The next day, everyone was in class except for Magni. He was confined to the infirmary for three days. Aidoneus stepped into the classroom and informed the students that they would be heading to a remote town for a field research mission. No one had anticipated such news. Their teacher proceeded with the necessary briefing.
"Today, you will all set out following a tip we received. Your destination is Santorini. Perhaps some of you have heard of it before. Since ancient times, it has been a frequent haunt for vampires in the Greek Region. Although it was purged in recent years, a tip that came in last night prompted us to send you there. We also thought it would be a fitting reward for successfully completing your first mission. However, do not forget that you are going there primarily on duty. You have seven days to complete the mission and return. Should anything go awry, we won't hesitate to dispatch upperclassmen, but allowing such a thing to happen wouldn't bode well for your reputation. That is all I have to say. Be ready in front of the school within four hours. The allocated vehicle will drop you off at the ferry. From there, you will cross over to the island. You will be met upon arrival. Any questions?"
The students viewed this mission as a vacation. It truly felt like a reward. Except for a few. Sol, Luna, Han, and Neptune. These individuals were the mission-focused, promising core of the team. Magni was part of that group too, of course, but he was sidelined for this assignment. Aidoneus reminded them of their four-hour window and left the classroom. The students began talking among themselves.
Sol said, "If we're going to hunt vampires, let me know the moment you spot them. I'll nullify their powers with my Cosmyth. That way, we can head back as soon as possible."
Aurora countered, "Why do you want to return so quickly? We're there for seven days. We can hunt the vampires on the final day."
"Or we handle our business first, and then enjoy our vacation," Han said, throwing an arm around Aurora's shoulder.
Urania agreed, "I'm with Han. Let's take care of the creatures first. We'll rest much easier that way."
Amor muttered, "Do whatever you want. Just let me know when you find a vampire. Until then, I'll be finding a bar and enjoying myself."
Finally, Diana chimed in, "Vampires hunt in packs. Though, if you paid any attention to your lessons, you would have realized that."
Most people would be annoyed by Amor's attitude, but his classmates had grown accustomed to his dismissive personality. Once the conversations died down, Han and Urania went down to the infirmary to see Magni. Magni was deeply disappointed to miss such an opportunity. Still, he didn't withhold his support from his teammates. "Hunt a few vampires for me too," he told them with a laugh. Urania looked at him and smiled. At that moment, her smile meant so much to him that even after they left the room, his mind was at ease despite missing the mission. He muttered to himself, "I think... I'm starting to like Urania..." Once everyone arrived at their respective quarters, they began packing their bags.
In his dorm room, Han was stuffing everything he could find into his bag. He didn't own many belongings. For that exact reason, he didn't waste time pondering what to wear.
While her family was watching television, Urania asked her mother for help with packing. She simply couldn't decide what to bring. So far, she had packed clothing suitable for all kinds of weather (seasonal wear), a bikini, and an umbrella. With Dione adding the finishing touches, they zipped up the suitcase, and she prepared to head out.
Sol and Luna packed together. Since their body measurements were quite similar, they settled for a single suitcase. Sol packed cardigans, sweaters, boots, and sweatpants; Luna, on the other hand, packed three distinct dresses for herself. Since they generally dressed unisex, sharing clothes was never an issue.
Hecate had prepared three different suitcases tailored for any situation. She had enlisted her mother's help to pack the final one. Her clothes were entirely unique, styled to create harmonious outfits that would make her stand out in any crowd. Skirts, low-cut tops, bikinis, swimsuits. In a separately prepared backpack, she stored her makeup, skincare products, and nail polishes.
Diana packed two pairs of pants, two pairs of sweatpants, three short-sleeved shirts, one dress, and a fur-lined coat. Neither too much nor too little. It was exactly as it needed to be, perfectly suited for the season. This was the direct output of her logical personality.
Aurora wanted to balance duty and leisure on this trip. After all, they were staying there for seven days. To ensure those seven days passed enjoyably for everyone, she brought along card games and board games. She also packed her handheld console to fend off boredom during the long journey. She didn't neglect to pack her favorite cat pajamas into her suitcase, either. Her mother accompanied her to the ferry to see her off.
Amor selected his finest attire to maintain his usual elegance and charisma. His leather jacket, tailored pants, boots, and jewelry collection. Having been involved in the fashion industry for the past year, he possessed pieces that were either unreleased or incredibly expensive. Additionally, he packed a few packs of cigarettes, fearing he might not find them there. The brand Amor smoked was both expensive and rare. Although he usually imported his cigarettes, they were occasionally sold in tourist areas.
