As expected, the last fight of the day went just as the ones beforehand. Whether by accident, or by example, Rex was not quite sure yet, but each and every contestant had shown plenty of honour, both announcing their names before the fight, nodding their head in acknowledgement of the opposite fighter and wishing him luck and favour of the LORDS. Then, once caught and properly bound, with no more than a few bruises, result of their vain attempts to break out of the chains wrapped around their bodies and binding them tightly in their place on the ground, they would promptly laugh and give up, praising Rex for his peculiar way of combat as well as his warriors spirit. 'Few could remain as calm and collected as he had, avoiding any serious damage to his opposing fighter. And each and every time at that? A noteworthy trait to praise indeed', or so had his opponents said. And Rex had responded as always, nodding towards the fighter as well, throwing away the same line he had every other time. "We had no true enmity before and you showed honour. It's only natural." His words carrying double meaning. He would treat his opponents in the way they conducted themselves, though LORDS save you should you incur his wrath beforehand.

  As Rex was leaving the stage, he noticed someone waiting at the exit tunnel, having either slipped past the guards unnoticed, something he mightily doubted, or gotten through due to his background. The answer was obvious, since Rex was also aware of who this person was. Not the name, not really, but with whom had he arrived. The glanced towards the balcony occupied by the Dawning Sun sect and. as expected, only saw the redhead sitting there, her eyes locked on his figure. Even from here he could feel the intense gaze she was staring at him with. Was she that kind of a person? He was not sure, but he had only displayed an uncanny ability to tie people up so far. No way. Right?

  He shook his head, clearing his mind of such distracting thoughts as he walked forwards, the old man ahead of him still waiting his arrival.'Ehh. might as well deal with it I suppose.' Rex mused, keeping his pace steady, just moments later reaching the awaiting man, more like skin and bones, but who was paying attention, right. 'Ufff. Someone should have locked him away and placed in a museum.' Rex thought, several mean and ridiculing thoughts regarding the name of the exposition coming to his mind.

  "Magnificent indeed. Truly magnificent. In all my long years I have never seen such splendid display of blood magic. This one is honoured to meet a truly ascendant member of a noble species such as yours." he started, almost causing Rex to burst into laughter, though he managed to contain himself.

  'Even you? Sheesh, this world is truly stuck in their ways regarding magic paths and what not. Hmm, should I use my 'meager' knowledge and establish an academy this world had never seen before, creating such prodigies that the world's' leaders have to crawl their way through the largest hall to be of my academy just so their spoiled brats were accepted? Damn, that sounds like it could be fun, but not yet. Danica deserves her adventures, and honestly, so do I.' Rex lightning thoughts worked their wonder, giving him plenty of time to mull things in what little time he had, since noticing the silence, and probably taking it as Rex not willing to converse on the topic, the old man wisely moved on, well aware of the enormous gap in their strength.

  "I have been sent here for my lady would like to exchange a few words with you. She just so happens to also have a few extra holy attribute protection items that she would love to gift you as a meeting gift of sorts."

  Rex smiled, though since he had no need of such items, he replied cordially. "I have no need for them unfortunately. We would not want to waste good artifacts I am sure."

  The old man's eyebrows rose in surprise, though Rex assumed it was because he must have concluded that Rex was already stacked. And why wouldn't he be. Were he a vampire lord of this skill, not only would he be near the royal court, he assumed he would already be bombarded with offers to marry one of their princesses. Adrian had even said so at one point of their conversations. A thing to consider for later. 'A thing to consider indeed.' Rex mused about things off topic once again, having enough time to do so while the old man regathered himself 'We are talking about a proper, blood red eyed redhead here after all.' His gaze almost unconsciously wandered towards the balcony of the Dawning Sun sect. They did have a pretty one there. Make no mistake, Rex adored his blonde beauties in the form of Danica and Ria, but as the saying, as much of a joke it was, went- If the roof is rusted, it's no wonder that the basement is wet.

  "Perhaps I could peak your interest in a conversation with a bona fide Elf?" the old man added, speaking in slightly lowered tone of voice, immediately earning Rex attention. Rex was a man of culture and he would smite all those fools who preened about racial supremacy and whatever else nonsense of the same matter with righteous fury. As much as all sizes and shapes (within reasonable age of course) should be loved, so should one judge based on the content of one's character, not the colour of their skin, the length of their ears, the horns or tail that they had and so on and so forth. Pursue what you want, and leave others to their devices, while the children are not touched. He was quite particular about that. It was one of the reasons why he was such a monster against the people who were taking part in the slave trade back when he rescued Danica's tribe members. There were plenty of children, so that had set him off something fierce, and he could still feel an ember of rage even now for the nobles financing all that endeavour. 'I suppose I will ask a few questions to those two once they have passed the borders of this nation.' Rex quickly made his plans, all the while replying to the last words he had received.

