“Good morning, mistress.”

Early in the morning at the Babylon estate, a familiar scene known only to the master of the mansion and her loyal servant once again takes place.

“Ngh. Ugh, my head.” Serah complains.

“Here, please have some tea. This is a special brew that they say can help blood circulation.” Mary politely says as she sets down a cup of tea on a desk stacked high with books.

“Thanks, Mary,” Serah says while pinching her temples.

After sipping the herbal tea, Serah lets out a satisfying sigh and begins stretching. As she does, she accidentally knocks over a couple of books that were on her bed.

“Aw man.”

“Mistress, I implore you to not ruin your room any further. The messy library that this place has become is not suitable for someone of your status.” Mary sternly says.

“Ah, give me a break. I’ll clean it up later. I need all of this to prepare for Selene’s ritual after all.” Serah replies flippantly without looking at Mary.

“Hm. Well, if it’s for Selene then there’s no other choice. However, please do tidy up soon.”

“Hey, aren’t your priorities a little misplaced here? I am the master of this place you know.” Serah protests with crossed arms.

“Yes, of course. If you were to allow me to clean up this room for you, I’ll have it done shortly.”

Mary then bent down to pick up a book when Serah reached out to stop her.

“No no no! I need everything where it is, the new runic formation is still missing something and I need to solve it today!” Serah hastily says.

“Unfortunately, when it comes to these matters, I am of no help.” Mary flatly responds with a hint of dejection.

Serah simply stares at Mary until the maid swiftly reverts to her normal expression and swiftly blurts out.

“Oh! I have a meeting with Ms. Angela for the monthly report. I’ll be back to attend you shortly, mistress.”

As Mary turned to exit the room, she was halted by the Duchess’s voice beckoning to her.

“Mary, don’t forget that you, along with everyone else in this estate were hand picked by me for a reason. Leave this to me and continue serving me as you have been.” Serah confidently states.

“...Yes, my mistress.” Mary answers with a smile.

***

“Today’s the day. Are you ready, Selene?” Abel asks with a slight hesitation in his voice.

“Of course, I’ve been preparing for this for 2 years, after all, ~” Selene hummed.

The two McDowell’s are currently having breakfast in their home. Over the past two years, many renovations were done for Selene by the Duchess Babylon. Her old room was turned into a library and a new room was built to accompany her ever-expanding wardrobe. Selene was overjoyed with her new abode, as different as it may be, it still held that quaint homey atmosphere that she adored.

The day has finally arrived for Selene’s ritual. Today is the day Selene turns 10 years old. One might think that this would be a happy occasion for the entire McDowell household, but only Selene’s radiant smile can be found. As the two enjoyed their simple breakfast of toast, avocado salad, and eggs, Abel could do nothing but resign and resolve himself for what’s to come.

Remembering that fateful day when he first found her, and the resolve Selene showed two years ago, Abel willed a smile back on his face.

(Selene, you grew up to be everything I could ever hope for and more. Lord Belmont, please watch over us as we embark on today’s endeavor.)

“Oh, I almost forgot. I have some berry jam that a friend gave to me. Would you like to have some on your toast?” Abel asked with a smile.

“Really?! Yes! Papa!” Selene answers practically jumping out of her seat.

“Haha, alright. It should be in this cabinet here...found it!”

Abel carried over a large glass jar filled to the brim with red jam and laid it on the center of the table. As he opened it, the sweet smell of fruits and berries wafted through the kitchen, entrancing the two people as it did.

“Wow,” Abel says with awe and wide eyes.

“Hurry papa, I want to try it!” Selene shouts with excitement and sparkling eyes.

“Here, use this.”

After Abel handed a table knife to Selene, she quickly spread an abundant amount of jam onto her toast from the family’s favorite bakery and took a bite.

“Mm!”

Leaking a satisfied voice, Selene finished the toast in an instant.

“Wow, this is so good papa!”

“Haha, it’s from the Honeypot Bakery that we get our bread from. I befriended the owner not long after we become one of their regular customers. They’re thinking about selling this jam as another one of their items, the other day they asked me to preview this product for them.”

“We should save some for Mary to make sweets with, I’ll bet it’ll be amazing.” Selene gulps.

“Alright, just be careful with that sweet tooth of yours, you don’t want to get another cavity do you?”

“Geh.”

Selene makes an unsightly expression and sound after remember the time last year when she got a cavity from secretly eating too many sweets. Mary banned her from even touching any snacks for months.