Neptune packed his suitcase with his father's assistance. He might have been a prodigy when it came to combat, but he was completely lost when faced with everyday tasks. Aside from casual clothes, swimwear, and a manga he brought to read along the way, his suitcase was practically empty. Though he didn't see his father often, he would drop by occasionally during his time spent on the surface. He felt his father viewed him as little more than a lab rat, a thought that deeply unsettled him. After all, he was human too. Even if he was a Cosmyth user.
After everyone completed their preparations, they bid farewell to Magni.
Sol said, "When we get back, be stronger. It's hard to find a rival like you."
Han added with a slight smile, "Let's beat these guys again when we return. Alright, Captain?"
Magni smiled back, "Don't worry. Just come back safe and sound. Preferably stronger, Sol. I'm starting to get tired of beating you."
Sol retorted, "We've only lost twice, don't get ahead of yourself!" and boarded the shuttle alongside Han to join the others.
Twenty minutes later, they arrived at the harbor. Before them stood what looked like a gateway opening into an endless sea. They stowed their belongings onto the ferry reserved for them. Everyone's attention shifted to Hecate. They were questioning whether she truly needed that many suitcases. Hecate seemed pleased to have all eyes on her. After all, she was someone who relished being the center of attention. Aurora's mother, Aethra, had prepared snacks for everyone in the class to enjoy during the journey.
The class thanked Aethra and set off. What baffled them most was that every time they opened the containers Aethra had given them, an extra snack always seemed to remain. This constant reminder made Magni's absence weigh even heavier on them. Still, there was nothing to be done. Magni needed his rest. His inability to be here served as motivation for them to succeed on this mission. They didn't want to leave the entire burden on his shoulders. Furthermore, the thought of the guilt Magni would inflict upon himself if they failed their very first mission without him crossed their minds. Midway through the journey, Neptune appeared on the deck clad in his swimwear. Aurora was nudging the other girls, forcing them to look down at him.
With a mischievous smirk, she shouted, "Wow! Look at those muscles, girls!"
Neptune replied, "Can you quiet down so we can actually enjoy the moment?"
"Oh, we are enjoying it!"
Neptune slapped his hand to his forehead and shook his head. "I'll travel through the sea from here on out. See you there. Besides, I want to check out our accommodations early."
Sol called out, "At least reserve a nice room for the guys!"
Amor interjected, "Make sure it's close to the girls, huh!"
Naturally, the moment he uttered those words, he received a heavy punch to the head from Urania. Neptune dove into the sea and vanished from sight. They opened and played the card game Aurora had brought. Amor and Sol teamed up and cheated. Just like Hecate and Diana, who were doing the exact same thing. Though minor squabbles broke out, they were quickly laughed off. After a long voyage, Santorini materialized on the horizon. Everyone gathered on the ship's deck. Aurora stood beside Han, who was seasick and vomiting over the railing. Once he finished, the two joined the rest of the group. As the ferry docked at the pier, Han was the first to disembark. Aurora remained by his side.
Aurora asked, "Do you get like this every time?"
Han replied, "This... was my first time. Ah... I've never been on a sea vessel before."
"Huh? Seriously?"
"Y-yes."
"Sit next to me on the way back, maybe I can help."
"Even now... you're being very helpful, Aurora. Thank you."
"You're welcome. That's what friends are for, right?"
"Ah, I suppose."
Neptune arrived at the pier from the city center. He gathered the team and their belongings, leading them to their lodgings. He had truly selected the room with the finest view. As for the girls, instead of the room directly opposite that Amor had envisioned, they were assigned the adjacent room. The rooms were lovely. Just like the hotel's exterior, the interior decor was pristine white. It felt as though it had snowed and they had filled the rooms with it. From the windows, the cliffs of the island cascading into the sea were clearly visible. The boys unpacked their things immediately. They even fought among themselves to claim the bed by the window. The bed ultimately went to Sol. Han claimed the other window spot. They wanted to leave the hotel and explore the island as soon as possible. Some sought to gather information regarding the mission, while others were looking for entertainment. After dropping off his things, Amor headed for the door to slip out, but Sol stopped him.
"Where to?"
"Going out for a drink."
"You'll have to wait. The hotel manager is going to brief us. We only have basic information about the mission. We need to speak with eyewitnesses."
"Fine, you guys do the talking, I'm out. Give me a summary later!"
