Marie’s shock at what happened had left her visibly shaken. Her eyes were nearly vacant as she shuttered barely able to mutter a single word. I, on the other hand, was as calm and cold as normal. It was certainly a surprise to see the man do that to himself with a hint of hesitation, but I at least expected to feel something on the inside. Yet, in the face of this stranger’s death I felt… nothing.

I understand on the outside I’m an undead skeleton but I still was me on the inside, right?

Finally, Marie was able to get out a few words. “Should… we get help?”

“I’m sorry, but we can’t.”

If we went to the guards they’d no doubt want to know everything about us. The fact I’m hiding my identity would not help things in the slightest. Not to mention, if that Commander Stormglass woman caught wind of this she’d no doubt think I was involved. All of that would inevitably lead to my unmasking.

I try my best to explain this to Marie without sounding indifferent to what just happened. After all, I didn’t just want to leave the corpse here. I’m not totally inhuman. I just didn’t want anyone to know we were involved in any way shape or form.

“I understand, but what do we do?”

“First, we get the hell out of here.”

We quickly made our way out of the courtyard entrance of the Academy while I kept a watchful eye on our surroundings. I haven’t noticed any significant auras or magical energy around us so I was certain no one saw so at the very least that was covered.

The thought had occurred to me that in this world of magic they may have some way of finding out we were there. For instance, they might be able to recreate the scene of the crime and implicate us there. No, something like that couldn’t exist because if it did the killer wouldn’t have gotten away with it for so long.

I mean, that was the killer right?

It would be the explanation that’d make the most sense. Why would he go to the scene of a crime, say sorry and then kill himself? It must’ve been him.

Even if this confirms he was the killer there’s still a lot of unanswered questions. What was that magical symbol? Why was his voice like that? What was that thing about “the dreaming lord being awakened?” And the thing that struck me the most odd was when he died. I saw something

It was the mana leaving his body. No, it was more than that. It was as if I watched his soul leave and disperse in the air. Even then, that still wasn’t the weird part. It almost seemed as if two souls left his body.

It was like something was attached to it.

***

Before long we found ourselves back at the inn. Apparently Joseph had gone off to bed because he was nowhere to be found. Considering how late it was I thought it best for Marie to go to bed, especially considering the events this evening, however Marie shook her head softly at the notion.

“I… want to sit down for a moment.”

Marie and I sat ourselves down at a table in the back, though the bar attached to the inn was nearly empty, Maire still wanted to make sure no one heard us. It was for the best considering the discussion I can only assume we were about to have.

There was an unnerving silence floating over our table as Marie lightly scratched at a cut in the table. It seemed she didn’t know how to start and to be frank I wasn’t sure either. I didn’t know what to say because I don’t really feel anything from what transpired. Sure, I had many questions but Marie wouldn’t be able to answer them though it’s not as if we couldn’t discuss those things. We could brainstorm over the possible answers.

Hmm, that’s probably not the right approach. Marie was clearly upset by what happened, having me theorize over the killer’s last moments would undoubtedly cause her distress.

“You… think that was the killer? The one everyone’s been talking about?”

Marie finally broke her silence as she raised her eyes to me.

“Mhm, I do. It would make the most sense considering the circumstances. A man returning to the scene of the crime to say ‘I’m sorry’ before killing himself? It has to be him.”

I ventured to guess Marie was looking for reassurance. After all, she’s always been uncomfortable hearing about the murders so knowing they’ll come to an end must bring her some peace.

“I see… That makes sense…”

Hmm? She didn’t look to be reassured. In fact, she appeared to be even more depressed.

“Is something bothering you, Marie?”

“It’s just… I should be happy right? Relieved he did that to himself. Yet… I feel a sadness aching in my chest. To watch another human do that to themselves… I feel as if I should’ve done something. Something to save him like-”

Marie suddenly cut herself off while looking away in shame. I didn’t understand at all. How could she be sad to see someone like that go? I realize the gruesomeness of the scene might have been a bit much but still.

“I think you’re just in a bit of shock. You witnessed a scene of violence most people don’t, but I think in time you’ll realize it was for the best.”

“It’s easy for you, isn’t it?” The words slashed out from her mouth like a dagger. “You’re undead. You don’t know what it’s like…”

Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

Oi…

“Sorry, I need some time… I won’t be going to the dojo for a while.”

Marie, with a gloom around her head like a halo, left the table for her room. Leaving me to dwell on those thoughts.

***

All throughout the night I tried my best to understand where Marie was coming from but I just couldn’t. And for her to just call me an “undead” like that! I’m human, you know! Well, not as if she knows that. Once dawn breaks I make my way towards the dojo, alone this time.

“So, Marie won’t be joining us today? You two love birds fight?”

“No, she’s not feeling well.”

Oi, I don’t know what it is with this old man today but he’s really getting on my nerves. Why would we be fighting? I didn't do anything wrong!

Master Craven originally wanted us to go on another hunting request but since Marie wasn’t here he decided he was going to finally show me some actual techniques.

Yes! Finally! The little me inside is overcome with joy.

“I’ll start with something simple, a first tier martial art [Hardened Fist].”

“First tier?”

Come to think of it, I keep hearing about different “tiers” of magical arts but what exactly are those? I mean, obviously there was some kind of ranking system of magic but I wanted to learn more.

