Taming My Vampire Servant

In a neighborhood far from the Megalia City arc lived the Knightwings, who were a family of blacksmiths for generations. The eldest and only daughter of Kled Knightwing, the most famous blacksmith in the kingdom, was about to leave the Land of Olivea for a year of apprenticeship.

A few minutes after sunrise, Arcea sluggishly checked her brand new duffel bag that she bought in Alpharion two days ago. She carefully slid in between her clothes her inactive fox Golem Servant that looked like a stone figurine.

Her father noticed her pouting face, "What's wrong? Aren't you excited for the apprenticeship? I thought you said you'd be training with the city guards, that's why I sharpened your blade."

"Well… Here's the thing, father. I am excited, but… I do not get along with my partner," Arcea sighed as she closed the duffel bag. 

"You have to try to get along with whoever that person is," he suggested, then gave Arcea's sword.

She took the sheath and wore the sword belton her waist. Her level 2 magic sword was a longsword with gradients of dark purple to gray. She chose to wear her brown skinny leather pants so that she could move freely. She also brought with her several training clothes instead of dresses; after all, she'd spend most of her time training for a year. 

When the horse-drawn carriage arrived, Arcea bid goodbye to her father. She and Caspian agreed to just meet in Empirica City in the Land of Sandria because both of them were not on good terms with each other.

Hours passed. The last pine trees were soon passed by Arcea's carriage, and the air turned dry and warmer. It was a sign that they're exiting the Land of Olivea.

The view turned to light brown with the sand, and the lush green sceneries were already gone. After getting past the border guards, they arrived at the Land of Sandria. 

As soon as Arcea arrived at the Empirica City arc, she saw Caspian had just gotten out of his own carriage, and behind him was his reindeer Spirit Servant, Lutie, who was like a cute little girl wearing a hat with reindeer horns. If she didn't know that she was a Servant, she might have mistaken her as his daughter!

She saw him looking at her, and after saying goodbye to her coachman, she walked towards them.

"Hi," she greeted, averting from his gaze. She could still remember how Ivory got hurt because of him.

"Hello," Caspian greeted her as well. Lutie smiled at her without saying anything, and after realizing the awkwardness in the air, they started going past the arc. 

Arcea followed them from behind. Even though she's usually talkative, she couldn't bring herself to be friendly towards the pink-haired guy. She wondered if she could last the whole year working with him. She wished and prayed to Goddess Destinia to make the days go by quickly!

They walked on the dry lands of Empirica. The city was the military city of the Land of Sandria, and it is also where their General resides. The large structures as well as the big and small dwellings with angled towers and upper sections, were made of rocks and clay bricks. There were also scattered dates and palm trees around.

They admired the arid landscapes while they passed through the narrow alleys. Soon after, they reached the centermost part of the city. They went inside the city hall after showing the guards their apprenticeship permit scroll from the academy. They met the city leader, and he led them to an apartment.

Like the other buildings, Arcea and Caspian's apartment was made from rock and clay bricks. They were toured around a two bedroom room with a common bathroom. The living room only had one white couch with different colored pillows and across it was a small fireplace. Beside that room was the dining room, and then the kitchen. 

When the city leader told them to enjoy their stay, the two faked smiles. Arcea and Caspian came from quite well-off families, meaning to say, they're used to being spoon fed. Now, without any maidservants or helpers, they needed to live together in one house!

As soon as the door closed, Arcea sighed and told Caspian with creased brows, "I thought we'd have our own apartment maidservant or something. How are we going to live together in this cramped space?!"

"Don't ask me. I do not know how I'm going to last a year with you," Caspian sighed. He walked over to the two-seater sofa in front of the small fireplace, while the excited Lutie went to check her Master's bedroom. He told Arcea, "You can go back to Qawiun Academy and ask the principal to transfer you."

"How about you, you're not going to quit?"

"Unlike you, I am a responsible Master. I am a fast learner, and cooking is a simple thing to do," he smirked at her. "Go quit. I don't care."

Arcea felt challenged with this. She felt as if the young man was mocking her. "No," she immediately answered. "I won't quit. So from now on, mind your own business!" 

Seeing Arcea rushing to one of the bedrooms, Caspian let out a chuckle. 'How annoying,' he thought. It was such a hassle for him because the two of them couldn't even cook or do the laundry. He knew he would get nothing from her! 

