Gazan Island was livelier than Rayan had imagined.
Merchants called out to passing customers, children chased one another between stalls, and students from the Royal Necromancer Academy walked around in groups.
But what fascinated Rayan most was how naturally everyone used undead creatures in their daily lives.
A skeleton dressed in an apron carried a tray of food outside a restaurant.
An undead dog pulled a cart loaded with vegetables.
Two skeletal laborers carried wooden beams toward a construction site, following instructions from a human foreman.
Nearby, a middle-aged man sat comfortably on a chair while a little skeleton swept the ground around him.
Rayan stopped walking.
He stared at the skeleton.
The skeleton swept.
Rayan continued staring.
The skeleton swept again.
Finally, Rayan whispered, "That's the life."
A passerby looked at him strangely.
Rayan ignored him.
Imagine having undead servants handle all the troublesome chores. No cleaning. No carrying luggage. No washing clothes.
He paused.
Of course, I'd still need to provide maintenance, magical energy, and instructions.
His expression became thoughtful.
Still, it's an excellent business model.
He continued wandering through the streets, looking at everything with the excitement of someone discovering an entirely new world.
Then, while imagining himself commanding an army of undead servants, he accidentally bumped into someone.
"Ah!"
He stumbled backward.
"I'm sorry! I wasn't paying attention."
He quickly raised his head.
And froze.
Standing in front of him was a young woman accompanied by an undead woman.
At first glance, the undead woman looked almost human.
Her skin was pale, her movements were smooth, and her clothes were neat. The only obvious signs of her condition were the faint deathly aura around her and the unnatural stillness in her eyes.
Rayan immediately realized what he had bumped into.
An undead.
A female undead.
A very realistic female undead.
His mind briefly stopped functioning.
The young woman smiled politely.
"It's all right. Are you hurt?"
Rayan blinked.
"No! I'm fine. I'm very sorry!"
He bowed awkwardly.
The undead woman turned her head toward him.
Her expression didn't change.
She simply stepped aside, allowing him to pass.
Rayan suddenly became aware of how strange he must look.
He had been staring.
At an undead.
In the middle of the street.
Excellent. My first major social interaction on Gazan Island, and I've already embarrassed myself.
He hurried away.
He didn't stop until he reached a small open square where several streets met.
A fountain stood in the center, surrounded by benches and small shops. People gathered there to rest, talk, and purchase snacks from nearby vendors.
Rayan took a deep breath.
Calm down. It's an undead. You've read about them for years. You want to become a great necromancer. Why are you acting like you've seen a ghost?
He paused.
Technically, I might have seen something close enough.
He shook his head.
Then he noticed a small stall selling ice cream.
Rayan stopped.
His eyes widened.
Ice cream.
Real ice cream.
Not the homemade kind his family occasionally prepared back in the village.
There were several flavors arranged in chilled containers: chocolate, strawberry, vanilla, mint, and a few magical varieties with names he didn't recognize.
He approached the stall.
The vendor was a cheerful middle-aged man with a thick mustache.
"Welcome, young man! First time here?"
"Is it that obvious?"
"You've been staring at the ice cream for almost a minute."
Rayan cleared his throat.
"I was examining the quality."
"Of course."
The vendor smiled knowingly.
"Which flavor would you like?"
Rayan examined the choices.
He had missed ice cream more than he realized. Their village didn't have an ice cream shop, so he could only eat it when his family made some at home.
Now he was finally in a place where he could buy it whenever he wanted.
At least, whenever his budget allowed.
"Chocolate, please."
The vendor scooped a generous portion into a cone.
"Five copper coins."
Rayan paid and accepted the ice cream.
He took one bite.
Cold.
Sweet.
Chocolatey.
Wonderful.
He closed his eyes.
This world is truly worth living in.
Then he heard a small voice beside him.
"I want strawberry!"
Rayan turned his head.
A little girl with long, light-blue hair was leaning against the ice cream stall.
She wore a skirt and a shirt beneath an oversized office coat that looked several sizes too large for her.
Her upper body rested against the counter while her legs stretched out behind her, making her look like a child who had decided that standing properly was an unnecessary inconvenience.
She pointed at the strawberry flavor with one hand.
In her other hand, she held a gold coin.
"Please give me strawberry ice cream!"
The vendor looked at the gold coin.
Then at the girl.
Then back at the coin.
He sighed.
"Little miss, I can't accept that."
The girl tilted her head.
"Why not?"
"Because I don't have enough change. If you give me that coin, I won't have enough money to run my business today."
The girl frowned.
"But I really want ice cream."
"I understand, but—"
"You can keep the gold coin! I don't need anything in return except the ice cream!"
The vendor's expression changed.
