The principal's office of Aurelian Academy was grand but understated, designed to impress without overwhelming. Light spilled through tall windows, glinting off polished floors, but nothing could outshine the aura of authority that now filled the room.
Ophis Tepes Elderblood entered, her presence demanding attention despite her calm demeanor. Even the principal's assistant instinctively bowed. Her crimson eyes flicked to the figure seated behind the desk: Victor Allucard.
Victor's dark eyes were fixed on her, sharp and calculating. Beside him sat his wife, the owner of the academy, radiating elegance and quiet power. The two made an intimidating trio — impossible to ignore.
"Welcome, Ophis," Victor said smoothly, his tone carrying weight that seemed to ripple through the room. "It's good to see you here. I trust your travels were… uneventful?"
"Smooth as always," Ophis replied, a hint of a smile tugging at her lips. She inclined her head slightly to his wife in a polite gesture. "And it's good to see you, madam."
Victor's wife returned a warm yet commanding smile. "We're glad to have you at Aurelian Academy, Ophis. Your presence will surely bring prestige to the school."
Ophis registered quietly, her movements precise, but her eyes never left Victor. There was a subtle bond between them, deeper than any simple bloodline — a father-daughter connection that surpassed her relationship with Dracula.
Victor leaned back slightly, speaking as much to his wife as to Ophis. "Soon, I plan to bring our youngest children to the academy. Our daughter… and her twin brother."
Ophis raised a brow, intrigued. "And their names?"
"Lilith and Lucien," Victor said, each syllable deliberate. "Both strong. Both capable. But their presence here is only part of a larger plan." His dark eyes flicked subtly toward the office door — though Aiden was nowhere in sight. "And this boy…" he continued, voice dropping slightly, almost a whisper, "the one the school whispers about. He intrigues me. His potential is… remarkable. I intend to recruit him, in time."
Ophis's lips curved into a faint smile, though her eyes remained analytical. "He is… unusual," she said softly. "Even I can sense it."
Victor's gaze sharpened. "Unusual doesn't even begin to describe him. But when the time comes, I will make sure he understands his place — and the opportunities before him."
The room was silent for a moment, charged with unspoken plans and the weight of centuries of experience. Ophis could feel it, could almost anticipate the steps Victor would take. But she said nothing, letting the moment linger.
For Aurelian Academy, this was only the beginning. And for the boy whose presence had drawn the attention of the most powerful vampires in existence, the storm was quietly gathering.