registration and evolution

Leaving his apartment, Julius ordered a car and headed to the guild building, which was located near the Kremlin. As he drove through the city, he observed Moscow of the future. Many buildings from the Soviet era had been transformed into large and comfortable homes.

Lost in thought, Julius didn't notice when he arrived at the guild. The guild now occupied a grand and beautifully decorated building that used to be a hotel with a view of the Kremlin.

Stepping out of the taxi, Julius entered the building. Inside, it was spacious and opulently adorned. At the reception desk, he was greeted by a friendly 19-year-old girl named Natasha. Despite being momentarily taken aback by Julius's striking appearance, she quickly composed herself.

"Hello," Natasha said. "My name is Natasha. How can I assist you?"

"Good day," Julius replied calmly. "I recently woke up and would like to register and undergo training."

"Excellent," Natasha responded. "Could you please provide your passport?"

Julius handed over his passport, and Natasha examined the photo. She noticed the changes in his face but attributed them to the passage of two years.

While Julius waited for the registration process, another person entered the building. Dressed in all black and concealing his face, he stood to Julius's right at the reception desk.

Another girl, Alice, introduced herself as she took the newcomer's passport. She asked him to reveal his face to verify his identity. When he removed his hood, Alice was met with a handsome man—sharp features, thick black hair, and icy blue eyes reminiscent of a cold lake.

Satisfied that the passport matched the face, Alice asked him to wait briefly.

Meanwhile, Natasha handed Julius a blue card. "Everything is ready. This card is your ID. If you decide to travel through the gates after training, it will confirm your identity. Now, I need your email address and phone number. You'll receive an email with the meeting location and exact time. Thank you for choosing our guild."

"Thank you," Julius replied curtly.

After providing his contact information, Julius left with the card and headed to a military outfitter. He decided that the upcoming month would be challenging, and specialized clothing wouldn't hurt. As he walked, he contemplated whether he should complete his university education. While it was safer and potentially lucrative, he wondered if it would be a waste of his unique talents.

His thoughts shifted to Sofia. If something happened to him, she would be left alone. On the other hand, becoming a scientist would prevent him from protecting her. Recently, he'd learned about extraterrestrial races—vampires and demons—somewhere out in the universe. Earth had yet to find any life beyond the gates. Considering the strength of these alien races, what could Earth do?

Deciding that risking everything for his future, his sister, and the world might be worth it, Julius continued to the store. There, he was surprised to find the same guy who had been at the registration desk. The man confidently selected items, revealing his experience.

After shopping for clothes, Julius turned his attention to weapons. He recalled reading that vampires excelled in hand-to-hand combat rather than using weapons. Approaching a consultant, he asked, "Good evening. May I try the weapons displayed here?"

"Hello, sir," the consultant replied. "Certainly, let me take you to the firing range."

Following the girl, Julius entered a large empty hall with various weapons lining the sides. He tried different ones: swords, spears, sabers, hammers, axes, rapiers, and halberds. Realizing he felt most comfortable with the halberd—a combination of spear and saber—he decided to take one. At the checkout, he added the halberd to his bill.

Back home, Julius checked on Sofia, who was already asleep. Then, in his room, he unpacked his purchases and reviewed the email detailing the meeting location in two days.

With little time before training, Julius decided to consume another blood vial. As he opened it, he felt the blood surge through his veins like molten magma. Closing his eyes, he entered a dream.

In the dream, he stood on a blood-soaked planet. There, he encountered a beautiful man with pale skin, silver hair, and black eyes. The man turned to evaluate Julius, then smirked and continued gazing into the void.

"You're not what I expected in someone who would inherit my lineage," the demon said. "Too weak. Even an ordinary demon peasant could kill you with one blow. So, tell me, why should I entrust you with my bloodline?"

Surprised, Julius struggled for an answer. The demon's words were true; his only asset was potential.

"Potential," Julius replied succinctly.

The demon chuckled. "That's not enough. In the vast universe, there are billions with potential equal to or surpassing yours. What makes you unique?"

Reflecting on the answer, Julius realized at some point that the demon had no right to negotiate with him. After all, it was he who was absorbing him.

The demon smirked again and said, "That's not enough. There are billions of beings in the universe with potential similar to or exceeding yours. What makes you unique?" He asked again.

Pondering the answer, Julius realized at some point that the demon had no right to negotiate with him. After all, it was he who was absorbing him.

"I don't care what you think," Julius responded.

The demon laughed and now turned fully.

"Do you think you have the strength to absorb me?" Suddenly, all the blood on the planet began to boil around the demon, appearing and gathering around him.

Julius, realizing that the demon was not going to give up, said only one word.

"Absorption."

A tremendous pressure descended on the planet; everything became quiet and ceased any activity.

Behind Julius, a black crystal formed and began to absorb everything on the planet.

The demon wanted to say something else but was absorbed in a second. After 5 seconds everything disappeared.