Congratulations! Create Undead has leveled up.

  Congratulations! Eyes of Death has leveled up.

  Congratulations! Your class (Necromancer) has leveled up: +1 Vitality, Endurance; +2 Intelligence, Wisdom

  + 5 (free) stat points have been awarded

  Congratulations! A new spell has been acquired: Revigorise

  (Revigorize)

  - Heal the Dead. Decomposition can even be reversed thanks to the wonders of magic. There are limits, however. Skeletons and spirits are not affected by this spell and severe injuries cost more mana to heal.

  Sarah buckled faster than a politician following through on a promise, raising the two beastborn children from the dead with (Create Undead). She wasn't happy though.

  That spell was the staple of the Necromancer class. If she caught using it, her class would be obvious to anyone with more than two brain cells.

  Once the magic had taken effect, both children stood up. There had a lot of injuries between them. Cuts and bruises held the majority, but broken bones were on display too. The boy couldnt put weight on his left leg, falling over when he tried. The girl even worse. Both her arms were broken, bones protuding through skin and her right eye has been caved in.

  Sarah couldn't help but wince. What sort of scumbags would do something like this to children?

  Immediately activating her latest spell, she cast (Revigorize) on their corpses. Wounds closed and bones snapped into the right places. It wasn't a pleasant scene. The smell of death lessened as Sarah struggled to keep the contents of her stomach in the rightful place.

  The children looked better once Sarah was able to cast the spell again and - apart from being paler than a pair of vampires, she felt confident about getting them back to the tower without drawing attention.

  Congratulations! Revigorize has leveled up.

  A raindrop landed her face, swiftly followed by another until the heavens opened up and the sleeping city was awash under the night sky. Sarah didn't waste any time and immediately capitalised on the opportunity.

  This time, it's ok to thank the universe, right? Fuck it. Thank you, Universe!

  "Come on kids. It's time to move. Be fast and don't make a sound. Do you understand?" Lifeless eyes looked at Sarah before both corpses nodded. They looked fairly similar in appearance and even had brown hair and eyes, which led Sarah to think they might be siblings.

  Poor guys. There's some horrible bastards in this world too it seems.

  Sarah moved to where the alleyway met the street and the children followed closely behind. Central street had emptied faster than a movie theatre at the ends of the credits thanks to the rain. Determined in her goal of getting them home safely, Sarah pulled the kids close and hurriedly set off towards Guard House 3.

  The rain was heavier in the open street and made it that much harder to see. Which was both good and bad at the same time. It was good because anyone they encountered was too busy running for shelter. The weather was really coming down. Nobody wanted to be out longer than they had to be so attention was paid to the woman and her two dirty children hurrying home.

  The children managed to keep up with Sarah quite well as she held a steady pace.

  They're not that slow for corpses. Everything I've every watched has depicted the undead as slow-moving creatures, especially zombies. Although, I should probably stop basing my knowledge on programmes I've seen on TV.

  As reluctant as she was to go past Leo's place of work, Sarah was still unfamiliar with the rest of the city, and didn't want to chance getting lost. Especially when her own visibility was being impaired by the storm. She could hardly see with the rain in her eyes and the fact that she didn't know any other way back caused her to worry.

  Fortunately, people rushing to escape the rain wasn't an uncommon sight in Grower and they made it past the two guards posted outside without issue.

  Sentry duty blows.

  They kept moving as Sarah counted down the streets, leading them back to where she'd first met Leo. Passing each one, her connection to the tower slowly reestablished itself and she felt pulled towards it.

  The feeling grew stronger the closer she got and as Sarah turned off next to the bank, she couldn't help but smile. Her confidence swelled as they arrived at Tower of Death masquerading as a small, white cottage.

  The children had kept pace with Sarah the entire way and they followed behind as she stepped through the barrier that prevented people from seeing the tower's entrance. It had been an eventful evening to say the least.

  "You won't believe what happened, Ariel. First, I nearly got arrested as soon as I left the tower. Then, the very-same guard that arrested me took me on a tour of the city. I'm pretty sure he's into me, but he's a lion and a guard to boot, so that's never going to happen.

  "Anyway, after the tour was over and he went back to the guard house, I found these children laying in an alleyway. I'm not sure how long they'd been there, but I couldn't just leave them."

  "That is just who you are, Master," Ariel bowed. Now that there was no immediate danger, Sarah was able to examine the children properly. There clothes were basically rags. They were better than the scraps she'd been sent with after the whole grenade-debacle.

  "Come with me." The children followed Sarah upstairs as she led them to the master room.

  What am I going to do with these two? I couldn't leave them, but did I really need to turn them into the living dead? Now that I'm think logically, I should have probably called the guards after confirming the children didn't have souls. They would have probably arranged for a funeral or something, she sighed. I can only blame myself for using that stupid spell. I don't even want to be a Necromancer so why did I do it?

