Academy Part 1

The group silently walked down the stairs of the inner castle. Nuva double checked all of the magical formations to make sure they would last for a while. He regretfully used more mana to place more formations around. Since they would be gone for a week he didn't want any to fail. He felt guilty about using so much mana before an actual fight, but Mike reassured him it was fine.

As everyone was mentally preparing themselves for the this task, Mike was in his own head. He wasn't scared or nervous, despite the look on his face. He was more thinking of a new name to call himself. He was in a new world with a new like. Mike and Michael didn't really represent who he was as a person, mainly his power and class.

As they were walking Mike broke the silence. "This is going to sound weird, but I have a few name suggestions. You guys mind helping me pick?"

Everyone looked at him strangely and raised an eyebrow. They were in a zombie infested city and about to reclaim a Magic Academy from the undead and he's thinking about his name change!

They weren't sure if Mike was crazy or confident in their groups strength. They shook their heads in resignation as they have all sworn an Oath of Service. They couldn't go back after that, unless Mike dismissed them.

"What's the names" Nemia reluctantly asked.

Mike held out 3 fingers as they walked. "First name is Lucius. Next is Volker and the last is Gaius."

The group liked all of those names. Though they did think it was a little strange that the name Volker came to mind for him. Lucius and Gaius are definitely human names, but Volker is more a Demonkin name. They thought it was very odd for him to come up with it, but they did like that name more.

"Sir" Tal spoke up. "Gaius and Lucius are fine human names, but Volker is more a Demonkin name. I for one prefer Volker, but other races might find it unnerving for a human to have such a name."

"Is there a risk to being called that" Mike asked inquisitively. It odd to him that in the future people could look at him differently just based off of his name.

"Not necessarily Sir" Tal added on. "There are many Demi that will see you as a human and treat you as such, while those of the Big three races might treat you like a lower class. Having a weird Demonkin like name means you don't fit with them. Why they would treat you differently."

Mike leaned his head from side to side as he weighed the pro's and con's of this name change. He didn't want to be treated differently based on his name, who would?! But he also wanted a very fitting name. Being a General Crusader, a human, from the Demonkin planet. There isn't a more fitting name then Volker.

He shook his head and decided on a name.

"I don't care what happens in the future, but I will pick Volker as a new name. I think it's fitting and should represent me. I will go by Volker for no on. No last name, just Volker."

Everyone was slightly worried about the future of his decision. They didn't wan Mike, Volker now, to be treated badly based solely on his name. Seeing as he committed to it they will respect his wishes. The group started to tease him about his new name. He wasn't quiet used to it, but he figured he would have to actively remember to respond to that name.

The city was eerily quiet. Even as they made their way down the main stairs from the caste they didn't see any undead or anything! No birds flying over the skies or even the wind blowing. Everyone was on edge. They still had another hundred steps till they reached the actual city from the castle so Volker decided to open up his stats. He had leveled up and never had time to check again.

[Volker, General Crusader Lv2]

[Str .7]

[Dex .6]

[Con .9]

[Wis .4]

[Int .6]

[Cha .6]

[Skills: Swordsmanship Lv1, Holy Magic Lv 1, Dark Magic Lv 1, Farming Lv 1, Base Building Lv 1, Adaptive Learning Lv 1, Survival Lv 1, Reincarnation Blessing (2/10) Lv 1, Curse Cure Lv 1, Lesser Heal Lv1, Empowerment Lv 1, Crusader Transformation (4/5) Lv 1]

Volker looked at his stats with a puzzled expression. He thought some of his stats read something else before. Maybe they changed with his level up he thought. He looked into more detail of some of this skills.

[Empowerment Lv 1: A combination spell of Dark and Holy magic. This spell is a Tier 2 spell. Spell drains Mana as spell is active. While active user gains a .2 increase to Str and Con]

[Lesser Heal Lv 1: A combination spell of Dark and Holy magic. This is a Tier 2 spell. One uses the targets Vitality/Con to heal themselves. This spell will not restore a limb or any missing body parts]

[Curse Cure Lv 1; A combination spell of Dark and Holy magic. This is a Tier 2 spell. By using Dark and Holy magic to remove a minor curse. Will not work on the same curse if inflicted by a more powerful being]

Volker was intrigued by his skills. He wanted to learn more about all his skills, but wasn't sure when he would have time! He wanted to learn both Fire and Dark magic from Nemia, better swordsmanship from Tal and whatever magic or spells Nuva could teach. He had talked about spell formations, but Volker wasn't entirely sure what they was. Hopefully once they had the academy cleared he would be able to find some books on magic.

After another 20 minutes or so of walking the group made it to the bottom of the stairs.

"That's the academy over there." Nemia pointed towards a large dark blue tower with an imposing grey wall around it. It was a 30 story tower. The group could see that some of the windows were broken, holes in the sides of the tower and even some parts of the wall around it was broke. Nuva and Nemia felt crestfallen at the sight. They both attended the Imperial Academy fairly recently.

