«Oh, the Visflamma...» Clotilde mutters, tearing into a piece of at straight from the bone. «I never imagined that boy would reach such a level of strength in just over ten years. His talent is truly remarkable; I really think I’ll propose he join the Scarlet Army soon,» she adds, wearing a rare, almost unusual smile. Seeing her genuinely pleased with sothing is a rarity—I think this is the first ti.
We are seated at the grand table in the castle’s main hall, as usual at dinnerti. Calling this room ’futuristic’ wouldn’t quite capture it; it feels more like the lavish living room of an ultra-luxury apartnt. Instead of walls, there is a special kind of glass that overlooks the vast garden, allowing us to see everything outside while keeping those outside from looking in. The decor is surprisingly minimalistic, with a color sche of white and beige. A massive rock stands in the center of the hall, from which elegant waterfalls and small streams flow, creating a soothing atmosphere reminiscent of a Zen garden. Honestly, it looks more like a billionaire’s dining room than that of a vampire family...
On one side of the table sit Clotilde, Levreshka—Syrius Vondler, the teleportation officer and her bodyguard, standing behind her—and Sasha. Across from them are Ayra, myself, Daphne, and Gerard. Yes, even Gerard. Ever since the night of the battle, Levreshka has treated him with less cruelty than usual. Perhaps—or rather, certainly—it’s because of the massive jump in ranking that the dormitory’s survivors have experienced. With over 800 familiars from Lunae Novae now gone, those who remain have automatically risen in rank, pushing to position 1091 and him to 1107. Levreshka was thrilled about it, but there’s nothing to celebrate. Climbing the ranks over the bodies of our fallen comrades is anything but an achievent.
At the heads of the long rectangular table, two empty seats remain, reserved for King Drakhul Valakys and his wife, Selene Valakys. In all my ti here, I have never seen or heard them. This is because, according to the law, no human is allowed to lay eyes on the king and queen unless they will it. And in the countless millennia of Mildelar’s history, no ruler has ever chosen to do so.
«As you well know—or at least, I hope you do...» Clotilde begins again, continuing her explanation. «...the intensity of energy depends on its density; the higher the density of magical particles released, the greater the quality of that energy. When it cos to Sanguis, there is no visible difference between high-level and low-level energy, but with Vis, it’s a different story. Once it reaches a certain density, it transforms, turning into that blazing azure energy you witnessed a few days ago. But that’s not all—if its density is pushed even further, it can surpass that stage and turn white: the PerfectVisflamma. This is the highest power a human can achieve, granting them the ability to stand against even the strongest vampires.»
«It’s truly disgraceful that re humans can reach such power... and all thanks to us!» Levreshka grumbles, visibly irritated. «Without the BindingRitual, they would never be able to unlock their magical potential, yet they have the audacity to challenge us like this?! If it were up to , I’d put an end to this ridiculous BloodGa and have every last one of them exterminated before it’s too late!»
«All this resentnt just because you’re pathetically weak?» Sasha taunts, shaking her head in disappointnt.
«I’d like to remind you that you’re the one who got defeated by a human!» Levreshka snaps, even more enraged.
«He didn’t defeat —we tied! And only because he caught off guard! If I had known about his power from the start, I would have beaten him without a problem!» Sasha takes a mont to regain her composure, then a mocking smile spreads across her face. «Since you love making fun of , why don’t you challenge him yourself? I’m sure you wouldn’t last even five seconds!»
«Co on, little sisters, this isn’t the right ti to bicker,» Daphne interjects, a hint of pride in her voice at Clotilde’s words of praise for Kajetan. However, her pleas have no effect.
In all this, Gerard and I can do nothing but stay out of it—we know well enough that interfering in vampire affairs is punished quite severely.
«You two, shut up on your own or I’ll shut you up myself!» Clotilde finally roars, and silence imdiately falls over the table. Sasha and Levreshka lower their gazes to their plates, resuming their al without making a sound—not even the faintest noise of chewing.
The authority that woman holds over her hot-headed younger sisters is incredible—no wonder she’s a commander of the Scarlet Army.
Once silence finally reigns, Clotilde speaks again, this ti addressing Ayra. «I’ve just been assigned by our father to lead a continent-wide offensive—to crush with force all those who dared to attack us and to retrieve that object.»
