"Since you are taking care of human children, do you know everything about them, Ciaran?" Pier asked as he walked beside the chief of Nightfall.

Ciaran stared at the path ahead of them and their footsteps were the sound that could be heard other than their voices.

He shook his head as a response.

"None of us are humans. We do not know how to properly take care of the children, especially since some of them are sickly. Vampires and Lycanthropes do not get sick easily as humans do," He spoke.

The sound of crickets started to go off in the background.

"We do sometimes venture into human-populated areas and observe how adults interact with the children. We learn a few but it is not enough for us to fully give them their needs," He continued.

Pier stopped walking and Ciaran did too.

The young master bowed down as he picked up a branch from the ground.

"If you want I can help take care of the children while I'm here," he offered and Ciaran had a surprised look on his face.

"Are you... sure?" He asked and Pier nodded his head.

He had nothing to do anyway while he was staying in Nightfall. Ciaran insisted to do everything for him along with the other members of Nightfall that all he could do was roam around the place and practice his magic sometimes.

It had already been a week since he had arrived in Nightfall.

He had already grasped the seriousness of the situation and every day, they are making the preparations for their actions to stop the rampage of the monsters from the fifth mountain.

"Do you have experience in taking care of children?" Ciaran asked as he eyed the young master curiously.

Pier shrugged his shoulders as he smiled.

"I don't, but I'm a human so I guess I can somehow relate to them...?" He was thinking about whether to make the phrase a question or a statement.

"I guess that makes sense," Ciaran spoke as he nodded his head.

They now arrived in the gathering area of every person in Nightfall. The area was not that grand. It was simply a good clearing that had a few cut trees left and right.

The place also had a warmer atmosphere because some of the trees that had been cut down no longer restricted some rays from the sun from entering.

This is where Pier would sometimes practice his magic alone without the other members seeing him or by requesting Ciaran for some private time.

He was still hiding under the cloak that Ciaran had given him. The man had lent him two more pairs so that he won't have to wear the same cloak all over again every day.

He did not know Ciaran's reason for keeping his face and his entire magic secret.

'I'm the one helping them, right? Why should I keep my magic a secret?' He wondered at times when Ciaran became extremely strict about the young master training alone but he had no qualms about it since he enjoyed the time he get all alone while training.

He had also improved. He did not read all those novels, manga, and other comic books where he was able to learn some cool action moves.

He played with the branch as if he were some sort of wizard and Ciaran watched as Pier do so.

"You really do act childishly for someone who is already eighteen," Ciaran commented and Pier rolled his eyes at Ciaran's remarks.

"So? I'm not creating a mess now am I?" He asked with his eyebrows raised at the man and Ciaran chuckled at the retort.

He had always found teasing Pier about how he acted despite his age fun.

It never failed to amaze him how the young master was able to compose himself at even the direst of times but sometimes act as if he was the most innocent person in the world whenever he wanted to.

"Well, you aren't"

"Yes, that's correct, now go and mind your own business, Your Highness, the Vampire Prince," He called Ciaran with the title again and the man flinched at the statement.

"Hey! I told you not to call me that!" He said with his eyebrows furrowed but Pier only rolled his eyes again at the man.

"Now stop acting childish just because you were called with your title, prince, go to work and leave me alone," Pier spoke as he poked his tongue out at Ciaran and the man had a disbelieving look in his eyes.

'Childish. Truly childish!' he thought as he watched the pink muscle tease him from the young master's mouth.

Ciaran scoffed before he turned his back to leave the young master alone so he can practice with his magic when suddenly,

"Chief!" Pier turned his head to where the voice came from.

It was one of the members of Nightfall that had accompanied them when they met Pier and Ciaran at the entrance of the second mountain.

Ciaran also turned his head to look at the person.

"Ema," Ciaran spoke as soon as their gazes met. The girl named Ema had a panicked look on her face and seemed like she was nervous about something.

"Chief, Bran! Bran is having a hard time breathing again!" She spoke as her hand trembled.

Pier's eyes also slightly widened as he listened to the urgent call.

Bran was one of the kids that he knew for the entire week he had stayed inside the premises of Nightfall.

