Leo's vision cleared, and he saw a tall figure stepping out of the portal, casting an enormous shadow over him. It was Lord Valentine himself. Leo's heart raced—this was the last thing he expected. He was exhausted, barely able to move, and still reeling from Kim's betrayal. He had the sword of the first Vampire King in his hand, but would it be enough?
Lord Valentine surveyed the scene with a stern expression. The rain suddenly stopped, as if Valentine himself had commanded the storm to halt. "Leo," he said, his voice steady but commanding, "what are you doing here?"
Leo's mind raced. He feared that Lord Valentine had come to punish him. In a desperate attempt, he mustered the last of his energy, hoping to challenge Valentine. Leo's dark power flared for a brief moment, but before he could make a move, everything went black.
When Leo opened his eyes, he was in his room in the vampire castle. He blinked, trying to piece together what had happened. The last thing he remembered was collapsing in front of Lord Valentine. Now he was safe, but unsure of his fate.
There was a knock on the door. Leo got up, opened it slowly, and found himself face-to-face with Lord Valentine. Leo's heart pounded as he prepared to defend himself, but something was different. Lord Valentine seemed calm and spoke gently.
"Leo," he began, "there's no need to be afraid. I'm not here to punish you." Leo felt a wave of relief wash over him, but he couldn't help asking, "Why?"
Lord Valentine explained, "I was watching you and Kim the entire time. I know what happened. Kim… he was a good man, but something dark awakened in him. It wasn't your fault, and I do not blame you." Leo felt a mixture of relief and sadness. He had been prepared to face consequences but was instead met with understanding.
Valentine continued, "As for the power you unleashed—the dark flames—it's something unusual and rare. We don't fully understand it yet, but I intend to help you control it. From tomorrow, you will attend the academy with my other grandchildren. They know nothing of your secrets, but they will be there to support you. Tonight, I'll introduce you to them."
Leo nodded, grateful and surprised by Valentine's kindness. Lord Valentine felt like a father figure, a feeling Leo hadn't experienced in a long time. Raised by his aunt, he hadn't known a father's presence, and he felt an unexpected warmth.
That evening, Lord Valentine invited Leo to tea in a grand room of the castle. Leo stepped inside and saw four people already seated at the table. Lord Valentine gestured for him to sit.
"These are my grandchildren," he said. "They are your new companions."
One by one, they introduced themselves. Terra, a girl with fiery red hair, looked around Leo's age, about 18. Camy, with cool blue hair, also seemed 18 and had a friendly grin. Glory, a girl with long, golden hair, appeared older, perhaps in her twenties. She worked in the royal library. Finally, Rin, with sharp blue hair and a strong presence, was the eldest at 28 and served as a commander in Valentine's army.
Leo felt a bit shy, but each of them smiled warmly at him. Lord Valentine introduced him as "Leon," a young man from the borderlands, who was now under his care. Leo was relieved they seemed to accept him without hesitation.
After tea, everyone went to their rooms, leaving Leo feeling a strange sense of belonging. The next morning, he woke up early, ready to start his new life at the academy. Just as he was about to leave, someone knocked on his door. It was a woman in a crisp uniform, her expression kind and composed.
"Master Leon, I'm Viola, your new butler and guardian," she introduced herself with a slight bow. "I'll be accompanying you to the academy. I hope we get along."
Leo smiled, feeling at ease with Viola's calm demeanor. As they traveled to the academy, Leo took in his surroundings, marveling at the grand architecture of the vampire city and the lush landscapes that stretched beyond.
At the academy, Leo felt slightly out of place, but Terra greeted him warmly, and he soon found himself fitting in. He introduced himself to the class and noticed curious stares from some of the other students, but they quickly returned to their lessons. During lunch, he sat alone, eating quietly, when suddenly, Glory appeared beside him.
"Mind if I join you?" she asked, smiling as she placed her lunch tray next to his. "Welcome to the family, Leon. I know it must be overwhelming, but if you need any help, just ask me."
Leo appreciated her warmth, and they exchanged a few words before she had to return to her duties in the library. For the first time in a long time, Leo felt he was not entirely alone.
---
Meanwhile, in the human world, the scene was tense. In a secret base hidden deep within the human kingdom, a messenger arrived before King Lucus. The messenger hurriedly explained the situation.
"Your Majesty, Leo has gone missing. He was selected for a special mission, but now we cannot locate him."
King Lucus raised a hand, a knowing look in his eyes. "I am aware of where he is," he replied calmly. "I saw everything that happened."
The messenger was taken aback, shocked that the king knew Leo's whereabouts. He leaned forward, eager for an explanation.
King Lucus continued, "Leo has been taken by the vampire nation."
The messenger's eyes widened. "The vampire nation?" he echoed, unable to hide his surprise. "But… why?"
The king leaned back, his gaze steady. "There are many mysteries surrounding that boy. He possesses a unique power—one that not even the vampires fully understand. For now, we'll allow him to stay there. He may learn things that will be crucial for the upcoming war."
The messenger nodded, sensing the weight of the king's words. "Shall we attempt a rescue, Your Majesty?"
King Lucus shook his head. "Not yet. Leo's presence in the vampire world may be part of a larger plan. Let us wait and see how events unfold."
---
Back at the vampire academy, Leo was adjusting to his new life. In the following days, he studied with Terra, Camy, and the others, feeling a sense of normalcy. But his nights were haunted by dreams of the dark flames he had unleashed and the mysterious power he couldn't quite control.
One evening, after his studies, he was summoned to meet Lord Valentine. They met in a secluded room filled with ancient artifacts and scrolls. Lord Valentine handed Leo a small pendant with a glowing stone embedded in it.
"This will help you channel your power," he explained. "But it will also test you. If you can learn to control it, we may understand more about your abilities."
Leo took the pendant, feeling its strange warmth in his hand. He felt a surge of determination, ready to face whatever lay ahead.
But he also knew that his journey had only begun.