The morning sun shone brightly over the Royal Necromancer Academy.
Unfortunately, one of its newest students had no intention of appreciating it.
Rayan Zu lay comfortably in his bed, his blanket covering half his face. Sunlight passed through the window and fell directly across his pillow.
He frowned.
Then he rubbed his face lazily.
"Five more minutes..."
He turned over and pulled the blanket over his head.
"Just five minutes. The world can wait."
The world, apparently, agreed.
Five minutes passed.
Then ten.
Then thirty.
Eventually, two entire hours disappeared.
When Rayan finally opened his eyes again, he stared blankly at the ceiling.
For several seconds, his mind remained completely empty.
Then he remembered where he was.
"Oh, right. The academy."
He sat up, stretched his arms, and yawned.
"Wonderful. I've successfully completed my morning training."
He paused.
"What morning training?"
After a moment of thought, he nodded seriously.
"The training of sleeping until I feel refreshed."
With that important achievement behind him, Rayan washed his face, straightened his clothes, and headed toward the cafeteria.
His stomach had begun protesting loudly.
First, food. Then, exploration. Then, studying.
He considered the plan.
Actually, food deserves a little more time.
An Unexpected Reunion
The academy cafeteria was already bustling with students.
Long tables filled the spacious hall, and the delicious smell of freshly prepared food made Rayan's stomach growl again.
He collected his meal and looked around for an empty seat.
Then he spotted a familiar face.
"Ran!"
Ran was sitting at a table near the windows.
However, she wasn't alone.
Beside her sat a young woman with dark-blue hair.
Rayan stopped walking.
He looked at the blue-haired girl.
Then at Ran.
Then back at the blue-haired girl.
His brain worked for a moment before recognizing her.
Wait a minute. Isn't that Liora?
He had met her only a few days earlier in the island city, when he had encountered the little girl who was secretly the Witch of Death.
And now she was sitting with Ran as if they had been friends for years.
Rayan approached their table.
"Good morning."
Ran waved cheerfully.
"Rayan! You're finally awake!"
Rayan narrowed his eyes.
"Why does everyone keep making my sleeping habits sound like a crime?"
"Because you slept through most of the morning."
"I was conserving energy."
"For what?"
"Eating."
Ran sighed.
Then she gestured toward the blue-haired girl.
"Rayan, you remember Liora, don't you?"
"Of course."
Liora smiled politely.
"Good morning, Rayan."
"Good morning, Liora."
Ran continued, "She's my roommate. We decided to share a two-person room."
Rayan froze.
"...Your roommate?"
"Yes."
"And you became friends already?"
Ran tilted her head.
"Is that strange?"
"No, not strange. Just... unexpected."
He sat down slowly.
A few days ago, he had met Liora in the island city while buying supplies. Now she was living in the same academy as them and sharing a room with Ran.
What were the odds?
Rayan began calculating.
Then he stopped.
Never mind. I'm a necromancer, not a mathematician.
Liora watched his expression with amusement.
"Is something wrong?"
"Nothing. I'm just impressed by how quickly Ran makes friends."
Ran puffed out her chest.
"Of course! I'm friendly, kind, intelligent, and easy to get along with."
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Rayan nearly choked on his drink.
Ran turned toward him.
"What's so funny?"
"Nothing."
"Rayan."
"I was just thinking about how humble you are."
"That's right!"
Liora covered her mouth to hide a laugh.
Rayan looked at her.
"Please be careful. If you encourage her, she'll become unstoppable."
"Too late," Ran replied. "I'm already unstoppable."
Rayan looked up at the ceiling.
Grandpa, please send help.
Or at least send someone who can teach me how to win an argument against her.
Three Friends and a Dangerous Plan
The three ate together while chatting about their first day at the academy.
Liora explained that she and Ran had met while looking for their dormitory assignments. They discovered that they had several similar interests, especially when it came to books and exploring unfamiliar places.
Rayan listened carefully.
Then he asked the most important question.
"How many books did you buy?"
Ran immediately became defensive.
"Why are you asking?"
"Because I'm curious."
"That's suspicious."
"Curiosity is a virtue!"
"Not when you're asking about my books."
Liora smiled.
"Twenty-three."
Rayan slowly turned toward Ran.
"She knows the number?"
"Of course she knows the number!"
"Then why did you hesitate yesterday?"
