After the events of June 1st, Valred spent the following days diligently at home, eagerly awaiting his tutor's lessons. His knowledge and skills in magic advanced at an astonishing pace, so much so that Miss Trissy exclaimed he was "unnaturally gifted." From the separation of the Winds of Magic to their harmonious fusion, Valred's progress was nothing short of remarkable.
He gained a foundational understanding of several branches of Dark Magic: Necromancy, represented by pale hues, which controlled the undead; the Lich Sequence, marked by silver-gray tones, focusing on debilitation and augmentation spells; and the Essence of Withering, embodied in deep black, specializing in attacks on both the soul and the physical body, often resulting in instant death. He also mastered several basic spells, such as Animate Dead for raising skeletons, Weaken Armor, Enhance Weapon, Curse, and Dark Energy Arrow.
By the end of June, the power of Red Morr reached its peak. At this time, even the most confident mages had to restrain themselves. Only the deranged cultists of the Chaos Wastes dared to cast spells during this period. Thus, Valred's lessons during these days focused less on new magical knowledge and more on storytelling and physical exercises, such as yoga.
As June transitioned into July, the dreaded month of Red Morr passed, and the customary celebration began. On July 1st, Drakenhof Castle hosted a grand banquet, inviting all vampires within the county.
That morning, Valred was reluctantly awakened by his sister Isabella, who insisted he accompany her while she selected her attire. The fiercely competitive Isabella was determined to look her best, ensuring she wouldn't be overshadowed at such a significant event. Unfortunately, this meant Valred had to endure hours of her trying on dresses.
Sitting on her bed, yawning as he watched Isabella parade in and out of her walk-in closet, Valred initially tried to offer genuine feedback. However, as time dragged on, his patience wore thin, and his responses became increasingly dismissive.
"How about this one?" Isabella asked, spinning in front of him.
"It's fine. It suits you. Let's just go with this one," Valred replied, eager to end the ordeal.
"Ugh! You're just saying that to get it over with! This dress has flaws here and there. It's not good at all! I'll go change again," Isabella retorted, disappearing into the closet.
Half an hour later, she emerged in another outfit.
"How about this one?"
"Terrible! Go change again!"
"Alright, I'll take your advice and change again."
"…"
By this point, Valred realized Isabella wasn't actually trying to choose a dress. She was simply enjoying the process of trying on clothes—a concept he found baffling. To him, many of the dresses looked nearly identical, with only minor differences in accessories, frills, or colors. Yet Isabella insisted on scrutinizing every detail.
"Why don't you just be like me and keep it simple? You're beautiful enough to look good in anything," Valred finally blurted out, hoping to escape the endless cycle.
His rare use of the word "sister" usually melted Isabella's heart, but this time, it only provoked her. She launched into a tirade about the importance of fashion, the dignity of the Carstein family, and how Valred, at six years old, should already understand these things. Her high-handed tone and air of superiority left Valred speechless.
Realizing the futility of arguing with a woman about fashion, Valred resigned himself to his fate.
By evening, the Countess returned to the castle, accompanied by several vampires who had traveled with her. Compared to her usual late-night arrivals, she was unusually early, likely aware of the significance of the occasion.
Not just in Sylvania, but across the civilized world, this day was celebrated as a joyous occasion, marking the end of the dreaded month. In Sylvania, vampires from all four counties gathered to socialize, relax, and strengthen bonds.
Valred had attended these banquets since he was four and always looked forward to them—not for the sweets and juices reserved for children, but for the opportunity to meet more of his kin. Given the long lifespans of vampires, these connections would be crucial in the years to come.
Moreover, Valred used these gatherings to glean information from conversations, piecing together insights about the world. Though it did little to improve his standing or power, Valred didn't mind. He simply wanted to understand the world better—a difficult task for a child confined to Drakenhof Castle.
However, this year was slightly different. Valred noticed a subtle anxiety in his mother's expression, layered over her usual widow's sorrow.
As night fell and the last rays of sunlight vanished, the vampire feast began. The once-quiet, ancient castle buzzed with life.
Though vampires were rare compared to the elusive Wood Elves or the reclusive Dwarves, gathering nearly the entire county's population created a crowded scene. The grand hall of Drakenhof Castle, spanning nearly 400 square meters, along with the dining room, parlors, and gaming rooms on the first and second floors, was packed with over 750 vampires.
Considering the age range of the attendees—from the eldest, over a thousand years old, to the youngest, like Valred, at six—the number wasn't surprising. Vampires' low fertility and the constant wars on all fronts—against the northern barbarians, the western empire, the eastern dwarves, and the ever-present Orcs—had kept their population small.
Valred's parents, who had managed to produce two children in less than a decade, were an exception. Typically, even the most passionate vampire couples required a century and a stroke of luck to conceive.
Thus, the banquet was not just a celebration but a rare moment of unity for a people perpetually at war.