It's December 2nd. On this day, an extraordinary magician was born. Kenji Samaro.

  I was woken up by a sharp white light. The snow outside the windows reflected the sun's rays, illuminating the room with a shimmering light. I got up grumpily and went to the bathroom. I took off my clothes and got into the shower. The warm drops on my cold bare skin created a kind of harmony and I lost all my grumpiness.

  I came out of the bathroom wearing only a towel. I stretched and looked out the window. Haru and Shika were in the garden, putting grain in the feeder. How beautiful these simple moments are. My heart was filled with joy and childish playfulness. I quickly got dressed and flew downstairs after them. Had a spell been cast on me to make me a child again? I went outside unnoticed. I scooped up some snow and made a ball out of it. I peeked out from behind the house. Both were still turned. I straightened up. The ball flew out of my hand. It hit Haru squarely. And in the head.

  I came out of the corner and watched Haru take the snow out of her jacket. Shika ran between us with her purple eyes. The poor thing didn't understand what was going on. Suddenly, a terribly cold blow splashed on my face. Yes, Haru returned the favor. This time, the red-haired elf laughed too. I didn't hesitate and immediately scooped up more snow. Unfortunately, I didn't hit Haru, but Shika. She also let out a yelp, but immediately started giggling. She bent down to the snow and was also forming a ball.

  "Snow fight!!" The newcomer shouted. We all recognized it from the voice that it was Natsu. He ran at vampire speed and knocked us all into the snow.

  "That's not fair." Shika protested to a laughing Natsu.

  He didn't even have time to answer before he was hit by a ball from Haru, and it was a real ball. Everyone got to their feet and started throwing balls at each other head-on. We were like kids playing this game for the first time. Actually, now I understand why everyone likes it. I avoided such activities a lot in the orphanage. It was enough for me to be dragged out in just a T-shirt and pants three times a day and washed in that cold slush, but now it was different. Now I was really having fun.

  I just had a wonderful opportunity to hit Natsu right in the face. I quickly washed off the snow and immediately threw it at him. Natsu dodged it, however. My shot found its target. And it was Kenji's face. Everyone froze. Especially me. Kenji hadn't spoken to us in two days. And as soon as I saw him, I realized, oh what was the conversation between him and his mother. It's his birthday today! Kenji stood like a rock. He didn't even move. His facial expressions didn't show any signs of life either. I took a deep breath and walked over to him. Those standing around were just waiting to see what would happen. Everyone had quite a lot of respect for Kenji now. No one wanted to provoke him. His murderous look told us everything.

  I got close to him. I looked up at him. There was nothing in his eyes. They were empty. As if the Kenji we knew had died. Damn it, I don't like this behavior. I frowned at my thought. I hope he heard me. I stood there for a moment, thinking about whether to do it. Of course, I decided to do the right thing. I immediately hugged him. He almost fell to the ground. He stared at me wide-eyed, but then he hugged me back.

  "All the best, Kenji..." I whispered in his embrace.

  Forgive me.

  "There's nothing to forgive."

  Suddenly someone else pressed against me. It was Shika. Haru and Natsu followed her. We couldn't hold back anymore and fell to the ground. Of course, we all started laughing.

  Meanwhile, at the window, Aki and Fuyu were watching the others in the garden

  Aki smiled blissfully as Iruka hugged Kenji.

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  "Do you know who he is?" He asked Fuyu simply.

  "Yes."

  Fuyu just mumbled in agreement.

  "He blocked our minds so we wouldn't find out his origins."

  Fuyu looked at his brother with a silent question. However, Aki was still watching Kenji outside. Then he smiled even more.

  "He's stronger than I thought."

  "Aki..."

  "Don't worry, brother. He plans to tell you on the way to his mansion." He grabbed his shoulder and looked into his eyes. Fuyu's fears melted away and he just nodded. Aki loosened his grip and took a step to leave.

  "If we don't die there..." Aki muttered to himself and left.

  ???????????????????