"Little miss, do you think I'm stupid?"
The girl blinked.
"Eh?"
"You'll eat the ice cream, then demand the correct change. When I can't provide it, you'll ask for your gold coin back. Meanwhile, I'll have lost the price of the ice cream and wasted my time!"
The girl stared at him.
Then she puffed out her cheeks.
"I'm not trying to trick you!"
"Then bring copper coins next time!"
"But I don't have copper coins!"
"Then come back when you do!"
The girl looked genuinely heartbroken.
Rayan watched the exchange while eating his chocolate ice cream.
The little girl was adorable.
Her cheeks were puffed out, her blue hair fell around her face, and her oversized coat made her look like a tiny official who had accidentally wandered away from her office.
How can someone be this cute?
He looked at the vendor.
Then at the girl.
Then at his ice cream.
He sighed.
"Sir, please give her a strawberry ice cream. I'll pay for it."
The vendor looked surprised.
"Are you sure, young man?"
Rayan nodded and handed over five copper coins.
"Yes. It's only ice cream."
The vendor accepted the coins and prepared a strawberry cone.
The little girl's eyes lit up.
She accepted the ice cream with both hands.
"Thank you, big brother!"
She smiled brightly.
Rayan felt something strike his heart.
Too cute.
He quickly looked away.
Dangerous. Extremely dangerous. If I keep looking at that face, I'll end up buying her the entire shop.
The girl happily licked her ice cream.
Then she suddenly stopped.
She looked at Rayan.
Then at the ice cream.
Then back at Rayan.
"Big brother, you're a good person!"
Rayan straightened proudly.
He paused.
"Although you should be careful about accepting things from strangers."
The girl nodded solemnly.
"All right!"
Then she took another bite.
Rayan suspected his advice had already been forgotten.
Before he could continue, a familiar voice rang out across the square.
"MOTHER!"
The little girl froze.
Her eyes widened.
Slowly, she turned her head.
Approaching the stall were the two young women Rayan had seen earlier in the equipment shop and bookstore.
The black-haired girl looked furious.
The dark-blue-haired girl looked as though she had already accepted that the day was going to be exhausting.
The black-haired girl marched toward the little girl.
"Mother! What are you doing here?"
The little girl immediately hid her ice cream behind her back.
It was an extremely poor attempt at deception.
A trail of strawberry ice cream was already smeared across her cheek.
The black-haired girl stopped in front of her.
She stared at the ice cream.
Then at her mother.
Then at the ice cream again.
"You're eating ice cream. Again."
The little girl smiled nervously.
"No?"
The black-haired girl closed her eyes.
"Mother, I can see it."
The little girl looked down at the cone.
"Oh."
She had apparently hoped that the ice cream would disappear if she denied its existence.
The black-haired girl took out a handkerchief and gently wiped her mother's face.
"Mother, how many times have I told you not to wander around alone? What would happen if we lost you?"
The little girl continued eating.
"And you've already eaten more than enough ice cream this week. You know what happens when you eat too much."
The little girl lowered her head.
"But I wanted strawberry."
"No more ice cream."
The little girl's shoulders slumped.
"Then what am I supposed to do with my life?"
Rayan almost choked on his chocolate ice cream.
Your life? You're talking about your entire life?
The black-haired girl rubbed her forehead.
"Mother, you're the principal of the Royal Necromancer Academy. You're the leader of the Necromancer Alliance. You're supposed to set an example!"
The little girl looked up.
Then pointed directly at Rayan.
"He bought it for me!"
Rayan froze.
The black-haired girl turned toward him.
The dark-blue-haired girl turned toward him.
Even the ice cream vendor looked at him.
Rayan slowly lowered his cone.
Why am I suddenly the criminal?
"Wait! I only paid because she wanted ice cream! She had a gold coin, but the vendor didn't have enough change, so I—"
The black-haired girl raised a hand.
"It's fine. You don't need to explain."
She took five copper coins from her purse and held them out to him.
"This is the price of the ice cream you bought for my mother."
Rayan looked at the coins.
Then at the girl.
Then at the coins again.
He shook his head.
"Please keep them."
The black-haired girl looked surprised.
"But you paid for it."
"It's only five copper coins. There's no need to return them."
She hesitated.
Rayan gave a small smile.
"Besides, I think it would be rather shameful for a gentleman to take back the money he spent treating someone to ice cream."
He spoke with great confidence.
Internally, however, he was mourning his lost copper coins.
Goodbye, five copper coins. You served me well.
The black-haired girl studied him for a moment.
Then she smiled faintly.
"Very well. Thank you for your kindness."
Rayan nodded.
Then he remembered something.
He was in an unfamiliar city.
