I walked aimlessly around the town, and then returned to Magic academy. Tomorrow were the day when our lessons were supposed to start. Myne was supposed to study Increased maximum mana points skill. Trevor chose Increased speed skill, while Luara was still planning how to pass her time, since she already had ten skills. She planned to learn some spells, and took some adventurer jobs in a forest. Guess she will not do that now. I knocked at professor Doranius door and waited for the answer.

- Come in.I entered the room and froze in the middle, not knowing what to say.

- You returned already. Was your dungeon hunt successful?

- We didn't go to dungeon.

- Took a quest then? Myne mentioned some big job, that you were planning to go on.

- Myne died.

- Please take a seat.

I sat in front of him, and he put aside the papers, that he was reading.

- What happened?

- We took a quest. I took it! And she died. Myne won't be coming to lessons.

- I see. I am sorry to hear that. I will inform the principal.

- Thank you.

- Is there anything else I can do for you?

- Can I get individual room. I would like to be alone for a while, at least in my room.

- I will arrange that. We can cover the expenses using money that Myne paid for this semester.

- Thank you.

I stood up and exited the room. I felt professors eyes on me, but there was nothing more to say. I returned to my room and fell on bed. Room was still empty. New students were supposed to arrive only next morning. I had to decide what to do next. There was only one thing to do.

Next morning dorm keeper lady, told me that a new room is prepared for me. I took my magic bag, all my things were inside it already, and followed her. Room was smaller, but there was enough space for single person.

Later that day my lessons started, but I had hard time concentrating on them. At least I wrote down most of the things, and read my notes in the evening. Someone knocked on my door, and after I answered, dorm keeper came inside.

- There are two people at the gate, they wish to talk to you. As you know, only students are allowed inside and you will need to go outside to talk to them.

- Who is it.

- A young man, who looks like adventurer and beast-girl.

- Can you tell them that I am busy, and can't talk to them. And if they come back, just tell them the same thing.

- Fine, - she sighed: - But in my experience, you can't hide from your problems.

I looked outside the window. Well maybe avoid them at least.

Next day I was walking in the corridor when I run into Mortana and her ever present friends. It was her last semester, and I heard several times, teachers praising her successes.

- Isn't it commoner adventurer, - she greeted me: - And where is your commoner friend? Was she finally unable to pay for the lessons?

- Myne is dead.

I went past her, not listening to the whispers behind me. I entered the classroom and tried to concentrate. Lessons were interesting, mostly meant to teach us quick mental reaction and concentration. I did the minimum necessary amount, but mostly I lost my interest. I still wanted Intelligence skill, but I had other plans.

When our two rest days arrived, I exited Magic academy early in the morning and went to Mage guild. This was my first time visiting it.The guild hall was similar to the one in Grimsburg, but bigger and one floor higher. The usual set of books and receptionist waited me inside when I entered it.

- How can I help you? - smiled at me receptionist.

- I wish to learn Destroy undead spell.

- Good, we can help you. But you should know that this spell is a third level Air magic spell. You need at least basic level wisdom spell to learn it.

- I have it. I also have Air magic skill. I am a student in the Magic academy.

- I see. Welcome to Magic guild. We are always happy to see students from magic academy here. Learning the spell will cost you four gold coins.I put four gold coins and two copper coins on the table.

- I will also need ten paper pages.

- As you wish, - she gave me paper pages and soon returned with one of the mages.

- My name is Tuare, I am magician who wields advance level Air magic and also advanced level Wisdom skills. So you are the one who wishes to learn Destroy undead spell?

- Yes.

- Tia told me that you are student in Magic academy and have basic level Wisdom skill. Have you experience in learning any high ranking spells?

- I can use Teleportation spell.

- Impressive, - nodded Tuare: - Then mastering this spell will be possible for you. Follow me.

Tia passed him parchment with the spell and he led me to the room, which was similar to the one in Grimsburg.

- Do you know what to do?

- This is my first time in capitol's magic academy, but I learned spells in Grimsburg.

