Chapter 17 : First Night Out: The Blood of Pure Blood

Of course, Zion still knows her own situation very clearly. After filling up all the holes in her brain, she finally snapped out of it. She raised her head, and looked at Cedric, who was still leaning towards the wall with a clear relaxed and nonchalant attitude.

Seeing that, Zion kind of feels envious. She always wondered how they always stayed clear headed and relaxed at the time like this. But thinking back, Zee is nothing but a novice player who knows nothing, and this man is clearly a legendary god player that could only be seen from a distance.

After Zion relaxes her nerves with her excuses, she is finally able to think more clearly. She opened her mouth, she hesitated to speak, but seeing the man just looked at her, somehow she was encouraged.

"...t-this...w-what..." 'What do you want from me?' is what she was supposed to say, however she stopped at the last second. Maybe her words are a little rude? She only heard that sentence from the female lead who was full of suspicious, those who really don't care and casually asked, and those female lead that were on the verge of getting r*pe– or not...

Zion didn't know what to say. Much more she doesn't know why she was thinking like this. She opened her mouth and tried again. "...w-why..." 'Why are you here?' isn't too direct, right? Zion was so frustrated. She was too nervous, she was tongue-tied and couldn't get her words right.

She thought with her being like this, she would end up annoying the Vampire. If that happens, then...

Before she could even think about her own ending, Zion went into dazed, her ears twitched. Just now, she heard a light chuckle. Her eyes unconsciously went to look for the owner of that sound, and couldn't help but blush.

Cedric was still standing leaning by the wall, his eyes focused on Zion. His carefree expression he had earlier was now gone. Cedric now looks like he was enjoying himself, like he was watching some kind of entertainment. His eyes were curved, and his lips were smiling and on the verge of laughing out loud. More so, he didn't look scary at the moment.

The current Cedric...really made Zion blush. He looked cool in that posture. Although his aura was still there, nevertheless, seeing him smile and laugh, Zion couldn't help but want to record this beautiful picture.

Such a shame she doesn't have that luxury...

"It's fine though. It's not like you will forget about how cool I looked right now." Listening to his words, Zion was stunned. Her eyes widened, but soon she calmed down.

"...y-you can read my mind..." Her voice was so soft, she basically murmured her thoughts. Fortunately, everyone present here is not ordinary people, or else they certainly wouldn't be able to hear Zion's insect-like voice.

Cedric heard her and finally laughed out loud. "You are really amusing, you know that." He said amidst his loud laughter.

"I knew many geniuses who could think different things at the same time, there are also those who are like you, but you are the most funny one."

Although confused, Zion just bowed her head wanting to hide from Cedric laughing eyes.

"I can't believe you could still think 'those' things despite your own situation." These words stab Zion like an arrow stabbing all her vitals. She did think 'those' things, but the subject just flashed by her mind. She didn't even manage to catch it, but he...he obviously saw through her.

"It's fine though", Cedric reassured. "With how handsome I am, I can't really blame you for thinking of me doing 'those' things, especially, with how perfect my body is. I don't mind, really, I don't mind."

"Hey, Caesar." Cedric called the black cat grooming it's own tail, minding its own business on the wall. "Maybe this is the power of those so-called rotten girls. You don't believe what I saw when I peer through her mind earlier. If you knew...umm..." Cedric wonders, what if he knew. Thinking about Caesar's human form, Cedric's eyes glimmer in curious amusement.

Meanwhile, Caesar who was supposed to ignore it's stupid master shiver inexplicably. It looked at Cedric warily wondering what stupid things was he thinking of doing now. Nonetheless, seeing it's master was still talking to the little girl, Caesar let things go and threw it's suspicious somewhere far.

Cedric continued to talk more and it was becoming more and more absurd. Zion was so embarrassed. She felt so ashamed that she almost went flying straight to the moon just to disappear completely.

"S-stop! Please stop. I understand. Even if you could read others' minds, please don't broadcast what's in them."