  "Actual elf you say? I would indeed love that. Lead the way."

  Rex did inform Danica through their soul bond that he would have a chat with an actual elf, the slight excitement not hidden the least bit, earning a light and teasing remark back that he better leave a bite for her too. 'Sheesh. At least now we know who is the real horndog in this house.' Rex thought as he followed the parody of a man back to the balcony of the Dawning Sun sect.

  The first words the old man spoke as he opened the doors to the balcony and bowed to his mistress were as expected. "My lady. Sir Rex has agreed to have a chat with you, though i would suggest a change of scenery."

  "Oh? Lets return to that pretty little thing we have been provided with shall we?" she laughed lightly, rising to her feet and graciously walking forward until she was in front of Rex. "It is a pleasure to finally meet you eye to eye Rex. I have been dying to meet you for a few days already, yet the fate had been cruel indeed, always putting some unpleasant obstacles in my path. " she said, performing a slight curtsy with such grace that Rex could do nothing but give a solid ten out of ten for the performance.

  "I do suppose part of those obstacles must have been of the opposite gender no doubt. One with your beauty would surely attract far too many of them. And yes, I too look forward to our little chat."

  With that out of the way, the trio quickly left the colosseum, their joint disappearance not unnoticed by the other sect.

  "How did she got to him?" I do believe I have been quite the master puppeteer so far?" Asked Juan as he saw the scene unfolding before his very eyes.

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  "How else. First she tried to bribe Rex with holy attribute protection imbued items and when that failed, danged herself in front of him."

  "I didn't think him so shallow as to be so easily enticed by yet another pretty thing."

  "It's not her looks that enticed him. They offered a conversation with an elf."

  "Oh. Yea, I could see that one. That human seems to love experiencing new things, Perhaps that is the angle one should take to entice him? Do not offer position and power in a large scale organization, for he himself is no doubt geared to have it as is. A flock of abyss falcons alone guarantee that. That is a subject to think on." he added, sinking into his own thoughts as the due turned to leave the building as well. What was left unsaid though, as much as he hated to admit it, was the enormous initial difference in that particular field between the two sects. Frozen Moon was mostly dominated by humans after all. And sure, they were more than willing to deal with other species, their superiority complex beaten out of their bodies as they lived, but the allure of countless different species striving to grow stronger in a friendly competition among one another would indeed be something of a dangerous bait for a creature so seemingly keen on experiencing new things.

  ----------------------------

  Their travel time to reach the residence of the Dawning Sun sect was short. Much like with the other sect, both parties had been granted the best properties that were relatively close to the colosseum while still incredibly expansive and lavish. Then again, with similar events happening every now and then, it was to be expected that the rulers would be already well prepared for a sudden arrival of such dignified emissaries. Soon enough, Rex and Pyra were seated in a lavish study, the table before them already half covered with all kinds of beverages. As far as the world was avare, vampires did love their liquids, their taste buds quite exquisite in that regard. Rex, of course noticed the peculiarity and was not quite so keen to keep said misunderstanding around any longer, so, once they both were comfortable, Rex spoke up, reigniting the conversation after being asked if everything was to his satisfaction.

  "You have gone above and beyond to provide a warm welcome and I see that you miss seem to be quite knowledgeable regarding vampire dietary preferences. As such, I would like to fix that little misconception you have formed. I am, not a vampire."

  Pyra, who had, of course, removed the illusion she had kept up in public and was in all of her brilliant elven glory before Rex froze for just a second, processing his words. Then, as expected of her superior upbringing, quickly returned to the character she had developed. "Oh, my." she spoke, a hand covering her lips. "It seems we have commited a rather crude mistake. Allow me to apologise for it. If there is something you wish of su, please state your desire and we would be happy to fulfill it as a penance." she continued, raising to her feet and bowing towards Rex.

  'The supposedly arrogant elves have reared one with such manners, or is it acting skills?' Rex mused as he watched the actions of the beautiful blonde woman. 'Ah, there is the tell. Well taught and smart, but not used to being wrong.' he noticed the miniscule blush creeping in the womans ears, no doubt result of her blood pressure rising. Both simple things for him to notice, both because his body was just that developed and his blood magic specialization.

