Reinhardt Schneider, like Nathan Graves, is another Belmont-family descendant who boasts a deviating surname. Still clearly well before the time of a true 100-year-cycle resurrection of Dracula, the Vampire Killer was passed along to the blood-related faction known as the Schneiders; specifically, the whip found its way into the hands of Michael Gelhart Schneider, who in time passed it down to his son, Reinhardt. As Reinhardt grew up within the system, he was often teased by his schoolmates, as if they couldn't believe that Reinhardt was actually directly in the line of such a famed group of warriors. These experiences polluted Reinhardt's mind with feelings of self-doubt, but as he grew older and gained wisdom, such feelings manifested into a will to prove wrong all of the naysayers. Thanks to the fierce training as endured under his father, Reinhardt was taught the true values of a vampire hunter and a man of God and the Church. Through facing the trials, it was this young man who earned the title of Vampire Hunter and with it the weapons that accompanied the honor.

When the time came, Reinhardt relished the challenge, for he would finally prove to his doubters that he was indeed worthy of the honor that past heroes had accepted. Reinhardt defiantly breached the castle walls and walked upon its evil-inhabited landscape. Along the way, he even found himself a few unlikely allies, like the self-tagged vampire hunting master Charlie Vincent and the demon salesman Renon. The ally who would go on to play the biggest role in his life was Rosa, the resistant but eventually accepting vampire resident of the Villa mansion. Knowing this cold truth, the pained Rosa urged him to leave. Even after preventing her sunlight-assisted suicide attempt did she exude the same tone. When she could no longer resist, her options exhausted, Reinhardt was forced to strike Rosa down in battle.

When Death attempted a cowardly ambush atop the clock tower, Rosa appeared once more to shield him from the attack and absorb the fatal blow. She did believe in him, after all, and he returned the favor by promising the fearing Rosa that God would forgive her tortured soul. Reinhardt would extract his revenge by ruining Dracula's plan and (with a little help) destroying the real Dark Lord. Because of Dracula's defeat and Rosa's will to live, to overcome the curse through forgiveness, Rosa was through divine force allowed to return to this world as she once lived. Through this victory, therein, Reinhardt gained more than just the respect of his peers.

To see Reinhardt in action in Castlevania 64, click here; for Legacy of Darkness, click here.