With a renewed sense of purpose, I continued on my journey towards Pretória, one of the lands where vampire''s live . As I ventured forth, I relied on my flying magic to cover great distances swiftly and efficiently.


    Flying magic does not consume too much of my mana reserves anymore, I guess as I am now I could fly for 3 hours at a maximum speed of 500km/h, not that I pretend to test it out.


    My destination was the teleport-order, known for its intricate network of teleport portals. These portals allowed travelers to traverse vast distances in an instant, saving both time and energy. It was my hope that I could find a teleport portal in Mérida that would transport me directly to Pretória.


    After hours of flying, I finally reached the teleport-order of Mérida, a land of lush forests and enchanting rivers. It was a sight to behold, and the presence of magic permeated the air. As I descended towards the city, I noticed the distinct shimmering glow of teleport portals scattered throughout the landscape.


    Navigating through the city streets, I inquired about the location of the teleport portals that could lead me to Pretória. The locals, with their friendly demeanor, pointed me towards the central teleportation hub, a place bustling with travelers and magic practitioners from all walks of life.


    As I approached the hub, I could feel the hum of


    energy in the air. The teleport portals were arranged in a circular formation, each glowing with its unique signature hue. The magic-infused atmosphere filled me with a sense of anticipation, knowing that soon I would be on my way to Pretória.


    I walked up to the information desk, where a helpful attendant greeted me with a warm smile. "How may I assist you today?" she asked.


    "I seek passage to Pretória," I replied, my voice steady and determined. "Do you have any teleport portals that can take me there?"


    The attendant nodded, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. "Indeed, we have a portal that can transport you directly to Pretória. It''s right through that blue-glowing portal over there," she said, pointing towards a shimmering archway radiating a cool azure light.


    "The cost of utilizing the portal will be 6 gold rupi coins. Usually, the price would be half of what it currently is, but due to the ongoing war situation, prices have risen." Says the attendant.


    I then took my platinum card (card of royalty)from my spatial ring and gave the card to the attendant.


    After showing my card to the attendant, she became quite flustered; after all the card that I gave her makes me able to pass the portals without paying, guess this is one of the perks of being royalty.


    I take of my distortion magic, I would need to do it either way, before I enter the portal, it is necessary to verify our identity via a magical machine.


    "I!- I did not know I was talking to prince Raphael forgive my somewhat blunt way of speaking." The attendant says flustered.


    "There''s no need for that, I may be a prince but I''m a person just like you." I say with a smile.


    "With your permission, you may place your hand here"


    I guess I just put my hand on this magic board and it identifies my identity.


    "It''s done, thank you very much for using our services" The attendant says flustered.


    "Thank you for attending me" I say with a smile.


    No need to conceal my identity while in Pretória, so goodbye for a bit my "Alber" ego ahah.


    After being directed towards the portal I should enter, I made my way towards the designated portal. As I approached, a surge of anticipation coursed through my veins. I had come this far, and now, with each step closer to the portal, I felt the weight of the task ahead.


    With a deep breath, I stepped into the portal, feeling the familiar sensation of magic enveloping me. In an instant, I found myself transported to Pretória, a land shrouded in mystery and intrigue.


    As I emerged from the portal, I took a moment to survey my surroundings. The air was thick with an elevated quantity of magic energy, and the sight before me confirmed the rumors I had heard about Pretória. An empire shrouded in darkness but at the same time the red buildings illuminated all including the sky, giving it a dark red hue, the moon was a mixture of red and white. There were a lot of enchanting red and black buildings in a gothic style, it is so difficult to explain how the colors complement the atmosphere with so much harmony. A feast for the eyes


    But first I need to confirm my arrival with the guards of Pretória.


    As I made my way through the enchanting city of Pretória, I approached the grand gates guarded by formidable-looking sentinels. Their eyes glowed with an otherworldly intensity, hinting at the power they possessed... I would win in a fight though.Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.


    "Halt! State your name and purpose of visit." One of the guards commanded, raising an ornate spear as a warning.


