Chapter One: First Encounter

Today marks my first day living in the human world.

My long life has bred weariness in me—weariness of the unchanging existence of the vampire clan, of their cold, unfeeling bodies, of their eternal loneliness and solitude. That is why I have come to the human world, in search of warmth.

When I announced my decision, my father tried to stop me. He told me that, to vampires, humans are but insignificant creatures. The only thing humans will ever bring you is pain; in the end, nothing will remain. I could sense the deep sorrow hidden in his words.

I did not argue with him, but I was resolute in my departure. I wanted to see the world of humans for myself, to visit the place where that person once lived.

Moreover, I could not believe that such insignificant humans could ever harm me. As a noble vampire, what right did they have to hurt me? Such was my pride at the time. So, accompanied by my steward, I left the ancient vampire castle wedged between the human and demon realms and journeyed to the world of mortals.

Ang has served my family as steward for over three hundred years, watching over me since childhood. Aside from my father, he is the one closest to me. Ang is a werewolf, a loyal retainer of our clan.

The human world.

A black stretch limousine glided slowly toward the gates of Night Cherry Private Academy and came to a halt before the school.

A dignified elderly man, silver-haired and dressed in a tailcoat, stepped out of the car. He opened a black umbrella and waited respectfully at the door.

The car door opened, and a young girl with golden hair, clad all in black and wearing a proud, aloof expression, stepped out. As she alighted, the old man immediately raised the umbrella over her head, shielding her from the direct sunlight.

“My lady, you could have arrived later, perhaps by evening. The daylight could be harmful to your body,” the old man said anxiously.

“There’s no need, Ang. I want to experience human life. If I only come in the evening, so many interesting things will pass me by, don’t you think?” She smiled at him. “As for the sunlight, as long as I’m careful, there shouldn’t be a problem.” She felt the burning sensation the morning sun brought to her body, frowned, and sighed softly. “Sunlight… what a wonderful thing.”

“As you wish, my lady. Your decision is my command. But if you truly come to harm, I will have no choice but to take you away by force. I hope you can forgive me,” the old man replied respectfully.

“If it really comes to that, do as you must. But before then, let me see for myself whether human life can amuse me. Come, Ang, let us not waste precious time here.”

With that, and under the old man’s protection, she made her way into the school.

Of course, this young woman and her steward were none other than Ang and myself, newly arrived from the vampire castle to the human world.

The high school division of Night Cherry Private Academy—this was to be my new school.

As an immortal vampire, my appearance would forever remain that of a girl, so I entered the human world as a student. For a vampire who controls the world from the shadows, forging an identity was a trivial matter. From today forward, I, Liliana Lytis Dracula, would be known as Liliana Lytis Alucard, a transfer student from England.

Beneath the shelter of the umbrella, I admired the scenery of the campus. A faint scent of roses drifted on the breeze, while the flowers swayed gently, and dew sparkled on their petals in the sunlight. Cherry trees lined the paths, their white blossoms billowing like clouds, petals drifting in the wind like a rain of flowers. It was my first time calmly enjoying such a view in the sunlight; compared to the quiet of the night, the brightness of day was so much more vibrant.

Noble vampires are a race cursed by the gods. Though we possess eternal life, we have lost the right to live beneath the sun; to touch sunlight has become a distant dream. Sunlight is like poisoned wine to us—infinitely desired, yet deeply feared. Exposed to it, we would turn to ash. Though I differ from ordinary vampires, the sun remains forbidden for me; should its rays fall directly upon me, not even I could escape unscathed.

Sometimes I long to embrace this warm sunlight with my life, but I am not yet so lonely—and besides, if I ever did something that foolish, my father’s wrath would surely lay waste to this world.

After completing the entrance procedures with ease—vampiric influence and a five-million-pound sponsorship saw to that—I left the principal’s office, the principal himself trembling with nervous respect.

“This is the class you requested, the one in the farthest corner. The other classes offer a better environment. Would you like to reconsider?” The head of academics led us to the classroom door of Class 6, Year 2. He eyed the dimly lit room with concern. At Night Cherry Private Academy, each class differed in status; Classes 1 and 2 were for the elite, the children of the wealthy and powerful, while Class 6 was made up mostly of ordinary students, and so the conditions differed starkly.

“There’s no need. I’m not here to study—so long as I avoid the sun, that’s enough,” I replied indifferently.

“Of course. I’ve already informed Class 6’s homeroom teacher. You may go in directly,” the director said, visibly unsettled by my words. Few students would admit so openly that they had no intention of studying; I thought I saw a bead of cold sweat on his brow.

“That’s all. You may go now,” I said impatiently.

“Yes, of course. If you need anything, please find me at once.” With that, he hurried away, not looking back, as if he would rather never see me again.

“So, studying in a school… this is a first. It should be interesting, don’t you agree, Ang?” I said to my ever-quiet guardian.

“I hope you find something to interest you. I’ll wait outside. Just call if you need anything,” Ang replied with a bow.

“I know.” I smiled at him, then gently pushed open the classroom door, whispering to myself, “The human world… here I come.”

Class 6 was in a state of mild chaos.

“Everyone, please quiet down,” the homeroom teacher called, trying in vain to restore order after my sudden arrival. “She’s so beautiful.” “Look, she’s got blonde hair—must be a foreigner.” The whispers reached my ears; vampire hearing is truly remarkable.

As I was growing annoyed with the noisy scene, beginning to wonder if coming to the human world had been a mistake, a gentle male voice sounded through the classroom.

“Let’s all settle down. You’re making our new classmate uncomfortable.” The voice was soft, without a hint of authority, yet somehow the chaos gradually subsided. Curious, I looked toward the source.

The one who brought order was a quiet-looking boy. His delicate features were not especially handsome, but his presence was calming, his gentle smile seeming capable of soothing any loneliness or pain. Gazing at his warmth, I felt something stir in my cold heart—a fleeting sense of warmth. Warmth? Surely an illusion. My heart had long since ceased to beat; how could it feel such a thing?

“Would you like to introduce yourself?” the homeroom teacher asked, rousing me from my reverie.

“Yes,” I replied, facing the class as their curious and expectant eyes fell on me. “Liliana Lytis Alucard, from England.” When I finished, the room fell utterly silent.

“So, Liliana Lytis Alucard, is that right?” the teacher asked.

“Yes.”

“Is there anything else you’d like to share?” he asked, a little cautiously.

“No, that’s quite enough.” My tone was calm.

“Very well. We’ll assign you a seat in a few days. For today, please choose any available spot.” The teacher managed a stiff smile.

Without replying, I walked straight to the empty seat in the farthest corner.

Sitting there, I ignored the lesson entirely. Instead, I watched the boy who had caught my attention—the one who, for the first time, seemed able to offer me warmth.

It puzzled me greatly. He was, by all appearances, just an ordinary human, so why did he evoke such feelings in me? Why, after just one meeting, was I so drawn to him? What was it about him that set him apart? I couldn’t help but fall into deep thought.