Vampire Nightlife

(To be replaced. Thank you for your patience.) The process of getting a work permit was actually something that happened quickly. Compared to the day when Lukas and the rest attempted to get their travel passes, the workers were a lot more quicker this time.

Maybe it was the fact that Elias visited so people were more inclined to work, even if temporarily.

Or maybe it was the questions that Lukas answered to.

"How long will you be staying in Nyx?"

"Two months max."

"Where are you currently staying?"

"The Carmilla House."

"Carmilla House?" the Vampire blinked and scrutinized Lukas' face.

"Yes, although I'm not sure if I can verify it, but we were there. These passes, two of these belong to the Vardokens? I don't know if word spreads fast but—"

"I don't think you're lying. Trying to lie about something like this will have great consequences, so I'll approve of your work permit. Although, it'll be hard for you to procure a job if you don't have your papers and everything. Luckily, you can probably attend a workshop or seminar for certification, a lot of businesses and establishments trying to hire at least have that."

"I see. Thank you."

That was how Lukas found himself in the Durand territory, the main building of the Bureau of Defense and he was actually just in time for the second workshop that day.

He saw some Vampires leaving with weapons and cloaks, similar to what Theodore might have worn alongside the Hunter's Association people.

And it was what Lukas was actually wearing.

"Hello there?" a man at the building gates welcomed Lukas with a curious look. "It's my first time seeing you around here. Are you a traveling hunter?"

For a moment, Lukas wanted to lie and see how much he could get away with things. But then decided that it was too much effort and the risk of getting caught was another added reason not to indulge in fibbing for possible benefits.

"No. I'm here to attend a workshop, get a certification and then try my hand out at being a hunter."

"Really? You're already dressed for the occasion! I would have believed if you were already a hunter." The Vampire smiled.

"Actually, I tried before, way back in my city but uh stopped mid-through the examination." Lukas scratched his head, finding himself a little more chatty. However, compared to Emerys di Verdant, this guy was friendly.

"Which city did you come from?"

"Lux." Lukas said. Honestly, he didn't know the reputation between cities, but then a spark of interest glowed in the Vampire's face.

"Does that mean you've seen the Guildmaster Verdant there? He's incredible!"

Lukas remembered the old stern Vampire and couldn't help but roll his eyes. He was strong yes, but because of how he made both Chaerin and Stacy uncomfortable—he didn't like the guy.

"Not the biggest fan." Lukas said as he stepped inside of the building.

It was a rude way of talking with an otherwise friendly Vampire, but Lukas wouldn't lie either way. Luckily for him, the guy didn't follow him and instead Lukas searched for the room indicated in the flyer and headed there.

When he stepped into the hallway, Lukas couldn't help but remember Emerys' words when they've first met. "Posh city boys?" Lukas muttered, not actually sure if that was the exact wording but it fit with the group that he was with.

There was a mixture of Vampires dressed in fashionable outfits sitting at the front of the workshop who looked like they've never spent a day out in the sun.

Which was actually applicable to probably everyone.

There were some people who glanced in his direction, not so discreetly, before returning to their conversations.

Either way, Lukas took a seat at the third row.

And maybe eavesdropped a little. It was hard not to tune out their voices.

"Obviously going to say, Nox or Sanguis is entirely out of the question. My parents refused outright, so the next best thing to get a permit to leave is this hunter workshop. And then maybe they'll let me go to other cities."

"Honestly, I just want to see what it's like outside. My test results show that I only have light burning severity, so it's like I was born to actually see the world."

"There's some creatures that we can hunt and I'd like to show off my strength. My brother managed to get the head of a—"

Lukas finally tuned their voices out, when he received a tap on the shoulder.

A meek-looking Vampire boy that looked no older than sixteen gave him a look.

"Are you by any chance the speaker for today's workshop?"

"Uh, no." Lukas said, then eyed the boy. "But what are you here for? Don't you think you're a little too young for this?"

The boy shook his head and frowned. "No, sir. I'd like to earn decent money and working as a hunter is a great chance to do it. There's materials that we can gain and Nox likes to buy them or other folks interested in it."

"I see." Lukas didn't quite remembering seeing any places when he and his group were on the way, so it meant that they would have traveled through this location when they left Nyx. "Well, I'm here for that too. So I guess you're in luck if we both get certified."

"Really?" the young man asked. "That'd be great, sir! You seem like an expert on this already."

"Yeah." Lukas rubbed the back of his neck and then tried to ignore the smile on the young man's face. It was awkward to look at, almost as if Lukas was undeserving of seeing something that genuine.

But if Lukas was able to get some help back when he'd been around this guy's age—maybe he would have been able to put a little more faith in other people. And maybe, if he could be that someone to this guy then…

"Attention!" Iolathane Durand walked to the podium of the hallway, a serious look on her face that grabbed everyone's attention. "All of you are here because you're all interested in becoming… hunters."

Lukas met her gaze and tried to keep a blank face.

But she faltered anyway.