- Good. Our teaching procedure is exactly the same in all Magic guilds. Ring the bell when you are finished.

Thanks to my lessons in drawing magic circles I finished this one in half a day. One of the servants brought me lunch, and after eating, I asked her to call master Tuare.

- You are already finished.

- Yes, I showed him magic circle in my grimoire.

- Good. Follow me.

Training room was located in the basement. Not counting its bigger size, it looked exactly the same as the one in Grimsburg. There were two more students, practicing the spells, under masters supervision. I recognized one of the students. He was a student at Magic academy. We had lessons together last semester.

Tuare took me to one of the wooden dolls and I put my grimoire in front of me. Learning new spells did not get easier, and I failed to cast it. I returned next day and managed to successfully cast the spell shortly before midday. The wooden doll was surrounded by black light for a short while and then the light disappeared.

- Good, you did it, - nodded master Tuare.

- Thank you, - I heavily breathed. Spell took a lot of mana and practicing it for hours without break was exhausting.

- Your lessons are finished with it. Feel free to come back if you wish to learn new spells.

- Thank you. I will, if the need arises.

After leaving Magic guild I kept practicing filling the magic circle with mana until the evening. I used up four mana restoration potions, but my ability to use Destroy undead spell slowly improved.

I kept practicing the spell every evening after the lessons. Having the whole room to myself was helpful and helped me concentrate.

Three days later, dorm keeper entered my room and put two letters on my table.

- Your friends asked me to pass this to you. Beast-girl also asked me to tell you, that she is leaving the capitol.

- Thank you.

She nodded and left the room. I looked at the letters for a long time, but finally burned them. I did not wanted to read them. I chose the quest that got Myne killed. There was nothing that they could say that could change it. I closed my eyes, cleared my mind, and kept practicing Destroy undead spell.

Two more days later my lessons ended and after dinner, I left the Magic academy. I put on sheaths with my dagger and sword, and left the capitol. My use of Destroy undead spell was fast enough, and I had my weapons. I was ready to do what needed to be done.

I left my bow and arrows in the quiver. I will not need them for a long time. Two hours later I was standing in front of Cemetery dungeon. Thanks to my Night vision skill I was able to see as good as during the day. There was no need to wait for sunrise, and I went inside the dungeon.

First monster I met was a ghost. He flew towards me, but my Destroy undead spell was ready. Dark smoke covered the undead and he disappeared. Magic stone fell on earth and I placed it inside my magic bag.

After my first attempt at hunting in Cemetery dungeon, I read as much information about it as possible. It was not much, but I memorized some basic maps. The dungeon was not big. No underground floors, just one town of the dead, that adventurers could walk through in three hours. After searching nearby grounds, and not encountering any monsters, I returned to cemetery's border and went inside first mausoleum. I had a single room inside it, with stone coffin inside it. Coffin lid was removed and the grave was empty. I searched all nearby mausoleums, but encountered only a single wight. My Destroy undead spell took care of it and I continued methodically search all nearby buildings.

I still had one piece of paper that I bought in Mage guild, and I used it to make a crude map. I only needed it to mark the area of the cemetery, that I already searched. Two days later, by my estimates I searched around one percent of the dungeon. Seven monsters died, destroyed by my spell. That was not much, but I had more than enough time.

I returned to academy and resumed my lessons. Next rest days I returned and continued searching buildings on the border of Cemetery dungeon. Then again, and again the same circle. Slowly I was cleaning the dungeon, moving in a circle around its borders, and slowly going deeper. Most monster that I encountered were ghosts, skeletons, zombies and some wights. By the end of the semester I searched more than fifteen percent. After the graduation, I went to adventurers guild and exchanged all magic stones that I got. Counting money that I already had, I barely earned enough to pay for next semester. I asked permission to use leveling crystal, but was surprised, that I managed to advance only one level. I of course heard that increasing level after level twenty gets much harder, and harder with every level, and that most adventurers never get past level cap of level thirty, but did not expect things to get that hard. I looked at my stats:

Elf, LV 21 - 22

Name - Avone;

