"Don't play dumb, Azariah."
Edwin growled, pressure slowly leaking from his body, suffocating .
"Show the energy you stole from Yggdrasil."
I drew in a deep breath, steadying myself even though I felt my shoulder cracking underneath his pressure.
The sharp, jarring pain spread, making clench my teeth and lock my gaze with his.
Gritting my teeth, I replied, "I have no idea, Edwin."
The pressure on my body slowly started to subside as he kept on looking down at .
I drew in shallow breaths repeatedly as my body wasn't in the best condition right now.
Edwin turned towards the east, where the enormous painting was hanging.
He clasped his hands behind his back, staring at the painting.
"Do you know who that is?" he asked, glancing at over his shoulder.
I straightened my back as I turned towards the painting.
It was a portrait of a family of three.
An impossibly handso man with crimson eyes sat on an elaborate throne, his long obsidian-black hair cascading behind him.
Beside him stood a woman of ethereal beauty, her green eyes contrasting against her dark hair.
But what drew my attention was the child cradled in the woman's arms—a little girl.
A knot of confusion coiled in my chest as I studied her face.
"He was the third child of mana to be born and the first head of the Valentine family."
Noticing my lack of response, Edwin continued coldly, staring at the painting.
"His na was Lazarus Twilight Valentine."
I tore my gaze from the girl in the painting to et Edwin's eyes.
He studied for a mont, then resud his slow steps toward the painting.
"Many aren't aware of it, but the First Head of Sgaeyl Highbloods was actually his grandfather," Edwin said, glancing back at .
I frowned at his words as I asked confusedly, "What?"
"He was an elf," Edwin continued, his words sharp, filled with distance. "Before his ascension. Before he beca sothing far greater."
...I do know that.
It was vaguely explained in the ga.
The reason behind the conflict between elves and vampires.
The Sgaeyl, Gerald, and Valentine Highbloods are all connected.
"But despite his superiority, Lazarus lived in his grandfather's shadow," Edwin said, his voice taking on a bitter edge. "And he despised it to his core."
"..."
I stayed silent, watching the flickers of emotion in Edwin's crimson eyes. Hatred. Frustration. Pride.
For the one who started the Valentine Highbloods.
Edwin turned around once again as he raised his hand towards the candle.
"Do you know how many wars have been waged between vampires and elves in the last six thousand years?" he questioned, lighting up the candle.
I slowly walked towards him as I replied, "I don't."
"The Heir of Sgaeyl Highbloods doesn't even know this much?" he asked, sarcastically. "How laughable."
I didn't reply; instead, I slowly walked and stood to his left.
Edwin didn't wait for my response either. "Two hundred eighty-six wars. Thirty of them great wars."
"And how many did vampires win?" I asked, folding my hands, already knowing the answer.
And like I expected, Edwin's jaw tightened, annoyance flashing across his face before his expression turned impassive. "Zero."
"Quite the number you have there," I replied sarcastically. "How laughable."
[]
'I can't.' I rubbed my temples to alleviate the headache.
Elves revered Yggdrasil more than anything else.
Telling her that I stole the one thing that keeps Yggdrasil alive would be suicide.
'She would either capture and make a lab rat or outright kill .' []
I lightly smiled as I looked back at Lazarus's portrait while taking out my phone.
His inferiority complex is royally fucking up.
****
Kallistar, the capital of Akasha.
The place which was the hotspot for business conviction.
It wasn't odd considering, except for the humans, every other Highblood has firm control over their races.
Even if the races have their own king or queen that leads them, the one who has the most authority was the forsaken families.
But interestingly enough, there was another thing that Kallistar was famous for.
That was having the most prestigious academy in Lumina.
[Akasha Faith Academy.]
The place where the ga Fall of Akasha started.
"That would be 1000 U.C."
My trail of thoughts broke as my gaze shifted towards the lady who stood opposite the counter.
Hm.
She was... plain, especially when compared to Christina.
"Sir?"
"Right, I am sorry." I replied with a light smile, taking out a card handed by Daina. "I lost in admiring you."
