Is… uh, is there anything else about the system that… I might not know yet? I know there’s skill points now, that you can use for unlocking skills, after you complete a class quest. And… uh, uh—oh and that some of my skills can level up if I use them a lot, but I’m not sure how much is a lot.

Certainly. Leveling up your skills or spells isn’t about just using them a lot, but more about your proficiency at them. Spells are more about finding shortcuts, and calculating equations, understand?

Uh…

Let’s say you learned the simple create light spell, that you mentioned in one of our previous conversations. You learned the most basic version of it, an [F+], non-mutated spell—I’ll go over mutated spells another time. I am unsure of how many patterns the specific version you learned had, but lets say it has three patterns, for all intents and purposes.

Okay, create light spell, [F+] rank, and three patterns.

Good. Now, let’s say these three patterns all have specific purposes, like most spells do. One pattern controls the type of basic effect, like creating illumination. Another pattern manages mana input and power, while the last pattern governs specific rules or effects applied to the spell—in this case, the ability to dim or brighten.

Enya stared at Custodian’s words as they danced across the page, each one strikingly hypnotic. His explanations were clear and easy to understand, putting everything into context. This insight felt far more valuable than the cryptic, roundabout explanations she had encountered in Sable’s books.

Spells, in particular, are very similar to solving complex geometrical equations. By devising more efficient methods for calculations or considering alternative ways to achieve the same result, you expand your spell knowledge. For example, if 10 divided by 2 equals 5, and 5 subtracted by 1 equals 4, that forms one spell pattern. But if you discover another way to reach 4, like 2 plus 2, you significantly enhance your spell's efficiency. While you might sacrifice some effects or strength by narrowing it down too much, if you can balance both, your skill could rise to [S+] rank in no time.

This made sense. When Enya practiced her spells, whether it was the "create light" spell or her "summon skeleton" spell, the patterns felt like a calculation process. Some were straightforward, while others demanded more complex mana control.

Skills are quite a bit more different; they level up as you learn more about yourself and ways to manipulate the skill in various ways. They're much more about testing your personal limits and are technically easier to level up, requiring only practice and self-discovery.

Okay, that makes a lot of sense, I think.

Basically, just be creative with your spells, little one. Many scholars have discovered new ways to handle even the simplest of spells. People can turn the most basic concepts into complex masterpieces, while complex ideas can be reduced to simple childlike drawings.

Enya gave a small hum of acknowledgment; however, the book didn’t record it.

Is there any other questions?

Uh… oh, how do my levels work? I get experience from killing things, and I level up. It seems like my minions also raise in level, and their ‘power rating’ increases when their level goes up. Do I get stronger when I level up, or is it just my minions?

Necromancers are one of the rare classes that don’t gain strength themselves when they level up. Most classes actually see an increase in stats, bolstering their bodies, enhancing their mana pools, or even unlocking new abilities among other things. Necromancers, spirit tamers, beast masters—they all convert their levels to strengthen their connection with their familiars—or in your case, your minions.

Enya was about to speak up and ask another question, but the page continued with more words.

My obligations are unfortunately beckoning me now. I will have to take my leave, so I must bid you a good day, Miss Enya.

Oh-okay! Thank you for teaching me, Mr. Custodian.

My pleasure, and please, just call me Custodian.

Before Enya could close the book and launch it up toward the ceiling, a quick line of text appeared.

And one more thing, and it’s important. Do not ever raise a skill or spell above S+ rank. You will die instantly if you do.

With that last message written, the words began to dissipate. There was something cryptic and intriguing about that warning, but she couldn’t quite put her finger on it. If he said that’s how the system worked, then she supposed that’s how it worked.

Enya acknowledged the eerie message, and tossed her book—not up at the ceiling—but at the opposite wall to where she sat. It flew and flipped in the air, pages flapping wildly, before dissolving into particles as it reached the wall.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

image [https://i.imgur.com/ZiLMGqb.png]

Enya spent another two and a half hours trekking back to the study, choosing a different set of paths this time. Along the way, she encountered one more skeleton and two zombies—a rather unfortunate number, considering the time and distance she had to cover.

In the end, she, Walnut, and Dummy D. all made it back safely to the study, each in top condition. Enya did need to heal both of her minions after one of the zombie fights, but losing some mana was a small price to pay, especially since she was back in the study now.

Heading straight downstairs to the workshop, Enya plopped herself into a chair, slinging her backpack to the side and letting it rest against the table legs of the workbench.

With a mental flick, her status screen flashed before her eyes, and she focused on it. After a moment of thought and a few mental commands, she began adjusting what the status screen displayed. It was becoming quite a cluttered mess to see her entire skill list every time she wanted to check something. The fact her mana also wasn’t shown on her regular status was also irritating. So instead, she was now seeing if she could change its formatting.

After a minute of tinkering, she finally felt satisfied with her work.

“Status.”

Name: Enya Empyria

Health: 100/100

Mana: 22/30

Soul-Energy: 73

Level: 8/1

EXP: 106/244

This new condensed version of her status was fantastic. Finally, she had access to all her vital stats—health, mana, and soul energy—all with a single command or thought. She still had her spell and skill lists available, which she could pull up separately, but now she didn’t have to clutter her screen every time she checked.