Job: Ranger;

Status:

Health: 18;

Mana: 200 - 210;

Strength: 12;

Defense: 8;

Spell power: 9 - 10;

Luck: 1;

Speed: 6;

Morale: Neutral

Skills:

Archery (Advanced);

Night vision (Advanced);

Mana rapid recovery (Novice);

Magic resistance (Basic);

Wisdom (Basic);

Earth magic (Novice);

Butchery (Novice);

Water magic (Novice);

Air magic (Novice);

Intelligence (Novice);

The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

Double skill slots

Possible skill acquirement:

- Air magic (Basic);

- Earth magic (Basic);

Please choose one skill!

I decided to increase the level of my Air magic skill. I needed it more than Earth magic, since my main weapon was Air magic spell. I returned to Magic academy and counted all my coins. Fifty three gold coins and eight copper coins. Enough to pay for next semester, learn a spell, and by some food that could last me for a month. Not enough money to pay for tavern, but I was not planning to stay in a tavern anyway. But I needed to earn more money, or I will not have enough money to pay for Adventurer academy, that I planned to attend after my last semester in Magic academy.

Well, I was set for now, and planned to go deeper inside Cemetery dungeon anyway. But until then I needed to learn final elemental magic skill. I went to professors Doranius room, and after hearing invitation went inside.

- Avone. I was expecting you. So have you chosen to continue learning in our academy?

- Yes. I wish to learn a Fire magic skill.

- I see. What about Air magic skill?

- I already have it. Got it while leveling up.

- I see, so that's way you chose Intelligence last year.

- Yes.

He prepared the contract and after I signed it and paid for next semester, he asked me to stay little longer.

- I wanted to ask you some questions, if you don't mind.

- About what? - I remembered about Myne, and my heart squeezed inside my chest.

- First, my I ask what level do you have now?

- Twenty two. Leveled up recently.

- I see. Congratulations on reaching such high level. Last year, your party members completed a dragon killing quest, and sold dragon materials as proof. Your party also managed to kill several floor guardians. You may not know that since it rarely done, and we do not advertise it, but our academy has a special classes for students, who manage to complete extraordinary deeds while attending our academy. It was started by princess Leanisia, who during her education, developed several spells. To such students we offer a special program, during which they can learn magic skills, that normally are not available and are very rear.

That sounded interesting, and for the first time in half a year I was intrigued.

- Can you tell me more about it?

- Of course, if you are interested. Like I said this program is offered to only extraordinary students. Thanks to your party successes, and after learning all four elemental skills, you are qualified for these lessons. If you can successfully graduate and learn Fire magic skill you will be able to continue studies in our academy. But there is one final test that you must pass. You can have this semester to do that. And I also must warn you that these skills are difficult to learn. You will need at least one year to learn them and payment for them is double than usual. Also you will need to prove your worth to academy by giving the academy gift, something rear and related to magic.

- I see, - I thought for a while. Doubt that some monster materials would suffice, and piece of adamantium or adamantium dagger were not exactly magical. I still had two vials of Gods mead. Now that I learned Cure spell and had Air magic skill, it will be possible for me to regrow a hand or eye if I ever lose one, so I could afford losing one bottle.

- Will Gods mead be enough?

Professor opened his eyes in surprise, but nodded:

- Yes it will be more than enough. But are you sure? Such elixir is highly valuable and rear.

- It depends on what skills can I learn?

- I see. There are several. Magic spell crafting skill, can be helpful and many think that also necessary to create new spells. It will help you to better understand spell circle structure and you might be able to create new spells. But I should warn you, that even with this skill, creating new spell might not be possible for you, since skills only enhance your natural abilities.

That sounded not that interesting. Creating new spells could be great advantage and could open many doors for me, but even after all the lessons I had no idea how to even start crating new skill, and did not completely understand principles of spell circles. So this skill could turn out to be useless for me.