  "Master. Welcome back." Sarah was greeted by Solus and Sebastian. The pair were in the middle of a game that seemed rather similar to chess.

  "You two look like you're having fun." Sarah didn't intend to ruin their moment, but that's what happened. "Master. I am sorry for neglecting my duties. I will begin cleaning."

  "Slow down there, Seb. I didn't mean anything by it. Your job is to keep Solus company so fun is good. He needs it after being alone for who knows how long. I even have two new additions for the tower here too." Sarah smiled knowing the old door was enjoying the company and had needed it after being starved of attention for more than a millenia.

  The undead didn't eat or sleep, neither would they have any other biological urges or needs. Not that Sarah was happy about that. there would be much in the way of difference between the two. In a sense, they were the perfect addition to the tower.

  I wonder if I can involve them with the trials somehow? We'll see.

  "Do you have a reason to bring undead inside the control room?"

  "Seb. How good are you at chess?" Sarah ignored Solus' question like a boss and not because she still wasn't sure yet. She also wondered if she would be able to make a trial out of the boardgame. "My record against Solus is twenty-eight to one and my skilla are rising well, Master." The butler looked pleased with himself.

  This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

  "Wait a minute. You have a skill in chess?"

  "No, Master. The skill is related to all manner of games. You should be able to view my status since I'm connected to the tower." Sarah did as she was told and brought up Sebastian's status.

  Name: Sebastian

  Class: Game Master - 3

  Title: The Tower's Head Butler

  Class Skills:

  - Conception and Understanding 5

  - Strategic Analysis - 3

  - Patience - 6

  That's a pretty specific assortment of skills. I wonder if Seb finds Solus a bit annoying? What other reason could there be for (Patience) being his highest skill? It's could be related to the game though.

  [Solus has always been a little infuriating. Even our last master thought so.]

  Shit. I forgot you were still under there. Can we still communicate if you're in the ring? Sarah pulled the Book of Souls out from beneath her wet shirt and stored it away.

  [Yes, Master. Also, I collected five souls as we returned.]

  What? When? I didn't see you do anything. Not that I'm complaining. And we can about Solus later. Right now, I want to spend those souls. I'm hoping the customisation option includes a toilet. Spending a single soul she was otherwise unaware of moments prior, Sarah unlocked the Tower of Death's customisation menu.

  Customisation:

  - All features found inside the tower can be changed. Simple changes require mana. Additional features can be purchased for a fixed amount of souls.

  Scrolling through the relatively large list she was only now made aware of, Sarah stopped when she found what she was looking for.

  - Master Room: Bathroom (1)

  She paid two souls in the end, one for the bathroom and another for an upgrade because people preferred to do their business on a somewhat decent komode. After she was finished, there was a new door beside the bookcase.

  That looks awfully similar to the three rotting doors in the hall, only new.

  Not wasting any time, Sarah walked through and found herself inside a small corridor on which there was two doors. With the exit behind her, she opened the first and found what she was looking for. A porcelain toilet sat against a tiled wall. The floor was paved and a fluorescent light was attached to the ceiling. The oddest yet most comforting information she registered, however, was the holder loaded with a full roll of toilet paper.

  Yes!

  Sarah wiped away a tear and wasted no time in closing the door behind her. That was the first time she had used a lavatory since arriving two days ago. When she had finished, she briefly spared a thought for where the waste went before she brushed it off with a single word. "Magic."

  Sarah washed her hands in basin before caughting sight of herself in the mirror.

  "Fucking hell. I look like I've just finished phase one training all over again."

  She smiled at the memory and was about to plug the sink to clean up a little when she remembered there was still another room to check. All she had purchased was the bathroom and its upgrade, but Sarah still had another room to check.

  Please be a bath.

  Sarah's hopes we're riding high as she opened the door and they weren't dashed for once either. The floor was laminated in dark oak up to the points where steps led down into a bath. It could easily be classed as a swimming pool back on Earth as it stretched out to reach the back wall. Sarah couldn't help but notice the bath was longer than the tower width outside.

  How is that possible? Did I die again only to end up in heaven this time? That would be nice.

  [No, Master. You are still on Ciria.]

  Is that what this world is called? Ciria? I did wonder about it after noticing I had a language skill, but it wasn't important at the time so I kept my mouth shut. It would make sense though. How would I be able to understand anyone otherwise? Also, I was only joking about dying. I'd definitely know if that happened. Trust me.

  Towels were folded neatly on rails and shelving was provided for storage. Oils, soaps and conditioners, all of which Sarah had never seen before, lined the wall ready for her use. She couldn't help but notice there was no faucet or plug.

  Instead, her bath had two cubes attached to it. One was next to the top step and the other was on the floor. They looked similar to the one she had seen this world's Sanders use to open the door in Guard House 3. Putting her hand on the one on the step, nothing happened.

