "I couldn't just sit by and watch... I'm sorry, I swear."
Edmund stepped forward as his voice cut through the tension. "That's enough, Lucien. Let him go."
Lucien's eyes narrowed as he saw Edmund. "Ah, if it isn't the crown prince," he said mockingly. "What's the matter, Edmund? Come to play hero? When did you suddenly become a do-gooder?"
"Let him go," Edmund repeated with a firm tone.
Lucien laughed, a harsh, grating sound. "Why should I? I'm dealing with a person accordingly."
Edmund took a step closer, his eyes locking onto Lucien's. "Because if you don't, you'll have to deal with me."
"Didn't I tell you to stay out of my way?" Lucien's expression sank as he voiced with a straight face.
"Last I checked, I'm still the crown prince. Which means my authority is higher than yours... Don't force my hand," Edmund retorted with a stern gaze.
There was a moment of silence as the tension in the air deepened for a few seconds. Lucien's friends shifted uncomfortably, glancing between the two who were staring hard at each other.