Vampire Reincarnation

One after another, I killed generals and batallion leaders. One after another, he did the same to my troops. His strength grew beyond what I thought could be possible from a human…

Kai's silhouette ran through the forest like a loose arrow, weaving through the bushes and foliage with the agility of an athelet. His mana-infused legs and decreased air resistance allowing him to reach extreme speeds. Onyx scouted ahead, running even faster than his companion, picking up scents, ready to inform Kai if anything dangerous were to approach.

Neither of them were truly aware of the dangers so close to The Dark Forest. After all, Onyx's entire race lived exclusively in said forest. He's so strong while being barely two years old, I can't imagine how strong his parents were… or are.

However such thoughts were too posionous to him in his current state. He didn't want to think about anything, but leave his mind free as he headed toward Nivero. Though as much as one would want for such thins to happen, his nature mad it so that his mind could never be free.

The sun sneaking through the canopies intensified as they neared the edge of the forest, until they finally exited its bounds. Going forward there would be only empty fields covered in vibrant grass, with a tree appearing every now and then to provide shade. Ahead of him was a road, which Kai could never forget.

It was the same road that he walked on when he left all those years ago, where he met Orphelia and Léandro, and where his life would change in one way or the other. A wave of melancholy washed over his body as he glanced at the spot in the forest where the prince had almost shot him. The thought made him chuckle, though he was pretty sure Léandro missed on purpose.

Kai moved past that place in an instant, going probably ten times as fast as Oprhelia's carriage. His cheeks flushed red upon remembering how he touched the beast girl's ears by accident. The reaction she gave was quite frigthful, almost covering the entirety of the carriage inside, were it not for Orphelia's warnings. That damed girl knew that Ysne was there and she still let me do that… not even a word of warning.

He would have sighed if he could, but even with the wind protection spell on, opening his mouth while running at such speeds wouldn't prove to be a good idea. Kai noticed that, despite the dense fog in the city, it had almost completely faded by the time he left the forest. That helped in being able to see his steps, but nothing else. For some reason he felt butterflies in his stomach.

I need to hurry! Kai's anxious mind thought as he pushed himself and the wind magic to the limit. Dust rose and got blasted away underneath his feet, and he saw Nivero's large city walls in the distance before dawn. After one last push, he sat right before them, with just as much awe as he did before.

I can't believe such a city exists here… the people living inside must be very rich. I didn't take note of it before. Its walls were made of solid stone, akin to the large rocks found in mountains, but carved into cubes and stacked upon one another. Some iron-grilled windows were present every few meters or so, and the defense towers were build into the wall as an extension.

Men dressed in leather armor, equipped with bows and an eagle-like vision watched every side, despite the aridious sun. The main gate wasn't as full of people as Kai thought, but there were some merchants passing by with small caravans. He walked past them, the rattling of their carriages reminding him of Orphelia, and his heart raced ever so slightly at the possibility of meeting an old friend.

The guards stopped him, but he simply flashed his guild card and, after a brief inspection, they let him in. Once again stepping onto the neatly paved streets, watching the hustle and bustle of the city filled with merchants and carriages, Kai smiled.

His crisp footsteps got lost in the noisy city before they even reached his hears, and Onyx stuck close to him as to not get lost in all the smells. Even from afar, Kai could still see the large winged statue of Lumiera standing on front of the church. He wondered what would happen if he were to get close. The last time around that he was in Nivero, nothing good happened from going to the chuch. Similarly, the last time he met the Goddess and actually spoke to her, she told him not to bother her anymore.

Whatever, not like I wanted to talk to her anyway, she seems grumpy all the time.

However, now that Kai arrived in Nivero, he wasn't sure where to even start to find Orphelia. He knew she was the heir of the Orchid merchant organisation, and that their symbol was an actual orchid, but nothing more than that.

He walked while scratching his brain for ideas. He passed by stalls, some of which were manned by beastmen, others by humans or the ocassional dwarf. Kai had money, a large amount of money, give to him by the the prince whose pockets ran deeper than a ravine. I should buy some supplies since I'm here… Kai thought, but then decided that the biggest merchant organisation in the city would have better stuff than some street vendors.

Kai wandered the streets for about half an hour, ocasionally passing the same merchant once or twice as he lost his sense of direction in the larger than life crowd. In the end he walked up to one of the vendors and asked with a helpless expression that no one could see, "Excuse me, uhm…" His stuttered speech grabbed the frowning attention of the vendor, a half human half lizard man who sold various tools. "Could you please tell me where the Orchid Merchant Organisation is?"

The man looked him up and down, scoffing upon seeing his ragged attire and half burnt mask. "Yer the fin of the mein street, aye. Beig building, ken't miss it." He replied with a half mocking smile, then paid Kai no furhter attention.

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"Thank you…?"

After getting his answer, Kai left and walked straight down the street, making sure not to accidentally turn any corners. Sure enough, just like the man had said, there was a large building right at its end.

However calling it 'large' would be an understatement in Kai's eyes. Even from afar, trough the large crowed and through several other buildings, Kai could see its gold plated roof. The organisation itself sat in the middle of a large courtyard that served as a large park filled with greenery. Rose bushes lined the edge of the marble crafted wall, decorated and protected by magic enforced silver railings. Various trees and garden decorations were sprinkled within, providing shade and a pretty something to look at. Benches were placed underneath the trees, and a few mothers watched over their children as they played.

