**Chapter 3: Farewell and New Beginnings**
It is six in the morning in a small town called Lustra. The sun, still drowsy, begins to gently spread its warmth over the world. In a small restaurant, on the first floor, soft moans rise, followed by a cry laden with sensuality.
— "Take me, my sweet Carl..."
Carl and a half-dryad abandon themselves to a feverish dance, filled with passion. He, the embodiment of walking death, and she, the incarnation of life, drawing from each other until the last drop of their energy.
Stronger, more virile than any human, Carl pounds into her with brutal and passionate intensity.
— "Oh yes... deeper," she moans.
In a surge of desire, Carl sinks his fangs into Stiff's neck, eagerly drinking her essence mixed with her human blood. A shiver of ecstasy runs through him as he feels his strength grow, his senses sharpen. Stiff, refusing to be merely prey, digs her nails into Carl's back. The pain awakens more bestial sensations in him, making him growl. His movements become faster, more intense.
— "Go on... devour me... take everything," Stiff gasps, hungrily seeking his lips.
With a fluid motion and inhuman speed, Carl pins her against the wall and thrusts into her even harder. His fangs tear her skin, sinking this time into her chest.
— "Ahhh... Yes!"
### **A Few Moments Later**
Now standing, Carl dresses slowly. He is no longer that fragile young boy. His slender, sculpted body is a work of art: milky white skin, crystalline white hair, and piercing green eyes. He is breathtakingly beautiful. At this moment, Carl is seventeen years old.
— "So, you're really leaving for Velmora, the number one academy on the continent?" Stiff asks, lying on the bed, feigning a pout.
— "Yes, this afternoon."
— "Are you really leaving your little dryad behind?" she teases, pretending to be upset.
Carl chuckles softly before replying:
— "With all your plans, you won't have time to be bored. Plus, you have an entire establishment to manage."
— "Yeah, taking care of those drunk idiots… Well, it pays, so I won't complain. But why that school in particular?"
— "Because it's going to be interesting. I had a premonition… That academy will be the starting point of my legend."
— "Hmm… And what exactly are your plans?"
— "I need to find my place in this society and build an empire. To do that, I must gain influence, find where to invest, and recruit trustworthy companions. Velmora is the perfect place."
Stiff slowly gets up and walks towards him.
— "Don't forget your favorite dryad," she whispers, kissing him softly.
Carl leaves the inn, thinking about his night.
— "Heh… In this universe, I'm a real Casanova," he murmurs with a smirk.
### **Back at the Joeblack Household**
Entering his home, Carl sees Rose and John deep in discussion. As soon as they notice him, they fall silent, staring at him with piercing eyes.
— "Still with that dryad?" Rose asks sternly.
— "Who knows… Maybe her, maybe someone else," Carl replies with a mischievous smile.
— "Well, our boy has grown up!" John chuckles.
— "I liked it better when you two were enemies," Rose pouts.
John glances at her.
— "Wait… Don't tell me you're jealous?" he asks in a dark tone.
Seeing an opportunity to tease, Rose adds mischievously:
— "Look at him carefully, he's become a man who can make any woman wet just by looking at him."
Carl, who was drinking milk, nearly chokes and spits it out, staring at Rose in shock.
John is speechless.
— "Heh heh… Even Rose can't resist," Carl thinks, his gaze lingering a little too long on the generous curves of the witch, who notices and subtly emphasizes them.
Suddenly, an intense killing intent crashes down on him. By reflex, he barely dodges a bullet imbued with a power capable of destroying the soul.
— "Damn it, John! It's not what you think!" Carl shouts, dashing away at full speed.
— "I'M GOING TO IMPALE YOU, YOU LITTLE BRAT!" John roars, chasing after him.
Rose bursts into laughter.
— "Ah… Everything is back to normal!"
### **The Departure for Velmora**
Around the table, the atmosphere settles. Rose, smirking, John still slightly annoyed, and Carl, smiling despite the recent chaos.
— "You've become strong. I can't contain you anymore," John thinks as he observes Carl.
Rose takes on a more serious expression.
— "This afternoon, you'll leave us… You've come a long way with us," she says, her voice slightly trembling.
— "Yeah…" John mutters, deep in thought.
— "Let's review your progress and your plans for Velmora."
Carl details his abilities, his evolution, his limits, and his objectives. John and Rose listen attentively.
_"As you already know, I have basic abilities such as super strength, super speed, super reflexes, and super senses. However, I thought that was all, but I was wrong. In addition to that, I have imperviousness, and I can negate gravity._
_Then, there are my special abilities: mind reading, hypnosis, and foresight. As for seeing the future, there are visions I can't control, which are spontaneous, and those I can control through physical contact. With the same physical contact, I can also see the past, which is much easier than seeing the future. My psychic abilities have developed to the point that if I enter someone's mind, I can cause them immense pain._
_Finally, there is my bloodline power, which I didn't know existed until recently. Apparently, my status as an original vampire and a patriarch makes my blood full of mysteries._
_First, I have an ability I call 'Liberation,' which means concepts affect me less. The stronger I become, the less any concept has an effect on me. For example, the concept of death has no effect on me._
_My second ability, which I call 'Desire,' is a dangerous one to use with caution. It allows me to manipulate concepts according to my will. As long as I can withstand the backlash of my creation, I can create almost anything—I just need the right materials._
_The most recent one, I call 'The Tree of Knowledge.' I can retain everything indefinitely, becoming a living library._
_And the more high-quality blood I drink, the stronger I become."_
— "That's quite the summary… And your bloodlust?" John asks.
— "I have complete control," Carl replies.
Rose: "And what about your weaknesses?"
— "I have almost none, but currently, a powerful witch can harm me, as well as hellfire. Any supernatural creature stronger than me can be a threat."
John nods.
— "It's true, you've become far stronger than us, and it will only increase. But our world is dangerous, and Velmora, in particular, is werewolf territory. You might find stronger opponents, so stay cautious."
— "I know, John," Carl replies seriously.
— "Alright, kid, your bus arrives in fifteen minutes. Let's go," Rose says, her eyes slightly teary.
At the station, they wait in silence. John finally breaks it.
— "So, what's your ultimate goal?"
— "To spread my lineage, recruit companions, and establish a lasting presence in the supernatural world," Carl says with determination.
The bus arrives.
Carl takes a deep breath.
— "Mother… Father… Damn, it feels weird to say it, but… Thank you for everything you've done for me…"
Before he can finish, John punches him on the head.
— "Idiot, don't make this awkward."
Rose remains silent before hugging him, tears in her eyes.
— "Goodbye, Mom."
As the bus departs, Carl hears their voices in his mind, thanks to Rose's magic.
— "Be strong, grow powerful, and build your empire. Show the world who you are," John says.
— "Stay away from evil, control your emotions, and don't become a beast. You have my full support, my son," Rose murmurs.
Carl closes his eyes and smiles. His destiny awaits at Velmora.