We kept eating and drinking. Cassie was just refilling her beer when she asked: “So, how will the new undead fit into our group?”

  “What do you mean?” I asked.

  “Well, is it going to be a frontline fighter, or a mage? Focusing on support, command…” Cassie wondered.

  “Oh. No idea. I won’t know her personality, or skills, until she rises. I think she could join us in classes and learn with us. Then we shall see what happens.” I replied.

  “I am flexible.” Helena said. “I don’t want to become a spellblade but I am working on ranged spells and my melee skills. With ice magic I can create reasonable defenses for close quarters, if needed. But I can also provide long range firepower. Depending on the new undead I might focus more on one aspect.”

  Skadi nodded. “We do have a good setup. Once I am a spellblade I should be a great tank and bodyguard for everyone else. Cassie’s alchemy is very flexible and can help in a lot of ways. Koyuki provides a large army and Helena can support them with either offensive or defensive magic. She is also good enough in close quarters to help deal with assassins.”

  I took a sip from my beer. “Why is a defensive fighter called a tank?”

  Skadi blinked. “I have no idea.”

  “I think it might have been a word from an old language.” Cassie mused.

  “Wasn’t it named after some knight? Who held a small passage against an overwhelming force?” Helena wondered.

  “Eh, who cares. But I am gonna be a tank!” Skadi declared, raising her mug.

  “To our tank!” I clinked my mug with hers and the others joined in.

  “Meow.”

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  We looked at Nyx. “She is a tank too, I suppose.” I said.

  “Sort of. We will have to see what magic she can develop. Her cloud and breath can be rather powerful. Imagine if she could cover an entire field in mist. Death mist.” Helena mused.

  Nyx sat up straighter and nodded along. She was on the back of Chariot, in her box.

  “The next year will certainly be exciting. Do you think we will get a lot of extra classes again?” I wondered.

  Cassie groaned. “I hope not!”

  “If they keep up the extra classes we are going to finish in three years, instead of four.” Skadi said.

  “Don’t worry, they will make up new classes just to screw with us.” Helena complained.

  “Maybe they will give us some field work.” I mused.

  “Ohhh, more undead!” Helena said, while refilling her mug.

  I looked at mine. It was empty too. I refilled it.

  “If I can get enough we could have my new one lead a group herself.” I mused.

  “If she is a vampiric undead and a tier three, will she be a vampire?” Skadi asked.

  “Um, maybe? We will have to see what we create. Her own affinity could matter but it will likely be replaced by blood and death. Actually, we need a name. Or should she choose one herself?” I scratched my head. “She will be intelligent but I don’t know what sort of knowledge she has. I think giving her name might be a nice thing.”

  “I think a name is appropriate. You are her mother, sort of.” Helena said.

  “Um, more like her boss. Or employer, I think. Creator, that is a good word. I am her creator.” I decided.

  “Anyway, what sort of name are you thinking about? A normal one?” Cassie asked.

  “If she is a vampire you need something suitably dark. And regal. Once you rise to power she might be a noble in your court.” Skadi suggested.

  “I think a normal name is better. I have no intention of ruling anything.” I replied.

  “What about something exotic? Like your name. Koyuki is not common.” Helena suggested.

  “I think it’s from Kitara, apparently dark foxkin are from there.” I replied.

  “Do you know any other names from the region?” Helena asked.

  “Hm. Irene was looking into some tales about guardians.” I looked at Nyx. “She thought Nyx is special, and she is a tier three. But there might be something more to her. Anyway, I have read a bit about Kitara since. I remember one name, Hatsumi.”

  “Hatsumi the vampire queen!” Cassie said.

  Skadi nodded. “Sounds exotic, mysterious, it fits.”

  “It does sound nice and I am sure she will appreciate it. You know, I have looked at this new undead more as a tool but she will be a person. Hopefully a good friend.” Helena said.

  “True.” Skadi added.

  “To Hatsumi, our future friend!” Cassie shouted, while raising her mug.

  “To Hatsumi!” We replied.

  “Meow!”

  We spent some more time drinking and eating. At midnight the beer garden put on a small show, the torches started changing colors and burning brighter for a short duration. After that we went home. We were all rather tipsy at that point. Cassie was leaning heavily on Skadi on the way back. But we arrived without any trouble.

  I remembered to drink some water before bed. Then I curled up in it, snuggling with my tail. I fell asleep quickly.