The Vampire Academy
"There have been incidents in the past. The palace grounds are very vast and thus make it easier for incidents to occur especially at night. You shouldn't even be heading out without guards at this period because there have been rumors of a hidden dark presence strolling the grounds," Sasha explained with a hint of worry.
'Hidden dark presence? Could it be because of my use of dark veil?' Edmund wondered.
"Either way, just be careful. As the crown prince, you should be aware that you are a target to many. Not to mention that you have human blood running through your veins so you might get attacked by mistake if you keep moving during night times," Sasha kept cautioning him like a nagging mother.
"Sure sure I hear you," Edmund rolled his eyes.
"
"But wait, don't you have human blood running through your veins more than I do? That means it's more dangerous for you..." Edmund pointed out.
"No, I can protect myself," Sasha responded.
"As can I," Edmund stated with a tone of confidence.
"No, you can't. You're weak and impotent," Sasha reminded him.
"Fuck you, Sasha. One day when I unlock my essence, I'll flash my hard cock in front of you," He pointed at her with a look of annoyance.
Sasha chuckled while turning away; "Until then, your highness."
Sasha was about to take her leave when Edmund recalled something.
"Any word from the hunter vampire?"
"Not yet," Sasha said. "But it's only been a few days. We should hear something soon."
Edmund sighed. "Alright."
As the days passed, Edmund continued to refine his use of Dark Veil.
Finally, a week later, Sasha returned with news. "The hunter vampire is back," she said, excitement in her voice. "And he has the Elf Heart Blood."
Edmund's heart leaped with anticipation. "Let's go meet him."
They hurried to the designated meeting place, a secluded area within the palace grounds. The hunter vampire stood there.
He stood there with a weathered face, a dark hat, and black eyes. He held a small vial filled with a shimmering, crimson liquid.
"Here it is," the hunter said while handing the vial to Edmund. "Elf Heart Blood, as requested, Your Highness."
Edmund took the vial, feeling a surge of gratitude. "Thank you. You've done a great service."
The hunter bowed. "Be careful with that, Your Highness. It's incredibly potent."
"We will," Sasha assured him. "Thank you for your help, Tavone."
"Feel free to contact me again when you need my services."
As the hunter vampire departed, Edmund and Sasha returned to his chambers with the precious vial safely in hand. The system notification appeared in Edmund's line of sight as he held the vial.
[ Goal Completed: Obtain A Vial Of Elf Heart Blood ]
[ +10 points added to strength ]
'Oh?' Edmund suddenly felt a slight increase in strength and quickly decided to check his status window.
[ Opening Status Window... ]
...
Name: Edmund Rigorial Alucard The Twenty-Seventh
Race: Half human/vampire
Essence: (Locked)
Skills: Dark Veil, (Locked), (Locked)...
Supernatural level: Underground
Strength: Basic
Speed: Basic
Agility: Basic
Durability: Basic
Immunity: High
Distributable points: 0
Title(s): Nil
Completed goals: 2
...
'My strength is still basic though. Nothing much has changed except for the dark veil. But at the very least, I have completed two goals now,' Edmund took note of the little changes.
[ 2/3 Goals Completed ]
[ New Goal: Obtain A Red Horned Dragon Scale ]
'Another crazy demand...? I hope this won't be difficult to obtain.
...
The weekend sunlight filtered through the heavy drapes of Edmund's room, casting a warm glow on the richly furnished space. Despite the comfort of his surroundings, Edmund's mind was far from at ease.
He sat at his desk, staring at the small vial of Elf Heart Blood that the hunter vampire had delivered.
The crimson liquid shimmered ominously, holding the promise of unlocking the next stage of his journey.
Edmund picked up the vial, turning it in his hands thoughtfully. "One step closer," he murmured to himself. "But this third goal... a scale from the red-horned dragon."
He had asked Sasha about the red-horned dragon and she told him fearsome tales.
