The sun hung lazily in the sky, its golden rays drenching the academy grounds in warmth. Noah leaned against the cool marble of a statue, watching the scene unfold before him with the air of someone eternally unimpressed. Around him, students bustled about—some gossiping, others sparring—but it was all background noise to him. His sharp crimson eyes, faintly veiled by the enchantment of his bloodline, scanned the horizon.
It was a rare moment of leisure, one he didn't often allow himself. Yet as he stood there, basking in the afternoon light, an idle thought crept into his mind.
"So much for the myths."*
He raised his hand, letting the sunlight dance across his pale fingers. It was almost amusing. In the stories he'd read back in his previous life, vampires were creatures of the night, cringing away from sunlight as though it were acid. Yet here he was, a vampire in all but name, standing under the full glare of the sun without so much as a bead of sweat.
Noah smirked. **"Guess they got it wrong. Sunlight? A mild inconvenience, at best. Garlic? Don't make me laugh. Holy water? I'm more concerned about tap water's chlorine levels."**
His thoughts drifted to his status as a vampire. His bloodline, purer than any of the ancient remnants he'd read about, came with unique benefits—enhanced regeneration, superior physical abilities, and the ability to manipulate mana with frightening efficiency. But what really set him apart was the lack of weaknesses. Unlike the old vampires who once roamed this world, hunted to extinction by angry mobs or zealous adventurers, he was a new breed.
"The old ones preyed too openly, disrupted society, and were wiped out for their arrogance,"** Noah mused. **"But me? I'll hunt in shadows, take what I need, and leave no trace. No one will know."
---
Noah's thoughts shifted from himself to the world around him. This modern Earth was not a simple place. Humans weren't the only species to roam its streets and skies. Beyond the skyscrapers and bustling streets lay a hidden undercurrent of races: werewolves prowling the forests, their strength tied to their primal instincts; sorcerers who could manipulate elements with a flick of their fingers; fae who bent reality with their whimsical yet treacherous magics.
It was a world of predators and prey, and Noah had every intention of figuring out where he stood.
"The humans here cling to their technology and structures, blind to the fact that they share the earth with monsters,"** he thought. "And the monsters… They're complacent. None of them seem prepared for someone like me."
His lips curled into a dangerous smile. He wasn't content with just reading about these creatures in textbooks or watching the occasional documentary about "mythical beings" that barely scratched the surface. No, Noah wanted to confront them. He wanted to test his mettle against werewolves, to see if their fabled strength could match his speed and precision. He wanted to stare down a fae and see if their trickery could outwit his cunning.
Most of all, he wanted to fight sorcerers—those who wielded mana as naturally as breathing. They intrigued him. Could they overwhelm his vampiric nature, or would they crumble under the pressure of his raw, predatory power?
"This isn't about domination,"** Noah thought, though a part of him whispered otherwise. "This is about understanding. I won't underestimate anyone in this world. Not when I've yet to understand how deep its power runs."
---
His musings were interrupted by the sound of heels clicking against the stone path. Turning his head slightly, he saw her. Rina. A well-dressed, perfectly poised beauty with an expression that spoke of self-assured charm. She approached him with an almost predatory grace of her own, her intent plain as day.
Noah sighed inwardly. **"Another one?"** He'd seen this before—a wealthy student, no doubt sent by influential parents or driven by their own ambitions, trying to curry favor with someone they perceived as a rising star.
"Noah," Rina began, her voice honeyed. "I've been hearing so much about you. You're quite… extraordinary, aren't you?"
He turned to face her fully, his expression neutral. He didn't respond, letting her fill the silence with her carefully crafted words.
"I think we could be good for each other," she continued. "You're strong, driven, and destined for greatness. And me? I have connections. Influence. Together, we could achieve so much more."
Noah raised an eyebrow, a flicker of amusement crossing his face. She was bold—he'd give her that. But her approach was all wrong. Manipulation required subtlety, a delicate hand. What she was doing was no better than a clumsy beggar pawing at a noble's robe.
"No," he said bluntly.
Rina blinked, clearly caught off guard. "Excuse me?"
"I don't need your influence. Or your connections. What I need is for people like you to stay out of my way."
Her carefully crafted mask cracked for a moment, revealing a flash of irritation. She stepped closer, lowering her voice to a hiss. "Do you think you're above everyone else? Let me remind you, Noah, that power isn't just about strength. It's about alliances. And rejecting an offer like mine—"
Noah moved faster than she could react, his hand gripping her wrist with just enough force to halt her words. He leaned in slightly, his voice cold.
"You think I don't understand power?" he asked. "Let me educate you. Power isn't alliances built on lies. It's taking what you want because no one can stop you."
Rina's eyes widened, a flicker of fear creeping into her expression. Noah released her wrist and stepped back, his gaze dismissive.
"Don't waste my time again," he said before turning away.
---
As he walked back to the academy dorms, Noah's thoughts returned to the world around him. It was a world filled with intrigue, danger, and power. But he wasn't afraid. If anything, he was exhilarated.
Every race, every creature, every rival—they were all challenges waiting to be overcome. Humans, sorcerers, fae, werewolves, and whatever else lurked in the shadows of this world—he would face them all.
"This isn't my old life," Noah thought. "I can't do it alone this time. But that doesn't mean I won't be the one standing at the top. If there's strength to be found in this world, I'll claim it all."