Arvard was late to his special history class—again. Wandering around campus had cost him too much time.
"Come in," Saina said without turning, still scribbling something on the board.
As Arvard stepped in, he saw her drawing a large chart. Bold letters stretched across the top:
AMPHER
The only empty seat was at the front row, far left. He slid into it quietly, giving a slight nod to Alfred beside him. Peter sat just ahead of them.
Saina turned from the board after sketching three blank columns.
"I'm not going to ask why you're late, Mr. Albert," she said, finally glancing his way. "But please try to be more considerate in the future."
"I'll try," Arvard murmured, his eyes on the board.
"I'm repeating today's topic—Where It All Started. The noble system. The Great Amphers."
She wrote three names at the top of the columns in bold chalk:
Ampher, Koneal, and Kal.
"God Ampher had three sons. Mai, their names?"
Mai stood with her usual calm grace. "Eternal King Ampher, Koneal, and Kal."
"Correct. The first nobles were considered 'castles.' But remember—their names were their castes, and their castes were their names. Think about that."
This system is so messed up, Arvard thought, suppressing a sigh.
He noticed Alfred glance at him, then subtly point toward the board—at the column labeled Koneal—and then at himself.
Arvard nearly chuckled. Is he saying he's one of the Koneal? He almost pointed back to Ampher. Well, I'm on the board too, buddy.
Saina went on. "This noble chart is too long for the board, so we'll simplify things for now."
Thank God Dad's asleep for this one, Arvard thought, leaning back in his seat.
"Can anyone tell me how many noble families remain today?" she asked.
Several hands went up. But before anyone could answer, a girl from the back raised her hand and asked something unexpected.
"Ma'am... this theory—or history—isn't it against democracy? And... are nobles who aren't direct descendants of the King truly supposed to be nobles?"
Her eyes drifted unmistakably toward Mai.
The room fell silent.
"A castle questioning the system?" Saina's tone turned icy.
"Excuse me?" the girl blinked.
"Shut the fuck up, Castle!" Peter yelled from behind her, half-hiding behind his desk.
Alfred snorted in laughter.
Saina's eyes remained fixed on the girl. "I don't even know your name. Stand up and tell the whole class how Mai's family earned their caste."
"M-Ma'am, I wasn't referring to her specifically," the girl stammered, now visibly nervous.
"You see," Saina said coldly, "in democracy, she's innocent—because you have no proof. But in real justice, real leadership, decisions are made by those capable. We are not like humans. They walk around like they own the world, but us?"
She paused.
"Our entire existence teeters on a sharp peak. One misstep—and we fall."
Her voice softened, but her words grew heavier. "To tell you the truth... I went into hibernation before the King made his final decision. When I awoke, the wars had already passed. And still, Uncle Biltus managed to hide it all. That man is over a thousand years old."
"1,268," Alfred corrected quietly.
Saina nodded. She rested a hand gently on Mai's shoulder before turning sternly to the girl again.
"Now, tell us—how did Mai's family earn their caste?"
The girl looked on the verge of tears but tried to speak. "Her forefathers... played an important role in The War. Someone in her family was... prime. They helped... Arvard."
Alfred stood, fury in his voice. "He's Prince Arvard. Know your place."
Saina turned calmly. "Who were the Prime?"
The girl stuttered, "They were... special soldiers."
"Albert," Saina said. "Stand and tell us."
Arvard rose. "Prime were special vampires, directly chosen by the King. They were the most powerful—unshakably loyal. King Leo Leon de Ampher created the system. Prime members wore rings with a blue gemstone."
"Good. Sit down. And you," she pointed at the girl, "Your homework is to prepare an assignment on the Poreak family. Read The Feast of Blood."
The girl nodded and sat down quietly.
Saina continued. "The art of creating new vampires was passed down to the Ampher bloodline only. But with the sudden death of King Leon Rufus Ampher... that knowledge was lost. King Leo and Luther focused on preserving the population, since the only way left to create new vampires was through reproduction."
Mai raised her hand. "Didn't they try to recover the art of creation?"
Sasha spoke up. "They did, but Ampher blood is too rich, too powerful. If you taste it..." She rolled her eyes dramatically. "It's the best feeling in the world. It increases your power, enhances mental ability. But creating a new vampire requires the right quantity of Ampher blood—Not a drop more."
Alfred smirked. "Have you tasted it?"
Sasha laughed. "Oh, of course. It was one of the highest honors a vampire could receive. But—"
Saina turned back to the board, cutting the conversation short.
"Didn't Prince Arvard try to fix this?" a male student with long curly hair asked.
Saina looked down with a bittersweet smile. "I guess... he was too busy to worry about such things."