Third Day of Training.
Vince looked up at the bright blue sky.
He had expected Raine to bring him to another body of water, but this time she had brought him to an open field not far from the manor.
The weather was pleasant, and the breath of fresh air was relaxing for him.
"Take a deep breath and let the energy of nature fill your body," Raine said with a smile, standing in front of Vince.
"Your body's state is good enough, but your soul force," she shook her head, "isn't growing and isn't circulating in your body properly. What should I do with you, hmm?"
That morning, before leaving the house, Raine had asked a physician to come to the manor. She had Vince examined because she couldn't understand why he was still dormant when his physical condition was good.
One didn't have to learn martial arts before their power cores awakened. But with Vince's condition, it was as if something was blocking his soul force from doing what it was meant to do.
"How did you awaken?" Vince asked curiously.
In the past couple of days, during his free time, he had visited the manor's library to read books about this world and gain more knowledge.
From what he knew, awakening one's power core wasn't that hard. Some didn't have to do anything because it happened naturally as they hit puberty. Others, those with powerful bloodlines, awakened from a very early age because they had strong soul force from birth.
How does one awaken the power core? By cultivating one's soul force.
To cultivate the soul force, one must be mentally and physically stable. The soul force of every creature drew energy from nature, and that energy must flow throughout the body properly.
The key to awakening one's power core was to feel the energy of nature and to perceive oneself as one with nature, utilizing it.
Vince didn't know how to feel nature with his soul as if they were one, so he believed that was the reason why he couldn't learn to cultivate his stagnant soul force.
"It happened unexpectedly," Raine answered. "I didn't even know what was happening at the time. I was very young, just eight."
Vince's lips parted. From what he had read, people usually awakened their power cores when they reached a certain age, as if it were part of puberty. This happened because the body and mind were mature enough to connect with the energy of nature.
But how could an eight-year-old be ready for that? Vince was truly surprised.
"Are you serious?"
"Yes, I am very serious. You may find it unbelievable, but it's true. I am a gifted one, you see."
Raine smiled with childlike innocence, her smile bright and her eyes gleaming.
"How did it happen exactly? I'm so curious."
"Let's discuss it later. The person we're waiting for is here."
Noticing that Raine was looking over his shoulder, Vince glanced behind him. His eyes narrowed. What was he doing here?
"Vice-captain Nyx!" Fiona chimed as she perched on a tree, eating peanuts before flying toward the man.
Vince rolled his eyes. He was certain his sassy cat had a crush on this Dracula. He couldn't see why the man would be attractive to anyone.
Well, he did have a good sense of fashion.
The man was dressed in a long black overcoat that reached below his knees, with silver piping along the edges and a high collar. Underneath the overcoat was a black detailed waistcoat with multiple buttons, black trousers and boots, and black gloves.
Like how Vince had seen him yesterday, Nyx's hair was messy, and there were shadows under his eyes, as if he hadn't been sleeping for days.
But other than that… well, maybe he looked a little pleasant.
"Captain." Nyx offered Raine a small bow.
"Hello, Nyx. This is Vince. I'm sure you've heard about him."
Raine turned to Vince. "Vince darling, this is Nyx, my vice-captain. He will be of great help during your training."
Nyx looked at Raine with a subtle scowl, as if complaining.
"He will help me train?" Vince smirked, not missing the defiance on Nyx's face. "He doesn't look willing, though. Maybe you should just train me all by yourself, Raine."
Fiona suddenly flew beside Vince's head.
"Master Vince, you shouldn't refuse when someone offers help. The entry exam will be next month, and you still haven't awakened. Don't you know that Vice-captain Nyx is a very well-known fighter all over the city? Lady Raine can help you, that's a given, but help from two is always better than one."
The cat then turned to Nyx. "My master doesn't know a thing about fighting, so I apologize on his behalf, Vice-captain Nyx. Please teach him how to fight. It would be a great honor for him!"
Vince glared at the talkative cat. He found Raine smiling at him sweetly and sighed.
"Vince, I hope you understand. I am capable of mentoring you myself, but I have matters to attend to, so I asked Nyx to train you in my place. In my team, he is the best person to teach you how to use your body in a fight and also how to handle various weapons."
Although he didn't like the vibes of the Dracula guy, Vince knew it would be childish to refuse. Raine was already doing him a favor, going to such lengths to help him awaken his power core.
She might have her own motives (God knows what they were), but for now, he needed to rely on her if he wanted to grow powerful and establish a strong foothold in this world.
"Don't be too harsh on him, Nyx, okay?"
"I can't promise that, Captain."
Raine's sweet aura vanished, and the air turned icy in an instant.
Vince got goosebumps, but what surprised him was that Nyx didn't look the least bit worried. He was the very definition of a nonchalant guy, and Vince couldn't help but admire him. The dude sure had guts!