--Chapter 85–

With Leona gone, Dean began making his way out of the training area in the eastern wing.

The woman didn’t give him a yes but it wasn’t a "no" either. She also didn’t reprimand the vampire earlier that they were not together.

’Thats a good sign right?’ Dean asked inwardly. At this point, he wasn’t too bothered about her challenge.

It was a piece of cake. After all, He didn’t need to be in the top 10% of the class. Because he was already the 1%... Who was he kidding. He was the only percent.

No one else was taking the class. Now all he needed to do now was get Ymir to mentor him so he could get pass the theory aspect of the course.

Outside the building, he found himself in a different predicament.

Where to go next?

Right now, it was either he returned to Leona’s quarters or go to the workshop and possibly test one of Olsen’s Inventions.

The first option was definitely not the best. Even though what happened in there wasn’t all that bad.

He was aware, Leona didn’t take him seriously for now that’s why she made that bet.

But that was an issue that time would solve. All he needed was to get her on that date.

As for Olsen. He was the safer choice. And right now, Dean didn’t mind safe. Safe was good.

With the decision made, he made his way to the workshop, now wondering why he hasn’t seen his stalker all day.

With Richard’s class cancelled and his assignment still much an issue.. she should be around.

He wouldn’t have mind going to the library to find her but with this blue zone issues, and Marcus and his goons lingering, the best place to be would be with the secluded giant. Olsen.

He was sure attention wouldn’t come for him there.

"Don’t tell me you’re thinking about me?" A calm and familiar voice slipped into Dean’s ears.

There was no point turning back, he knew exactly who that was.

"Hey mentor.." Dean stopped.

The blue eyed werewolf appeared on his right hand side. "Hey noodle hands."

Dean snorted before meeting her gaze with a confused expression. "It’s thursday already?"

"Not really," Ymir replied, sniffing him softly, "You smell different."

"It’s fame. I assure you," Dean slanted his shoulders.

"Hahahahaha," Ymir laughed, "Get off your high horse Mr blue zone."

She finished sniffing him. And continued. "You never told me it was your coming of age ceremony.?"

"I didn’t think we were friends yet," Dean teased.

"I saved your pretty face from scars twice. For free..." She paused with a frown. "Of course we are friends, noodle hands."

"Fair..." Dean nodded..

Since she was already beside him, Ymir locked her arms into his playfully as they walked. "So how many deepthroaters did you get ?"

Almost like he had an in-built braking system. Dean’s suddenly stopped, and turned his head right.

"How many what??"

"Betrothals?"Ymir repeated with a sly smirk. As if she didn’t know what she said.

"Umm .. None."

Ymir’s face threatened turning red but she hid it very well.

"What do you mean none? The Saint carried you to her quarters."

Dean wanted to act confused but he recalled Olsen saying students saw his unconscious Ass arrive with Leona at Franseint.

"You saw that too?"

Ymir nodded gently, her hold on his arm tightened. "So are you guys, like exclusive," her voice was suddenly low, almost completely drained of its usual energy.

"Wait.." Dean stared forward. "No...She just attended my ceremony."

Choosing not to say anything further. Dean gave Ymir a curious look as he could have swore, he heard her breathe down like she was relieved.

"Why are you interrogating me?"

"Because I’m your mentor Mr Blue zone." She replied quickly. Looking forward.

Dean still didn’t look away even as she pulled him, her arm still hugging his tightly.

"Let’s go." She yelled. Drawing unwanted attention.

"Go where?" Dean chuckled behind her.

"Wherever you want." She looked back and winked.

Dean smiled. "You’re crazy.."

"I know...idiot."

***

Evening settled over Zhrea and at the Vermith Mansion, hidden behind towering black gates and forests of silver trees.

Astrea found herself in a familiar room. Above her was a massive chandelier with a dim crimson glow that flickered every now and then, giving the room an eerie feel.

At the far end of the chamber sat a single throne.

Marquis Von rested upon it quietly, one arm supporting his face while his crimson eyes stared down the hall.

Below the throne stood Astrea. She remained on her knees, her eyes on the floor.

Her crimson hair spilled down her shoulders while the sharp uneven floor pressed against her knees.

Beside the throne, another figure sat silently on a smaller seat of the same metallic material.

The elder on the seat looked nothing like a human. His body was short and broad with long arms, pale almost icy skin and sharp ears that stretched backward.

His eyes glowed faintly red as he watched Astrea carefully.

The atmosphere in the room remained heavy until Marquis Von finally spoke.

"So," his deep voice echoed lightly through the chamber, "the rumors were true."

Astrea lowered her gaze further.

"Yes, Marquis."

"He survived a blue zone?"

"Yes."

The Marquis tapped his overgrown claws slowly against the armrest of his throne.

"What about his ranking?"

Astrea answered immediately.

