4 Chapter 4: Beast cores

Caesar's eyes widened in shock at the sound in his head.

Caesar tried to communicate with the robotic voice that he heard in his head but failed every time, He tried talking out loud or simply using his thoughts to communicate but nothing worked.

Caesar sighed and looked towards the sun, "It should be dusk soon" He muttered and started rushing back to his manor so he could change his clothes and take a shower as quickly as possible. He did not want Sebastian to see his mangled clothes.

Caesar rushed through the large forest and jumped over the city walls. After reaching the city he snuck passed the streets and traveled from roof to roof successfully refraining from getting seen. After reaching the gates of his manor he waited until the guards were changing shifts and jumped over the gate.

He dashed to the location of his window in his room, thankfully Caesar normally kept his window open to air out his room. After reaching his destination Caesar jumped through the open window and landed in his room.

After reaching his room Caesar tore off his rags and entered the bathroom, he got in the already prepared warm bath, presumably prepared by Sebastian so he could get ready for his dance lessons.

"Plop"

Caesar entered the bath and started relaxing, "nothing compares to a nice bath after hard work" he whispered under his breath.

He grabbed the cloth and started scrubbing his body clean, after getting clean Caesar stepped out of the tub and dried himself. Caesar walked to his closet and picked a decent outfit. He jumped back out of his window and walked to the front door of the manor.

Sebastian was standing there with an impatient look on his face, "young master I'm glad your okay, I was afraid something happened"

"I'm fine, don't worry"

Sebastian sized Caesar up and then said "young master… your outfit?"

"I went shopping haha"

"I see, well come. Anastasia is waiting for you in the training room"

Sebastian escorted Caesar through the long halls inside the manor and soon reached the training hall. Anastasia was waiting for them inside the training room, once she saw Caesar enter she smiled and walked over.

"Shall we continue where we left off?"

"Sounds good"

We did the same Ballet dance as last time, I was much better at controlling my strength this time so the movements were much more fluid and less tedious. If an observer were here at this time they would be flabbergasted at the beauty of his dancing skills. His long white hair fluttered in the air brilliantly every time he moved.

Anastasia looked at Caesar, "why are you taking dance lessons if you are already so skillful"

"Who could pass up a chance to dance with a beauty"

Anastasia snorted and looked away from Caesar's face, If you looked closely you could see a very slight blush on her cheeks.

After the dance session, Anastasia left the manor and Caesar went back to his room to read the rest of "Theory of Magic".

Caesar's days passed like this for the next week, he would travel into the forest during the day and read during the night. Caesar only found 1 more beast core and that message that popped in his head no longer appeared no matter how much blood he sucked absorbed from the foxes.

Caesar was sitting in his room with three shiny spheres on his desk. "According to the 'Theory of magic" Consuming a beast core is dangerous for normal humans. I had asked Sebastian if we could buy beast cores but was instantly denied. "How could we let you risk your life" Apparently the reason that those without talent couldn't gain mana reserves from consuming beast cores was because their body couldn't handle it and would explode.

"I have a vampire physique though," Caesar thought to himself as he grabbed one of the spheres and put it close to his eyes to observe it.

According to the "Theory of Magic" There are two ways to consume a beast core, the first way is to just consume the core directly… This way is dangerous and crude, only weaker beast cores should be absorbed this way. The second way is to dilute the beast core in a basin and bathe inside of it.

The second way will give you fewer benefits but it is much safer, Caesar didn't think that a beast core from a fox in a forest would actually be very strong so he put the beast core in his mouth.

"Gulp"

It felt like swallowing raw eggs, the beast core went down his throat and settled into his stomach, a warm feeling started to sprout from his stomach towards the other parts of his body.

Caesar could feel the beast core start to melt inside of his stomach, the essence was spreading throughout his body. The only thing Caesar could think of at this moment was "hot!"

It was extremely hot like a fire was in his stomach. His blood felt like it was boiling. A creaking sound started coming from his bones. Precipitation started flowing down his face, veins starting popping out on his forehead.

"Grrr"

A deep and low growling sound starting coming from Caesar's mouth… The nails on his fingers grew half a centimeter.

Soon the pain abruptly stopped and his fangs retracted, his body went to normal temperature and it felt like what he just went through was just a dream.

[Vampire Physique evolution progress: 5%]

The robotic voice sounded out in his head again. Caesar frowned, "I had been sucking blood from all of those monsters but I only gained 1% but just one beast core gave me 4%?" Caesar contemplated that maybe the vampires in this world didn't actually love the taste of blood but the mana inside of the blood.

Caesar abruptly stood up from his chair and exited his room… He started walking towards the library at a fast pace, once he got to the library he started checking each book with an impatient look.

"Not this one"

"Or this one"

"Here it is!"