Sol reached out to grab Amor by the arm but suddenly froze in place. A few seconds after Amor exited the room, Neptune walked over to Sol, who was still standing completely still. The moment Neptune touched him, Sol grabbed him by the arm. After a brief stare-down, he let him go.
Sol asked, "What? Where is Amor?"
Neptune replied, "Didn't you just let him leave?"
"No! I was reaching out to stop him when everything went pitch black. The next thing I knew, I was holding onto you."
Han, who was smoothing out his bed, smiled. "He must have used his Cosmyth. I didn't expect you to fall for such a simple trick, Sol," he said, returning to his task.
Muttering to himself, Sol went back to sorting out his remaining chores. While this was happening, the girls were also finishing up their unpacking. Hecate wanted to go outside and take photos immediately. Luna, conversely, wanted to finish the mission as quickly as possible and just stay in the room. Chaos reigned in their room. They couldn't agree on how to share the beds. Everyone wanted the bed by the window with the view. Urania proposed the most logical solution: drawing lots. Everyone wrote their names on small slips of paper and placed them in a bag. The bed went to Diana. Ironically, the person who cared the least about the bed had won it.
Amor had managed to gain entry into a local bar by leveraging his recognition. He was a somewhat famous model, after all. Even though he was underage, a couple of photos got him inside. After a few glasses of the island's famous local wine, he transitioned to whiskey. The hour was growing late. It was nearly midnight. While drinking, he casually questioned the bartender about the vampire incidents.
The bartender noted, "The other day, they found a young man around your age with not a single drop of blood left in his veins. A shame, I'd known him since he was a kid. He was a very handsome boy, too. They say his girlfriend locked herself in her room out of sheer grief."
Just as Amor was ordering his second whiskey, a striking young woman approached and stood beside him. Her bangs lightly veiled her eyes. Her hair was tied back in a bun, with a few strands left loose at the sides. She possessed striking amber eyes, purple hair, and pale skin. She wore an off-the-shoulder sweater paired with denim shorts. Around her neck was a black choker necklace. The girl ordered a whiskey for herself as well. Amor pushed away the money she offered the bartender and paid out of his own pocket.
"Would this elegant lady allow me to buy her a whiskey, I wonder?"
The girl covered her mouth and giggled, "Alright, but just this once. I'm not usually one to enjoy being pampered."
"I see, the mysterious girl. Would you bestow your name upon me?"
"I am Evelina. May I know yours?"
"Amor. A pleasure, Evelina. I heard there are vampires around here; is it safe for you to be out at this hour?"
"Doesn't the same apply to you?"
"Hmm, perhaps," he said, taking a sip of his whiskey.
They sat and conversed until the dark of night reached its peak. It was now 3:00 AM, and his friends were beginning to wonder about Amor. Amor had somehow managed to charm Evelina, convincing his elusive prey to accompany him to a nearby hotel to claim his prize. Before stretching out on the bed to seal the deal, he sent a text to Sol. "Might not make it back. If I'm not around by morning, come to this address," he wrote, attaching the hotel's location. Groggy with sleep, Sol woke to the chime of the incoming message. He hadn't expected such a text from Amor. He set his alarm for 6:00 AM and went back to sleep.
Amor removed the choker from Evelina's neck and slipped off her cardigan. Though he had done this countless times before, it felt different tonight. Their lips locked together. Evelina pushed Amor onto the bed and climbed on top of him. Sensation reached its zenith. Following two hours of intense passion, Amor lay back on the bed. He intended to finish his cigarette and doze off for about half an hour. Evelina took a cigarette from Amor and lit it too. A few minutes later, just as Amor was drifting off to sleep, he felt a sharp sting in his neck. Though the pain faded instantly, it was far from normal. Nevertheless, he tried to sleep without saying anything to Evelina. When fifteen minutes passed and sleep eluded him, he turned to Evelina to spark up a conversation. But the girl was gone. She had left. Completely without a sound.
Amor get up from the bed. His head was spinning, and he felt utterly drained. Placing his hand against his neck where the pain had been, he felt a distinct warmth. It was blood. He went into the bathroom to inspect it more closely. There was no room for doubt; he had been bitten by a vampire. Maintaining his composure, he dressed and left the hotel. The streetlights blinded his eyes, and the distant chatter from inside the houses reached his ears as though people were tearing their throats apart to scream at him. When he arrived in front of his hotel, he crossed paths with Sol, who was waiting for him at the entrance. Upon seeing him, the final remnants of strength drained from his body, and he collapsed to the ground. A single thought echoed in his mind.
"My plan... worked. Evelina..."