Besides the mothers and children, there were men dressed in expensive attires going in and out of the building, each of them wearing at least one spatial ring.

A large fountain within which flowed crystalline water was the center piece of the entire thing, the splashing droplets creating small rainbows whenever the sun hit them just right. Kai's mouth flew agape upon seeing all of that, and it threatened to fall to the floor as he stepped inside. Nobody stopped him, of course, however he felt the quality of the mana increase by such a huge margin that he thought he arrived in heaven.

This is… such a powerful spell. If only I could use my technique to train here, alas… He sighed inwardly and walked on, the tall building looming over him. His eyes inspected the building and surroundings, and he quickly took notice that banners of a pink orchid with a yellow middle, sitting on a vibrant green background, were verywhre.

Switching his attention to the house. and taking a closer look at its clean marble walls, gold and silver plated roof tiles, ornamental windows akin to those in churches and huge door made of expensive, refined wood, Kai could only come to a single conclusion. "These guys are so incredibly rich!"

Of course Kai had expected that, seeing as the man himself, Vlad, did business in the capital. However such obvious display of wealth shocked Kai to his very core.

He took a look at his own clothes, a burnt, dirty and torn cloak, a black shirt and brown pants in similar condition, and muddy boots that threatened to fall apar; It was no wonder that the lizard man scoffed at him, compared to the Orchid Merchant Organisation, he was a peasnt, a beggar even!

However he couldn't let that stop him from at least trying to meet Orphelia. Despite his shame, he walked forward, trying to ignore the pitiful or scrutinous looks threw at him by the other guests who were both taller, richer and better dressed. Not to mention Onyx, whose paws were just as muddy as his boots. The pressure almost wanted him to stop climbing the white stairs and meeting the butler posted at the door, however he grabbed his heart between his teeth and walked up.

"Hm?" The butled groaned, raising an eyebrow? "Are you lost, child?" He asked with a burgeois-like voice and a slightly rolled R. His eyes glanced at Onyx, who sat down and began scratching behind the ear with the hind paws. He wore the cliché butler attire, with an overly tight white shirt, long jacket and slightly loose black pants and a bowtie.

"This is the Orchid Merchant Organisation, isn't it?" Kai asked, trying to surpress the anoyingess building up inside him.

"Yes, that's right."

"Then… I'm in the right place."

A visible vein popped on the butler's face, though he didn't let the slight anger appear in his voice. "Then, how may I help you?"

"I'm looking for Orphelia. I was wondering if she is… home?" Kai said in a similar manner to children asking if their friend was allowed to come out and play.

Hearing Kai mention Orphelia's name, the butler's vein almost burst, and he replied in a slow, grave voice. "Don't you dare mention the Young Lady's name so willy nilly. She is not for your filthy mouth to speak of. Go away before I call the guards."

What?! Kai thought, infuriated by the man's attitude. Sure, he wasn't dressed as well as the others, but even a butler dared to speak to him in such a way? He wasn't the entitled type but he felt that it was simply too rude.

However, what could he do? He had a few things he could show, like the guild card and Orphelia's letter, but he wasn't sure how much of an effect they would have. Worst case scanario he could pull out the little badge Léandro gave him, but he didn't want to show it off that easily.

"May I see Orphelia, please?" He asked once again, hopefully not testing the butler's patience too much.

"You little wre- Didn't I tell you not to call the Young Lady by her name?!" The man said, almost shouting, grabbing the attention of a few bystanders. Their scornful gazes landed on Kai, accompanied by mocking chuckles that landed in his ears.

"Who's that dirty rat? Trying to meet the Young Lady? Bahhaha!"

"Look at his clothes, man, he probably hasn't head of a shower!"

"Check out the mutt, it's just as dirty as him. Too bad, I bet it would make a good pelt, just look at how beautiful the fur is!"

Kai's head instantly turned upon hearing that last comment, glaring at the crowd with a strong killing intent. A little bit of his mana accidentally escaped as aura, which made the feet of the butler and the people insulting him shake.

"What is that kid?!" They gasped after flinching and taking a simultenous step backward.

"Why does it feel like… he's…"

"I don't know, let's just go. He's that guy's problem not ours."

All of them scurried away, and Kai's flared up anger receeded. Flicking his wrist, he pulled out the letter and showed it to the butler. "This is a letter she gave me, signed by her, written by her. It says there clearly that I am her friend. Now would you please tell me if she's home?"

The butler shook himself fromt he daze and took a close look at the letter, his pupils widening. "This is indeed the Young Lady's writing and signature…" He mumbled, reaching out for it. Kai quickly pulled it back though, storing it back within the ring.

"Since you've confirmed, can you answer my question?" Kai asked again, but this time the butler took him seriously. Not only because of the aura he displayed, but also because of the validity of the letter. However he sighed and straightened his back, returning to his previous, repsectful neutral self.

"I'm afraid that the Young Lady isn't present at the manor for the moment being. I am not lying in this matter, however I cannot divulge where she is."

Kai's mood instantly dropped upon hearing that. Yet another one I cannot meet… He took a deep breath and prepared to thank the butler, however a slight pressure stopped him from moving before his lips could even part.

"Who dares to cause trouble in front of MY Orchid Merchant Organisaiton?"A voice boomed from within the hallway, striking Kai's soul to its core.