Chapter 9: She Said All The Seats Were Taken

Ethan walked back toward the dormitories with the system screen open in front of him. He assessed it as he walked.

```

[Name: Ethan Shaw]

[Age: 19]

[Awakened Class: Necromancer]

[Rank: F]

[Level: 1]

[EXP: 14 / 100]

[Death Energy: 29/50]

[Control Capacity: 0/8]

[Undead Legion: 0/8]

```

Fourteen experience points and four successful raises. A handful of dismissed undead that had all shared the same tragic inability to walk in a dignified straight line.

The numbers were modest, almost insulting when compared to the flashy displays other students produced without breaking a sweat. Still, they were numbers, and as an office worker, he knew that numbers could be improved.

He dismissed the screen and kept walking, already running calculations.

If the energy cost continued to drop even slightly with each attempt, and if he increased the number of daily raises, the EXP gain would increase. Slow at first. Then faster. It seemed that the system rewarded repetition, and he intended to do exactly that.

Dorm 303 was quiet when he opened the door. The lights in the shared space were off except for a small lamp near the kitchenette.

Lila’s bedroom door was closed, and on the counter sat a folded piece of paper with his name scrawled across it in slightly messy handwriting.

Already ate. Don’t bother cooking. – Lila

Short, and practical. Very Lila-like...

Ethan set the note down, grabbed a drink from the fridge, and retreated to his own room. He sat on the edge of the bed, pulled the system up again, and stared at the EXP bar for a long moment.

Level 5 in two weeks....

That was the goal he had set.

It was ambitious for a Rank F with a skill like this and a current total of fourteen experience points.

At least it was also measurable. Measurable goals were realistic at best. Vague ambitions was just noise.

He made up his mind, closed the screen, and lay back down on the bed and closed his eyes as he fell asleep.

***

The following day, he was woken up by a knock on his door that was far too energetic considering how early it was.

"Up," Lila’s voice called through the other side. "We’re walking to class together."

Ethan stared at the ceiling. "I don’t remember agreeing to that."

"You didn’t. I decided for both of us. Get dressed."

He sighed tiredly and stood up towards the bathroom.

He took a shower and got dressed. He knew that resistance wasn’t going to get him anywhere...

Lila was waiting in the living room with two drinks in hand, and she tossed one at him without warning. He caught it on instinct and looked at her.

"You’re welcome," she said. "Let’s go."

They walked side by side through the school. Students moving toward the lecture buildings in loose groups, either comparing notes or comparing ranks loud enough for everyone to hear.

Lila walked with him and talked about things that were otherwise off topic with Ethan mostly listening and offered the occasional replies.

It was becoming a pattern.... A dangerous one at that.

They were almost at the entrance to Building A when a familiar drop in temperature announced company.

Aria stood near the doors, her silver hair catching the light and expression as composed as ever. Her blue eyes moved from Lila to Ethan and lingered on him for a moment before she spoke:

"You’re arriving together," she said.

Lila smiled, completely unbothered. "We’re roommates. Same dorm and all that."

"Roommates." Aria said in a steady tone.

"Yup," Lila affirmed. "Also, I watched him use his ability yesterday, by the way. Honestly? I was impressed. I also finally get why the academy treats necromancy like a problem. It’s creepy when the dead rat begins moving."

Aria’s gaze narrowed slightly. "It will become a larger problem than a rat sooner or later. Relying on the dead is not strength. It’s a shortcut that costs more than people think..."

Ethan met her eyes and let a small smile spread across his face.

"Noted," he said. "Right under ’get better corpses.’"

Aria’s composed expression flickered, something like irritation— small but present crossing her face. She looked at him for another second, then turned and walked into the building without another word.

Lila watched her go, then glanced at Ethan with amusement.

"You really love making her irritated."

"I’m just being honest. If she finds honesty irritating, that’s not my problem." He smirked and walked inside, prompting her to follow after a low chuckle.

They entered the lecture hall and most of the seats were already filling.

Ethan headed toward a side row out of habit. It was the kind of place that attracted fewer attention anyway.

He was expecting Lila to find a place to sit near a group of students.

Instead, she followed and dropped into the seat directly beside him.

He looked at her.

She looked back with innocent golden eyes.

"Why?"

"All the other seats were taken."

Ethan glanced around.... Several empty seats were clearly visible within in the rolls in front.

"I see," he said dryly."Very crowded."

"Extremely." She said nodding.

He let it go and looked forward...

Stay away from popular girls....

The rule was losing. Badly.

He needed to revise that rule, reinforce it. Add contingency plans if possible...

Professor Crane entered with her usual confident stride, and the room quieted on instinct. She set a tablet on the desk, scanned the students, and spoke without preamble.

"Your first field test has been scheduled."