It happened to be a rare but very powerful beast. Sasha told him that if he wanted to find one, he would have to travel three continents away which would take him no less than six months of journeying.
This had Edmund livid. The feeling of having to wait that long was a dampener until she revealed that one was imprisoned beneath the Vampire Academy.
This had filled him with both hope and dread.
The dragon was known for its impenetrable scales and fiery purple breath, which could reduce even powerful vampires to ash.
Edmund leaned back in his chair, rubbing his temples. "How am I supposed to get close to that thing, let alone extract a scale?" he wondered aloud.
Although Edmund didn't have a plan at the moment, one thing was for sure... He had to return to the Vampire Academy.
"Sasha!" Edmund called out.
In the next moment, Sasha walked into the room.
"Make due preparations... I'm returning to the Vampire Academy."
...
...
...
The morning sun cast a warm golden glow over the sprawling landscape as a royal cart made its way from the kingdom's capital toward the Vampire Academy.
Edmund sat inside the luxurious carriage. The interior was lined with plush velvet cushions and marvelous carvings that depicted scenes from vampire lore.
The soft clatter of the horse-drawn carriage and the rhythmic trot of the palace guards' steeds were the only sounds breaking the peaceful silence of the early morning.
The road to the academy wound through deep, ancient forests. It was quite the sight despite the towering trees casting dappled shadows on the path.
Magical streams sparkled in the sunlight, their waters imbued with mystical properties that nourished the flora and fauna of the region. The air was filled with the scent of pine and wildflowers, creating a serene atmosphere.
Edmund gazed out of the window as a mixture of thoughts ran through his mind. He had one goal in mind but wondered if the means he was taking to achieve it wasn't too extreme.
After over forty minutes of traveling, the grandeur of the forest became clouded by mist.
"Why is everywhere so dark all of a sudden?" Edmund asked Sasha.
"This is normal. The vampire academy is hidden away. The senses of anyone will be disrupted if they try to find it unless they are a vampire," Sasha explained.
"Oh... I see," Edmund wondered why this was a thing.
The dark mist gave off an eerie feeling that he couldn't quite explain.
Fortunately, the dark mist gradually gave way to the sight of multiple structures in the distance. There was no doubt about it... It was the academy.
The academy was a sight to behold. It had structures with tall spires reaching toward the sky and thick, ivy-covered walls that spoke of centuries of history.
It was surrounded by vast training grounds, wonderful gardens, mountainous regions, and sparkling streams. The sheer size of the institution was awe-inspiring.
As the royal cart approached the main gates, the academy's students and workers began to take notice. The clatter of hooves and the gleam of the palace guards' armor drew attention, and soon a crowd started to gather. Whispers and murmurs spread like wildfire through the assembled students.
"Is that the crown prince?" a student whispered to his friend, his eyes wide with astonishment.
"It is! Edmund has returned!" another student exclaimed, craning her neck to get a better view.
The gates swung open, and the royal cart rolled into the academy grounds, flanked by a procession of palace guards. Their armor gleamed in the sunlight, and their presence commanded respect and awe.
The ruckus grew louder as more students and workers joined the crowd, eager to catch a glimpse of the returning prince.
Edmund stepped out of the carriage with a majestic posture and calm expression. He was dressed in elegant attire befitting his royal status, with a dark cloak flowing behind him and a silver brooch clasped at his throat. His presence was magnetic, drawing the eyes of everyone around him.
He would have worn his uniform had the original Edmund not shredded it to pieces.
A tall, stern-looking vampire with neatly combed silver hair and sharp features stepped forward to greet him. It was Professor Armand, the headmaster of the academy. "Your Highness," he said, bowing deeply. "Welcome back to the Vampire Academy."
"Thank you, Professor Armand," Edmund replied casually. "It's good to be back."
The headmaster straightened. His eyes were filled with both curiosity and respect. "We are honored by your presence, Your Highness. Please, follow me."