Vampires

Those from the door also approached Loki with varying expressions, trying to figure out who the mysterious man in front of them was. Kisuke, however, only found this amusing and refused to answer their questions seriously, 'It's like being given a chance to mess with them for the second time.', he thought while thinking of ways to deal with Freya and considering doing it with heavy hands since it seems to be more effective that way, if that's Loki is wanting to suggest by kicking her off her high-horse.

And just now, Kisuke felt his tracking magic react and checked it. From her room on the top of Babel, Freya started moving while the rest of the Freya Familia within the tower and on the ground began converging, 'An hour at most, huh? Really... What does she have against me that she's willing to gather all of her forces just for me?'

Kisuke looked around and took a closer look at everyone who was very overt with their suspicion and slight hostility to the unknown he brought. A few seconds later, he decided how he should kill his time, 'Might as well check their progress. I'd hate it if they become useless baggage if the worst is to come. They should at least be able to deal with mobs with ease if there are any.'

To start with, Kisuke turned to Filvis and asked, "Have you started using your abilities?"

"...Did you mean the abilities that came with this body?", Filvis was slightly distressed and hesitant but after shaking her head, she answered, "Yes... To a certain extent."

"F-Filvis!", Lefiya suddenly called out in panic while they looked at her strangely and with confusion, including Loki.

Seeing this, Kisuke instantly guessed the situation, "So you haven't told anyone else your abilities and your current race except for her?"

"No. We didn't hear anything about it. Although I knew that they were hiding it, I never forced them to tell everyone.", Loki answered and became incredibly curious on why Lefiya became scared, 'What sort of ability does she have to give a reaction like that?'

Kisuke sighed at this and said to Filvis, "Then reconsider it. Hiding it would only put the others in danger by having the wrong assumptions."

Although Kisuke could also understand Filvis' plight. Drinking blood and acquiring power from it really sounds evil and monstrous.

Filvis looked at Lefiya who's still panicking and trying to say something before smiling at her antics, 'As long as she trusts me, I'm alright even if others look at me with disgust.'

She then looked back at Kisuke and replied, "You're right. I should have done this from the start."

Turning to everyone, Filvis continued, "I'm sorry for keeping this to everyone but according to him, I'm now what's called a Vampire."

Loki raised her brows, "Vampire? What's that?"

After a short pause, Filvis answered, "A monster that can vary in appearance, they say. But it's main ability is to drink the blood of others to strengthen themselves."

This claim of hers made the others' eyes wide open while Lefiya became incredibly nervous. Even though the latter was biased to Filvis, Lefiya still had a hard time accepting that ability of hers and it was only recently that she agreed to participate in her secret training.

Filvis looked at everyone's face and she could easily see the disgust and fear even though they were trying to hide it, 'I already expected this, but seeing those expressions isn't as easy as I've expected.', she thought with a bitter smile. Even though it hasn't been very long when she first arrived here, she already considered everyone as her comrade.

Finn and Riveria wanted to say something but Loki raised her hand to stop them, "For now, I'll do the talking. Whatever your impression and judgment are, save it until this is over."

Everyone nodded and kept it to themselves as Loki had instructed.

Facing Filvis, Loki continued, "I won't say anything regarding on why you choose to hide it 'cus I understand where you're coming from, but from Lefiya's reaction, she already knew it and to some extent, already assisted you by providing the needed components, yes?"

"...That's right."

All eyes converged on Lefiya but this time, she stood tall and bore the pressure. It's for her precious friend so the least she could do is to show that there's nothing wrong with it.

Loki leaned back and thought for a moment before turning her attention back to the amused Kisuke, "So? What are these Vampires? I think it's better to hear it from you."

Kisuke already expected such a question coming for him so he took out a notebook that he had been hiding under his sleeve, "Let's see, let's see... According to the records that I've acquired, they are beings of night, thriving under the moonlit sky as nobles of pride."

But Loki suddenly interrupted him by slapping the table, "Leave the poetic intro out! Give us the basics!"

Kisuke pouted his lips in protest but did indeed skip the intro, "Vampires are known for their abilities that surround blood, mainly absorbing or consuming them for a temporary or permanent boost in strength."

"Aside from that, they are also known for their ability to transform into beasts or mist depending on their aptitude. They also have the ability to charm people as an auxiliary for their blood consumption and a subset for this ability is to control smaller animals and insects."

"They also have increased regeneration based on their individual rank, from the capability to restore large wounds to being almost nigh unkillable."

"Of course, their own blood is also special since it can contain vast amounts of Magic Power so each and every Vampire are also very capable Magic-Users if they're trained properly and their aptitudes are usually on the colder side of the spectrum. If you want a comparison, they are on par or maybe even better than Elves' natural talent for Magic."

"And finally, as long as they could consume blood regularly, they are practically unaging with an estimated lifespan of at least ten thousand years and those in the highest ranks with their age just being numbers that they could easily forget and ignore."

"...What's up with that ridiculous prowess.", Loki commented with twitching lips, "And why do you sound like you've already met a lot of them?"