The Vampire's Bride

"How's your body, Darling?" Leo yawned as he received no reply from Mallory. "Mallory?"

"Ah, y-yes?" Mallory seemed out of it. It was just recently that she was waking up at around this time to get ready to school but... now she was in a car about to head home. She could not help but be in a daze as she watched the skies. "I'm sorry, I wasn't listening..."

"Ha..." Leo sighed as he pinched the bridge of his nose. He could somehow guess what occupied Mallory's mind at the moment. No, it wasn't about going home during the morning. Rather, it was because of what Sir Elias had mentioned.

Leo grabbed Mallory's shoulder and pulled her closer, letting her head rest on his shoulder. "His words are still bothering you?"

Mallory could not help but nod. As a new student, Elias had to analyze Mallory to help her gain a method to master her powers. Mallory felt excited knowing that she would learn a way to control her new power when Elias had requested to talk to Mallory separately.

Obviously, Leo did not allow his darling to go alone and left the classroom with them. Creating a soundproof barrier, Leo stood by Mallory's side with no intention of leaving. "What do you want to say, Sir, that made you talk to Mallory privately?"

"Well, it's about her powers. I'm going to be frank. Mallory Klein, it seems like I'm unable to help you master your powers." Elias was serious. He did not break his eye contact with Mallory as he tried to gauge her reaction. And just as he expected, Mallory was disappointed. But her disappointment did not last long before it turned into something weird... Indifference.

Mallory was indeed disappointed however she's gone through a lot. It doesn't matter if she would not be able to master her powers. She should be thankful for having strength. She should be but... deep inside her felt different.

"Sir, can you explain what you mean?"

"As I've mentioned before, different people have different methods. Analyzing each and every one is very difficult. The more complex a person's powers are, the harder it will be to analyze. My skill has a limit. It seems like you're beyond what my skill can analyze. Not only that, it's quite hard to identify your powers. It's impossible but the only thing I could describe you right now would be someone who does not belong to any category. And because you don't belong to any of the categories, I lack the power to help you. As your teacher, I apologize for that," Elias lowered his head. He was the type of person who respected those who earned his respect and ignore the rest. Lowering his head to a mere new student of his... anyone can suspect that something was amiss.

"S-Sir! Please, it's fine!" Mallory panicked and immediately stopped her teacher from doing such outrageous acts. "I am merely a student and you are my teacher. You shouldn't lower your head to me, Sir."

It was only Leo who approved of Elias' actions in that quiet hallway. Leo felt like giving brownie points to Elias. After all, those who respect his fiancée would certainly get on his good side. But that does not mean Leo was not wary of Elias. "Sir, is there something else?" Lowering a head to a student... Leo knew it wasn't just about his inability to help Mallory master her powers.

"Yes, that's right." Elias opened his hands and voicelessly chanted a spell. Light emerged from his hands as a circle formed on top and a figure of a book could be seen. "Once I've analyzed a person, I would recall the different methods I've learned and read through thousands of books. That's why I was surprised by your knowledge earlier. You really spent your time well, reading those difficult books."

Spent your time well... Mallory felt like mocking herself. If letting herself drown in darkness, was that really a well spent time?

"I tried analyzing your powers but I can't completely analyze it. Based on what I saw, you're currently trying to control your powers. If I may ask, why are you unfamiliar with your powers?"

Mallory looked at Leo, wanting to seek confirmation if it was safe to tell Elias. Seeing as how relax Leo was, Mallory assumed that the decision would be in her hands. Anyone could see how hesitant she was as her hands tensed. Still, Elias could not help but want to satisfy his curiosity.

"Sir, according to someone dear to me, they unlocked the source of my powers. Ever since I was young, it seems like I already own this power inside me... it's just that this is my first time actually feeling it," Mallory tried her best to explain all the necessary parts and leave out personal details. If this would help her control her powers, she wouldn't mind answering the teacher's questions with the right amount of honesty.

"I see... then I guess the best thing to do right now is to control your powers. Unfortunately, I am not the right person for this job. You'll meet her tomorrow and when you do, there's something you should tell her," Elias placed a finger on his lips as the rest of his words was turned mute by a passing wind. With a smile, Elias ended the topic, "For my class, please do exactly as you have been taught to practice your powers. Once we can have a better idea on what your powers are, we can adjust your methods little by little depending on the results."

"Thank you, Sir Elias, for helping me. Once again. I'm looking forward for your class, Sir."

...

"Mallory, you okay?"

Opening her eyes, Mallory could see a shadow over her. She rubbed her eyes as she tried to identify the man in front of her, "Master Orpheus?"

"Azazel, Darling. You seemed uncomfortable in your dreams. Are you feeling alright?" Leo gently helped Mallory sit. "We already arrived home. Let's go to bed as soon as possible."

"Y-Yes."

Leo had guided Mallory to their joint room. He took a quick bath as he tried to reflect on his first class back in the Night Class. On the day Leo first met Mallory, he was actually irritated by the fact that he was sent to a temporary class transfer just because he fought for what he thought was right. Still, Leo did not regret what he did.

Thanks to the fight, he met Mallory. Perhaps he should thank the twins for provoking him.

Leo suddenly remembered Udine and Eunice. Though he had suspected Udine to do something foolish, Leo placed his trust on Eunice to stop whatever Udine was planning before it even started. Leo could clearly see the narrowed eyes that was judging Mallory. "That woman..." Leo gritted his teeth as he placed both hands on the wall and let the cool water calm his nerves. "She'd better be prepared."

Leo wasn't going to forgive anyone who hurts his fiancée. At first, Leo did not bother mingling with the rest of the class. He distanced himself just as what others did. He thought that as long as he could keep Mallory by his side, she'll have lesser problems to deal with. Who would have thought that they'd look down on him? Just like those fools who dared to bully Mallory in their previous class, Leo would never hesitate on taking actions.

Leo sighed as he finished dressing up. Drying his hair with a towel, Leo walked towards the door that connected his and her room. Leo casually turned the handle when... it didn't open. Usually, Mallory did not bother locking it. After all, she had no use of it. "M-Mallory?"