First period is about as boring as yesterday. It’s the same class, since this one is five days in a row. That means same teacher, same boring drawl, same topic that doesn’t matter. ‘Dungeoneering.’ Meh. I just hit things with my Aura and then Consume. There’s no difficulty or tactics required.

The teacher did take attendance today, unlike yesterday. Nyx suggested that they didn’t yesterday because they got here late, so there wasn’t much point to logging who arrived on time. If I cared, I could have gotten the names of the three dumb ones I toyed with yesterday, but I’m satisfied just calling them Idiots one through three.

(That’s probably going to make drama if you ever actually call them that, you know. One of them is some kind of noble,) Nyx warns me.

But I still don’t particularly care. They don’t seem that strong, so it’d probably be an easy fight.

(They can do worse things to you than attack you. People are known for social politicking. Before you ask, that means they’ll go behind your back and arrange with other people to make something you want to do more difficult or even impossible.)

Then I just need to establish our pecking order up front. Aaand yet another Nyx facepalm, but that won’t stop me, this calls for experimentation! My Assistant makes a pained sound as I focus on Idiot One and use Dominate, since they seemed to be the ringleader of their group. They look startled for a moment, but by the time they could have meaningfully reacted I’m already past their mental defenses.

Hello again, idiot. I’ve decided that you will be my first test case.

I then use Blood Pact, and will for them to accept it.

And to my surprise, they effortlessly do, despite the amount of strain they’re now applying to my mind control.

Welcome to my menagerie. You belong to me now. Don’t bother resisting, you’re far too weak. Maybe someday I’ll release you, but until then consider this a lesson. Never assume you are the strongest in the room, or that you and your little friends have any right or reason to target a non-human classmate. And don’t bother telling the academy staff; I will eat you myself if you try.

There, that ought to do it. I release my mind control and watch from the corner of my eye as they gasp wide-eyed and start whispering to their little friends.

Nyx sighs. (I really hope this doesn’t come back to bite us in the ass, but seriously… your Skills are so gods-damned unbalanced. There shouldn’t be any way you can just, force someone into subservience like that!)

Yeah, I didn’t think it’d work either, since –

[Dominate has reached Level 6!]

[Prophet’s Voice has reached Level 7!]

[Blood Pact has reached Level 1!]

Ooooh, candy! And I can already feel the difference too! I can feel where my two pawns are – ok, Izahne isn’t really a pawn – but I can also sense something else… like there’s a pocket of something there, something I can access. I give them a small tug, and suddenly feel a small burst of vitality rush into my body as though I’d just used Consume on something. It definitely has that Ascendant flavor too.

Idiot One looks around suddenly terrified, but I can also feel a small burst of positive emotions from outside the room, from wherever my paladin is right now, whatever class she is in.

(You probably already figured this out, but that one single level just gave you access to them like a reservoir. If it weren’t for the kill requirement, you could probably stave off your hunger forever just by draining people like this,) Nyx says.

And, she’s right. Despite that though, this is still incredibly useful. I bet it’s going to get even stronger with time.

Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.

(I don’t doubt it.)

The rest of the class period is ridiculously uneventful, and I don’t hesitate one bit when the teacher finally releases us from their torment. The dumb ones stay put for a moment though, whispering amongst themselves and generally looking very uncomfortable.

The next class period is some kind of spellcasting introductory somesuch, I don’t know, I wasn’t paying attention to the name.

(It’s –)

I don’t care.

Anyway, the teacher starts out the lecture by waving their hand over a crystal embedded in a pedestal at the front of the room, and after a brief wall of runes flashing above it a diagram appears. And then the teacher begins speaking.

“Since this is a comprehensive course, we’re going to take the time today to cover Magic Attributes. All of you, most likely, have at least one Magic Attribute, although there is no shame in lacking it. Several well known mages through history used nothing but Arcane spellcraft – that is, spells lacking a specific Attribute, being considered general spells accessible to all who have mana.”