"Heh. You finally speak properly." Cedric stood and walked closer to Zion and squats down, so he could look at Zion eye to eye. Zion was stunned by his action. She never expected this proud vampire to kneel in front of her. Of course, it's not the proposal kind of kneeling. Though, he knelt in a vertical position, like he was proposing, but instead of his arms raised and his hands holding onto a ring. His arms were lazily resting on his thigh. Though his back is straight, coupled with his handsome face, he looked like a prince from fairytale, who was asking a commoner girl if she was alright or not. But his aura gives off oppression that belongs to a demon king! Zion really wanted to cry without tears.

Suffocated, Zion doesn't dare to talk impulsively again.

She bowed down her head, evading Cedric's terrifying eyes. Zion shivered.

Watching this scene, Caesar wanted to scratch it's master face with its sharp claws! Bullying a little girl, this man is becoming a crook!

Caesar scratched it's claws on the concrete wall, making a sheer noise that was very painful to hear.

Cedric frown, then shifted his attention to his black cat. He saw sparks flying, as the black cat sharpened its claws. He sneers internally, 'wait for us to go home. Let's see how I deal with you, then.' Then went back at Zion again.

Cedric moved his hand, slipped it inside his pocket and took something.

Fling. A black ring fell right from Cedric's hand, as he raised it above Zion's head. The ring dangles in front of Zion's face with a black chain keeping the ring from falling.

When Zion saw the black ring, her mind became blank. Her eyes focused on the ring, following it's swing, not blinking even a bit.

The black ring was gorgeous. It was an engagement ring with a criss- cross ring design. The emerald shaped diamond in the middle was beautiful, and there's a tear shaped five petals flower beside the gem at the center. There's also a diamond embedded at the center of the flower.

Such a gorgeous ring. Zion couldn't help but gulp down as she suddenly felt nervous. She was just thinking about how this proud vampire knelt before her in a proposal stance. Only the ring is missing....and now, looking at the ring still dangling before her eyes... Zion's brain was on the verge of breaking down.

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'What does this mean??'

'Is he proposing to m–'

But before Zion could continue her chaotic mind from thinking the meaning of the ring, Cedric stopped her.

"Halt!" Cedric retrieved the ring, and went to flicked her forehead. Zion looked at the Vampire blankly, while rubbing the place she was hit.

"Don't use that brain for thinking something ridiculous! Don't forget this mind reader could clearly see what's inside your mind!" Cedric's face was twitching nonstop. He really regretted looking at her mind just now. He can't believe he just saw himself, kneeling and proposing to this fledgeling! A transformed one at that! Who is someone who hasn't known their Gift yet!

Cedric didn't know whether to feel insulted or what. He is of noble blood from Griffith Family. Countless women lined up just so they could warm his bed. But none of them dreamed of having a blood contract with this young master, because I'm an untouchable flower in their hearts!

...

Meanwhile, Zion felt embarrassed and scared. She didn't want to offend this Vampire. Though she was convinced about the law Cedric was talking about, she still didn't want the other to go away. Now that a veteran Vampire was in front of her, Zion wanted to squeeze information out from the other. If there's a way for her to live...then...

"... sorry. I didn't mean to." She immediately apologized.

"It's fine. Anyway..." Cedric took out the black ring again in front of Zion. "You should be familiar with space rings. With all those novels scrambled in your brain, a simple item like a space ring should ring a bell."

Zion's eyes brightened in understanding, and she nodded like a chick eating rice towards Cedric. Seeing this, Cedric proceeds with his intentions.

"Just think of it as a senior looking out for his junior. Or an elder looking out for the future of the young generation. Or you can just think of me as a good Samaritan passing by and helping the needy. Anyway, I'm bored, so... nevermind."

When Caesar heard these words from Cedric's mouth, its eyes went wide and it's furry mouth almost fell off. Caesar couldn't believe how shameless it's master is. If only Caesar could take off its ears, he really didn't want to hear this useless master saying ridiculous things!

"Well, going back. You see this." Cedric shoved the black ring towards Zion, forcing her to take it. Zion held the black ring in her palm. It was cold, and she could feel that it was a bit heavier for a ring.