- You can also learn Artificer skill. This skill is necessary if you are interested in crafting artifacts. Another choice it Life magic skill. It is rarely used magic, and mostly forgotten, because it is not battle related. It uses such spells as Holy word that inflicts damage to undead, but it is the most that this magic can do when it comes to battle magic. Mostly it was used in daily life. Its spells can help plants growth, create fire in a fireplace or create water.

- Can it create hot water?

- Yeas that is possible, but...

- How much water? Is there a limit?

- No, it is only limited by your mana and spell power, but...

- I want to learn that.

- Life magic? But you didn't even heard about the rest.

- What about spells, are they included?

- Yes, in this case they are. It might be possible to learn the skill in one semester, but because we also teach the spells it takes two semesters to learn everything. And most Magic guilds don't teach those spells, but...

- Then Life magic it is. I want that.

Doranius sighed.

- I do not understand why, but fine. You will need a year to learn the skill and all the spells, that we know, that are related to Life magic school. After next semester you will need to pay two orichalcum coins, and leave as the elixir.

- That's fine. I can give you Gods mead now, - I could lose it by then, and miss my opportunity to learn Life magic water spell. I could not miss that chance.

- Are you sure? I can prepare contract right now, but you still can change your mind.

- That is fine. I won't change my mind, - I took out Gods mead elixir and put it on the table.

Doranius sighed, but prepared the contract and I signed it. After leaving the professor, for the first time in a long time I was in a good. Creating water. That sounded amazing. I could create it above me and take showers, as long as I want. For years I had to wash myself with wet towel or piece of cloth. There were of course public bath houses, but I did not have time to visit them. And the pool on academy's grounds, were reserved for lessons, or rich students. If only I had known earlier about that magic, I would definitely learn it already. The only bad thing was that I will have to wait a year and a half, before I can use it properly. That was a shame, but nothing could be done about it now. I will also need to earn enough money to pay for the lessons. And in order to do that I will need to get stronger, so to the Mage guild we go.

I had two gold coins, that I could spend, to learn a new spell, and I already knew which one I want to learn.

- I want to learn Lightning spell, - I told receptionist in Mage guild and put two gold coins and three coppers on table: - And I will need paper sheets for my drawing practice.

- Of course, - she nodded and went to call one of the mages. My teacher for lightning spell was my familiar master Tuare. He remembered me, and welcomed me back. We followed the usual procedure, but this time I learned the spell in just one day. That was a first for me. The time was approaching evening, when my spell worked and lightning came down from above the wooden doll and strike it. Unlike other spells to cast this one I needed to guide my magic power not towards the target, but above it. I succeeded in casting lightning few times before, but my aim was off, and master Tuare ordered me to continue, until it hit the intended target. That was tricky, since I needed to guide magic power towards the spot that I needed to imagine myself instead of clearly seeing it. Nelly always used this spell with incredible precision, and I had no idea how hard it was to aim the lightning.

Tuare nodded satisfied, and I thanked him for the lessons. My skills started to help me, and I finally felt a difference that they created.

It was already late, and I had to spend five more coppers to pay for the room in a tavern.

* * *

Doranius exited his room and took Gods mead vial to principal's room.

- Doranius, come in. What's that you have there?

- Gods mead.

- That is... - principal put aside papers that he was looking threw and pointed at one of the chairs, in front of his desk.

Doranius took a seat and glanced at papers. He often thought about academy and its finances and their origins. The fifty gold coins that students paid, could barely cover the expenses for their food. The truth was that it was not nearly enough. Principal kept payment for lessons so low because he wanted to allow students like Avone or Cleo, to attend the academy. That way people with potential had a way to develop their skills and become powerful magicians. Most of the academy's income came from bribes. Officially they were donations, to the academy, but unofficially they were payments from rich nobles or merchants, to make sure that their children would be accepted in the academy, because otherwise they would be rejected, since academy officially took in students based on their jobs, skills and achievements that they had before trying to become a students in Magic academy.Doranius did not know the amount of the bribes, bet they were enough to pay teachers, keep academy running and even build a small treasury inside the academy.

Doranius put the Gods mead on the table and thought that it would be good enough bribe to get a mediocre son of a noble inside academy and left a promising student on the other side of the gates.

