Nine and a half hours passed surprisingly quickly.
Perhaps it was because the students had finally recovered from the shock of being swallowed by a whale.
Or perhaps it was because everyone had discovered that the academy's transport vessel was far more comfortable than expected.
Either way, the atmosphere had gradually returned to normal.
Well, almost normal.
Nobody dared to complain about the transportation method.
Whenever someone began saying, "I still think the instructor should have—"
Their friends immediately covered their mouths.
Nobody wanted to become the next example of academy discipline.
Rayan, meanwhile, had spent most of the journey examining the magical formations around the vessel.
He couldn't understand all their functions, but he recognized several principles from the books Grandpa had given him.
The formations appeared to regulate energy flow, reinforce the ship's structure, and maintain a stable environment inside the undead whale.
If I can learn how these formations work, perhaps I can eventually create something similar.
His eyes shone.
An undead creature was useful.
An undead creature that could also serve as a mobile fortress?
Even better.
An undead creature that could carry him around while he slept?
That was the pinnacle of luxury.
"Rayan!"
He blinked.
Ran stood in front of him with her hands on her hips.
"You're doing it again."
"Doing what?"
"That expression."
"What expression?"
"The expression you make when you're planning something troublesome."
Rayan placed a hand over his chest.
"Ran, I'm offended. I was thinking about academic matters."
"Then why did you just whisper, 'I need a bigger whale'?"
He fell silent.
Ran pointed at him triumphantly.
"See!"
Before Rayan could defend himself, the assistant instructor's voice rang through the vessel.
"All students, return to your assigned seats and fasten your seat belts. We will be reaching our destination shortly."
This time, nobody hesitated.
Seat belts clicked into place throughout the cabin.
Even the students who had previously tried to appear brave fastened their belts with extraordinary enthusiasm.
Rayan checked his own belt.
Then he checked Ran's.
"Is it secure?"
Ran nodded.
"Yes."
"Good."
She narrowed her eyes.
"Why are you acting like my father?"
"Because someone has to make sure you survive long enough to become a great necromancer."
"Then stop talking and check your own belt!"
He did.
The vessel began shaking gently.
The instructor's voice came again.
"Prepare for the final transfer."
The lights dimmed.
For several minutes, the ship moved through darkness. Then the vessel tilted, and a distant glow appeared beyond the windows.
The undead whale had reached the island.
Rayan leaned forward.
He had read about Gazan Island in his geography books, but reading about a place and seeing it with his own eyes were two entirely different experiences.
The whale's enormous mouth opened.
The vessel shot outward.
For one breathtaking moment, the students saw nothing but open sea.
Then the ship descended toward the water and settled beside a broad wooden harbor.
The journey was over.
Ten hours had passed since their departure.
And not a single student wanted to repeat the experience anytime soon.
The assistant instructor stood at the front.
"Welcome to Gazan Island, home of the Royal Necromancer Academy."
The students began unfastening their belts.
This time, they moved with the precision of soldiers following orders.
Rayan noticed and quietly laughed.
One trip inside an undead whale has improved their discipline more than ten years of schooling.
Ran elbowed him.
"Don't laugh. You were holding the armrest so tightly that your knuckles turned white."
"I was examining its structural strength."
"You were scared!"
"Fear is an important part of structural examination."
She stared at him.
"...That doesn't even make sense."
"It will once I write a research paper about it."
Ran shook her head.
She had already decided that arguing with Rayan was a waste of energy.
Once they stepped onto the harbor, the two children finally saw Gazan Island properly.
It was enormous.
A towering mountain dominated the island's center, its slopes covered with dense forests. Along one side stretched a bustling coastal settlement, while the opposite shore was lined with beaches and rocky cliffs.
Beyond the settlement, the forest extended across a vast portion of the island.
The Royal Necromancer Academy stood farther inland, near the mountain.
Even from a distance, parts of its enormous buildings could be seen rising above the trees.
Rayan recalled the map he had studied.
One side of the island contains the main settlement and port. Much of the remaining land is forested, with the academy occupying a strategically protected region.
Seeing the geography match what he had read gave him a small sense of satisfaction.
At least his studying hadn't been useless.
Ran stood beside him, gazing toward the distant mountain.
