Chapter 15: Another Failure
After placing Kent in the infirmary, I went to the library to learn more about the three royal families. The library was a separate building from the Academy, just like the infirmary.
The interior of the library was spacious, filled with millions of books and multiple floors lined with shelves.
How would I even find a book about the royal families?
"Student, may I help you?" a girl asked softly and politely as she approached me.
She was probably a library worker since I had noticed her earlier, standing on a ladder rearranging books.
"Do you know where I can find books containing information about the royal families?" I asked.
"Yes, that would be on the second floor in section C. The second book on the top row from the left," she replied.
"Thank you," I said, grateful.
She nodded briefly before returning to the bookshelves to continue her work.
She must spend a lot of time here to know the exact location of the book I needed, especially with so many bookshelves and at least three floors.
I went up to the second floor and passed sections A and B before finding section C.
"She said the second book from the left on the top row... Ah! Found it!" I exclaimed, pulling the book from the shelf.
The book was titled History of Vampires. I headed to the seating area and began to read.
The first few pages covered things I already knew—the story of the Founding Ancestor, the first Vampire who created our race, and the Endless Night that occurred 100 years ago.
As I flipped through the pages, I came across a heading:
______________________________________________
The Three Royal Families
The three Vampire cities all have royal families named after them: Drayula, Valentine, and Eclipsys.
These cities were established when the first Vampire Lords divided into three factions, each ruling a city, while the Founding Ancestor ruled over them all. This system maintained peace for a few hundred years.
However, an unexpected event occurred—a solar eclipse. Vampires began to crave blood uncontrollably, and the eclipse weakened them for unknown reasons, whether natural or artificial.
To end this crisis, the Founding Ancestor sacrificed himself, halting the eclipse and rewriting the Vampire race. Vampires could then absorb magion instead of drinking blood, but the Fallen, those who still craved blood, became known as sinners.
The three royal families were tasked with keeping the sinners in check in the Founding Ancestor's absence.
______________________________________________
I turned the page.
"What? Where's the next page?" I muttered, frustrated. It looked like someone had ripped it out. But why?
I returned the book to the shelf and went back to the first floor to ask the girl who had helped me earlier.
"It was like that when it arrived," she replied, continuing to arrange books.
With nothing else to do, I left the library.
I needed to find Melody and return the necklace she had dropped. She mentioned being in the student council office, but where was that?
I looked around for a student that could help me until I spotted a boy in a school uniform. His glasses obscured most of his face, and his hair covered his eyes. I tapped his shoulder.
"Ahhh!" he screamed, startling me as he jumped back and pulled out a small knife.
"Who are you? Did you just try to kill me?" he stammered, trembling.
"N-No... Why would I—"
"Don't lie! I know he sent you. Why else would you approach me?" he said, glaring at me.
A crowd began to form, drawn by the commotion.
"Are they fighting?" someone whispered.
"Isn't that an S-class student?" another muttered.
"Move! Get out of the way!" a Vampire yelled, pushing through the crowd.
"MOVE!" he roared, and the crowd quickly parted.
He approached with two others. "What the hell's going on here?" he demanded.
Before I could answer, he noticed the boy with the knife.
"Wait... Is that Crazy Chris?" he exclaimed.
"Tsk, not this guy again. Jack, Mike, take him away," he ordered.
"Yes, boss!" the two responded, grabbing Chris, who struggled.
"No! Unhand me! Assassins! Help!" Chris screamed as they carried him off.
"Are you alright?" the Vampire asked me.
"Y-Yes, but is he okay?" I asked, watching Chris being dragged away.
"Him? He'll be fine... or not. He's just crazy—thinks his father's sending assassins to kill him," he explained, then turned to the crowd.
"Alright, show's over. Go back to class!" he announced, clapping loudly.
"You too," he said, looking at me.
"I was looking for the student council office," I replied.
"Oh, just head to that tall tower and go to the highest floor," he said, pointing it out.
"Thank you," I said.
"No problem. Just avoid Crazy Chris," he warned before leaving.
I headed toward the tall tower, the Academy's tallest building. The academy was truly large.
"Huh? Why does my finger feel hot?" I muttered, noticing the flower ring flashing. I immediately knew Emily was in danger. The only thing I thought of was to quickly to her side.
"Emily! I need to go to Emily!" I exclaimed, activating [Accelerate].
***
(Kent's POV)
This will be easier than I thought. If I complete this mission, I'll finally rise in rank.
I could already imagine trampling those arrogant brats. But first... Emily.
"It's a shame such a beauty has to die," I said, a twisted smile on my face.
I summoned my Bloodless Weapon, ready to strike.
Suddenly, I was kicked, flying through the window left of the infirmary entrance, glass shattering around me.
"Cough... Silver, so it was you. But I thought you were..." I muttered, coughing up blood.
That kick was strong. I think a few ribs cracked, but my regeneration would fix that.
I stood and wiped the blood from my mouth, smiling sinisterly.
"Damnit, if he was just a bit later, Emily would already be dead," I growled under my breath, my fists clenching as I glared at Silver.
"What were you doing?" Silver asked calmly, though his eyes blazed with rage.
His magion felt like Victor's back in the hallway, heavy and oppressive, though weaker. Still, my hands trembled slightly.
What's wrong with this place? Is it just filled with "monsters" everywhere?!