The cool morning air of the Academy felt thicker than usual. Han was waiting for Leng Wei by the exit of the training hall, his face grim.
"Congratulations, kid. You've just been promoted from 'inconspicuous trash' to a 'potential threat.'" Han glanced over his shoulder. "See those two by the fountain?"
Leng Wei nodded. Two tall half-breeds were watching them intently.
"Bounty hunters. They specialize in 'potential threats.' Your life just got a whole lot more interesting."
The servant in the livery was more than a simple messenger — his eyes were far too perceptive for a servant.
"Mentor Lan is waiting in the north wing. Just a warning — there are no exits for servants there." His smile was cold. "At least, no living ones."
As they walked, Leng Wei noticed something strange — the walls in the north wing were covered in hieroglyphs that pulsed in time with his heartbeat.
Lan's office was not just a laboratory; it was a temple to ancient science. The air smelled of ozone and old blood.
"Look." Lan pointed to a holographic projection of his DNA. "Your blood contains markers found in no known vampire lineage."
She zoomed in on the image. "See these spirals? They're... alien. They don't belong to this world."
"What does that mean?" Leng Wei's voice trembled.
"It means you are either the greatest discovery of the century, or... nature's greatest mistake."
Suddenly, the projection changed, revealing an ancient scroll with an image of a Vampire King. His face... was the exact likeness of Leng Wei's father.
"Recognize him?" Lan watched his reaction closely.
"That's... impossible."
"It is possible. Your father didn't just know about vampires. He was one of us. Or rather... one of them." She pointed at the image. "The last of the royal dynasty."
At that moment, Leng Wei heard it — that same voice, now clear as day.
"My son... You are beginning to see at last."
The projection came to life, showing a scene from the past — his father, fighting other vampires, protecting a human woman... his mother.
"They killed him for treason," Lan whispered. "For loving a mortal. For you."
Jin entered without knocking. "The Council has made its decision. You will train in the Royal Class."
"What does that mean?"
"It means they will groom you either as a new ruler... or as the perfect weapon." Jin placed an ancient dagger before him. "This was your father's. He left it for you."
The moment Leng Wei touched the dagger, the room vanished. He stood in an ancient throne room, where the ghosts of the past watched him.
"Prove you are worthy," his father's voice echoed.
Three doors appeared before him:
Power
Knowledge
Sacrifice
Lin Mei suddenly appeared beside him. "Don't choose Power — they'll turn you into a tyrant. Don't choose Knowledge — you'll go mad from the truth."
"And Sacrifice?"
"Sacrifice... is the only way to remain yourself. But the price will be everything."
That night, Xiao Fei led him to an abandoned observatory.
"Look." She pointed to the stars, which had formed a familiar symbol — his family's crest.
"The Royal Blood awakens once in a millennium. You are the eighth. The seven before you... vanished."
"Where to?"
"Ask those who truly control the Academy. The True Masters."
The next morning, Lan began his real training.
"Royal Blood is not power. It is responsibility." She showed him a scar on her arm. "I was your father's mentor. And I failed to protect him."
"Why are you telling me all this?"
"Because the choices you make from now on will be your own. The Hunt for the Kings has begun."
That evening, Leng Wei finally opened the book Han had given him. On the last page was a map of the Academy with markings — traps, secret passages, power rooms.
And a note: "They will kill you in the third trial. Run. Find the Guardians."
Leng Wei stood before the mirror. His eyes glowed with a crimson light, but it was no longer blind rage — it was cold determination.
They think they can control me. They are mistaken.
He drew his father's dagger. The blade gleamed in response.
It's time to learn the truth. The whole truth.
There was a knock at the door. The bounty hunters stood on the threshold.
"Get ready, little king. The first trial begins."
Leng Wei looked at them, and in his eyes flashed not rage, but something far more dangerous — certainty.
"Lead on. Show me what you have prepared for your king."