*** Lucius***

"I can't believe he actually found a prime candidate this fast."

Looking at the vampire having a cute conversation with the Outer moloch makes me remember of my teenage years… No, not from when I was alive, that is a part of my life that has been lost almost completely in the river of time, but from the time just after recovering my emotions.

Back then, I was just like a teen that just started discovering how overwhelming life can be. As a young Arch-Lich myself, I desired company. It took me six years to find someone that understood me… And that lucky little shit actually got someone in a single day.

At the very least, watching the vampire has been a lot of fun. This distraction has kept me away from skinning alive a certain bunch of people that destroyed my beautiful hand-woven carpet.

Doubling the oracle spell, a new window opened showcasing a young woman with crimson long hair, dressed in a simple black Victorian dress that stands heavily against her striking beauty, sitting alone in a lavish room. With no name or affiliation, the Sanguine Matriarch of the Silver Dome Academy is one of the few people who I can talk with when I'm bored. She is not only a good listener but also strong enough to withstand my aura for hours in a row.

Still, despite being acquaintances for almost a century now, I still can't make her be comfortable around me. That ingrained fear of a higher power keeps her from acting similar to the assholes that I like to call family.

This doesn't mean that I haven't found exceptional beings that can accept me for who I am while ignoring my power and influence. It's just that it took years longer that expected.

I'm not jealous, just annoyed at that guy's overwhelming luck. In reality, I knew about his existence for a long time now… The frozen moloch. I studied him for a while but I avoided releasing him least a catastrophe were to befall this already troubled world. Fortunately, it looks like things worked out in the end and he seems like a nice guy, albeit kind of stupid.

No matter… Subjectively speaking, he is young. Under my guidance, he will become a pillar that might just save this world from the greedy hands of the Abyssal denizens and Outers.

Returning to the oracle spells, I can see the Matriarch preparing to head out. I bet she has noticed April's presence. Although they don't really get along, this doesn't mean that she can ignore April, the priestess never visiting the city without reason.

Unfortunately for her, a bigger headache is headed towards her office in the form of a cutie holding my token. Funnily enough, the order I left with the Matriarch is to treat anyone holding that token in the same way she would treat myself… So this is going to be rather fun encounter, isn't it?

Sensing the young girl waiting at her door, the matriarch, which was just about to leave, stops in her tracks. Then she returns to her crystal desk and, with a wave of her hand, teleports the surprised cutie pie inside.

Faced with the stone gaze of the matriarch, the little blondie, gets down on her knees, like a small critter in front of an apex predator.

"I'm in a hurry, so if there's anything you have to tell me 89, make it short!" says the matriarch in an icy tone.

'Fascinating.'

Many people might not be aware of it, but the Matriarch knows the ranking and faces of every student in the Academy, molochs and vampires alike. This is to show just how dedicated she is to her job. What an amazing woman… Only if she were less obsessed with power, I would have no problem asking her out.

In front of a pinnacle Sanguine existence like the Matriarch, any lesser vampire would be a trembling mess. The young moloch girl is no different, unable to even move, much less properly answer her query.

In reality, this is a test to see if the girl is worth monitoring. If she can ignore the pressure and act normally, she might have a bright future ahead and special attention would be paid to her.

In the meantime, my attention is attracted to the Matriarch’s aura.

'She has finally broken through.'

Less than a year ago, the Matriarch was at the peak of the Baroness realm, but now she seems to be a bottom ranked Viscountess. Although a far cry from a Duke, she is still one of the strongest existences among the normal exiles of the Northern Desolate.

With difficulty, the petite girl barely opened her palm, allowing my token to fall to the floor. In that instant, Matriarch's icy aura dissipated like it was never there and her mouth falls in shock.

Above me, a new series of runes appear on top of the oracle spell, making sure that this historical moment will forever be added to my collection.

Then, with no hesitation or shame, the matriarch kneels before the blondie, which does not know what is happening.

"This lowly one pays respects to the Exalted one." Still kneeling, the Matriarch addresses her student with the same respect she would act with around me.

'I knew it!'

That woman is so serious that, even if a dog were to show up with my token around its neck, she would act in the same way.

Knowing this doesn't make it any less funny. As the two women look at each other in shock, both unable to understand the exact situation while also being afraid to act least they offend the other, I just can't stop myself from laughing out loud.

I'm looking forward to showing this recording to the other matriarchs. I'm sure they are going to have a field day with this one. Teasing that icy woman has always been difficult, but this might just be what I needed to make it happen.

After what seemed to be an eternity of awkwardness, the blondie finally makes up her mind, rising to her feet and explaining to the Matriarch about the moloch that is looking for an audience with her.

"Forget what happened here today!" With those words, a light shade of red coloured Matriarch's cheeks.

"Bring that moloch here. Also, 89 treat him the same way you would treat me, understood?"

"As you wish Matriarch!" Answering with a bit of doubt in her voice, the tiny girl turns around and goes on her merry way.

Now alone, the Matriarch sighs slightly with a bit of annoyance.

"Pfew.. That was awkward."

'Yes, it was.'

"At the very least, the Exalted one hasn't seen me acting like this."

Opening a small portal right by her right ear, I let a small laugh before giving her a line I've been dreaming to use for years: "Are you sure about that?"

