Chapter 11: 11

Chapter 11 – Why Do You Disobey the Natural Flow of Time?

Taking my place, the vampire spoke sternly.

[Before I teach you bloodcraft, I will assess your abilities.]

As if she had been expecting it, the regressor gripped Chun-aeng’s handle. The blade seemingly howled while honing its edge, eager to demonstrate its strength. When the regressor swung at the air, a clear sound permeated through the darkness.

Fwoosh.

The regressor swung her blade back and forth.

“My blade is… special. It’ll be hard to gauge my strength. Do you want me to use something else?”

[No matter. What you wield is a part of what makes you so special.]

“If you say so. So what do you want me to do?”

Creak.

The coffin’s lid slid open. A white hand broke through the darkness, its fingertips aimed towards the ground. Then, a black droplet fell.

Drip.

The shadow, darker than the night, began to grow like a sapling. As plants developed through sunlight and air, the black orb filled its form with the darkness around it. The wavering shadow quickly manifested itself into that of a knight in pitch-black armor.

[It is an echo of the past.]

Neither I nor the regressor were really curious, but the vampire continued her explanation.

[An echo of a knight I met before… The dark knight who slew over several hundred lives. I called him forth from his blood and wove him his plating from the shadows. Face him.]

“Can I destroy him?”

[If you are capable.]

The vampire continued to talk, sounding rather prideful of her creation.

[However, it will not be so simple. It may be an echo of the past, but it shares the same blood of the original knight. His armor made from shadows bears a toughness harder than steel. He is a close to perfect—]

Fwoosh.

The darkness was suddenly divided into two. Along the trail of the blade, the world was split. An arc that could cut through space itself. The Aerial Blossom was a pair of scissors that severed the world. Even the black mist, supposedly stronger than steel, gave way to the regressor’s single strike.

She said earlier that she could cut light itself. I don’t doubt it anymore. After all, she had no trouble cutting the darkness.

[…Not bad.]

The vampire expressed amusement at the swordsmanship. However, her real thoughts showed a little more shock than that.

「Huh…? Even if he wields a special sword… A single strike? That echo should’ve been almost impenetrable to anyone besides paladins…」

‘You’re surprised, aren’t you?’

The knight wasn’t the vampire’s max power, but it should’ve been more than enough for a thin ‘boy’ like the regressor. She had recreated the once-infamous black knight, and the regressor had taken it out in a single strike.

「At that age? Was there some gigantic development to humanity while I was asleep…?」

I hope you don’t take her as the standard. The regressor has gathered all kinds of secrets and abilities over numerous lives. Even if she hasn’t regained her power, some of it is still intact. And to add on to that, she has that ridiculous blade.

It’s not that humanity made large developments. She stole humanity’s future for herself. 

The vampire quelled her surprise.

[You don’t even appear to be twenty years old yet. Your talent is quite impressive. For someone of your caliber, you would be more than capable of forging your own path.]

“Well? I’m not too talented. I just got lucky and found some secrets that let me get stronger faster. There’s plenty of people in the world with more talent than I do. I’m nothing more than a copycat who follows their tracks, imitating their journeys.”

The regressor meant what she said. To her, who walked amongst monsters each life, any weakness was a reminder of her inferiority. 

It may have sounded like she was being overly modest, or even boasting, but she was truly nothing compared to the enemies she had to face.

[You really are too modest.]

“It’s not modesty. Look.”

The regressor pointed the blade at me. I almost jumped in surprise.

Fuck. Why does she need to point at people with a weapon? Does she have no manners? Considering people even think pointing out a person with a finger can be rude, a sword is completely out of the question.

The regressor smirked at my response.

“Even he deflected my strike.”

[That blade of yours?]

“Yeah. This Chun-aeng. With a single finger too.”

[That brat?]

‘Well, it’s true… but I don’t think I could do it again even if I tried.’

「If he deflected this boy’s strike with a finger, he must be at least several stages ahead of her caliber. Is that normal for youngsters these days? Can children cut steel now?」

‘The regressor. And Me, who was raised above the regressor. The vampire made the mistake of overestimating the average of the world after looking at the wrong sample.’

Don’t take your average off the regressor! How will everyone else feel? You need to apologize to the majority of the world that you just deemed less than average!

And especially me! My score is inflated! 

「When he said bloodcraft was dated, was he not just being rude…? Has time really pushed the world that far ahead?」

After having unintentionally induced the vampire’s misconception…

“…So, I’ll try my best to learn.”

