"Let's go inside," Eryndor said as we moved toward the remaining hall.
As we stepped in, I immediately noticed it was larger than the previous ones. Looking down, I saw vampires sitting below as if they were in a classroom. Yet, something stood out—the vampires were children.
"This is the hall where kids chosen to become Astral Knights are trained. They learn everything they need to qualify as Astral Knights before moving on to Hall One," Father explained this time.
"How are these kids chosen?" I asked.
"They are orphans with great potential, children sold by their parents, or those abandoned and cast out of their homes," Father replied.
These children lived their entire lives within the facility, only permitted to leave after passing all eight stages of training.
"Anyone with potential can train to become an Astral Knight, but not many survive—or remain whole—after the eight stages," Eryndor explained.
"The children live here as they would in dormitories, provided with every facility to maximize their learning," Father added. I knew, given his soft-hearted nature, he would never let anyone harm or mistreat the children.
As I absorbed his words, something crashed against my legs. I looked down to find a small, innocent face gazing up at me. She was probably around three years old. Her light blue eyes widened with astonishment, her matching-colored hair swaying softly behind her.
"Sowy," she said in a delicate, childlike voice.
"It's fine," I replied, crouching to her level while signaling to Father, Eryndor, and the approaching guard to pause.
"Are you all right?" I asked gently. She nodded, her small frame moving with her head.
"What is your name?" I asked.
"Rubina," she answered in a sweet, clear voice.
"Well, my sweet Bina," I said, lifting her and setting her on my thigh. "Why were you running?" I asked.
"Bina?" she repeated, tilting her head curiously.
"Yes, that's a nickname. Do you like it?" I asked. She made a thoughtful expression before nodding.
"Yes, Bina likes her new name," she said with a shy smile.
"But nicknames are special," I whispered. "Let's keep this one just between us. Our little secret."
"Okay! Bina won't tell anyone," she replied with a delighted giggle, mimicking my hushed tone.
"Now, why were you running?" I prompted, pinching her round cheeks playfully. She hesitated briefly before her light blue eyes sparkled with realization.
"Bina was running," she said, pausing for emphasis.
"Because?" I urged.
"Bina likes running," she said simply, as though it were the most obvious thing in the world.
"That's a serious issue, then," I said with mock severity, my expression turning grave.
Her small face scrunched up in concentration, her childish features deep in thought.
"What if you bump into others?" I asked.
"Bina will say sowy," she declared with certainty, as though it resolved everything.
"But that's not the problem," I said seriously, making her ponder again.
"The problem is... what if someone gets hurt by Bina's cuteness?" I said dramatically, watching her eyes widen.
"I can handle it because I'm strong, but what about someone else?" I asked with exaggerated concern.
"Bina shouldn't run anymore," she concluded in her soft, serious tone, nodding firmly as if she'd reached a profound decision.
"Are you strong?" she asked suddenly, her curiosity piqued.
"Very strong," I replied, flexing playfully.
"Then Bina can run around you!" she declared, her logic impeccable. "You're strong, so you'll survive Bina's cuteness again."
"Fair enough," I said with a smile. "You can always run around me."
Her eyes lit up with joy. "Bina likes Uncle Angel," she said suddenly, beaming.
"Angel?" I repeated, intrigued.
"Your hair and eyes shine, and you didn't stop Bina from running. You're also really, really good-looking," she said, counting her observations on her tiny fingers. "So, Bina thinks you're an angel."
"You know what? Since Bina gave me a nickname, I'll accept it. But just like your nickname, let's keep 'Angel' our little secret," I whispered conspiratorially.
"Okay! Bina promises," she said eagerly.
"Now, off you go," I said, gently setting her down and standing back up.
"Will Uncle Angel come again?" she asked, her big blue eyes glistening with hope.
I hesitated, looking at her innocent face. "I'm sure we'll meet again in due time," I replied softly.
Her eyes grew teary, so I plucked a few strands of my silver hair, imbuing them with my essence. The strands wove together into a radiant, silvery bracelet.
I knelt, tied the bracelet around her wrist, and said, "Keep this so you won't forget your Uncle Angel. Work hard, and maybe we'll meet again."
Kissing her soft blue hair, I stood and turned away.
"That girl is from the House of Vleroth," Father explained as we left the hall. "Her parents died in our territory, and with no place to go but great potential, we decided to train her."
"Well, let me go back for now," I said to Eryndor, to which he nodded.
"Don't worry, Prince. I'll make sure to take good care of the girl and ensure your promise is fulfilled," Eryndor said.
"Good," I replied.
"I heard Lucian came back with you," Eryndor continued, to which I nodded.
"If he's teaching you, then I believe you know enough by now. You should continue training with him. If you wish to compete against other knights, you can come here once or twice a week," Eryndor advised. I nodded again before walking out of the long, dark corridor. A wall opened as we emerged, thanks to my father, and it closed behind us as we walked.
"I should go back now; I'm sure you have your own tasks to complete," I said.
"Before that," Father began, taking something from his pocket. It was a dark-colored bracelet with a gemstone inside.
"This is a bracelet, similar to my rings, giving you entry to the Inner Sanctum. However, only the one chosen to be the next King by the Council of Elders can wear it," Father explained.
"Have you taken care of that?" Father asked.
"Lucian Blackwood will certainly help me, and Yelena Llewellyn is under my control as well, so we will see results from her too. We just have to wait. The situation with the Blackwood family will turn bloody if they continue to oppose us," I responded, explaining the current situation. Father nodded in understanding.
"And the Rylan family is satisfied with you, I suppose?" he asked.
I nodded.
"Good, very good," he said.
"Here, take this," he said, handing me the bracelet. "In this case, I don't think it will be a problem."
I accepted the bracelet and fastened it around my wrist.
"Now I will be on my way," Father said before walking out of the living room.
I stood there for a moment, processing everything I had learned.
"This really has been a long day," I sighed, leaving the living room, only to come face-to-face with Rowena.
"Greetings, Prince," she said, bowing slightly while holding a tray in her hands.
"What's that?" I asked.
"This is food for Varena," she answered, causing a memory of the soft woman to stir within me, along with a surge of primal dark desire.
"I'll take it. You may leave," I said, taking the tray containing soup and a large mug of blood.
She bowed and left, and as I turned to walk, I carried the tray in my hand. My silver eyes glinted with malice as my semi-hard member created a noticeable outline against the white robe I wore.