"This is not an ordinary space ring. Let's see. Let's see. I think in games this ring should be classified as an epic grade item. Heh. Aren't you happy, you are just having your first step, but you met me! You should consider this young master your golden finger!"

Zion blushed, feeling embarrassed for this vampire. Such chuunibyou words, aren't he ashamed of shouting them with a face full of pride??

Fortunately, at this time, Cedric gave up watching Zion's mind, if not, Cedric will surely explode in embarrassment. Swallowing her thoughts, Zion just thanks the vampire wholeheartedly. She already has a general idea of what Cedric was about to say next. And she was really feeling thankful to him. After all, he doesn't have any obligation to help her. And based on the facts in front of her, this Vampire had watched her, since that time she became a vampire.

It felt creepy as hell, but whatever, Zion doesn't care about it anymore.

"You know, the Supernatural Society created a school for intelligent creatures from Shadow Earth. Right, Shadow Earth is here." With wide open arms, Cedric smiled at Zion. "Shadow Earth is the shadow of the Earth. Get it? It's funny, right. Right, right, I was just watching Doctor Strange three days ago, when I came to help Guinevere. I could explain it like that mirror dimension something. Shadow Earth has existed for a very long time. I dunno the exact date, it was not stated. Maybe the beginning of time? Anyway, if Earth lets humans live in it, Shadow Earth lets creatures of the night live inside it comfortably, without being afraid of being exposed to the sun."

Cedric stopped for a moment, seemingly contemplating what word to say. He wasn't good at giving an explanation. Scratching the back of his head, Cedric went to look for his familiar. "Hey, Caesar! How about you go down here and help me explain."

Swaying it's newly groomed tail, Caesar succumbed to it's fate. What can it do? Caesar is just a cat.

Clicking it's tongue, Caesar took over. However, unlike how Cedric words appeared to be casual, Caesar's words were full of heaving meanings and deep conspiracies. "Shadow Earth existed as a prison for Creatures of the night. This fact is widely known, don't ask why. Moving on, over the years, as humans advanced their technology, intelligent creatures from different species also searched for a way to crack this prison. And they succeeded." Caesar vertical green eyes shrunk. "And years after they succeeded, many creatures from Shadow Earth began to learn how to integrate in human society. You should understand what I'm talking about. With so many myths and legends from long time ago are still past down until now– all of them...should be true."

Zion already thought of this before, so she was not very surprised.

"Nightmare University– N.U. is the school my master was talking about earlier. Every intelligent being born from darkness needed to undergo schooling. After graduation, the Keeper of Proofs will sign their names into the record book and they will permanently become residents of Shadow Earth." Caesar paused, as if he thought something. The black cat looked at Zion, lowered it's voice and softly spoke out, "One who is bound by law and order."

Zion felt something heavy behind those words. Before she contemplated it further, she heard Cedric's voice.

"Okay, enough. You get it now, young lad?" Zion nodded to his inquiry. Cedric then pointed at the black ring in Zion's hand and said, "inside the ring are the old books I used to have when I attended that school. If I'm not mistaken, there's the thick book of Shadow Earth Law and Order in there. The encyclopedia for monsters and demons. The history of Shadow Earth. There's also the species of monsters, ah! This subject will make you wanna cry. It's so confusing, you just wanted to massacre all of them, so you don't have to memorize everything in that book anymore. I failed this subject many times! Anyway, there's more. Demons' rank and hierarchy. I also slip some books about vampires there. The history, how vampires came to be. Books about blood, etc., etc., etc."

Listening to Cedric's blabbering, Zion was so touched, she actually wanted to hug the vampire. For Zion, this is the thing she needed the most– information. Never did she think that the pie would just fall out from the sky!

"...t-this...thank you..."

"It doesn't matter. Come here." Cedric held her wrist, while he urged her to look at the ring he picked up from her hand. "Drop a blood on the gem, and it will be yours."

Hearing his words, Zion's eyes brightened. Her black eyes seem to be filled with stars, and the red light at the center of her iris keeps flickering, as if celebrating. Cedric saw it, and he felt it was funny. He laughed softly, then signaled Caesar to scratch Zion's finger.

