The chains bit into Caelum's wrists, humming with that crimson radiance. His breath came fast, his body taut, mind racing.
Where… where did I go wrong?
His claws still tingled from the failed slash. If he had delayed less, if he had suppressed his power until the right moment, if he hadn't wasted mana on obvious combinations—his head spun with calculations, possibilities, counterattacks. Every choice branched into failure.
The vampire tilted his head, watching with a faint smile. "Mm… don't look at me with those eyes. Like a cornered beast measuring the angles of its cage."
Caelum ignored him. His mind refused to still, skittering across survival scenarios. If this creature didn't kill him immediately, it would toy with him. If it toyed with him, maybe there was a chance. No… he's stronger than the spiders. Stronger than anything I've faced. What can I do?
The vampire crouched slightly, eyes gleaming as if amused by his silence. "Where are you from, little beast?"
Caelum barely heard. He wasn't listening—he was drowning in thought. Survive. Even if I don't survive… what would be left? Nothing. Except..He has to bring up a topic that almost anyone would understand. He thought hard until the thought of the Raven Academy came to mind.
His throat tightened. He hadn't spoken to anyone in a long time now. His words scraped out hoarse, broken, awkward on his tongue. "…Raven… Academy."
The vampire's smile froze for a second. "Hmn?"
"…I… want to go to… Raven Academy." His voice cracked, slurred from disuse, but the words carried weight, stubborn and raw.
Silence stretched before the vampire let out a soft chuckle. "Oooh… Raven Academy, is it? Bold. You know most people never even qualify to enter, let alone dream of thriving inside?"
"I know," Caelum rasped, steadying his breath.
"And yet…" The vampire's smile widened. "You drew blood from me. A graze, but still. To most, my presence alone is an attack. Even without lifting a finger, they freeze. You pushed through. Do you know how rare that is?"
He leaned closer, voice dropping. "Do you know the mistake you made?"
Caelum's eyes flickered.
"The moment your first attack landed, you hesitated. Thinking, calculating, why didn't it work? That pause is death. Warriors trained in cozy families make that mistake—they think too much. They forget a fight is not logic, it is survival. Attack after attack. Relentless. No room for thought. That is how one wins."
The words seared into Caelum's mind. He clenched his jaw, frustration burning.
The vampire rose to full height again, stretching casually, as if deciding what to do with a curious animal he'd found. "Still… you are not one of them. Instinct carries you. Fangs, claws, desperation. It excites me."
Then, with sudden brightness, he clapped his hands lightly. "Let's make a deal."
Caelum stiffened, suspicion flashing in his eyes.
"I'll help you register for the Academy," the vampire said smoothly. "I have a feeling you'll do great."
Caelum's chest tightened. Hope flared—but just as quickly, suspicion doused it. His voice sharpened. "…What do you want in return?"
The vampire's grin deepened. "Oh, sharp boy. You're right. I don't offer things out of kindness. What I want… is your blood."
Caelum's brows furrowed.
"I've cultivated for centuries," the vampire went on, tone almost lazy. "But bloodlines… they require something more. Yours… it sings. I can taste it from here. The more you grow, the more potent it becomes. A rare, perfect specimen for my research."
He shrugged lightly, as if discussing the weather. "That's all. You grow stronger, I get a taste. In exchange, I pave your way. Good deal, hm?" His smile sharpened. "Refuse, and I kill you here. No bad blood."
Caelum's lips twitched. "You… sound like you're giving me a choice. Am I supposed to say 'kill me' and be done?"
The vampire chuckled. "You'd be surprised how many do."
Caelum's teeth ground together. His stomach knotted, fury and resignation warring within. If not for that smile—that damn smile, infuriating and handsome all at once—he might have spat blood in his face.
"…Fine," he bit out. "Do I even have another choice?"
The vampire's eyes sparkled. "Hah. Of course you do. But you chose wisely." He leaned closer, whispering near Caelum's ear. "Now, three things before we begin. First—whatever destination you had in mind, abandon it. You're coming with me. I have… business elsewhere. You'll tag along."
Caelum's expression soured.
"Second—you're leaking mana everywhere. It's sloppy. Amateurish. This forest tolerated it, but civilization will not. Reign it in."
Caelum flinched slightly. He noticed… everything.
"And third…" The vampire sniffed delicately, then wrinkled his nose with mock offense. "…when was the last time you bathed?"
Caelum: "..."
The guide: "..."
The vampire's laugh rang through the trees, light and mocking, as the chains dissolved into the air.