- So, where did you get it?

- Avone accepted our offer for additional lessons to learn one of the rear skills.

- I see. Which one did she chose?

- Life magic skill.

- That is unusual. Not a skill that I would think she would chose. Did you told her that this magic in almost unpracticed, because it has so few applications in battles?

- Barely. I do not understand why she chose that skill. I didn't even had a chance to tell her about other possibilities.

- Strange.

- Yes, sometimes she could be very strange. But I am worried about her.

- What do you mean?

- Like you instructed me, I asked about her in Adventurers guild. Thanks to our connection and cooperation, they send me information about her party and their successes. The information that I received included killing several floor guardians and a dragon, but more personal information regarding Avone they refused to disclose. Some kind of agreement between the guild and adventurers. I kept asking about her, but the things they told, was what she was not doing. Which is what is worrying me.

- What do you mean?

- Last year, after Myne died, they disbanded their party. Their leader returned to Grimsburg, while warrior stayed in Adventurers academy. He also received and excepted kings offer to join the royal knights. Before that they always hunted in Golden Goose dungeon. I expected that Avone will continue doing that, even alone. But she wasn't seen in that dungeon anymore. She wasn't seen in Dead man's chest dungeon either. But she is always leaving the capitol, doesn't stay in academy during rest days.

- So where is she going? Maybe she is practicing in the woods?

- I thought so too, but I doubt that. I asked her level, last year her adventurers rank increased to C, when she reached level twenty. Just like Myne before she died, at least that was what Myne told me. But recently Avone leveled up and reached level twenty two. After reaching level twenty, she would need to hunt constantly, to increase her level.

- So how did she do that, if not by going to the dungeon?

- You forget, that there is one more dungeon near the capitol.

- You don't mean? No that is impossible. No one goes there, for a good reason. Besides only rank B adventurers are allowed to go there.

- Yes. But since no one is crazy enough to go there, it is unguarded. And since no one goes there, no one would see her there.

- Still. At level twenty two? She wouldn't survive there.

- I discretely contacted Mage guild. After Myne died and their party was disbanded she learned Destroy undead spell.

- I see now, why you are worried about her, - principal scratched his chin.

- My I ask, why did you decided to offer her an extra semester in Magic academy? Officially there is such paragraph, but last time we did it, was almost fifteen years ago. And only reason why we did it, was because the student was a prince - the current king, and it was almost an order from a palace.

- I can tell you, but please keep it to yourself, - Doranius nodded and principal continued: - It was a favor to sage Norris.

- Famous skill orb creator. But why?

- You may not know that that, but it was he who posted the dragon slaying quest in adventurers academy. Apparently he felt guilty, when Avone party's member died during battle with the dragon. That was his way to pay back, for her loss. He wanted to avenge his daughter, but causing more suffering was not his intention.

- I see. So that's why.

- Yes.

- What should we do about her then?

Principal shook his head:

- Nothing. We should not interfere in private life of our students. Besides if you would know for sure that she is breaking the kingdoms rules, by going to Cemetery dungeon, you would be obligated to report her, and me too. So my advice - leave it alone.

- But she could die!

- And do you think, that she will listen to you?

Doranius remembered recommendation letter.

- No, she will not. She might even leave the academy, if we push too hard.

- Then be a teacher Doranius. That is our purpose.

- I will. My I personally teach her some of Life magic spells?

Principal smiled and nodded. He read Doranius like an open book: - Yes, that you my do.

* * *

Next morning I spend all my remaining money on food supplies. They were not enough, but I could probably get by, by rationing.

I left the capitol and went to Cemetery dungeon. I had whole month to continue my dungeon exploration. I also needed to earn more money to pay for next semester. I took out my sword and entered Cemetery dungeon.

I kept destroying ghosts and searching mausoleums. In one of the buildings I found four silver coins. My first treasure, that I found in the dungeon. Then I saw a group of zombies. That was my first time encountering more than one monster at once. Judging from their clothe, they were former adventurers. Probably killed by monsters in the dungeon, they later were brought back to life by dungeon's mana.

