The night inside the castle was quiet. Too quiet.
Oban's room was dim, lit only by a single candle near the bed. He wasn't sleeping. Sleep never came easy after blood and blades. Instead, he was on the floor, palms pressed against the cold stone, doing push-ups in steady rhythm.
His arms burned. Sweat ran down his face. His chest rose and fell like a drum. But he didn't stop.
One more. Always one more.
He counted in silence. Not just numbers—thoughts.
Tomorrow. What will it be like? Another fight? Another mission? Or worse, another failure?
His heart thudded harder with the thought. The blade at his side, the strange system gifts, the way Allisa had looked at him with those sharp eyes… everything told him that tomorrow would not be simple.
He clenched his fists against the floor. "I have to be ready."
The candle flickered. His shadow stretched long and thin across the room, almost like another being training with him.
Scene Shift — Mage City
Far away, in the heart of the mage city, the night looked different. Towers of stone and glass rose against the stars, glowing with magic sigils that pulsed like veins of fire. The streets were alive with lanterns, but a heavy air hung over them.
Yuji stood at the edge of a balcony, looking down at the city. His robe was dark, his hair tied back. His eyes burned not with fire, but with old pain.
Beside him, another mage—young, curious—watched him. After a moment, the younger mage asked, "Yuji, why do you hate vampires so much?"
The question hung in the night air.
Yuji inhaled slowly. His chest rose as if the weight inside him was heavier than the city itself. He didn't answer. Instead, he turned his head away, jaw tight, and stepped off the balcony path. His boots echoed against the stone as he walked into shadow.
The younger mage frowned. He didn't understand. But Yuji… Yuji remembered.
Flashback — Fifteen Years Ago
The air was warm that summer. The house smelled of bread and herbs. Yuji was only a boy, no older than eight, and the world seemed safe.
His father was a famous mage, known across kingdoms as "The Great Mage." People bowed when he passed. They feared his spells, but they respected him more. He was not just powerful—he was just.
Yuji loved him. So did his mother, Jessica. She was gentle, always smiling, her hands soft even when they worked hard. Their family was whole, strong, and proud.
But greatness comes with danger.
The vampires knew his father was a threat. They tried to kill him many times, but failed. His father's wards were strong, and his power unmatched. So the vampires looked for weakness elsewhere.
One night, when Yuji's father was gone on duty, the weakness showed.
The door broke with a scream of wood. Shadows poured inside—fangs, claws, eyes like fire. Vampires.
Yuji remembered the panic. The way his mother grabbed his hand, the way she pushed him under the table, whispering, "Don't come out. Don't make a sound."
He watched from the shadows. He saw the creatures strike. His mother stood tall, even as she shook. She faced them with no weapon, only will.
They demanded Yuji. They wanted the son of the Great Mage.
Jessica refused. She stood in front of him, shielding him with her own body.
The boy saw it all—the bite, the scream, the blood. His mother fell, and the last thing she did was glance toward the table, her eyes soft, begging him to stay hidden.
And Yuji stayed. He stayed while the monsters laughed. He stayed while they spilled her life on the floor. He stayed, and his small heart broke in silence.
When his father returned, it was too late. Jessica was gone. Yuji was alive, but the boy who smiled easily had died with her.
Fifteen Years Later
The child grew into a man. Yuji trained harder than any other. His father's power lived in his blood, but his hatred sharpened it into a blade. He became strong, stronger than many mages twice his age.
When the time came, he found those same vampires. One by one, he hunted them. His spells crushed their bones. His fire burned their bodies. His wrath left nothing but ash.
But victory was hollow.
Even after killing them, Yuji's heart was not full. The hole his mother left would not close. His hate whispered louder now, telling him that it wasn't enough to kill just a few.
It told him: Erase them all. End every vampire. Only then will you be free.
So he listened. And that desire grew into his life's mission.
Back to the Present
Yuji's eyes opened. The flashback faded, leaving only the cold stars above the city.
He exhaled, a long, sharp breath that trembled. His fists clenched, veins tight.
"I will destroy them all," he whispered to the night. "Every last one."
The city lights burned beneath him like fireflies in a jar. He turned his back and disappeared into the shadows.
Scene Shift — Back to Oban
The candle in Oban's room was low now. He had switched from push-ups to sit-ups, his shirt damp with sweat. Each movement echoed through the stone chamber.
He wasn't just training his body—he was training his mind. His system gave him points for effort, and though small, they added up. One more push, one more chance to be ready.
His arms shook when he finally paused, lying flat against the floor. His chest heaved. He closed his eyes.
Then—footsteps.
Someone was outside. The sound of soft boots against the hall. The door creaked, and a figure leaned against the frame.
It was Amrin.
Her lips curved into a playful smirk. "Well, look at you. Training so hard you forgot the rest of us exist."
Oban sat up quickly, wiping sweat from his face. "I didn't forget. I just… needed this."
She raised a brow. "Need any help?" Her tone was teasing.
He shook his head firmly. "No thanks. It's fine. I can manage."
"Suit yourself," she said with a shrug. Her eyes lingered though, watching him. There was curiosity there, maybe something more.
For a moment, silence filled the room. Then she stepped closer, hands folded behind her back. "You know, you take yourself too seriously sometimes. Not everything is battle and blood."
Oban blinked, unsure what to say. He wasn't used to this side of her.
Amrin smiled faintly, then leaned down. Before he could move, she brushed her lips quickly against his cheek.
It was soft, warm, and over in a blink.
Oban froze, stunned. His eyes went wide. His mind blanked.
Amrin stepped back, laughing lightly at his expression. "Don't overthink it. It's just friendly."
She turned and walked away, leaving only her footsteps echoing down the hall.
Oban touched his cheek, still shocked. His lips twitched into a small, awkward smile.
"My life…" he muttered under his breath, "…is kinda dizzy."
The candle finally went out.
And the night moved closer to tomorrow.