The grand corridors of the Royal Vampire Academy for Noble Youth were built with obsidian-black marble and trimmed with veins of glowing crimson quartz that pulsed like a heartbeat. Sunlight never touched this place; instead, ethereal lanterns floated along the arched ceilings, casting ghostly red glows down the silent halls. Designed only for the children of nobles, the academy was as much a place of learning as it was of discipline and control.
Outside its main gates, Kenneth Valdros paused, clutching his satchel. The air was cold, thick with the scent of iron and incense. Malrik stood hidden within the shade of a high spire nearby, hood drawn, arms folded. Though the Queen had insisted Kenneth attend school like the other noble-born, she had also ordered Malrik to observe from afar and intervene only if necessary. He had served her faithfully since before Kenneth's birth, and she trusted no one more to watch over her son.
Kenneth turned and waved toward Malrik's direction, even though he couldn't see him. Malrik sighed. "Clever boy."
Kenneth entered the academy confidently, his posture relaxed yet noble. Almost instantly, the corridor fell into a hush. Whispers echoed along the walls like murmurs from the dead.
> "Is that him?"
> "The sixth prince..."
> "He's even more beautiful than they said."
> "His eyes... are they blue?"
Every gaze in the corridor snapped toward the boy with silken black hair, light brown skin that shimmered under the red light, and piercing blue eyes that felt unnervingly gentle for a vampire. Kenneth walked with a subtle arrogance born from innocence rather than ego. Girls stared, mouths agape. Boys either glared or looked away.
A female teacher in a long flowing black robe approached him, smiling politely.
> "Prince Kenneth," she said, bowing slightly. "I'm Madam Elvera. You'll be with me this semester."
> "Nice to meet you, ma'am," Kenneth said, bowing back with polite formality that charmed even the teacher.
She turned and gestured for him to follow. As they walked through the halls, Kenneth looked around curiously. Some students gave forced smiles. Others bowed awkwardly. Most just whispered.
His classroom was large, circular, and designed like a lecture hall. Students sat in a crescent formation. A grand sigil of the Vampire Kingdom was etched into the center of the obsidian floor. At Kenneth's arrival, the murmuring began again. He sat in a vacant seat near the middle.
Madam Elvera stood at the front and began her lesson. Her voice was elegant and firm.
> "Today, we begin with the fundamentals of our kind—Thirst."
She paced slowly, her robe trailing behind her.
> "Vampires are born with a sacred hunger. A thirst that cannot be quenched by water, wine, or flesh. Only one thing satisfies it."
> "Blood," the class answered in unison.
> "Correct," she nodded. "But not just any blood. Human blood."
A boy raised his hand.
> "But we never see humans here. Where are they?"
Madam Elvera smiled faintly.
> "The Vampire Kingdom survives on discretion. Our agents in the human world operate blood banks. These institutions collect donations through legal contracts. In exchange, the humans are paid well. These shipments are brought to us monthly."
Another student frowned.
> "So... we buy it?"
> "We invest in it. Our secrecy is our strength. Were the humans to know of us truly, it would cause chaos." She paused, then turned her gaze to Kenneth. "Prince Kenneth, can you tell us why secrecy is essential to our survival?"
Kenneth blinked. "Because exposure would incite fear. Fear leads to violence. And vampires, though strong, are outnumbered."
Madam Elvera tilted her head, impressed.
> "Excellent."
Several students exchanged glances. Some were surprised he spoke so clearly. Others were annoyed he got it right.
> "And does anyone know why we do not hunt humans directly anymore?"
Kenneth raised his hand.
> "Because it led to the Great Cleansing."
The teacher's eyes widened, surprised. "And what do you know of the Great Cleansing, Your Highness?"
> "It was a war three hundred years ago. Humans discovered us. Many kingdoms were burned. Thousands of vampires perished. After that, the Elder Council decided secrecy was better than dominance."
Madam Elvera stared at him for a long moment, then slowly nodded. "Well-read. Very well-read."
Malrik, watching through the tall stained-glass windows above, smirked under his hood. "Show off."
The class continued. Kenneth stayed quiet unless spoken to, but his answers were always precise. Despite his playful defiance earlier, here he was composed, intelligent, and poised.
The bell tolled.
Students stood, chatting eagerly. The teacher smiled.
> "Dismissed. Enjoy your break."
Kenneth stood slowly, slinging his satchel over his shoulder. He didn't notice the dozen eyes still watching him as he walked toward the door.
Above, Malrik leaned back into the shadows, his heart a little lighter.
> "He's ready."