"It increased significantly after the incident."

"I see.." Marquis Von replied simply. Allowing a chilling silence rest over the room.

The chandelier flickered once above them and Marquis Von’s eyes narrowed slightly.

"And Leona Saint took him inside personally? You say!"

Astrea hesitated for half a second. But answered nontheless.

"Yes."

That answer darkened the Marquis’ expression immediately.

"The Saints are already positioning him," he muttered. "They see value in the boy."

Astrea remained quiet but inwardly she understood something clearly now. Her father had sent her on this mission personally, not because he suspected him.

He already knew...

Even before the incident, Marquis Von had seen potential in Dean Gray.

Afterall, Even Voss Dorian Vermith found the boy interesting.

The elder beside the throne finally spoke. His voice was rough and yet steady.

"Then we should eliminate him now."

Astrea’s eyes shifted slightly toward him.

The elder continued calmly.

"A growing Gray will eventually become troublesome. Kill him before he becomes a threat to the balance."

Marquis Von remained silent for a few seconds before shaking his head once.

"No."

The elder frowned, shifting in his seat.

"No?"

"We move closer first," Marquis Von replied. "A growing Gray is either a disaster or an opportunity depending on who reaches him first."

The old vampire leaned back slightly on his throne.

"If the Saints secure his loyalty before anyone else, the balance inside Zhrea changes. Or worse, returns back to how it once was."

Astrea quietly listened. They weren’t speaking about Dean like a student anymore.

They were discussing him like a weapon.

The elder’s glowing eyes narrowed.

"And if the boy refuses us again ?"

Marquis Von’s voice remained calm.

"Then we decide whether he lives long enough to regret it."

The room fell silent again.

Astrea felt her stomach tighten slightly. She wasn’t afraid. But she never really signed up for this either.

And deep down, she already knew Dean would never willingly kneel before anyone.

Not the Saints. And definitely not her family.

Marquis Von’s gaze slowly returned toward her.

"Astrea."

"Yes, Marquis."

"Get closer to him."

Her eyes lifted slightly.

"Befriend him. Learn his habits, weaknesses and ambitions."

Astrea stayed quiet for a moment before answering carefully. "I’ve tried."

Marquis Von raised a brow as his eyes dwelled heavily on her. "And?"

Astrea struggled to explain it properly. Her words suddenly felt insufficient.

"H-he’s... difficult."

The elder beside the throne snorted. "A first-year student is difficult?"

Astrea ignored him. Dean was difficult because he did not react the way people normally did.

Most students became nervous around noble families. Others became desperate for her approval.

Dean did neither. He didn’t seem bothered in the slightest and even agreed an Hel’Khar with an Argent.

If she was honest. There was nothing normal about the boy.

Marquis Von studied her expression carefully before speaking again.

"Try harder," His voice remained calm but heavier this time.

"Use whatever means necessary."

Astrea’s fingers tightened slightly against her knees..A small sigh escaped her before she realized.

The Marquis noticed immediately.

"Is there a problem? little one?"

Astrea lowered her head further.

"No, Marquis."

The room remained quiet for another second before he suddenly smiled.

"I trust you to at least handle this for the family."

"Yes, Marquis," Astrea answered and rose smoothly without another word.

She bowed once before turning and walking toward the massive doors behind her.

She disappeared through them almost immediately.

***

A few minutes later, Astrea entered her private chambers. Compared to her father’s chambers, her room felt far warmer.

A fireplace crackled softly near the far wall with moonlight entering the room through the opened windows.

Raenar rested quietly near the bed. She lifted her head the moment she entered.

Astrea walked toward the window slowly before stopping beside it.

For a while, she simply stared outside.

Her fingers unconsciously moved toward the crimson gem on her necklace. 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

Then she remembered Dean’s words again.

"I came here for freedom."

Astrea frowned slightly and murmured to herself. "Freedom?"

The word still felt strange in her mind.

Most vampires within noble families were raised with purpose from birth. Even now, her duty was to learn how to control the burden placed on her and obey the family.

Everything was already decided long before now.

In this world where they had to hide behind walls for survival, freedom was never something anyone poke about seriously.

Yet Dean had said it so naturally. Like it mattered more than survival itself.

Raenar quietly approached and rested beside her.

"My lady...?"

Astrea was still dwelling in her thoughts. Originally, getting closer to Dean was merely a punishment to her.

Another order...

But now... She was curious...About him.

She had always been curious since the day he lied so effortlessly as if there was no consequence.

Her fingers tightened slightly around the necklace.

"Freedom..." she murmured softly. She wanted to understand it too.

But if she was going to approach Dean Gray properly...Then she needed a different method.

Because whatever everyone else saw when they looked at him...She knew Dean could see through lies faster than most people realized.

A small smile slowly appeared on her face as she turned to Raenar. "I need your help."