Akuma and Xerxes stood facing each other in complete silence.
"B-Brother... why did you lie to me?" Akuma asked, his voice trembling.
Xerxes let out a heavy sigh.
"I'm sorry for hiding the truth from you," he said quietly.
"But why? What... what are we really?" Akuma asked again.
Xerxes lowered his gaze before finally answering. "We're vampires, Akuma."
Akuma froze.
"It's been many years since your mother died. Before she passed away, I promised her that I would protect you. That's why I kept everything from you. I was afraid that if people discovered what we truly are, they would hunt us down," Xerxes explained.
Akuma's eyes filled with tears.
"M-My mother...?" his voice cracked. "Then... we're not really brothers?"
Xerxes silently shook his head. "I was your mother's friend. Your mother was human... and your father was a vampire. She died giving birth to you."
Akuma's tears finally fell. "Then... where is my father?"
Xerxes slowly shook his head once more. "Your father is gone as well. He died long ago during the war between the vampires and the demons. As his closest friend, I took you in and raised you as my own."
Akuma stood there in disbelief.
He couldn't process everything he had just heard.
He was a vampire.
And Xerxes...
...wasn't his real brother.
Akuma was about to speak again when Xerxes suddenly turned toward the front door.
His expression instantly became alert.
The door slowly creaked open.
Xerxes cautiously walked toward the entrance.
No one was there.
The area outside was completely empty.
Then his eyes landed on an envelope lying on the floor just outside the doorway.
"What is it, Brother?" Akuma asked curiously.
Xerxes picked up the envelope and sniffed it.
"It came from a vampire," he muttered.
"A vampire?" Akuma asked in surprise. "Then... there are more vampires besides us?"
Xerxes turned to him.
"Listen carefully, Akuma. Not all vampires are kind. Some only pretend to be good. You never know who your enemies are and who your allies are. Vampires are cunning creatures."
He finally opened the envelope.
"An invitation?" Akuma asked.
Before Xerxes could read it, Akuma quickly took the letter from his hands.
He began reading aloud.
"The reopening of Serolf Academy is fast approaching, and you have been selected as one of the fortunate students invited to enroll. Serolf Academy is an exclusive institution for vampires. We look forward to welcoming you at the opening ceremony..."
Akuma slowly looked up at Xerxes.
Before he could say anything, Xerxes snatched the letter away.
"You're not going to Serolf Academy!" he said firmly.
Akuma stared at him. "Serolf Academy... is a school for vampires?"
Everything he thought he knew about the world was falling apart.
The prestigious academy everyone admired...
...was actually a school exclusively for vampires.
"Yes," Xerxes admitted. "Almost every vampire studies there."
Akuma's eyes hardened with determination. "Then that's exactly why I have to go."
"I said you're not going!" Xerxes snapped.
"But I want to know who I really am!" Akuma replied. "There are so many questions in my mind right now, Brother. I want to understand how vampires live. I want to meet others who are like me. And more than anything..." his voice softened. "I want to learn about my mother... and my father."
Xerxes instinctively took a step backward.
His heart pounded.
No...
Akuma must never discover who he truly is...
.
.
.
Aria was picking flowers in the garden when she suddenly felt someone wrap their arms around her from behind.
"Lord Cedrick... aren't you supposed to be in a meeting right now?" she asked with a smile.
Cedrick pouted.
"It sounds like you don't want to see me," he said, pretending to sulk.
Aria laughed and gently pinched the bridge of her lover's nose. "I was only teasing you, my love. You've always been so easy to sulk."
Cedrick smiled before pulling her into another embrace.
"I simply missed you, so I came to see you," he whispered.
Aria tucked the daisy she was holding behind Cedrick's ear.
"It's been a long time since then... Aznar has finally become peaceful. I just hope no more trouble comes our way," she said.
Cedrick nodded.
"You're right," he murmured.
.
.
"Tada!" Sagi exclaimed proudly.
"U-Uhm... what are all these?" Viel asked.
"My gifts for you before you leave for Serolf Academy, Your Highness!" Sagi said with a wide grin.
Viel's jaw dropped at the mountain of presents Sagi had brought.
A second later—
Smack!
Yvess smacked Sagi on the back of the head. "Would you stop that? Viel is going to school, not on vacation!"
"Ow! Why'd you hit me? That hurts!" Sagi complained, rubbing his head.
"Whoa! Gifts!" Blake shouted as he dashed toward them. "Come on, amigos! Let's open them!" he said excitedly.
Zake and the others quickly gathered around and began opening the presents one by one.
"Hey! Stop! Don't open those! They're for Viel!" Sagi yelled in panic.
"Huh? What's this?" Stephen asked as he picked up a stack of CDs.
The moment Zake glanced at the cover, he immediately covered his eyes.
"Waaah! My innocent eyes!" he cried dramatically.
"Porn videos?" Heberlin guessed.
Everyone slowly turned to look at Sagi.
"Hehe..." Sagi replied with an awkward grin, flashing a peace sign.
Before he could react—
Whack!
Yvess smacked him again, even harder than before.
"You really can't do anything sensible, can you?!" he shouted.
"Waaah! I'm sorry!" Sagi cried.
Xenon could only shake his head. "Viel is far too young to be watching things like that."
"Well, if Viel can't have them..." Blake grinned as he quickly gathered all the CDs into his arms. "...then I'll gladly take them! Wahahaha!"
"Hey, idiot! Share some with me!" Heberlin shouted as he snatched a few CDs from Blake.
"Hey! Save some for me too!" Stephen joined in, trying to grab the remaining discs.
Watching the three of them fight over the CDs, Yvess and Xenon could only sigh and shake their heads.
Viel blinked innocently. "Uhm... what's on those CDs?"
Without missing a beat, Zake answered, "They're scary movies. The kind that'll make your hair stand on end. You'll have nightmares if you watch them."
Viel's eyes widened.
"R-Really? They sound terrifying," he quickly waved his hands. "I don't want to watch anything like that. You can all have them."
"YES!!!"
Blake, Heberlin, and Stephen shouted in unison, celebrating their unexpected prize.
.
.
.
Xerxes quietly entered Akuma's room.
"Are you still angry with me?" he asked softly.
Akuma didn't answer.
Xerxes could only let out a weary sigh.
"Do you really want to go there?" he asked.
Akuma nodded.
"Alright..." Xerxes said after a long pause. "I give you my permission."
Akuma's eyes widened. "R-Really, Brother?"
Xerxes nodded. "If that's what will make you happy."
A bright smile spread across Akuma's face.
He immediately wrapped his arms around Xerxes in a tight embrace. "Thank you so much... Brother."
Xerxes smiled gently and returned the hug.