Ugh, this is so boring. I shifted in my seat, propping my chin on my hand. If I had to hear one more word about Magion Consumption, I might just fall asleep right here.
"Ouch!" I yelled when I suddenly felt something hit my forehead.
"Silver, how many times do I have to tell you to pay attention in class?" the professor yelled furiously while repeatedly tapping his finger on a desk.
I could hear the laughter of the whole class, clearly enjoying the spectacle between me and the professor—not that I cared what they thought of me.
"Sir, I was listening. You didn't have to use magic," I said while rubbing my forehead. I was lucky he didn't use a higher-level spell; otherwise, it would have left a permanent mark.
The spell he used was low-level—no, it was even lower than a low-level Air Bullet.
This spell uses wind to compress the surrounding air into a single point so it can be fired like a bullet. How many times have I been hit by this? 156? Or was it 157? I can't really remember, but I do know it was a lot.
The professor clapped his hands to gather the attention of the whole class.
"Class, listen carefully. Tomorrow, all of you Newlings will undergo the Vampire Ceremony," the professor said with a serious expression on his face, much more serious than when he gives lessons.
"What? Isn't it too early?" a student in the classroom shouted.
"What's happening?" another shouted.
The classroom became full of uproar. The students were clearly afraid and anxious due to what the professor had just mentioned, myself included.
"Everyone, please quiet down," a soft and elegant voice said.
The whole class became silent, and everyone's eyes fell on a girl named Emily.
But…
How did she do that? How did she quiet the whole class? Her voice was softer than all the noise in the class. Was it some kind of magic?
No, that wouldn't be possible. Only a Vampire can use magic, not us Newlings. Does that mean… she's a noble? But why would she be in this class and not the one for nobles?
She stood up from her seat, her every move elegant—even the way she stood.
I was again reminded how beautiful this girl was. She was probably the most beautiful girl in our school.
Many were attracted to her.
I shifted my attention toward the clock.
When will class end? This is so boring.
We've already finished learning everything we could from Professor Muland.
I decided to listen to the conversation between Professor Muland and Emily to pass the time. It was... kind of interesting, after all.
"Professor Muland, if I may, can you please explain to us why the ceremony is taking place tomorrow?" she asked, her whole demeanor calm and elegant.
I too was wondering the exact same thing when he first said that. We Newlings are supposed to undergo the ceremony when we are 18 years old.
The reason for this is because our bodies are fully mature at that age. Our bodies now are still too young, it will limit the amount of magion—the magical energy—we can contain.
This will also mean that we'll be much weaker than a normal vampire, and there's the risk of our bodies breaking apart if we absorb too much magion.
"Very well, Miss Emily. The reason it's taking place tomorrow is because the higher-ups have issued it so. Even I don't know the reason for that," Professor Muland said while taking his glasses off and cleaning them with an old piece of cloth.
I don't know if anyone else noticed it, but that was a habit the professor had.
He only cleaned his glasses when he was hiding something from us—like the time he hid the reason for his absence, or the time he suddenly left class during one of his lectures.
And when we asked him the next day, he said something somewhat believable while cleaning his glasses.
What could he be hiding from us this time?
"Professor, is it because of the Fallen?" Emily asked.
"No, it has nothing to do with them," Professor Muland answered.
The Fallen? Where did I hear about them again?
Ah, the professor mentioned them once. They are Vampires who choose to drink blood.
Even though I instantly knew what the professor said was a lie and that it probably had something to do with the Fallen, there was nothing I could do.
I was just a Newling—and not even a Vampire yet.
The professor then put his glasses back on his face.
"Okay, students, that's it for today. Remember to come prepared tomorrow," he said while walking toward his desk and sitting down right after.
I was completely caught off guard today. Tomorrow, I become a full-fledged Vampire.
I expected to wait another two years, but the thing I'm most excited about is the fact that I'll be able to use magic.
When a Newling becomes a Vampire, we gain the ability to use magic.
It is completely based on luck as to what magical element you'll be able to use.
And if we're extremely lucky, we can get up to two elements. I wonder what element I'll get—fire, water, or wind?
If I get wind, I can finally get the professor back for all the Air Bullets he used on me.
Well, I guess it's time I headed home.
As I made my way out of class and was about to step outside into the sunlight, I heard someone yell:
"Be careful, or you'll turn to ash!"
He laughed loudly.
Is it that joke again? I know it's just a joke, but isn't it a bit too disrespectful?
This is a joke pretty much everyone my age knows.
We vampires are different from the oldest generation. We can walk and stay out in the sun all day, unlike them, and we don't suck blood.
Instead, we absorb the magion of a creature to gain a percentage of it, which increases our magion.
The first time we Newlings do it is the moment we become true Vampires.
But… still, to joke about something like that is a bit…
I bet they'd get killed on the spot if they said that in front of the old generation.
"But isn't it a bit too hot today? I might as well turn into ash," I said to myself while wiping the sweat from my forehead and taking off my jacket.
I then decided to walk home in this unnatural heat.
I lived alone. My parents died when I was still young, and I had no other family members.
A Lord—or should I call them Vampire Lords?
They are Vampires that have lived for thousands of years.
One such Lord provided me the house I live in now. He also sends me money every month for things like clothes and food.
"Marcus… I wonder what he's doing now," I said aloud while walking home.
***
(Marcus's POV)
"So... you've decided to take this path, my son," I said in a calm tone, knowing that my end was near.
"Father... it didn't have to come to this!" my son shouted loudly, pointing his blade at me.
"Did you really think I would join the ranks of those filthy Fallen for something as feeble as power?" I yelled, clenching my fists, my voice full of rage.
My son, the one I raised, had become a Fallen... where did it all go wrong?
"Then you'll have to die here!" he screamed, his face full of tears, his sword approaching me very slowly.
No, it wasn't slow—it was just that I was faster than his sword. I could dodge.
But then what... could I really kill my son?
Sarah would probably hate me.
I'm sorry, Sarah, for not raising our child correctly. I'll be joining you shortly.
I allowed his sword to pierce my heart. The pain was nothing compared to losing Sarah.
So this is what it feels like to be on the verge of death.
How many years have I lived? Ten thousand, or maybe more?
I feel weak. My body won't listen to me as I try to move my arm toward my son's head.
I wanted to pat him one last time. He used to love it when he was a child.
My vision is getting blurry. I muster the last of my strength to speak.
"My son... I love you."
These were my last words. As I was about to fade away into the dark, I could feel my son holding me. How long has it been...