Both of them knew that even a bit of teamwork would be hard to do.

...

Days went on by, and the two still couldn't get along. The trainors never saw Arcea and Caspian talk to each other for more than a minute. They just assumed that they were not close in the academy, and because it was not affecting their training in any way, the trainors let them be.

During trainings, Arcea's swordsmanship and close combat skills were excellent, while Caspian's mana power and control were superb. The two concentrated on making themselves stronger in their own way, as if they went to Empirica City without a partner Master!

Caspian learned how to cook from the neighbor, who's a housewife, while Arcea often went out to eateries. Because of that, her pocket money for a year was gone in just three months!

One time, Arcea went home, looking bothered. She walked sluggishly towards her bedroom while messing her purplish-gray hair.

"You should really change that spending habit of yours," Caspian uttered when Arcea passed by the sofa. Since he had not seen her eat in their apartment, it was already a given that she'd run out of  money. He had also caught her plenty of times counting her coins every night before she slept. 

Hearing this, she stopped walking and faced him, "Why do you care? I told you to mind your own business, right?"

"I just don't want you to beg me for food. It will be quite a headache for me."

"I'm sorry?" she raised a brow. 

"I said, don't be a pain in the ass," he spoke so casually.

"Ha! As if I'd want the burnt fried egg you're cooking," she rolled her eyes. Did he really think she didn't know how many eggs he had burnt every morning? She could no longer deny that she'd be penniless, but she would not want to eat burnt eggs cooked by him! "Why do you speak as if you've cooked food for years already?"

Caspian got embarrassed. He did not expect her to notice the burnt eggs he had been cooking these past few weeks. He stood up in an angry manner, "At least I still have money. Compared to you, I am smarter and more frugal."

Arcea grabbed him by the collar and glared at him, "You wanna fight? You think I'm afraid of your ice magic?"

But Caspian did not answer. He just stared at her gray eyes blankly, as if telling her that he wouldn't back down and to show that he's not afraid of her.

Suddenly, Arcea's stomach growled!

"Ah… oh no…" she slowly let go of him. It was so embarrassing! She told him, hoping to hide in her lair because of shame, "Let's duel next time."

Before she entered the room, Caspian grabbed her arm and said, "Nevermind… Come with me," he thought of something that would benefit him throughout the whole year. 

He should make use of that one good quality that the swordswoman had, so the pink-haired young man brought her towards the dining room and made her sit there. She was told to wait, and thirty minutes later, a flavorful aroma could be smelled in the whole room.

Caspian placed down a plate of fried salami. He placed down a bottle of garlic white bean dip, and using a clean spoon, he scooped a spoonful into Arcea's plate.

The super hungry Arcea gulped as she stared at the newly-cooked dish in front of her. But because it was Caspian Reagan who cooked it, she knew he was up to something.

"Before I eat and fall into your trap… Tell me what you want."

He smirked at her, thinking that she's not that dumb as he thought she was. He replied, "Teach me more about close combat."

Arcea thought she heard wrong. "You… You're asking me to teach you? You?" she raised her brow. She knew he wouldn't easily let his pride down!

"Looks like you do not want to eat," he grabbed the plate and jokingly pulled it towards him.

"No! Give it back!" 

When she touched the plate once again to try to get it back near her, she was startled when she accidentally touched Caspian's hands as well. She noticed how big his hands were and how good his long fingers looked. The back of his hand was smooth and a bit cold, probably because he always created ice using his magic.

She pulled her hands away when she felt her heart beating so fast!

Caspian peered into her eyes. He pushed the plate subtly towards her and uttered, "So, Knightwing, I will cook for you, in return, teach me close combat. How about it? Good deal, right?"

Arcea turned beet red when he saw his sworn enemy gaze onto her eyes. 'What the heck! Ugh, what am I getting nervous for?!' she thought, panicking deep inside her. The person in front of her almost killed Ivory! She must be crazy if she's being overly conscious around him!

"Knightwing?" he called, waving his hand when he saw her staring at him.

"Fine, but aside from cooking for me, you should also teach me some difficult magic techniques."

"Hah! Easy peasy. We have a deal, then," he extended his arm and offered a handshake. "Partners?"

Arcea pursed her lips in hesitation, but as he saw Caspian's killer smile, she eventually gave in. She took his hand and shook it. "Partners!"