After the three spent an hour walking around town, exploring the crowded markets and observing the strange, magical sights of the valley, Elena suddenly felt a vibration in her pocket. She reached in and pulled out a small, circular amulet. It was the color of deep crimson, with a uniquely crafted letter C engraved on the front.
Elena pressed down on the C, and the stone within the amulet began to glow with a soft, pulsing light. Anna's voice came through the stone clearly, informing her that it was time for them to leave. Following the summons, they navigated back through the busy streets to the carriage, where Anna was already waiting inside the plush interior.
"Did you three have fun?" Anna asked, smiling faintly as they climbed in.
"Yes, Grandma, I would like to come to town again to explore the other places," John said. He was holding a glass bottle of strawberry milk he had bought from a local dairy store toward the end of their walk. He took a long, satisfied sip. The simple, sugary flavor was a welcome taste of the familiar amidst all the new and strange things he had experienced today.
"I would also like to come with John!" Carmilla shouted, her initial boredom completely forgotten. "It was very nice spending time with my cousin."
Anna's smile widened, clearly happy that her two grandchildren had enjoyed themselves and were starting to bond. She then looked toward Elena. "Did you also enjoy yourself, Elena?"
"This one enjoyed herself with the two young masters very much," Elena replied, giving a genuine, lovely smile that made her usually stoic face brighten.
Anna, John, and Carmilla settled into the luxurious black carriage. Following Anna's earlier instruction, Elena joined them once again. The four of them, Anna, John, Carmilla, and Elena, were the only occupants as the carriage began its two hour journey back up the mountain toward the castle.
When they finally arrived back at the castle, the atmosphere felt different. The man named Carlos Decker had already departed. John and Carmilla separated to go to their own rooms to rest after the long trip, but as John walked through the stone corridors, he realized he was far too energized to sleep.
Looking out a window that overlooked the courtyard, he noticed two knights in the training yard. They were swinging large, heavy swords with rhythmic, powerful strokes. Interested, John immediately changed his direction and headed toward the training grounds.
John walked up to the knights, his casual stride contrasting with the discipline of the yard. "What's up, Crimson Knights? Will you guys train me with the sword?"
The two knights were shocked by John's informal tone. They immediately stopped their drills and bowed deeply. "It will be our honor, my lord," they both said simultaneously.
John smiled at them both. "Get up and let's get started."
Before the knights could show John anything, a crucial detail came to his mind. He stepped out of the castle's shade and looked up at the midday sun, squinting at the brightness.
"Wait, how are you guys able to stand in the sun?" John asked, his voice filled with genuine confusion. "You guys don't have the Crimson blood, so how are you alive? Is it because Grandfather turned you, and that's why you are able to walk in the sun?"
The first knight straightened up and nodded. "Yes, Young Master. Because we were turned by Lord Leonidas or come from his direct lineage, many of us are able to walk in the sun. Most of us cannot use the Hellflame ability, but luckily, we gain the ability to withstand the sunlight."
The knight continued, a spark of ambition in his eyes. "There are some vampires within our ranks who are lucky enough to unlock the Hellflame. Those who can tap into that power automatically receive a higher rank once they master the basics of its use. For instance, a knight could be promoted to a Knight Sergeant just by proving they can control the flames."
The other knight chimed in to explain the alternative path to power. "But power is not only measured by fire, Young Master. The clan sometime holds mini tournaments within our ranks. If a knight who cannot wield the Hellflame shows superior skill and wins the tournament, or even wins a battle against a Hellflame wielder, they can also earn a promotion. Skill with the blade is highly respected here."
He then gestured to the yard beyond the shade. "However, for those not of the direct bloodline, there are many other vampires out there who are not capable of walking in the light at all. They must either wait until it is dark or buy a magical ring to protect them. Those rings are very expensive. The low-grade rings have a strict time limit, and if that time runs out while they are still in the open, they will instantly catch fire."
John held his hand to his chin, processing this. It made sense why the Crimson Clan was so feared. They didn't just have numbers; they had an elite force that could operate in broad daylight and a merit system that kept everyone's skills sharp.
"Damn, there are a lot of stuff that I do not know," John sighed, shaking his head at the layers of new information.
John then took the heavy claymore sword offered by the knight, gripping the wrapped hilt with both hands. "Okay, now show me how this works."
The knights systematically showed John the components of the greatsword. They pointed out the massive blade, the sharp point, the quillion of the crossguard, and the heavy pommel at the bottom of the hilt. They demonstrated the proper grip, with both hands centered on the hilt, and showed him the basic motions for generating power.
John practiced downward and diagonal slashes on a wooden dummy for an hour before calling it a day. Even with his strength, his arms were already aching from the unaccustomed weight and the vibration of wood hitting wood.
In the next couple of days, John practiced sword slashes and thrusts diligently. Sometimes he would spar with some of the knights, but most of the time he practiced alone. He focused on muscle memory and the sheer power of the weapon, trying to make the heavy steel feel like an extension of his own body.
After a week of intense training, John called over one of the guards. When the guard arrived in front of John, he bowed low by bending his knee. "What is Young Master's command?"
John felt a flash of embarrassment and reached out to help the guard back up. "I am not that good with greatswords; they feel too slow for me. Do you guys maybe use other weapons?"
"Yes, Young Master, we do use other weapons," the guard replied. "We have a full armory for all types of combat."
John felt a surge of hope. "Then show me."
The guard led John toward a secluded section of the castle, stopping outside a massive, steel reinforced door. Inside, a middle-aged man with brown hair, a meticulous mustache, and a pointed beard that followed his jawline was polishing a shield.
"Welcome, Young Master. My name is Porto. How may I be of service?" the man greeted him, his hands pausing in their work.
John smiled, looking past Porto at the racks and shelves that disappeared into the shadows, lined with every type of weapon imaginable.
"I wana see swords," John said, his eyes shining with anticipation. "Lots of swords."