Knock. Knock.
"Come in."
Felix looked up as the door opened. "Princess Celestine… why are you here?"
She hesitated, fingers clasped in front of her. "It's just…" Her voice softened. "Thank you. For earlier."
Felix blinked. "You don't have to thank me for anything."
Celestine shook her head. "I saw how you fought. It was…"
Felix tilted his head. "It was?"
"…It was really cool."
Felix nearly choked on air.
So cute, he thought, quickly looking away.
Celestine smiled faintly. "Your mom and dad are calling you. Dinner is ready."
"Okay," Felix replied. "I'll be there in a minute."
As she turned to leave, Celestine's gaze lingered on the corner of the room—on the softly glowing egg resting there.
"What kind of egg is that?" she asked.
Felix hesitated. "It's a phoenix egg."
Her eyes widened. "A phoenix? Isn't that just a fairy tale?"
"No," Felix said quietly. "It's real."
He pulled out his pendant and showed her the crimson feather sealed inside. It shimmered faintly with warmth.
Celestine stared in awe.
"Keep it a secret," Felix said. "Between us."
She nodded solemnly. "I promise."
"Let's go."
They gathered around the dinner table soon after.
Arven broke the silence, turning to the queen. "So, Your Highness—what brings you here?"
Queen Cassandra Elenador folded her hands gracefully. "Sir Arven… shortly after you left the White Tiger Regime, the knights began to fall apart. Discipline crumbled."
Arven sighed. "I can see that."
His eyes briefly shifted toward the guards standing outside—the same ones from earlier.
"And is that all?" he asked.
The queen shook her head. "There is more."
Her expression darkened.
"Half a year ago, the Vampire Empire declared war against Elenador."
Arven stiffened. "War? But why? Wasn't there a peace treaty signed by the Emperor of the Royal Empire?"
"Yes," Cassandra replied. "But they claim their imperial princess was kidnapped by humans. The last place she was seen… was within Elenador's territory."
Arven narrowed his eyes. "And did you find her?"
"No," the queen said quietly. "The group responsible fled the empire. The war has continued ever since."
She paused, voice heavy. "Their attacks are relentless. The bloodshed hasn't stopped."
Felix frowned. "Dad… how did they attack during sunrise?"
The queen turned to him. "It's simple. Vampires over a thousand years old can walk freely under the sun."
Felix's eyes widened.
"Their population is vast," Cassandra continued. "And we cannot easily distinguish them from humans. That is what makes this war so dangerous."
Arven leaned back, thoughtful. "Did you seek aid from the Royal Empire?"
Felix's heart skipped slightly at those words.
"Yes," the queen answered. "But they are… suspicious."
"Suspicious?" Arven echoed.
"Five years ago," Cassandra said slowly, "an heir was born to the strongest emperor."
Arven's eyes widened. "The emperor became a father?"
"Yes. But that very night, the child was kidnapped."
Silence fell over the table.
"They never found him," the queen continued. "That is why they refuse to help. They understand the pain of losing a child… just as the Vampire Lord does."
Felix sat quietly, his chest tightening for reasons he couldn't explain.
"The Vampire Lord has made his terms clear," Queen Cassandra said gravely. "If his child is returned safely—without a single scratch—the war will end."
Rose frowned. "So… you'll be staying here until the war ends?"
"Yes," the queen replied. "King Aurelion Elenador decided that even if we lose the war, survival must come first."
Arven's brow furrowed. "But what about holy magic?"
Cassandra shook her head. "You know this well, Sir Arven. Even holy power is insignificant before the Vampire Lord."
The air grew heavy.
"Only a Sword Saint, a Sword Sovereign, or those above that rank can face him," the queen continued. "And even Sword Saints struggle when Vampire Sovereigns fight together."
Arven was silent for a moment. Then he asked quietly, "Do you need my help?"
"At first… yes," Cassandra admitted. Her gaze shifted to Rose and Felix. "But seeing your family, I cannot risk your life."
Suddenly—
Knock. Knock. Knock.