“I-I got it, don’t worry!”

“Oh, do you now? It’d be a shame if you were banned from snacks right after this jam starts selling.” Abel teases with a playful smile.

“Uuuu, papa is mean!” Selene pouts.

“Ahaha, Let’s hurry up and prepare for the day.”

After breakfast, Selene and Abel finish their morning preparations while thinking about what’s to come. All they could do now is have faith in their master that the ritual will go smoothly.

***

“Finished at last!” Shouted Serah who then fell back onto her bed.

“Well done, mistress.”

“Fufu, thank you, Mary.”

Normally, the sacrifice of a live vampire is required for the dhampir ritual because the receiver needs a total blood transfusion from the host using magic to forcefully bond with and transform the receiver’s body. The newly created dhampir will inherit half the mana of the host vampire, including their affinities. Furthermore, they will benefit from the heightened senses of a vampire.

However, up until now, there has never been a recorded ritual where the receiver and host’s blood completely bonded. This left the artificial dhampir’s body to thirst for their non-vampire half’s blood, leading to the self-destruction of their body if they don’t receive any. What Serah Babylon wishes to do is to not only use minimal amounts of Abel’s blood for the ritual but to also have that small amount completely bond with Selene’s body so she doesn’t suffer from the dhampir’s curse. To that end, she has created an entirely new ritual altogether, having worked tirelessly these past 5 years to do so.

“Though I say it’s finished, without testing it, I can only assume. Mary, I want you to tell Angela to gather all personnel within the mansion and move them to the safe house out back. The protective barrier there will safeguard them from my mana during the ritual.”

“Understood. Should I join them as well?”

“No, I need you for something.”

Mary held a confused expression for an instant before composing her expression and responding with a bow.

“As you wish, mistress.”

“Good, now, let's finish all preparations for their arrival.”

***

The walk to the Babylon residence was solemn and silent, however, the mood was anything but. Abel held faith in his master that she would succeed but ever so slightly, a seed of doubt subtly grew in his mind. Failure could result in Selene’s death, and as Abel looked upon his daughter who he walked this path with everyday hand in hand, he finally stopped.

“Selene, can I really not dissuade you from this?”

Seeing the grave expression on Abel’s face, Selene simply closed her eyes for a moment, before showing a weary smile.

“Papa, I’m scared as well. I know that this can kill me and it means I won't be able to see everyone again but even so, I want this. Please, papa, let me be selfish, just this once.”

Abel could tell that Selene was also worried. Her gutsy energy and bright smile were absent, and in its place, a determined look.

(What am I doing. Can I really call myself her father if I can't even support her when she needs me most?) Abel thought.

Erasing all doubt from his mind, Abel then picks up Selene onto his shoulders and looked forward while saying,

“I’m with you, no matter what. If it's what you want Selene, then let us go.”

Selene then let out a wholehearted cheer,

“Yeah! We're gonna beat that ritual together!”

With a smile, Abel says, “Yes we are.”

As the two continued to the mansion with renewed resolve, the familiar building soon came into view. Only this time, the one greeting them was Mary.

“Welcome, Sir Abel, Selene, the mistress is expecting you inside.”

Upon seeing Mary, Selene hopped down from Abel’s shoulder and ran to hug her. Mary simply smiled and patted her on the head.

Abel walked forward with a curious expression and asked,

“Where is everyone?”

“We shall explain everything inside,” Mary replied with a flat tone while leading them towards the location of the ritual.

“Okay, and by the way, it's nice to see you, Mary.” Abel honestly says.

Mary paused before turning around and hastily answering back.

“You too, Sir Abel.”

Selene was confused at seeing a never before shown expression on Mary’s face. She looked back at her father to only find bewilderment.

“Ahem, let us go now. The mistress awaits.” Mary said returning to her usual expression nonchalantly.

“Yeah! Let's go, papa.” Selene urged

She took Abel’s hand and together, the trio entered the building.

Inside the mansion was a complete empty premise, save for the visage of their noble master, and a giant multilayered magic seal on the ground. The usual afternoon hustle was nowhere to be found, and the sound of their footsteps was unbearably loud in the tense silence.

“Teacher!” Selene yelled as she ran forward.

“Abel McDowell, at your service, my lady.” Abel saluted.

“Fufu, how are you, my dear student? And it is very nice to see you as well, Abel.” Sarah said after bending down and receiving Selene in her arms.

