The "Blood Rebirth" or the formal discussion in which the formulation of plans for the upcoming war finally came to an end after more than an hour, then, after that, the Feast of Nature – an event in which everybody, who was present would gulp down an Elven blood, which was procured from the dead Elves during the previous wars.
With the appearance of an enigma of the Crimson Goddess, everyone seemed exhilarated and felt themselves to start the war right away because of the blessing that each of them received, which could be spread to the Vampire Soldiers by the Vampire Lord's will.
Sometime later, golden and silver chalices filled with an amount of Elven blood floated in front of every vampire, even Almirah, one of the Crimson Princesses. She glanced as she picked up the chalice, adorned with silver and golden hue streaks, highlighting its exquisiteness. Suddenly, a thought came to her mind.
'...I never drank Elven blood before!'
The Vampires weren't obligated to drink Elven blood in their everyday lives, and as one of the treasured individuals in the Vampire Lands, Almirah, the daughter of the tenth Vampire Lord, Dregan Vlad Salem of the Bloodcalm Clan, was restricted by her father in committing such an act because of one reason – the blood of an Elf was dangerously addictive.
There were several effects when a vampire consumed the Elven blood, although most of them were beneficial to the vampire's physiological state, a psychological effect was also present – hatred, causing the vampire to be extremely irrational when it came to the Elves.
However, this psychological effect of fully bearing an enmity towards the Elves, to the point of being insane, could be lessened by training the vampire's mental state and by attaining higher power. Simply put, through experience thus came immunity.
<Do not drink it. Find a way to make a substitute.>
Her father, Dregan Vlad Salem, who was sitting on her side, said to her in a cautious manner through telepathic communication.
<Yes, father.>
She replied tersely in the same way – through telepathy. After a few seconds, as the princess of the Bloodcalm Clan, Almirah specialized in Blood Magic – the vampires' innate skills – that explored the depths of the human mind. Apart from manipulating blood as it was, she could manipulate or change the 'emotions' contained in that particular blood just like the one within the golden-silver chalice in her hand.
The 'blood' of any being, based on the wisdom bestowed to their race by the Crimson Goddess, possessed memories, and through memories came emotions. Since the blood in this assembly was probably from the Elven Soldiers that died due to the ancient wars of the distant past, there would only be "two" emotions in a soldier's memory – Hatred and Longing.
The former contained the burning hate that was directed at the enemy, while the latter contained the eternal love that was directed at those they had fought for.
Taking a short breath as she calmed her mind, Almirah activated a skill discreetly. Aside from the manipulation of the mind, it could be said that the Bloodcalm Clan was greatly known for its concealment ability.
[Activating Skill: Blood Calm]
[The user's presence will temporarily be inconspicuous unless the user engages in conversation first.]
[The user's state of mind will enter a state of serenity.]
[The user will be able to maintain rationality in extreme circumstances.]
[Blood Calm Duration: 10 minutes]
After that, she activated another skill, and as the Feast of Nature commenced, everyone, in this dim cathedral, went on to their own businesses, making Almirah more inconspicuous.
[Activating Skill: Crimson Manipulation]
[Accessing the lingering emotions and memory contained in the 'targeted blood']
Just as Almirah held the chalice with the Elven blood, her crimson eyes glistened as her mind adrift, sending her subconscious to a hazy, crimson mist where a certain Elf was standing and looking blankly on the ground.
This Elf adorned a mature look – short, light-yellow-haired, orange-eyed – and a second or two later, the murky crimson mist changed into the memorable memories of an Elf, which was divided into two: Together with her family and her last moment thinking about her family, lying on the bloody ground of the battlefield as her heart was pierced by an arrow made of Vampiric Blood.
And in the latter memory, the woman's expression, before thinking about her loved ones, contained enmity towards the vampires as the war raged on.
'...War is terrible, however, if it's the Crimson Goddess' will, then I can not question it. However… in the unknown future… I can't say if I will not.'
Almirah muttered to herself. Sometime later, to change the Elven blood poured within the chalice in her hand, she searched for the memorable memory of the Elf, spending some time with her family in the green wilderness, hunting for wild animals.
'...A bear, huh…? That's a great find!'
As soon as Almirah saw the brown, three to four meters bear, the memory stopped. She walked into the frozen memory and slashed the bear's neck, causing blood to gush out like a disrupted waterfall.
'...This should be more than enough.'
She muttered to herself, ending the Crimson Manipulation, which she could do of her own will. The only disadvantage of this skill was that she was left defenseless during the activation of this skill.
"Ah, wait…"
Before leaving her subconscious that connected to the Elven blood on the chalice, Almirah took one last look at the delighted Elven family and whispered with a solemn tone.
"Rest in peace, whoever you are."
[Manifesting a certain material in the subconscious.]
[Changing the 'targeted blood' to the blood of a mutated brown bear.]
