novelraw CHAPTER 349: Settling In
CHAPTER 349: Settling In
First we organised a student uniform for Rose and allowed her to wash up, then we showed her around. As long as she did not show her fangs you would think she was a normal human. I had no doubt that the news of a new vampire would spread quickly though.
Since it was getting late we ended up in the mess hall to get dinner. They had a nice beef and potato stew on offer. While I collected my food the undead secured a table. As I returned with my tray I saw Rose looking awkwardly at a seat instead of sitting down.
"What is wrong?" I asked.
"Hatsumi and Kaito are standing, is it truly ok for me to sit?" She asked.
"They are doing that by choice, they often sit down with us as well. Honestly, they don't even have to be here. I consider my undead my friends, not just servants." I told her.
My friends arrived with their food and sat down, it finally convinced Rose to take a seat as well.
"So, Rose, do you have any juicy information about Leo?" Helena asked.
Rose looked at me. "I am not allowed to provide any more information on the incident…"
"Oh, not about Leo's guilt or Brotherhood affiliation, more like in general. You did have him controlled, right? Did he tell you anything interesting?" Helena wondered.
"I was mostly concerned about my survival." Rose replied. "There was not a lot of planning or any methodical interrogation."
"I wonder what Leo will do when he runs into Rose again?" Skadi said.
"Oh! He is at the academy, right? Should I be worried?" Rose asked.
"I think he is still at the infirmary." Cassie replied.
"I doubt that he will try anything but you are allowed to defend yourself if necessary." I told her. "You are not the first potential undead he has lost."
"Really?" Rose asked.
"Yes." Garm confirmed. Rose turned around to see the orthos sitting behind her. She started petting his left head.
Stolen story; please report.
"He wanted a beast to turn it into an undead but the beast broke free during transport. Koyuki and her friends slew the beast and she used the corpse to create me." The right head explained.
"Wow." Rose replied. "How many tier three undead does he have?"
"None." I replied. "He does not even have a licence to control one. I think he is hoping to reach the senior mage level soon but I am doubtful."
"He puts spikey collars on his undead wolves, it is ridiculous." Garm added.
Rose nodded. "Your bowtie is clearly superior."
Garm preened.
While we ate our food we told stories about our time at the academy. We told Rose about some of the other students, the teachers and the attempts on my life. Her eyes grew really wide when we told her about Eva. After the meal I had a bit of homework to do, then we called it an early night. It had been an eventful day.
Rose spent the night with most of my undead in the storage room. Maybe I could get them a dorm room assigned next year? Not that my undead slept that much, except the cats. They saw it as a hobby. Still, a proper bed would be more comfortable than camping gear for the time when they actually slept.
During the next day the rumours started. Leo was still absent from classes as he spent another day at the infirmary, which led to questions. Further some students had seen our carriage leave with the teachers the day before and came up with wild theories. Valeria asked us during lunch and I introduced her to Rose, then told her the official story. The information spread like a wildfire and Rose got a lot of stares.
Rose was slightly uncomfortable with the attention but overall she seemed more relaxed than yesterday. I also saw her smile when she talked with my other undead and I noticed that she really liked fluffy things. It was not just Garm, she also petted the cats a lot. Sometimes she even carried one in her arms.
After classes we decided to do some sparring. It was time to see what Rose could do. The first was a battle between her and Hatsumi. Unsurprisingly Rose lost. Hatsumi was faster, stronger and she had some blood powers.
"Curious." Kaito stated, as we watched the duel. "Rose does have some instincts, as one would expect from an undead, but she is not particularly skilled at combat."
I scratched my head. "She does not have blood claws, like Hatsumi. Her only natural weapons are her fangs. She is not horrible with a sword, I think if she worked on it she could be decent. With her vampiric strength she could defeat a normal human, even without her bite."
"I wonder if she will embrace magic. She has shown some interest and Garm taught her a basic spell." Kaito added.
I looked at Rose again. "Is it just me, or does she seem more and more in awe of Hatsumi?"
"I believe you are correct. She might see Hatsumi as her big sister." Kaito stated.
Soon the two finished and joined us.
"Did you see Hatsumi move? She is so fast, it is amazing!" Rose said.
I nodded. "She is really getting good with her runes."
"Being a spellblade is rather beneficial." Hatsumi said. "However, we are here to evaluate Rose. I believe there is a decent foundation, you should take swordsmanship classes. Maybe you can coat your sword in blood, it is something Skadi can do."
"I am not sure, do you think a sword is for me?" Rose asked Hatsumi.
"Do what feels right." I advised her. "I have some training in weapons but I mostly use magic. Get a few classes to learn the basics and then decide if swordsmanship is something you are interested in. You can try different weapons, or just work on magic."
"I think magic could be fun." Rose stated.
"Fun is important! You can also try alchemy, if you like." I suggested.
Rose nodded.
"Koyuki, maybe you should practice some defensive spells, since we are in the training room." Kaito suggested.
"Meow!"
I turned around and saw Nyx already growing.
"Wait! I am not ready!" I shouted, while hastily forming a shield. It was too late and I found myself on the floor with a smug feline sitting on top of me.
I bribed her with a small bone, then we started to properly train. When we finished I saw Rose sitting next to Garm on the floor, studying a magical textbook. I smiled.