Chapter 35:“Crimson Dawn Brigade”

Training Hall

Three days had passed. I was at my old training spot. It was early—around nine in the morning—and I was practicing with my spear and chain.

Even though I had grown stronger, the basic training was essential. My movements with the spear and chain still needed improvement. My attacks were limited by lack of proficiency.

Next to me, Ignis and Astrel trained together. Their flames clashed fiercely, neither willing to back down. After the nourishment from our familiar contract, Ignis was much stronger—probably on par with Astrel, or at least slightly weaker.

As I executed spear movements, I analyzed their precision. Overall, my mastery of the spear was average at best. At most, I was an apprentice moving toward novice. My strikes lacked accuracy and flexibility. Even though the spear has a vast array of techniques, my simple control limited me to basic attacks like thrusts and vertical, diagonal, and horizontal slashes.

I could channel Vitae and Nex through the spear, but I hadn't developed any specific spear techniques using Vitae yet.

During one move, I attacked, stepped back, spun my body, and threw the spear at the training dummy. It cut through the air and pierced the dummy but got stuck there. I pointed my hand, and the spear slowly returned to me, landing in my palm by telekinesis.

My telekinetic control was decent, since this was a basic technique. But its effect was still limited. In a real fight, relying on this could get me killed. My telekinesis was superficial. Unless I could secure the spear to me with the chain, throwing it in battle was too risky. At a distance, I was restricted to my weak control of fire.

With each movement, I noticed countless flaws. Of course, I had less than a year as a vampire—it was natural to be this way. Even with fire, where I had some talent, I had to train tirelessly. The spear demanded the same dedication.

The spear I was using was simple—better for basic training. The black spear required a huge amount of Vitae to use safely.

Approaching the training dummies, my reinforced body stood out for brute strength. Every unrefined move was compensated by power—but that wasn't what I wanted. Strength I already had. If I didn't improve my spear mastery, I'd only become more limited.

At lower levels, brute force could make a big difference. But at higher ranks, everything counts: strength, mastery, proficiency, skills.

I was a good example. I could fight and kill second-level beasts. But against a vampire of equal rank? I'd be massacred. They'd have a bigger Vitae reserve, deeper control, and maybe even partial Count form. And who knows how many years of weapon mastery and honed skills they'd built over decades?

I could be considered strong, but it wasn't enough yet. If I didn't specialize, the next fight might be my last.

I swung the spear again—misstepping—and it slipped from my hand. Frustration welled up.

I missed again and again. My spear mastery seemed to hit a wall every day. It was maddening.

"Looks like your spear mastery is still unstable," she said with her usual calm voice.

"Unfortunately, I still lack real combat experience. And maybe my training isn't enough. I feel like I need real challenges to deepen my spear use."

Nearby, Flávia was wearing casual clothes. She looked like she'd just woken up—bat slippers and black pajamas.

I approached and hugged her.

"Did something happen?" I asked, surprised since she usually only came to me after getting ready.

Sleepily, she answered:

"It seems a horde of beasts is approaching the border. Soon, I'll go to the headquarters to see Sitha. Now that you're a brigade leader… I guess you should go too," she said, a bit worried.

"Bruno… do you really plan to stay in the army?" she asked, looking deep into my eyes.

I picked her up like a princess and replied firmly but gently:

"Yes. I need to get stronger. The army is the best place for that. Plus… I can protect you."

I sealed it with a kiss.

She seemed to understand and didn't argue. I used telekinesis to store the spear in my dimensional ring and headed toward Flávia's room.

"Morceguinha, can I ask something? Didn't the war against the beasts end?"

"It did. But there's a war happening on the Krihar mountain range border. Beasts often invade or pass through subdomains to attack the heart of the territories."

Walking, I thought about it. For the horde to draw Flávia and Sitha's attention, it must include at least two third-level demon beasts. That meant a bloody battle. If two second-level beasts could command hundreds, then thousands of first-level beasts—and dozens of second-level—were likely approaching.

"This world is really harsh," I murmured aloud.

Flávia just nodded in my arms. Since my return, she'd been clingy, worried I wouldn't come back.

When she acted like that, I made sure to spend most of my time with her.

After a while, I left Flávia in her room. Although she'd been sleeping with me lately, she still did most things in her luxurious chamber.

I went back to my room, took a quick shower, and changed. As always, I dressed simply. The only difference was my tied-back hair and the dimensional ring on my finger.

Walking through the halls, the castle's silence bothered me. The absence of sound combined with my footsteps made the atmosphere heavy. But there was nothing to do.

The room was empty. I put on some music while waiting for Flávia.

The song was Sucker for Pain. Old, but it had been stuck in my head lately.

I relaxed on the sofa, head tilted back, letting the melody fill the quiet.

After several songs, Flávia arrived. As always, she wore something luxurious—a richly embroidered pair of pants, a black blouse with red details, and Nike sneakers that created a bold, stylish contrast.

"Where's this beautiful little bat headed?" I teased.

"Wherever this white-haired fox leads me," she said, sitting next to me.

"Is it time to see Sitha?" I asked calmly.

She picked a new song and said:

"Not yet. We can stay here for another fifteen minutes."

"Fifteen minutes? Clever little bat," I said, moving closer.

"See?" she said, proud.

---

About twenty minutes later, riding in a carriage, Flávia and I headed to the headquarters to discuss the beast horde. Selena was apparently already there.

I had an important mission today: to go to one of the four largest villages of the barony and help deal with flying demon beasts harassing the area.

These four major villages were the largest in the barony. Each had at least 10,000 inhabitants and was led by at least two warrior-level vampires.

For this mission, I would lead four battalions, each commanded by a Near-Warrior.

Every four battalions made a brigade, and above brigades were divisions.

Currently, the barony had four divisions. Each had around 5,000 soldiers—except the fourth, which was still growing.

Each division contained ten brigades; each brigade had four battalions.

Division leaders were usually Near-Barons, while brigade leaders were mostly Warriors. But since there were more brigades than Warriors, skilled Near-Warriors often took command.

Since the fourth division was still expanding, I was promoted to brigade leader due to my False-Warrior level.

The battalions with temporary leaders were transferred to my command: the 17th, 18th, 19th, and 20th battalions.

These battalions were still forming. Together, they had just over 200 members and only five Near-Warriors—a small number compared to older battalions with 120 to 130 members, while brigades usually had 400 to 500 soldiers.

Our brigade was named Crimson Dawn. We were part of the Fourth Division, which handled internal barony issues.

1st Division: main combat force.

2nd Division: primary border defense.

3rd Division: specializes in fighting beasts.

4th Division: internal force—clears beasts within the barony, eliminates traitors, protects villages.

Upon arriving at headquarters, I parted ways with Flávia and first went to visit my battalions. Then I planned to see Sitha.