Chapter 224 History Of Vampires And The First Embrace
Evan had not yet delved into the specific origin of this Dark Magic.
Nevertheless, there is no doubt that the unique species of vampires came into existence when the original dark wizards were studying the magic of the "First Embrace" through malevolent rituals like undead sacrifices and demonic invocations.
Through the First Embrace, the magic within the wizard's body would merge into their blood. Without physical barriers, magic would flow more swiftly and become purer.
The dark wizards were thrilled to discover that their magical power had intensified, making it easier for them to grasp the essence of dark magic without compelling their hearts to turn malevolent.
Apart from the magical operation and facilitation of dark magic, the primary advantage post the First Embrace was the physical transformation.
Their physical strength had enhanced, yet their senses remained unchanged.
For wizards engrossed in magical research for an extended period, often physically feeble, this was akin to a miracle.
Numerous benefits seemed apparent, however, the core of the "First Embrace" was dark magic.
During the Middle Ages, when belief in the existence of gods prevailed, this astonishing power to radically alter a wizard's body was believed to stem from malevolent spirits or powerful demons.
Indeed, following the first embrace, the wizards were taken aback as their skin progressively paled, eventually becoming white and utterly devoid of blood.
Moreover, they began to fear the sun and could only move in darkness.
Dark wizards generally deemed this a curse, the price to pay for acquiring such immense strength.
Most disconcerting amid these changes was that post the first embrace, they no longer felt any interest in ordinary food.
Following the transformation, their stomachs could no longer tolerate regular food. Any morsel they swallowed induced nausea and rapid vomiting.
Instead, they became excessively sensitive to blood.
The initial dark wizards who underwent their first embrace soon realized that only by sucking blood could they sustain themselves and stave off hunger, thereby becoming creatures living off blood.
For common folk, this change was sufficient to evoke intense guilt. Consuming blood like a demon each day would drive people to madness.
Nevertheless, for the dark wizards themselves, this was not a concern, not even a psychological burden.
They eagerly immersed themselves in new magical experimentation. Through numerous experiments, they even found that by taking the blood of different animals, the effects on them were completely distinct. In essence, the more magical the creature, the greater the gain from its blood.
Since they could no longer rely on natural growth to enhance and replenish magic as normal wizards did, they began to suck the blood of magical animals.
After this behavior was discovered, other wizards began referring to these special wizards as vampires.
Due to bloodsucking, vampires were not understood by conventional magical society and gradually were pushed to the sidelines or into the shadows of the magical world to form a distinct existence.
Within vampires, this direct physical change was considered a gift from the devil.
They disagreed with what other wizards called them. They dubbed themselves the "Blood Clan!"
The period in which vampires lived in harmony with other wizards did not endure long.
Because the creatures they chose to feed on were becoming increasingly magical, the longer vampires existed, the quicker their own magical level grew.
Yet, all know that magical creatures with stronger magic often signify greater danger.
It goes without saying that vampires, being rare creatures, were not ordinary wizards and relied on absolute numerical superiority to succeed in hunting a magical and dangerous creature.
It is not known when the vampire first sucked a wizard's blood.
After hunting magical creatures, other wizards became the target. They were considerably less dangerous and had a much higher reward.
Perhaps for reasons of compatibility, a wizard's blood has an irresistible appeal to vampires, it tastes better, and is easier to absorb. Magic grows and changes more rapidly.
Of course, this malevolent act of extermination was immediately condemned and unanimously opposed by all wizards once discovered by the dominant magical society.
The Ministry of Magic quickly passed a law banning the existence of vampires, and the "First Embrace" was classified as forbidden dark magic.
Aurors began arresting vampires, judging them, and even executing them on the spot.
A large number of books on vampire magic were destroyed, and the word "vampire" became a taboo, more malign than "dark wizard," and was not allowed to be mentioned.
Through various large-scale purges, the number of vampires dwindled.
The remaining vampires moved from the surface of the earth to underground and gradually disappeared from people's sight, eventually fading away.
But they did not go extinct. After centuries of development, vampires had fully evolved into a mysterious, complete, and independent existence.
They live in families in unknown places.
The dark magic of the "First Embrace" had been constantly improved and was no longer as difficult as it initially was, which had many limitations, requiring the sacrifice of a large number of creatures to the devil.
Now, if they wish to turn a wizard into a new vampire, vampires only need to suck a certain proportion of their blood, and then use their special magic to inject their own blood back into the other person. If they successfully merge it, the magic is completed.
What has not changed is the level of danger in the entire process, and the initial success rate is very low.
During the first embrace, the selected wizard could die at any moment due to a failed blood merge.
Additionally, the source of the vampire's own strength is blood, and when injected into another's body, it is particularly harmful to them.
Therefore, vampires are very cautious in selecting their subjects and preparing them, rather than wasting the precious "First Embrace" on inappropriate passersby.
The same goes for this vampire in front of Evan. Now she must consider him as food, instead of desiring to give him the "First Embrace."
It is said that vampires can perceive blood scents that are hard to detect by ordinary people and use the magical power contained in it as a criterion to distinguish between good and bad blood.
With Evan's current magical power, the magic within him is stronger than that of most young wizards.
The vampire in front of him, at first glance, seemed to have been hungry for a long time. When she saw the solitary Evan, she couldn't resist approaching him, claiming he smelled like food. She likely saw him precisely as that.