"Impressive," Master Lucius said, his tone betraying a hint of awe. "But maintaining control is key."
Edmund nodded as his brow furrowed in concentration as he tried to maneuver the blades. They floated around him, spinning and slicing through the air. For a moment, he felt a surge of triumph.
But the feeling was short-lived. The blades began to wobble, losing their sharpness. The blood lost its cohesion and, with a splattering sound, reverted to its liquid state, splashing across the floor and staining the nearby walls.
"Damn it," Edmund cursed under his breath.
Master Lucius stepped forward, his expression serious but not unkind. "Do not be discouraged, Your Highness. What you attempted is far beyond what many vampires can achieve, even those much older and more experienced."
Lady Aisenburn nodded in agreement. "Most blood essence users can only control their own blood. What you did, manipulating the blood of another creature, is extraordinary."
Edmund sighed while wiping his forehead. "Thank you. I know I need more practice. Let's move on to Internal Accumulation."
He closed his eyes, focusing inward. He visualized his blood flowing to his legs and calves, pooling there to enhance his strength and speed.
A warm sensation spread through his lower limbs, and when he opened his eyes, he felt a surge of energy.
"Now, run," Master Lucius commanded.
Edmund took off, sprinting across the space with incredible speed. The air whistled past him, and his feet barely seemed to touch the ground. He felt like he was flying as his body moved with a fluidity and grace that astonished him.
"Excellent, Edmund!" Lady Aisenburn called out. "Keep going!"
After several laps around the hall, Edmund slowed to a stop, breathing heavily but feeling exhilarated. "That felt amazing," he said, grinning.
Master Lucius nodded approvingly. "Well done. Your control over Internal Accumulation is improving. Remember to practice regularly to maintain and enhance your abilities."
-Three Days Later
Despite his progress, Edmund still struggled with the intricate steps of the vampire royal family dance. The movements required a level of precision and grace that he found challenging to master.
"Relax, Edmund," Lord Hadrien advised as he demonstrated the steps. "Let the music guide you."
Edmund tried to follow the rhythm, but his feet seemed to have a mind of their own. He stumbled, nearly tripping over his own shoes, and felt a flush of embarrassment.
He had learnt most of the dance but some parts were proving much difficult to master
Seraphina who had been observing from a distance, stepped forward with a smile. "Mind if I join?"
Edmund looked at her gratefully. "Please. I could use all the help I can get."
Seraphina took his hands and began guiding him through the steps. "Remember what I told you before. It's all about feeling the music. Don't overthink it."
Her presence was calming, and her playful encouragement made the process more enjoyable. As they danced, Edmund found himself easing into the movements once again.
"That's it," Seraphina said, smiling. "You're getting it."
They danced for a while longer, and Edmund's confidence grew with each step.
As another training session ended and the sun dipped below the horizon, Edmund returned to his chambers. He felt exhausted but satisfied with his progress.
After a quick bath and a change into more comfortable clothes, he sat by the window, gazing out at the night sky.
Sasha entered. "How is it going?"
He smiled while loking at her. "I feel like I'm finally making progress. It's much different from when my essence was locked. People look at me in a different light."
She took a seat beside him. "People always switch up at certain moments. Remember to rest well this night. You need your strength for the days ahead."
Edmund leaned back, closing his eyes for a moment. "I will. But I need to train my light essence tonight."
Sasha frowned slightly. "You must be careful, Edmund. If anyone discovers you're training a light essence…"
"I know," he said, his voice firm. "But I need to. I can't keep focusing only on Blood. There's no point in having a power if I don't use it."
Sasha sighed but nodded in understanding. "Alright. Just be cautious."
As midnight approached, Edmund made his way to a secluded part of the palace grounds, a small garden bathed in the silver light of the moon. He took a deep breath, feeling the cool night air fill his lungs.
Closing his eyes, he focused inward, seeking the light essence within him. He felt a warmth spread through his chest, a gentle, comforting glow that contrasted sharply with the intense, often violent power of his blood essence.
"Focus..." he whispered to himself. "Feel the light."
He raised his hands, visualizing the light flowing through him, extending outward. A soft, radiant glow began to emanate from his palms, illuminating the garden around him.
The light felt pure, soothing. It was a different kind of power, one that brought a sense of peace rather than darkness and lust. He concentrated, trying to shape the light as he had done with the blood earlier.
Slowly, tendrils of light began to form, swirling and dancing in the air. They took on shapes, delicate and intricate, like threads of pure energy.
For a moment, he lost himself in the beauty of the light, feeling a sense of calm and clarity.
"Hmm I need to understand the application of light essence... Is it just flashy or..." Edmund raised his palm and an orb of light appeared above it.
He flicked his wrist forward, causing the light to dash across the place.
His eyes widened as it burnt through a wall up ahead.
"Oh shit... That's not..."
Edmund swiftly turned around to flee.
...
...
...
The next morning Edmund made his way to his training session. The days had become a blur of relentless preparation, each one filled with etiquette lessons, dance practices, and rigorous training in his blood and light essences.
He hadn't attended classes at the Vampire Academy for up to a week at this point. His focus was entirely on ensuring he wouldn't disgrace the vampire royal family during the upcoming banquet.
As he entered the training room, he was greeted by the stern faces of his instructors. Master Lucius and Lady Aisenburn stood ready to put him through another round of demanding exercises.
"Good morning, Your Highness," Lady Aisenburn began, her voice as gentle as her demeanor. "Today, we will continue refining your control over Blood Fusion. Remember, the key is to maintain focus and let your blood essence guide the form."
Edmund nodded while rolling up his sleeves. "I'm ready."
Master Lucius stepped forward, his expression as severe as always. "We've also prepared a special exercise for you to perform during the banquet. It's a display of your power over blood essence. A demonstration that will show our guests the true power of the crown prince and shut the mouths of those who had once doubted."
"Understandable..."
Edmund made a small cut on his palm, watching as the blood welled up and then quickly healed. He let a few drops fall into the bowl of blood in front of him, concentrating intensely. The blood began to bubble and shift, responding to his will.