Miss Trissy, at the age of one hundred and thirty-four, was still considered young by vampire standards, given their long lifespans. However, her capabilities were anything but ordinary. She had ventured out into the world early, as most vampires do, disguising herself as a human and traveling across the human empire and other kingdoms to broaden her knowledge and experience. This journey lasted sixty years, taking her from the northern lands of Norsca to the southern deserts of Araby.
Had war not broken out in Sylvania, compelling her to return and enlist in the army, she would have embarked on a voyage to the New World with a fleet. Though not the most powerful of vampires, her wealth of experience and broad perspective surpassed even that of some vampires thousands of years her senior.
Upon her return to Sylvania, Trissy participated in the war between vampires and the Orcs of the eastern steppes—a conflict the Orcs referred to as "The Great Bone Rampage" and the Sylvanians called the "Fifth Orc Invasion." This war lasted over fifty years, severely depleting Sylvania's resources and claiming the lives of hundreds of valuable vampires, including Valred's father, the Count, who perished in one of the final battles. However, the war also forged some of the most formidable vampire warriors, Trissy among them. Surviving decades of continuous combat was a testament to her strength.
As the Orc tide receded and Sylvania transitioned from war to peace, Trissy left the military and, at the invitation of Valred's father, Count Carstein, became a professor at the county's academy, teaching her specialty: elemental magic. Though black magic and necromancy were more prevalent in Sylvania, many students took elemental magic as a supplementary course, and Trissy received high praise from them.
On a personal level, Trissy felt deeply honored by the request from her former mentor, adventuring companion, comrade-in-arms, and superior officer, now the Countess. Such a bond ensured she would dedicate herself wholeheartedly to Valred's education.
Miss Trissy's impressive background, extensive experience, teaching skills, and close ties to the Carstein family made her the ideal candidate for Valred's tutor, even if it seemed a bit underutilizing her talents.
Thus, Trissy became Valred's tutor. Since elemental magic was a niche subject, her teaching responsibilities were relatively light. The Countess arranged with the academy's headmaster to schedule all her classes in the morning, ensuring she had the entire afternoon to dedicate to Valred.
Over the two years since Valred turned four, Trissy had been highly satisfied with his progress. He had absorbed a wealth of knowledge and significantly deepened his understanding of the world.
Initially, Trissy had harbored some reservations, fearing Valred might turn out like his sister—a problematic student despite her talent and achievements. However, after spending time with Valred, her worries dissipated. His good manners, graceful demeanor, gentle speech, and endearing wit made him a perfect fit for the title of "noble of the night."
Trissy often forgot Valred was only six, treating him more as a peer. Only occasionally did his intentionally awkward actions or curious questions remind her of his true age.
At twelve-thirty, Miss Trissy's ghostly carriage came to a halt before the grand entrance of Drakenhof Castle. The four skeletal steeds, their bodies radiating an ominous pale glow, snorted in discomfort under the midday sun. Once Trissy stepped out, the ghostly coachman cracked his whip, steering the carriage into the castle's shadow, much to the relief of the uneasy horses.
Miss Trissy was dressed in a black gown, her wide-brimmed hat adorned with pearls, feathers, and lace, accentuating her delicate figure and ethereal beauty. Her frail movements and slightly sickly appearance added to her allure.
Upon seeing Valred waiting at the door, she offered a tender smile, further enhancing her charm. She bent gracefully in a curtsy. While she might appear weak, underestimating her would be a grave mistake.
Valred knew the seemingly ornamental white wand in Trissy's hand stored twenty-four ice bolts, which could be unleashed in rapid succession to pierce even the thickest armor, including that of trolls and ogres. Additionally, this seemingly frail woman was a master of swordsmanship. With a bit of magic, her wand could extend into a mithril rapier. Despite her delicate appearance, her vampiric strength far surpassed that of an average human.
Seeing his tutor curtsy, Valred returned the gesture with equal respect. He stepped forward, took Trissy's offered hand, and kissed her fingertips. A faint blush crept across her pale cheeks.
"How adorable. He'll grow into an exceptional man," Trissy thought to herself. "Though he lacks some of the innocence typical of a child, and occasionally acts oddly, he's surprisingly dependable."
As Trissy mused, Valred released her hand and stepped aside, gesturing for her to enter. "Please come in, Miss Trissy. My mother left this morning, and my sister is at the academy. I'm the only one here, so I apologize for any shortcomings in my hospitality."
"No, you've done wonderfully. In fact, there's no need for such formality," Trissy reassured him, a mix of comfort and encouragement in her tone.
"Thank you for saying so," Valred replied, walking alongside her. His mature demeanor for a six-year-old made Trissy chuckle softly.
"So, no need for all the formalities, Valred," Trissy repeated. Seeing his slightly puzzled expression, she couldn't resist the urge to pinch his cheek. But as she reached out, Valred smiled.
"I understand," he said. Trissy, realizing her gesture was inappropriate, awkwardly withdrew her hand. Still, her flustered expression was rather endearing.
Once settled in the parlor, a maid served tea and pastries. Trissy recounted tales of her wartime exploits, adventures, and teaching experiences, while Valred listened attentively. Much of his understanding of the world came from these stories, with the practical lessons learned outside of books holding particular value. Though Trissy treated these anecdotes as casual storytelling, Valred absorbed them as if attending a lecture, committing every detail to memory.
After tea and a story, it was time for the lesson to begin. Over the past two years, Valred had focused on languages, basic knowledge, introductory magic, and physical exercises. For most vampire children, this curriculum would span four years, culminating in their enrollment in the academy by age eight. Some, due to lack of talent or inadequate teaching, might not even complete it.
Valred had finished this four-year curriculum in just two—a remarkable achievement, though it fell short of the extreme geniuses.
This was precisely the image Valred aimed to project: above average but not extraordinary. It kept others' expectations of him low while still demonstrating his competence. It was a balanced approach, neither playing the fool nor showing off excessively, which Valred found quite effective.
As for the basic physical exercises Trissy taught, Valred found them lacking. While hand-to-hand combat was rare in future wars, military training still emphasized various fighting techniques for fitness and combat readiness. Additionally, psychic mechs were equipped with psychic swords, necessitating professional swordsmanship training—far superior to the rudimentary exercises Trissy offered.