XIV

Before I could ask what Atravius meant I felt the Aether around us fluctuate and I looked over just in time to see a disc of absolute darkness flash into existence. 

Then, a single black leather boot stepped through the portal followed by its owner, a tall, slender man with the pale skin and perfectly sculpted looks that I assumed all vampires possessed. His black hair was cut short and slicked back revealing his elongated ears that ended in a sharp point. He wore a set of leather armor stained a midnight black with a series of gleaming holsters and buckles that openly displayed the series of knives strapped across his body. 

 But when the portal closed behind them I had to contain my shock as my aura sense swept over the man, only to find nothing, it was as if he didn't exist even though my eyes were telling me otherwise. 

"Atravius old friend, how long has it been since we last chatted?" The man greeted my teacher with a slight accent as a roguish grin spread across his lips revealing his fangs. 

"Not long enough," Atravius responded dryly, but if offended the man he didn't let it show and I felt his pitch black eyes slide over to me, "So this must be your protege. He used to be a human, no?" 

With a start I stored the manual back in my ring. I then snapped my heels together and placed one hand behind my back while the other went across my waist as I bowed, "Ramos Masura heir of House Vitamori." 

"Oh my how proper," The man grinned before he returned with his own bow, "Vitruvian Patriarch of House Umbra." 

My eyes widened in shock for a moment before I schooled my expression, 'Well that explains the aura, and the portal.' 

Sidro grin widened at my shock and he turned back to address Atravius, "Is there anything else you wish to say before we go. I don't mean to rush but being in this suppressing chamber is exhausting." 

"Suppressing what?" I asked out loud, receiving an admonishing glare from the teacher in return from my outburst. 

"A Suppressing Chamber," Sidro repeated like it was the most obvious thing in the world before he stilled and faced Atravius, "You haven't kept him locked up in here the whole time have you?" 

My teacher didn't answer and an actual look of discomfort crossed his face. 

Sidro shook his head and looked back at me, "Well no matter, what's one year compared to the centuries you'll live. Now enough is stalling, enrollment is going to begin at any moment. Oh and here is your uniform." 

With an elegant flourish of his hands Sidro presented me with a bundle of neatly folded clothes. 

Atravius waved his hand and a changing screen appeared in front of him, "Get to it." 

Wordlessly I ducked behind the screen and quickly disrobed before putting on the uniform. It consisted of three pieces, a tailored black leather jacket, featuring intricate red embroidery along the lapels and cuffs, over a simple but elegant cotton shirt with the frilled collar peeking through. Paired with a set of black leather trousers tailored to be straight leg with the cuffs covering the tops of my dress shoes.

Buttoning the last fastening on my jacket I stepped out from the screen, "You know I was a bit doubtful about this whole thing. But the uniform really brings it all together." 

I looked to my teacher and grinned as he dipped his head once, "It suits you well Ramos." 

Sidro sniffed dramatically and wiped an imaginary tear from his eye, "So touching, but we really do have to get going so…" 

Sidro trailed off as he snapped his fingers, summoning a shadow portal in the air next to him, "After you good sir." 

Looking from the portal I turned and faced Atravius before bowing so deep that my head nearly touched my knees, "Thank you for everything, Master." 

Then without waiting for his reply I turned around and strode through the portal my jaw set as I steeled myself for whatever was on the other side. 

---

As I stepped through the dull drone of quiet but numerous conversations flooded through my ears. The second thing I immediately felt was the amount of Aether in the air, it was almost overwhelming. 

Taking a moment to gather myself I gazed out at the scene in front of me. The portal had set me down in the corner of a luxurious ballroom, with a dark marble floor, grand black stone walls with large red stained glass tinting the moonlight that shone through into the room bathing its occupants in a dark red light. 

Boys and girls my age crowded around the room with the same uniform I was draped in. They stood in small gathers nestled within larger groups and I immediately identified that they were segregated by house. There were slight differences in their appearances and stature that made it relatively easy to tell them apart. However one thing I noticed is that at a first glance no one possessed a skin tone darker than raw milk. 

'No chance of me blending in at all,' I thought to myself as I felt the frequency of the Aether around me and circulated my own aura to emulate it. 

Just as I finished concealing my aura I felt a wave pass through air making me freeze along with everyone else in the room as every pair of eyes was directed towards the banister overlooking the ball room. 

"Welcome all, to the 5089th Enrollment of Bloodrise Academy. It is my pleasure as Headmaster to see so many of you standing here today." 

I stared wide eyed at the headmaster or as I knew him Sidro, who's booming voice held none of the playful lilt I had been exposed to. Instead of his armor the vampire was dressed head to toe in black velvet suit with cotton red accents. 

"Today is a momentous occasion, because each and everyone of you will be joining Bloodrise Academy. In these prestigious halls you will be nurtured into the true vampirian society. No doubt in the following years we will see future leaders rise amongst you. Those who have the ambition and greed to take what is rightfully theirs." 

Every time Sidro spoke I could feel the aether in the room ripple. It was different from the suppression effect my teacher had subjugated me to, in fact it was almost the exact opposite. 

Instead of feeling smothered I felt invigorated and I almost wondered if Sidro belonged to House Lepos instead of Umbra. 

"But enough of the duty and the responsibility of the future. Tonight is a celebration of you taking your first steps on your paths to greatness. So please relax and enjoy the hospitality of Bloodrise Academy."