To Eldoria

"Clang"

The sharp sound of clashing metal echoed through the vast hall as two figures moved in a blur.

On one side, a short but fit human with dark, cropped hair and intense brown eyes gripped a katana, his movements fluid and controlled. Each swing of the blade sliced through the air with grace. 

Opposite him stood a tall, muscular vampire with flowing dark hair and piercing red eyes, wielding a long spear. His strikes were precise and relentless, the spear whistling as it thrust forward.

Their weapons collided again and again—katana meeting spear, sending sparks flying with every strike. The human sidestepped a vicious thrust from the vampire, his katana flashing as he parried the attack, but the vampire was quick, pulling his spear back and pivoting into another lightning-fast assault. 

The human ducked low, narrowly avoiding the spear's deadly point, then sprang forward, slashing upward toward the vampire's exposed side. 

The vampire reacted instantly, twirling his spear with supernatural speed, deflecting the blade and countering with a rapid thrust aimed at the human's chest. The human backpedaled, barely avoiding the strike, his katana raised defensively. 

They halted their combat and locked eyes in a moment of shared understanding. The hall fell silent, save for the faint echo of their final clash still reverberating through the air. 

Elion wiped a bead of sweat from his forehead and offered a warm smile to Dorian, his vampire companion and friend, who had fought alongside him on the brutal borders against the demons for the past two years.

"It's time to go," Elion said softly, sheathing his katana with a fluid motion, the blade sliding home with a metallic hiss. He stepped forward and clapped Dorian on the shoulder. 

"Thanks for everything, Dorian."

Dorian, his tall frame radiating strength, returned the smile with a slight nod. His long dark hair, damp from their sparring, clung to his face as he reached out to grasp Elion's hand in a firm handshake. 

"Yes, I'll be waiting for you at the academy," he said, his red eyes gleaming with fondness. He gave Elion's hand an extra squeeze, a silent promise of their continued camaraderie.

Elion's grip tightened briefly before releasing. He adjusted his katana at his waist.

"Make sure to break through to the Soul-Strengthening Realm as soon as possible," Dorian added, his tone taking on a serious edge. "You know the academy's minimum requirement is the low Soul-Strengthening Realm."

Elion's expression darkened at those words. 

"Don't remind me," he muttered, his voice tinged with frustration. 

"I've been trying, but I have no idea when I'll break through. Luckily, I've got the princess' badge, so I can still attend with my current strength."

Dorian sighed deeply, his broad shoulders rising and falling as he regarded Elion with a mix of concern and resignation. 

"You're too damn stubborn, Elion. Just abandon the mage path and focus on the warrior path. You could have broken through ages ago."

Elion's lips curved into a half-smile, but he didn't respond. He glanced away, his gaze distant, as if contemplating something far off—perhaps the weight of the choice that had been made in his stead.

"See you in a couple of days, Dorian," Elion said after a pause, shaking off the heavy thoughts. His smile returned, warmer this time, as he looked back at his friend. 

"I need to head home and fetch my sister before heading to the capital."

"Before you leave, take this," Dorian said, tossing a small ring toward Elion with a flick of his wrist. The ring gleamed faintly as it spun through the air.

Elion caught it with a curious expression.

"It's a parting gift from my father," Dorian continued. "You can use it to hide Fenrir inside. It's a spatial ring designed to carry contracted beasts. It'll keep him safe and out of sight."

Elion examined the ring, feeling the subtle hum of magic within it. "A ring to store Fenrir? That's… incredibly useful. Thanks."

Dorian smirked. "Make sure Fenrir doesn't eat his way out."

Elion laughed. "No promises." He slipped the ring on his finger, feeling a faint connection to the spatial dimension inside, and nodded gratefully. "Thanks, Dorian. I'll take good care of it—and him."

With one last glance, Elion turned and walked toward the exit.

"Stay safe, my friend. I'll see you soon."

—

Elion stood just outside his home, his heart pounding as he stared at the wooden door that separated him from his family—the family he hadn't seen in the last three years. Memories of his mother and sister flooded his mind. He took a breath and pushed the door open.

As the door creaked and swung inward, Elion was greeted by the sight of Valeria, now a beautiful young girl with shoulder-length dark hair and vibrant brown eyes. She had grown in his absence, but the warmth in her smile was exactly the same. 

"Brother!" Valeria exclaimed, her face lighting up as she rushed toward him. 