[If that is so…]

「I, too, shall try my hardest so this boy can defeat that insolent brat over there.」

…The vampire decided to give it her all.

Tyrkanzyaka extended her finger towards Shei. The tip of her finger developed a slight crack. From the newly formed opening, red blood began to flow. It was a little different from the blood the vampire typically controlled. 

The blood controlled by the vampire through her authority as the Progenitor glistened and wavered with a deep red magical energy, ready to infect the world. 

However, the blood that the vampire was releasing now was just like any normal blood… to the point where it felt strange.

A normal shade of red, not emitting energy, and a slight scent of iron. It seemed to propose the hypothesis that the same blood flowed in vampires as well. Yet its aura was large enough to fill up all of Tantalus. Even the darkness began to retreat in awe.

The blood drops slowly flew to the regressor and circled around her.

[With great strength comes great sacrifice. However, you have more than enough potential to compensate.]

“This is…”

[My original blood.]

The original blood of the Progenitor.

If one were to present this to the church, they would receive the position of a paladin and be showered with the highest of blessings.

If one were to offer it to a vampire, they would promise great fortune and power.

Or if one was willing to take a bigger risk, they could put the blood within themselves. If they were to successfully eliminate the hyenas lusting for the original blood, a seat would be added to the Table of Twelve Elders.

In any case, it was something that could completely change a person’s life.

“What’s this for? Do you want me to become a vampire? I don’t really know if I want to do that.”

Facing such a treasure, the regressor—past being uninterested—had an expression of dislike on her face.

The vampire was shocked once more.

「But it’s… my original blood…? The blood that shook the world with merely its existence? He doesn’t want it at all?」

With a shaky voice, the vampire continued, trying her best to hide her emotions.

[…No. I do not wish to make you a vampire either. I cannot make the same mistake again.]

“Then…?”

[I shall engrave the original blood onto your heart. The blood of a predator. With it, your senses for controlling blood will become honed to their maximum potential.]

“Oh, like that? Then sure!”

The regressor spread her arms wide open. It was clear that she wasn’t interested in the blood itself, but was willing to use it as a supplement to aid her in getting stronger.

The vampire was upset by how little the regressor had wanted the blood.

「It was supposed to be a test. If he had wanted to become a vampire, he would not have been worthy of receiving my teachings… But I did not expect such a cold hearted response. Are vampires no longer idolized by humans?」

The vampire stretched out her hand. The original blood headed to the regressor’s chest and formed a red gear-shaped symbol above her heart.

[…If you master bloodcraft, you should be able to remove my blood. You can return it to me then.]

“Alright. You’re sounding a little tired though. Did giving me that blood tire you that much?”

[…I am alright. Do not worry…]

「But it was my original blood… Have vampires been pushed out of the center of the stage? I guess I have been asleep for three hundred years…」

It was a cold-hearted world. The vampire sighed, dejected at the idea.

[Now I shall bestow my teachings.]

While the vampire was explaining things to the regressor, I stayed somewhat close to them. The reason was simple. The original blood. The blood passed down in legends for the past thousand years. The blood that could afford me a fortune to live like royalty for the rest of my life. That blood engraved itself onto the regressor. It was a tattoo more valuable than gold. 

However, I had already refused to become the vampire’s pupil. I couldn’t dream of asking her for the original blood. In the first place, she wouldn’t have given it to me after reading her thoughts. She only used it because I aggravated her, so the regressor would be able to master bloodcraft.

‘Tsk. The vampire was overthinking things. If she wanted me under her wing, all she needed was to give me some original blood as well. If she had ordered me to kneel, I would’ve bowed down and licked her feet like a dog.’

However, I still had a chance. The vampire was still confused from the time difference caused by her long slumber. Reading her thoughts, she was still adjusting to the current world. 

And if that were the case?

Maybe, if I talk through things well, I might get something.

[Hm…? What are you trying to do? Did you not say that you were uninterested?]

I withstood her hostile gaze. For some reason, she seemed to have taken a dislike towards me.

“I am an official of the Military State, and Tantalus is a place of disciplinary correction. I have a responsibility to oversee the actions of trainees.”

[Observe for my sake? Someone like you will oversee me?]

“Responsibility doesn’t always fall in line with one’s ability, as you know. As much as I trust in you, I still have a duty to watch and observe what you are doing.”