"What happened to Bran?" Pier asked as he approached the female vampire that was one of Nightfall's vanguard warriors.

"I am not so sure myself, either but after the kids played outside, he started to breathe with difficulty!"

"Lead us to the place where he's at right now," Ciaran commanded and Ema nodded her head before she shifted.

Black smoke started to come out from her surroundings until it fully covered her.

Once the smoke disappeared, there revealed numerous crows which all flew in the same direction.

"Pier, come," Ciaran instructed and Pier nodded his head. The two followed the murder of crows going in a certain direction.

Ciaran started to run.

Pier was still amazed at Ciaran's strength.

The green-eyed man possessed a strength that surpassed human limits.

Ciaran's lineage of a half-vampire and a half lycanthrope contributed to the attributes he possessed.

"What are you waiting for, Frosty?" Ciaran spoke and Pier stopped the urge from smacking the man's face with all the nicknames he got for him.

'Now who's childish?' He thought as he spread both of his arms and immediately, wind magic started to manifest in both of Pier's palms.

Pier's cloak slightly fluttered and his white hair peeked from under the hood but he did not mind. Ema was far ahead of them and no one would be able to see Pier's appearance.

Ciaran watched the scene.

He stopped running for a moment as he observed the wind that manifested from Pier's palms directly go to his feet and settle themselves there.

Pier looked at him one more time before rolling his eyes and running to follow Ema.

Ciaran gasped silently at how fast the young master went with the wind assisting both of his feet. It was as if Pier was flying through the trees.

He was astonished by how fast Pier was able to improve in just a short amount of time. It was so fast that Ciaran had to constantly check Pier from time to time because he was afraid that there was someone else who got to their place and was secretly assisting the young master.

He had initial doubts but he trusted Pier.

However, he saw that Pier was doing all of the efforts in training alone.

Pier Belmiunde from the House of Masters was truly a prodigy in magic.

The two ran side by side. Everything seemed blurry as they passed through many trees.

Pier had already gotten used to the area and he was able to maneuver through it easily.

Ciaran's vampire and wolfish-like characteristics and the young master's magic, it was a sight to behold as the two individuals hurried to the spot where the child Nightfall had taken in was said to have some issues with his health.

When they both reached the village where the main houses were located, Pier removed his magic and Ciaran slowed his pace. The two walked side by side as they approached the group of individuals gathered in a certain house.

"Where's Bran?" Ciaran asked and all eyes turned into them.

The vampires watched as their chief approached them with another person walking beside him.

Suddenly, their expressions changed and the vibe they gave darkened.

They don't like the stranger that the chief had brought into Nightfall.

The stranger that they did not even know the face was always beside Ciaran and was always getting special treatment from him.

They did not acknowledge the fact that the man named Pier was protected by the chief so much.

"What is he doing here?!" Hex spoke with anger when he saw the cloaked stranger approach them. His eyebrows were furrowed and veins were starting to show on his temples.

But the stranger did not even react to his angry shouts.

Ciaran also ignored Hex as he passed through the crowd of vampires towards the human child they adopted.

Pier followed behind Ciaran as he safely covered his face with the hood of the cloak.

He knew the vampires did not like him but he did not care.

He was also not the type to impress the people around him just so they could like him.

He was, of course, relying on Ciaran's authority and protection that he would not get ganged up on by the vampires.

When they entered the house, they immediately saw Ema trying to make the child lean from sitting.

'What's this?' He thought as he watched the kid named Bran breathe roughly.

"Can you tell me what happened before he started breathing like this?" Pier asked politely and Ema paused for a moment as she looked at the child who was struggling.

"B-Bran was playing with the other kids right after breakfast... that was it. All he did was play with the other kids in the area with many flowers... and right after that, he said that... that he was having a hard time breathing," She explained and Pier opened his mouth for a moment as if he realized something.

"If that's so, then can-"

"NO, WHY ARE YOU EVEN TRYING TO INTERFERE?" Hex screamed as he made his way through the group of vampires and into the house. He looked at Pier with animosity and anger that Pier knew the vampire would soon burn holes in his head.

"Hex, enough-" Ciaran spoke as he got in between Hex and Pier's way.

