“So, do you know what sort of undead you are?” Cassie asked.

  Hatsumi frowned. “Shouldn’t you know that? I… I think you all were part of my raising. Hm. Looking at all of you I feel some form of gratitude towards everyone.”

  “We all helped, it was a joint casting!” Helena said.

  “It was more than that.” I added. “Cassie’s alchemy was crucial in preparing the blood properly. Skadi helped with that and designed the circulation. Helena was involved in preserving the corpse with cold magic. It was a team effort.”

  “I see. So, Koyuki, what sort of undead did you make?” Hatsumi asked with a smile.

  My tail swished nervously. “So, I was mostly focused on the tier three part. We did prepare your corpse somewhat similar to the vampiric undead I have raised. But your body had a light affinity and was quite powerful. Actually, do you think Erik would measure her core?” I asked my friends.

  “Erik?” Hatsumi inquired.

  “Erik Hailstorm, the headmaster.” I clarified.

  “It would be interesting. I do feel my core. I seem to be able to draw some mana but I do not know many spells.” Hatsumi said while levitating a small piece of ice.

  “Telekinesis is a good basic spell. It is one of the basics.” Helena said.

  “Do you have inborn abilities too? Hey, your teeth! Do you have vampire teeth?” Cassie asked.

  Hatsumi opened her mouth and used her tongue to feel her teeth. Two of them seemed a bit longer.

  “I suppose I do.” Hatsumi said.

  “Did we create a true vampire? Awesome!” Helena said.

  “I can try to teach you some blood magic. Actually, you can take the same classes I do next year.” Skadi suggested.

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  “Um, don’t drink anyone's blood. I think that would cause problems. If you need some, we can look for a solution. I have to ask Gronir if there are any dangers to your bite.” I said.

  “I think your bond will provide enough that I won’t go hungry. But I think I would enjoy eating. Hm. I wonder if I can eat normal food?” She mused.

  “That should be easy enough to try. We can go to the mess hall, after we find you some clothes.” I decided. “Oh, we also have to inform the teachers of your existence.”

  “Koyuki, why don’t you tell one of the teachers while I get her some clothes? Skadi and Cassie can stay with her until we return.” Helena suggested.

  I nodded. “Sounds sensible, I will try to find Gronir. He might have some insights and maybe he has a book about vampires.”

  So far it had all worked better than expected. I was a bit tired but my excitement kept me wide awake. I hurried towards Gronirs office. Maybe telling the headmaster first would be more appropriate but Gronir was the expert on undead.

  I knocked on his door.

  “Come in.”

  I entered and he smiled. “Ah, Koyuki. I guess you are excited about creating your new tier three. This is a delicate procedure, I can help you with the final prep…” He looked at my face, which was blushing a bit. He sighed. “You already raised your tier three I take it?”

  “Yes, sir! I, uh, I am a senior mage now so I thought it would be fine…” I said.

  “Well, you were allowed to do it, yes. And I admit that you spent a lot of time and resources preparing. So you did nothing wrong, technically. But it might have been a good idea to inform a teacher, in case something went wrong. Anyway, it worked?”

  “Yes! We did a joint casting and created a vampire!” I announced.

  He looked at me, stroking his beard. “A vampire. Are you sure?”

  “Well, she has the teeth. She did absorb some blood that was left from the casting. She is a tier three and has a core.” I replied.

  “She could be a normal undead with blood powers. Although the teeth are curious.” Gronir said.

  “Are there other undead with blood powers?” I asked.

  “Skadi is not a vampire, yet she has blood powers. There are undead blood mages who are not vampires. Actually, there are vampires who are not really mages too. While they all have a core and any true vampire is a tier three, some use their mana only for their inborn abilities. Let’s see what you have created.” He stood up and I led him towards the lab.

  We walked in silence while my thoughts were racing. Was she not a vampire? What abilities did a true vampire have? If she was one, could she create more? Would they be bound to me?

  As we arrived I realized that Helena had returned. Hatsumi now wore a first year uniform.

  “Sir, this is Hatsumi. Hatsumi, this is my teacher, Gronir.” I introduced them.

  Hatsumi stood and gave a small bow. “Thank you for teaching her. I would likely not be here otherwise.”

  “It’s a pleasure meeting you.” Gronir replied. “Koyuki tells me you might be a vampire?”

  “I do not know what I am.” Hatsumi answered. “But I know the word vampire and I certainly have a connection to blood.”

  “We used vampiric nightshade seeds in your blood.” Cassie pointed out.

  Gronir nodded. “The way the blood was prepared was unusual. You did a joint casting and Skadi has blood magic. But actually raising a vampire… I had my doubts. Now? I can’t say for certain but it seems possible. The changes to your eyes and hair are rather remarkable.”

  “Is there a way to find out what she is?” I asked.

  “The most defining characteristic of vampires is their bite. We would need a creature to test that.” Gronir answered.