「Responsibility and ability… I guess that could be a form of chivalry in these times. If he says so, I guess it is understandable.」

The vampire seemed to accept my explanation filled with false confidence.

Phew.

Who knew claiming to be from the Military State would help out so much?

Despite that, the vampire still had some qualms.

[However, I am in the middle of teaching a pupil. The secrets of taught crafts need to be kept privately, do they not?]

“Just how long ago are you talking? These days, a single teacher teaches as many as fifty students. A different teacher is given for each subject like combat, magic, and strategy. Students pick the classes they want to take and learn together in public environments.”

[Lies. What idiot would share their precious secrets so easily?]

“The State. The country collects and controls all knowledge. They sort it out and distribute it to the people for no cost.”

All knowledge was power—be it swordsmanship, magic, or strategy. At least, that was how it was in the vampire’s times. There’s a reason why masters and pupils existed. The master was clearly above the pupil, and the pupil would work like a slave, hoping one day they could gain some of that knowledge.

Yet, to think such secrets would be open to everyone, the vampire couldn’t even close her mouth at the revelation.

[Unbelievable.]

“Students also have many teachers. They go to private academies and take classes on top of the State-managed schools. The teachers don’t think badly of them for doing so. It’s now the age of enlightenment. Knowledge is no longer transferred secretly. They await objective judgement, open to the rest of the world.”

The vampire asked the regressor if I was telling the truth.

[Shei, is that true?]

“Yep. It’s the one good thing the Military State has done.”

[I see…]

After staring at the vampire, who was still in shock over the change of time, the regressor turned back to me with a pout.

“It’s not like you need to listen to that bastard. He’s just worried we might be plotting something.”

[No, if the world has chosen its path, then I must conform. Resistance to that flow is meaningless. I should not stop him from watching us.]

The regressor’s face soured. After throwing her a light, teasing grin, I sat down nearby, ready to see if I could gain anything.

Allowing me to stay, the vampire continued her lesson.

[…So, blood is life. It gives you energy as it flows through your body and allows you to draw out your power. You need to become aware of every single last drop of blood in your body. You need to be able to sense where every vein flows.]

The session continued with the vampire’s droning voice. I’d have fallen asleep already, but the regressor was completely focused on the vampire’s words.

‘Does this even help? She sounds like she’s just talking out of her ass. Should I try concentrating too?’

I focused on Tyrkanzyaka’s words and the thoughts that formed the words.

[You have so many powers hidden in your body. Understanding your body is the first step to wielding that power. Feel the pulsing hot streams that branch out throughout your body.]

‘I am a mind reader. Nobody understands people’s words better than I do. Even the worst teachers can be the best references to me because I understand the intention behind the words. All I needed was the teacher to be knowledgeable in their own field.’

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I closed my eyes and concentrated. I felt the beating sensation of my heart and the pulsing of my arteries.

‘I can feel it! Is this the power of blood?’

[Blood is like a river. Rivers may seem like they flow elegantly, but water seeps into tiny holes within the earth. The water it absorbed would moisturize the soil and eventually make its way back to the ocean. What you need to feel is not the river that everyone can easily feel. The blood that seeps into every part of your body. You need to understand its power.]

‘Oh, maybe not. Well, even if I am a great learner, talent and compatibility exists. It’s not like someone can do everything they read in a book. It’s not like I’m an idiot or anything either. Bloodcraft just isn’t for me. Good thing I didn’t learn it. The most I would’ve been able to do is stop a cut from bleeding anyway.’

[The biggest obstacle to bloodcraft is the heart. The heart is what binds your soul to the world, yet it moves blood regardless of your intentions. That is why… only the dead can truly master bloodcraft.]

The regressor seemed to realize something.

“So that’s why vampires are considered undead.”

[Indeed. Vampires move their bodies using bloodcraft. In order to become a vampire, you need to die. You made the right choice in refusing my offer. The beating heart is proof of your existence as well as the essential ingredient in going even beyond. The heart is a privilege of the living…]

As if she was reminiscing about something, the vampire had a short pause between her words.

[I lost myself for a second. Anyway, in order to learn bloodcraft, you need to control your heart. You need to make it stop momentarily or cause it to beat even faster. Do you understand?]

“Kinda. You’re saying when I can control my blood a little, try controlling the pace of my heart with it?”