"NO, THIS IS WHERE IT ALL STOPS, SHADOW! THE STRANGER SHOULD NOT INTERFERE WITH OUR GROUP MATTERS!" He spoke and Pier raised both of his eyebrows in astonishment.

'Wow, he really has the temper'

While he stayed on Nightfall, he had also grasped some of the members' characteristics, especially those who stood out and seemed like they have important positions such as Hex and Clone.

Pier concluded that Hex was a very hot-headed individual. The vampire had tendencies to rage especially when something does not favor him in any way.

'Just like a certain red-head who thinks he can yell at everyone just because he's a prince', He thought when he remembered the time he scared that person's 'beloved' with a monster corpse and that person went all mad crazy.

He did not want to speak the prince's name because he felt like he would puke when he hears it coming from his own mouth so Pier was now always referring to the prince as "that person".

Pier only stood there as Hex was arguing with Ciaran. He felt like he was a deer caught in the headlights of a car with the way he just stood there awkwardly.

"Ema, could you get me a cup of coffee mixed with honey please," He spoke to the vampire woman who was assisting the child who was hyperventilating.

"W-Why?! This is not the time to be drinking coffee with Bran sic-" She also started to yell as she found the stranger's request for a cup of coffee very absurd especially now that she was nursing the sick kid.

But the stranger cut her statement off before she could finish.

"It's not for me, it's for Bran," He spoke and Ema stiffened.

"F-For Bran?"

"Yes. Unless you wanted Bran to suffer further then I guess you don't have to," Pier spoke as he shrugged his shoulders and placed his hands inside the pocket of the cloak he was wearing.

Ema hesitated for a moment but the heavy breathing of the child was making her nervous. She stood up and the scraping of the chair on the floor disturbed Ciaran and Hex who were still arguing.

"E-Ema, where are you going?!" Hex asked with his eyes widened.

"I am going to get coffee," She replied.

"COFFEE? FOR WHAT? NOW IS NOT THE TIME TO DRINK COFFE-"

"IT IS FOR BRAN, HEX!" She also exclaimed and Pier only watched in the back as the two vampires exchanged words.

'Wow, they're scary' He thought as he pursed his lips in amazement at the scenario.

He had never seen two vampires argue and talk back to each other so it was a new sight for him.

"W-Wha-...What do you mean for Bran?!" He asked as his eyes turned towards Pier and the young master froze in his spot again.

"YOU! DID YOU ORDER THIS? YOU'RE NOT EVEN A MEMBER OF NIGHTFALL! WHY ARE YOU INTERFERING WITH US? AND COFFEE? SERIOUSLY? IS THERE SOMETHING ELSE THAT STUPID BRAIN OF YOURS COULD THINK?!"

Foul words started to come out of the vampire's mouth while he was pointing an accusing finger in Pier's direction.

The young master only listened as the vampire with lilac hair rambled about him being not a part of the group.

'He's so noisy.' Pier thought as his gaze turned towards Bran who was laying down on the bed.

The kid's chest was going up and down in a very fast manner.

Pier approached the child on the bed as he sat on the stool that Ema had been sitting on earlier.

He reached his hand out to touch Bran's face and immediately, Hex's face reddened in so much anger.

"YOU DARE TOUCH BRAN! GET YOUR FILTHY HANDS OFF OF HIM!"

"HEX, ENOUGH!" Pier also heard Ciaran scream but he did not mind them.

He was more focused on assisting the child.

"Hey Bran, can you hear me?" He asked the child gently and Bran opened his eyes.

He nodded his head as he was having a hard time speaking.

"That's a relief. I'm going to help you sit up. Can you cooperate with me? I promise you will get better in no time!" He spoke as he smiled and he started to brush the young boy's hair off of his face.

The child nodded again and Pier helped the child's upper body sit. After doing so, he leaned Bran's back on the wall.

"There. Now, Imagine you were inhaling fairy magic that will make you super strong! But in order to do so, you have to focus on breathing and you can only inhale through your nose!" Pier spoke in a cheerful voice.

Bran smiled slightly as the thought of getting stronger from fairy magic coursed through his mind. He nodded again and closed his eyes as he focused on breathing.