  Do I have to do something complicated? Is that why it took Sanders so long to open the door?

  Sarah tried all five sides of the cube to no avail. She was obviously doing something wrong, but she wasn't sure what.

  Why doesn't you work? I know this is a bath and since there are no taps, it's only logical to think it's you. So, why won't you work?

  [Talking to the runic device will not help, Master. You have to apply magic to make them work.]

  OK. How do I do that? All my magic is capable of is seeing dead people, creating dead people and punching through floors. I really don't want to damage my new bath. No response was given from the Book of Souls so Sarah decided to activates (Eyes of the Dead), just to see if if it would produce a different result.

  It didnt.

  After a quick look at her status, she decided to try something another route.

  - Necrotic Body: In your body resides the power of death, obtained by becoming master of the tower. Your body radiates with power, slightly increasing your magic proficiency. Dexterity, Intelligence and Wisdom are increased by 20% while in this state.

  Sarah didn't expect the skill to work. She was hoping the increase to her Intelligence and Wisdom would offer some insight on how to use the runes.

  When she activated the skill, Sarah's body was coated in warm light. Not at all the deathly feeling she was expecting. It wasn't blinding, but soft and not strange at all to match the Tower of Death's colour scheme. Once the skill had taken effect, Sarah felt as though she understood the world a little better.

  Sarah placed her hand back on the runic cube. She hoped the process was going to be automatic, but was left wanting once again. "Damn!" She tried with both hands, but still couldn't get it to work it. After trying many different ways, she was beginning to reach her limit.

  "Stupid fucking runes! Why can't you be easier to use?" Sarah went to poke the cube in frustration until a green spark of electricity connected them momentarily. It was followed by a notification informing her that she had finally done something right.

  Congratulations! You have acquired the skill: Mana Manipulation

  (Mana Manipulation)

  - You now have a slight understand of what mana is and how it works. Use this insight to further your own knowledge, but beware. The magic you wield is volatile and deadly. It holds no regard for one's life so be careful what you do with it.

  Why do all my descriptions have to revolve around death? And what does was that supposed to mean? I bet everyone else's descriptions are sunshine and rainbows.

  Sarah tried to form another connection to the runic device by finger banging it, but it wasn't as simple as point and shoot. Not her her other skills.

  [You are the Master of the tower. It makes sense that your status would be different to others.]

  But mine were weird as fuck before I became the master. In fact, I'm pretty sure it started before I even got here.

  Sarah placed her hand on the cube, willing the hell out of it to do something as she tried to establish a connection through her so-called volatile mana.

  [How did you get inside in the first place, Master? Not to pry, but you don't seem to possess many skills aside from those you have in necromancy. Not to mention the fact that you know literally nothing about the ways of the world, even though you are a fully-grown adult.]

  Is it that easy to tell? Should I explain what happened to me? Fuck that. It's hard enough to think about, let alone say it out loud.

  Feeling a tad lonely since parting from Leo's impressionable company, Sarah thought it would be nice to talk to someone properly without holding back. At the same time, she finally managed to establish a connection with the runic cube and water began pouring out. She felt a trickle of mana leave her, but it was nothing compared to (Create Undead).

  [I am sorry, Master. As we are connected, I can still hear your thoughts.]

  Shit! I forgot about that even though we were just literally communicating with each other. I have the worst memory sometimes. I suppose it's fine to tell you. It's not as though you can tell anyone else, is it? Sarah smile was hollow as she watched water fill the bath faster than what should have been possible.

  I'm guessing the one in the bottom is the plug then?

  [Yes, Master. Now the water is running, you can stop funneling it with mana.]

  As the water level rose, Sarah described the tragic series of events that started with the death of two of her close friends. Only days ago, although so much had happened that Sarah felt she'd earned a lifetimes worth of experience, the memories of the war torn, third-world country were still fresh in her mind. It would be good for her to talk about it too.

  As Sarah went on, exaggerating her heoric sacrifice for what it was - she deserved the glorification since death by grenade was the reason she wound up on Ciria, she began undressing. The cold, wet Necromancer garb was a relief to be rid of and as she stepped into the steamy water.

  Sarah kept the ring on she could communicate with the Book of Souls and everything else was stored. As the water warmed her body, Sarah sat down and continued her story. Not that there was much left to tell.

  I earned a title that said I'd lost my body and it only got worse after that. After that there were a few more deaths, a few more titles, until I finally got passed Solus and received everyone's favourite Necromancer class. Anyway, I realised the master room was just another dead end, so I tried to break out of the tower and ended up dying again. I did find this nice ring though for my efforts on that last one. I pulled you out of it right after I respawned and you know the rest.

  Relaxing in the tub was the absolute best. Sarah closed her eyes and enjoyed the comfort of the hear warming her bones.

  Anyway, tomorrow's a new day and we need to give you a name.