Despite the threat of more work we spent the evening celebrating. Two of us were now senior mages, an accomplishment for a second year. Actually, did we count as second year students already? There was still a nice break before the new school year would start. And a new undead I had to create.

  The school itself was in a good mood. We were still waiting for the results from the written exams but most students celebrated already. Only a few were concerned about not making it. But one important question remained: “What are we going to do during the break?” I asked my friends.

  “My invitation stands. You should join me when I visit my father! We can go hunting in the mountains and I can show you our hot springs!” Helena suggested.

  “My mother won’t be pleased but I would prefer the north over going home.” Cassie mused.

  “We could invite Derrick. If he drops by for a few days it would help with your mother. She still thinks he is courting you.” Skadi proposed.

  “Hm, that could work.” Cassie said.

  “I am fine with that. I am sure my father would agree.” Helena said.

  “I would like to see your home, Helena. When do you want to leave?” I asked.

  “Well, we should get the results tomorrow and then the school year officially ends. Afterwards we have to create your undead. I need to organize the trip, book a carriage for us… I think it will be at least a week until we can go. And it will take us another week to reach my home.” Helena answered.

  “The break is 11 weeks long so we have plenty of time. I want to meet my parents but maybe they can arrange a visit to your county. They do a lot of business in the north.” Skadi said.

  “It will be nice to not have to worry about politics for a few weeks.” I mused.

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  Helena looked at me. “So… about that…”

  “Your father is not very political, right?” I asked.

  “He is not. But remember that Duke Winston, Archibald’s father, is our liege lord. And Duke Harold is interested in our county. They might send people to meet you. I hope we can avoid them but you should know about the possibility before you accompany me.” Helena explained.

  “That sucks, I still want to visit you though. Staying here, alone, would be boring and I bet they would hound me even more.” I replied.

  Helena smiled. “We are going to have fun, politics or not!”

  We all agreed on that.

  The next day the results were revealed. All of us passed, as expected. But that was not all. The headmaster held a small speech, revealing our promotion to senior mage.

  Some students were complaining, thinking they could have achieved the same rank but were not given a chance. Others tried to immediately talk to us, or invite us. As I saw Leo approach I immediately fled, I was in no mood for another conversation.

  I retreated to the lab with the foxkin corpse. The two cats were still sitting on top of it, keeping the spells going. I touched the cold body.

  “Soon you will rise, Hatsumi.” I whispered.

  Then the door opened. I turned around and saw my friends enter.

  “It’s madness!” Helena complained. “I am afraid I will get marriage proposals now that I am a senior mage.”

  “I think Leo has a renewed interest in you as well.” Cassie said.

  “Oh? Has he given up on me?” I wondered.

  “No. He probably just figures he can marry one of you and keep the other as a concubine.” Skadi said.

  I stared at her.

  “What? You know him, that is exactly something he would consider.” Skadi pointed out.

  “She is not wrong.” Helena said. “I am the daughter of a count but not the heir. It would not be uncommon for someone of my status to be the concubine of a more powerful noble.”

  “Maybe we should feed Leo to Nyx.” I joked.

  “Meow.”

  “Or to your new vampire! We are all here, should we just do this?” Cassie asked.

  “Uh, does everyone know the spell I showed you? I want to do a joint casting so I can compensate for my inexperience with more mana.” I said.

  Skadi pulled a piece of paper from her pocket. “I even have the runes here. But I feel confident. All that practice has helped.”

  “Let’s do this! I don't want to go out there right now. It will be a good distraction.” Helena said.

  It felt a bit spontaneous, after all the time preparing so carefully. Then again, our preparations were complete. I was now officially a senior mage and had the permission to raise a tier three. All of us were here and the body was ready.

  “Okay, let’s do this!” I said.

  “Meow.” Nyx agreed.