CHAPTER 417: A new School Year

On the first day of the new school-year we found ourselves on the parade square facing the headmaster, as usual. It was interesting seeing the nervousness of some of the first-years. For me the academy felt like home.

"Students, welcome to the Royal Military Academy!" Erik said, as he addressed the crowd. "Our nation faces many threats: There are the warmongering Ilestrians to the west. Then we have the undead and beast incursions in the north. Even inside our own borders we have wild vampiric nightshades and criminals who destabilise the land! During your time here you will learn how to fight and you will learn how to lead, so you can help to keep this nation safe."

He paused as his gaze swept over the first-year students, then he continued: "You will also learn how to follow orders! Your titles and your status do not place you above the teachers. If you disobey them, there will be consequences! Further, I need to address one student: Koyuki."

My eyes widened, since I hadn't expected to be called out like that.

"She is the most promising necromancer on the continent and controls quite a few tier three undead. Don't provoke them. Furthermore, Koyuki herself is already a senior mage." He pulled a white crystal ball from his robe. "Koyuki, approach."

I moved from the formation and walked in front of the headmaster, then I saluted. "Sir."

"We shall test your core, put your hand on measuring orb and channel your mana into it." He said.

I did as I was told and watched it fill. It went above the grand mage line.

"Ah, it seems that we have a grand mage as a third year now." Erik said. "However, there is more to it than your core size, you need to demonstrate the ability to cast more complex spells. Gronir."

Gronir stepped forward. "I can confirm that her necromancy qualifies. She has created complex undead by herself and with joint castings. Furthermore she has demonstrated the ability to modify spell runes."

"Very well." Erik said and looked at me. "Congratulations, grand mage."

"Thank you, sir!" I said and saluted again.

He dismissed me with a gesture and I returned to the formation. Then the headmaster continued: "If any of the older students think they have reached a threshold you can come to me afterwards and have your core tested. Now, you have your schedules for the day, dismissed!"

"Congratulations!" Helena said.

"Thanks, are you getting yourself tested?" I asked.

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She shook her head. "While my core has grown over the last year I am no senior mage."

While we were talking I looked for my other friends and spotted Skadi dragging Cassie towards the headmaster.

"I am surprised that Cassie doesn't look more excited. Surely she will be a senior mage by now." I said.

"I think she is concerned that she won't have a big enough core and will be the only normal mage in our group." Helena replied.

"That's silly, there is nothing wrong with having a smaller core and I doubt that she will fail to qualify. You know, she chose alchemy because her core size was less relevant but alchemy does use mana. The amount of potions she creates and the quality show that she does have some power." I said.

"Really? I guess you know more, you had alchemy in the first year." Helena replied.

We didn't have to wait long before a smug Skadi and a slightly embarrassed Cassie joined us.

"We are senior mages now." Skadi said. "Horas had quite the praise for the complexity of Cassie's potions, which qualify as complex magic. Not that she needed that, since we have already done joint castings."

"Ok, you were right…" Cassie mumbled.

"Congratulations!"

I turned around and saw Valeria.

"Thanks! Cassie and Skadi are now senior mages." I replied.

"Oh? Congratulations to you two as well. That's quite impressive, we have a grand mage and three senior mages in the third year now. And none of you are royals or from a ducal line." Valeria paused. "Well, I guess Cassie is loosely related to the Ashfields."

"I am surprised Leo hasn't appeared yet. He will probably try to get Koyuki even harder now." Skadi said.

"He is in line to get himself tested, maybe we can just leave quickly enough. What's our first class again?" I asked.

"That would be the basics of logistics in 15 minutes, Mistress." Hatsumi said.

"Aren't you curious if Leo will become a senior mage?" Valeria asked.

"No, I don't really care." I replied.

"If he becomes one he could get a tier three licence." Rose pointed out.

"Poor tier three, but nothing I could do about it." I said.

"Unless he trips and falls into Nyx's mouth." Garm's left head said.

"Meow." Nyx agreed while sitting on Garm's right head.

We began to walk towards our first class, which sounded rather boring. Then again, not everything could be exciting, like necromancy. And logistics were important, even though an undead army worked a bit differently.

Leo arrived just before the class began and he didn't look pleased. The lesson itself wasn't as boring as I had expected but it dragged on a bit. Afterwards I failed to escape before Leo could talk to me.

"Congratulations Koyuki. Grand mage at your age is quite admirable. I am almost a senior mage myself, however the headmaster read it as below the threshold. No matter, I will be there soon." Leo said.

His tone made it quite clear that he thought of himself as already being a senior mage, but I trusted the headmaster's assessment a lot more.

"Uh, thanks." I replied.

"My family knows the worth of a grand mage and we would be able to properly support you and help you grow, if you were willing to join us." Leo offered.

"Leo, I am not interested." I said.

"Our Mistress is doing fine acquiring her own corpses." Kaito stated. "It has been a rather productive break."

"You created more undead?" Leo asked.

"Of course." I replied.

Leo nodded. "I did so myself, my force is getting stronger. Perhaps you would be interested in comparing notes?"

Rose snorted. "I doubt any of your undead come even close to Koyuki's. You probably can't even compete with my Thorn."

Leo flinched a little and then he stared at Rose. "Show some respect, vampire."

"I do believe that respect is earned." Kaito mused. "Perhaps you should consider that?"

"Time to head to my next class, bye Leo." I said and left. I wasn't sure if he had the same class next, but it sounded like a good way to end the conversation.

"Sssss. I don't like him." Kyan said, from within my sleeve.

"I don't think any of us do." Garm added.

"Meow." Nyx agreed.