Pier looked around the room and he stopped when he saw what he needed.

There was a spare coat hanging on the wall near Bran's bed.

He immediately took the coat and wrapped it around the child who was focused on breathing.

The child showed signs of relief when the warm coat enveloped his body and Pier gave a sigh of relief.

"H-Here's the cup of coffee you have requested..." Ema spoke as she returned to the side of Bran's bed. She handed the cup of coffee towards Pier.

"Did you mix honey in this too?" Pier asked and Ema nodded her head.

'Good'

He waited a few more minutes while he observed Bran's breathing starting to calm down.

"That's a very good boy now," He spoke as he patted Bran's head.

The child opened his eyes and there was indeed a small sign of relief.

"Bran, we're not finished yet. In order for you to finally achieve the strongest power, you need to drink this cup filled with an almighty essence! It does have a sweet and bitter taste, just like the awesome and powerful person you wanted to be!" Pier explained and Bran's eyes widened for a moment.

"R-Really?" The child spoke with amazement in his voice and Pier nodded his head.

"Yes!"

"O-Okay!" He spoke as he started to take a sip from the cup of coffee that Pier was holding.

He showed a sign of distaste at the bitter coffee but it was alleviated with the honey mixed in it.

Pier was also glad that the child easily followed his orders.

"There. Now, you just need to close your eyes and feel until the power starts to form in your body!" He exclaimed in a happy voice and Bran closed his eyes again to focus on breathing, just like the stranger with a cloak on told him.

Pier observed Bran's breathing again.

It started to get more stable.

A few minutes passed by and the child fell asleep while he was half-sitting on the bed.

Ema went to assist the child and help him sleep properly when Pier stopped her.

"Don't. Let him be in that position for a few more minutes as to not restrict his breathing," He instructed and Ema now did not hesitate to nod her head at Pier.

She had a grateful look on her face as she watched the hooded stranger also give a sigh of relief.

"T-Thank you..." She spoke.

"You're welco-"

"WHAT DID YOU DO?" Hex spoke as he ran towards the bed after struggling with Ciaran.

He immediately dashed towards Pier with his vampire speed.

When he approached the young master, he then went to smack the cup of coffee from Pier's hands.

"WHAT DID YOU FEED BRAN, YOU BASTARD!" He yelled and screamed.

Ema quickly moved to protect the young master. She stood in front of Pier and glared at the other vampire.

"WHAT NOW, EMA? ARE YOU GOING TO PROTECT THAT BASTARD OF A STRANGER?!" He asked with his fangs baring in front of Ema and Pier.

"HEX, STOP! PIER HELPED US-"

"Ah, it's all sticky," Ema stopped talking when Pier's voice chimed in with her retort.

Everyone watched as the hooded stranger shake the spilled coffee on his cloak and in his hands.

"P-Pier..." Ciaran spoke as he also watched Pier stand up from the stool he was sitting on.

The young master placed the cup on the old wooden table beside the bed and proceeded to wipe the spilled coffee from his hands with the part of the cloak that was not soiled.

"Bran is experiencing a condition called asthma," He started to speak while wiping the sticky feeling of coffee.

"It is a condition where a person experiences coughing, breathlessness, and difficulty in breathing. I thought about it when I heard from Ema that Bran had played with the other kids on the area with many flowers," He continued as he adjusted the cloak to cover the red marks of burns on his hands.

"Asthma is a condition that develops when a person is very sensitive and comes in contact with certain things such as pollen which can be found on the flowers and dust which also can be easily seen with the old wooden house Bran is residing,"

He then proceeded to adjust the hood of the cloak.

"I recommend that you do not let Bran play in the flowers anymore and make him stay in a clean place so the sickness won't trigger again. Good thing it was a mild version because there is no medicine developed yet to cure the disease,"

He said as he raised his head and looked in Hex's direction.

"It would have been another story if everyone kept on arguing why a stranger was helping the suffering child. Bran would have died because of your pride in not letting someone who is not a member of your group help," He spoke and placed emphasis on each word.

Ciaran, Ema, Hex, and all the other vampires who were watching by the door stiffened at the statement.