They had a lot of good memories going to class and learning the basics of magic. Seeing it in this state now, they felt a sense of sadness, but also a sense of anger. They wanted to learn the entire building of undead. They wanted it back in their hands. Now that they were Crusaders and with Volker they thought they had a chance. They no longer had to worry about the Undead Curse, from bites. Or at least from the weaker undead.

The group walked in silence as they headed towards the academy. It was a decent distance away from the center of the city. Being in the northern section of the city it was an hour walk. Normally it wasn't a problem, but the group would have to face the undead and walk slower. Their hour walk would be more a 2 hour walk.

Everyone got into a formation as they walked. Tal lead the way with his greatsword in hand. On either side of him was Jiv with his bow and arrow at the ready and Nemia next to him ready to cast a fire spell at anything that moved. Nuva took the center of the group he had a short sword in one hand, but also had a wand in the other. He wasn't as talented as Nemia in offensive spells, but could still fight. Volker took the back. He decided to be on guard from attacks from behind, but also so he could see the entire battlefield and jump in where needed.

As they walked they slowed their pace as they could finally hear movement coming from around them. As odd as it was they were all slightly at ease. Before they were unable to hear any undead, but now they could. No surprise attack on them.

They decided to walk down the main road directly towards the academy. It would draw the most attention from the undead, but they were going to clear the city anyway. Now is as a good a time as any.

Tal stopped and pointed his sword towards a building on his left side. The noise they heard was getting louder and coming from another side street. They could hear foot steps getting closer and closer. Deciding to spread out Tal took a few steps forward, Jiv took a hidden position behind a food stall and readied an arrow. Nuva and Nemia stood out in the open, Nemia created to bolts of fire in her hand as Nuva began to quickly create a magical formation. Volker wanted to watch this to learn how a formation was made, but had to cover Tal by taking a stance next to him.

{Everyone get ready. Tal and I will attack the center of the group while you guys take out the undead from the sides. We will be working on our teamwork. If you mess up it's okay. Others will pick up the slack.}

Everyone mentally nodded to Volker's orders and readied themselves. Just moments later a minor horde of 14 undead goblins came running around the corner. Their green skin was pale and blackened. Parts of their flesh was rotting away. The skin around their teeth was pulled back showing more teeth and bone then normal.

[Goblin Zombie Lv 1] x7

[Goblin Zombie Lv 2] x5

[Goblin Zombie Lv 3] x1

This was a much larger group then Volker has faced before. Even with Nemia's powerful fire magic he assumed it took a while for her to conjure that much magic. Which he was unknowingly correct about.

As the horde finally showed themselves Nemia and Jiv were the first to react! Jiv shot an arrow that pierced one of the goblins foot to the ground! As it tried to step forward it instead fall to the ground. Nemia on the other hand threw a [Fire Bolt] as one of the zombies on the edge of the group hitting it in its chest. It's chest caved in slightly and left behind a large black burn mark on its chest, but it was still running!

Tal and Volker charged the center of the zombies. This was also where the highest level of the Goblin Zombie's were. Volker used his [Empowerment] skill and could feel himself get stronger. Tal used one of his skills, [Heavy Cleave], that caused his sword to gain a red aura around it.

The two reeled back their sword and swung at the first undead! The entire horde had their claws out ready to rip and tear all that they could get a hold of. Tal had his sword raised in the air and instantly sliced the first undead clean in half!

[Goblin Zombie Lv 2 Killed: 150 Exp]

Volker stopped his charge and used his free hand to grab an undead by the wrist. With one fluid motion he pulled the undead towards him and thrusted his sword right under the jaw of the monster. The sword pierced through its mouth and into its head. The tip of the blade just poking out of the top of the skull.

[Goblin Zombie Lv 2 Killed: 150 Exp]

Two more arrows wizzed by into the pinned Goblin. One into its head and other into its torso instantly killing it.

[Goblin Zombie Lv 1 Killed: 100 Exp]

Nemia had two more [Fire Bolt]'s in each hand and throw them at the previous goblin. The two bolts hit the exact same spot as before and crumpled the zombie. It's entire chest had finally caved in and was set ablaze as it slumpt to the floor.

[Goblin Zombie Lv 1 Killed: 100 Exp]

Tal and Volker got back to back as they used their weapons as shields to brace from the undead horde charge. The flat of their blade placed in front of them against the necks and shoulders of the undead. They took minor cuts from the claws, but nothing major.

{It's ready Tal!} Nuva had shouted into Tal's mind through the ear piece.

Nuva had just finished one of his formations. Above the group while locked in combat a magical dome appeared. It shimmered around them as it covered a 40ft radius around them all. Once it was up Tal had yelled and used one of his skills, [Battle Cry]!