Taming My Vampire Servant

...

It was almost the end of the year, and the snow started falling from the skies. Because of the cold weather, the demand for firewood rose, and the Sprucemint family's business went well. There were many orders, so Sigmund and Lycus were both asked to help in preparing the wood and delivering it to Alpharion.

In the Kingdom of Destinia, a celebration in each household is held every eve of the last day of the year to wish for a prosperous new year.

It was also the day that the second year students of Qawiun Academy would be designated to a specific place in the kingdom for their third year apprenticeship. Unlike their first and second years, which are held solely in the campus, third years are assigned somewhere outside the academy.

Adviser Titus entered the Blue Gem section's room with Lycus behind him, who was assigned to bring a crate of scrolls. The adviser explained that in the scrolls were their names, and the places they were going to be assigned to along with their missions.

Titus opened each scroll and read its contents, then gave the students their respective scrolls. The eighteen students of Blue Gem were all assigned with partner Masters who would be with them to do their assigned duty throughout the year.

"Miss Arcea Knightwing will be assigned to Empirica City, Land of Sandria. You will be involved in city patrols," he said, before giving the scroll to the excited swordswoman. After she went back to her seat, he read the next scroll, "Mister Caspian Reagan… You will also be in Empirica City, Land of Sandria. You will do the same duty as Miss Knightwing, and she will be your partner-"

"What!?" Arcea retorted, glaring at the pink-haired guy who quietly stood up and took his scroll in front. 

"How unfortunate that I am to be partnered with you, Miss Knightwing," Caspian said as he passed by her seat.

Arcea responded, feeling her face hot in annoyance. "I am the more unfortunate one!" she rolled her eyes at him, while Caspian sighed.

Ivory, who sat behind Arcea, pinched her arm subtly and told her, "This might be the chance for you to be friends with him. Maybe if you got to know him, he might be hiding his gentleness."

"Ivory, what the heck," she responded to her friend when she turned to face her. "He's as cold as the ice he threw on you. I swear, I will never get along with him!"

"It's still too early to say that. Let's see, if after a year you're still mad at him," she giggled, amused with Arcea's comical and annoyed expression. She then looked in front as she waited for the adviser to call her name. "I wonder who I'll be partnered with."

Almost everyone was done taking their scrolls, and there were two left.

"Mister Lucius Goldwine, you are assigned to Topazeon Town, and your duty will be… guarding the mines, and helping in the inventory of gemstones."

Lucius smiled at his adviser and thanked him, then went back to his seat.

"You're the last one in this section, Miss Ivory Sprucemint. You will be assigned to Topazeon Town as well, and together with Mr. Goldwine, you will also be guarding the mines, and help in the inventory of gemstones."

Ivory gave a wide grin as she took the scroll from their adviser. She glanced at Lycus who was standing in front and was smiling at her. When she went back to her seat, Sigmund gave a thumbs up, while Lucius chuckled, also happy that he would be going with Ivory in his full third-year experience.

Adviser Titus wished the class a great next year and thanked them for being quite obedient. It would be their last moment with him as their class adviser, and so he went around and shook the students' hand.

"Miss Sprucemint, continue to be a great Master," he said as he shook his silver-haired student's hand. "I look forward to the Servant Competition after your third year."

"Sir Titus, thank you for your guidance!" Ivory smiled sweetly at her adviser. Even though they did not have a good start, she was glad that she strived hard that she was able to last two years in the Blue Gem section under his supervision.

Everyone started walking out of the room. Zephie and Arcea bid goodbye to Ivory and Lucius, then together with their Servants, they left.

"I am kind of excited next year," Ivory told Lucius. "I wonder what kind of town is Topazeon…"

"It's where all the ores in the kingdom came from. These are used for jewelries and the creation of currency coins," Lucius explained. He already saw the town back when he came with his father and General Bronzelain on a quick tour.

When Lycus came back, Ivory and Lucius stood up from their seats, then they all headed out of the building. They walked on the ground covered with snow, leaving their shoe prints on it. 

