While I focused on my projects the other students seemed to care a lot more about the attack. Some argued they should have their own guards. I found that notion somewhat silly. Ilestria had not targeted any of them. We were all trained to fight and the teachers were veterans. Besides, the students had no trouble to go drinking in town on Soldays. Something that was far less secure than staying at the academy.

  I tried my best to avoid the children of the dukes. Thankfully Archibald kept his distance, he seemed genuinely distraught about Eva’s disappearance. Florence was mostly with him. Valeria inquired about my health but I could easily fend her off with a few words and smiles.

  Leo… Leo was right in front of me, in a hallway, and it seemed I would have to endure a conversation.

  “Koyuki, I have a proposal for you.” He said.

  I suppressed a sigh and responded. “What is it?”

  “My family is willing to buy out your contract with the crown. I know that you have agreed to serve for ten years. It is clear that the academy has lost its touch and cannot guarantee your safety. My family can.” He proposed.

  “Really? And then what? You would expect me to become your wife? Give up my training?” I asked.

  “You would become my wife, yes. We would hire a private tutor for your training, and mine. But you would be safe. We have good security and a lot of guards. We could also provide you with plenty of corpses.”

  He looked serious. I had no idea what world he lived in that he thought I would accept such a thing. Also, why did he think the king would accept? “No thanks. I like it here.” I responded.

  “I can offer you a better future.” He tried.

  The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.

  I shook my head. “No, you really can’t. I like my current future.”

  Then I walked away. Nobles could be so exhausting to deal with.

  Having escaped the social interaction I made my way to the corpse. It had been a few days since Cassie had announced her plan and today she was ready. Skadi and Helena were here too.

  They were carrying a barrel as I arrived.

  “Is this ale for a celebration?” I wondered.

  “No, this is the blood.” Skadi replied.

  I looked at the barrel. It was kind of big. Oh well, we wanted to soak the corpse.

  The dead assassin was already inside a tub. I noticed some runes were cut on the inside.

  “What are those runes?” I asked.

  “Oh, Irene helped me with those. She organised the tub when we explained that we did not need her to keep the body frozen anymore. After a discussion with Gronir she instructed me how to prepare the tub.” Helena explained.

  “And what do those runes do?” I asked.

  “She said something about preservation. They help to chill the blood. I think your draugr cat can help to keep them powered.” Cassie said.

  Runes for enchantments were not a topic we had learned about so far. I guess this was not a true enchantment but it was impressive.

  “Wow. You girls are going all out helping me. Thank you!” I said to my friends.

  “We are a team, after all.” Helena replied with a smile.

  Cassie and Skadi nodded.

  Then we went to work. We poured the prepared blood into the tub. Helena started chilling it and empowering the runes. Skadi started the circulation. Cassie and myself watched.

  “That blood looks strange.” I said.

  Cassie nodded. “Well, I modified it. See those sparkly bits? That is from the seed. There are still some pieces in there. They can’t sprout and form a plant but Skadi will direct them to strategic parts inside the body. They will help to keep the blood infused with mana and will slowly dissolve over the next weeks. Horas helped me with it.”

  “Amazing.” I replied. She had really worked hard on this. Cassie was far beyond me in alchemy. I was considering dropping the class next year. I knew some basic potions for enhancing undead, but if I wanted something truly great it was better to consult an expert. And Cassie was rapidly becoming one.

  Once the corpse was prepared I instructed the cats with Skadi and Cassie’s help. Nyx was observing the whole process from my head. She started purring as her fellow cats got involved. Once we were finished I placed my magical skeleton next to the door, as a guard. Then we locked the door. My new minion was still a few weeks away from rising. I had plans to check regularly but for now I had to wait. Well, I still had a few spells to practice. And exams to prepare for. The next few weeks would be busy.