Taking a deep breath, Enya calmed herself as she flicked the status screen away. She had just returned from a multi-hour expedition, and while it had been satisfactory to a degree, it still wasn’t enough. She could feel her eyelids growing heavy, tugging down like lead weights.

Tomorrow, I’ll need to go down. I’ll need to wrap everything up here and find the staircase to the next floor. Pell briefly mentioned the general direction of the stairs once, so I’ll just wander that way. The more monsters that Walnut and Dummy D. kill, the better.

image [https://i.imgur.com/ZiLMGqb.png]

The next day—or what she assumed was the next day—Enya woke up and immediately began her preparations. She packed up Sable’s books into her backpack, along with the notes and journals from the workshop. All of her potions—health, mana, and her food and water—fit snugly inside the backpack. Thank whoever made pockets!

Next, Enya approached the three chained zombies. All three were special variants, ones that Sable himself—or at least a close aide—had experimented on. Dummy D. had already proven himself formidable even before she reanimated him.

She walked forward and inspected the plaque on the hulking zombie.

> Test Subject #77 - Hulking Zombie

>

> Test Materials - Transfusion of 40% ogre blood, Goblin brain matter, Tree Ent’s Roots.

>

> Results: Subject began convulsing upon reaching the threshold of 30% ogre blood. The goblin brain successfully maintained the creature's intelligence at a manageable, non-hostile level during its regular idle state. However, it is prone to enraging and going berserk easily. The Tree Ent roots assisted in skin and muscle regeneration, and provided a bone growth mutation. However, once the roots dried up, the bones began to decay.

The hulking zombie appeared to be in good condition overall, with most of its skin completely healed and intact. However, there were patches around its foot where the skin was slightly exposed, revealing the flesh and bone beneath. Its bones, however, were rotted. The small opening showed a pale sludge, as if the bone had melted over a harsh fire. Something about this made her doubt whether the summon skeleton spell would work. Yet, it was still technically bone, even if decayed.

Enya lifted her palm and began to channel her spell.

Skill: Summon Skeleton has been activated.

System Notification: Reanimation failed. Max summon limit has been reached [2/2]

Her brows furrowed. So, the spell would let her resurrect the hulking zombie. It probably wouldn’t transform into a hulking skeleton, just like how Dummy D. hadn’t become a dire skeleton. The problem lay in her summon limit. She couldn’t resurrect the hulking zombie without first dispelling either Dummy D. or Walnut. This was a tough decision.

Before making her choice, she walked over to inspect the plaque for the dire zombie. Popping the cork off a mana potion, she drank its contents, refilling her mana from the failed casting.

> Test Subject #78 - Dire Zombie

>

> Test Materials - Single drop of basilisk blood, Crushed nightfang essence.

>

> Results: The basilisk blood improved the strength and durability of the subject, while the nightfang essence increased its physical dexterity and greatly heightened its aggression. No side effects were observed. More testing needed.

Dummy D. appeared to be a successful experiment, with no downsides, unless one counted its aggression. Enya had witnessed this firsthand when he had attacked both her and Pell, behaving like a feral monster, far more so than the regular zombies.

Walnut was the only one that wasn’t an enhanced zombie, and his power rating was significantly lower than Dummy D.’s. If she truly wanted to ensure her strength for the upcoming dungeon boss, it would make sense to dismiss Walnut and keep both Dummy D. and the hulking zombie if she resurrected it.

She stared at the plaque, contemplating her choice. She didn’t want to part with Walnut; she liked him much more than Dummy D., even though Dummy D. was starting to grow on her. But if she dismissed Dummy D. in favor of the hulking zombie, there was another dilemma: the demon rat.

If she were going to resurrect another strong undead, the demon rat would likely be the best option. The strongest combination she could muster would be the hulking zombie alongside the demon rat. However, that choice would force her to part with both of her minions.

She sighed.

In the end, she didn’t want to let go of Walnut. Dummy D. felt almost like family to her now, but almost didn’t count. However; the hulking zombie wouldn’t be the right replacement for Dummy D. She needed something else—something better.

image [https://i.imgur.com/ZiLMGqb.png]

With all the notes, books, and potions carefully gathered in her backpack, Enya prepared to set off. Unfortunately, her beloved pillow would have to stay in the study, as she had no space for it.

She had Walnut and Dummy D. chop off the hands of the hulking zombie, along with the other two—stealth and nimble zombies. Right now, all those hands were tied to either Walnut or Dummy D.’s waist. Stuffing them in her backpack and risking them dripping onto her potions and notebooks was definitely not a good idea.

The leftover broken swords were left inside the room. Walnut had his sword and a spare backup dagger, which should hopefully be enough. Dummy D. also handed over his dagger to Walnut, knowing he was about to be… replaced.

After a few minutes of walking, Enya reached the corpse of the demon rat. It lay on the spike, still and dead as ever. However, it looked shriveled up, almost pale, despite its burnt skin. Was this the result of her absorbing its soul energy?

Once again, she cast her summon skeleton spell.

Skill: Summon Skeleton has been activated.

System Notification: Reanimation failed. Max summon limit has been reached [2/2]

That confirmed it—she could resurrect things that weren’t human. Now she was faced with a decision: either dismiss Dummy D. and replace him with the demon rat or continue with both of her minions and ignore the rat corpse.

This decision didn’t take long for her to make; she had already resolved herself for an entire hour before leaving the study. She knew what to do, and who to replace.