Her cheeks flushed, and she smiled bashfully as she took the card. "Don't be like that, sir."
I leaned casually against the counter, watching her process the transaction. "You seem awfully young to work here."
"Akasha Travel Center hires based on talent," she said, her eyes flitting between the computer screen and .
"You must be quite talented." I replied, and her smile widened, clearly pleased.
"By the way," I began, lowering my voice slightly, "what's the current currency exchange rate between Akasha and Lumina?"
Her expression faltered, just for a mont.
Usually, it's a no-go for staff to reveal the exchange rate to anyone.
It's like an unwritten rule because they also add their own charges in it.
But...
I mustered the best smile I could as the lady hesitated.
After a few seconds of debate, she slowly leaned closer.
"It has gone down significantly since the last few months, but it's still around 2:1. But it's safe to assu it won't go any lower."
"I see." I replied, with a slight nod.
'So, Esray has started to influence universal currency.' I thought, rubbing my chin.
It might seem insignificant right now as the rate always fluctuates, but later on, it would cripple Akasha's economy.
It was so significant that by the middle part of the Second Core, Akasha's currency would plumt, leaving it weaker than Lumina's.
'I don't know how she did that.'
She is scary when it cos to controlling these insignificant things.
She gives a lot more attention to little details than anyone else.
'I should learn to do as well.'
I thought as I looked back at the lady.
"Here is your ticket for the academy." She replied while handing a token.
"Thank you, my lady." I replied with a smile while taking the token.
"Ah, sir?"
"Yes?"
"Could I... could I have your number?" she asked shyly, holding out her phone.
I tilted my head. Genuinely confused.
What made her think I am in her league?
[]
I glanced down. Right. The cuffs.
She might be thinking I am so noble from Lumina who is trying to make connections.
"Of course." I replied, taking her phone.
What was Aimar's number again?
Ah, right.
I swiftly dialed his number before returning her phone.
She smiled sweetly while I turned back and walked away.
Looking around, I couldn't help but admire the infrastructure of the place.
It was the main train station that joined Kallistar with every other major city and places within Akasha.
The sprawling platform was a marvel of mana-infused engineering, with glowing runes guiding the constant movent of trains on intertwining tracks.
'It's far better than anything on Earth.' I mused, taking a sharp turn toward a quieter platform.
Here, only one track stretched westward—the route to Akasha Faith Academy.
Even though the academy is said to be part of Kallistar, it's still far away from here.
'I rember reading sowhere that the academy is spread over five percent of Akasha.'
It may seem insignificant, but given Akasha is twice or more the size of the moon on Earth, five percent is a lot.
A sleek, rune-etched train pulled into the station. The doors slid open silently, and I stepped inside.
Oddly, there were no students aboard, only a handful of staff.
'Maybe because it's past curfew?'
I wondered, taking a seat and making myself comfortable.
It was already late at night, and because I had to travel from Velentine Highbloods to Kallistar on a bike.
'Edwin, Edwin.'
I thought, rubbing my brow with my thumb.
He sure is an ambiguous man.
Even in the ga, he was one of the guys who was mostly unpredictable.
But it was easy only if you know his end goal.
'And he is using to reach that.'
I leaned back on the chair, closing my eyes.
Esray really just threw into a quicksand, huh?
The more I struggle to co out, the more I will sink deeper.
Co to think of it, didn't he promise to engage Siersha to 'That guy?'
'Did he change his plans?' I frowned at the thought.
But another possibility quickly erged in my mind.
'His plan is still the sa.'
Siersha's engagent was supposed to happen in the Second Core.
That's almost two years from now.
And from Edwin's perspective, I was as good as dead by then.
If I died, there'd be no complications.
Given if nothing happens between us, his plan seems flawless.
'Too bad I don't have any intention to die.'
If anything, he made things easy for .
The Valentine family is an enemy that I need to be wary of.
"Hm?"
My phone buzzed, interrupting my thoughts.
I glanced at the screen.
"Aimar?" I muttered, answering the call.
His voice echoed.
"We have a problem."
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