"That's where our academy is?"
"Yes."
"It looks enormous."
"An academy that accepts thousands of students probably needs more than two classrooms and a vegetable garden."
Ran turned toward him.
"Why a vegetable garden?"
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"Because I thought you'd appreciate having somewhere to grow your snacks."
She stepped on his foot.
Again.
Rayan looked toward the sky.
I need to improve my physical defense. My future is in danger.
The assistant instructor gathered the newly arrived students.
"You have several days before the academy's official opening. During this period, you may explore the settlement, purchase necessary supplies, and arrange your accommodation."
She paused to ensure everyone was listening.
"However, you must report to the academy before the opening ceremony. Do not arrive late. Do not enter restricted areas. And do not attempt to explore the island's forests without permission."
Rayan's ears perked up at the final warning.
Forests?
Restricted areas?
His curiosity immediately awakened.
Ran noticed his expression.
"No."
Rayan blinked.
"I haven't said anything."
"You don't need to."
"But what if there's something interesting?"
"Then you can be interested from a safe distance."
"That's a very restrictive philosophy."
"It's a philosophy that keeps you alive."
Rayan considered arguing.
Then he remembered Grandpa's warning about investigating unusual things alone.
He sighed.
"Fine. We'll explore only the permitted places."
Ran looked suspicious.
"Promise?"
"I promise."
She nodded, apparently satisfied.
The instructor continued.
"I will return to the port to collect the remaining admitted students. Until then, make sensible decisions."
With that, she boarded the vessel again.
The ship rose from the harbor and disappeared toward the sea, leaving the students standing together on the wooden dock.
For the first time, Rayan and Ran were truly on their own.
No Grandpa.
No parents.
No grandmother to slip them extra money.
Only their luggage, their admission invitations, and the money they had brought with them.
Ran turned toward Rayan.
"What should we do first?"
Rayan looked at the distant town.
"And food?"
"Yes, and food."
"And snacks?"
"Yes, and snacks."
"And—"
"Ran."
She looked at him innocently.
"What?"
"If we continue this conversation, we'll spend our entire budget before reaching the hotel."
She immediately closed her mouth.
They exchanged a serious nod.
Then set off toward the settlement.
The port settlement was bustling with activity.
Merchants had set up shops along the main streets, selling clothes, magical tools, books, storage devices, and countless other items useful to necromancers.
Students from earlier years could be seen walking around in academy uniforms. Some carried stacks of books, while others discussed magical techniques or argued over the price of supplies.
Rayan observed everything carefully.
The academy's influence was obvious.
Even the ordinary shops stocked items he had previously seen only in books.
Unfortunately, he and Ran had arrived too late to complete their shopping before nightfall.
After comparing several places, they found a modest but clean hotel not far from the main street.
A sign above its entrance read:
The Resting Crow — Rooms for Travelers and Aspiring Mages.
Rayan looked at the name.
"Resting Crow?"
Ran nodded.
"It sounds comfortable."
"It sounds like a crow that has given up on life."
"Then you'll fit in perfectly."
Rayan decided not to respond.
Inside, the hotel lobby was warm and well-lit. A middle-aged man sat behind the reception desk, recording information in a thick ledger.
He looked up as the children approached.
"Welcome. Do you need a room?"
"Yes," Rayan answered. "Do you have two rooms available?"
Before the receptionist could reply, Ran stepped forward.
"One room is enough."
Rayan slowly turned his head.
One room?
He looked at Ran.
Then at the receptionist.
Then back at Ran.
His imagination immediately began running at a speed that would have impressed the fastest carriage in the kingdom.
One room? With Ran? Just the two of us?
He tried to maintain a calm expression.
Rayan, stay composed. You're a gentleman. A scholar. A future top necromancer.
His thoughts became increasingly unreliable.
Still, sharing a room isn't necessarily bad. We could talk about our future. Discuss our studies. Build a stronger bond—
Ran held up her purse.
"We don't have that much money. One room will be cheaper."
His imagination crashed into a wall.
Hard.
Rayan stared at her purse as if it had personally betrayed him.
Ah. So it's not romance. It's economics.
The receptionist coughed to hide a smile.
"One room, then?"
