Bruno and the Crimson Veil

Thursday

At 8:00 in the morning, I opened my eyes once again in that room — now with more confidence.

Yesterday, Flávia had told me I should sleep, as I had drunk blood and the changes would soon begin to appear.

I got up and went to a room to the right of the bed — a simple bathroom.

When I looked in the mirror, I was slightly shocked. Only now could I fully see the differences.

My skin was paler.

My body, more compact and refined.

My eyes... violet and piercing.

My hair, once black, now had a white-gray tone, even curlier than before.

My abdominal muscles were well-defined.

And my face… sculpted — without a trace of those cursed cheeks I had always hated.

I still kept some youthful features — after all, there was still time before I turned sixteen — but I looked completely new. I used to be 6 feet tall (1.83m), above average, and liked my height. But now I reached 6'1" (1.87m), with room to grow.

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9:00

After going through some morning routines, I found myself in a training field — a bit larger than a football field. To the left, there was a shelf with various weapons; on the sides, armor and training weights; to the right of the shelf, there were training dummies.

I stood in the middle of the field, wearing a white T-shirt, comfortable shorts, and a pair of flip-flops — basic.

In front of me, Flávia wore workout clothes: a large-sized sports top, a pair of leggings, and running shoes. Overwhelmed by emotions, I approached her and kissed her. She blushed but still greeted me quietly and said we would begin the training.

Flávia stretched lightly and then helped me stretch as well. I must admit, because of my youth, I was impressed by her body — but even so, I decided to focus.

She noticed my glances but didn't comment. She just began to explain:

— Among vampires, there is a vast range of knowledge and nuances in training. You can learn to control any of the four main elements: water, fire, earth, and air.

She paused briefly, then continued naturally:

— Then there are deviant elements, like lightning, metal, or wood. Those require advanced mastery of the primary elements. For example, to control lightning, one must deeply understand fire and the energy within it.

She smiled with a certain pride, like someone talking about a subject they've mastered:

— I, for example, specialize in water control. But I also have minor expertise in air and ice. Air enhances my water abilities, and ice opens up a wider range of skills and strategies.

I listened to everything she said attentively and saved my questions for later.

Flávia looked at me curiously and asked:

— Do you have interest in any specific element?

I didn't need to think much. I replied with conviction:

— Of course. I've always liked powers related to fire and its nuances.

She didn't seem surprised. She just gave a half-smile and said:

— With your personality, it makes sense that you're drawn to fire.

Still… I'm a little sad you're not curious about water.

Bruno didn't hesitate to respond:

— I've never been a fan of water-based abilities. I know it has good healing potential and great adaptability... but I've always been fascinated by the destructive and hostile nature of fire. That's what always caught my attention.

Flávia smiled again, unsurprised, and simply said:

— Well… then let me show you how it works in practice.

She stretched out her elegant hand, and water began to form around her, floating in smooth spirals. Bruno watched in awe, slowly approaching with his eyes fixed on the crystalline flow.

Then, a gust of wind blew through, focusing on the water and propelling it forcefully. The blast pierced through the concrete floor like a projectile. But before he could even react, the water instantly froze, sealing the hole with a clear layer of ice — all at a speed visible to the naked eye.

Flávia gave him a moment to process what he had just seen. About a minute and a half passed in silence, until he couldn't hold back a small gasp of excitement:

— Impressive…

His eyes sparkled — an intense desire awakened within him: to do something like that, but with fire.

But before he could lose himself in his imagination, Flávia gently interrupted his thoughts:

— Easy, Bruno. Before diving into the elements, you need to master the four basic fundamentals of vampires: transformation, mist, power control, and vital energy control.

Flávia made a casual gesture with her hand, and a portion of the earth beside them rose up, forming an improvised seat for Bruno to sit on. He obeyed without hesitation, curious and attentive. Then, with a patient tone, she began to explain:

— Before mastering the elements, you need to understand the four basic pillars of vampiric powers. Without this foundation, any attempt to manipulate elements would be like trying to light a flame without wood.

She raised one finger, beginning the count:

— First: Transformation. This is the process where we use our inner energy to modify the body, taking on an alternate form — usually that of a bat. This form serves both for movement and infiltration.

She raised a second finger:

— Second: Mist. One of the most iconic powers. Through the combination of inner energy and refined control, we can expand this energy around us, creating a thick, blinding mist… and, at higher levels, even a hallucinogenic one.

The third finger joined:

— Third: Power Control. About three days after transformation, our soul synchronizes with the new body. This allows us to visualize ourselves internally and begin to identify ways to expand and refine our energy mastery.

And finally, the fourth finger:

— Fourth and most fundamental: Vital Energy. This is the core of everything. Every technique, every ability, comes from it. Vital energy expands with time and training. It is ethereal, almost alive — it flows through our body in a spiral stream. And it's this flow that makes any other power possible.

She paused briefly, looking at Bruno with a firm yet warm gaze:

— Without mastery over these four, any flame you ignite will be too small to face the world out there.

Flávia then said calmly:

— Take off your shirt. It'll be easier to channel your energy if there's nothing between my hand and your vital center.

Bruno, without question, removed his shirt and sat on the cold floor. Flávia positioned herself in front of him, cross-legged, and then placed her hand on the center of his chest. Her touch was soft, but full of purpose. A faint spark of energy traveled from her fingers and, like a thread of light, penetrated Bruno's skin.

In an instant, his consciousness seemed to shift.

Bruno entered a trance-like state. He felt awake, but distant — as if seeing himself from within. He could see his muscles, his organs, his bones, like a pulsating map of life. And, in the middle of it all, something surprised him: a white, ethereal light, almost imperceptible, slowly winding its way through his body.

— That is your vital energy — Flávia whispered, eyes closed, fully focused. — Weak, yes… but pure. That's how we all start.

Guided by her words, Bruno tried to feel the movement of that light. And little by little, with effort and concentration, he began trying to redirect it — like someone learning to breathe again for the first time.

It was the beginning of something new. Something that would change him forever.

Flávia then whispered, her voice low and serene:

— Bruno, as you redirect your vital energy, you're also training power control. The two are deeply connected.

Bruno nodded mentally, afraid to lose focus. The process was slow, demanding absolute concentration. About three minutes and twenty seconds passed before the energy finally followed the correct path.

— Impressive — said Flávia, smiling. — Twenty seconds above average. That's what I expected… for someone with potential.

Bruno fell onto his back, exhausted, but his face glowing with joy. Flávia, still kneeling beside him, continued, now laughing lightly:

— With your personality… your power naturally leans toward fire. You have slightly above-average talent with that element.

Hearing this, Bruno couldn't help but smile. With eyes shining with enthusiasm, he pulled Flávia into his lap and, with a teasing tone, asked:

— Who's the hothead now?

Soft laughter echoed through the training room, breaking the tension and marking the beginning of a new chapter — lighter, more intimate, and more powerfull