Rayan had learned many things since arriving on Gazan Island.
First, undead whales were surprisingly good transportation.
Second, the Witch of Death loved ice cream more than anyone should.
And third, Ran could turn even the simplest task into a life-threatening experience.
"Hold still!"
"I'm holding still!"
"Your hand is moving!"
"Because you're pulling it!"
"Then stop moving!"
Rayan stared at Ran, who was carefully wrapping a bandage around his injured hand.
He had already explained several times that the cut was minor. Unfortunately, Ran appeared to believe that his wound was one of the greatest medical emergencies in the history of necromancy.
She tightened the bandage.
"Ouch!"
"Does it hurt?"
"No. I was testing whether your medical skills had improved."
Ran narrowed her eyes.
Rayan smiled innocently.
She tightened the bandage again.
"Ouch! I take it back!"
"Good."
Rayan looked at his bandaged hand.
I survived three attackers, an undead whale, and a meeting with the most powerful necromancer in the world.
Yet my greatest enemy remains a girl with a piece of cloth.
Ran finally finished treating his wound.
"There. Don't use this hand unnecessarily."
Rayan nodded solemnly.
"Understood. I'll use my other hand to conquer the world."
"Rayan!"
"Fine. I'll be careful."
Ran's expression softened.
"You really scared me today."
Rayan's smile faded.
He remembered her frightened expression in the alley. He remembered his shadow standing between her and the attackers.
He never wanted to see her look so helpless again.
"I'm sorry," he said quietly.
Ran shook her head.
"You protected me. You don't need to apologize for that."
She looked down at his bandaged hand.
"But next time, please don't get hurt."
Rayan gently patted her head with his uninjured hand.
"Then we'll become stronger together. That way, neither of us will have to worry so much."
Ran looked up.
"Promise?"
"Promise."
For a brief moment, the room fell silent.
Then Ran asked, "When we become stronger, will you carry my books for me?"
Rayan's hand stopped moving.
"...What?"
"My books. You'll be stronger, so carrying them should be easy."
"Ran, that wasn't what I meant by becoming stronger together!"
"Too late. You promised."
She jumped away before he could respond.
Rayan stared at her.
I should have become a merchant instead.
At least then I could charge her for transportation.
Unfortunately, he had a feeling she would simply make him carry the money too.
One Bed, Two Pillow Warriors
That night, the two returned to their familiar arrangement at The Resting Crow.
One room.
One large bed.
Two people who had somehow managed to turn sleeping into a competitive sport.
"Move over," Ran ordered.
"I'm already on my side!"
"Your arm crossed the border."
Rayan looked at his arm.
Then at Ran.
"Are you seriously enforcing an international border on a bed?"
"Yes."
"Do I need a passport to visit your side?"
"You need permission."
Rayan raised both hands.
"I surrender!"
Ran smiled triumphantly and lay down.
Rayan followed, carefully keeping his limbs within his imaginary territory.
After a few minutes, he spoke.
"Ran?"
"Hmm?"
"What do you want to do after becoming a powerful necromancer?"
"Become even stronger."
"And after that?"
"Study more."
"And after that?"
"Study even more."
Rayan turned toward her.
"Do you have any hobbies besides studying?"
"Yes."
"What?"
"Annoying you."
Rayan went silent.
An honest answer. I should have expected nothing less.
"Good night, Ran."
"Good night, Rayan."
A few seconds passed.
"Rayan?"
"What now?"
"Your arm is crossing the border again."
Rayan pulled it back so quickly that he nearly fell off the bed.
Ran burst into laughter.
Rayan stared at the ceiling.
Someday, I'll become the greatest necromancer in the world.
And my first official command will be to create an undead pillow that protects me from this girl.
The Morning Whale Attack
"RAYAN! WAKE UP!"
Rayan sprang out of bed, grabbed a pillow, and raised it defensively.
"THE WHALE IS BACK!"
Silence.
He blinked.
Sunlight filled the room. The walls were intact. The floor wasn't shaking. There was no instructor shouting about seat belts.
Only Ran stood beside the bed, staring at him.
"...What whale?"
Rayan slowly lowered the pillow.
"Oh."
Ran's lips twitched.
Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
"Did you just try to fight an undead whale with a pillow?"
"It was a tactical decision."
"A tactical decision?"
