'Finally, I can get back to the joy of grinding my skills!'
It also meant he could add another small squad to his Skeleton Servants, taking his overall strength to the next level.
Of course, Lynch had absolutely no intention of investing resources into cultivating this new Skeleton Soldier.
After all, his empty Contract Slots were limited. To get a third one, he would have to grind his Summon Skeleton skill all the way to LV2.
Currently, his Summon Skeleton experience was just over two hundred points, and that was only because of the boost he'd gotten from Instructor Annabella's lessons.
Without grinding—relying solely on his own research and understanding of the skill—it would be impossible to reach LV2 anytime soon.
Therefore, Lynch had to keep one slot open specifically for grinding the skill.
That meant this Skeleton Soldier was destined to be cannon fodder.
"Hmm..." Lynch stroked his chin, thought for a moment, and gave it a name. "From this day forward, you shall be known as Bone Valor, the Witch Demon King."
He patted Bone Valor's shoulder blade, his voice filled with expectation.
"Ah, Bone Valor, Bone Valor, don't let that badass name go to waste. In the future, I'm counting on you for many, many glorious sacrifices."
He then waved his Magic Staff, dismissing both Bone Jade and Bone Valor back to the Netherworld.
Once that was done, Lynch glanced around his cheap, single-occupancy dorm room.
The place was narrow and cramped with poor soundproofing. Forget about performing a Skeleton Enhancement here; even casting slightly louder spells would be out of the question.
'Looks like it's time to move to a more secluded, high-end student dorm,' he mused. 'But I'll have to ask about that at the academy's logistics department tomorrow. It's getting late. For now, I'll stick to the plan and continue my Meditation training.'
With that in mind, Lynch took out a bottle of [Concentration Potion] and downed nearly half of it in one go.
A cool, minty sensation spread through his mouth, invigorating his mind and washing away his stray thoughts.
While the potion was still active, he immediately sat cross-legged on his bed, focused his mind, and quickly entered a state of Meditation.
[You have used Basic Meditation Skill LV1 to Meditate. Under the effects of a Concentration Potion, its effectiveness is enhanced. EXP +3. Current Skill Level: LV1 (1958/3000)]
[You have used... EXP +2... LV1 (1960/3000)]
[You have... +3...]
...
As Lynch continued his meditative training, he could feel his Spiritual Power and Mana gradually growing stronger and more refined, while the experience points on the panel before him steadily climbed.
'At this rate, my Basic Meditation Skill will very likely be the first one I get to LV2!'
Once his Meditation skill reached LV2, its efficiency would take a qualitative leap, providing a significant boost in his push to become an official Tier One Necromancer.
Lynch grew more and more excited at the prospect.
Time flew by as he trained with his mind completely focused.
「The next day.」
Lynch awoke from his meditative state feeling refreshed and full of vigor.
A new, wonderful day had begun.
* * *
「Two hours later.」
Deep within the Undead Major's designated area, in a secluded patch of forest bordering the mountain behind the academy.
A male instructor in the academy's logistics uniform stood before a rather old-looking, detached building, giving Lynch an animated sales pitch.
"This high-end dorm is in a prime location! It's just a wall away from the Chaotic Burial Grounds, the air is thick with a pure aura of death, it never sees sunlight, and the atmosphere is grim and terrifying—it's an absolute gem of a place!"
Lynch tuned out the instructor's spiel and carefully sized up the building.
Its main structure was built from large, bluish-black stone blocks, but they were covered in dark green moss, and the plaster was mottled and peeling in many places.
The house was surrounded by overgrown weeds and sprawling bushes that had almost completely obscured the small path leading to the door.
It was clearly a picture of long-term neglect—desolate and dilapidated.
'This is it?'
'And it costs thirty Gold Coins a year?'
Still, it wasn't without its merits.
The location was extremely secluded, with no other buildings for a hundred meters in any direction. If the logistics instructor hadn't led him here, he could have passed by a hundred times without ever discovering the dorm.
It was also quite spacious. In addition to the sizable main building, a large yard had been sectioned off with a wooden fence.
But...
Lynch propped up his chin, lost in thought.
'This was a far cry from the "high-end dorm" I was imagining...'
Seeing Lynch's hesitation, the logistics instructor began to feel anxious.
Years ago, back when the Undead Major was still thriving, the academy had built quite a few of these high-end dorms for its apprentices, specifically designed to gather necrotic energy.