When they reached the gate, Principal Arthurdane waved at them excitedly.

"Congratulations on your two years in Qawiun Academy," he said. "Are you both excited for next year?"

"Of course!" Ivory said, then placed her hands on the pocket of her checkered, green skirt. "I feel fortunate that Lucius is with me."

"I decided on the pairings," Principal Arthurdane revealed.

Lucius observed his expression and asked, "Topazeon is quite an unusual place. It's a bit secluded, and I feel like you put us there on purpose. So what's in there?"

"You are always sharp, Sir Lucius. As expected from the next in line in the Goldwine family as the General," he then turned serious. "Aside from guarding the mines and assessing the ledger, I want you both to find something. It is related to the Dark Mana."

"Did Sir Xenos discover something else?" asked Ivory.

The principal nodded, "You have to find a special black gemstone. It is said to be the magical ingredient to the wine-like drink that the maidservants drank in the past."

"Any other descriptions? How can we know that the gemstone is the one we're looking for?" Lucius inquired, raising his brow.

"Sir Xenos said that the Dark Mana gemstone reacts with a person who has Dark Mana. It gives off a reddish glow upon sensing it."

Ivory nodded, "If that's the case, we can find it," she knew that her normal mana had unexplainable traces of Dark Mana, just as Sigmund said when he assessed Euphorie's mana nature before.

Principal Arthurdane checked his pocket watch, "I guess we all have to go. I still have to cook the freshly hunted cow that my younger brother gave me!" he mentioned enthusiastically. "Have a great short vacation, and see you in a week for the third year's orientation! May Goddess Destinia bless the new year!"

When he left, Lucius told Ivory that his mother Diana would like to give something to her, and so, he rode his own carriage, while Ivory, Sigmund, and Lycus rode theirs.

As usual, Lycus and Sigmund were dropped off to the Goldwine mansion or city hall, then Lucius took Ivory to Diana's house.

"We're here, mother," Lucius called, and his mother hurriedly approached them as she held onto a basket.

"I know you have to go back to prepare for the blessed new year's celebration, so I'll be quick," she took her gloved hands and handed over the handle of the basket.

"Oh my, what is this, Miss Diana?" Ivory shyly asked.

"Just some oranges from my backyard, and a scarf I knitted for you."

"Oh, then I shall use the scarf now!" Ivory wore only a thick, turtlenecked sweater, and so she excitedly wore her new yellow scarf with the help of Diana.

"It looks good on you, Ivory," Lucius said with a smile. He was also delighted when he saw his mother very happy with Ivory's presence.

"I promise, I'll give you two gifts next year!" she said in high spirits.

As soon as Ivory left, Lucius informed Diana that he would be with Ivory next year in Topazeon Town.

"Whatever happens, please look after her, Lucius," she pleaded. "I don't want to lose her the second time."

"Mother, why don't you just tell her about you… and her real father?"

But she shook her head, "It will actually be better if she never knew."

"What?!" Lucius was shocked. "I thought you'd like her to know. Father even said he will give her the Goldwine name and introduce her as his daughter-"

"No!" Diana yelled. "Until the issue with the Unholy Mana gets resolved, and until the Dragonicus Clan reigns, she and I will never be safe!"

"Mother… What do you mean? And what Unholy Mana?"

"Powerful mana that can fully activate a person's hidden, human desires. It is usually given to a normal person without mana and without a Servant. More human desire means more mana and stronger power," she explained.

Lucius was already informed about the Dark Mana, and according to his mother's description, the one she referred to as Unholy Mana must be the Dark Mana he knew.

He was puzzled as to why his mother, whom he knew had no magic abilities, knew these confidential things, "But mother… How did you know all these?" 

Diana gulped, and realized that she ran her mouth too much. As she started walking away, "These are the things I wanted to forget, but I know I just can't because it's already part of my life," she gave a lonely smile and uttered. "The truth is, I was once a Royal Knight, but I was punished and became an Unchosen one."