DISCOVERING THE HEART OF THE CITY

For the first week, Ethan had spent his days roaming the advanced streets of the hidden vampire city. As he wandered through the bustling avenues, he noticed something peculiar—there were almost no cars. Unlike human cities, where streets were choked with vehicles, the vampires relied on their supernatural speed and agility to travel. The result was a city that felt both vast and intimate, filled with wide-open streets and elegant boulevards where the inhabitants moved like shadows, swift and silent.

The streets were lined with a mix of modern skyscrapers and ancient, gothic architecture, blending seamlessly to create a unique aesthetic. It was a place where the old and new coexisted, where the past and future were woven together in a delicate balance.

Ethan found himself captivated by the atmosphere. “It’s like walking through a dream,” he murmured to himself, gazing at the beautifully illuminated buildings that seemed to stretch endlessly into the night sky.

A nearby vampire, overhearing him, chuckled. “First time in the city?” she asked with a friendly smile.

Ethan nodded. “Yeah, I’ve never seen anything like this. It’s… incredible.”

She grinned. “Stick around, you’ll find there’s always something new to discover.”

THE UNIQUE CUISINE AND CULTURE

One of Ethan's favorite discoveries in the city was the food. The streets were filled with vendors selling strange and exotic dishes he had never seen before. Most of the food consisted of different kinds of meat and mixtures of blood drinks that humans couldn’t even imagine. The most famous foods and drinks were a combination of spicy meats with infused blood sauces and refreshing cocktails of vampire blood types, carefully curated for flavor and potency.

Ethan approached a stall where an elderly vampire was preparing a steaming dish that smelled both savory and sweet. “What’s this?” he asked, pointing at the sizzling pan.

The vendor, an old man with sharp, bright eyes, smiled broadly. “Ah, this is Blood-Infused Venison Stew. A local favorite. We mix the tender meat with special spices and add a touch of A-negative blood for flavor. Would you like to try?”

Ethan nodded eagerly. “Sure, I’ll give it a go.”

As he took his first bite, his eyes widened. The flavors were unlike anything he’d ever tasted—a rich blend of spices with a tangy kick of blood that seemed to invigorate his senses. “This is amazing!” he exclaimed, his face lighting up with delight.

The vendor chuckled, clearly pleased. “Glad you like it, young one. You’ve got a lot more to taste in this city.”

Over the week, Ethan immersed himself in the local culture, feeling a growing sense of belonging that he had never known as an orphan. He noticed that the civilians didn’t seem to know there was no leader in the palace. Everyone seemed happy and content, living their lives in peace and harmony. The city felt like a heaven, a well-organized utopia where vampires could thrive.

In conversations with random vampires he met along the way, he found out that most were unaware of the leadership gap. “The palace takes care of everything,” one young vampire told him over a cup of dark, blood-infused coffee at a street café. “We just live our lives and trust that the right decisions are being made.”

Ethan nodded, listening intently. “And you’re happy with that?”

The vampire shrugged. “Why not? We have everything we need. As long as the city runs smoothly, does it really matter?”

Ethan pondered this. He had always thought that leadership was about being visible, about being at the forefront, but here, it seemed more about trust and stability. The more he saw, the more he realized how much he had to learn.

ENTERTAINMENT AND THE ARTS

Apart from the food, Ethan also explored the city’s entertainment scene. He discovered that there were numerous theaters showing vampire movies. To his surprise, these films were not only entertaining but filled with high-level graphics and storytelling that rivaled anything produced in the human world.

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He watched a popular vampire movie, "Blood Requiem," and was amazed by the depth of the plot and the quality of the visuals. “I had no idea they were this good,” Ethan thought to himself as he left the theater, his mind still buzzing with the intense scenes he’d just watched.

An older vampire, who had been sitting next to him, noticed Ethan’s expression. “First time seeing a vampire film, eh?” he asked with a grin.

Ethan nodded. “Yeah, I didn’t know they could be so… captivating.”

The vampire chuckled. “They’re popular with both humans and vampires. You’d be surprised how much we share when it comes to entertainment.”