  It was time to go to Kenji's party. I took my best suit that I had dug out of the closet. He is only a duke after all! These balls and parties will not be our daily duties. There are more than enough of them now. I thought annoyedly as I struggled with my bow tie. I buttoned the last few buttons on my jacket and headed downstairs.

  "A coachman will be waiting for us at the gate to take us to the mansion..." Kenji croaked.

  He didn't look at anyone. His pain was in everyone's eyes. There are so many questions that everyone wants to know, but we're afraid to say them. Is it good to go there? Why didn't he tell us when we met? It's probably too late to back down. He swallowed hard and hoped for the best.

  Aki conjured up a key and a moment later the gate appeared. It was all gold and decorated with various gems. Such a glow that I hadn't seen in a long time. We opened the door and entered the portal. We landed at a kind of snowy road. As I look, they have snow here too. I look around and see a carriage with a coachman. As the gate disappears, darkness envelops it. It didn't take long for the coachman to light his lantern. Crisp footsteps and a light were approaching us. The lantern was swinging from the right left and left to right until she stopped at Kenji's.

  "Sir, good evening, I'm Kisha your coachman. I was sent by your mother to pick you up." The man bows humbly.

  "Yes, I know. So let's not delay." Kenji said nervously and we walked out to the carriage. As soon as we started driving, a quiet atmosphere fell. Kenji knew that there was no time to delay and that we had to know. It was time to come out with the truth.

  "Very well... First of all, I want to apologize to you for my behavior... It was tactless and I hope you can forgive me."

  "Of course." I automatically answered him and smiled at him. Kenji just smiled sadly and continued.

  "There is another thing I would like to apologize to everyone, except Iruka, for messing with your memories. You all know my name and my family and I didn't want you to know. I..." He began to stammer.

  Then he closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He calmed himself and continued.

  "My name is Kenji Samaro, Duke of Flish." He waved his hand and suddenly everyone, except me of course, held their breath. As always, I'm out of it. Kenji laughed a little. He's listening to my thoughts again.

  "I'll explain who I am for Iruka." He smiled again, but then he became serious again.

  "I'm the heir to the Kyūketsuki no shi gene. Our family has a thousand-year tradition and is known and respected in many worlds. Our family specializes in hunting a certain kind... That kind is... vampires." Kenji seemed to die with this sentence.

  I finally understood. But wait, the boys are vampires?!!

  "We're here, sir."

  I didn't have time to say anything to the shock and we had already stopped in front of the giant mansion. What if something happens to the boys? I started to panic. Kenji is good, but what about the rest of his family?

  "Nothing will happen to us, Iruka." Natsu answered me.

  "Hm? You can read minds too?" Natsu immediately covered his mouth.

  "You're such an idiot, Natsu." Aki hissed at him.

  "As vampires, we can read and manipulate minds. It's innate for us to be able to use mind techniques. It's not a matter of magic." Fuyu answered me as if it were nothing.

  "What?! Why... But... Why didn't you tell me?!!" Now I wasn't afraid anymore, now I was furious. How many secrets will everyone have from me?! Do they think I can't handle it or what?! That my brain capacity can't handle it? I got out of the carriage angrily. Before I could leave, someone grabbed my hand.

  "Don't be mad at them. Vampires don't usually reveal these things. It's their secret technique. It's not like what we magicians can do. They have it much more dangerous and complicated. Trust me."

  Kenji's gaze was irresistible. I said nothing for a moment, debating whether to nod. But I couldn't stay mad at him for long.

  "Oh my! This is better than a castle!" I said as we walked down the ornate aisle.

  Kenji just smiled smugly and followed the servant.

  "Sir, if you'll excuse me, I'll take you to your chambers. Your mother wishes to speak to you. Your guests can go into the hall and join the others."

  "Guys, do you mind if I step aside?" Kenji asked nervously.

  "No. Just go." Aki ordered.

  Kenji and the servant disappeared through another door, and the rest of us joined the guests.