“I'm doing great! I've been practicing what you told me. I finally finished mastering the 4th tier spell, Mana Link!” Selene excitedly said.

“Good, very good. Now, allow me to explain the current situation.” Serah said turning to Abel.

“For the purpose of this ritual, I will be utilizing all of the mana that I have at my command. In order to safeguard my subordinates, they have been moved to a safe house hidden in the woods.”

Serah scanned Abel for questions but he simply waited patiently with steeled resolve. Serah smiled and continued,

“As long as you three are in the ritual circle, you will also be protected, as I've added an extra layer just in case”.

Finally, Abel spoke,

“Us, three?” he asked without hiding his confusion.

“Correct, I have modified the ritual so that there won't be any physical blood transfusions, however, it will now require two host vampires.” Serah simply stated.

Selene and Abel looked around before finally stopping their eyes on Mary, who gives them a nod.

Abel then suddenly says,

“W-we can't ask you to do this!” with a flustered expression.

Selene also had a worried look before looking to her teacher, who patted her on the head and gave her a confident nod. Selene relaxed then walked over to Mary and took her hand.

“Mary, I'm really glad it's you!” Selene said with a bright smile.

Mary simply squeezed her hand lightly and nodded. Her expression was all Selene needed. A loving smile.

Everyone's attention was then pulled back by the Duchess’s clap.

“Alright, here's what we're going to do. My revised ritual won't use a blood transfusion, instead, we will utilize Selene’s darkness affinity to link her with the two of you. Essentially we're going to forcefully imprint your mana into Selene and use it to transform her body. Should this succeed, Selene will gain a body similar to that of a normal dhampir with one notable exception, she will receive your imprintment even without being of your blood, or using the Belmont Seal.”

After the Duchess explained her plan, Abel just stood shocked. He doesn't understand much about magic, but there was one thing he did understand. This is a once in a lifetime chance for him to pass on his imprintment to his beloved daughter.

Mary stood by silently with a calm expression, but in her heart, she was delighted and resolved as well. 100 years she has spent tending to her noble master, always hardworking and selfless to the one that saved her from her previous life. However, Selene coming into her life that fateful night 10 years ago planted a seed in her sealed heart that has now come full bloom.

As the two adults stood with determination and steeled resolve, the ritual finally begins.

“Now, Selene, sit in the center of the ritual. The two of you, come sit beside her.”

“Okay!” nodded Selene.

“Yes, mistress.”

“Understood, my lady.” Abel formally said.

As the three made their way to their spots, the runic markings of the ritual seal began to glow. Selene looked at Abel and Mary, firmly grasping their hand with each of her own, and gave them both a resounding confident nod. After the three sat down, the Duchess started to unleash her mana.

“Urgh” groaned Abel, as Mary slightly winced.

“This will not be pleasant, steel yourselves. Selene, I want you to start the Mana Link now.” Serah strictly says as she begins pouring Mana into the magic seal.

Selene did not respond but simply activated her spell. A blue glow appeared on her chest and from it, 2 transparent tethers were formed. The tethers each struck Abel and Mary in their magic core next to their heart, linking the three together.

“Alright, no turning back now. Here we...go!”

With that as the signal, an explosive amount of Mana shot out from Serah’s body that shook the whole building.

Abel and Mary’s bodies began to glow and a red mana aura started to seep out from their core.

“Nghh!”

Sweat started to roll down their foreheads as an increasing amount of pressure started to forcefully tear something out of their body.

“Don’t pass out you two, this will be a lot harder on Selene than it will be for you. Here comes the second layer!”

Upon hearing the Duchess’s declaration, Abel and Mary both clenched Selene’s hand while noticing her focused expression. Abel grits his teeth while Mary furrowed her brow in extreme discomfort.

Then, the second wave of mana exploded, it smacked the wind out of both Abel and Mary but they held on. The red aura surrounding their core then connected with Selene’s mana tether and started quickly getting absorbed into her body.

“Ngh-aaaah!” screamed Selene in agony.

“You have to hold on Selene, just another minute!” Serah yelled with a tired yet focused expression.

The two layers of the magic seal had already taken more mana than she had anticipated however, she cannot afford to stop here.

“Brace yourselves! This is the last step!” Serah warns.

And with that, Serah Babylon unleashed all of the mana in her body to operate the 3rd and final layer, causing all of the red aura that was absorbed in Selene’s core to branch throughout her body.

Suddenly, a giant explosion of light occurs.

