Koyuki, the Necromancing Foxkin

CHAPTER 292: Academy of Neth

After breakfast we got busy. Cassie and Skadi started working on some letters while Helena planned to visit her brother. He was at the academy, the same place the conference would take place, so we walked there together. Christa stayed behind, we did not want to draw too much attention to her yet.

Kaito, Hatsumi, Frank, Yoru and Nyx were with us as we walked towards the tall tower. Of course, the academy was more than one building. It was a lot grander than the Royal Military Academy. The Academy of Neth was surrounded by a black metal fence with golden spikes on top. A cobblestone road led through the gate towards the buildings. On both sides of the road was a well cared for lawn with some decoratively placed flowers and bushes.

Two guards stood next to the gate. They made no move to stop us and just nodded us through.

I frowned. "Their security is lacking."

Helena shrugged. "They are not the military. People can visit the academy if they want. They might only stop you if you look, eh, poor."

"Yet they do have guards and a fence." I pointed out.

"Makes it look more grand, more important." Helena replied.

"So, where do we go?" I wondered, as we walked down the road. It led to a plaza with a fountain in the centre. The fountain featured the statue of a man in a robe. He held a staff in both hands, slightly raised. The top of the staff was where the water emerged.

"I believe that is the main building." Kaito suggested, pointing at the large building right behind the plaza. The entrance had an arched roof and the building was four stories tall. It featured a lot of arches and was built from red bricks.

A surprising amount of people were walking around, considering that they had their mid-year break. I doubted that most of the students were here for the conference. Necromancy was not that important.

As we walked through the main door a man in a suit approached us. "Are you here for the conference?"

"Yes." I replied.

"I am also here to see my brother." Helena added.

"Your brother?" The man inquired.

"Derrick Frost, he is a fourth year student." She replied.

"I am afraid women are not allowed to visit the men's dorms but you can ask at the reception, they will send someone to inform him of your presence. Unfortunately my duty is to help with the conference, apologies." He gave a polite bow, then pointed towards the reception.

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"Sure." Helena replied, then looked at me. "I will come find you when I am done."

I nodded and she left.

"You are here for the conference? Might I have your name?" The man asked me.

"Koyuki." I replied.

"Oh! Sir Edward has been looking forward to your arrival. Might I escort you to him?"

"Sure." I replied.

We were led up the stairs to the first floor towards an office. The oak door had a golden sign: Sir Edward Reston. Our guide knocked, then opened the door and let us in.

"Sir, Koyuki has arrived." He announced me.

"Marvellous! Come in, come in!"

The office was rather large, compared to the teachers' at our academy. It might have been bigger than our headmaster's! He had two couches, three lounging chairs and massive desks. Multiple bookshelves and two paintings filled the walls. He even had three large windows looking towards the plaza!

Sir Edward rose from the chair behind his desk, smiling. "I have heard a lot about your dullahan's performance! I can't wait to…" He stopped and stared at Hatsumi. "No, that is not possible…" He rushed past his desk and stopped in front of the amused looking vampire. She even held out her arm for him to inspect it.

His hands trembled as he touched her skin. "This… this…"

"Sir, are you alright?" The servant asked, sounding concerned.

"Do not worry, Sir Edward is simply witnessing history." Kaito replied.

"No. It can't be. Surely…" Sir Edward's eyes lit up, glowing green. "They look real. I can see traces of magic. This… Mary's work?" He muttered to himself.

Hatsumi channeled some of her power, making her runes glow.

"They are real…" Sir Edward stumbled backwards. His eyes lost their glow and he looked at me. "How…"

"It was a team effort. Mary was the inscriber, Gronir helped with the necromancy and Horas helped with ink. My friends helped as well." I replied.

"The young lady is too modest but it was indeed a group project. They also revolutionised necromancy while doing so." Kaito added.

Sir Reston composed himself and looked at the dullahan. "Revolutionised necromancy?"

"Turning Hatsumi into a spellblade was a historic breakthrough, but not the only one." Kaito added.

"Is this a joke?" He asked.

Hatsumi smiled. "Of course not. But you might have to wait until the presentation. Gronir and Mary should arrive today, by boat. We are here to set up our booth. We expect a lot of questions and visitors."

He looked at Hatsumi's arms again. "I am looking at the evidence and I can still barely believe it. I am truly looking forward to your presentation now. I would also like to offer you a place at our academy. We can offer you so much more than the military."

"Sir, I am sponsored by Princess Olivia and under contract." I reminded him.

"Oh yes, I forgot. Hm. This complicates things." He seemed to ponder that.

I almost wanted to ask if he had forgotten something else, like my origins. He had organised our hotel. Well, he had probably ordered someone to book it. I did not think he would do such a task himself but he might have chosen the location. However, I did not want to draw any attention to Christa just yet.

"I am quite happy at the Royal Military Academy." I said.

"I see. Well, let us shelve this discussion for now. Are you truly not willing to give me a hint on your other discovery?" He asked.

I pondered that. "Hatsumi, turn around please."

"Yes, mistress."

Sir Edward frowned, now looking at Hatsumi's back. I gently grabbed her hair and began casting a spell.

"Watch her hair." I said, then I cast my magic. Her hair grew by about two centimetres.

Sir Edward blinked. "You grew her hair…"

"It is a rather simple spell. It can be cast with neutral mana." Kaito added.

"Hm. I am not sure I understand." Sir Edward replied.

"Perhaps you can figure it out before the presentation. For now, we would like to inspect our booth and make preparations." I said.

"Oh, certainly. Douglas, show them the way. It was nice seeing you again, I look forward to tomorrow."

"Likewise." I replied.

As we left Sir Edward was still pondering the hair and what it meant. For once, I had given someone some homework.