Before Elion could say a word, she threw her arms around him, pulling him into a tight embrace. Elion smiled, feeling a sense of peace he hadn't felt in years.

Behind her, Janice appeared, looking just as he had remembered—her gentle features and kind smile hadn't changed a bit. She was as lovely as ever, and seeing her made his chest tighten with emotion. 

"Elion…" she whispered softly, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. 

Elion quickly stepped forward, wrapping his arms around both Valeria and Janice, pulling them close. He buried his face into his mother's shoulder, taking in the familiar scent of home, while Valeria hugged him from the side. 

"I've missed you both," Elion said, his voice filled with emotion.

Janice smiled warmly, stroking his hair. "We've missed you too, my son." 

For a moment, time seemed to stand still, and Elion allowed himself to savor the feeling of being back with the people he loved most.

After a few heartfelt moments, Elion gently pulled away from their embrace and turned to Valeria.

"As I promised, I'm back just in time for the academy's assessment," he said with a grin. "So, are you ready, sis?"

Valeria beamed at him, her excitement unmistakable. 

"Of course, brother. I've been preparing for this day for so long. I won't let you down! But come on, let's get moving. I don't want to be late!" Her smile was radiant, but there was a determined glint in her eyes that told Elion how serious she was.

Elion chuckled softly, ruffling her hair. 

"I'm looking forward to seeing how much you've improved while I was away. I bet you've grown strong enough to surprise me."

Valeria swatted his hand playfully, still grinning. 

"But before you can show off your skills, we need to head to Elandor and use the portal to Eldoria. The assessment will happen soon, and we can't afford to be late," Elion said, adjusting his gear and looking towards the horizon.

"Let's hurry, then," Valeria replied, her voice brimming with excitement.

"Before we head out, I've got a little something for both of you," Elion said with a grin, reaching into his space inventory. He pulled out two sleek devices and handed them to Valeria and Janice.

"These are for you. They'll let us stay in touch no matter where we are, even if we're worlds apart. I'll teach you how to use it on the way, Valeria. Mom, don't worry—it's easy to figure out, and my contact is already saved in both."

Valeria raised an eyebrow, feigning annoyance. 

"Hmph, and you're only giving this to me now? Should've gotten this to us sooner, brother."

Elion chuckled at her mock anger. 

"Sorry, I didn't even know these existed until I left Skywood. I got mine while traveling, but better late than never, right?"

Valeria pretended to consider it for a moment before breaking into a smile. 

"All right, I'll accept your present this time."

Janice, with her usual gentle demeanor, held the phone like it was a precious gift, her smile warm and loving. 

"Thank you, son. I love it already. I'll make sure to stay in touch with you both." She leaned in and kissed Elion's cheek.

"Let's go, Valeria, we have a long road ahead."

—

Inside a lavishly adorned chamber, one of the grandest and most significant rooms in the entire Vampire Realm, a stunning young woman stood before a full-length mirror. 

Her long, silvery hair cascaded like a shimmering waterfall, reaching all the way to her slender waist. Each strand seemed to glow faintly in the room's soft lighting, framing her flawless face. Her striking figure was a masterpiece of elegance and allure, with every curve highlighted perfectly.

She slipped into a red and black dress, the fabric luxurious and rich, hugging her hourglass figure. The clothes clung snugly to her, accentuating her voluptuous chest, while the neckline revealed just enough to tease yet maintain an air of refinement. 

The dress flowed down her hips before flaring out at the knees, with a slit on one side that revealed her long, toned legs as she moved. The interplay of red and black fabric gave her an aura of power, beauty, and danger—a fitting image for a princess of the vampire realm.

As she fastened the final clasp on her dress, she admired the way it hugged her form perfectly, the crimson and obsidian hues contrasting with her porcelain skin. A smile of satisfaction played on her full lips. 

Her eyes, sharp and gleaming with the depth of rubies, took in her reflection, exuding confidence and deadly elegance. 

"Seraphina, the guards are waiting. Don't be late for the assessment," came a melodic voice from just outside the door, carrying both warmth and authority.

Seraphina glanced toward the door, a small smile tugging at her lips. "I'm almost ready, Mom. Just a couple more minutes."

Her voice was calm as she finished adjusting the intricate details of her dress. Her delicate fingers ran over the fabric, making sure everything was flawless before turning to the mirror one last time.

"All right, let's see what the so-called geniuses of the vampire realm look like," Seraphina murmured with a sly smile, her crimson eyes glinting mischievously as she admired her reflection in the mirror.