"I’ll be going now, read the books I left there if you’re bored" Zeres waved his hands as he walked across the misty street of Helva district.

"Am I too early? " he mumbled, pulling his hood up, he arrived at a place packed with wooden carraiges waiting to be boarded.

"Where are you headed? " an old coachman asked, tobacco in his hands.

"Lunaire Academy"

The man’s eyes widened slightly, before he flicked off the cigarette on his hands.

"So you’re a Gifted huh" the old man mumbled while they rode off the quiet streets.

"Study well kid, after you graduated from that academy, even the Royal palace might scout you"

"Yes, thank you" Zeres answered, leaning on the wooden wall that separates them.

For Zeres, heatbeats became his baseline on determining emotions, and the old coachman before him probably felt sorrow and regret.

"Is entering the Academy once your dream? " he asked gently, though he was not one for small talks—he was bored.

"Haha is it that obvious? "

"Well you’re right, but I didn’t managed to get in—after having a family, I promised myself I’ll let my children study there." The man’s voice trembled faintly.

"What year are they now? " Zeres asked.

"My eldest is already a fourth year, and my daughter’s a second year—my youngest was supposed to be first year."

"Supposed? " Zeres leaned his head closer.

"Yeah, I sent him into the trial last five months—but he died, I heard there was a vampire participants among them. I suspect that monster’s the reason my son died."

Zeres’ body froze; as far as he know, he was the only vampire that entered the trial!

"You should also be careful of that monster" the old coach man warned, his shaking voice echoed across the cold wind.

"... Yes" Zeres replied lately.

’I’m not the one who killed them’ he thought bitterly. "Humans really were frighteningly good at creating monsters to blame."

Thinking of what Aloria had shared with him, he felt something inside him boil—it seems humans weren’t as innocent as they were presenting themselves.

’Still, it’s already been five months’ strength left his body as he sighed, he hadn’t noticed how fast the day had come because of him being on the constant threat of losing his self against his own hunger.

"Do good boy, I’ve heard the Luminary Trial will be tommorow." The old man’s hoarse voice made Zeres eyes widened.

’If the Trial is tommorow, then the First Act is already near’ he clenched his fists as he glanced at the streets.

It was peaceful.

Zeres gritted his teeth ’They’re all having a good life while my kind was slaughtered?’

’Huh? Wait, what am I even thinking?’ Zeres shook his head,but he could still feel the unfiltered rage the original Zeres had on the humans.

’Fuck, don’t tell me I inherited even his emotions’ he cursed under his breath.

"We’re here" the old man’s voice pulled Zeres away from his thoughts as he went down.

"5 Haven coins" the old man stretched his calloused hands.

"Here"

"Hey wait! It’s too much! " the old man shouted,his gaze squinting at the coins on his palm; 20 Haven coins.

_______________

Zeres removed the robe he wore as he arrived in front of the massive academy gates. Two guards were standing there, their postures straight as they stared at Zeres. They both nodded before letting him in.

The sound of heart beating and the scent of fresh blood assaulted his nostrils as he staggered back slightly.

’Fuck, when will I get used to this?’

"It’s quite lively today" Professor Elyssa hummed beside him, her long curly-red hair fluttered on her back, she wore her usual customized uniform—a tight dress embracing her curves with a slit showing her long legs.

Zeres glanced at the side, the surrounding was already filled with students going for a walk or exercising.

"Probably the commoners students"

"I heard you ditched your dorm" Professor Ellysa said quietly, the sound of her high heels echoing on the ground as they both walked across the hallway.

"Yes" he replied curtly

"Are you sure about that decision? The church might try to harm you outside" Professor Elyssa asked, there was a crease between her brows.

"You don’t need to worry about that professor, I can handle myself"

"Well, if you say so, but send me a letter if you’re facing some problems; I’m worried at your reputation here in the academy—it seems to have worsened ever since the commoners have arrived." Professor Elyssa massaged her temples.

"But did you really did it? "

"You’re free to think whatever happened inside that cave."

"That’s also one of your problems student Zeres, you have no friends."

Zeres halted, his head turning towards professor Elyssa.

"Oops, I’m sorry" professor Elyssa’s luscious lips twitched, then she turned sideways.

"You can laugh you know" Zeres rolled his eyes, at least professor Elyssa was still the same; still friendly and warm towards her students.

"Then I’ll be going now, it was fun talking with you" professor Elyssa chuckled as her hand rested on her office’s door knob.

"Zeres, I know vampire’s age differently compared to us humans, so you can talk casually to me if there’s no one there."

"Though you’re already doing it" she winked then she twisted the door knob before she entered.

"What’s her deal? " Zeres sighed, his shoulders dropping before he walked across the silent hallway.

"How much longer before I could get used to this?"

"Is that him? "

"Yeah"

"You should avoid him on the Trials, he might kill you"

Zeres’ ears twitched upon hearing whispers across him, the rumors about him was getting out of hand; maybe the church might even use it against him. 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

’I’ll need to clarify things’ he ruffled his long hair in annoyance, then he glared at the two students glancing at him.

"Phew, better" a smile tugged at his lips after all the students on the hallway had dispersed as if a professor had told them to.

__________

Zeres stopped before a tall wooden door, the signboard was written with pride—as if saying the students of this room were built different, which was indeed correct.

He twisted the door knob as he entered.

"You’re here"