POV: Bruno
In the training field, I performed all the main vampiric powers in sequence: Vitae, Nex, Nox, and Mutatio.
I repeated the cycle over and over, trying to master or uncover some secret that might've escaped my young and inexperienced eyes.
Vitae flowed through my body, Nex surged forward like an endless flame, Nox expanded several meters around me, and my body underwent slight changes: wings would emerge, my eyes turned red, my nails grew—or retracted.
Everything happened in sequence, countless times. I had already lost track. I just knew I had to keep going. But how? What was I missing?
Vitae still poured out uncontrollably whenever I tried to attack. I couldn't hide it, which made stealth or precision attacks impossible.
Nex responded only to my intent—whether to sharpen, throw, or strengthen it—but it still required Vitae to be intensely projected. I couldn't even begin to imagine how Nerys wielded it so effortlessly.
Nox still created ripples in my Vitae and surroundings, as if warning it was about to be released. I couldn't picture this power anywhere near the level of my sister-in-law's.
And Mutatio? I couldn't even manage a partial transformation with accuracy—let alone a complete one.
But… doesn't that make sense? I began to wonder.
An apprentice becomes a warrior after undergoing the transformation and forming a blood star. From there, you're expected to expand it to its limit, obtain 10 drops of pure blood, and develop proficiency in the four core vampiric powers.
But is that really the logic?
Shouldn't it be enough to expand the Vitae star and acquire 10 drops of pure blood? Shouldn't proficiency be something that reflects strength, something attained when one reaches the partial form of a Vampire Count?
Maybe all of that is the foundation. Because if I know I need to expand my blood star, gather those 10 drops, and master the four innate powers, then I actually have a clear path to follow.
At some point, I confused that foundation with actual "true levels" because of how Flávia explained things.
But the Vitae star stops expanding due to lack of pure blood—not because you haven't transformed. The transformation grants real power—it can save your life—and that makes it part of the process.
And maybe that's why they say each level is a leap. Because it's not really a sudden increase in power—it's just better utilization of your full potential through a clear path.
The stronger the foundation, the taller the structure.
Those on higher levels have every reason to stop others from reaching them. They manipulate perception to make you believe there are rigid levels, and if you're not "complete," you can't move forward.
A good example is Dr. Many. His blood star no longer fits within the warrior level—it already reaches Baron. He condensed 100 drops of pure blood, allowing him to expand his Vitae reserves.
Flávia once told me he hadn't yet achieved the true Count form—so he's technically not a true Baron.
But that's just how the higher-ups keep control—through illusions meant to deceive those below.
That also explains why I was the only one who could fight and kill second-level beasts. Flávia wasn't suppressing me—she was helping me.
And through my insane actions—consuming second-level crystals while still an apprentice and without the 10 drops of pure blood—I was unknowingly strengthening my foundation, applying power from a higher level.
That's why true noble families are vastly superior. Not just because of their refined language—but because they possess knowledge that those of lower status don't.
So... what's the real foundation used by the upper powers?
"I'm almost 500 years old. Soon, I'll become a very powerful vampire."
Remembering Nerys's words, a conclusion hit me: Time?
I recalled a basic military book that said every 500 years, a vampire receives a massive power boost—based on their training and skills.
Maybe that's why high-level vampires have such monstrous strength. The lower-ranked ones must train, hunt, and purchase high-quality blood to progress.
The higher-ranked ones? They just train. Everything else is handed to them. As a result, their power is naturally unmatched.
There were never seven levels. No sublevels. Only combat power—and a path to follow.
My eyes lit up. I finally understood.
"You finally got it. Took you long enough," came Serapynhe's cold voice. "At least you've got decent perception."
"It was thanks to you, Master. If you hadn't limited the information and sparked my curiosity, I would've never reached this conclusion," I replied respectfully.
"Good. As long as you're aware…"
Serapynhe raised a finger and began explaining:
"A vampire has three stages. Young, from birth to 500 years. Adult, from 500 to 1,000. Elder, from 1,000 onwards."
"You've probably heard that to become a Count, a vampire must be at least 500, right? A king—if young—maybe around 800 or 900."
"These titles represent territorial domains. And while they suggest power, what really matters is training. Sublevels are really just accumulated effort. When the 500-year mark is reached, a qualitative leap occurs."
"Isn't that kind of confusing?" I muttered.
"Not at all. You'll find Barons who can kill Counts. Counts stronger than Kings. Elders might surpass Primordials or even Gods."
"Maybe other races operate differently. But for vampires… base and age are everything."
Then she simplified it:
Apprentice: Creation of the blood star.
Warrior: Expansion of the blood star and partial Count transformation.
Baron: Maximum expansion and true Count form.
Count: The blood star shatters and becomes an internal specter—naturally occurring at 500 years.
King: The specter can fight independently—not just channel power. Known as the "King's Domain," it creates a spiritual servant.
Elder: At 1,000 years, the final vampiric transformation occurs. From this point, power grows gradually, even without training.
"In short: you just need to train. Getting stronger is your choice. Whether you take the slow path—waiting for time—or the fast path, chasing growth, is up to you."
"Just know: this isn't a movie. You won't break into the King level and magically fight other Kings just because you 'reached the same rank'."
"Understood, Master."
"Good. Keep training the basics with Nerys. From now on, she'll assist you. I'll return daily to check your progress… and conduct regeneration training. See you soon," she said, then vanished.
But as soon as she mentioned regeneration training, both Nerys and I swallowed hard in fear.
That woman must be a demon in pale skin, I thought—imagining what kind of infernal training she had put her own daughters through.
Damn her...
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