"Because I knew you'd react like this!"
Rayan placed a hand over his heart.
"Ran, I'm hurt. Do you really think I'd judge you for buying books?"
She stared at him.
"Yes."
"That's terrible."
"You complained all the way from the bookstore!"
"That was because the bags were heavy. My heart supports your education. My arms, however, have filed an official complaint."
Liora laughed.
Ran shook her head.
"Fine. Next time, I'll buy fewer books."
Rayan brightened.
"Really?"
"Yes. I'll buy only the most important ones."
"How many is that?"
"Forty-six."
Rayan put down his spoon.
Liora burst out laughing.
For several moments, Rayan sat in silence, reconsidering every decision that had brought him to this table.
Finally, he picked up his spoon again.
"At least I have my own room."
Ran smiled sweetly.
"That's nice. I hope you enjoy carrying my books whenever we study together."
Rayan nearly dropped his bowl.
"Why am I involved in your academic career?!"
"Because we're friends."
"Friendship is supposed to bring happiness!"
"It does. For me."
Liora laughed so hard that she had to put down her drink.
Rayan sighed.
He was beginning to suspect that his greatest challenge at the Royal Necromancer Academy would not be necromancy.
It would be surviving his friendships.
The Great Food Exploration
After finishing their meal, the three sat together for a while.
Ran looked out through the cafeteria windows toward the distant city.
"Since classes haven't started yet, why don't we go back to the island city?"
Rayan immediately became interested.
"For what?"
"To explore."
Liora nodded.
"I've heard there are many interesting places there. Shops, restaurants, markets, and entertainment facilities."
Rayan's eyes brightened.
"Restaurants?"
Ran looked at him suspiciously.
"I knew that would get your attention."
"Exploring a new city is an important educational activity."
"Of course."
"We need to understand the local culture."
"Naturally."
"And food is an essential part of culture."
Ran folded her arms.
"Just say you want to eat."
Rayan looked offended.
"How dare you reduce my intellectual curiosity to something so ordinary?"
Liora smiled.
"So, our main objective is food?"
Rayan nodded solemnly.
"Precisely."
Ran sighed.
"Fine. Let's go."
Rayan immediately stood up.
"Our mission begins!"
He raised one hand dramatically.
"Today, we shall investigate the culinary traditions of Gazan Island!"
A few students turned to look at him.
Ran grabbed his sleeve and pulled him back down.
"Sit down first! We haven't even cleared our plates!"
Rayan obediently sat down.
"...Every great explorer faces opposition."
The Culinary Expedition
The three eventually left the academy and returned to the island city.
The streets were lively, with merchants calling out to customers, carts moving through the crowded roads, and visitors gathering around colorful stalls.
Rayan looked around with interest.
Unlike the academy, where everything revolved around education and training, the city was full of ordinary life.
There were clothing shops, equipment stores, restaurants, bakeries, and small stalls selling all kinds of snacks.
The three decided to explore the city while trying as many different foods as they could manage.
Their first stop was a bakery.
Rayan bought a sweet pastry filled with fruit.
He took one bite.
His eyes widened.
"Excellent!"
Ran tried a piece.
"That's actually delicious."
Liora nodded in agreement.
Their second stop was a stall selling crispy meat-filled pastries.
Their third was a shop specializing in noodles.
Their fourth sold a thick soup served in a round bread bowl.
By the time they reached a street lined with dessert shops, Rayan had become completely invested in their mission.
He stood before a menu as if he were studying an ancient magical text.
"Chocolate cake, fruit pudding, honey biscuits, sweet buns..."
He paused.
"This world has truly reached the pinnacle of civilization."
Ran stared at him.
"You're praising civilization because of cake?"
"Can you think of a better reason?"
"Necromancy?"
"That comes second."
Liora laughed.
They continued trying different foods, comparing flavors, and discussing which dishes they liked best.
Ran preferred sweet pastries.
Liora enjoyed delicate desserts and refreshing drinks.
Rayan, meanwhile, appeared willing to try absolutely anything that smelled delicious.
At one stall, the merchant offered him a small, extremely spicy snack.
"Careful, young man. It's quite hot."
Rayan smiled confidently.
"I have excellent tolerance."
He took a bite.
For three seconds, nothing happened.
Then his face turned red.
His eyes watered.
He grabbed his drink and swallowed half of it.
Ran leaned forward.
