I was really nervous, more so than during the exams. Maybe it was a good thing that we did it spontaneously. If we had set a date I might not have slept the night before.

  I stood in front of the corpse, my friends were behind me. They placed their hands on my back to form a connection for our joint casting. The undead cats were still here and helped circulate the blood while I cast the spell. Nyx… Nyx was on my head, observing the process.

  I took a deep breath. I tried to envision the undead I wanted. Fierce, loyal but free. An ally, a companion, a friend. I started forming the runes in my head and drew mana from my core. I felt my friends powering their own runes. I combined our efforts and released the magic.

  The spell was different than simply raising a tier one or two. I needed to channel it for a while. I needed to keep the mana flowing while the undead was created. While I had to concentrate on the runes I tried to observe the corpse as well.

  It had been well preserved and thoroughly cleaned. Slowly it began to change. I could feel the magic circulating inside the corpse. I could feel the pathways we had created with our preparation. The burnt flesh healed as it absorbed the mana. The damaged skin was replaced with a new pale one.

  Then the magic reached the hair. While it turned black it had some deep red highlights in it. That was a surprise and I almost lost my concentration. I refocused on the runes as the final part began. The formation of a new soul, a new being, Hatsumi.

  All my focus was now on the spell, to hold the runes in my head. To ensure they were perfectly formed. I heard heavy breathing behind me as my friends poured all their mana into the spell. I was starting to sweat as I pushed myself. I felt a new presence. A new mind. A force trying to break free, to shatter the spell. I kept focusing on my runes while I fought for control.

  Then it completed. The bond formed and settled. I was exhausted. I almost fell as I tried to take a step forward but one of my friends steadied me. Nyx jumped from my head. I guess she did not appreciate an unsteady ride. Cassie offered me a bottle of something. I accepted it and began to drink.

  “Thanks, what is that?” I asked. It had a subtle flavour of lemon.

  “It’s something I came up with when I exhaust myself. My own personal recipe.” Cassie said.

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  She had given a bottle to everyone and we are all recovering. I could see sweat on everyone's face.

  “Did it work?” Helena asked with some excitement.

  “I think so, yes.” I replied and looked at the corpse. Former corpse.

  Slowly the new undead began to sit up and look around. I could see her eyes now. While the iris was red, the sclera and the pupil were pitch black. If it were not for the eyes she looked like a living foxkin, just with rather pale skin.

  She tilted her head as she studied us. I could feel the link in our head. I could feel curiosity.

  “Meow?” The undead… asked?

  I stared at her in disbelief.

  “Um, is she… is she unable to talk?” Skadi asked.

  Then the undead blinked. “Huh. Why did I do that?” She wondered.

  I looked at Nyx, who sat on the floor, looking innocent. “Nyx, was that a prank?”

  She licked her paw.

  “Nyx?” The undead asked. “Oh, what a cute kitty! Oh, but where are my manners? I am… I am… Hatsumi?”

  “Yes! Hello Hatsumi!” I said, then I simply hugged her.

  “Oh. That feels nice.” She replied.

  “This is so cool!” Helena commented.

  “How much do you know? What can you do?” Cassie asked, excitedly.

  “I… I am not sure. I have some information. It.. it is all rather overwhelming.” Hatsumi said, then studied me. “I can feel our connection… Mistress.”

  “Um, you don’t have to call me that. Koyuki is fine.” I replied. Our hug ended and I took a step back.

  Hatsumi rose from the box she had been in. Her body was wet from being frozen. There was still some blood left too but she seemed to absorb it into her skin.

  My eyes widened as I noticed one miscalculation. And I was not the only one.

  “We forgot to prepare clothes.” Skadi observed.

  We were all girls here but she needed clothes to walk around. And we had nothing prepared in her size. A clear oversight. She was only slightly larger than me, so maybe I could lend her something.

  Hatsumi pondered that. “Clothes…” Then she froze the water still covering her skin. It turned into translucent ice to cover her chest and lower body.

  “That might work for now but we need to get you real clothes. I apologize for not thinking about that.” I apologized and hung my head. A blunder like that was not the first impression I wanted to make.

  “So, how do you feel about being an undead?” Skadi asked, changing the topic.

  “Hm. Koyuki killed this body and gave it to me. I appreciate that. I do feel grateful. I also have an urge to protect Koyuki.” She mused.

  “Gave you this body? Aren’t you, like, new? Did you exist before?” Helena asked.

  “I don’t remember existing. I guess I am new.” Hatsumi said, while inspecting her body. She ran her hand along her skin, then she poked herself in the arm.

  “While you are my undead I don't want to force you. I hope we can work together. I hope…” Hatsumi held up her hand to interrupt me.

  She looked at me and smiled. “It’s ok. I am happy working for you mistr… Koyuki.”