"You give me the Waymark and in return, I give you one favour.

Formally recognised and backed by House Veyr."

Silvian spoke and the instant he did, Sabine’s, Isolde’s, and even Lucian’s expressions changed instantly.

As mentioned before, despite their recent decline, House Veyr was still one of the most influential active Vampire Houses in the world.

A Noble Bloodline that had existed for almost all of documented history.

They had enough wealth to buy literal countries, the amount of land they held was absurd, they had ancient Artifacts, strong political connections, countless hidden estates, and relationships with all sorts of supernatural organisations throughout the world.

A formal favour from such a House was not just a simple promise.

It was a debt recognised by Vampire Society.

It was linked directly to House Veyr’s name and to Vampires, especially Noble Vampires, family name meant everything.

They would do everything in their power to repay Lucian’s favour.

House Veyr’s favour was basically like a ’get anything you want in life’ ticket and not many beings in the world could receive it.

It was so valuable that—

"H-Hey..."

Sabine actually called out, looking at Silvian with an opportunistic smile on her face.

"What if I give you one of my Waymarks? Can I get House Veyr’s favour?"

She offered, surprising the people around her.

Sabine, however, did not care.

Silvian and his subordinates wouldn’t understand it, but she had been travelling with Naomi’s group for a while now. She saw how much the Trial favoured her.

Sabine already knew her chances of winning the Trial and being selected by Aevrienne were quite low, but with Naomi present, they were almost nonexistent.

So...

Instead of collecting them, knowing they would be useless eventually, she decided to use one properly.

Or at least...

That’s what she tried to do but—

"No."

Silvian instantly shook his head.

"...why?"

Sabine did not understand. Silvian did not say anything and that made Sabine a little desperate. She did not wish to waste an opportunity like this.

"What if I give you all three Waymarks?"

She decided to go all in.

That made Silvian stare at her.

For a moment, there was silence.

Lucian narrowed his eyes.

He thought Silvian was offering the exchange so he could get the Waymark, but seeing how he still hadn’t jumped in and taken three Waymarks instead of one told him something else.

This wasn’t about the Waymarks.

Heck, the Vampire already had three Waymarks.

This...

This was not about Waymarks.

And since he was put in this situation, Silvian decided to answer honestly.

"The offer is only for Lucian Cross."

"Why is that?"

Sabine frowned.

"I can take the Waymarks from the likes of you anytime I desire. It is him I am worried about."

Silvian answered. Sabine, however, was still confused.

Sure, Lucian was far stronger than her, she knew that already. If Lucian faced Silvian, whatever the result would be, one thing was certain, the battle wouldn’t end quickly.

Lucian had the ability to become a thorn in Silvian’s side.

But...

Silvian could easily avoid that.

He could easily take the three Waymarks she was offering and leave. Even if he abandoned the Waymark his subordinate saw, he would still have three Waymarks in its place.

Or...

Was it not a Waymark his subordinate saw...?

Was it... something else?

And as if he too had the same thoughts, Lucian stared at the corridor the subordinate was in, then back at Silvian.

"It’s a Waymark.

You can see it for yourself.

I do not intend to trick you."

Silvian answered honestly. He too could tell what Lucian was thinking.

His words made Lucian narrow his eyes, then he actually took him up on the offer and walked towards the corridor. On the other side, he finally saw it—

A Waymark sitting on top of a stone.

’It... really is a Waymark.’

"Satisfied?"

Silvian smiled.

Lucian stared at him with a frown. Silvian just chuckled.

"As I said, I do not intend to trick you."

"Then what are you trying to do?"

Lucian asked directly and Silvian simply raised his hand.

"I just do not wish to fight you."

It was a strange answer, one that Lucian couldn’t exactly understand.

Was he scared that Lucian would eliminate him?

That didn’t make sense.

Lucian could feel it, his instincts were more than clear.

The Vampire was strong.

Even if he went all out, it wouldn’t be easy.

Then...

Why would he go so far?

Was it to... form a political relationship with him?

Lucian wasn’t ignorant. He managed to stand his ground against a prodigy like Rhydan and unlike Werewolves, Vampires had a strong political understanding.

So...?

Was the favour a way to link him with House Veyr?

Was it his way of forming an alliance?

That was a very possible answer.

But then—

"Is this about Varek?"

That was when Sabine said a name and the next instant, Silvian’s expression changed, pretty much confirming her suspicion.

"Varek...?"

Naomi frowned at that name.

She obviously remembered everything Sabine said about the Vampire who had been roaming around attacking other candidates, purposefully inflicting pain upon them.

They hadn’t found any of the victims Sabine mentioned so far, but considering how Silvian’s face changed, Naomi could tell it was related.

Lucian could see it as well.

"...how do you know him?"

Lucian asked directly. Silvian stared at him for a moment, then he sighed.

"Varek is rather well known among Vampires."

"He’s famous?"

"Infamous would be a more accurate word."

Silvian corrected.

"He was once part of a respectable House. Not one of the greatest, but old enough to have a name worth protecting, but..."

He paused for a moment, as if pitying the situation itself.

"He ruined that himself."

"How did he do that?"

Lucian raised an eyebrow.

"Strength."

Silvian answered in a single word.

"Strength?"

Lucian frowned.

"He became obsessed with it."

Silvian answered and Lucian’s frown deepened as he began to realise.

"Vampires grow with time."

He spoke as the light in his eyes glowed faintly.

"He wanted strength fast."

Silvian explained and—

"Oh."

Lucian’s expression changed.

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