"How is it?"
Rayan struggled to breathe normally.
"Wonderful."
His voice cracked.
"Truly wonderful." Get faster updates on novelping.com.
Liora looked at him sympathetically.
"Would you like some water?"
"No."
He wiped his eyes.
"I refuse to lose to a vegetable."
The merchant burst out laughing.
Ran laughed so hard she nearly dropped her bag.
Rayan pointed at the remaining snacks.
"I will remember this humiliation."
"Are you planning revenge?" Ran asked.
"Naturally. Someday, I'll become powerful enough to eat this without blinking."
"That sounds like a very impressive ambition."
"Thank you. I work hard on my goals."
By late afternoon, the three had sampled a remarkable variety of local dishes.
They had also discovered that exploring a city while eating continuously was much more exhausting than it sounded.
Ran rubbed her stomach.
"I'm full."
Liora nodded.
"So am I."
Rayan stood quietly beside them.
Both girls looked at him.
"What?" he asked.
Ran narrowed her eyes.
"Don't tell me you're still hungry."
Rayan considered his answer carefully.
"I'm not hungry."
Ran relaxed.
"I'm simply curious about that shop over there."
She followed his gaze.
It was a dessert shop.
"Rayan!"
"What? Curiosity is a virtue!"
"Not when it's about food!"
Liora laughed.
In the end, they decided to stop eating and enjoy the rest of their time exploring the city.
They visited several shops, admired the harbor, and watched the ships moving across the water.
For a while, Rayan forgot about training, exams, and the mysteries surrounding his family's shadow techniques.
He was simply enjoying himself with two friends.
And perhaps that was worth something too.
Five Minutes from Disaster
The sun was beginning to set when Ran finally checked the time.
Her expression changed.
"Wait."
Rayan looked at her.
"What?"
"What time is it?"
Liora checked as well.
Then she looked at the academy's distant towers.
"We should return."
Ran's eyes widened.
"We should return RIGHT NOW!"
Rayan blinked.
"What happened?"
"The academy gates have a closing time!"
For a moment, nobody moved.
Then all three started running.
Rayan hurried along the street, holding his stomach with one hand.
"Why didn't anyone mention this earlier?!"
Ran ran beside him.
"We were busy eating!"
"That was your plan!"
"You agreed!"
"I was misled by the promise of delicious food!"
Liora ran ahead, calling back, "Argue later! Run faster!"
The three raced toward the academy.
They crossed the outer road, hurried through the entrance, and finally reached the gates just as the guards were preparing to close them.
The guards looked at the exhausted trio.
One of them raised an eyebrow.
"Cutting it close, aren't you?"
Ran bent forward, trying to catch her breath.
"We're... back... before closing."
The guard glanced at the clock.
"Five more minutes and you would have been staying outside tonight."
Rayan straightened.
"Outside?"
"Outside."
Rayan stared at the gates.
Then at the guard.
Then at his friends.
I nearly sacrificed my comfortable bed for a pastry.
He pressed a hand over his chest.
"From this day onward, I shall respect time with the same devotion I reserve for food."
Ran shook her head.
"You said that yesterday about studying."
"And I meant it yesterday."
Liora smiled.
"At least we made it."
They said their goodbyes near the dormitory paths.
Ran and Liora headed toward the girls' dormitory, while Rayan returned to the boys' dormitory.
Before leaving, Ran called out, "Don't oversleep tomorrow!"
Rayan waved.
"I make no promises!"
"RAYAN!"
"I'LL TRY!"
That was the best she was going to get.
The Best Bed in the World
Rayan returned to Room Seven, washed up, and changed into comfortable clothes.
He looked at his bed.
The bed looked back at him.
At least, that was how he felt.
After a day of walking, shopping, and eating far too much food, the bed seemed like the greatest invention in the world.
Rayan walked toward it.
He sat down.
Then he lay back.
The moment his back touched the mattress, his eyes closed.
"Tomorrow..."
He yawned.
"Tomorrow, I'll study..."
Within seconds, he was fast asleep.
He had no idea that the peaceful night ahead of him would soon be interrupted by an unexpected visitor.
And unlike Ran, this visitor would not knock on the door.
She would simply enter through his window.
Because apparently, even the principal of the Royal Necromancer Academy had forgotten the basic rules of manners.
And she had a rather unusual business proposal for one very sleepy first-year student.