Magic / Thrall Management

Once Zell left the bedroom behind, he headed straight downstairs to find Janae awaiting him outside his door. The maid bowed respectfully before saying, "Master! You requested assistance!"

"Teach me magic please," ordered Zell bluntly.

Janae replied happily, "Of course, Master."

Then both of them entered another part of the mansion that contained various training rooms including a magical arts classroom.

Inside, rows of desks lined each wall covered in bookshelves full of scrolls and texts. Most likely, every single book in this place is related somehow to spells or magic. Numerous wands hanging on walls alongside glowing orbs set atop pedestals provided even further proof. Some of these objects glowed brighter than usual indicating that they possessed mana cores within them. These items were used for casting different kinds of spellwork. Of particular note was a large crystal ball resting on a table against one corner of the room.

"What elements have you awakened, master?" Janae asked.

"Wind, fire, earth, water, light, dark, and mind," Zell kept blood hidden since only Elisabeth knew that he was a vampire and he didn't want to reveal it yet.

"I can only teach fire and wind since I'm good with those."

Without hesitation, Zell nodded firmly. Since he couldn't use blood magic yet, he figured that learning elemental magics would serve him best regardless of how powerful his powers ultimately grew. Besides, he already knew what sort of power he desired. It wasn't just strength either; rather, he sought something more akin to mastery over life and death itself. Thus, mastering multiple types of magic suited his needs very nicely indeed. As far as he was concerned, being able to wield more varied skills made sense given everything else he learned earlier today.

However, Zell also remembered hearing tales of great mages capable of using dozens upon hundreds of spells simultaneously.

"Let us start with Wind Ward, it's a defense spell that will be very handy."

Janae explained the basics of the spell, then demonstrated it herself. Then she instructed Zell to try performing the same thing himself. He did so without issue while keeping an eye out for any signs of trouble from above. However, once finished, he found no such danger present at all. Apparently, the wards worked perfectly fine. Satisfied by their effectiveness, Zell said, "Good enough. Now let us continue."

They began practicing other types of spells after that until late into the night when Zell finally decided he'd had quite enough. After thanking her profusely, he bid Janae farewell. She responded by bowing deeply before leaving. Once alone again, Zell closed his eyes and concentrated. In short order, he felt a faint sensation in his palm. Upon opening them, he noticed that some kind of misty aura surrounded his hand. A moment later, a small flame appeared there. Not wanting to waste time testing its limits, Zell summoned a gust of wind instead. With practiced ease, he sent it whirling about in front of him like a miniature tornado.

─Will +2─

─Name: Zell─

─Race: Lesser Vampire─

─Level: 0, 0/100─

─Strength: 9, Agility: 8, Endurance: 9, Charm: 14, Will: 24 --> 26─

─Skills: Inspection─

─Blood Skills: Charm, Blood Slaves Marking─

─Mana Elements: Wind, Fire, Earth, Water, Light, Dark, Mind, Blood─

─Title: None─

─Thralls: Elisabeth─

─???─

─???─

─???─

"I gained two will points!?" exclaimed Zell excitedly.

Soon after, Zell went back upstairs to his room. When he arrived, he discovered that Elisabeth had returned to consciousness. She wore a long white nightgown that hugged her slender figure tightly. Despite wearing clothing that accentuated her feminine form. Elisabeth still managed to appear graceful despite the garment's lack of modesty.

Elisabeth opened her eyes slightly and whispered, "Is it morning already?"

Zell glanced at the clock on the wall and answered, "Yes it is."

He watched as she sat up and swung her legs off the side of the bed. Lifting her arms upward, she stretched her entire upper body. Faint creaking noises could be heard coming from the joints throughout her spine.

With a smile, Zell remarked: "It looks like we're both awake now. Shall we go eat breakfast together?"

While waiting for a response, Zell took notice of Elisabeth's appearance.

Her face bore traces of fatigue and sleep deprivation—but otherwise, she looked well-rested and beautiful beyond compare.

At length, Elisabeth murmured: "...sure."

She climbed out of bed and approached him. Without warning, she leaned forward and kissed him passionately on the lips. For several moments, they stayed locked together. Their tongues wrestled playfully between their mouths. Only gradually did they pull apart.

"Ahhh… that feels nice..."

"Indeed. We should do this more often—"

Before they could finish speaking, however, a metallic clang echoed across the room. Both of them turned toward the source of the sound. There, leaning casually against a pillar, stood a maid.