“Ahhhhh!”

All of the windows in the mansion shattered as a violent gust spawned on top of the three people in the center.

Then, just a few seconds later, it ended. The whirlwind of mana and light disappeared, leaving behind three people unconscious in the center. Serah Babylon was blown back several feet and then collapsed to her knees, her breathing ragged. She mustered up the tiny amounts of mana she had left to send a Shadow Whisper in the direction of the woods. After doing so, she too gave into her exhaustion.

***

“ar***k? Se****! **ke up!”

(Ngh? Am I...alive? I hear something.)

“**lene! *****!”

(This voice. It's...papa?)

“Selene! Wake up!”

As I finally open my eyes, I see everyone gathered around my bed. Papa and Mary were next to me with a pained expression and eyes red. I look over and see teacher standing a few steps back looking worried as well.

“! She's awake!” Mary yelled.

“Selene! My child, oh I'm so glad.”

Papa grasped my hand and put his forehead on it, I can feel something wet drip onto my fingers. Papa must have been really worried.

Teacher ran over as well to check on me.

“My student, how are you feeling? Does it hurt anywhere?” She asked with a soft tone.

“*cough* No, I'm good. A little thirsty.” I answer coarsely.

Mary and teacher looked at each other and then Mary sat me up.

“Here, Selene, a cup of water.”

After Mary fed me a drink of water, I felt much better.

“Thanks, Mary, much better,” I answer with a smile.

“Are you still thirsty?” Teacher asked.

“No, just a little sore now, that's all.”

After I answered, everyone let out a soft sigh of relief.

“Was the ritual successful?” I nervously ask.

After the last layer of teacher's seal was activated, I felt an intense pain as something slithered through my body. I felt my blood boiling and bones cracking as the mysterious force continued till it reached everywhere.

(I must have passed out before seeing the end of the ritual.)

“Fufu, well here, see for yourself.”

Teacher brought over a hand mirror and when I gazed in, I got my answer.

My green eyes had turned red just like Papa and the tip of my ears was a little pointy, just like Mary. I opened my mouth and saw that I now had two sharp fangs in the top row of my teeth. Delighted and amazed, I started poking at them to confirm they were real.

“That's not all, you also received a new magical affinity. You've always had darkness and wind, but now you also have water as well. Most likely because both Abel and Mary have some affinity with water.” Teacher explained.

“Now you are a triple elemental holder. Shame that you don't have any affinities with fire, so I can't teach you my specialty magic.” Teacher continued slightly disappointed.

“I'm just glad you're safe, Selene.” Papa firmly says as he pats my head.

“Now, you should rest. Mary, you stay here and take care of Selene. I'll be retreating to my chamber to recover my mana. Abel, feel free to take today off.” Teacher says.

After she finished, she walked back to a table near the door and picked up a few things. It was then that I smelled something really good.

“Ooh! What's in that bottle, Teacher? It smells so good!” I blurted out.

Teacher gave me a surprised look and then looked back at the bottle in her hand.

“Well, why not.” She shrugged.

She walked back to my bedside and hands it to me.

“Try it.” She urged.

I remove the cork from the bottle and a sweet smell captivated all my senses, telling me to immediately drink it. I down the contents of the bottle and a delicate and amazing sensation fills my body.

“Wow, this is so good! It makes me want more! What is It? It's kinda like strawberry jam.” I hastily ask.

Teacher didn't respond right away but instead had a look like she was deep in thought. I gave her a curious head tilt and then she responded,

“Hmm, I didn't expect this to happen. Oh well, what can you do. Selene, this is blood. Human blood. I prepared some just in case your body wasn't completely cured of the curse but since you're not thirsty, it was a success.”

“This was blood? But it's so sweet.”

“Although you're not cursed, it seems the ritual left you with a side effect of having a strong taste for blood. Fufu, watch that sweet tooth of yours, Selene, blood is not easy to get.” Teacher mused.

Papa and Mary showed difficult expressions but were relieved nonetheless.

“Anyway rest now. We still have something on schedule for tonight.” Teacher said.

“What's that?” I curiously ask.

“You'll find out then, fufu. Don't worry, I'm sure you'll like it.”

And with that teacher exited the room. I look to Papa and Mary for answers but they gave me a look indicating that it's useless to ask. Guess I'll just have to wait and see.

For now, I lay back down and simply enjoy the feeling of my new body. As I thank teacher, Papa, and Mary in my mind, I fall back into a slumber.