While my new undead was recovering, Nyx was sniffing it. Then she licked it. I narrowed my eyes. Thankfully, it was too big to simply get swallowed by a gluttonous cat. I was prepared to stop her, if she started chewing it, but instead she just hopped onto the back and sat there, like she owned it. That was fine.

After Cassie and Helena finished cleaning, we went to the training area. Now came the interesting part, more testing!

As we arrived at the practice room I decided on the first test: “Let’s see how fast it can move!” It looked rather heavy and its legs were not that long. Hopefully it would not be too slow.

“Is Nyx going to stay on its back?” Helena asked.

The feline in question did not seem willing to move, so I just shrugged.

“That thing is faster than I would have thought.” Skadi commented as my creature began to run.

“It won’t keep up with a horse but I think it could match a normal carriage.” Cassie mused.

“Good enough for a charge. Especially with the armour on its head. Hopefully it can reinforce it.” Helena commented.

“Well, let’s try.” I said and commanded my undead to stop. Then I ordered it to protect itself.

A dark red liquid emerged from the cracks in its armour and formed a thin layer on top. Nyx jumped to the floor before her feet got wet. Then the liquid froze.

“Is that a frozen blood armour? Does that exist?” Skadi wondered.

“You are the blood mage. Blood is a water earth mix, why not freeze it?” I asked.

“Hm. I need to ask my teacher. I did not have that many lessons yet.” Skadi retrieved a little book and started taking notes. Maybe I should do that too. I wondered how many possible questions for my teachers I had already forgotten.

“It can use blood magic! This is awesome!” Helena cheered. “Let’s have it fight Frank!”

I nodded. That was a great idea. Although, I did instruct them to not destroy each other. I would not want to lose a powerful undead.

We were all excited as my two undead faced off. Frank was covered in ice armour and using a practice sword. The armadillo expended its blood armour to form a blade on its tail.

It was an interesting fight. Tail blade vs sword, with neither being able to penetrate the other’s armour. Of course, they were supposed to hold back.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

“We should ask a teacher to fight it.” Cassie suggested. “They are strong enough so you won't have to worry and we can truly find out what it can do.”

“We could wait for our group training and surprise Alwin.” Skadi suggested.

“I have advanced necromancy before that. I want to bring it to my class.” I responded.

“Hey, do you think it eats blood?” Helena asked.

“Undead generally don’t eat. They only need mana.” I said.

My friends looked at Nyx. Nyx stared back. Then she licked her paw.

“I said generally. Some can devour things and absorb the mana in it. And Nyx is special anyway.”

“There is some blood left in the alchemy lab. It’s an ingredient. I could get it real quick.” Cassie offered.

“Is it expensive magical blood?” I asked.

“Nah, not that expensive. I will only use a bit.” She said, as she was already leaving.

When she returned she brought a small vial. I had stopped the duel since it did not go anywhere. The armadillo had stopped its armour and the blood returned inside its body.

Cassie opened the vial and poured the blood on the floor. The armadillo stared at it.

“I think it wants it. But I have ordered it to just stand there. Let’s see what it does if I allow it to move.” I explained, then I mentally rescinded my order.

The undead started walking towards the blood and licked it.

“It’s just a tier two, right?” Skadi asked.

“Yes. A tier two has instincts, which it might follow if there are no commands stopping it.” I explained.

“Now I really want to see it fight someone who has blood.” Cassie said.

“Maybe we can arrange something after my next necromancy class. I want to see what Gronir has to say first.” I responded.

“I want to see it trash Alwin’s golems! He won’t expect that!” Helena said.

We concluded our testing soon afterwards. We were in a great mood. I could not wait to find out what we had actually created.

I had a big smile on my face as I walked into my advanced death magic class.

“What is that?” Tom asked.

“It’s my newest undead, a spiked rock armadillo!” I announced.

“Looks a bit cracked.” Tim observed.

Leo entered the room, followed by a tall humanoid skeleton. It looked new. He even put some chainmail on it and had it carry a halberd. He noticed my new minion.

“Really? Now you are raising damaged corpses? My offer still stands, you know.” He said.

I just grinned. “I am very happy with my damaged corpse.”

“Hello students!” Gronir entered the room. “I see we have some new undead…”

He stopped talking and stared at my creation. Then he cast a spell and his eyes glowed green. “Oh my…”

The other students looked confused by Gronir’s reaction. My smile grew only bigger. My tail swished around excitedly.

“Do you know what you have created?” Gronir asked. He sounded a bit shocked.

“Some sort of blood magic undead.” I replied, feeling smug.

“Blood magic undead… This is a lesser vampire!” He said.

“It’s only tier two…” I replied, defensively.

“Well, obviously. It’s a lesser vampire, not a true vampire.” He replied. Gronir had regained his composure and was back in teacher mode.

“Aren’t vampires humanoid?” Tom asked.

“Not necessarily. But a true vampire is a sentient tier three undead. They are rather dangerous, because they have at least three affinities. Death, water and earth. A lesser vampire is a tier two undead with some control over blood. More importantly, they can heal themselves with it. And replenish their own mana. Do you know what that means?” He asked.

“As long as it keeps killing creatures with blood, and eating them, it won’t run out of mana?” I responded, uncertain.

“Yes!” He confirmed.

“That seems rather powerful.” Tom said, with wide eyes.

“It is, it is. Such creatures are best fought by mages. They are rather problematic for normal soldiers, because your numbers might work against you, if it starts killing. What sort of powers has it shown so far?” Gronir asked, now sounding more curious.

“It can make blood armour and form a blade on its tail. We were careful with testing so far.” I replied.

“Hm.” Gronir stroked his beard. ”We need a proper test…”