While the teachers continued their investigation, I returned to my room. On the way I noticed several students watching me and whispering. I suppose the teachers rushing to the training area were noticed by someone. We would have a lot of rumors floating around tomorrow. Of course, a part of me wondered if one of those watching was my enemy. Who had led this man into the academy and given him the potion?

  Once I reached my room my friends welcomed me with a hug. They had been waiting for me to return. I quickly told them what had happened in the training room.

  “They tried to kill you? Inside the academy? We have to find those bastards!” Helena proclaimed.

  “Helena is right, but how? Do you think the rat spies might still work?” Skadi asked.

  “At least the cats have helped, somehow. I still want to know what the vampiric one did and why.” I said.

  “We need a counter if they try this again.” Cassie said, then looked at Skadi. “Maybe we can figure something out with our blood magic. I will talk to Horas once he has analysed the potion. I don’t think he will object if I want to help.”

  “I will certainly keep practicing my water shield. Who knows what they are going to explode next.” I said.

  “Wise. But we can’t keep reacting. Do you think we could lure them into a trap?” Helena wondered.

  I shrugged. “I don’t see how. Whoever is behind this works through others. It does not look like this agent will personally attack me. Nyx, the poison, the bomb… all were indirect attacks.”

  “True. But the man who blew up has entered the academy somehow. We could interview the guards.” Skadi proposed.

  “I am sure the teachers are doing that. Erik seemed rather upset.” I said.

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  “It’s just so frustrating.” Helena said. “It feels like we are just waiting for them to succeed.”

  “I am not going to die that easily!” I tried to reassure her. Of course, my survival so far had quite a bit of luck involved. Maybe I had to get stronger but I was already training a lot.

  In the end there was not anything we could do right now, so we decided it was time for bed. I took a quick shower first. My cats, led by Nyx, kept watch. Then all three of them joined me in bed. Despite today’s events I felt rather safe and fell asleep quickly.

  I opened my eyes and was surrounded by a black fog. Strange. A giant face appeared before me. A cat. Purple eyes studied me.

  “Meow.” It said.

  “Meow.” I responded.

  A giant paw patted me on the head. Then the cat purred.

  I woke up, confused. What a weird dream. Was that giant cat Nyx? She was curled up on top of my blanket. Actually, did Nyx sleep? Well she was a cat, but did she need sleep? Or was she just doing it for fun?

  Anyway, it was just a dream. No reason to read too much into it. I got up and stretched.

  As I was having breakfast with my friends, Valeria appeared. “Koyuki! I am so glad that you are ok. I heard there was another attempt on your life!”

  “Some tried to explode her.” Cassie commented.

  “Clearly the academy is not what it used to be.” Archibald commented. Of course he was here as well. Children of dukes seemed to move in herds.

  “In many ways…” Florence added, staring at me.

  “Ilestria is getting bold. We cannot accept them coming after necromancers. A strong reaction is needed.” Leo said. Our table was getting crowded.

  “I am sure the culprit will be found and punished.” I commented.

  “How was the bomb planted? I heard some nonsense about a zombie but clearly Ilestria would not use undead.” Leo said.

  I shook my head. “There was no zombie. I am sure the teachers will announce any relevant information. I do not want to hinder their investigation.”

  “As a necromancer I certainly have a right to know. I need to protect myself.” Leo said.

  I did not think that Ilestria was overly concerned with him but I understood the desire to protect oneself. I decided to leave it to the teachers. I certainly was no expert in investigations. But I knew that giving the assassin more information was bad. Right now, that person would not know why they failed. Or that we recovered some of the potion.

  “Sorry, if you want details you will have to ask the headmaster. He is personally looking into this.” I said.

  “I will.” Leo said, looking angry.

  “I bet she told her girlfriends everything though. Maybe they are the ones responsible? Trouble in your little harem?” Jack suggested, while leering.

  I looked at him. “I understand that Archibald might require you to bend over, regularly. But not everyone has such a relationship.”

  Helena spit out her coffee because she started laughing. It landed right on Florence’s shirt.

  Florence shrieked.

  “How dare you!” Jack took a step forward, but stopped when Nyx stared at him with glowing eyes.