  "Do not distress over it. To anyone who sees my actions alone that must be the logical conclusion, especially so if they are not aware of the rumors surrounding our little nation on the outskirts of the world. And take it not as an insult, for it is not meant to be one. We must all look ahead of us, not behind, if we want to safely navigate the unsure oceans that life can become."

  A short moment of silence took over the room, before Pyra sat down, much calmer and a genuine smile on her face. "I hope you would take this as a compliment, but the words you speak remind me quite a bit of my teacher. He is a vampire himself, one that has managed to reach a certain point in his life that he is strong enough to ward of any blood frenzy, yet not quite there to travel the world and grow further still."

  "Self imposed isolation it is then?" Rex asked, having learned far too much someone who was not a vampire should know, the previous night spent with Adrian and his family talking about vampires, their customs and such rearing its head already. And as expected from and elven noble, for that was what Rex assumed she was, she too picked up the range of his knowledge.

  "I can't help myself but ask . How have you acquired as much knowledge about vampire kind as you have? I do not wish to pry in your secrets, mind you. You are free not to answer."

  "That is not much of a problem. A new friend was kind enough to share a slight morsel of the vast knowledge he harbors."

  "Would he also happen to be a vampire? For it seems you have quite the love for all races. I sense not an ounce of disgust towards those not like you. On the contrary."

  "But the world is so much more fun when you learn about it from different point of views, no? Why would I deny myself the opportunity to taste foods that wolfkin consider delicacies, or elves or other humanoid races for that matter. No eating the races themselves though."

  "What about borks then? I hear they are quite a loved food source in the outer lands, assuming one has the required might to hunt them." Pyra asked, quite interested in the conversation itself as well now, not forgetting the reason she was here. It was a rare chance to look in the minds of such exemplary creatures after all. And she could better understand the type of person Rex was, adopting her strategy on the go. She herself was A ranker as well, yet there were no illusions in her mind that she, joining forces not only with the outer academy dean but also the guards that were stationed around the property, could hope to restrain Rex for even a moment. Most likely, they all would, in short order, join each other on the floor, neatly rolled up in the chains that Rex controlled as easily as he breathed. Thus, diplomacy it was.

  "A good question. Let me answer that by a string of questions in return that will explain my way of reasoning in this particular case. Do they communicate, or act with reason? Or is it pure instinct? Can you trade with them?" Rex took a small pause, a slight smile on his face as he continued "What makes one a civilised race? If we can find common ground, come to a table and talk, reason with one another, I consider the race vetoed from dining tables. Of course, there could always be such unreasonable tragedies that might force us to forsake such principles, lest we perish ourselves. But such extreme cases are better left there unexplored."

  "And why is that?" Pyra asked.

  "Have you ever starved? To the point that you have to choose whether to kill your beloved pet of many years to feed yourself and your younger sister, else it's the two of you who perish? If that is not gazing into the abyss, then I don't know that is. And you know what they say about that sort of thing."

  Pyra tilted her head to the side, a confused expression on her face. "I am afraid I am not familiar with any such saying.Would you be so kind as to elaborate?"

  "If you gaze long into the abyss, the abyss will also gaze into you." Rex replied. "The more you immerse yourself in something evil, corrupted, unknown even, it will change you with time."

  "Oh? And has the study and such incredible mastery of blood magic changed you?" Pyra smiled as she playfully asked.

  "Indeed it has. With every moment, that neck of yours looks more and delectable. And whispers near my ears question just how sweet would your blood taste." Rex replied, a downright predatory smile on his face as two, elongated, blood red kanines were visibly extended from his upper row of teeth. "I suppose it best we get to the heart of the matter, yes? As enlightening and fun our little conversation had been, what with me getting to chat with an elven lady and all that, I am listening."

  Pyra quickly recovered her calm, realizing Rex had played a practical joke after her own little and friendly jab, so she could not very well take offence. He was simply returning the gesture, even if said gesture had caused her, the outer sect dean and the guards in the listening distance to freeze up momentarily, their hearts skipping a beat. And so, she went into a rather concise explanation that her sect would love to offer Rex a place among their ranks where he could grow in a friendly yet competitive environment. Rex did not waste much of both their time either, politely rejecting her offer, though at the same time noting that he would not be joining the Frozen Moon sect either, if they decided to approach him, something that was only a matter of time. With that done, he returned to Eve's villa where he was met with a laughing Danica and cursing Eve, complaining for a while about the number of panicking nobles in fear of their valuable and noble blue blood, resulting in Rex joining Danica in her hysterical laughter.