But with the Undead Major now in decline, the vacancy rate for these dorms was extremely high. Renting even one out would be a mark in his favor.
He quickly tried to persuade him. "Lynch, I've already shown you four vacant dorms."
"You know the state the Undead Major is in. We have few new students, and funding is tight... But I'll stake my twenty-year reputation as an instructor on this: this dorm is, without a doubt, the best one currently available."
He lowered his voice. "Let me tell you a secret. The Undead apprentice who lived here decades ago? Word is he's a mid-rank Necromancer now, holding a key position in one of the Empire's main legions. A real big shot, you know."
"What does that tell you? It means this place brings good fortune! It's great for your training."
When Lynch still seemed hesitant, the instructor tossed out another piece of gossip. "And another thing! See that dorm over there, about a hundred meters away? You see it? That's where Miss Amadis lives, the one a year ahead of you!"
"Amadis?"
At the mention of her name, a flicker of interest showed in Lynch's eyes.
Amadis was a well-known figure in the Undead Major. She was said to be from a noble family and possessed considerable Magic Talent.
But instead of choosing the Elemental or Alchemy Majors, which were more popular among the nobility, she had joined the Undead Major, which had since been relegated to a "commoner's discipline."
Her talent was said to be exceptional, and she was reportedly not far from becoming a Tier One Necromancer. He'd heard she'd recently left campus for an internship to hone her skills and seek a breakthrough.
"Alright, fine. This is the place," Lynch said, feigning indifference.
'A pretty upperclassman nearby or not, I couldn't care less. What's important is that this place is quiet enough.'
After a bit of haggling, Lynch rented the dorm for 25 Gold Coins a year, on the condition that he paid the full year in advance.
After the Gold Coins were paid, the instructor handled the paperwork for Lynch on the spot.
"Alright. From now on, this is your private territory. The rules are, by invitation only." With that, the logistics instructor practically fled the gloomy, foreboding patch of woods, as if staying a second longer made his skin crawl.
In stark contrast to the instructor, Lynch stood in the weed-choked yard, took a deep breath of the grim air, rich with the Power of Death, and a satisfied smile spread across his face.
'This feeling... It's as comfortable as coming home.'
But he didn't rush to move in right away.
Instead, he first made a trip to the remote cave where he had hidden his Skeleton Legion.
He brought out Bone Mage Calder, who possessed a Soul Fire, along with more than a dozen Humanoid Skeleton Guards. He stealthily led them back to his new home and hid them in the cellar.
He then set about cleaning out a master bedroom, gave it a quick tidying up, then returned to his old single dorm to pack his few belongings and bring them over.
Lynch had no intention of clearing the weeds and thorns surrounding the house. He valued the very peace and seclusion they provided.
After hastily completing the move-in process, Lynch didn't bother with any sort of celebration.
He couldn't wait to start cultivating his elite Skeleton.
He first summoned his top combatant, Bone Jade, from the Netherworld, then went to the cellar to awaken Bone Mage Calder and bring him upstairs.
After picking a secluded room and giving it a quick sweep, Lynch took out the expensive [Reinforced Bone Powder].
He meticulously used the bone powder to draw a Pentagram Array on the floor, making sure to infuse every rune and line with a faint trace of Mana.
"Bone Jade, stand in the center."
At Lynch's command, Bone Jade stepped with a light, nimble gait into the center of the Pentagram Array.
Lynch, in turn, began to cast the [Skeleton Enhancement Skill] with intense concentration.
Abstruse incantations echoed through the room. Pale Mana surged from the tip of his skull-topped Magic Staff, resonating with the Pentagram Array on the floor.
In an instant, the Reinforced Bone Powder within the Array floated up like stardust. It transformed into shimmering motes of crystalline light that merged, wisp by wisp, into Bone Jade's lustrous, white bones.
The entire process lasted for nearly two hours.
Only when his Spiritual Power was nearly depleted and his Mana completely drained did he stop casting the spell.
The light of the Pentagram Array faded, the Reinforced Bone Powder completely consumed.
His Skeleton Enhancement Skill proficiency had also risen to LV0 (51/1000).
But what gratified him even more was that Bone Jade's bones had now taken on a richer, jade-like luster, and its frame had grown visibly sturdier.
Most importantly, the deep green Soul Fire within its eye sockets seemed to have brightened slightly.
"Not a bad result," Lynch said, a satisfied smile appearing on his pale face.
...