Realm of Monsters

Chapter 58: Last Minute Advice

I think your pupils are reacting to your emotional state, Loh said.

Huh? Stryg mumbled.

Its just a theory, but I think your pupils are changing shape based on how you feel, not outer light sources. The more uncomfortable you are the quicker the pupils change. Ive never seen anything like it. The real question is how does the state of your pupils affect your vision. And why can you see in pitch darkness? Loh released him and took a step back. Have your eyes always been like this?

Stryg rubbed his face, Theyve always been pale purple, I dont know about the pupil thing. Besides the color no one in the Blood Fang tribe ever mentioned something about my eyes being weird.

Did you never look at your reflection in a mirror?

We didnt have mirrors in Vulture Woods. The only reflection I ever saw was in the river. As you can guess it wasnt great, not that it mattered, I never liked what I saw in the reflection. Stryg shrugged.

Loh knew Stryg had self-esteem problems, but she hadnt really touched on the topic. She really needed to address the issue at some point. Nothing good would come out of it otherwise. Although, for now there was a far more interesting topic at hand.

If you really can see perfectly in the dark, which Im inclined to believe after your little performance, it may be that your eyes dont need light at all. Actually, wait, you said it was bright. How bright?

I dont know. Enough that it hurt, I guess.

Youre saying a small flame like that hurt your eyes? What about other lights? Like lamps or the sun?

I dont like any of them. Theyre uncomfortable. I preferred the canopy of Vulture Woods. Stryg rubbed his eyes as if to make a point.

Interesting. Your eyes have a light sensitivity just like vampires. Vampires dont have perfect night vision though. Your sight could be some kind of mutation, most likely is. Probably an enhanced version of night vision, maybe from your goblin side? Still, of all the mutations Ive ever heard of, none have referenced such an amazing ability. Most mutations are actually pretty bad. You must be the luckiest hybrid alive.

I dont feel that way. Excluding being a mageborn Stryg considered himself to have horrible luck.

A knock ran on the courtyards gate.

Excuse me? Callum voiced from the other side.

Stryg looked at Loh questioningly.

Im holding last minute advice sessions for the students before the final exam. Im always training you so just count this as your session, Loh said.

I understand, Stryg nodded and headed towards the door.

Oh and Stryg, I almost forgot. Youve gotten taller, Loh smiled.

No, I havent, he frowned.

You told me your body has been changing ever since last year. Is it so crazy to think that youve grown in height as well? She raised an eyebrow.

Stryg looked at himself. He hadnt noticed. It would explain why his clothes were getting a little tight. He was busy studying and training, he didnt pay much attention to the changes happening within himself.

He recalled how he had wrestled Clypeus in the grove. Werent vampires supposed to be very strong? Stryg recalled how he had struggled against the goblin Jax. And yet by the time he fought Clypeus, he had overpowered the vampire. Perhaps things were changing more than he had ever realized.

He looked up at Loh, Am I really taller?

You used to barely reach my hip. Id say you're about half-a-foot taller now. Regular height for a goblin male, little taller actually. In fact, if youre half-drow youll probably grow much more. I cant promise facial hair, though. Drow men have none, she smirked.

Stryg sighed, he always did want a beard like the goblin chief. If he grew any more than he was now, hed tower over any goblin in the Blood Fang tribe. He would be even more of a freak.

Stryg stopped in his steps, his lips curled into a smile, he had remembered the goblin Ostrozs advice.

