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The Ghoul’s Gambit: An Evening with Dracula at the Table

In a world where the line between reality and fantasy blurs, one casino stands out from the rest—The Carpathian Club. This luxurious establishment in the heart of an Eastern European city is not just a gambling den; it’s a place where history meets horror. As the night falls, patrons find themselves drawn into an eerie ambiance that whispers of ancient bloodlines and darker secrets.

The Atmosphere

Upon entering The Carpathian Club, the first thing one notices is the dimly lit atmosphere enhanced by flickering Dracula chandeliers hanging from a ceiling adorned with cobwebs. The walls are lined with dark wood panels, and the air is thick with an unexplained aura of mystery. This is not your ordinary casino; it’s a place where the past and present intertwine in unsettling ways.

The club is divided into several sections, each catering to different tastes. The roulette table, draped in red velvet, stands at one end, surrounded by plush armchairs for players who wish to experience luxury. Opposite this area lies a blackjack pit, its atmosphere more tense and strategic. The craps table, with its rhythmic clatter of dice, offers a fast-paced thrill that draws gamblers into its quick game.

But the centerpiece of the casino is undoubtedly the poker room, where tales of high-stakes gambling have led to whispers of supernatural occurrences. Here, players gather around a grand mahogany table that seems to exude an otherworldly presence. The air in this section thickens with anticipation and the scent of cigar smoke, adding to the overall eerie ambiance.

Encounters with Dracula

It is within these hallowed walls that something truly extraordinary happens—on a night when a player named Jonathan Vane arrives at the Carpathian Club. A man of mysterious origins, Jonathan has traveled far and wide in search of the ultimate thrill, only to find it in this enigmatic establishment.

As the evening progresses, an unusual figure begins to appear among the crowd. This is Count Dracula, a pale gentleman with sharp features and eyes that seem to pierce through the darkness. He moves gracefully around the room, his presence both charismatic and chilling. His interest lies not just in gambling but in the thrill of the game itself.

Jonathan Vane finds himself seated at the poker table, drawn by a strange allure. As he plays, Dracula takes notice. The count approaches him with an air of quiet confidence, offering to share some advice or perhaps even place a bet. At first, Jonathan is wary, but there’s something compelling about the way Dracula speaks—a mix of wisdom and menace that draws him in.

The stakes grow higher as the game continues. Jonathan begins to feel a strange connection to the count, as if he’s part of an old-world ritual. The atmosphere grows thick with tension, and it becomes clear that this is no ordinary game. As night deepens, the rules blur, and the lines between reality and legend become increasingly thin.

The Supernatural Tilt

As the game reaches its climax, a series of strange occurrences begin to unfold. Cards are dealt in reverse order, and tokens appear and disappear in the blink of an eye. It becomes evident that something supernatural is at play. Jonathan’s heart races as he realizes that Dracula has not just been offering him tips; he’s subtly manipulating the game.

The tension reaches its peak when a mysterious figure—revealed to be Count Dracula himself—steps into the center of the room, his eyes glowing with an inner light. He announces that the game will continue but with a twist: the winner will receive something much more valuable than money—a fragment of the count’s own legacy.

The final round is intense, filled with dramatic moments and unexpected twists. In a stunning conclusion, Jonathan emerges victorious. As he collects his prize, he finds a small vial containing a dark liquid—supposedly a piece of Dracula’s essence. The experience leaves him shaken but exhilarated, knowing that this night will forever change the way he looks at gambling and its connections to the supernatural.

The Aftermath

The next morning, Jonathan Vane wakes up in his hotel room with a lingering sense of unease. He knows that the events of last night were not just a dream but a testament to the intertwining of reality and fantasy in The Carpathian Club. The vial remains in his possession as a reminder of an evening where the line between man and monster was blurred, and the thrill of gambling took on a whole new meaning.

For those who visit The Carpathian Club, the memories of Jonathan Vane’s encounter with Dracula serve as a testament to the enduring appeal of gambling. Whether it is the allure of high-stakes games or the sense of something more profound lurking just beyond the shadows, these experiences leave an indelible mark on the minds and souls of those who dare to venture into this darkened realm.

The Carpathian Club continues to thrive as a place where the boundaries between reality and fantasy are tested. It is not just about winning or losing; it’s about embracing the unknown and experiencing the thrill of the ghoul’s gambit.

Who We Are?


Have you ever wondered what you might excel at exceeding your expectation and others? We, unfortunately, young or old, could potentially misjudge and mis-assess our own strengths and weaknesses.

When we misjudge ourselves or lack self-awareness, our unique qualities as individuals are ignored. In turn, the chance to become successful may slip out of our reach. We at 1st Guru, are a group of thriving young professionals, who have not only succeeded academically but currently thrive in our selected careers. 

