Yvess shook his head when he caught Sagi playfully flirting with one of the mansion servants. The fool looked far too delighted as he laughed and exchanged tickles with the young maid.
Yvess had only just returned from the palace when he stumbled upon the scene.
"Ahem," he cleared his throat.
At the sound of his voice, both Sagi and the servant froze and turned toward him. The servant immediately lowered her head, bowed respectfully, and hurried away.
"Yo, Yvess!" Sagi greeted cheerfully, throwing an arm around his shoulders.
Yvess promptly removed the offending arm.
"And who gave you permission to flirt with my servants?" he asked coldly.
Sagi scratched the back of his head awkwardly.
Sagi had been living in Aznar for quite some time now. Ever since Leviathan kidnapped him and intended to offer him as a sacrifice, he had chosen to stay and train under Yvess' guidance.
He had become a squire—a human serving a vampire, and blessed with physical strength comparable to one. He had drunk a small amount of Yvess's blood to gain super strength and was given a high-tier weapon he could use in battle.
Even so, despite being only a squire, few vampires dared provoke him. He was simply too strong.
"Get changed. We're leaving," Yvess said.
"Where are we going?" Sagi asked curiously.
"There's going to be a small gathering at the palace to celebrate Viel entering Serolf Academy," Yvess said.
"Oh, like a farewell party." Sagi grinned. "Alright, wait here. Let me go make myself look handsome first."
Before Yvess could reply, Sagi sprinted into his room.
Yvess could only shake his head before sitting down on a nearby coach.
.
.
.
Xerxes had gone into the forest to gather firewood, leaving Akuma alone at home.
Standing by the window, Akuma gazed toward Serolf Academy, which stood proudly atop the distant mountain.
He had heard many stories about the academy. Only the wealthy and exceptionally gifted were accepted there.
"Those students are so lucky," he murmured.
His attention shifted to a girl standing beneath a large tree near their house.
Curious, he stepped outside to get a closer look.
.
.
Lilith was about to leave when Akuma called out to her.
"Wait a second!"
She turned around.
"W-Who are you? What are you doing here?" Akuma asked cautiously.
Lilith smiled.
"Good day... forgive me if I've disturbed you."
"Where do you live? How did you end up here?" Akuma asked.
"That's not important." Her smile deepened. "What about you? Do you know who you truly are?"
Akuma frowned in confusion. "What do you mean?"
Without answering directly, Lilith produced a small glass vial and handed it to him.
Inside swirled a crimson liquid.
"What is this?" Akuma asked.
"Blood," Lilith replied.
"Huh? What am I supposed to do with this?"
"The moment you drink it, your true nature will reveal itself."
As soon as she finished speaking, Lilith vanished.
Akuma's eyes widened in shock.
She had disappeared without a trace. She's not a human???
What's going on?
He stared at the vial in his hand.
He has too many questions on his mind right now.
.
.
.
"Thank you very much," Viel said.
"We'll miss you, Viel," Aria replied warmly.
"Behave yourself at the academy, alright?" Xenon added.
"We'll come visit you there," Heberlin said.
"Really? I'll be waiting for all of you," Viel replied with a bright smile.
"But aren't we already going there for the opening ceremony to welcome the new students?" Stephen asked.
"We'll travel with you to the academy, Viel," Zake said.
Viel smiled happily, but after a moment he glanced around.
"Where's Father?" he asked.
The adults exchanged looks.
"He's on his way back to the palace," Aria answered.
"I see," Viel said quietly.
Soon, Yvess and Sagi arrived, followed shortly by Lilith.
Not long afterward, Xylon finally entered the hall with Arden at his side.
Viel blinked in surprise.
His father looked as though he had just stepped out of a visual kei concert. His dark, extravagant outfit, dramatic accessories, and striking appearance made it seem as if he had attended some grand event before coming here.
.
.
.
Xerxes suddenly stopped walking.
A strange scent had reached his nose.
There was no way he could mistake it.
It was the scent of a vampire.
Immediately, he dropped the bundle of firewood he had been carrying and followed the trail of the unfamiliar smell. It led him to the large tree near their house.
He sniffed the air carefully.
"That scent feels familiar..." he murmured.
But that was all he could detect.
The trail ended there.
Frowning, Xerxes returned home to check on Akuma.
As soon as he stepped inside, he found his younger brother sitting quietly, lost in thought.
"Akuma, are you alright?" he asked.
Akuma looked up at him with troubled eyes. "Brother... what are we really?"
For a moment, Xerxes didn't know how to answer.
He walked over and placed both hands on Akuma's shoulders. "Didn't I already tell you? We're human. Why are you suddenly asking something like that again?"
Akuma slowly shook his head. "I'm going to sleep for a while, Brother."
Without waiting for a response, he stood and retreated to his room.