He had just met two interesting people.
And he still needed to make friends.
He straightened his clothes and extended his hand toward the black-haired girl.
"My name is Rayan Xu. I'm from a village far from here, and I've recently been admitted to the Royal Necromancer Academy."
He smiled politely.
"Since we'll probably see each other again, would you like to become friends?"
The black-haired girl glanced at his hand.
Before she could respond, the little girl grabbed it with both hands and shook it enthusiastically.
"Rayan Xu! Nice to meet you!"
Rayan blinked.
The little girl leaned closer.
"Wait! You're from the Xu family?"
Rayan nodded.
"Yes. Why?"
Her eyes widened.
"Then your grandfather must be the famous Zu family necromancer!"
Rayan's expression changed.
The little girl continued excitedly.
"Your grandfather served the Necromancer Alliance for many years! He was one of its finest field commanders and brought back important intelligence from dangerous missions. Everyone who knows the Alliance's history has heard of him!"
Rayan stared at her.
His grandfather had certainly been strong, but hearing a stranger praise him so openly was still surprising.
The little girl leaned even closer.
"And after he became a grandfather, he retired! So you must be his grandson!"
She pointed at his feet.
"Show me your shadow!"
Rayan immediately withdrew his hand.
His expression became cautious.
"Wait a moment. Who are you? And why do you know so much about my family's abilities?"
The little girl puffed out her chest.
Her oversized coat shifted as she straightened.
Then she announced proudly:
"My name is Seraphina Veyr!"
She lifted her chin.
"I am the principal of the Royal Necromancer Academy and the leader of the Necromancer Alliance!"
The square fell silent.
Rayan stopped breathing.
For a moment, he wondered whether the ice cream had somehow frozen his brain.
Seraphina Veyr?
The Witch of Death?
THE WITCH OF DEATH?!
His grandfather's words suddenly echoed through his mind.
The principal of the Royal Necromancer Academy was the Witch of Death, widely regarded as the most powerful necromancer alive.
She was said to possess a terrifying innate ability related to time.
Stories about her achievements circulated throughout the five kingdoms. The most frightening tale claimed that she had single-handedly destroyed an entire invading army, including several powerful commanders, during a war many years ago.
Of course, stories often exaggerated.
But nobody who understood necromancy laughed at those stories.
And now—
The legendary Witch of Death was standing in front of him.
Eating strawberry ice cream.
With a smear of it on her cheek.
Rayan's brain began to malfunction.
This is the most powerful necromancer in the world?
He looked at the little girl.
She took another bite of her ice cream.
This is the person who destroyed an entire army?
Another bite.
This is the terrifying principal who controls time?
She licked a drop of strawberry ice cream from her finger.
...The world is truly full of mysteries.
Seraphina noticed his expression.
She smiled.
"What's wrong? You look as though you've seen a ghost."
Rayan wanted to say something impressive.
Something intelligent.
Something that would leave a favorable impression on the most powerful necromancer in the world.
Unfortunately, the only thought that escaped his mouth was—
"Your ice cream is melting."
Seraphina looked down.
A drop of strawberry ice cream slid onto her hand.
Her expression changed.
"AH! MY ICE CREAM!"
She immediately began licking it before it could melt any further.
Rayan stared. Get faster updates on g.com.
The black-haired girl covered her face with one hand.
The dark-blue-haired girl sighed.
The vendor quietly turned away, pretending he hadn't witnessed anything.
And Rayan?
Rayan decided that he needed to reconsider everything he thought he knew about powerful necromancers.
After the ice cream crisis had been resolved, Seraphina finally looked back at Rayan.
"You said your name is Rayan Zu, correct?"
"Yes, Principal."
"Good. And you want to become friends with my daughter?"
Rayan blinked.
He glanced at the black-haired girl.
Then at Seraphina.
Then back at the black-haired girl.
Her daughter?
He had seen the two young women together in the equipment shop and the bookstore. He had assumed the black-haired girl was the older of the two.
But apparently, the black-haired girl was Seraphina's daughter.
The dark-blue-haired girl, meanwhile, seemed to be their companion.
Rayan quickly straightened his posture.
"Yes, Principal. I was hoping to become friends with your daughter."
The black-haired girl studied him.
Then she extended her hand.
"My name is Evelyne Veyr."
She gave him a polite smile.
"And this is my companion, Liora."
The dark-blue-haired girl nodded.
"Nice to meet you, Rayan."
Rayan shook Evelyne's hand.
"Likewise."
Seraphina watched them with a satisfied smile.
"Good! My daughter needs more friends."
Evelyne immediately turned toward her mother.
"Mother, please don't say things like that to strangers!"
"Why not? It's true!"
"Mother!"
