It has now been more than three years since Julian has been reincarnated into this world and he felt like he was still as clueless about it as he was on the day he was born.
Maybe he's exaggerating a bit, but what he learned in the past few years was only limited to the Dracul family.
And the things he learned he had to beg his mother for.
Carmilla told him that the Dracul Family was an Imperial Vampire Family.
This small piece of info greatly shocked Julian, because he knows from his last life that vampire society was really hierarchical.
From Royal vampires at the top, to Noble vampires, and lastly the common vampire.
And because Imperial is higher in rank than royal, the Dracul family is the strongest vampire family in the world.
Carmilla also said that they were the direct offspring of the Progenitor Vampire, Dracula Dracul.
This did not shock Julian as much.
From their standing in the Vampire hierarchy alone, he knew that the only way for their family to be ranked so highly, is if they were direct descendants of the Progenitor.
Carmilla told them that they were currently in the Dracul Family Castle, Arx Immortalis–which means 'Fortress of the Immortal'–on the Vampire Continent.
Since they were vampires, it is only sensible to conclude that there are other races in this world, and the mention of a "Vampire Continent", only strengthened Julian's believe that there were other races.
But "Vampire Continent" means that it's a continent exclusively for vampires, so there must be continents exclusive to other races too, like a Human Continent or a Elven Continent, etc.
At least, that's what Julian thought.
Any other questions that Julian had was completely dodged by Carmilla, saying that Julian will learn more of the world in due time.
Leaving Julian clueless about the world.
********
The room was impeccable, filled with high quality furniture made from red wood that had intricate carvings engraved on them.
The walls were a marble black with crimson carvings in them, giving the room the Gothic feel.
On the queen sized bed sat Carmilla, with her back against the headboard.
Between her legs lay Julian with the back of his head on her stomach, as Carmilla delicately scratched his head, causing Julian to close his eyes in satisfaction.
And between Julian's legs lay Isadora, with her chubby cheeks on Julian's stomach and her arms wrapped around his waist.
This was their routine, cuddling everyday.
At first Julian didn't like being treated like a baby, but he was literally a baby, so there was nothing he could do about it.
Over time he began to accept his mother doting on him, and later he starting seeking out that comfort.
And before long, he already accepted them as his new family without even noticing it.
When he finally noticed it, he didn't go about it like other protagonists he read about, feeling all guilty and taking hundreds of chapters to come to terms with the fact that there are people out there that love him and that he loves them in turn.
No, he fully embraced it.
He never had a family in his previous life, so when one was handed to him on a golden platter, he accepted it without a doubt.
Like the saying goes; "A man that does not take what is given to him, cannot call himself a man."
Calling upon the many quotes he stuck to his bedroom wall in his previous life, Julian justified his easy acceptance of his new life.
And like that 3 years had passed by with Julian growing ever closer to his family with every passing day.
"Mom." Isadora called out.
"Hmm?" Carmilla hummed still stroking Julian's hair.
"Can we go outside?"
"No."
"...B-but why not?" Isadora asked, tears forming in her eyes.
"It's not safe outside."
Julian, with his eyes still closed, listened in without reaction.
He has lost count of how many times those two have been going over the same dialogue along the years.
He, too, wanted to go outside, but he didn't try to convince his mother because he knew that his actions would be futile.
The two of them has never set their foot, nor eyes outside of the room since the day of their birth.
For three years they have been cooped up in this room, unable to go outside and unable to meet new people.
The midwife and maids Julian saw on the day of his birth was the first and last time he has ever seen people other than his parents in this world.
The two of them were not allowed to leave the room or interact with other people, when asked the reason for this, their parents gave them the same answer everytime: it's not safe.
Why it was not safe?
They didn't say.
"...b-but y-you told Jookie that daddy was the strongest, s-so he can protect us."
Feeling his shirt getting wet from Isadora's tears, Julian opened his eyes, stroke the top of her head and in the most broken and pitiful voice he could muster, said:
"D-don't worry Isa. One day we will see the outside world together, Jookie promises you."
Julian felt pathetic for having to put on an act like that and even more so for doing it to make his mother feel guilty.
Alas, sometimes you have to do what you have to do.
Seeing the amount of hurt her actions have caused her children, Carmilla felt a pang of guilt in her heart.
Sigh
She sighed and wrapped her arms around her children.
"Two years... give me two more years and I'll let you see the outside world."
She knew that this wasn't enough, that's why she swiped her hand in the air, and a book appeared out of nowhere which she caught.
"For the time being, you can read this." She said, releasing her hold on them, "this time next year, I'll give you another one."
Julian took the book without ceremony, eager to learn more of this world.
The book was covered with worn out brown leather, on the cover it read: Beings or Beast: A Study of Races.
Julian opened to book and read the first page.
"Written in the South, by Sherman Otto."
"Who is he?" Julian asked his mother.
"The one that wrote the book." Carmilla said matter-of-factly, not at all surprised that her son could read so fluently at such a young age.
"Yeah, but... you know what, never mind." Julian gave up, he wasn't in the mood for whatever that was.
He turned over to the next page that was titled 'Humans'.
"Situated on the southern continent of Nubilia, humans are the most common race in the world.
While their physical characteristics are not particularly impressive, humans have shown the capacity to excel in various topics.
Humans were the first to produce written language, and organized social governing.
They have unlimited potential."
And on the next page was a rough sketch of a human.
"Is that all?" Julian asked Carmilla, who just nodded.
Julian felt wronged, but there was nothing he could do about, so he turned to the next page.
"Elves.
Known for their otherworldly beauty, longevity, and innate affinity for nature and healing–which they gain from worshipping and protecting the world tree.
Their pride and arrogance makes it hard for them to communicate with other races."
Followed by a rough sketch of a elve.
Keeping his frustrations in check, Julian turned to the next page.
"Dragons
A dragon's lifespan is long, they frequently outlive races of similar intellect.
Dragons have a reach history filled with a variety of pain and harmony.
Ultimately, great trials and the decision to engage in countless wars almost led to their extinction.
But before all was lost, five great Dragon Lords stepped forward and shaped the lands the dragons now call home."
Then there were two sketches: one of a human with a tail–a dragon in its humanoid for–and a dragon in its draconic form.
"Demons, Vampires and Werewolves
Various subcategories of these races exist. Most, if not all, are found on the western continent.
Some say they are this versatile because they evolved from the beasts from the void.
Others think they are fallen elves or seraphs driven to hate light.
Without purpose, and reason, they will cause significant damage to all–if not for the combined effort of other races in Nubilia to hold them at bay.
The nature of these races are unknown. Few races interact with them."
Demons, Vampires and Werewolves being the bad guy was nothing new for Julian.
This has been the case in many novels he read, and it seemed that nothing has changed.
Julian turned to the next page, but it was blank. And then another, which was also blank, when it became evident that nothing else was in the book, Julian felt disappointed that his learning spree had to end so quickly.
"Is that all?" He asked his mother.
"Yes, my love." Carmilla said with a smile. "But this is just the first volume."
"Where's the second one?"
"Next year." She said with a cheeky smile.
'Tch.' Julian clicked his tongue inwardly.