    "I am Prince Raphael of Bragan?a, and I come in peace," I declared, showing them my royal insignia to confirm my identity.


    The guards exchanged a brief glance, recognizing the emblem of Bragan?a as well as Alexandria stamped on my attire. "Welcome to Pretória, Prince Raphael," the other guard said, bowing slightly. "What brings you to our empire?"


    ————


    "I came here to visit, that''s all.” I say with a genuine smile.


    "You came here just to visit? Is that your only reason?" The guard eyes me skeptically.


    "Yes, I''ll be leaving in two days, so I want to enjoy Pretória to the fullest," I reply matter-of-factly.


    "I must tell you, the country is currently at war." The guard reminds me.


    "That''s not a major concern for me. I have faith that your side will be the victor, and besides, I am confident in my ability to protect myself. I''m here to explore and learn more about your culture, make friends, and experience everyday life," I explain, still maintaining a friendly smile.


    "Learn more about us?"


    "Yes, precisely. I''m interested in your customs and traditions, and I wish to make meaningful connections with the locals while I have the chance. Just the simple things in life," I clarify.


    The guard studies me for a moment, seemingly intrigued by my response. "Well, I can appreciate your curiosity and enthusiasm.” He says, nodding slowly. "Just be cautious during your stay. War brings its challenges, and it''s not something to be taken lightly."


    "I understand, and I will certainly be cautious.” I assure him. "I believe that even in difficult times, there''s always something to learn and appreciate about a place and its people."


    He seems to relax a bit, perhaps acknowledging my sincerity. "Alright then, I hope you have a safe and meaningful visit. If you need any assistance or information while you''re here, don''t hesitate to ask."


    "Thank you, I appreciate that," I respond gratefully.


    “Oh, wait.”


    “Huh?”


    I look behind me to see the guard coming towards me.


    “Is there something I forgot to do?” I ask the guard.


    “No no, nothing like that, I just wanted to give you this envelope.” The guard says with a grin.


    “An envelope? For what?.” I ask.


    “That’s a secret. You said you wanted to explore Pretória right? Then, you’ll know about it in no time as long as you socialize”. The guard says still grinning.


    "Well, thank you for the unexpected advice. I appreciate it, and I will definitely take it into consideration. It seems like a beneficial addition to my


    Plans too.” I say with a tranquil smile.


    With that, the guard gives me a nod and allows me to proceed.


    With the guard’s permission, I entered Pretória, my heart filled with excitement and curiosity. As I ventured further into the city, I couldn’t help but notice the unique architecture and the elegant design of the buildings. The vampiric population moved gracefully through the streets, and their presence exuded an air of mystique.


    As I strolled along, I spotted a comfy café with a sign that read “Eternal Brews.” It seemed like the perfect place to start my exploration. Upon entering, I was greeted by a warm ambiance and the rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee.


    “Welcome to Eternal Brews.” a vampire barista said with a friendly smile. “What can I get for you today, young man?”


    “Just a simple cup of black coffee, please.” I replied.


    The barista prepared my coffee with a skillful flourish, and as I sipped it, I found the taste to be unlike any I had experienced before. It had a deep and velvety flavor that tantalized my taste buds.


    As I enjoyed my coffee, I struck up a conversation with the barista. I asked about their daily life in Pretória, their favorite spots in the city, and their experiences during the ongoing war. They shared stories of resilience and camaraderie, which only deepened my admiration for this place.


    I told him. "Your city is seriously cool, you know? There''s this awesome sense of togetherness that''s just inspiring."


    "Yeah, we''re not just all about being vampires and stuff. We''ve got a rich history and a vibrant culture we''re proud of." The barista said.


    "By the way, my name is Raphael. What''s yours?" I asked.


    “I’m Astratos, nice to meet you.”


    “Nice to meet you”


    After some talking I got curious and asked if there were any cool events happening while I was there. And guess what? He told me about this traditional vampire ball that''s coming up! It''s this big celebration with dancing, socializing, and showing off talents. I was super pumped to be invited!