"What? You spend so much time studying that you hardly ever make friends!"
Evelyne's face turned red.
Rayan suddenly found the fountain extremely interesting.
Should I leave? Should I stay? Is this family argument part of the admission examination?
Seraphina ignored her daughter's embarrassment and turned back toward him.
"Now, Rayan, about that shadow of yours..."
Rayan's smile froze.
The principal's eyes glimmered with curiosity.
"I've heard about the Zu family's shadow techniques for years. Your grandfather was one of the Alliance's most capable field commanders. His ability to manipulate shadows made him extremely useful during reconnaissance missions."
She glanced at his feet.
"I would like to see your shadow."
Rayan hesitated.
His grandfather had warned him not to share the family's techniques casually.
And the woman standing before him was not merely a curious stranger.
She was the leader of the Necromancer Alliance.
Someone who could probably defeat him without moving from her chair.
Rayan swallowed.
"Principal, I don't mean to be disrespectful, but my grandfather warned me not to reveal our family's abilities carelessly."
For a moment, Seraphina said nothing.
Then she smiled.
"Good."
Rayan blinked.
"Good?"
"Very good. You listened to your grandfather."
She nodded approvingly.
"A person who reveals every secret simply because someone asks is unlikely to live long in this world."
Rayan felt relieved.
At least he hadn't offended her.
Then Seraphina leaned closer.
"But showing me a little shadow manipulation isn't the same as revealing your family's entire technique, is it?"
Rayan stared at her.
She's negotiating! The Witch of Death is negotiating with a child!
Evelyne sighed.
"Mother, stop frightening him."
"I'm not frightening him!"
"You just leaned toward him with the expression you use when interrogating dangerous criminals."
Seraphina touched her cheek.
"Really? I thought I was smiling."
"You were."
"Then what's the problem?"
"Your smile is the problem!"
Liora quietly covered her mouth.
Rayan almost laughed.
Almost.
He valued his life too much to laugh at the principal's expense.
Seraphina finally stepped back.
"Very well. I won't force you. When you're comfortable showing me, you may come to my office."
She paused.
"Though I must admit, I'm curious about how much you've inherited from your family's bloodline."
Rayan nodded carefully.
"I understand, Principal."
Seraphina smiled.
"Excellent. Now, since you've been kind enough to buy me ice cream, I'll give you a small piece of advice."
Rayan immediately paid attention.
Even if she looked like a little girl, this was a woman who had defeated an entire army.
Every word she spoke might contain valuable knowledge.
Seraphina raised one finger.
"Never underestimate an opponent because they look weak."
Rayan nodded solemnly.
A profound lesson.
An important lesson.
A lesson he would remember for the rest of his life.
Seraphina raised a second finger.
"And never buy ice cream for someone who has already eaten too much of it."
Evelyne closed her eyes.
"Mother..."
Seraphina nodded gravely.
"That is also important."
Rayan looked at the principal.
Then at Evelyne.
Then at Liora.
Finally, he came to a conclusion.
The Royal Necromancer Academy was going to be far more interesting than he had expected.
He had come to Gazan Island to study necromancy.
Instead, on his first proper day in town, he had met the Witch of Death, bought her ice cream, and somehow become acquainted with her daughter.
Grandpa, you should have warned me that the academy's principal was like this.
He paused.
Actually, no. If Grandpa had told me, I probably wouldn't have believed him.
Seraphina finished her ice cream and looked toward the street.
"Well, I should return to my duties. Evelyne, Liora, come along."
Evelyne nodded.
Then she turned toward Rayan.
"We'll probably see you at the academy. Take care of yourself."
Liora waved.
"See you later!"
Rayan waved back.
"See you!"
Seraphina took two steps, then suddenly turned around.
"Oh, Rayan!"
He immediately straightened.
"Yes, Principal?"
She smiled brightly.
"Next time you see me, bring chocolate ice cream!"
Rayan stared at her.
Evelyne covered her face.
Liora sighed.
And Rayan finally understood something important.
The most powerful necromancer in the world might be terrifying to armies, but her greatest weakness was apparently strawberry and chocolate ice cream.
He watched the three women disappear into the crowd.
Then he looked at his own chocolate cone.
It was almost finished.
Rayan took one final bite.
Well, at least I've made an important connection.
He paused.
And lost five copper coins.
His expression turned solemn.
The price of friendship is truly terrifying.
Then he remembered Ran.
He had left her in a bookstore with his shadow.
And he had absolutely no idea how many books she had bought by now.
Rayan's face paled.
"OH NO."
He immediately ran back toward the bookstore.
His first day in Gazan Island wasn't even over yet.
And somehow, he already felt as though his future was in danger.