Chapter 60:Beyond the Limits, this is the Price of Power

Time passed quickly. Although Flávia, Selena, and I had enjoyed ourselves greatly, three days felt like nothing.

And now the time had come — I had no choice but to leave. In front of the castle, I hugged Flávia and Selena while Serapynhe stared at me like an eagle ready to strike its prey.

— Take care, Bruno. Be careful and stay safe... — Be careful, get stronger… and come back to us...

Said Flávia and Selena with teary eyes, though they didn't dare oppose Serapynhe. I found it a bit amusing — they acted like scared kittens in front of that woman.

But amusing could also mean deadly. If they, at their level of power, acted like that… what would become of me? Pure misfortune, I thought, slightly saddened.

— LET'S GO — Serapynhe ordered, more authoritative than ever.

— See you soon — I said goodbye, climbing into the carriage with her. As soon as I boarded, Flávia, Selena, the castle, and the barony disappeared before my eyes due to the carriage's speed.

— Don't worry. It won't take long to reach the Auralith territory and begin your training — she said, sadistically mocking me while I still looked back.

In my mind, only I knew what I was thinking… and how much I cursed this woman and her company.

Time seemed to move against my wishes and thoughts. Around 25 to 30 minutes later, we had already arrived in Auralith.

However, I didn't even get a chance to observe anything. As soon as the flying carriage touched the ground, the brutal woman grabbed me by the collar and leaped into the air, flying toward a massive coliseum.

No… it wasn't a coliseum — it was an enormous training field surrounded by towering walls, as if built to prevent escapes. There was likely a rune barrier — runes covered the entire perimeter of the walls.

But when Serapynhe passed, the barrier opened, and we landed in the vast field. It was a very simple yet sturdy area, filled with weapons, training dummies… and torture devices?

— What the hell is this…? — I muttered, worried as I looked around, but her voice cut through my thoughts.

— Like it, brat? My training ground. Perfect — Serapynhe said proudly.

— Training ground? Why are there torture devices? — I asked, clearly uncomfortable.

Waving her hand, those items were instantly destroyed.

— That doesn't matter… — Your only focus should be on getting stronger and satisfying my hunger for exceptional seedlings — she declared with absolute authority, giving me no room to argue.

This woman is unbearable…, I thought.

— So? Do you like your new training ground?

— It's cool… I've never seen anything like it — I said without going too deep into my thoughts, just enough to avoid dying.

She looked at me strangely, perhaps sensing some of what I was thinking, but didn't seem interested in commenting further.

— Well, I don't like flowery speeches or beating around the bush. So from now on, let's be direct.

— We'll be training here for the next six months, or more. I'll teach you based on my method, and I'm not interested in hearing complaints about it. While you're in this field, address me only as Master. No "lady," no formalities. If you need to speak or request something, be direct. Understood? — she finished, even more authoritarian than before.

— Yes, Master — I replied.

— Good… looks like you understood. Let me see how we'll begin your training...

She placed her hand on her chin, thinking.

— Now? — I asked, confused. We had just arrived, and the training would begin?

— Yes. Why? Any problem?

— No… I was just surprised. It happened so suddenly.

She didn't seem to care and continued thinking.

— Brat. Tell me everything you know about power. Everything. That includes levels, skills, vitae, uses, racial powers, etc.

She ordered in a serious tone, sitting on the field and staring at me.

— Everything? Let's see… Well, power is basically someone's strength level. It varies a lot depending on the being's stage. The levels go: Apprentice, Warrior, Baron, Count, King, Elder, and Primordial.

Each level represents a major leap in strength. Within each level, there are sublevels and battle capacity divisions.

For example, a Novice Warrior is the first stage of the Warrior level, which is split into: Ordinary, Median, High-level, and Outstanding.

Vitae is the base energy of this world — essential for everything: abilities, transformations, or level ascension.

Racial powers are the unique abilities of each race. For vampires, we have: — Nex Imperium (power control), — Nox (mist), — Mutatio (transformation), — and Vitae Flow (innate control of vitae).

Additionally, every living being possesses a Unique Gift. While some may appear similar, each one is truly unique. And with enough training, they can evolve.

— That's everything I know — I finished.

She stared at me, nodded slightly, and simply said:

— By the end of this training, your mindset will change.

I was confused, but with nothing to say, I stayed silent.

Serapynhe walked to a rack, grabbed a spear, and tossed it in my direction.

— Good thing your weapon is a spear, just like mine.

Then she snapped her fingers, and a white pill appeared before me.

— Swallow this. It'll accelerate your regeneration and allow us to begin the first — and most lacking — part of your training.

I swallowed the pill innocently, unaware that what followed would be a true nightmare.

As soon as the effects kicked in, she dashed forward like lightning — and with a single strike, severed my legs.

— AAAAAHHH!

Pain surged through my entire body. I was thrown aside, and it got worse as my legs regenerated through vitae.

— Damn… this woman's insane! — I thought, grabbing the spear and trying to defend myself before she struck again.

But the moment I touched the weapon, she sliced off my arm.

To me, she looked like a demon. She cut off my arms, legs, ears, nose… and didn't stop there.

— Watch carefully, brat. A vampire's regeneration is terrifyingly adaptable — she said, lunging forward again.

Suddenly, she held something in her hand: my lung.

I gasped, instinctively trying to retrieve it, but collapsed, suffocating. The pain was unbearable.

On the ground, I felt death approaching. Agony consumed me. I tried to rise but couldn't. The pain where the organ was missing was extreme.

— Give it back... — I whispered weakly. She didn't.

I writhed for minutes. Then, suddenly, the pain ceased, and I realized: I no longer felt like I needed air.

I sat up, breathing heavily.

— What happened? — I asked, still gasping.

— Vampires don't breathe. So... where did that suffocating feeling come from? From your mind, Bruno. Your mind is still human, and it limits your power. Abandon that humanity. Move forward — she said, like a deranged demon.

Then she struck again — now there was a hole in my chest.

In her hand was my heart.

Pain. Weakness. Despair.

— Give it back... — I thought, nearly unconscious. But unlike the lung, I couldn't move. I was paralyzed.

Maybe I wouldn't die, but the despair was innate, visceral. It embedded itself in my mind and heart.

On the ground, I saw my heart regenerating slowly. Minutes later, it returned.

I stood up with difficulty, facing Serapynhe.

— I thought vampires died without hearts... — I said, terrified.

— You're not in a movie, Bruno. Things are different here. What you've learned so far is shallow. As long as our heads remain intact, we can regenerate. And I will elevate your regeneration to the highest possible level. But that... will hurt. A lot.

Then she struck again. Severed limbs. Destroyed organs. Burst my eardrums. Tore out my eyes. Cut out my tongue. She did everything, except destroy my Blood Star.

She split me in two. Three. Four. I lost count.

Eventually, the pill's effect wore off. Though my regeneration had improved, it could no longer keep up.

My mind gave in. And I passed out.

❖ Pov: Serapynhe

After hours of torture-training, the brat fainted. I took him to the castle. Not Flávia's — another one. Carrying him in my arms, I tossed him to Nerys, my adoptive daughter.

— Nerys, take care of this man. Get him to a room and request blood for him. Tomorrow, I want him ready to train early. And I'll need your help training him. There are things I believe you'll teach better than I could.

— Yes, Mother — Nerys responded, excited from the praise. — I'll help him. Absolutely.

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