The sound echoed sharply through the villa.
Arven's hand moved to his sword. The guards stiffened instantly.
Rose whispered, "Who would come this late?"
Queen Cassandra rose slightly from her seat. "Be careful. It could be an assassin from the Vampire Empire."
The knocking grew frantic—urgent, desperate.
"Everyone, take your positions," Arven ordered.
The door opened—
And a blood-covered figure collapsed inside.
"Attack!" Arven commanded instinctively.
"Wait—no—stop!"
Felix's voice cut through the tension.
Arven turned sharply. "Felix—why?"
Felix stared at the figure, heart racing. "That voice… it's familiar."
He stepped closer, eyes widening. "Teacher—it's him."
"Stop! Everyone, stop!" Felix shouted.
Arven and the others looked again.
It was Lucien.
The Head of the Mage Tower.
Or rather—what remained of him. His clothes were torn, his body bruised and battered, blood soaking through his robes.
"…Lucien," Arven muttered.
Lucien groaned weakly. "My… back…"
Felix exhaled in relief. "He's alive. He has a protection pendant."
"We're sorry," several guards said at once, lowering their weapons.
Princess Celestine let out a small, nervous chuckle, the tension finally breaking.
Felix knelt beside Lucien. "Teacher… why did you come so late?"
Rose added, alarmed, "And why are you covered in blood?"
Lucien grimaced. "It's because of you, Felix."
"…Me?"
"The slaves you rescued from the bandits," Lucien continued weakly. "One of them is a vampire. She went berserk—probably from thirst."
Felix blinked. "A vampire?"
"She keeps asking," Lucien said, wincing, "for the prince who saved her."
Felix tilted his head. "Prince?"
He frowned. "So where is this shining prince who saved her?"
Silence.
Everyone slowly turned to look at Felix.
The room fell into an awkward stillness.
"…Wait," Felix said slowly. "It can't be me."
Lucien lifted his head just enough to look him straight in the eyes.
"It is you," he said. "The boy with white hair like moonlight… and red velvet eyes."
Arven's eyes widened.
Rose covered her mouth.
Queen Cassandra stared in disbelief.
Princess Celestine froze.
Lucien struggled to his feet. "Come with me. Now."
Felix sighed. "Fine. I'll come."
Then he added calmly, "But after this, you're treating me."
Lucien let out a weak laugh. "Deal. Now move."
They teleported directly into the Mage Tower.
The moment they appeared—
"Move! He's here!"
The shout rippled through the tower halls. Mages instinctively stepped aside, forming a wide path. Whispers spread like wildfire.
At the far end of the hall stood her.
A girl with pale skin like moonlit porcelain, crimson eyes glowing faintly, silver-black hair cascading down her back. Dark mana clung to her like mist.
A vampire.
She looked up.
Her gaze locked onto Felix.
For a heartbeat, the world seemed to freeze.
Then—
She ran.
Straight toward him.
Felix's eyes widened. He stumbled back instinctively. "W–Wait! No—don't—don't eat me!"
Too late.
She slammed into him and wrapped her arms tightly around his waist, burying her face into his chest.
Felix froze.
"H–Huh? W–Why? Wh–What?"
The surrounding mages stared in disbelief.
Lucien rubbed his bruised temple and sighed. "I truly didn't know my student was a lady-killer."
Felix flushed bright red. "S–Stop it, Teacher!"
The girl tightened her grip, trembling slightly.
Felix hesitated, then gently placed a hand on her shoulder. "Um… hey. Who are you?"
She slowly looked up at him, eyes shimmering.
"My name is Lilith Noctyra," she said softly.
The name sent a murmur through the hall.
Lucien stiffened. "…Noctyra?"
Felix blinked. "Is that… important?"
Lucien exhaled sharply. "That's not just any surname. It's an imperial name."
Lilith nodded, still holding onto Felix. "I am of the Noctyra bloodline. Daughter of the Vampire Lord."
The Mage Tower erupted into stunned silence.