I give them a military salute and then tell them to resume their training. Then I head upstairs, where the same thing happens with the more advanced students. The only one who doesn't bow is Vacker, who rushes over to give me a hug.

Vacker says "I knew that you were still alive! I just knew it! You are too stubborn to die!"

"Haha! Thanks, I think. It's good to see you, Vacker. The school looks like it is doing good."

Vacker says "Yeah, it is. We have eight full classes now, it's gotten to the point that we needed to take over the building next door. We have even started to build up some fame."

"That's great! Have you found anyone to pass on your knowledge to?"

Vacker says "I've found a couple of promising kids, but it is too soon to tell. I at least have hope now, thanks to you."

"Don't start that, I never would have survived without your training. We are even, so just let it go."

Vacker laughs and says "Alright. Well, speaking of training, have you kept up with yours?"

"Of course not. In fact, the last time I remember using my sword skills was when we spared."

Vacker says "Wow, that bad? You must be really rusty!"

"Well, it's not that I didn't use a sword during my journey, but I didn't really run into any enemies that could make me fight seriously. Besides, my new form isn't very conducive to wielding a sword. Mostly, I have been using magic for my fights, or my teeth and claws."

Vacker says "Does that mean that you have completely given up on being a swordsman?"

"Well, I wouldn't say completely, but it is no longer my main form of combat. For the most part, I won't really be getting involved in combat from now on. Other than the demon lords, there isn't much that I should need to fight myself. Battles on that level won't really involve weapons. Or I should say that if I need to use a weapon in those battles, I am already in trouble."

Vacker says "I don't know much about battles at that level, so I will take your word for it. It just seems like a shame, you have pretty good potential with the sword. With enough work, you could become a swordmaster."

"Unfortunately, I don't have the time I would need to devote to it. Things are only going to get worse now that I am becoming a king. I doubt I will have any time to spare to practice."

Vacker says "If you do find some time, come by and I will help you shake the rust off. I have to say, this talk of your new form makes me curious, can I see it?"

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"Sure, I don't see why not."

I move over to the side of the room where there is more space and drop shapeshift. As soon as I do, I see Vacker and his students all take a step backwards. Vacker quickly recovers himself and takes several steps towards me to get a better look.

Vacker says "Ash, I think you are making a mistake and have missed something that is obvious to me."

"Oh, what's that?"

Vacker says "Take a good look at your claws, they are easily the size of swords. You shouldn't have any problems adapting sword forms to work with them. I'd even be willing to bet that your mind blade could work with your claws."

"You're right, I never even thought of that possibility. I don't have the time right now, but when I do I will experiment with it."

Vacker says "I don't know anything about fighting with claws, but I will try and help you figure it out if you want."

"Sure. I will stop by when I have more time. For now, I just wanted to see how things were going and if you needed anything."

Vacker says "Nope. Things are going good and Pol makes sure I have everything that I need."

"That's good. Alright, I will stop by again when I have more time."

Vacker escorts me and Myria outside after I have resumed my beastman form. After leaving the school, we return to the inn and use the teleporter to the tower. As soon as the nausea from the teleporter passes, I lead the way to the library to find Lin.

As expected, we find her in one of the reading rooms with a huge pile of books around her. Bella isn't with her this time, so we walk over and enter the reading room. It takes a minute for Lin to even notice that she isn't alone anymore.

Lin says "Oh, hello. I didn't miss an appointment or something, did I?"

"No, it's nothing like that. I came to ask for your help in casting the detection spell over the peninsula."

Lin says "Of course I will help!"

Myria says "Don't mind me, I just tagged along."

Lin says "He hasn't done anything stupid, has he?"

Myria says "Done, no, but he has had some stupid thoughts."

Lin says "With Ash, that's not surprising."

Myria says "I'm not saying anything more, so stop glaring at me, Ash."

I turn and lead the way to the main doors of the tower and then ask Yui to create a barrier. Once she has done so, I open the doors, but even with the barrier we get hit by cold air. Both girls immediately start shivering and cling to my body for warmth.

Lin says "Can't we cast the spell from inside?!"

"Don't worry. I'm the only one that needs to go outside."

Lin says "Alright. What do you need me to do?"

"I need you to cast the spell, but don't release it, just hand it over to me. Then I need you to channel me whatever mana you can spare."

Lin says "No problem!"

Myria says "Is there anything that I can do?"

"If you have learned how to channel mana, then you can also give me any extra mana that you have."

Myria says "Okay, I can do that!"

"Why do I feel like I am forgetting something?"

Lin says "What are you forgetting?"

"I don't know, give me a second."

Yui says "Ash?"

"Ah! Yui, do you have any way to communicate with Isabella?!"

Yui says "I can send her a message, but she won't be able to reply. Why?"

"Tell her that what I am doing may interfere with their illusions. They should get out of sight for at least a few hours."

Yui says "Affirmative."

Myria says "Oh, that would cause problems! Good catch, Ash."

Lin says "Not to be mean, but I am surprised you remembered that."

"Honestly, so am I. It might be because I have been having meetings with people and having to remember their names so much."

Yui says "Alright, message delivered."

Lin says "Should we wait a bit before casting the spell to give them time?"

"No need. What I will need to do to the spell will take a while. However, once you two have passed me your mana, you can head back inside where it is warmer."

Lin says "That sounds good. Should I start now?"

"Yes, please do."