Lillith

In the next few days, Ken expanded his knowledge in various subjects.

From the Summoner subject, he learned a spell that could turn a dead body into an undead servant. From the Magic subject, he practiced a spell that unleashed fire. He also learned how to cloak himself in dark energy—not exactly a spell, but a fundamental skill for combat.

The Bio subject introduced him to a unique spell that fused blood with dark energy. Its effects varied depending on the user's blood. When Ken tried it, the single drop of blood mixed with his dark energy split into twenty smaller drops. Yet, despite their size, their power remained unchanged. When he tested the spell on a forest, each shot pierced twenty trees in a straight line, leaving behind twenty holes per tree.

His father also trained him in poison resistance. One day, Rick made him drink a herbal soup filled with toxins. It took Ken an entire day to recover from its side effects, but in return, his body built up some resistance to poison.

Lastly, he studied a spell from the Spiritual subject. It required him to send his dark energy into the Underworld realm, where a spirit beast would choose him. However, no spirit came forward. It seemed that while Ken excelled in almost every aspect of necromancy,but his talent in the spiritual domain was lacking.

The day of his departure finally arrived. Normally, students had to pass an entrance exam to join KIPS Academy. However, special admissions—only ten in total—were exempt. Among them, Special Admission No. 1, No. 2, and No. 3 were personally selected by the Witch of Curses. Even so, they still had to undergo a test to determine their class placement.

"The carriage is here. Let's go, Ken," Rick said.

"Yes, Father! I'm coming!"

Ken took a final look at his village before stepping into the carriage with his father. They traveled in silence to Meez Port. When they arrived, Rick simply said, "Good luck, son."

Ken smirked. "I don't need luck, Father. I'm going to become the best necromancer."

Rick paused, watching him for a moment, then silently turned the carriage around and rode back to Sunny Hill.

At the port, a massive ship awaited, its sails adorned with the KIPS Academy emblem. As Ken approached, a man in a black suit stood at the entrance, checking the students' letters. Ken handed him his.

The man's eyes widened in shock. "You're Special Admission No. 2?!" he nearly shouted.

"Yes," Ken replied calmly.

"Please, go ahead!" The man stepped aside hastily.

Boarding the ship, Ken noticed an old man seated in the center, dressed in a simple skin-colored robe. Students whispered among themselves.

"Is he from Cobra?"

"No way! Cobra is the strongest organization in the Undead Alliance. There's no way an old man like him is in it."

"Do you really think that kid is Special Admission No. 2?"

"He looks weak. Maybe he stole the letter."

Ken ignored them. Though he had grown up in a small village, he still knew about the Undead Alliance and Cobra. KIPS controlled half of the Undead Continent, while the other half belonged to the Dark Alliance. KIPS itself was a member of the Dark Alliance, and Cobra was an elite unit formed to eliminate threats from the Holy Continent. Most Cobra members were KIPS graduates.

The men in black suits suddenly shouted, "We are sailing to Haw Island! Please take your seats inside!"

Ken was surprised to learn that KIPS Academy was on an island—it owned the entire Haw Island!

He entered and took a seat. Beside him sat a girl with white hair, blue eyes, and a tall, slender figure. But what caught his attention most was the aura of power radiating from her. She was strong.

Just as he was thinking about her strength—

The ship lifted off the water.

It wasn't sailing. It was flying.

Most students gasped in shock, their eyes wide with disbelief. But Ken and the girl beside him remained unfazed.

After an hour, the ship descended, landing at Haw Island's port. The men in black suits checked to ensure all students had disembarked before directing them toward a massive building in the distance, bearing the KIPS emblem. Other ships had also arrived, carrying students from across the Undead Continent.

Originally, a thousand students had been selected. But by the end of KIPS Academy's grueling three-year program, only one hundred—maybe one hundred fifty—would survive.

They entered the academy and were led into a large stadium where tables and chairs had been arranged. Plates of food sat waiting for them. Ken spotted Hel already seated at one of the tables. He approached and took the seat beside him. To his surprise, the white-haired girl from the ship also sat at the same table.

Despite there being five chairs at their table, no one else joined them. It was as if the other students were avoiding them.

Whispers spread across the room.

"That's Hel and Lillith! But who's the boy sitting with them?"

"Is he insane? Sitting with the son of the Witch of Curses and the heir of the Dark Tower?"

Ken heard the murmurs but didn't react. He remained silent.

Then, breaking the silence, Lillith turned to Hel and spoke.

"It's been a while, Hel."