Caesar took out a book that was labeled "Evil Beasts"

He took the book towards the table and lit a candle, Caesar flipped page after page looking for information on 'vampires' Caesar saw illustrations of monsters such as the minotaur and orcs. After flipping to the end of the book Caesar didn't find any information on vampires.

Although a little unhappy the information he wanted wasn't there Caesar still learned about more monsters of the world. Caesar put the book back into the shelf and looked for other books about vampires.

After searching for a few minutes Caesar found a book called 'S rank monsters'

Caesar started flipping through the pages and saw many things that made his eyes go wide. Dragons, Phoenix's, Gryphons, etc… etc…

After flipping towards the middle of the book he finally saw information about vampires.

'The vampires have an aristocratic pecking order… the higher their rank the stronger they are. Non-noble vampires or 'blood thralls' are merely rank C monsters. Noble vampires are ranked from B to A+. Archduke's and kings are ranked S and S+ respectively. After the great war between humans and vampires, all vampires are thought to be extinct. If you do see what you think to be a vampire it is highly advised you inform the kingdom.'

'Blood thralls are brainless beings that suck blood, they generally have a stronger physique than humans. you can discern a noble vampire from their amount of mana and their 'authority'. Each higher noble has an authority he or she can command… This latent ability is diverse but they are generally very powerful.'

The information the book contained about vampires was this small? Caesar thought to himself, He put his hand on his chin thinking about what he just read. "It appears vampires are extinct and according to the ranking of vampires it would appear my physique is that of a 'blood thrall'?"

Although my physical strength was clearly much higher than a normal human my mana was vastly inferior to those other noble talents.

"Knock"

"Knock"

The sound of knocking broke Caesar out of his contemplation.

"Young master, your father is back from his business trip and has requested you at the dinner table"

"I will be right there"

Caesar put the books back and made his way to the dinner table, his father sat there with an exhausted face. Once I sat down my father immediately talked

"Mephesto my son, there are some problems with the neighboring kingdom… The crown princes ball was meant to happen next week but will be rushed towards tomorrow"

"hmm?"

My father looked like he was troubled to say anything more but then continued

"This 'ball' isn't actually a party, I want you to be invisible at this party"

"As you wish father" this was already Caesars intention

"God dam*it, It was my mistake to add you to the guest list"

I heard my father mumble under his breath as he stuffed the bloody steak into his mouth… I also started eating the food in front of me.

After dinner, I and my father were sitting at the table in silence.

"Snap"

My father snapped his finger and two maids came walking in with a rack of clothes.

"Choose your outfit for tomorrow night"

I nodded my head and walked over to the rack, all of the clothes were quite flashy but I choose a military outfit that was hidden in the way back.

It had a large black trench coat that buttoned up with golden buttons the long black sleeves had beautiful golden engravings on them. The collar was long and had red ends. It came with black pants and a white shirt to go under it. The outfit had a military cap as well as white gloves to go along with it.

My father nodded in approval at my choice, "Those are your late grandfather's" My father said

"My grandfather?"

"Yes, your grandfather was a prestigious general in the army but… he died in battle"

"I see…." I said slowly noticing the mood

"Get some rest son, we have a big day tomorrow night."

"You as well father"

I walked back to my room and took out the other two beast cores and thought about consuming them… If my current physique was a blood thrall that means my power is merely Rank C but if I could evolve into a noble then I could become rank B or higher I could also get the 'authority' they spoke of in the book.

The problem is that I didn't know if I would be suspected of being a vampire If I showed my authority or will they just think its magic… Thinking of magic Caesar raised his right palm in the air and started freezing the water molecules.

Soon an ice cube about 2 inches wide and 2 inches long appeared in the middle of Caesar's hand. "So this is my limit now huh?" Caesar whispered out in disappointment. The 5% increase to his physique truly did grant him more mana however with Caesars already extremely low talent his limit was still just creating an ice cube.

Caesar stashed the other two beast cores in his ring, he didn't want to feel that pain again in the middle of the night. Especially when he has to go to the crown princes party tomorrow. Caesar climbed into his bed and closed his eyes

-------------------------

"Alfred my son, your party is tomorrow do you already have candidates?"

"Yes father" a man with short blonde hair and blue eyes responded

"What are their names and households" A majestic voice echoed throughout the palace halls

"Reynolds of the Raal household, Son of a duke"

"Grifford of the lion household, Son of a duke"

…..Alfred hesitated to say the next one

"Mephesto of the Pheles household, Son of a duke"

"Mephesto? If I remember correctly he hasn't been to any noble gatherings"

"According to rumors, he is quite ruthless…."

"I'll leave it to you Alfred"

"Yes father"

Alfred left the throne room with a contemplating look on his face… "I'll decide which to choose tomorrow"