Rayan recovered quickly.
"Of course. We should be economical."
He said it with such dignity that anyone listening might have believed he had never entertained a single foolish thought in his life.
Ran nodded approvingly.
"See? Rayan understands."
I understand perfectly, he thought. I understand that money is the greatest enemy of a man's dreams.
He paid for the room using the gold coins Grandma had given him.
His parents had already provided the money necessary for academy expenses, but that money had been entrusted to Ran for their shared needs.
The coins from Grandma were different.
They were his personal spending money.
His precious private treasury.
And he had just spent some of it.
Rayan watched the receptionist hand over the key.
Grandma, your sacrifice will not be forgotten.
Then he remembered that the money had been a gift, not a sacrifice.
Grandma, your generosity will not be forgotten.
That sounded better.
The receptionist handed them their key.
"Second floor. Room seven. Dinner is available downstairs until the evening bell."
Ran's eyes lit up.
"Dinner?"
Rayan grabbed her shoulder before she could sprint toward the dining area.
"We should put down our luggage first."
"Oh. Right."
They climbed the stairs and entered their room.
Then both stopped.
There was only one bed.
And it was enormous.
A wide double bed occupied most of the room, accompanied by a small table, two chairs, and a wardrobe. A single window overlooked the street below.
Ran stared at the bed.
Then she threw herself onto it.
"Finally! I'm exhausted!"
She rolled onto her side and hugged a pillow.
Rayan remained beside the door.
He looked at the bed.
Then at the floor.
Then at Ran.
His mind began calculating the possibilities.
"I'll sleep on the floor," he announced.
Ran lifted her head.
"Why?"
"Because I'm a gentleman."
She stared at him suspiciously.
"Since when?"
"Since several seconds ago."
"Shut up and sleep on the other side of the bed."
Rayan froze.
"...What?"
"You heard me. There's enough space for both of us."
He blinked.
Once.
Twice.
Then his earlier offer to sleep on the floor vanished from his mind.
He dropped his luggage and jumped onto the bed.
"Excellent! What a practical and economical arrangement!"
Ran watched him land beside her.
Her expression slowly changed.
"Didn't you just say you were going to sleep on the floor?"
Rayan arranged his pillow with great seriousness.
"That was before I considered the dangers of sleeping on a hard surface."
"What dangers?"
"Back pain. Poor circulation. Reduced mental performance."
"You made all of that up!"
"I would never deceive you."
"You literally made up all of that!"
Rayan turned toward the ceiling.
"One day, you'll understand the importance of protecting one's mental strength."
Ran threw a pillow at his face.
THUMP!
Rayan caught it.
He looked at the pillow.
Then at Ran.
A slow smile appeared on his face.
"Is that a challenge?"
"No."
"Too late."
He threw the pillow back.
Ran dodged.
The pillow struck the wall and fell to the floor.
Within seconds, a peaceful hotel room had transformed into a battlefield.
Pillows flew.
Accusations were exchanged.
At one point, Rayan attempted a tactical maneuver by hiding behind the bed's headboard.
Ran simply walked around it and hit him with another pillow.
"War has no rules!"
"Where did you learn that?!"
"From you!"
Rayan opened his mouth.
Then closed it.
She had a point.
Eventually, both collapsed onto the bed, exhausted from their entirely unnecessary battle.
Ran hugged a pillow and looked toward the window.
"Rayan?"
"Hm?"
"Do you think we'll make good friends at the academy?"
Rayan turned his head.
For once, she wasn't joking.
She looked a little nervous.
They had studied together for years, trained together, and passed the entrance examination together. But the academy would be different. They would meet people from powerful families, talented students from distant regions, and perhaps geniuses far beyond their current abilities.
Rayan smiled.
"Of course. We'll make friends, learn new things, and become stronger."
He paused.
"And if anyone bullies you, tell me."
Ran looked at him.
"Will you fight them?"
"If necessary."
"Even if they're stronger than you?"
Rayan considered that question.
"Then I'll become stronger than them."
Ran smiled.
"That's a very Rayan answer."
"Thank you. I spent years developing it."
She giggled.
Then she grew serious again.
"Promise we won't give up?"
Rayan remembered their promise from two years earlier.
