"Who else hasn't checked theirs? Step up, please."
Esther Dawn had a strange expression on his face as he stared at the orb from a distance. As he walked his feet were heavy, as if he were marching towards death, and everyone could tell he didn't want to test the elements he was born with.
Keylan Light recognizes who he is when he gazes at Student Esther Dawn. He is Amber Dawn's older brother. Keylan Light, as the world's Heroine, knew practically everything about Amber Dawn. Not to mention that the Dawn siblings were born as Dhampir. A hybrid of human and vampire blood. He realized the boy's heritage couldn't be revealed in public like this, so he made a move in stealth and destroyed the orb.
Just as Esther Dawn's fingers touched the orb, fractures developed on it and it immediately dissolved into a pile of dust in front of everyone's sight.
"Oh! It overflowed. This might be due to three exceptional physiques. I'm sorry, Student Esther Dawn, you can no longer check your elements," remarked Instructor Keylan.
"It's okay, Instructor; it was an accident, and I already knew what my elements were, light and wind," Esther Dawn remarked with a smile. Yet deep down, he was relieved that he didn't have to admit that he could only employ the Darkness element during the Blood Race.
The two heirs and a former heir stood on the sidelines, observing the clearly strange and manufactured dialogue between Esther Dawn and Keylan Light. Since these three have never been friends and have a passionate dislike for each other, there is no way they wouldn't notice Esther Dawn's oddity throughout this event of identifying aspects of oneself. He is definitely concealing something from the rest of the audience and is unwilling to reveal that minor secret.
"You're right-hand man seems to have a secret that even you don't know," Conri Lycaon observed, "Is it truly only wind and light elements that Archbishop Dawn can wield?"
"There is no way to tell whether he is hiding it on purpose. His father was still on duty when he first entered the Templar Temple. How would I know if his information has been altered or not?" Asher Light said.
Athan Vladimir squinted his eyes at Esther Dawn and watched him from a distance. He is very sensitive to blood and shadows because it is what his race is generally associated with.
"That subordinate of yours. For some reason, even if it was thin... I can feel a feeling of familiarity emanating from him. Your person's secret doesn't appear simple at all," Athan Vladimir said, separating himself from the two.
The young werewolf king pats Asher Light's shoulder and said, "Ignore him. That fool doesn't change even after losing his position. But I think you should ask your friend about it, secrets were mostly the source of distrust between people."
"I know. There is no need to remind me twice." Asher Light said.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt---
The Mansion at the Edge of Genus Academy's Territory...
Cassius Ambrosia and Fenrir Skoll were having a candlelight dinner cooked by the Werewolf Ancestor at the time. He prepared some meals for his lover to consume and even injected his blood to ensure it was to his wife's liking. He offered unusual foods not available anywhere else on the globe. Each of them was offered a medium rare steak made from dragon's meat.
A salad created from edible herbs regarded as a treasure in this world was cooked in a bowl with mayonnaise produced from Phoenix eggs and other ingredients that can be called heavenly treasures.
This simple supper is a dinner offered to Gods for the people of the world. If Pope Kenan Light were here, he would certainly forget his decorum and demonstrate shamelessness unequaled in all worlds. Just one meal from the set was enough to keep him alive for a few hundred years.
Cassius Ambrosia examines each meal given to him by his mutt in silence. He never questioned him about where he got the stuff to prepare such a wonderful lunch for his tummy. He doesn't need to eat as a Vampire or Progenitor of Blood, and even drinking blood isn't necessary. It's only that he has to sleep for a while since this world lacks the energy to sustain his body. Yet, ever since Fenrir Skoll entered his home, all he provided him to eat was enough to refill his body's vitality and put a stop to his sleeping patterns, which had become erratic.
Before dining, Fenrir Skoll noticed his wife waiting for him and said, "Cass, wait for a bit. I'll bring the wine out so we can eat."
"I can wait."
Cassius Ambrosia said as he continues to observe the one person he has permitted to remain by his side. After all, not even Luther was allowed to remain in his home and live there. Only when it came to this werewolf could he no longer drive him away after allowing him into his castle.
Fenrir Skoll would make certain that the meals they ate every day were not replicated unless he specifically asked for it. Because of this, he was able to taste practically any delicacy that ordinary humans would never be able to experience in their lives. After all, the foods utilized in each meal were uncommon in this world. Some of it, such as dragons and phoenixes, does not even exist here.
The two would eat in silence as if they were accustomed to doing so. Hei Anjing, who loves to converse during meals, was even quieter than Ye Xiajie in this world. Following the dinner, the two would go for a walk around the academy before returning home to rest. They spent much of their time in the study or the library, as Cassius enjoys reading books. After serving some tea on the table, Fenrir would stay by his side in his wolf form and slumber, using his wife's lap as a pillow.
Cassius Ambrosia suddenly asked, "Skoll, I heard about what happened to the Pope. Did you do that?"
The black wolf on his lap languid opened his eyes revealing a pair of ruby eyes and heard him respond, "I didn't kill him. Just make sure he wouldn't be able to leave his Temple for a few years. The eyes he used to look at you were disgusting. If you hadn't stopped me I would have plucked his eyes and made him eat it."
"I've gotten used to those kinds of eyes. After all, it wasn't only humans who wanted to live forever." Cassius Ambrosia said.