"Well aren't you two cute."

The maid smirked wickedly at the pair.

Both Elisabeth and Zell gasped in surprise at seeing her. They hadn't been expecting anyone to interrupt them at all much less someone who was obviously watching them. Yet here she was standing right before them.

Noticing their shock, the maid laughed aloud. "Oh don't worry. I've seen worse things than lovers kissing before. But if you wish to stop, feel free."

As soon as she spoke, Elisabeth pulled away from Zell and hurriedly moved away. Her cheeks blazed red with embarrassment.

While Zell only chuckled lightly and shook his head. His smirk remained unchanged.

"...what are you doing here?" inquired Elisabeth.

"The breakfast is ready, milady." The maid curtsied politely and exited the room.

***

Breakfast consisted of a selection of fruits, loaves of bread, and pastries baked fresh that day and sweetened milk. Though nothing satisfied Zell.

Since only blood could satisfy him anymore.

After they had eaten Zell brought Elisabeth to his chambers.

No words had to be spoken for Elisabeth to understand what Zell wanted.

After Elisabeth had nodded Zell bit her neck and drank her blood greedily.

─EXP +5─

'I can gain exp by drinking blood?!'

─Skill Gained: Blood Drinking─

─Description: By feeding on the life force of living beings, gains experience equal to half of the victim's level. Also grants additional effects depending on the type of creature drained.─

─System Bonus: Gain targets skills if you drink until they die─

'I could do this even before getting the system so why did it become a skill? And what's a system bonus?'

A question for another time, thought Zell.

He continued sucking the blood from Elisabeth's throat while feeling elation wash over him. At last, he understood what it meant to truly live.

***

An hour later, Zell left his chambers and proceeded towards the library where he planned to spend most of the day studying. Before entering though, he paused briefly to gaze upon Elisabeth sleeping peacefully inside her room.

***

Zell spent hours reading through countless volumes of lore regarding the many aspects of magic. He read about everything from basic elemental magics to advanced techniques rarely taught to students. From ancient history to modern practices, he absorbed every detail of the subject matter. Soon, he realized that magic was not simply a tool of manipulation but also an art unto itself.

─Skill Gained: Magic Understanding Rank 1─

─Description: Learning spells will be slightly easier─

"This will be useful!" Zell declared with satisfaction.

Ever since coming to this world, Zell felt truly happy and content for perhaps the first time in his existence. Perhaps because he'd reached some kind of understanding with his new home and his own abilities.

Thus, Zell devoted himself entirely to his studies during that afternoon and evening.

That night, Elisabeth slept restlessly due to the lingering aftereffects of Zell's kiss. She tossed and turned in bed trying desperately to fall asleep. Eventually, she gave up on the idea altogether and rose silently from beneath the sheets. And went towards Zell's bedroom.

Upon entry, Elisabeth saw that Zell lay curled up under blankets beside a low fireplace. While he stared into the flames, he seemed lost in thought. So intent on staring at the embers, he never noticed Elisabeth's approach. Nor did he realize that she was wearing an almost translucent nightgown.

"Master…" whispered Elisabeth softly.

In spite of the fact that she'd known him for barely six months, Elisabeth cared very deeply for him. Ever since they met, she sensed deep down that there was something special about him. That he might someday prove to be important to her. This realization led her to develop feelings for him that she had never expected to possess.

Yet now, her heart ached with longing. All she really wanted was for him to return her affectionate affections. To tell her that she was worthy of love. If he showed her such kindness, she would gladly give him anything he desired. Even if it cost her life.

─Thrall: Elisabeth Affection +50─

─Thrall Management Unlocked─

─Name: Zell─

─Race: Lesser Vampire─

─Level: 0, 5/100─

─Strength: 9, Agility: 8, Endurance: 9, Charm: 14, Will: 24 --> 26─

─Skills: Inspection─

─Blood Skills: Charm, Blood Slaves Marking─

─Mana Elements: Wind, Fire, Earth, Water, Light, Dark, Mind, Blood─

─Title: None─

─Thralls: Elisabeth─

─Thrall Management─

─???─

─???─

Zell focused on the new page and a new menu opened.

─Thrall Management─

─Main Thralls: Elisabeth─

─Lesser Thralls: None─

─Focus on a thrall to bring up information about them─

Zell did just that.

─Elisabeth─

─Affection: 150─

─Status: In love─

─Implant Suggestion─

─Possess─

─Stop Heart─