"Naturally. A sword might have provoked it."
Ran pressed a hand over her mouth.
Her shoulders began shaking.
"Don't laugh."
"I'm not laughing!"
"You're shaking!"
"I have a terrible illness!"
"What illness?"
"An inability to stop laughing when someone says something ridiculous!"
Rayan covered his face with the pillow.
"I refuse to attend this conversation."
Ran laughed until she had to sit on the edge of the bed.
When she finally recovered, she stood up and pointed toward the door.
"Get ready. We have a lot to do today."
"Such as?"
"Buy uniforms, visit the academy, find our dormitories, and learn the campus layout."
Rayan considered the list.
"That sounds exhausting."
"We haven't even started!"
Ran picked up the pillow.
Rayan immediately jumped out of bed.
"I'm ready!"
She put the pillow down.
"Good."
He stared at it suspiciously.
"One day, I'll find a way to motivate myself without the threat of blunt-force trauma."
"Tell me when you do."
The Most Important Robe in the World
Their first stop was a clothing shop that supplied uniforms and everyday clothes to academy students.
The shopkeeper greeted them warmly.
"New students of the Royal Necromancer Academy?"
"Yes," Ran replied.
"Excellent! We have uniforms, training clothes, winter coats, and formal robes. Everything a young necromancer needs."
Rayan's eyes lit up.
"Formal robes?"
Ran immediately turned toward him.
"Uniforms."
"But—"
"Uniforms."
"What if a formal robe is essential to my future?"
"Essential to what?"
"Looking intimidating."
Ran stared at him.
Rayan placed a hand over his chest.
"Imagine it. I stand upon a mountain beneath a blood-red moon. My black robe flutters in the wind. Thousands of undead kneel before me. My enemies tremble as I declare—"
"You forgot your homework," Ran interrupted.
Rayan's expression collapsed.
"Why would you say that?"
"Because you still have homework."
"I'm not even attending classes yet!"
"Then you have no excuse."
The shopkeeper coughed into his fist, struggling to hide his amusement.
Rayan turned toward him.
"Sir, please explain to this young lady that appearance is important for a necromancer."
"Appearance can certainly help establish a reputation," the shopkeeper agreed.
Rayan spread his arms triumphantly.
"See?"
"However, all first-year students must wear the standard uniform during lessons."
Rayan's arms slowly lowered.
Ran patted his shoulder.
"There, there. You can look terrifying after class."
Rayan sighed.
The road to greatness is filled with obstacles.
Apparently, one of them is a girl who refuses to let me buy a dramatic robe.
They eventually purchased their academy uniforms, comfortable everyday clothes, and a few necessities.
The uniform consisted of a dark coat, a light inner shirt, trousers, sturdy shoes, and the academy insignia embroidered on the chest.
It was simple, respectable, and practical.
Rayan reluctantly admitted that it looked good.
He also looked at the price of the formal robe one last time.
Then he looked at Ran.
Then back at the price.
Some dreams were simply too expensive.
Welcome to the Royal Necromancer Academy
After shopping, Rayan and Ran headed toward the academy.
The moment they passed through the enormous gates, Rayan stopped walking.
The campus was even more impressive up close.
Magnificent buildings stretched across the grounds. Some were built from dark stone, while others had pale walls covered in glowing runes. Tall towers rose above the surrounding structures, and magical lights floated through the air despite the bright morning sun.
There were lecture halls, training grounds, laboratories, gardens, courtyards, and a massive library.
Students moved between buildings carrying books and equipment.
A group of students sat beneath a tree, discussing their upcoming classes. Others hurried across the courtyard, apparently afraid of being late for something.
Rayan watched them with interest.
"So many students," he murmured.
Ran looked around as well.
"The academy is famous throughout the kingdom. Of course there would be many people."
"I know. I was just thinking about how many rivals I might have."
"Rivals?"
"Naturally. If I want to become the greatest necromancer in the world, I need to know who I'm competing against."
Ran gave him a sideways glance.
"And here I thought you wanted to make friends."
"I can do both. I'll make friends first, discover their weaknesses second, and defeat them in a spectacular competition third."
"That's a terrible way to make friends."
"Then I'll defeat them first and make friends afterward."
"That's even worse!"
Rayan laughed.
They continued walking through the campus.
