After two days of intense training, the day of the wedding finally arrived.
Before that, I had finally managed to consume the thirty-eight units of raw energy.
As for how I used them, it was simple. I pushed my body through brutal training, and when it reached the point of exhaustion, I fed it that energy.
That forced my body to evolve. The energy itself was clean and beneficial to my body.
It accelerated both my recovery and my physical growth. However, obtaining that energy required burning another form of power—demonic energy, for example.
I purified it from chaotic thoughts, madness, resistance… everything.
What remained was a small amount of pure energy and magical power.
The composition of raw energy was roughly ten per cent demonic energy, twenty per cent madness, and finally seventy per cent magical power.
This slowed my training a little, because I wanted my strength to remain balanced between physical ability and magical power.
At this point, I could already be considered a creature that relied on its body in combat… even though I was also capable of using magic.
Against most beings at my level, I was confident I could defeat them.
Perhaps even kill them.
Of course, someone could leap across levels with overwhelming strength.
But at the very least, I considered myself strong.
I went to bathe. After I finished washing, I found a set of beautiful clothes waiting for me.
They were completely white.
A white shirt, a white formal suit—everything was white.
After dressing and stepping out of my room, I was greeted by a middle-aged maid wearing elegant clothing.
"Follow me. We will prepare you for the wedding ceremony."
I followed her immediately. Only a few hours remained before the ceremony, so I needed to get ready quickly.
After walking for about two minutes, we arrived at a room with a large mirror.
Various unfamiliar tools were arranged there. The only things I recognised were oils and a comb.
Most of the time, I had never cared much about appearance.
I was someone who valued cleanliness, of course—but I was never obsessed with grooming.
I sat in front of the mirror.
Two more women entered the room.
It didn't take long before I stepped out looking completely different.
My hair was combed so carefully that it could only be described as perfect, with a faint shine from the oil.
I was also wearing round yellow glasses with a golden frame, which suited my amber eyes surprisingly well.
Everything was ready—clothes, shoes, everything.
When I stepped outside the palace and entered the carriage, I found my father already sitting inside.
As usual, his expression was stern.
He gestured for me to sit in front of him.
I obeyed.
And then I experienced the most embarrassing hour of my life.
Compared to this, every awkward moment I had ever experienced felt insignificant.
My father began talking about marriage.
More specifically… the intimate matters that would soon become my responsibility.
That hour was a disaster.
Just imagine it.
A man who looked like my father—those silver moustaches, the shining bald head, the sharp jaw, and eyes like a hunting hawk—
deciding to explain intimate matters… and sex.
I knew it was his duty.
But it was still the worst experience of my life.
Thank the gods that carriage ride eventually ended, and we finally arrived at my uncle's palace.
Many luxurious carriages were gathered in the palace courtyard.
Each one was guarded by soldiers.
It was clear the celebration had already begun and was now somewhere in the middle, because there were almost no people outside.
We entered through a private entrance.
After passing through several unfamiliar corridors, we eventually arrived at a beautiful room where my aunt and Sera were waiting.
Sera was sitting in front of a mirror even larger than the one in our palace.
Several maids were decorating her in an almost excessive way.
Precious stones of different shapes and bright colours were placed across her head.
A golden chain wrapped through her black hair like a serpent.
A thin white veil covered the lower half of her face, beginning just beneath her eyes at the bridge of her nose and falling softly to her neck.
It was light enough that someone standing close—like me—could faintly see the soft red of her lips beneath it.
But from a distance, it revealed nothing at all.
Dark kohl outlined her eyes, lashes, and brows, making her gaze look almost like something that could steal a soul.
For a brief moment… I actually forgot to breathe.
That thin veil only made her crimson eyes stand out even more.
And as if that wasn't enough, black henna decorated her pale skin.
That, more than anything else, was beautiful.
It was like a painting on white canvas drawn with the darkest ink.
Even though henna was considered an old custom, it remained a traditional part of our race's wedding ceremonies.
Joy was clearly visible on her face.
Despite what had happened yesterday, she greeted me warmly and without the slightest trace of hostility.
I sat beside her, and the three of us—Sera, my aunt, and I—began chatting.
After a while, I asked for food and a drink.
I was starving. I hadn't eaten anything all day.
But my aunt refused firmly.
She was afraid my clothes might get stained.
At that moment, I genuinely wished this had been someone else's wedding so I could eat freely.
What made the situation worse was the brutal training I had done yesterday.
After consuming raw energy, my body required an enormous amount of food.
Normally, a vampire could survive without food for days… even months.
But that applied to those who didn't focus on strengthening their physical bodies.
I was different.
My body required far more energy.
After begging my aunt for a while, I was finally given a drink.
Not much—but better than nothing.
Before I could even finish it, my father entered the room, announcing that it was time for the bride and groom to appear.
I quickly finished the drink despite the sharp look my father was giving me.
In my mind, I muttered respectfully:
With all due respect, Father…
But hunger is more important than anything right now.