[You’re a fast learner. Remember, the heart is the root of your existence. It moves blood, purifies it, and draws magic energy from it. It is the core of your body, so always…]

‘Moves blood, purifies, and draws out magic…? Wait. That’s not right.’

“Hold on, Trainee Tyrkanzyaka.”

I stood up. The vampire seemed annoyed at the disruption.

[…What is it?]

“Sorry, but the heart isn’t the magic core.”

It was probably because she was from older times.

“Most vampires turned their hearts into their magical cores, so you may think that’s the norm. However, using the heart is actually extremely inefficient and dangerous. Additionally, in order to properly use the heart as a magical core, you need to calm down your breathing as well. These days, people make their magical cores elsewhere.”

[…]

“That was how it used to be, but ever since the magical revolution that happened four centuries ago, people don’t do that anymore. They found ways to draw out magic without linking it directly to an organ in their body. This is the most basic lesson you learn in middle school these days, so it’d be useful to learn it… Oh, sorry. Did I interrupt too much? You can continue.”

‘Phew. Another good deed done. With that, she’ll probably be much fonder of me—’

「Is he actually crazy?」

The regressor was glaring daggers at me.

‘Huh? What? I just corrected a mistake.’

「You think I don’t know that? Why would you cut off someone in the middle instead of deciding after letting them finish their explanation?」

The regressor, acting as if she was the sensible one, was infuriating. You should always correct mistakes. The vampire was old. You should try to communicate to your elders properly.

[…Anyway.]

Trying her best to ignore me, the vampire continued.

[Even if the heart stops, blood must continue to flow. Blood that stays still pools and rots. Blood that makes its way through the body eventually loses its magic… I mean, in the case that the heart is the magical core. Also, impure blood purifies itself at the heart, so even to prevent the tainting of your internal body, blood needs to flow.]

“Hold on. Actually, it’s not at the heart. It’s in the lungs.”

There were a lot of holes in her knowledge because of how dated it was.

This would undoubtedly cause problems if you tried to interpret it directly.

“Actually, what people considered to be impure blood was just blood that lacked oxygen. Oxygen makes its way into our body and burns the energy we have to keep our body moving. This process isn’t a matter of purity, but more like a fire burning. Just as a burning log stops burning when you cover it with a blanket, the fire of the body stops burning if you close the passageway to the lungs. That’s called dying.”

「W-Wait, that’s how it works? I never knew that…」

‘I get why the vampire doesn’t know, but how do you not know this? You learn this in middle school. …Oh, wait. You’re an orphan. You didn’t go to middle school. My bad. Then… am I actually the most educated person in Tantalus right now?’

The thought made me feel a little better about myself.

“Anyways, now that you know. You may continue your—AAAAAHHHHH!”

Goosebumps went all over my body. Sensing danger, I immediately leaped to the side. Moments after, the sanguine steed’s hoof obliterated the ground I was standing on.

The concrete floor shattered like glass. Broken shards hammered my back.

The horse trampled the floor, as if it were disappointed that it missed. The concrete gave way like sand each time the hooves scratched the ground. I screamed out.

“Hey! I almost died!”

[Stop making such a fuss!]

“This isn’t a fuss! Any normal person would’ve become dust from that attack!”

[Good thing you are not any normal person, then.]

‘If I couldn’t read minds, you’d have been a murderer! Murder is a death sentence here!’

[Yes! I am dated! I have never been able to fit in with the rest of the world! So what?!]

“Huh? When have I ever said you’re dated?”

[Like that! Your attitude! You think of me as some ancient crone!]

“I never said that!”

[So you’ve thought so?]

Oopsie. She caught on.

And it appeared that she had also realized that I had realized her realization.

Blood boiled. I felt an emotion difficult to explain in words surge up from the vampire’s heart.

‘W-Wait. Is this emotion that I sense now… perhaps…?’

I asked carefully.

“A-Are you perhaps slightly angr—AAAAAHHHHH!”

Psk.

A blood red orb flew towards me. I rolled on the floor to attempt to dodge it. After narrowly missing the top of my head, the orb decimated the concrete floor behind me.

[You think you would be any different? You were just lucky that you were born in such nice times! Should I make you a vampire? Trap you in my immortal display case that nobody will visit for the rest of their lives?]

The attacks continued. The red orbs flew towards me. They didn’t have any desire to kill. The emotion involved in them was akin to that of a child throwing their toys.