Silver light flash. In an instant Zion's left hand middle finger revealed a small but deep cut. However, no matter how long they waited, no blood came out from the cut in her finger.

Zion was flustered, she looked at the cut in her finger intently. She even squeezed it, but there's still no blood. She could see her skin opening and closing as she squeezed it. The wound is deep, she could even see pink flesh underneath her skin. But there is no blood.

Caesar looked at the two idiots squatting on the ground. Their expressions, their postures, coupled with their innate pale complexion– the two look like total drug addicts Caesar always saw at the back alley squatting on the ground in a circle, inhaling weeds. The black cat scoffed, then it's paw moved.

Pang!

Cedric received Caesar's paw smacking! Despite how tender and cute those paws looked, they contain a huge amount of strength. Cedric was forced to lean down because of the force Caesar used on its paw.

Then with a bang! Cedric's forehead colliding with Zion's. Zion collapsed on the floor on the spot, suspecting to receive a critical blow enough to have her skull cracked!

On the other hand, Cedric was caressing his head where he was attacked. Now, this one hurts like hell! Tears gathered from the corner of his eyes, but Caesar just acted as if it didn't see it's idiot master.

Vertical green eyes looked at the little girl now lying on the ground with additional injury on her forehead.

Zion looked dazed. She didn't know what happened. Before she knew it, she was now lying on the ground.

"Ah!" Then she heard Cedric exclaim as if enlightened. "I remember."

Clicking it's tongue, Caesar ignored the two again.

The gem on the black ring in Cedric's hand lit up, then a bag of blood emerged out of thin air. Cedric held the bag, and threw it towards Zion, who was still lying on the ground.

"Drink it. That's my blood." Zion sat up, and turned to look at the blood bag in her hands. It was really a blood bag. However, instead of the long transparent cord and a thick needle, it was a straw.

Zion removed the seal blocking the opening of the straw and began sucking the blood inside, while feeling complicated. But as the blood came into contact with her tongue– "c-chocolate!" She exclaimed. Zion was astonished. She read many vampire novels, but their description when it comes to drinking blood is all the same.

"Huh? Chocolate? So my blood tastes like chocolate for you." Seeing the young lad's curious expression, while deliciously drinking his blood, Cedric explained. "I don't know why, but blood differs in taste depending on a person. Maybe because we have different taste buds. I saw books about a study of vampires' tastes in blood at the library, but I think it's irrelevant, so I didn't ste– took it."

"Anyway, there's a total of 30 bags in there. Since you already drink one, there's only 29 left. You need to drink one bag everyday." Zion kept nodding at Cedric's word. Though she seems casual, she actually engraved every word Cedric was saying deep in her mind.

After Zion finished the blood bag, Cedric waited at least 10 minutes before cutting her finger again. Within those 10 minutes, Zion felt incredible. Her stiff skin and flesh went back to normal. She still looks pale, but she's looking much better than before. Her skin became tender like baby's. She felt light, and her mind is much clearer now, than in the past. Zion even suspects that she can memorize a whole book in one sitting!

The wound in her finger healed and so, is the injury in her forehead. More so, Zion felt warm, like she was soaking in the hot spring. She was so refreshed, she felt like she could fly!

After giving her finger a cut once again, blood oozed out from it. Cedric let a drop of blood fall on the gem in the ring, then let Zion's injured finger healed up in seconds.

When Zion's blood touched the emerald gem on the ring, it shone green light. Slowly the light changes color to red, then it becomes scarlet.

The moment the light disappears, the gem in the ring already changes color. The emerald gem became a ruby, and it specially looked more beautiful with the black ring.

While observing the changes in the ring, Zion noticed Cedric standing up, so she shifted her attention to Cedric. Zion saw Cedric reaching out his hand with a smile.

"Welcome to Shadow Earth, Zion." Zion clenched her fist with the ring, and held Cedric's hand and let him support her to stand up.

Without letting his hand go, Zion took the lead and shook Cedric's hand, and finally gave a smile for the first time.

"Thank you!"