Four of them. And one of them had a staff, probably former mag. That was dangerous. I had my Destroy undead spell, but there was a problem.

Without Air magic skill Destroy undead spell could be used to destroy low level undead. With novice level Air magic skill, it could be used to destroy mid level undead, at basic - high level undead, at advanced - several undead monsters that belonged to the same species, like ghosts or zombies. And at master level - group of different type undead monsters. At my level I could destroy high level undead, but no more than one.

I took a deep breath. They did not noticed me yet, so I had an advantage. I waited till they got closer and used my spell on mage. He screamed when black smoke envelope him, but it was too late for him. Pack of bones fell on earth along with the remnants of his clothe and staff. Rest of zombies noticed me and went towards me. I had time to prepare my Magic arrow and blew up second adventurer's head. Two left. I prepared my sword and run away.

They followed me, and I kept running until I managed to cast my Haste spell. Once I was ready I turned around and attacked them. They had some sword skill left, but were too slow. I avoided sword slash and cut off the monster's head. Next opponent was armed with short sword and looked like a former scout. His sword skill were lacking, and after few sword exchanges I managed to cut off his leg. Undead fell on earth, and my next attack took off his head. I looked around, but there was no one left. I searched adventurers, but they had nothing of value. Most valuable thing was probably the staff, but it looked cheep, made of wood, with no crystals of runes on it. Swords were rusted, and looked like ordinary steel weapons.

I collected their magic stones and continued my search in nearby mausoleums. Night was approaching and fog started to cover the earth. I decided to leave the dungeon and get some rest. I started to walk towards dungeons border, when a dark figure came out from the fog. Undead had dark clothes and black sword, but first thing that I noticed about him was the absence of his head. Dullahan - headless warrior. He pointed his black sword towards me and I immediately run away. Dullahan was a high ranking undead, probably the equivalent of the floor guardian. He waited for a moment, but then started running after me. He was catching up, until I casted my Haste spell. That helped me to keep the distance between as. I already familiarized the surrounding area and managed to avoid any dead ends, until I got enough time to prepare another spell. I used Destroy undead, and black smoke enveloped dullahan. He tripped, but did not disappear like the others. Dullahan slashed with his sword and black smoke disappeared.

I was afraid of that. Dullahan was too powerful and probably had some immunity skills. He jumped forwards and we crossed blades. He was strong, stronger than me, even with my increased stats. I managed to block his attacks, but had constantly retreat to stay alive. Then I missed an attack and his sword hit my chest. My chainmail saved my life, but I was pushed back. I felt pain inside my chest, probably one of my ribs was broken. Dullahan continued his attack and tried to split my head. I had no time to block with my sword, and all I could do was pick up my left arm. Dullahan sword hit the vambrace and I was pushed on my knees. Dullahan put up his sword and I rolled away. Pain in my broken ribs almost made me past out. Dullahan turned, following my moves and I jumped on my legs. Wasting no time I run away again, preparing my next spell. My Haste spell was reaching the time limit. But I managed to prepare just in time. Dullahan sword was nearing my back when I disappeared.

I teleported on the roof of mausoleum around thirty meters away from dullahan. I immediately fell on my stomach and bitted my lip, to prevent myself from moaning in pain. I crawled towards the side of building and watched the dullahan. He turned around, probably searching for me. Wonder, how he was doing that without his head?Luckily he did not saw me and went in a wrong direction. I concentrated and used Cure spell to heal my broken rib. I lost the sight of dullahan and decided not to risk. I used Teleportation spell to jump from point to point until I reached safety, beyond dungeon's borders. I walked further away and used warning crystal. So Cemetery dungeon had its own floor guardians, and since I was far from its center, probably more than one. I expected that, so that was no surprise for me. Dullahan magic stone, could solve my money problems, but I was far from strong enough to challenge him. I noted the area where I met the dullahan. I will need to avoid that part of Cemetery dungeon, but there were plenty more places, that I could go to.