'Hiii…'

With a cute squick, the Matriarch jumps back, looking around for a few seconds before slouching in her chair with despair written on her face.

….………………………………………

*** Tony ***

"I've decided. Once I become a proper vampire, I'll make you my prime."

In front of me, the beauty that I've already chosen to be my right hand in the near future is giving me a pitiful glance.

"Sorry to disappoint you, but I have no intention of becoming a weirdo like yourselves prime."

"Who are you calling a weirdo?" I ask with indignation. " I'm just a normal moloch, just like yourself."

"I assume you really have a few loose screws considering you forgot calling yourself that while being proud of it not too long ago." Answers Liz.

"I called myself a weirdo, yes, that's true…" When losing an argument, the best way to turn things around is to double back while generating confusion. "But I think I'm weird compared to a normal person. When I’m compared to you… Well… Let's just say that I feel we are like two beans in the same pod." As long as she doesn't take it as an insult, everything should be fine.

"I agree." replies Liz with a smirk. "That is why you should get yourself a normal prime to keep you in check!"

'Damn… I fell right in her trap, didn't I?'

"Is there really no way to make you reconsider my offer?" I ask her one more time to see if, by some miracle, she has changed her mind.

"Then how about this…" raising a finger in order to attract my attention, Liz looks in my eyes with a scorn written all over her face "the day you become a Duke, I'll accept to become your prime!"

At that moment, my face brightens up.

"Is that a promise, then?" I ask her just to confirm it.

"Yes, yes… The day you become a Sanguine Duke, I'll become your prime." answers Liz with a mocking smile.

'Jackpot!'

Although there is no way for her to know this, the day that I'll become a Duke is actually today. In reality, I can't be sure what realm I'll achieve once the awakening is complete, but it shouldn't be below a Duke, right?

"Then it's settled. The day I become a duke, if you're still available, I'll make you my prime!"

"I'll be waiting for you." Says Liz with an cute smile plastered on her face.

….……………………………..

*** Elvie / 89 ***

W-what just happened? I still can't wrap my head around it properly, but I think I've just seen the Sanguine Matriarch kneeling before me.

Wait, calm down. Think about it. Her aura brought me to my knees in no time. Then she saw the token that Tony gave me and she started acting with the utmost respect, reserved only for those pinnacle monsters. This happened before explaining the situation to her.

'The Matriarch confused me with the owner of the token.'

She also addressed me as "Exalted one". I'm really not sure what that means. Maybe father will know more but, until then, I'll have to keep my mouth shut.

Furthermore, she ordered me to treat Tony with the same amount of respect I would act with around her… From that, I can only assume that Tony is far more than meets the eye.

At first I thought he was a bit broken in the head, with his casual way of talking about the matriarch and all, but now things make sense to a certain degree.

Thinking he was just a country bumpkin was, without a doubt, my mistake. Nevertheless, who would have thought that I was actually the frog in the well?

Smiling slightly to myself, I can't help from having some hope for the near future.

'He owns me a meal, doesn't he?' Thinking about it, I might squeeze a tiny advantage from this situation.

Considering that we are talking about someone that even the Matriarch is respectful towards, then even a small favour would most likely allow a random moloch to fly to the skies. If I could use this chance to gain the blood of Baron, then becoming a Sanguine Knight would be within reach. At that point, even if father would not approve of it, I could take 4971 as my prime and solve all of our problems.

'Unless…'

Dreading a possibility I haven't considered until now, I rush towards the cafeteria.

There, at the table where I left them, the two molochs are talking with each other while looking like a pair of lovers.

'Oh no… I hope it's not too late!'

"Elvie, you're back!" exclaims 4971 after noticing me.

"Huh? Who?" Unable to comprehend who she is addressing, I look at my friend with worry. I really hope he has done nothing weird to my dear 4971.

"Oh, sorry… I meant 89. Although I admit you look like an Elvie."

'What the hell is an Elvie?' Leaving my doubts behind, I try to concentrate on my mission. No matter what, disappointing the Matriarch would be ill advised at best and catastrophic at worst.

"I told you!" exclaims the moloch from the side.

'Cough'

"So Elvie," says Tony, "what did the Matriarch say? Is she willing to hear me out?"

Calming my heart and concentrating on the task at hand, I put up my most serious face and get down on one knee under the shocked gaze of 4971.

"Exalted one, with great pleasure I inform you that the Matriarch is waiting for your arrival in her office." Pausing just for a second to catch my breath, I continue, not daring to rise my head. "When you are ready, I shall show you the way."

Finally delivering the message in the most respectful way possible, I get back to my feet only to be met by the gazes of two extremely startled molochs.

With heavy breathing, 4971 turns her head robotically between me and Tony before addressing him in a shaking voice, "Tony… W-who are you exactly?"

"Just a random Duke looking for a prime." Answers Tony with a grin.

….………………………………….

*** Lucius ***

“N-no way!”

Taking a break from the oracle spell while Tony is heading towards the Matriarch’s office, I notice Prototype 37 regurgitating an identical replica of my beautiful woven carpet.

“He did it! Ti, you actually created something amazing!”

Grabbing the newly created carpet, I touch, stroke and smell it. Confirming that it’s no different from the original one, I grab the little gross-looking slime and lovingly cuddle it in the same way a father would embrace his children.

Now in a fantastic mood, I return to the show.