Im not a runt, he whispered.

~~~

Hello, Stryg. Howve you been? Callum asked with a smile.

Stryg walked past him, but stopped at the gateway.

Im fine, Stryg said without turning around. He went on his way.

Callum shook his head with a grin. Normally Stryg would just walk by, not caring to answer. At least now hed answer such simple questions. It was progress. Callum wished for Stryg to confide in him like he did with Plum. It would take time, but Callum was patient.

I dont have all day. Are you just going to stand there? Loh called from across the courtyard.

He turned with a bow, My apologies.

Callum walked over, only pausing to stare at the pile of withered flowers on the floor.

Is there a problem? She tapped her foot.

None at all. How may I be of service, Miss Loh? Callum asked.

You cant help me even if you tried, little vampling. Like the others, I called you here to give you advice, in order to help you during the final exam.

Does it involve the flowers, perchance?

No, Loh shook her head. You always focus so much on your surroundings and others that you fail to see your own bloody faults.

She waved her hand. A black tendril shot from her shadow, wrapped around Callums ankle, and yanked him to the floor. He cried out in surprise right before the stone-hard floor knocked the air from his lungs.

T-thats your advice? He wheezed.

Kithina told me what happened during the match at the grove the other day. Why did you lie? Loh flicked her finger.

The shadow tendril lifted him up from the ankle, holding him in the air upside down.

I may have underplayed Strygs fault in the whole manner. He simply suffered a bout of tunnel vision, is all. Happens to everyone. Id love to tell you more but the blood is rushing to my head, he grimaced.

Youre a vampire, you can handle a little blood.

Im only half vampire. Humans do not do great upside down.

Even better, hybrids tend to be quite tenacious, Loh grinned. Why did you lie about the grove incident?

I didnt want Stryg to be in trouble. Everyone in class knows youre tough on him.

Hes my assistant, I pay him to follow my orders. Should I coddle him instead?

Precisely my point. I didnt want you to fire him, Callum tried nodding.

The students didnt know Stryg was actually Lohs apprentice and she preferred to keep it that way.

She frowned, Why did you lie about the grove incident?

I just told you, there really was no other reason.

I wasnt talking about Stryg. Earlier, Kithina told me you tried your best to defend her when you encountered the first opposing team. In the process you injured your leg. Interestingly, neither of you two, or even Stryg for that matter, mentioned you casting a single spell.

What did you expect me to do? You know Im a chromatic red. Im not very proficient in the ward spell form yet and you didnt allow us to bring any potions either.

You havent told anyone have you? Loh tilted her head.

I dont know what you're referring to, Callum frowned.

I think we both know what Im referring to. Im a professor at the academy and youre a student at the academy. I have access to your records, idiot. I know youre a manifold mage. Youre a chromatic red and white. I also know youve taken private lessons with a white mage. So, tell me, why didnt you cast a single white spell in that fight?

Im not proficient with white magic, Callum grimaced. The blood rushing to his head was really starting to affect him.

Dont insult my intelligence. You are a son of House Veres. We both know your father wouldnt have let you show your face in this academy if you were shit at magic.

...I was in pain. My leg was bleeding, I couldnt focus enough to cast a spell.

Not even enough to cast a simple healing spell to stop the bleeding? Doubtful. No, I think you didnt heal yourself because you couldnt.

I thought you just said I wasnt shit at magic, he frowned.

Youre shit at lying that much is true. Even an idiot would try to stop the bleeding of their own damn leg. So, why didnt you? Everyone regards healers highly, so why hide it? But, then again, the answer is quite obvious isnt it?

Loh flicked her wrist. The black tendrils faded back into her shadow, dropping Callum right back into the floor.

I think I might have broken something, he groaned in pain.

Then heal it. Oh, thats right, you can't, can you? Not because you cant focus, but, because youre sorely lacking in talent in the healing spell form. Which begs the question. Why take lessons from a white mage? Why take them in private?

Callum looked away.

Loh crouched down, Because you are talented in the bright spell form, the combination of white and light mana. Talented enough to warrant taking one-on-one lessons. As for having the lessons made private? I can hazard a guess.

How did you find out about the private lessons? Thats not in any academy record.

I have my ways. Its not quite relevant though, is it?

Its relevant to me, he grit his teeth. If Loh knew, then there was no telling how many others might. Had he been sold out?

Your secret is safe with me, Callum. Are you so afraid of them? Your own family?

You wouldnt understand. Youre not a vampire. Callum glared at her, Vampires hate the sunlight as it is. They despise those who create light even more.

Im not a vampire. But, I know the meaning of hate within a Great House. The difference between you and I is that I left my House. But, Im not telling you to do the same.

Then what are you telling me? What the hell is the point of all of this!? Callum snapped.

Loh stood up, Youre worried that your family will hate you? Well, fuck them. You dont need their love and I know you certainly dont have it. Youre a hybrid of the esteemed Veres, a family known for having some of the greatest vampires in history, not orcs, not drow, only vampires. I can imagine what it was like growing up in that family, the bastard born of a human mother. They have probably despised you for a long time. Except, perhaps your father, if the rumors are to be believed.

Loh shrugged, None of that really matters though. What matters is that you hate your family too. You only care about them finding out of your magical skills because you worry that it will affect your standing in the family.

Callum pushed himself to his feet, I dont hate my family.

Lie to me again and I will break your legs.

...I dont hate all my family.

She made a half-smile, Then the rumors are true. At least you have a parent who cares, consider yourself lucky. But, like I said, none of that matters. You want to have a strong standing in your family? Maybe you wish to even rule House Veres someday? You dont need love to do that, at least not theirs. What you need is power. Enough power for them to respect you. Magic is power. You say they hate the light? Then make them fear you for it. Make them know not to cross you, lest you blind them with the power of the sun.

Vampires have never been able to cast bright spells without hurting themselves, Callum muttered.

Then its good that youre not just a vampire, Loh smirked.

The other vampires see my human-half as a weakness, a disgrace.

Loh held out her hand, I think its time you let Hollow Shade know that there is a new power rising in House Veres and if a vampire dares stand in his way, hell burn the shit out of them.

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