Ethan continued exploring, finding that the city had its own currency, with the symbol of the Tenth Family, and its own language, which he had already learned during his training with Xanthos. There were vampire social media apps, vampire businessmen, and even vampire celebrities. But the most famous attraction among the younger vampires was the Night Fight Show—a combat-based event that showcased vampires fighting each other using various techniques.

Ethan attended one of these shows, sitting among a crowd of enthusiastic young vampires. The commentator enthusiastically described each move, explaining the tactics and strategies used in the fights. But as Ethan watched, he found himself unimpressed. “These moves are barely even starter-level,” he thought, having been trained by the best vampires in the Tenth Family.

A young vampire sitting next to him noticed his bored expression. “Not enjoying it?” she asked.

Ethan shrugged. “I guess I’ve seen better.”

She raised an eyebrow, amused. “You must have trained with some real masters then. Most of us learn from watching these fights.”

Ethan nodded, realizing that his training had given him a unique perspective. “Yeah, I guess I’ve been lucky.”

THE UNIVERSITY OF BLOOD ARTS AND SCIENCES

After a week of exploring, Ethan decided to visit the University of Blood Arts and Sciences, a place that had caught his attention from his conversations with other vampires. This university, overseen by the Tenth Palace, was renowned for its excellence in education and its role in training the best minds of the vampire world.

As Ethan walked through the university gates, he felt a sense of awe. If there was anything as beautiful as the Tenth Palace itself, it was this university. The sprawling campus was a harmonious blend of ancient gothic architecture and modern design, with tall, elegant spires rising above beautifully landscaped gardens. Fountains and statues of historical vampire figures dotted the grounds, creating an atmosphere that was both inspiring and serene.

Ethan spoke to a vampire student sitting under a large oak tree, reading a thick book. “Is this place as prestigious as it looks?”

The student looked up and smiled. “Absolutely. The University of Blood Arts and Sciences isn’t just a place of learning; it’s a gateway to the Tenth Palace itself. Many of our scholars and graduates are directly hired by the palace. For many young and ambitious vampires, it’s a dream to work for the palace and contribute to the Tenth Family.”

Ethan nodded, intrigued. “What kind of subjects do they teach here?”

“Almost everything you can think of,” the student replied. “From biotechnology to acting, martial arts to administration. The professors are some of the highest scholars and smartest minds of the Tenth Palace. We even have guest lectures from famous personalities—majors in the army, actors, business magnates, researchers, you name it.”

Ethan was genuinely impressed. “It must be a great place to learn and grow.”

The student nodded enthusiastically. “It is. And if you’re serious about making a difference in the Tenth Family, this is where you start.”

Ethan continued exploring the university, marveling at the facilities. The classrooms were filled with eager students, the libraries stocked with rare and ancient texts, and the training grounds echoed with the sounds of young vampires honing their combat skills.

A CHANCE ENCOUNTER

As Ethan wandered through the university, admiring its beauty and thinking about the future, he felt a sudden sensation—a light touch on his back. Before he could fully process what was happening, something crashed into him with surprising speed and force. His thoughts scattered, and he found himself falling backward.

With a thud, Ethan hit the ground, a young vampire girl landing on top of him. For a moment, they both lay there, dazed. Then, as if realizing what had happened, they scrambled to their feet.

The girl, with a mess of dark curls and bright, mischievous eyes, looked as shocked as Ethan felt. She was around his age, her expression a mix of embarrassment and amusement. “I’m so sorry!” she blurted out, her face flushing. “I didn’t see you there.”

Ethan, dusting himself off, couldn’t help but laugh. “No worries. I guess I wasn’t paying attention either.”

The girl’s eyes widened slightly as she seemed to recognize him. “Hey… you’re new here, aren’t you? I haven’t seen you around before.”

Ethan nodded, still smiling. “Yeah, I’m just exploring the city. It’s my first time here.”

She grinned, her embarrassment fading. “Well, welcome to the University of Blood Arts and Sciences, where getting run over by strangers is apparently a rite of passage.”

Ethan chuckled, already liking her energy. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

They stood there for a moment, both smiling, before she extended a hand. “I’m Astrid, by the way.”

Ethan took her hand, his grin widening. “Ethan. Nice to meet you, Astrid.”