Camellia stared at the early graduation certificate from Solaria Academy in her hands. She couldn't believe her eyes - four years had flown by like the wind. Starting today, she was officially a Vampire Hunter.
Hiding behind an old tropical almond tree, her heart swelling with a bit of pride, Camellia unintentionally overheard whispers from her extended relatives - cousins who were still studying at Solaria Academy.
"Ugh! That White-Haired Witch flunked every course requiring physical skills and combat. She can't even wield a weapon or throw a single shuriken, yet somehow managed to graduate early with honors as a Vampire Hunter?"
The loud, brash voice of a boy echoed through the courtyard. Camellia recognized him immediately. Ever since they were kids, he'd yank her hair or trip her whenever he had the chance.
"Yeah, but I heard she got straight A+ in all the theoretical subjects. And the professors at Solaria were completely sold on her thesis about the Bloodbound Mark. That's why she's graduating three years ahead of us."
Camellia felt a sting of betrayal. The cousin who always acted the kindest toward her now spoke with unmistakable sarcasm.
"Please. Anyone can memorize stuff from books. It's just a matter of whether they want to or not. And now, you can easily ask AI to summarize and generate reasoning for you. Who's to say she even wrote that thesis herself?"
Whose voice was that?
Typical. Cheats always assume everyone else cheats too. They can't imagine someone actually working hard for their success.
Camellia reminded herself not to bother figuring out who was talking behind her back. Even if she guessed right, what would it change? No matter how hard she worked, they'd always try to tear her down.
"I heard the Clan Leader assigned her to oversee the Vampire Community in Harmony Town. That place is full of docile Vampires. She'll have all the time in the world to read her books and play Tarot cards, not like us who'll actually be doing the hard work."
Fools.
They clearly had no clue about the critical importance of the Vampire Community in Harmony Town.
Did they all sleep through Vietnamese Vampire History class?
And how dare they say the Vampires there were as tame as puppies? There isn't a single Vampire in this world that's truly tame.
Not even Null Vampires.
"Who knows? Maybe she'll get wiped out in a flash. Harmony is a tourist town, after all - Vampires from all over love to go there for a bit of fun. Ha ha ha!"
Camellia clenched her jaw, fists tightening at her sides.
She had always known her extended family didn't like her, but she never imagined they held this much ill will toward her.
"Maybe that's why she was sent to Harmony Town. I can't wait for that day to come! I seriously don't understand how someone like her even came from our bloodline. She's more afraid of sunlight than the actual Vampires!"
Camellia shut her eyes and started counting under her breath until her breathing steadied.
Damn it.
Her eyes were stinging.
She knew this was just a dream. A hateful dream, stitched together from bitter memories she desperately wanted to forget but never could.
Wake up.
Open your eyes.
It's just a dream.
Camellia ordered herself.
There was still too much left to do.
Harmony Town had to be restored to the peace it once knew.
The 1945 Covenant must be preserved.
Protect humans. Protect Vampires. Maintain the balance.
Otherwise… everything would fall into darkness.
Yes. That was it.
Camellia managed to pull herself out of the dream, anchoring her mind to her purpose - her mission.
But just as her eyes fluttered open, she felt a single warm tear slide down her cheek.
Clearly, those memories still hurt. A lot.
No.
Hold it in.
Don't show any more weakness in front of him.
Don't let him pity you.
The Vampire's jet-black eyes, framed by long lashes, were glistening - his tear ducts working overtime - making him look like a guilty puppy begging for forgiveness.
"Oh no! Are you hurt? Don't cry! Please don't cry. I'm sorry!"
Camellia wasn't hurt. Not physically, at least. That infuriating Vampire had wrapped his arms around her head and shoulders when they fell, shielding her. She was just dazed and exhausted - so much so that she'd started dreaming in broad daylight.
Now she could only muster the strength to lift one finger.
Her middle finger.
Right in front of his face - the face of that handsome Vampire boy with the catlike eyes.
"Ah! So you're okay!"
Royce beamed, relieved. Gently, he reached out to wipe the remaining tear from her lashes with his long fingers.
Is this guy… insane or something?
Just minutes ago, Royce was yelling in her face and threatening to throw her off the balcony. And now he was treating her like porcelain?
His mood swings might have been intense, but still - compared to the other Vampires Camellia had met in Harmony Town, Royce wasn't the worst. In fact, every Vampire she had come into contact with had been nothing but kind to her. Especially Autumn's older brother - the one with sky-blue eyes - Dr. Spring.
Thanks to Spring sending Autumn, and sometimes even Royce, to accompany her on hunts beyond town, Camellia had always come back safe. If it hadn't been for them… maybe she would've ended up dead, just like her relatives had hoped.
But what was the motive behind all their actions?
Was it kindness… or just a desperate attempt to uphold the Covenant?
"Our beautiful appearance, alluring scent, sweet voice, and courteous - sometimes even humble - demeanor are all weapons. Instinctive ones. Far more effective than fangs or claws. Never let what you see, smell, hear, or feel deceive you. We will do whatever it takes to survive. We are selfish creatures by nature. Never trust us."
Her professor was a Full-Blooded Vampire herself had said once, in their first Vampire Studies lecture at Solaria Academy. And strangely enough, no one in class had questioned her words.
But… could that really be true?
Hadn't she just told them never to believe a word Vampires said?
So… was that a lie too?
What part was false, and what part was true?
Camellia found this game oddly delightful.
Maybe that was part of why she chose to become a Vampire Hunter instead of living a quiet, uneventful life suited to her physical condition.
A sly smile crept across her lips - completely uninvited - and it made the most dangerously attractive Vampire in Harmony High skip a heartbeat.
The space between them was now thick with his scent - warm sandalwood mixed with a hint of citrus.
Why did it always kick in at the worst times?
Dangerous.
Camellia's sharp grey eyes involuntarily locked onto Royce's.
His pupils had started to shrink, narrowing like a cat's. His irises no longer looked pitch black - they'd turned into a golden honey hue, glowing faintly with supernatural light.
Camellia realized she had to act fast - before she got pulled in deeper.
"Royce…"
Her lips parted. Her breathing quickened…
…and Royce turned bright red the moment her delicate hands cupped his face.
Boys would always be boys - whether Vampire or human, they all reacted the same.