    “By the way do you know what is this envelope all about?” I ask Astratos.


    “That’s the invitation for that vampire ball event. Where did you get that from?” Astratos asks with curiosity stamped on his face.


    “Before I could enter through the gates the guard gave me this envelope and told me to find out once inside. I guess I am lucky hehe”. I say while giggling a little.


    “You sure are lucky, unless you were born in Pretória, the chances of being invited for a vampire event are not that high. I thought about inviting you there myself but it seems someone else beat me to the punch.”


    “It seems Pretória is too friendly to foreigners, the guard and you too? I’m really happy to have taken the time to come here.” -I say with a smile from ear to ear.


    “So any tips of how I should dress? I ask enthusiastically.


    Astratosthen gave me some tips on what to wear, and I was like, "Got it, I''ll wear something with a touch of red or black to blend in with the vibe!"


    ———


    “You’re going to love the ball! It’s an event filled with elegance, charm, and enchantment,” Astratos exclaimed.


    “I can’t wait to see it for myself.” I replied. “What about you? Will you be attending?”


    Astratos chuckled. “Oh, I’m afraid I’ll be working at the café during the ball. It gets quite busy, you know, with so many vampires looking for a pick-me-up after a night of dancing and mingling.”


    “That’s understandable. I’ll make sure to drop by for a coffee after the ball, then.” I said with a grin.


    As I continued chatting with Astratos, another vampire named Serena joined our conversation. She overheard us talking about the ball and couldn’t help but chime in.


    “The vampire ball is always a splendid affair. I remember my first time attending; the atmosphere was intoxicating.” Serena said with a nostalgic smile.


    “I’m Raphael, by the way. Nice to meet you,” I introduced myself.


    “Serena, pleasure’s all mine.” she replied. “Are you new to Pretória?”


    “Yeah, I just arrived a short while ago. I’m here to explore and learn about your culture,” I explained.


    “That’s wonderful! The vampire community here is quite welcoming to visitors,” Serena said warmly. “If you need any guidance or company during your stay, don’t hesitate to ask.”


    “Thank you, Serena. I appreciate that,” I replied gratefully.


    "You''re truly enchanting; your exquisite eyes are simply captivating, and it''s difficult to tear my gaze away. It''s as if our roles are reversed, I''m a vampire with the power of seduction from the stories “just kidding”. Would you like to accompany me? Beauty like yours can''t go wrong." Serena says it with a smile.


    “You’re pretty outspoken,beautiful if I may say so, your blonde hair complements your golden eyes, you have a pretty good figure and dress well.” I say to Serena.


    Just then, another vampire named Viktor joined our little group. “Did I hear someone talking about the vampire ball?” He asked, a mischievous glint in his eyes.


    “You certainly did,” Astratos replied, chuckling. “Raphael here got an invitation to attend.”


    Viktor turned his attention to me. “An invitation to the ball on your first visit? You’re quite fortunate!”


    “I feel lucky indeed.” I said with a smile. “I’m excited to experience it.”


    Viktor’s grin widened. “Well, it’s going to be an event to remember, that’s for sure. I’ll be there too, showcasing some of my illusions.”


    “Illusions? That sounds fascinating!” I exclaimed.


    “They’re quite the spectacle, if I say so myself,” Viktor said, sounding rather proud. “But enough about me. Tell me, Raphael, what brings you to our city?”


    “I came to experience the culture, make friends, and learn from the people of Pretória.” I replied earnestly. “It’s been an incredible journey so far.”


    “Ah, the pursuit of knowledge and connection, admirable goals indeed,” Serena chimed in.


    As we continued our conversation, I couldn’t help but feel grateful for the warm welcome I received from these vampires. Each of them had their unique charm and talents, and it was evident that the vampire community in Pretória was diverse and vibrant.


    Little did I know that this encounter at Eternal Brews would be the beginning of many memorable experiences during my stay in Pretória.