Xerxes watched him leave, confusion filling his mind.
What happened while I was away?
.
.
.
Viel sat quietly in the palace garden.
Only a few days remained before the start of the school year, yet his father still kept him at a distance.
"What are you doing out here?"
Viel looked up to see Xenon approaching.
His uncle sat beside him.
"Uncle, what was Father like when Mother was still alive?" Viel asked.
A nostalgic smile appeared on Xenon's face.
"Your father was a kind king. He was always smiling, always joking around with us. He could accomplish what others considered impossible..." Xenon gazed toward the evening sky. "Because Jade was by his side."
Viel listened silently.
"Your mother was your father's strength. Jade was Xylon's world—his life, his soul. That's why he was consumed by such grief when she died." he continued.
Viel lowered his gaze. "So Father changed because of Mother's death."
Xenon slowly shook his head. "No, Viel. He didn't change."
Viel blinked in confusion. "What do you mean?"
"The man your father is now..." Xenon said softly, "...is the same person he was before he met your mother."
Viel stared at him.
"When he was still a prince, your father was quiet. Distant. Difficult to talk to. He preferred being alone." Xenon added.
"But why?" Viel asked.
A shadow crossed Xenon's expression. "It started after our friend, Crayven, died. The former lover of Lady Aria. Did you know he looked almost identical to Lord Cedrick?"
"Really? What happened to him?" Viel asked again.
Xenon let out a long sigh. "Your father accidentally killed Lord Crayven."
Viel's eyes widened. "Father...?"
"He blamed himself for years. He couldn't even bring himself to face Lady Aria afterward. The guilt consumed him," Xenon's expression softened. "But everything changed when he met your mother," he smiled. "Their love story began at Serolf Academy. They made countless memories there. From constantly arguing with each other to eventually falling deeply in love."
A small smile appeared on Viel's face. "I hope I can find someone like Mother someday."
Xenon laughed and ruffled his hair. He stood and stretched. "It's getting cold. Let's head inside."
Viel nodded and rose to his feet.
Together, they returned inside.
.
.
Lilith stood beneath the night sky, her crimson eyes fixed upon the full moon.
She could feel it.
Everything was about to begin.
A new chapter.
Not only in their lives, but in the fate of every living being beneath the heavens.
And once the wheel of destiny started turning...
Nothing would ever be the same again.
.
.
.
Akuma couldn't sleep.
No matter how hard he tried, rest refused to come.
Something felt wrong.
A strange sensation burned within his body, as though molten fire flowed through his veins.
Unable to bear it any longer, he sat up and climbed out of bed.
His gaze drifted toward the cabinet.
Inside was the small vial Lilith had given him.
He swallowed nervously as he stared at the crimson liquid contained within.
Blood.
Slowly, he glanced toward the door.
His brother wasn't home.
For a moment, he hesitated.
Then he opened the vial.
The metallic scent immediately filled his nose.
The instant he inhaled it, a powerful hunger surged through him.
His eyes widened.
He had never felt anything like this before.
The blood was calling to him.
Tempting him.
Demanding him.
Before he could think twice, Akuma raised the vial to his lips and drank every last drop.
For several seconds, nothing happened.
Then—
A sharp pain exploded within his chest.
"AAAGHHHH!"
Akuma doubled over as agony tore through his body.
It felt as though something was crawling beneath his skin, forcing its way upward.
The pain climbed from his chest to his throat...
Then into his skull.
"AAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!"
His scream echoed through the night.
His eyes snapped open.
The irises had turned a brilliant crimson.
His pupils narrowed into slits.
At the same time, sharp fangs emerged from his mouth.
The transformation had begun.
Far away, Xerxes froze.
Akuma's scream reached his ears.
His heart skipped a beat.
"Akuma!"
Without hesitation, his body shifted.
Bones cracked.
Muscles expanded.
Silver fur erupted from his skin.
Within moments, he had transformed into a massive demon wolf.
Then he raced through the forest at breathtaking speed, rushing toward their home.
"AKUMA!"
The front door burst open.
Xerxes rushed inside.
Akuma lay on the floor, writhing in agony.
"Akuma!"
He hurried toward him—
Then suddenly stopped.
His eyes widened in horror.
"No..."
Akuma's appearance had changed completely.
His skin had become pale.
His eyes glowed crimson.
Sharp fangs protruded from his mouth.
There was no mistaking it.
Akuma had become a true vampire.
"H-How is this possible...?" Xerxes whispered.
Shock overwhelmed him.
His mind refused to accept what he was seeing.
Then, just as suddenly as it had begun, the pain vanished.
Akuma's body went limp.
His eyes rolled back.
And he collapsed unconscious.
Silence filled the room.
Xerxes stood beside him, staring at him in disbelief.
The secret he had carried for years had finally revealed itself.