With an understanding of at least two cultures and very different people we met on our journey, we have not only built upon everything we have learned but also everyday scenarios. We have always strived to build important friendships, work connections and personal relationships to make our process personalised.

We want to share with you the wisdom we have gained along this journey, helping you to make the right decisions and impressions when you try to embark on your studies at your ideal university.

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Our Mission


Our mission is to help you turn your university and career dreams into reality. Our approach to achieving this is to focus on your long-term career goals and capabilities from the very start.

Our process also helps to identify your strengths, weaknesses and opportunities so that we can build a comprehensive strategy to get you into your ideal university.

We want to help you make the right decision to set you on the path of success towards your ideal career.

Together, we’ll identify what matters to you most in your future and help you reach where you belong!

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Our Story


Most of our advisors are from outside the UK with English as our second language, though despite this, we have studied at top-ranked UK universities and are currently fulfilling challenging positions within both UK and US industry-leading companies.

The journey from where we were before to where we are now has not been a straight path. Through our differences in culture, background and race, we have learned that we have one thing in common: passion for what we do professionally.

Being passionate about what we do is the simplest, most important element of our character.

It is this passion that drives us to help you pursue and secure your place in the area of study and work that you are most interested in. Using our unique experiences and perspectives, we can provide an insider advantage so that you can stay ahead and lead on your selected path.

We hope to help you with one of the most profound life decisions you are about to make, which will ripple through your adulthood.
With various offices across the world, we guarantee the same energetic vibe and stand united in our shared goal to empower 1st Guru students to be the best that they can possibly be.

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Admission Process 1


Let us know about you! By filling out the free consultation form, we can learn more about you, your goals and interests.

Please provide as much information as you can as this will guide us towards identifying the best opportunities and tests for you.

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Admission Process 2


Note down the application deadlines for your universities and courses as well as the entry requirements. These may include academic qualifications, language proficiency (e.g. IELTS or TOEFL scores), and prerequisites for certain subjects. Make sure to review these requirements carefully before applying. 

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Admission Process 3


Prepare your application as your application will typically include the following components:

  • Personal details: Your full name, contact information, and nationality.
  • Education history: Details of your previous education, including transcripts and exam results.
  • Personal statement: A written statement that outlines your motivation for studying the chosen course, your career goals, and why you're a suitable candidate.
  • References: Letters of recommendation from teachers, professors, or employers who can attest to your academic and personal qualities.
  • Proof of English proficiency: If English is not your first language, you'll need to provide evidence of your language proficiency, such as IELTS or TOEFL scores.

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Admission Process 4


Register in the UCAS Hub and complete the registration questions, confirming key details such as the year you want to start your studies (and that you are interested in ‘Undergraduate’ level of study).

In the UCAS Hub dashboard, you’ll see a title called Your application’ which is where you can begin your application. There is substantial information required here so be sure to give yourself plenty of time to take breaks and come back to it, to get everything right. 

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Admission Process 5


Review your application thoroughly and then submit it. Before it can be sent off to any universities/colleges, you’ll need to get a reference and pay your application fee. You will need to find a suitable referee, whether a teacher or an employer. We will advise you on this. The application fee is unfortunately not refundable. 

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Admission Process 6


Once you've submitted your application, you'll need to wait for the universities to review it and make their decisions. If you're successful, you'll receive a conditional or unconditional offer. You'll need to accept an offer within the specified deadline to secure your place. 

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Admission Process 7


As an international student, you'll need to apply for a UK student visa (Student Visa, previously Tier 4 (General)). This process involves providing proof of your acceptance at a UK university, evidence of your financial support, and other relevant documentation. 

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Admission Process 8


Once you've received your visa, it's time to arrange accommodation and prepare for your move to the UK. Research housing options, book your travel, and familiarise yourself with the local customs, culture, lifestyle and living costs. 

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Step 1: Getting To Know You


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Step 2: Assessing Your Aptitude


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Step 3: Meeting Your Advisor


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Step 4: Selecting & Applying


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Step 5: Preparing for Your Interviews


As a crucial step in the process, we'll collaborate to guarantee you hear back from at least one university for an interview.

Together, we'll thoroughly analyse your application, supplying you with pertinent interview questions. Our numerous mock interviews will considerably boost your chances of acceptance, enabling you to present yourself as the ideal candidate.

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Step 6: Offer Received


Well done! You can now relax and wait to hear back from the universities you’ve applied to.

Most of 1st Guru’s students receive more than two offers from their application!

You’ll be pleased to know that our stress-free university consulting has a 97% success rate!

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Choose the right MBA programme


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