After that we were dismissed. It was late and we had classes tomorrow but we decided to discuss what had happened. So we all gathered in the room Helena and I shared.

“Do you really think it was Archibald who hired those thugs?” Cassie asked. “He is in the same class as Koyuki and Helena. He sees them during practice. And he saw all of us during the field exercise. He can’t truly believe a few thugs could overwhelm us.”

“You underestimate the delusions of nobles.” Skadi answered. Then she looked at Cassie and Helena. “I mean, some of the nobles. They are used to getting their way. Many think they are superior and would rather believe Koyuki’s success is luck, or favouritism, than skill. Archibald might just be really that dumb.”

“Could he organise something like that quickly? He should not have known that we were there.” I pointed out.

“Maybe he had already hired someone? And they were waiting for an opportunity? The ball was long enough to set something up in that case.” Helena mused.

“How would he hire someone anyway? How does one hire a bunch of thugs?” I wondered.

“There are some adventurers with no morals who can be bought. Other than that? You would need connections to the underworld, probably. I know there are some shady slavers in the south. It’s not always clear where they get the people from.” Cassie answered.

“You mean, they might capture citizens and sell them?” I asked. “That is illegal, right?”

“Sure it is. But if you have the backing of a duke…” Cassie shrugged.

“Commoners can be sentenced to slavery. All you need is a supposed crime and you can put them in chains, legally. Or you capture someone and have a judge provide the paperwork to justify it afterwards.” Skadi said.

“True. Sad, but true. Although it’s considered a serious crime. So it does not happen that often. Most slaves come from outside the kingdom. They are captured from the desert tribes.” Helena added.

“I can’t remember anything before I was six. I do wonder how I was enslaved. Did someone kill my parents and sell me?” I wondered.

Helena put a hand on my shoulder. “Maybe you will find out someday. There must be records, right?”

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“If your power and influence keep growing you can demand some answers.” Cassie pointed out.

“The kingdom is probably looking in your past anyway, considering your power. You could ask the headmaster.” Skadi suggested.

“Maybe I will bring it up when we meet again.” I was curious but also nervous.

We all sat in silence for a bit. Then Helena changed the topic: “What do you think about this brotherhood? Why would they think Koyuki wants to join them after an ambush?”

“Maybe they wanted to test you? And you passed so they provided an offer?” Cassie suggested.

“Cults are not sane. Maybe they just thought you liked killing and wanted to gift you some undead?” Skadi theorised.

“Really? Are you getting those ideas from the books you read?” I asked.

“They are good books.” Skadi said.

“And this brotherhood guy sounded like he was supporting the idea of you forming a warrior harem to protect you.” Cassie added. “He might be reading the same books.”

“Harem? When did he say that? What harem?” I asked.

“Well, he said a necromancer needs loyal guards.” Skadi said. “Having a relationship with them would help ensure loyalty.”

I sighed. “Weird fantasies aside, what do you think about Archibald being manipulated?”

“Makes sense.” Helena answered. “He is the type who would fall for flattery. Someone telling him how great he is and how weak you are. That he deserves more attention. Maybe one of his sycophants.”

“Could they be responsible for Nyx?” Cassie asked.

We all looked at the undead feline. We were sitting on the floor and Nyx was curled up in my lap. I started petting her and was rewarded with a purring sound.

“Why would they do that? Nyx was an attempt to kill me.” I said.

“Was it? Maybe they wanted to test your necromancy.” Cassie suggested.

I frowned. “No. I don’t think so. I accidentally discovered the spell to bind Nyx. They could not have expected that outcome.”

“So we have the brotherhood trying to recruit you and some unknown faction wanting to kill you. And Archibald as a puppet of the brotherhood.” Helena summarised.

“We don’t actually know if Archibald is a puppet.” I pointed out.

“True, but we should keep an eye on his friends.” Helena said.

“And there is Ilestria. Surely they would not have tried to kill me with necromancy, so they are not the ones behind Nyx.” I said.

“Who knows? Maybe they find it fitting for a necromancer to be devoured by an undead?” Skadi proposed.

“Politics give me a headache.” I said.

“Can’t you ask Nyx who is responsible for her?” Cassie asked.

I frowned. “Well, it’s not like she is really talking. And I have no idea if she was this smart before my spell.” I lifted her up and looked into her eyes. “Can you tell us anything?”

Purple eyes looked at me. She moved her head closer, her mouth opened… Nyx materialised her tongue and started licking my nose.

“I guess that is a no.” Helena said.

I put Nyx back into my lap.

“You know, besides all the people who want to kill or recruit you, there will be a lot of nobles who want to marry you. Or otherwise influence you.” Skadi said.

I groaned. “Someone just kill me.”

“No. You kill them. And add them to your army. Muahahahaha.”

Helena did have a pretty good evil laugh. We did not join but we all smiled.