POV: Serapynhe
I was watching from one of the rooms in the training field when the child, Constantia, managed to enter his Partial Count form. As expected — impressive. His strength temporarily surged to that of a vampire around 300 years old — or, in rough terms, an almost-Baron.
Still, it was slightly below what I expected, perhaps due to his lack of proficiency. After all, it was a transformation based on incredible order and synchronicity.
But his level of proficiency still had a long way to go in several areas: the four base powers of vampires, his flames, the blood control he decided to add to the transformation, and his own body control. His movements are rigid, limiting the strength of his transformed attacks.
On a general evaluation, I'd give him a median grade — nothing more, nothing less. There's still much to improve. However, it is enough, for now.
Rising from my armchair, I stepped into the training field. I arrived with a crash, extinguishing the flames that tried to corrode the rune walls.
I positioned myself in front of him and stared, challenging. He clearly understood: I wanted to test his power — against my body.
He stepped back, and two beings appeared: his familiars — the fire horse and the wyvern. The fire horse was attempting to ascend its level, so it rarely came out to fight. The wyvern, on the other hand, only trained with Bruno and didn't mind showing disdain toward me.
They fused into his classic transformation. Surprising — from afar, they looked like a single warrior, cloaked in a purple aura.
Where is this aura coming from? I wondered. I focused on it and released my vitae subtly to investigate. I quickly reached a conclusion.
Violetana? That fruit has nothing special... So how? I asked myself, even more confused. It's just a banana-shaped purple fruit, with little vitae...
While I was reflecting, he — in his Partial Count form, in the Corpus Trium Ignis transformation — raised his black spear. It was shrouded in thick vitae, interwoven with three types of flame: purple, red, and blue. Blood orbited the weapon as if held by its own gravitational pull. At the spear's tip, crackled electric energy wrapped in a devastating combat intent.
The spear was raised and released a slash toward me with terrifying intent. The energy ravaged everything in front of it. Unfortunately, limited by his level, his transformation couldn't keep up with a true Count's power — so even with a boost, there were limits.
Vush.
The attack hit me directly. There was no effect on my body. Honestly, nothing happened — and still, the force surprised me.
Considering his limited level and young age, that degree of power is truly interesting. I estimate he has about ¼ of my power, when I was his age.
It is enough.
For now...
---
POV: Bruno
As soon as I struck, my vitae was completely depleted. Two movements — that's my limit. Holding tightly to Astrel, I looked toward where Serapynhe was, as smoke rose.
Buff.
A scoff echoed in the distance. It was Serapynhe.
All the smoke was blown skyward. When my eyes finally landed on her body, I saw the vast difference between us — as wide as heaven and earth. There wasn't a single scratch on her, not even a speck of dirt on her clothes.
With her usual arrogance, she scoffed and asked:
— Is that all you've got? Is that your best? Ordinary. At best, average.
Damn it.
That was extremely frustrating… and exciting. Even if I hadn't hurt her, I had finally entered my Partial Count form, which was enough for now.
— In the coming days and weeks, you must improve your proficiency in every skill as much as possible. In one month, you are to condense your final drop of True Blood and improve your Blood Star.
Said Serapynhe, before vanishing.
I stood still for a few seconds, listening to the sound of her voice echoing in my mind, as I got lost in silent thoughts.
Her intentions were clear: she wanted me to strengthen my foundation — in every aspect.
I took a deep breath and approached Flávia, Nerys, and Selena, still riding Astrel.
— So, ladies… looks like I'll be counting on you again for another long, torturous month of training, I said, smiling at the three.
— Count on Nerys! You're gonna get way stronger! — said Nerys, in her usual upbeat tone, always speaking in the third person. As funny as ever.
— Of course.
— Yes.
Replied Flávia and Selena in unison — perhaps excited for the training ahead.
These would be the first steps into the return of hellish training.
And in that hell...
I would be the victor.
---
A Few Days Later...
I was at the training field, accompanied only by Selena — a master of the fire element. She would be my first focus of training.
Selena explained her knowledge of fire seriously, like a true master:
— Listen, Bruno. Fire goes far beyond just burning. It consists of several aspects:
> 1. Burning
2. Control
3. Dominion
4. Flame Grade
5. Experience
6. Combat
---
1. Burning
This is the process of turning vitae into flames — the foundation for fire to take shape. The fuel for the flame is both the vitae and the user's will. Vitae alone can't sustain the flame; without will, it fades. Think of vitae and will as yin and yang — slightly opposite, yet irresistibly drawn together.
---
2. Control
Controlling the flame is difficult. It's one of the two most hostile elements — alongside thunder. Without control, fire is a double-edged sword — it can harm you and be useless in battle. Just throwing out waves of fire won't help if you can't form specific attacks or defenses.
---
3. Dominion
Perhaps the most important aspect. Selena raised a dome of invisible fire around her. Everything connected to fire — oxygen, sunlight, anything — fell under her control. Dominion is where we deepen our connection with fire and use it effectively in real combat.
---
4. Flame Grade
Flames have various grades: red, blue, purple, black...
You've somehow already condensed a spark of purple flame. But, limited by your current strength, you can only manifest it lightly — like a magical border around your attacks.
---
5. Experience
Each fire wielder develops a personal understanding of the element. I have mine, you'll have yours. Fire is deeply individual. However, sharing insights can create incredible breakthroughs — my way might be inferior to yours, or vice versa. Plus, the intent behind flames changes from place to place. In Tenebris, for example, fire is shallow and incomplete.
---
6. Combat
Fighting deepens your dominion. Every high-risk encounter forces your fire to evolve, adapt, and grow. That's why each user ends up with a unique method of use. Even if two people have the same form and strength, the internal understanding and intent behind their flames are completely different.