By that object she’s undoubtedly referring to the Devoranimas—the Soul-Devouring Sword, Lucypher’s relic stolen by the CrimsonRequiem. She’s speaking cryptically because, theoretically, these are things humans aren’t supposed to know. Theoretically...
Pff... clearly, she doesn’t know Ayra very well...
«I will depart tomorrow at the rise of the MaiusMoon, and I could be gone for months, maybe even years. But I expect—no, I demand—that you continue your training. I know very well that you oppose becoming a commander of the Scarlet Army, but your fate as the bearer of the InnatusUmbral is no longer in your hands. The CounciloftheTenElders has already decided, and not even I can stop it now,» Clotilde concludes, her tone firm but tinged with a slight note of regret.
The CounciloftheTenElders? I’ve never heard of it, but I imagine it must be the equivalent of our Parliant. Their authority seems to surpass even that of the royal family and the commanders of the Scarlet Army. Could they be the true decision-makers behind the kingdom of Mildelar’s policies? If so, then King Drakhul would be nothing more than a symbolic figure—just like what happens in England in the human world.
«Yes, sister...» Ayra agrees, her gaze both determined and resigned, shadowed by the awareness that she has no way to fight against the fate already decided for her.
And finally, night has fallen... The last one I will spend at the royal castle of the Valakys. The reconstruction of the LunaeNovae dormitory has been completed in record ti, just like most of the buildings destroyed during the battle. As of tomorrow, it will be accessible once again.
«Lyon, why are you still awake?» Ayra asks , her voice drowsy as she lets out a yawn.
I am lying on her soft bed, stretched out on my side, with her behind —her full, warm breasts pressed against my back, her arms wrapped around my chest in a snug embrace, her feet nestled between mine for warmth. We are both naked, as has beco customary during the night, our bodies pressed together, skin against skin.
Why am I facing away from her? Well, the answer seems obvious... Even after weeks of sleeping together, the mix of embarrassnt and excitent from feeling her body so close to mine, her warm breath brushing against my neck, her hands moving unconsciously over my skin as she sleeps—sotis grazing rather... sensitive areas—hasn’t faded. If anything, it has only intensified since the first night.
I don’t answer her, squeezing my eyes shut and pretending to be asleep. Ayra is completely drained these days due to the relentless and grueling training Clotilde puts her through from the rise to the setting of the Maius Moon. The last thing I want is to make her lose a night of rest because of my stupid paranoia, my irrational fears and worries...
«Don’t pretend otherwise, I know you’re awake—I can tell from your breathing,» she states, placing her hand at the center of my chest. «When you sleep, your breathing slows down significantly, you know? And this is definitely not the breathing of soone who’s asleep, so stop pretending.» Her voice carries a hint of sternness.
«You’re tired, you should rest...» I reply simply.
«You didn’t answer my question,» she insists, her voice even firr, almost irritated. «I’ve known you for months now—I can tell when sothing is bothering you. Let’s put it this way... I order you to tell what thoughts are keeping you up at this hour, or else...» Her tone turns both sadistic and teasing. «...you’ll spend the entire week as Levreshka’s slave.»
«You’re truly cruel...» I murmur, my muscles almost aching at the re thought of the hellish day of exhaustion that pink-haired loli succubus put through a few days ago.
Telling her what’s keeping awake... I doubt an entire night would be enough to explain it all. And it’s not just about the intimacy of this mont, but—more than anything—Clotilde’s words. Once Ayra joins the Scarlet Army, she’ll have to be away for long periods to fulfill her role. And when that happens... what will beco of ... no, of us? The week without her was the longest of my life, and even this last period, with her training relentlessly under her sister, hasn’t been easy—despite knowing I’d still see her every evening. I don’t even want to imagine what it would be like to not see her for entire months or even years...
«A-Ayra—»
«Haven’t you been taught that it’s rude to turn your back on soone you’re speaking to?» she cuts off instantly, barely giving ti to start my sentence.
I hesitate. Turning to face her...? That would an...
Growing impatient, Ayra grips my shoulder firmly and pulls toward her, forcing to face her.
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