“Yes, one of the ten tiers of magical arts. Though tiers one through three are what you’ll see most commonly amongst normal humans. Tiers four through six are used often by more advanced learners. While seven through ten are beyond what even some of the Knights of the Old Order are capable of.”

Hmm, I see. So as someone looking to live out their power fantasy I should be aiming for the tenth tier. Unfortunately, it seems I’m stuck with a master who likes to take the long and roundabout way of doing things.

“I see, but Master if you don’t mind me saying, don’t you think I’m ready for something beyond the first tier?”

I should just cut to the chase because if he had it his way we’d be doing first tier martial arts for weeks before slowly making our way up the tiers before eventually he tells me it was all some elaborate test.

“Hmm, you’re no fun.”

Oi, I knew it!

“Still, while [Harden Fist] may be simply a first tier magical art the fundamentals of it can be felt through all the other tiers. Though, you may already be familiar with the technique.”

“How so?”

“[Harden Fist] is just as its naming implies. You use the mana within yourself to ‘harden you fist.’”

“I see. So I’ve already been using [Harden Fist]?”

I even used it on that cave troll? Man, for being just first tier it seems pretty strong.

“Not quite. Considering your innate strength and bounds of mana your technique would be closer to the fifth tier; [Titanium Fist]. Of course, with more control there’s no doubt in my mind that you could reach the eighth or ninth tier easily.”

“So, magical arts can evolve through the tier list depending on your power and skill?”

“For some, yes, considering [Harden Fist] is merely the concept of strengthening your fist its tier can vary between individuals. However, not all magical arts are like this. Some are unique to their tier, while others may only exist in multiple tiers but not all.”

The magical arts of this world were far more expansive than I initially thought. It seemed there was still more I needed to learn.

We spent the next hour or so going over the technique, while I had the basics of it down I had no real control over it. After all, when I first learned the technique I only had a vague idea of how it worked due to Marie not knowing it too well. We also went over a similar martial art, the fifth tier [Full Body Fortress].

[Full Body Fortress] involved creating a shell of mana around my body to protect it. Unlike [Titanium Fist], which was an evolved version of [Harden Fist], [Full Body Fortress] was more of the culmination of various martial arts. Especially martial arts that protected the body. Being able to not only cover your whole body at once, but also have the ability to maintain it over time was not something the lower tiers could do. The lower tiers could merely protect one of few parts at a time.

Now this was the training I was looking for! Though a part of me was hoping for something more flashy it was still a vast improvement over meditating. With that, I asked Master Craven to allow me the rest of the day to train with a hunting request which he allowed.

***

“So, Craven’s little pet project comes alone this time. Your little girlfriend taking the day off?”

Guild Master Frost smiles as if looking to get a reaction from me. It seems like everyone has the wrong impression of us. Sure, Marie is a beautiful girl and I enjoy her company but the whole “being a skeleton” thing would make that difficult. I try to ignore her but I find myself fumbling over my words a tad bit.

“Y-Yes, uh, I would like to receive a hunting request so I can get some field training in.”

“Hmmm.” Frost was clearly unsatisfied with my reaction as she let out a brief sigh. What exactly was she expecting? Does she want to piss me off?!

“Best I have for you at your rank is some goblins attacking a farm.”

Apparently the guild had a ranking system from D to S, and unfortunately as a beginner hunter I had to start at rank D which made my options for hunts limited. I wasn’t exactly satisfied with this. Sure, I could take care of the goblins no problem but would that really help my training? I needed something more.

“If I may ask, Guild Master Frost, is it possible for me to acquire a hunting request of a higher rank?”

“Oh? So, you think because Craven shows you favor that you can just do whatever you want? ‘Damn the rules of the guild.’ Or, maybe you’re just that arrogant.”

“No, it’s just-”

Frost held up her hand with an annoyed face. “Look, I get it. You’re strong I can tell just by looking at you. I can’t see mana like Craven can but I’ve always been able to read people. Years ago, I was in a similar position to you. I was training under Craven to become a Knight of the Old Order. He has a way of seeing potential in people and honing their skills to the maximum.”

Wait, so Frost was a Knight of the Old Order? To be honest it made a lot of sense. But does that mean Master Craven was also one of those knights? Thinking about it now explains a lot about how Master knows so many important people with connections to that order.

“When I was young I wanted to be the strongest I could be. I always believed there was a plane higher that I could ascend and I was willing to do anything to achieve that end. However, there are rules in place to protect people, even someone like you.”

“Is there no way to compromise?”

Frost fell silent for a moment, mulling over my proposal. “Well, there is this one request.” From a pile of paperwork she fishes out a specific sheet. “Several tree ents have periodically attacked a village to the east near the Ansel Forest, unfortunately it's an S rank hunt. I can’t send you… alone.”

“Alone?”

Due to the high ranking and the fact that we’re dealing with more than one tree ent, I have asked one of the Knights of the Old Order to deal with it, so if you go with her I can at least rest assured you won’t die. I’d never hear the end of it from Craven if that happened.”

Her? Wait, don't tell me…

“I’ll let Commander Stormglass know you’ll be accompanying her on this hunt.”

I had a feeling this hunting request was going to be a real pain in the ass.