Okay, I’ll admit it. This has my attention. I’m not sure if it’s the topic or the visual aid, but I’ll take it.

(Going to take notes, then?) Nyx asks.

Nope!

The teacher continues. “While there have been theories about the elements of Attributes opposing each other in the past, research has demonstrated that is not the case. In fact, many of the elements are additive when used together, such as combining the Fire and Water elements to produce magic steam capable of stripping flesh from bone, or even just quickly preparing a meal. That said, Attributes are generally set at birth in individuals fortunate enough to have an innate element, but they are also often provided by Status values. An Attribute could be provided by, for example, a Trait or even a Title.”

Interesting. I wonder if I have an Attribute.

(You have several. Idiot. Attributes and Magic Attributes are different.)

I roll my eyes but continue listening.

The teacher snaps their fingers and a line of light extends from their fingertip toward the diagram. “Currently known elemental Attributes consist of Fire, Water, Air, Earth, Light, Dark, Holy, and Infernal. This is not accounting for the occasional hybrid Attribute, where the spells of an innate user may inadvertently use more than one of their Attributes in combination at all times. The most commonly visible of these is the hybrid of Fire and Air, often enabling the user to more easily cast advanced spells such as Firestorm.”

I wonder if this class is going to teach spells too at some point.

(Seems likely, considering this is Introductory Spellcraft. Spellcraft itself generally involves making your own spells, so you should finish this one with at least an understanding of the basic components of a spell,) Nyx interjects.

“Now,” the teacher says with a clap of their hands and a smile, “I am sure several of you already have some awareness of your Magic Attributes, or have even had them previously appraised; despite this, our great academy requires retesting of all students during their first year on the off chance that they have acquired new Attributes, or perhaps managed to falsify their admissions. So! Form a line, ladies and gentlemen. Class will not be dismissed until we’ve tested all of you!”

Oh good. Boredom, and lines, and boring lines of boredom.

(You’re about to apply some of what you learned in class, for once. Just be patient.)

Fine, I sigh.

***

After way, way, way more time than I wanted to commit to standing in a boring line, I finally reach the front.

The teacher gestures toward a floating book in front of me, with a similar indentation and runes as the one the Adventurer’s Guild used to register me. “Place your hand in the center and imbue it with your mana,” they instruct.

I do it.

For a moment, there’s nothing. And then, the diagram on the projection flares to life, with glowing light indicating… something.

“I see, I see. Your Attribute is… Time? Alright, that’s unusual but not unheard of… wait, there’s more. This is… hmmm, two more. Having three Attributes is rather unusual… It looks like you have… hmmmmm one moment, please.“ They take the floating book and flip it open to a page somewhere near the middle, and drag their finger around on it. I can see glowing runes on it shift slightly. “Don’t fret, I’m simply increasing the sensitivity. Too high would result in a false reading, hence why we leave it coarse for most initial readings. Now, do try again.”

The book resumes its floating, so I put my hand on it again. This time, three lines on the projection distinctly light up, indicating Time, Infernal, and Darkness.

“That is quite the combination you have, I must say,” the teacher observes. Then they lean in and continue more quietly. “I am of course aware of your circumstances. If I may ask, are you perhaps of the undead variety?”

“I have no idea,” I promptly say.

(You are. You absolutely are.)

“Err, or, yes, I absolutely am, apparently.”

The teacher nods sagely. “I see. You are a powerful enough undead then to not only possess sentience but are in fact an Ascendant yourself; it should come as no surprise then that you are also powerful enough to have access to multiple elements. I have no doubt that you will –“

A sharp electric crackle in the air interrupts them, and the book begins to emit a red glow before jerking away from my hand. The runic display flickers, and then shows a simple message:

[Request to appraise Domain: (UNKNOWN) has been refused as a result of Divine Interference. Source Divinity: (UNKNOWN)]