The training yard behind the estate smelled like wet earth and old iron.
Morning mist clung to the ground, curling around the wooden posts and worn stone tiles where Marcus had trained for years. The place had always been quiet—just another forgotten corner of the estate.
Until now.
Elara stood in the center of the yard holding a wooden practice sword.
She stared at it like it had personally offended her.
"…You're joking."
Marcus stood a few feet away with his arms folded.
"You asked for breakfast."
"I did."
"You got breakfast."
"Yes."
"And now you're complaining."
Elara pointed the wooden sword at him.
"This is not training. This is bullying."
Marcus didn't move.
"Swing."
Elara groaned.
"You've been waiting years to do this, haven't you?"
Marcus tilted his head.
"Swing."
Elara sighed dramatically and lunged forward.
The wooden blade cut through the air toward Marcus's shoulder.
He stepped aside effortlessly.
Before she even realized what happened—
thwack
The flat of Marcus's sword tapped her leg.
Elara yelped.
"HEY!"
"You're dead," Marcus said calmly.
"That barely started!"
"You hesitated."
Elara rubbed her leg.
"You hit me!"
Marcus shrugged.
"You're welcome."
She glared at him.
Her thoughts started racing again.
Why does he look so calm?
He fought three vampires last night.
What exactly is Marcus?
Her eyes narrowed.
"…Marcus."
"Yes."
"You fight vampires like it's normal."
Marcus gave a small smile.
"That's because it is."
Elara lowered the sword slowly.
"Who trained you?"
Marcus didn't answer.
Instead he raised his blade again.
"Again."
Elara groaned loudly.
"You're avoiding the question."
Marcus stepped forward.
"And you're avoiding the lesson."
Elara sighed and lifted the sword again.
This time she attacked faster.
Left swing.
Right swing.
Marcus blocked both strikes easily.
But Elara didn't stop.
Her movements became sharper with every step.
Something inside her body was reacting again.
The same instinct from last night.
The strange energy stirring beneath her skin.
Marcus noticed immediately.
"Good," he muttered.
Elara blinked.
"What?"
"Stop thinking."
Before she could respond—
Marcus suddenly attacked.
The wooden blade swung toward her shoulder.
Elara reacted instantly.
Her body moved before her mind did.
She stepped back and blocked.
crack
The sound echoed through the yard.
Marcus raised an eyebrow.
"Well."
Elara blinked at her own hands.
"…Did I just do that?"
Marcus smirked slightly.
"Looks like your instincts are waking up."
Elara frowned.
"My instincts are rude."
Marcus laughed.
"Again."
This time the fight moved faster.
Wood struck wood repeatedly.
The quiet yard filled with the rhythm of training.
Step.
Strike.
Block.
Elara's breathing grew heavier.
Marcus barely seemed tired.
Why is he so calm?
Why does he look like he's not even trying?
She swung again.
Marcus blocked easily.
Then suddenly—
He kicked the wooden sword from her hands.
The weapon spun through the air and landed in the dirt.
Elara froze.
Marcus pointed his blade at her chest.
"You're dead again."
She stared at him.
"…You know what?"
"What?"
"I'm starting to think you enjoy this."
Marcus shrugged.
"Maybe."
Elara exhaled sharply.
"Okay."
Marcus lowered his sword.
"Take five minutes."
Elara dropped onto the stone steps beside the yard.
Her arms felt heavy.
Her lungs burned.
Marcus walked over and handed her a bottle of water.
She took it gratefully.
"…So."
Marcus sat beside her.
"So."
She glanced at him.
"You still haven't answered my question."
Marcus sighed quietly.
"I trained with hunters."
Elara blinked.
"…Hunters?"
Marcus nodded.
"The people who fight vampires."
Her eyes widened slightly.
"That's a real thing?"
Marcus gave her a look.
"You fought vampires last night."
"Yeah but—"
She paused.
"…Okay fair point."
Elara took another sip of water.
Then her voice softened slightly.
"…Marcus."
"Yes."
"You knew this would happen, didn't you?"
Marcus stared out toward the forest.
"No."
"But you suspected something?"
He hesitated.
"…Your family has history."
Elara frowned.
"What kind of history?"
Marcus didn't answer immediately.
The wind rustled through the trees beyond the estate walls.
Finally he said quietly:
"The kind people kill over."
Elara felt a chill run through her spine.
"…That's comforting."
Marcus stood again.
"Break time's over."
Elara groaned.
"You're relentless."
Marcus tossed the wooden sword back to her.
"Pick it up."
She caught it.
"…Fine."
But before she could stand—
Something shifted in the forest.
Marcus noticed instantly.
His body went still.
Elara saw the change in his posture.
"…Marcus?"
He didn't answer.
His eyes focused on the tree line.
The wind stopped.
Birds went silent.
Elara slowly stood.
"…Please don't tell me—"
A figure stepped out of the forest.
Tall.
Calm.
Familiar.
The vampire from last night.
The heir.
Elara stared.
"You've got to be kidding me."
Marcus drew his real sword this time.
Steel flashed in the sunlight.
"You shouldn't be here."
The vampire walked casually into the yard.
"I wanted to see something."
Elara crossed her arms.
"What?"
The vampire's red eyes flicked to her.
"You."
Marcus stepped forward.
"You made your point last night."
The vampire ignored him.
Instead he studied Elara carefully.
"…Interesting."
Elara frowned.
"What?"
He pointed at the wooden sword in her hand.
"You're training."
Elara lifted the weapon slightly.
"…Yeah?"
The vampire smirked.
"That's adorable."
Marcus's voice sharpened.
"Leave."
But the vampire only looked at Elara again.
"Tell me something."
She rolled her eyes.
"What."
His smile widened slightly.
"Do you want to know how strong you really are?"
Elara blinked.
"…What?"
Marcus stepped in front of her.
"We're done talking."
The vampire sighed.
"You hunters are so dramatic."
Then his eyes shifted back to Elara.
"I'll make you a deal."
Elara frowned.
"I'm not making deals with vampires."
"Not a deal."
He spread his arms slightly.
"A demonstration."
Marcus raised his sword.
"Leave. Now."
The vampire didn't move.
Instead he said something that made Elara pause.
"Fight me."
The yard fell silent.
Elara stared at him.
"…You want me to fight you?"
His smile returned.
"Yes."
Marcus snapped.
"Absolutely not."
But Elara's thoughts were already racing.
Fight him?
The guy who moved faster than I could see last night?
Is he insane?
She looked at Marcus.
Then back at the vampire.
"…If I win?"
The vampire chuckled.
"You won't."
Elara smirked.
"But if I do?"
The vampire leaned slightly closer.
"Then I'll answer any question you want."
Marcus turned to her immediately.
"Elara, no."
But she was already thinking.
Last night she had awakened something powerful.
Something dangerous.
And part of her wanted to see it again.
Her inner voice whispered quietly.
If you're going to survive this world…
You need to know what you can do.
Elara picked up the wooden sword again.
Then looked at the vampire heir.
"…Fine."
Marcus stared at her.
"Elara—"
She raised a hand.
"I just want to see something."
The vampire smiled slowly.
And the training yard suddenly felt much smaller.
Because for the first time—
Elara was about to fight someone who wanted her to win.