The first thing I noticed was the throne. Black. Massive. Carved from stone that seemed to swallow the faint light around it. My hands rested on the armrests, but confusion clawed at me. Only moments ago, I had been walking home from college, scrolling through fantasy novels on my phone. And now… this?
My vision blurred, then cleared. The ruins stretched endlessly before me. Broken pillars reached skyward like skeletal fingers, statues shattered and worn by time. Dust floated lazily in the air, glinting like tiny stars. Silence pressed against me, heavy and suffocating. The smell of old stone, decay, and a faint metallic tang — blood? Or long-dormant magic? — filled my senses. My heart pounded.
Am I dreaming? Transmigrated? The thought seemed impossible. And yet, when I pinched myself, sharp pain flared. This was real.
I lifted my hands. Pale. Flawless. Ethereal. Fingers sculpted like art, nails like polished ivory. A jagged shard of glass caught my reflection. My face — pale, hauntingly beautiful, framed by snow-white hair. Crimson eyes glowed faintly, piercing the gloom. Black garments clung to me, absorbing shadows yet radiating power.
A shiver ran down my spine. I was no longer human.
I stepped forward cautiously. The ground was uneven beneath my feet, scattered with rubble and remnants of a civilization long lost. The chill of stone seeped into my bones, yet I felt no cold. Something inside me hummed — life, power, and potential, all at once.
As I explored, every echo and shadow seemed alive. Faint symbols glimmered on cracked tiles, ancient carvings whispered secrets I could not yet understand. And then, a voice — soft, smooth, commanding — resonated in my mind.
"Welcome, Host. I am the System, bound to you by the Will of Reality."
My breath caught. A system? Just like in the novels…
"System," I whispered, voice trembling, "where am I? Why does my body look like this? Why am I here?"
"You are in the world of Aurelia," it replied, tinged with amusement. "A realm of countless continents, home to humans, elves, demons, dwarves, beastkin, and more. Each realm is larger than all of Earth combined. You… are the first of your kind. Forgotten by history, yet eternal."
[You are the First Vampire Progenitor — the Origin of Blood.]
The weight of those words sank in. Power. Destiny. Eternity. All intertwined. My heartbeat quickened. Could this truly be my life now?
The ruins seemed to respond to my presence. Gold coins piled in mountains gleamed faintly, relics hummed with latent magic, and swords, bows, and daggers vibrated as though alive. Yet something drew me deeper — a tug at my consciousness. I followed it to a shadowed corner.
A black box waited, simple yet ominous. Inside rested a ring, crimson as fresh blood.
[Storage Ring of the Vampire Progenitor]
I slipped it onto my finger. A surge of energy coursed through me. Anything I stored could vanish into this ring's void — treasures, weapons, even the throne itself. Thrill and anticipation surged through me. Mountains of gold, relics humming with latent power, and weapons that seemed alive filled the ring with ease. Even the magnificent throne disappeared into the void. The hall, once crowded with treasures, now stood empty — silent, echoing, and waiting.
The System's voice returned, teasing now.
"Host, impressive. You wield power with speed. But remember, even the progenitor must be cautious. Greed without foresight leads to ruin."
I nodded, excitement mixing with a sense of responsibility. Power alone was meaningless without wisdom. Yet, for the first time in my life, I felt truly alive.
I searched for an exit. Corridors twisted endlessly, shadows pressing in, every corner whispering secrets or warnings. Then, faint light appeared ahead. Step by step, I approached, until the darkness surrendered, and sunlight struck my face, blinding me for a moment.
When my vision adjusted, I saw the forest beyond. Endless green, sunlight shimmering through leaves, birdsong filling the air. The scent of earth, moss, and life was intoxicating. A soft breeze stirred my hair, carrying whispers I could not yet decipher — promises of power, challenges, and a world that would soon remember my name.
I inhaled deeply, feeling the pulse of the world around me. This is only the beginning.
Crimson eyes scanned the forest, alert to every shadow, every movement. Every rustle could be friend or foe. The ruins had been a prologue; this forest was the real stage, the first test of this new life.
Subtle anomalies tugged at my senses — disturbances in the flow of magic, a presence hidden in the distance. The System spoke again, amused, almost playful:
"Host, be mindful. Aurelia is vast, and not all who dwell here are friendly. Power draws attention. Your journey begins now, but eyes may already watch."
A thrill ran through me. Finally, purpose. Clarity. I was the first of my kind — eternal, powerful, forgotten. And now, the world would remember me.
Ahead, the forest opened into a sunlit glade. Moss-covered stones, winding streams, and towering trees hinted at histories long lost. Something tugged at my mind — curiosity, perhaps, or warning. I could not yet tell.
I knelt, feeling the soft earth beneath my hands. Life pulsed through the forest. Somewhere, a distant roar — faint, yet unmistakable — suggested beings far older, far stronger than anything I had yet faced. Fear was absent. Only exhilaration. This world was mine to explore, mine to conquer, mine to understand.
The wind whispered through treetops, carrying unspoken promises: power, conquest, immortality. My crimson eyes reflected the sunlight as I rose, adjusting my black robes, aware of the limitless possibilities ahead.
I stepped forward, leaving the ruins behind. Treasures rested safely in the crimson ring, the throne vanished, yet the memory of that vast hall lingered. No longer was I a college student reading novels. I was reborn. Immortal. Powerful. The Vampire Progenitor had awakened.
Every step resonated with the world, as though the land itself recognized me. Shadows shifted in the distance. My journey had begun. Aurelia would soon know my name.