The mid-year exam was getting closer so we decided to focus more on our training and delay any experimentation we had planned. On Solday we met early in the practice area to do some sparring. I was using a staff and fighting against Nyx.

While I protected myself with an ice shield I did not use any offensive magic. I was mostly trying to practise fighting with a weapon. Unfortunately, Nyx was too fast and strong for me. She fainted left, then pounced from the right. I ended up lying on the ground with her sitting on top. She was currently as big as a wolf.

“It’s good that you are on our side.” I told her. She started licking my face.

“I think Nyx is getting stronger.” Helena said.

“It’s not like we have ever truly beaten her.” I replied.

“True. But we are improving ourselves and we are not getting any closer to beating her. So she is either growing with us, or she held back in the beginning.” Helena pointed out.

“I wonder how much it would help if we used attack spells. But that would be a bad idea for sparring.” I said.

“Training with magic is always risky. Hey, we could use the remaining zombies for target practice.” Helen suggested.

“I am not sure how much we would learn from that…” I said. The zombies were not that bright. They had no defence against magic projectiles. Just blasting them might not be that useful.

“I could try some bombs on them!” Cassie suggested.

“Now that would be a waste.” I said, while standing up. “How is Skadi’s fight with the draugr going?”

“She is doing ok. He is a good opponent. It allows us to fight someone with a weapon who is not a student. And since you can heal him now we can hit harder.” Cassie said.

Skadi took a break and walked over to us. “This is great. You know, you could make money by lending your undead to others for training. Or just create undead for sparring. You did lend Frank to some students in the past. Why not charge for it?”

“I would need more corpses for that. I am not lending Frank to people who might destroy him. Once they pay for it they might believe they can hit harder. Especially if I am not watching.” I said. “You know some of them would try.”

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“Maybe you can ask the academy for more corpses. Make a deal that they can use them to train the students.” Skadi suggested.

“Well, they already have Gronir. The academy does not really need me if they want undead. I might have more potential but there is no way I can compete with a teacher right now.” I pointed out.

“Actually, do you think they use undead for training? Maybe for the older students?” Cassie wondered.

I shrugged. “I can ask Gronir during the next lesson. So, who wants to beat me next?”

“You don’t lose every fight. You might even be slightly better than Cassie.” Helena said. “But you do learn more against a stronger opponent. So grab your staff.”

We sparred until lunch. After a shower and some food we switched to practising magic. Helena pulled out an advanced water magic book.

“I am going to learn ice armour!” She announced. “I have learned all the required spells from the class. I was considering a better attack spell but Irene recommended something more defensive. After watching Frank and his armour I decided I want a similar spell.”

“Cool. How does it work? Is it a one time cost or an upkeep spell?” I asked.

“Well, both are possible. I am going for a one time cost version, for now. It is easier. The armour holds until all the magic is depleted. I will have to conjure water all around me, then shape it and freeze it. I do have some experience with armour, that should help.” She explained.

“If you do it wrong, are you going to be trapped?” Cassie asked.

“Well… it depends. I will start with a simple bracer. But if you try to replicate plate armour and fail at the joints you might trap yourself in ice, yes.”

“I do have a potion to melt the ice…” Cassie said with a grin.

“Uh… I do not think that would be necessary.” Helena said, looking concerned.

“I said melt, not explode.” She pouted.

“Have you found a defensive spell? You could use one.” I asked Cassie.

She grimaced. “Fire is not the best at defending. There is a fire shield. It can burn certain incoming attacks and stop some spells. But you can certainly stab through it. It won’t be as good as a water shield, or an ice shield.”

“It is better than nothing. You could also create some defensive potions.” I suggested.

“I have considered it. There is a potion that hardens the skin. Similar to what Skadi can do with earth magic. I just haven’t bought the ingredients for them.” She answered.

“Why? You frequently buy alchemy supplies. You bought a lot for the Iron Beaks.” Skadi said.

“I… I might have spent all my money on explody things.” She admitted.

“Has your mother limited your allowance?” Skadi asked.

“Not yet. My association with Koyuki did help, I think. For now.” She responded.

“Why did you not say something? We can help cover the cost. We still have some money from the ambush. Actually, we should demand the money they got from the dead driver.” I said.

“Well, it was not all for the Iron Beaks. A girl needs her own explosives, you know. And some experimentation. And I might have exploded a pot… or two.” She blushed.

“You never said anything about that! Were you hurt?” Skadi asked.

“Oh. No, I am fine. But I had to replace some things in the lab.” She said.

Skadi sighed, then put her hand on Cassie’s shoulder. “Please be more careful. I will ask about the money from the driver tomorrow. You should get some defensive potions.”

“Skadi is right. We don’t want to see you hurt. Think about the plant and how that potion would have protected your foot.” Helena said.

I nodded.

“Fine. I will make a defensive potion.” Cassie said. “Do you think it would be possible to have armour that explodes towards the enemy who strikes you?” She mused.

Skadi sighed.