Saintess Summons Skeletons

Beligenus led Sofia to his office at the very top of the academy where they discussed the terms of her contract. The main meat of the job was taking care of a class of fifth year summoning-class students. In Beligneus’ terms: a group of five sixteen year old kids who all picked a class early and were preparing for trying to reach level 100 and clearing their first trial. Sofia’s job was to make each of them into a capable summoner-type fighter. Of course there would be other teachers giving them classes on close combat and such things, it wasn’t all on Sofia’s shoulders.

She would spend two hours with that class four times a week for most of the year. Each hour of class was paid a hundred gold and credit for an hour as a student in another class of the academy.

There would be other events throughout the year but the headmaster said he would elaborate at another time as these were to be one-time side jobs with bonus pay.

Sofia would also have to hold a public class every month, where she would spend the entire day sharing her general knowledge, demonstrating her skills and answering questions. Anyone even from outside of the Academy could attend these for a fee. This was something all the teachers of the academy took turns doing, and supposedly the occasion to make connections with the other teachers and powerful people of the empire along with some extra money.

After Sofia signed all the papers and shook hands with the headmaster, a strict-looking Exidian woman wearing a deep blue finely tailored suit entered the office.

“Master, you called?” she asked, replacing her square glasses on her nose.

[Mage - Lv. 400+]

Aren’t these male clothes? I wonder what that would look like on me.

“Beryl, please introduce teacher Vakaria here to her quarters. She is Eltiel’s replacement,” Beligenus explained.

Beryl gave Sofia a look-over with narrowed eyes. “I was starting to think I would have to teach that class myself. You are going to need new clothes. Lady Vakaria, then? I am Beryl Deathmarch, academy coordinator and your direct superior. You may refer to me whenever you have any question or concern relating to your position,” she introduced herself with a straight face.

Ominous name…

“Nice to meet you. Are my current clothes not suitable?”

Beryl shook her head, the swaying of the silver accessories dangling from her horns was strangely hypnotizing. “Blonde hair, blue eyes, green robe, gold accessories, and an armored blue arm. Need I say more? Teachers should at least follow basic color coordination, you need to be someone the students can look up to in all aspects and not be ashamed to be around.”

It’s not that bad, come on… I’m not even wearing the crown. But I guess the saint set is maybe a bit much? I like the four piece ‘energizing’ set bonus though. It was a bit perplexing that the description was a single word at first but it does do that. I got used to it now, it feels weird to take it off.

“I cannot really take off my magical items. But I can do away with the robe, if you can help me find something with similar functions.”

Beryl walked around Sofia, observing her from closer. “I see. Self repair and other basic effects. Was this a reward from your first trial? I will introduce you to our clothier later, you can pay him upfront or have the cost deducted from your salary, he is more than capable of reproducing such basic enchantments.”

“This was a trial reward, yes.”

Before Sofia could elaborate further, Beryl stopped her and walked to the door. “Let us not bore the headmaster to death with such subjects, this way, I will show you to your private quarters within the academy.”

Oh, alright, sure.

Beligenus stood up to send the ladies off, he had some last words for Sofia, “It is a pleasure to count you among our teachers in Brighthall, miss Vakaria.”

Though seemingly strict and rather cold in her demeanor, Sofia could tell that Beryl cared deeply about the academy as she gave her a quick tour of the premises through the meandering corridors of Brighthall. It was a lot to take in all at once, but Sofia managed to at least remember in what aisle her classroom was supposed to be.

“And this is the teachers’ tower. You have the entire fourteenth floor for yourself, here is the key. There are a few rules about your usage of the lodgings that you will find in a booklet inside, nothing one wouldn’t expect,” Beryl explained as she handed a thick silver key to Sofia.

“Is it already furnished?”

“The bare minimum bedding and amenities, you are free to arrange and decorate it how you see fit.”

“That’s great. What about the clothier?”

“I can bring you to him later today or tell him that you will be waiting for him in your room.”

“Is it fine to ask for him to come?” I could really spend some time making this place a bit better.

“Of course. It will be done, please do not leave your lodgings until then, teacher Vakaria. Most of the other teachers have yet to arrive, so the tower might feel a bit lifeless, as does the entire academy. I would suggest that you invest this time in a good rest and sleep. This peace and quiet will not last.”

The necessary explanations were over, and Sofia was left alone in the hall of the teachers’ tower. This was a space for teachers to relax with couches and tea tables. It was still and silent.

Finally alone… I’m sure she means well, but people like her are tiring to be around.

Sofia played with the heavy key in her hand. It was enchanted, one could tell at a glance. The teachers’ rooms were each protected by their own barriers that only these keys could safely open.

The small first floor landing was decorated with fake plants, and grass, it felt like someone had tried to recreate the ambiance of a small swamp around the door. The nameplate above the door gave the teacher’s name.

‘Floor 1 - Teacher Akan O Ereid - Advanced Polymorphism’

Strange name, and strange discipline too.

Climbing the floors one by one, Sofia looked at the nameplates near the doors. The second floor was a lot cleaner, it looked a bit like the inside of a church with carved stones and hanging ropes.

‘Floor 2 - Teacher Uradrim - Engineering & Architecture’

Sounds like a dwarven name. Engineering uh? I wonder what they’d think of my engineer skeleton.

The third floor’s landing was almost undecorated, there were only two small round carpets, one on each side of the door, red on right and blue on the left.

‘Floor 3 - Teacher Istina RedLamp - Offensive Magic & Dueling Magic’

This one must be pretty popular… How many floors does this tower have to be able to give a whole floor to each teacher? The headmaster’s tower had a lift so I’m not too sure how many floors it was. Maybe thirty?

Climbing the stairs to the fourth floor, Sofia wondered what the decorations would be for this one, and was surprised to find it completely empty.

‘Floor 4 - Teacher Astelia Glacier - Spatial Magic’

Oh, nice. That explains why there’s nothing. I’ll have to come back here and say hi after I’m done checking my place out. I wonder how she will decorate the place. I’m guessing each teacher does their own thing.

The fifth floor’s decorations had nothing to do with the teaching subject, being that there were only a bunch of blue and violet potted flowers all around. Smells good.

‘Floor 5 - Teachers Ami and Umi Blancher - Fencing & Archery’

Sisters in the same room I guess? Could Saria move in with me? She’s probably sharing a student room with Cinthia I think. Astelia can probably tell me where these are.

Climbing up another row of curved stairs, Sofia felt some part of what was coming before even seeing it. Bones? It turned out to be a skeleton in a display case, there were also bookshelves filled with old tomes and a sign that said in bright red letters ‘Bring back the books after reading them or I’ll make you a brainless ghoul, you have been warned!’.

‘Floor 6 - Teacher Eternam Aoldun - Necromancy & Alchemy’

Oh, hey. I feel like the class credits I’m going to get will be worth more than the gold. I’m definitely checking the necromancy class.

The next floor’s decoration was also books, though much fewer, there were eight of them each on their own lectern.

‘Floor 7 - Teacher Sekk - Ancient Languages’

Nice to have around. For a magic academy, the subjects they teach here are quite varied. I guess these books are in all the languages they teach? Eight is a lot.

Sofia was still lost in her thoughts about the ancient languages she knew about when her eyes went over the plaque of the eighth floor. What she read stopped her dead in her tracks.

‘Floor 8 - Teacher Jennifer Sellar - Monster Hunting’