At dinner I told Cassie and Skadi about my day. They were excited about our armadillo's success and intrigued with Nyx’ ability to control undead. We all fantasised about an army made from draugrs and lesser vampires. We needed more good corpses.

The next day, I went to see Gronir after my lessons. I wanted some help figuring out Nyx. My armadillo was with me. Nyx was sitting inside her box, enjoying the ride.

“Ah, Koyuki, you wanted to see me?” Gronir inquired. Then he looked at Nyx, riding in a box on top of the armadillo. He chuckled. “Were you tired of Nyx riding on your head and made her a box instead? You know, you can command your undead. You don’t have to bribe them.”

“Sir, I, eh, did not make that box. Nyx ordered the armadillo to do that.” I said.

He blinked, processing my words. “You are saying, your undead cat gave orders to another undead? That would only be possible if Nyx was a tier three…”

“I noticed that she does have a core now. But it is a small one.” I added.

“Hm…” He stroked his beard. Then he pulled a bottle from his desk and poured himself a drink. “Irene has been looking into your protector. We have suspected that there was something special about her. Normally a tier two could not evolve into a tier three like that. The process would take a lot of mana and a long time.”

“Could she have been a tier three all this time, just suppressed?” I asked.

“While possible, that would have required a very strong and skilled necromancer. At that time, there was not much information about you. Nothing to justify that investment. Unless they somehow knew more about you than we did. We still have no clue who was behind it. No, I suspect there was something special about the way you bound her. Likely combined with a rather old tier two undead. It is an interesting development I would love to study, but we have more practical concerns. Is your link solid?” He asked.

This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.

I mentally checked my connection to Nyx. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary. “Yes.” I replied.

“Good. A tier two evolving to a tier three can use its new power to try and break free. Has she talked to you yet?”

“She does not seem to be able to do that.” I replied.

“Really? I suppose the evolution of a tier two is not that well documented. It is something that happens very rarely.” He stood up and walked towards Nyx. His eyes glowed green as he studied her. “There is indeed a small core. Remarkable.” He sipped his drink.

Gronir looked at me. “Technically, a tier three requires a permit and a registration. It also requires you to be at least a senior mage. Of course, very few senior mages have tier three undead. That is usually the territory of grand mages and archmages.”

Oh no! Was I not allowed to keep Nyx? Surely they would not try to take her?

“I see your concern. Don’t worry. I will talk with the headmaster. With the royal family backing you, it should not be a problem to give you a special permit, and you do have a large enough core for a senior mage. Considering your accomplishments, we might be able to officially make you one too.”

I was relieved. I had no idea what I would have done if someone tried to take Nyx. “Why are normal mages not allowed to have a tier three?” I asked. I could see why they needed a registration. They were rather powerful.

“Because it is not something that is realistically possible. To subdue an actual tier three you need a strong mind but also a lot of mana. If you do not have enough to qualify as a senior mage, the undead will break free. While maintaining the link is not that expensive, establishing one is. In the worst case, it might take control of the necromancer.”

“That is possible?” I asked with wide eyes.

“Yes. It does require a skilled undead, but it is possible. The creation of tier three undead is a special course only available to senior mages. And it is not something that most do. I do not control a tier three undead myself. Having their own mind means they can try to find ways around your orders. A tier three would be ideal to command some of your troops, or serve as a bodyguard, if they serve willingly. I would not trust a bodyguard that is forced to obey but wants me dead.”

I looked at Nyx. “I trust her.”

“Well, she did defend you so far. I trust your judgement in this case. Of course, if Nyx is a tier three, that means she can learn.”

Nyx blinked and stared at Gronir, who smiled.

“Is… is she getting lessons?” I asked.

“We do not have specific lessons for undead. But she can use water magic so she should be paying attention in your classes. I would also encourage you to train her yourself. And since she has some necrotic powers, I could give her some homework myself.”

Nyx stared at us. Then she hid in her box, which seemed to grow larger walls.

Gronir chuckled. “She certainly understands us. And look, she is already training! I am looking forward to watching her progress.”