Bab 28: The Awakening of Power holder

The scene changes abruptly. We see a boy, strikingly pale and intense in his stillness, his white hair falling against his dark attire.

His eyes, a deep blood-red, seem to glint in the dim, shadowy light of the room.

He wears a simple white shirt and black trousers, almost reminiscent of a school uniform, adding an eerie sense of innocence to his otherwise haunting presence.

A black tie hangs loosely around his neck.

In the dimly lit room, bare of any luxury or opulence, he sits on a plain wooden chair, one hand resting confidently on the table, the other placed casually over his knee.

He exudes an aura of command, as though he owns not just the room but anyone who dares to step within it.

Three figures are kneeling before him, their heads bowed in submission.

The first is a girl, dressed similarly in a white shirt and black skirt. Her violet hair falls over her face, partially covering her crimson eyes.

Her pale skin is striking in the low light, making her seem almost ghostly.

She keeps one knee on the floor, her head lowered in a deep bow, her hands clasped in front of her, exuding reverence and loyalty.

To her right kneels a boy, his curly red hair tumbling messily over his forehead.

He, too, wears a white shirt beneath a black blazer, paired with dark trousers. His crimson eyes reflect a quiet defiance even as his head bows low, a single knee pressed to the floor.

His skin holds a tan that contrasts with the other two, his expression one of respect mingled with wariness.

On her left kneels another boy, silent and steady, his black hair a stark contrast to his pale skin. He wears the same uniform, and his red eyes, though lowered, contain a glimmer of sharp intelligence.

His stance is disciplined, calm, but respectful, mirroring his companions.

The violet-haired girl, her head still bowed, finally speaks, her voice hushed and deferential. "Hanabi... do you really believe there are others like you?"

Hanabi, the boy with the blood-red eyes, lifts his gaze, a slight smirk tugging at his lips.

He doesn't answer right away but studies her with a measured gaze before finally responding. "Sofia," he begins, his voice a quiet, deadly calm, "do you know why you were the first one I chose to turn into a vampire?"

Sofia doesn't look up. Her head remains down as she replies, "No, Hanabi. I don't know."

He leans back, crossing one leg over the other with a look of satisfaction. "Because you are the smartest student in our school. I wanted you to use that brilliant mind of yours."

His gaze shifts slightly, memories flickering in his eyes. "The day I gained this power... I saw a meteorite fall from the sky, glowing with a strange, otherworldly light. As it descended, some part of its energy reached me. My body absorbed only a fraction of that power—and look what I have become."

One of the boys, his head still bowed, speaks up, voice steady yet low. "Does that mean… Hanabi, that if you absorbed only a small amount of energy and gained so much power… then someone who absorbed more would be even stronger than you?"

A dangerous silence fills the room. Hanabi's crimson eyes flicker to the boy who spoke, his right-hand man, Brian.

A dark energy emanates from him, pressing down on the trio with a suffocating weight. They gasp, their shoulders trembling as they struggle for breath.

Brian immediately lowers his head to the floor, apologizing in a hushed, desperate tone. "Forgive me, Hanabi. I… crossed the line."

Hanabi's aura fades, and he relaxes once more. He regards Brian with a slight nod. "You're right. Whoever absorbed a larger portion of that energy is likely to be more powerful. I would expect no less from my three diamond generals."

The third boy, Ethan, who wears glasses, speaks up in a quiet, thoughtful voice. "But Hanabi… it's also possible that this person didn't become powerful like you. Maybe they gained a unique ability instead."

Hanabi's eyes narrow as he considers Ethan's words. A faint smile crosses his lips. "As expected of a genius like you, Ethan."

With this, he stands up, lifting his arms as if reaching toward the ceiling. "You three are the core of my future army, my three diamond generals," he declares.

A glint of excitement sparks in their eyes as they lift their heads, inspired by his conviction.

Ethan, ever the analyst, looks up, calm yet critical. "You're powerful, Hanabi. But there's also a significant weakness that could become a huge liability for our army: sunlight. Even with your strength, you still suffer under its rays."

Hanabi lowers himself back into his chair, contemplating. He leans forward, elbows on the table, and nods. "You're right. But I am far more concerned with the other power holders who could be lurking out there. The real danger is that they're hidden and possibly aware of my presence by now."

Sofia chimes in, her tone grave yet steady. "I think they already know you're here, Hanabi."

Hanabi's gaze shifts back and forth between them, his eyes narrowing thoughtfully. Ethan, seeing his hesitation, adds, "If that's the case, you can't afford to randomly turn people into vampires anymore. Every choice matters."

Hanabi rubs his chin, recalling the early days of his power. "At the time, none of you were with me, and I barely understood my abilities. I was… reckless."

Brian, his voice controlled, interjects, "But Hanabi, even beyond these threats, there's another concern… a very pressing one."

Ethan nods in agreement. "Hunger," Brian continues. "We can't survive on animal blood indefinitely. When our instincts flare up for human blood, we lose control. The last thing we need is for our powers—and our location—to be revealed to the world and to other power holders."

Hanabi shifts his focus to Ethan, who nods in understanding and offers a solution.

Ethan leans forward, voice calm and analytical. "To keep ourselves concealed, we'll need to infiltrate certain areas strategically. But the plan isn't sustainable long-term. For now, if we are to stay hidden, we need someone on the inside—someone at a lower level who can move without drawing attention."

Hanabi turns his gaze to Brian, gesturing subtly. "This task is yours, Brian."

Brian bows deeply, his expression a blend of pride and anticipation. "I will gladly take on this responsibility."

Ethan, ever the strategist, continues, "This approach will only buy us time. A few months, maybe a couple of years at most. Eventually, our existence will become known—it's inevitable."

Brian listens closely, processing the plan's limitations. "So, we'll need something more permanent?"

Hanabi's crimson eyes flash with understanding. "Yes. We'll need an army of our own—one powerful enough to crush anyone who threatens us. When they come for us, we'll hit back with twice the force. Every nation, every faction will learn to fear us, to think a hundred times before standing against us."

The three kneeling before him raise their fists, pressing them together in a silent oath of loyalty. Hanabi mirrors the gesture, his fierce gaze meeting each of theirs.

With a quiet determination in his voice, he proclaims, "We vampires will be eternal. We will live forever."

As he speaks, his generals echo his words, voices resonating with newfound resolve. Together, they vow to conquer all who stand in their way.

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The scene shifts to a unknown location, shadowed corner of the room, where a figure observes them from afar. It's the silhouette of a girl, her form partially obscured by the darkness. Her eyes, glowing with an ethereal white light, narrow in interest, a faint, enigmatic smile playing at her lips.

In the eerie silence, her whisper cuts through the air, a soft murmur laced with amusement. "How fascinating… The world is about to change, one way or another. Will this planet crumble to ruin, or evolve to something greater?"

The white light in her eyes dims as she closes them, her form melting into the shadows. In an instant, the mysterious figure vanishes, leaving only an empty darkness where she once stood, her parting words lingering like a silent prophecy.

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