They would do their best and never give up before trying.
He extended his little finger.
"Promise."
Ran hooked her little finger around his.
"Promise."
For a moment, the room became quiet.
Then Ran yawned.
"I'm hungry."
Rayan stared at her.
"You just ruined the moment."
"But I'm hungry."
He sighed and sat up.
"Come on. Let's get dinner before the kitchen closes."
Ran immediately jumped off the bed.
"Last one downstairs pays for dessert!"
"HEY! You can't make up rules whenever you want!"
She was already halfway through the door.
Rayan scrambled after her.
"RAN! COME BACK HERE!"
Their voices echoed down the corridor.
A few moments later, the receptionist looked up from his ledger as two children raced down the stairs.
He watched them disappear into the dining room.
Then he shook his head with a smile.
"Academy students. The quiet ones are always the strangest."
The next morning, sunlight slipped through the hotel window.
Rayan was sleeping peacefully.
For the first time in several days, he had no books to study, no training to complete, and no Grandpa waiting to test his knowledge.
It was wonderful.
He had one arm tucked beneath his pillow and the other resting comfortably across the bed.
Then a voice exploded beside his ear.
"RAYAN! WAKE UP!"
He shot upright.
"What happened?! Is the whale back?!"
Ran stood beside the bed with her hands on her hips.
"No! It's morning!"
Rayan stared at her.
Then he slowly looked toward the window.
Sunlight.
Birds.
A peaceful street.
No undead whale.
No impending disaster.
He fell backward onto the pillow.
"Then why are you shouting like the world is ending?"
"Because we're wasting time!"
"We have several days before the academy opens."
"Exactly! We need to buy everything!"
Rayan pulled the blanket over his head.
"Wake me when the academy is about to begin."
Ran grabbed the blanket.
"Get up!"
He held on.
She pulled.
He pulled back.
For several seconds, they engaged in a battle that was considerably less dignified than their previous pillow fight.
Finally, Ran released the blanket.
Rayan, who had been pulling with all his strength, sent himself rolling off the bed.
THUD!
He landed on the floor.
Silence followed.
Ran looked down at him.
Rayan looked up at her.
Then he raised one finger.
"I would like to formally report an act of violence."
Ran smiled sweetly.
"Report it after you get dressed."
She turned and walked toward the door.
Rayan slowly sat up.
One day, I will become a powerful necromancer.
He brushed the dust from his clothes.
One day, I will command countless undead.
He stood.
And one day, I will sleep until noon without being attacked.
He looked toward the door through which Ran had disappeared.
That last goal may be the most difficult of all.
After washing and getting dressed, Rayan joined Ran downstairs for breakfast.
They ate quickly, checked their money, and reviewed the list of supplies they needed.
Books.
Academy clothes.
Writing materials.
Personal necessities.
And, most importantly, storage rings.
Rayan had been thinking about storage rings since before they arrived at the island.
Carrying everything in ordinary bags would be inconvenient, especially once their academy studies began. A storage ring would allow them to carry books, clothes, equipment, and other belongings without dragging luggage everywhere.
For a future necromancer, it was practically essential.
Ran finished her breakfast and stood.
"Ready?"
Rayan checked his purse.
"Ready."
She smiled.
"Then let's go shopping!"
Rayan followed her out of the hotel.
The streets of Gazan Island were already bustling with activity. Students and merchants moved between shops, while magical signs advertised all kinds of products.
Somewhere in this town were the storage rings they needed.
Somewhere nearby were the books and equipment that would help them begin their academy lives.
And somewhere beyond the settlement stood the Royal Necromancer Academy itself, waiting for its newest students.
Rayan looked toward the distant mountain.
His strange feeling had not completely disappeared.
For a brief moment, his smile faded.
Then he clenched his fist and took a deep breath.
Whatever awaited him at the academy, he would face it.
He had already been given a second chance at life.
This time, he intended to make the most of it.
"Rayan!" Ran called from several steps ahead. "Hurry up!"
He immediately followed her.
"Coming!"
After all, before he could uncover the mysteries of necromancy, he had a far more urgent mission.
Find a storage ring without going bankrupt.
For some reason, he suspected that this mission would be much harder than passing the entrance examination.