The problem is that Tyrkanzyaka was not tossing toys. Those stung when you get hit by them, but these orbs would mean death at a single touch.

‘I’ll actually die at this rate. I need to draw her attention somehow, but how?’

[If you are so smart, why don’t you teach her yourself?!]

“Alright!”

At my exclamation, the attacks paused. Relieved at the breathing time, I raised my body back up.

“Trainee Tyrkanzyaka. I have seen your social potential that exists deep within.”

[Are those your final words?]

‘I’ll really die if I chicken out of here.’

I ignored the vampire and continued to explain.

“What really matters in rehabilitation is the desire to live and integrate with other people in a society. I see that desire is prevalent in you. That ideal of matching the flow of current times.”

‘First thing’s first…’

I spat out random words I had glimpsed from the vampire’s mind.

Maybe one of them would calm her down.

[Mix with the times?]

Thankfully, she calmed herself down and began listening more carefully to my words.

“So, I’ve come to a conclusion today. That you all have the potential of reintegrating back to society.”

[…And who are you to judge that?]

“You are all currently being held in the re-education facility, Tantalus. You are all trainees, and I am your trainer. I lead all of you in this small society.”

The vampire probably didn’t even know about the re-education part of this facility. I pointed towards myself with my thumb.

“I shall teach you all! Teach all of you how to fulfill that desire to live normally so that you may all become a member of society again!”

‘So please don’t kill me.’

Hiding my true thoughts, I finished my speech.

[…Ha.]

The vampire lowered her hand. The dozens of red orbs that had been floating in midair all dropped to the ground. The red orbs that had destroyed concrete so easily melted back into blood and seeped into the ground.

‘Phew. I’m alive!’

As I was about to bask in my relief, the vampire muttered under her breath.

[I wondered what you might say, but it was just words you would not be able to take responsibility for.]

‘How’d she know?’

A depressed voice crawled out from within the coffin.

It was the voice that had given up hope many times. The type of hope that this time would be different.

[I am a vampire. I am a predator who lives off of human blood. Humans avoid me in fear or wish to be me. Regardless of my desire, my existence can never mesh properly. A wolf cannot live in a herd of sheep, can they?]

‘The way she keeps making metaphors really reminds me of old people. Wolf and sheep, huh? So what if she’s a wolf? There’s barely any wolves these days.’

But she’d freak out again if I mentioned that, so I decided to respond with another metaphor of my own.

“Of course they can.”

[That is something easier said than done.]

“Should I show you proof?”

「Try it if you will.」

The vampire thought in a rather pessimistic manner.

Reading that thought, I pulled out the bell from my pocket and rang it.

Now, with a familiar roar, something burst through the second floor kitchen window and ran outside.

Crash!

After having torn through the steel bars of the windows like candy, Azzy landed on the floor and dashed towards me.

“That, there, is a wolf that can live with a herd of sheep.”

Azzy skidded to a stop. With a mouthful of saliva, she looked at me with anticipation in her eyes.

I extended my arm and petted her head. With a satisfactory bark, Azzy closed her eyes as she enjoyed my touch.

“Dogs used to be wolves. Even the dogs that are raised to ward wolves off of livestock used to be wolves a long time ago. But sheep are not scared of dogs. Nor do dogs eat sheep. Well, they might gnaw on a sheep bone the farmer tosses them from time to time, but that’s about it.”

Both predators and prey could change. Beasts have become tamed by humans. Dogs were a case where an entire species was tamed.

The vampire was now lost in her thoughts. It didn’t seem like she’d respond for some time.

‘Now’s the time.’

“Woof? Food, where?”

“I’ll give it to you in a bit. Let’s head to the kitchen.”

“Woof-woof!”

“Didn’t you eat earlier? And you want to eat again already? Are you sure you’re not the Pig King?”

“Bark! No! Not pig!”

Dogs and pigs, what’s the difference anyway? But because of how strongly Azzy responded, I needed to let her have her way here.

“A-Alright, alright. Don’t bite me!”

Naturally leaving the scene, I headed back to the building with Azzy, leaving the vampire alone with the regressor.

「That bastard…」

After I was decently far away, I heard the regressor’s thoughts at maximum range.

「He left me alone to deal with her after causing this entire mess?!」

‘Oops, she caught on. Let’s run.’

“Azzy! Run!”

“Woof!”

I sprinted towards the building with Azzy trailing behind.

Meanwhile, the black coffin floated in place unflinchingly.

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