The library was enormous, with several floors and tall windows. Nearby stood specialized buildings for different subjects, each marked with its own sign. The training grounds were spacious, with protective barriers surrounding the practice areas.
Rayan was particularly interested in the library.
He could already imagine spending hours there, searching for knowledge about Black Cores, Jet Black, and the mysteries surrounding his family's shadow techniques.
Then he imagined the number of books he might need to read.
His enthusiasm dimmed slightly.
Perhaps becoming the greatest necromancer requires a little less reading than I expect.
Ran glanced at him.
"What are you thinking about?"
"Nothing."
"You're making that face again."
"What face?"
"The face you make when you're planning something troublesome."
Rayan placed a hand over his chest.
"I'm wounded by your lack of trust."
"You tried to convince Grandpa that eating snacks during training would improve your concentration."
"And it worked!"
"You fell asleep."
"That was an advanced meditation technique."
Ran shook her head.
"You're hopeless."
"Yet you still choose to accompany me."
"Someone has to make sure you don't get into trouble."
Rayan smiled.
"How touching. You're already acting like my personal guardian."
Ran raised her fist.
"Do you want me to guard you from this?"
"No, thank you. I feel sufficiently protected."
The Dormitory Rules
After exploring the campus, they found a staff member who directed new students toward their dormitories.
"The boys' dormitories are in the eastern section," the staff member explained. "The girls' dormitories are in the western section."
He pointed toward two separate paths.
"Remember, entry is strictly restricted. Boys cannot enter the girls' dormitories, and girls cannot enter the boys' dormitories. This rule applies to all students, regardless of year or family background."
Rayan nodded seriously.
"Understood."
Ran nodded as well.
The staff member continued, "Your admission records have been prepared. Present your admission slip at the reception desk of your assigned dormitory, and you'll receive your room key."
"Thank you," Ran said.
The staff member smiled and walked away.
Rayan looked toward the eastern path, then the western one.
"So, we'll be living separately."
"Obviously," Ran replied.
"I know. I was merely confirming the obvious."
"Then why did you say it?"
"Because I enjoy confirming the obvious."
Ran rolled her eyes.
They walked together until the path divided.
Ran adjusted the strap of her bag.
"I'll see you later. Don't get lost."
Rayan waved confidently.
"I have an excellent sense of direction."
Ran looked at him for a long moment.
"You're the person who once walked into a storage room while searching for the kitchen."
"That was a temporary failure of navigation."
"You also walked in circles around Grandpa's house."
"The garden paths were poorly designed!"
"And you got lost in a market."
"That market had too many shops!"
Ran smiled sweetly.
"Good luck, Rayan."
Then she turned toward the girls' dormitory.
Rayan watched her leave.
"I'll prove her wrong," he declared to himself. Get faster updates on g.com.
Five minutes later, he found himself standing before a building with a large sign.
GIRLS' DORMITORY
Rayan stared at it.
Then he looked behind him.
Then back at the sign.
"...This academy has terrible architecture."
A passing girl gave him a suspicious look.
Rayan immediately turned around.
I wasn't lost.
I was inspecting the campus layout from a respectable distance.
He hurried away before anyone could question him.
Room Seven
The boys' dormitory was a large, well-maintained building with several floors and a reception desk near the entrance.
Several students were already moving through the halls, carrying luggage or chatting with their roommates.
Behind the desk stood a young man in a dark academy uniform. He had neatly combed brown hair and a calm expression.
"Admission slip?" he asked.
Rayan handed it over.
The young man examined the document.
"Rayan Zu. First-year student. Welcome to the Royal Necromancer Academy. I'm Cedric Vale, a third-year student council member. I'll help you with your room assignment."
"Thank you, Senior."
Cedric glanced at the room records.
"You have several options. Single rooms, double rooms, and four-person rooms. Single rooms cost more, while four-person rooms are cheaper. Only eleven four-person rooms remain."
Rayan immediately understood the danger.
Four roommates.
Four sets of habits.
Four people fighting over the washroom.
And potentially four people who snore like sleeping dragons.
He shuddered.
"A single room, please."
Cedric raised an eyebrow.
"Are you certain? It costs more."
"Completely certain."
Rayan wanted privacy. He needed to study Grandpa's scrolls, investigate his Black Core, and practice his shadow abilities without worrying about someone walking in at the wrong moment.