Fenrir Skoll asked, "How about you... do you wish to live forever as well?"
"No... I am looking for a way to die. I've been alive ever since this world was made. But I was told that even though I was born here, I wasn't meant to be here. The heavens say that my life wasn't under their control so they couldn't put an ending to my life span."
"In the first few hundreds of years in my life, I used to live with others as well. Gradually, I noticed my difference from them. I stopped aging at the age of 25. Then watch all those who used to live by my side age and return to earth. Time passes and humans start to fear the one different from them. They started fearing me and one day they wanted to burn me alive."
"I was tied to a wooden stake and was burned by the people whom I tried to protect. They started calling it a monster or a demon. But even by burning I never die and would revive the next day as long as a bit of my flesh or blood exists. I can still remember what it feels like to be burned alive. It was painful at first but after experiencing it for a few hundred I got numbed by pain. Now even if I get my limbs cut even in my head, I can no longer feel pain. I can't die or feel anything. Skoll, do you think I am still alive?" Cassius Ambrosia asked.
Fenrir Skoll returned to his human form and hugged the waist of Cassius Ambrosia. He pressed his right ear above Cassius Ambrosia's chest and listened to his heart beating in a rhythmic pattern.
"As long as your heart is beating, you are alive, Cass. At least for me, I am extremely grateful that you are alive. That's all I have wished for." Fenrir Skoll said.
Cassius Ambrosia felt a stab of anguish in his chest. It was only a little moment, but he couldn't help but hug the man who was embracing him. The warmth emanating from this man's body helped him feel the warmth of life, and within his embrace, he experienced what it is like to be entirely protected. This warmth was too addictive for a man like him who had lived his entire life alone since birth, making it difficult for him to push away.
The Progenitor of Blood hugged Fenrir Skoll and whispered, "Alright then I shall stay with you as you wish. Then can you also fulfill my wish as well?"
"What is your wish, Cass? I will do my best to fulfill it." Fenrir Skoll said.
Cassius Ambrosia answered, "I wanted death. Can you give it to me?"
Fenrir Skoll, startled by his wife's remarks, lifted his head and looked into his beloved's glassy silver eyes. His wife's eyes convey generations of exhaustion, and it was logical for him to desire his death.
With his lips slightly shaking, Fenrir Skoll had no option but to say the words his lover had been longing to hear: "Alright, Cass, I will find a way."
Cassius Ambrosia witnessed the dwindling vitality inside those crimson eyes the minute Fenrir Skoll stated these words with a phony grin, and for some odd reason, he couldn't help but feel terrible. Regrettably, he lacked the fortitude to retract his statements. He had no idea how much he would regret this day when the time came.
---
At Luther D'Arcy's mansion...
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmLuther, the sole Duke-class vampire in his species, resides in a mansion that is only second in size to the Progenitor's Ancient palace. His mansion was built in an antique style, identical to his lord's castle. Formations were also used to maintain his place. He lives in the current age with a little gothic home design and a bit of modern furnishings. He has no relatives because the former did not produce any. Yet he has one individual who has bowed to his rule and is working for him as a spy.
Suddenly this spy appears in front of him, requesting permission to go for a short time.
Earl Thana Daybreak was his subordinate. Thana Daybreak kneels before Duke Luther who stands with his back in front of her and watches the moon beyond the window of his office.
"Why had you come here after I had given you your freedom? You shouldn't have come back and just watched over your children." Luther D'Arcy said.
Thana Daybreak responded, "I would like to ask the Lord's permission to make a move against the Templar Temple. Since the Pope is out of commission thanks to Skoll Ambrosia, this servant wants to attempt to save my husband from the Templar Temple."
"You are talking about that former Cardinal. He had the blood of the Pope. Are you sure you can trust him?" Questioned Luther D'Arcy.
Thana Daybreak said, "Luciel had already mixed his blood with him. I had only temporarily sealed most of his ability when he was caught to avoid being executed for turning into a vampire."
"He is already a Vampire. Then your daughter..."
"Yes, she was born with the blood of a pure vampire but had the same ability to wield light elements." Thana Daybreak stated.
Luther D'Arcy mumbled, "A Vampire capable of using Light elements. She is unique then... I will propose a condition for the Blood Clan to move with you."
"W-What is it, Lord Luther?"
"I want to place Amber Dawn as the next heir for the Clan of Blood. If the Progenitor allowed it she would be transformed to become a pureblood. If not then you can live as you wish... How about it?" Luther D'Arcy suggested.
Earl Thana Daybreak paused, as predicted. This is her last opportunity to save her spouse from the Templar Temple. The Pope was expected to stay incapacitated for at least a year or two. But she didn't want to accept without first consulting her daughter, so she couldn't say a word to the Duke.
"I am not in a rush. You can first have a reunion with your children. If you explain your husband's predicament... They will be happy to listen to the condition this duke had given you. Think about it for a bit. You may leave," Duke Luther remarked.
"Yes, thank you, my Lord!"
Thana Daybreak left the mansion dazed. She didn't know what she would do to meet her children and was afraid to see how they would react. After all, they were only kids when their family was forced apart. She looked at the moon above her head and murmured,
"Will my children be willing to accept a mother like me?"