[The Skill: Crimson Manipulation has ended.]
[Exiting the subconscious mind that is tethered to the 'targeted blood']
Being jolted awake due to the noise around, the blood on the chalice whirled for a second or two, which signified the successful attempt of her skill.
In other words, the supposedly Elven blood disappeared and became the blood of the mutated brown bear, which was a part of the memory of the certain Elf.
After that, she gulped it down in a casual manner.
Her father looked at her, to which she only responded with a nod and a smile.
***
Time quickly passed by. After the coincidental circumstances of the gathering of the Elves, Dwarves, and Humans and the assembly of the Vampire Lords, which happened on the same day – January 20 of the Year 2063, the 29th of January arrived.
This certain date was the start of the academy classes, not only for the Humans but together with either the Elves or the Dwarves.
After the El-Vul-Or Tournament, which ended on the 17th of January, the Student Exchange or the last phase of the Three-Way Alliance – Fourteen Days of Founding Deep Connection.
On the other hand, the 18th to 28th of this month of the year was dedicated to the preparation of the transferring students such as familiarizing themselves with the environment or facilities of the academies they respectively would admit.
Furthermore, the "law" about anti-racism was established by the Obelisk Organization, which could be said for the Elnira Kingdom and Vulcan Kingdom as well.
This law forbids any form of harm – psychological, emotional, or mental – against the other race. If caught, severe punishment would be imposed.
***
"...This is quite an unusual sight to see."
Ayleen Mayfield, who came back from the Elnira Kingdom together with everyone as if the incoming war was something not to be concerned about, glanced around with a subtle smile on her face.
The A-1 class of the first-years went from the initial forty students, despite the academic history such as the deaths of numerous A-1 students during the terror attack caused by the Black Sky Disorder.
Without the transferred students from the Elnira or Vulcan Kingdoms, the remaining students from the A-1 class of the first-years were downed to only '31.'
Tanya Drusilla, the vampire who Artorious Hall killed, was considered a casualty of the Tower of Growth Failure Penalty. It was covered up by Artorious Hall and Ayleen Mayfield before the existence of vampires became known throughout the Orion Continent.
Because it happened in her dormitory room, and since there wasn't one around that time except for those who were involved, no one suspected the validity of such information.
"...Anyways, Good morning class.
"Although, unfortunately, some of you aren't here, it won't hinder us from formally introducing yourselves."
Glancing around the spacious room filled with students donning myriads of expressions, Ayleen said in a casual manner – she was not letting what was coming to hinder her demeanor in front of her students, new or old.
"Alright, let's start!"
***
Ilsevel, the one who took the second place in the El-Vul-Or Tournament Student Category, looked around the new modernized classroom.
She's one of the students who decided to transfer from one of the Elven academies to the Obelisk Academy.
Before the day of the resume of classes arrived, she learned a thing or two about the etiquette of a human, especially within the academy.
"...It's your turn."
Ilsevel's greenish eyes dilated slightly as everyone's gaze landed on her.
Her little reverie came to an end as she stood up from where she was sitting and introduced herself.
"Uh, hello? I'm Ilsevel..."
She paused for a moment, thinking about 'something,' before she continued:
"... just Ilsevel, I don't have a surname."
Her records said that she didn't possess a surname for some strange reason.
As everyone was silent, she recalled how the others introduced themselves. So, Ilsevel mimic their ways and told them her age, her hobbies, and what she wanted to achieve after this.
"...I want to be recognized. That's all. Thank you."
Somewhat feeling embarrassed, Ilsevel sat before looking at the table with a serene expression.
***
At the same time, as the seemingly peaceful first day of the class after the long vacation, on the outskirts of Northern Elnira. Russell, Samantha, along with the other members of the Umbra Mercenary – Freya, Amelie, Amery, and Ken, traversed the forest as they prepared themselves for infiltrating and taking control of the nearest Vampiric Army Headquarters.
But this time, instead of several companions, they were with numerous Elves including Lusha, Iefyr, Kerym, and Thessalia, who then became the new Elven Commander assigned in the Elven Army Headquarters situated in the Northern Elnira.
'...Hoping for a smooth operation is just simply asking for getting caught off-guard.'
Russell inwardly thought as he messaged everyone through telepathy.
<...Everyone, fight with your life on the line but remain as rational as possible.>
***
Samantha, who was walking side by side with someone she never expected to be with a few months ago, heard Russell's voice in her head as the latter addressed everyone.
She recalled the moment when she was fighting up front against the fake Vampire Commander. At that time, her opponent was someone that wouldn't be friendly with her even if she begged. She felt that the slightest mistake would be equivalent to her head flying or her heart getting pierced.
It was also the first time in her life to fight someone intelligent, not mere monsters from a low-ranked dungeon, that wouldn't be considerate of her life.
'...This isn't enough. I need to be more powerful.'
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