Besides, he needed somewhere to plan his future undead army.
Preferably somewhere no one could hear him laughing like a villain.
Cedric completed the paperwork and handed him a key.
"Second floor. Room Seven. It's at the end of the corridor and faces the garden."
"Thank you, Senior."
"Keep your key safe, follow the dormitory rules, and report any problems to the supervisor."
"I will."
Rayan took the key and turned toward the stairs.
A Room of His Own
Room Seven was spacious enough for one student. It had a comfortable bed, a desk, a chair, a wardrobe, shelves, and a small washroom.
A large window overlooked the garden.
Rayan placed his bags on the floor and examined the room.
No strange smells.
No mysterious noises.
No undead whale.
No Ran threatening him with a pillow.
Perfect.
He walked to the window.
Below, students strolled along the garden paths. The leaves moved gently in the breeze, and sunlight fell across the neatly maintained flower beds.
Rayan watched for a while.
Then he nodded with satisfaction.
"A single room. Peace and quiet. Finally, a place where I can think without being interrupted."
He imagined a future in which he became the greatest necromancer in the world.
He would possess an enormous undead army, discover countless secrets, and gain enough power that no one would dare threaten the people he cared about.
He would also have a magnificent residence with a private library, a training hall, and servants to handle all the boring daily tasks.
Rayan's eyes shone.
"This is the life."
Then reality struck.
He still needed to attend classes, improve his mental strength, master necromancy, and learn to control stronger undead. He also needed to investigate his Black Core and understand the mysterious Jet Black.
And Grandpa had given him several scrolls to study.
Rayan looked at his bags.
Then at the bed.
Then back at the bags.
I've worked hard.
I survived the entrance examination.
I survived the undead whale.
I survived three attackers.
And I survived Ran's first-aid treatment.
Surely, I deserve a short rest.
He lay down.
Just for a moment.
He closed his eyes.
Within seconds, he was asleep.
The First Rule of Book Shopping
Later that afternoon, Rayan woke feeling refreshed.
He stretched, washed his face, and looked out the window.
The academy was still busy, with students moving between buildings and groups gathering in the courtyards.
He checked the time and realized that he had slept longer than intended.
"Excellent," he muttered. "My first achievement at the academy is mastering the art of sleeping through the afternoon."
He left the boys' dormitory and headed toward the designated meeting point near the central courtyard.
He had no intention of entering the girls' dormitory. The rules were clear, and he had no desire to be thrown out of the academy before his first class.
After a short while, Ran appeared along the path carrying several bags.
Rayan blinked.
Then he blinked again.
There were more bags than before.
Much more.
"Ran."
She smiled.
"Rayan."
He looked at the bags.
Then at her.
Then back at the bags.
"How many books did you buy?"
"Only the important ones."
"How many?"
Ran hesitated.
"...Twenty-three."
Rayan stared at her.
"Twenty-three?!"
"Some were discounted."
"THAT DOESN'T ANSWER MY QUESTION!"
Ran thrust two bags into his arms.
"Come on. I want to hear about your room."
Rayan staggered under the weight.
"I thought you were going to the library!"
"I did."
"Then why did you buy twenty-three books?!"
"They weren't available for borrowing."
Rayan opened his mouth.
Closed it.
Opened it again.
Then sighed.
Grandpa, I understand now.
Your warning about becoming stronger wasn't about fighting enemies.
It was about surviving the people closest to me.
As they walked toward a quieter part of the courtyard, Ran happily explained which books she had purchased and what she intended to study first.
Rayan listened while carrying the bags.
He complained several times.
Ran ignored every complaint.
Finally, he looked up at the academy buildings.
The place was strange, enormous, and full of mysteries. He couldn't wait to discover what it had to offer.
He also couldn't wait to become strong enough to carry twenty-three books without complaining.
Although, if he was honest, he suspected Ran would simply buy forty-six books next time.
Rayan sighed.
On his first day at the Royal Necromancer Academy, he had learned several important lessons.
First, the academy was full of strange people.
Second, necromancy was going to be far more interesting than he had expected.
Third, the dormitory rules were strict, and he had better follow them.
And finally—
Never allow Ran to go book shopping without supervision.
Unfortunately, he had already failed at the fourth lesson.
Classes hadn't even begun.
Rayan Zu's academy life was off to a wonderful start.