Maid with Necromancy

“Congratulations, Lord Tyler Coodly, on winning the Ascendant Games.”

“Gweep?” Hyacinth asked, knowing she’d returned from a summoning to Hazeldown.

There had been a skeleton crew at the White Manor for the summoning; even Ambrosia was gone, needing to perform with The Flows. Maxwell summoned her and ran off to perform duties as the heir’s betrothed. It was papers, her butler Bates, and the undead Bea as the literal skeleton crewing the place. Not that she could blame those who left, they all had roles to play in the celebration of the end of the games, representing House White’s interests.

The sickle’s return coincided with the exact ending and collapse of the space in which the event occurred. Maxwell’s summon even had a copy, except it glowed pink instead of being the blood red one. That led to a question of the nature of its existence. Night, she could logic away as being a pair-bonded item that was unique.

It wouldn’t stay hidden either; the bloody thing shed the metal coating she’d applied like a snake. It started flaking off before she returned home from Tasha’s house. At least it had yet to teleport to her during class, but considering it traveled to her half a world away, and appeared in the hand of every copy made with [Stride Before the Fall], as well as Maxwell’s summon, it was sure to cause problems. Yet another thing, like her empty set of clothes, Adric would have to sneak away as a good little pet when she swapped out to make it to Material Manipulation during the end of Defense Against the Forbidden Arts. As annoying as it was, it felt good in her hand, a useful tool, perfect for reaping, slicing, dicing, julianing, and shaving things as close as she wanted.

The blood sickle was even useful in helping copy the pages of the potions book, channeling skills to such precision that she was able to save energy as she used it to write out the text, with the effects only needing to be focused on the tip of the blade.

The slight bitterness about Tyler’s win was mostly that she missed joining in on the fun with her friends and all the craziness that was happening. Tyler’s roots were so much of a shut-in that he had to be overwhelmed right about now, as he was being paraded about; at least plenty of women would be throwing themselves at him. Though between Jessica and Loap, who knows how that would go?

Using her off hand, she patted the top of her tiny familiar’s head. Her main one held the weapon crafted out of her blood and the choice of violence.  It wanted more, and how would it work against Oorty’s Guards? No, what she needed was information, and you still needed to reserve a spot even at night these days. “Let’s go on a trip.”

After weeks of being taller than average, it was surreal to be normal again, but she’d butchered enough of the outfits Ambrosia had packed for her, and money was starting to be tight with avoiding the dungeon, even with the distasteful tutoring job. Only one lesson, and she already needed to warn those boys.  Though they had brought up their potion quality.

Experts cost money, discretion more so, but there was always a chance she could make a deal. A hundred little details changed, and a dash of makeup later, and Harmony made her face unrecognizable. “To the slums.” She directed as the pair slipped out of the dorms towards the nearest usable shadows.

There was something comforting about the rust, dents, and imperfections in the slums of Ricort. It doesn’t matter that the last time here, she and Xera were nearly extorted by the locals, because in a corner of her heart, Harmony was a part of that ecosystem. Sliding her posture away from perfect towards that of someone beneath notice, with the edge of potential danger felt natural. The weapon that now seemed oversized with her small frame hidden underneath the cloak she’d chosen for this outing helped project that image.  

Every bad part of town had a makeshift market. In Ricort, the stalls were made from rusted metal sheets, or places were marked by dented squares of metal to claim areas for proprietors. None of the vendors or crafters here could accomplish what she needed. But here was a place where rounds would be had, and enforcers would be called, especially if she looked shifty and lingered at the more expensive items as a stranger to the area. Her cloak was a little too pricey for the area, noticeable even after using [Dust] to add a layer of rust, adding to the disconnect that would alert the people she needed to contact.  

The slight drop in temperature as the light from the rigged-up glowstones in the alley became blocked was the first sign that the wall-of-a-man was behind her. Hyacinth’s lack of response showed that he knew, but merely wanted to watch; after all, this was who they were waiting for. The man they came to find.

“I think it's best if you move along, stranger.” That tone held no give.

She’d hoped there would be some threats or negotiation for room to talk. Harmony turned to face Bantz, the man who’d stopped her bit of potentially burning off frustration during her last visit to the area. “I only.”

The look on the man’s face went from the hard metal of the alley walls to soft amusement as he bent down at the waist to a full bow until his head was close to hers. “So small now, Three.”

No. No. No. This disguise was perfect. Different hair, different face, different skin, and eyebrows. The man hadn’t even seen much of her.

He tapped his ear at Harmony’s visible frustration. “Can’t listen to your wonderful performance without remembering the voice that healed old Gelly. She thinks she might even evolve.” He whispered. “How may I help you?”

At least he felt kindly towards her. Community was big in the slums, at least as an entry point, if you proved useful.

“I’m looking for someone discreet and skilled to evaluate an item to be used as a tool or weapon.”

“Well, they say having an eraser owing you a favor is like having the solution for any vexing problem. Come along, I know just the place.” Bantz answered, leading her away, but at the same time projecting to others that he was handling a threat.

Every time they stepped through an area where no eyes were on them, Bantz changed slightly. It was only after they were well outside of the slums that Harmony realized her look had changed as well when his did. They were both now different. Gone was Bantz's massive height, while hers rose to nearly match; both of them were now average, well-dressed, and appropriate for walking down the well-to-do neighborhood they found themselves in. Whatever magic the man used, Harmony found her range of vision adjusted to the height. Even her stride felt as though it matched this new form, but she knew she hadn’t physically been changed. Illusion, both mental and physical? When she focused on it, she could tell these legs moved slowly to match the stride of her shorter body. At least Bantz's face stayed the same.

The nondescript door in a neighborhood full of very similar well-off houses opened when he turned the knob and led her inside. A nervous old man with white hair and spectacles on his face sat nervously at a table. He had a look of fear that flashed in his eyes when he saw Bantz, even as he waited in a way that he expected this meeting.  ”This is your man. I’ll leave you for your privacy. When your favor is to be called in, I’ll let you know.”

Bantz left as quickly as he’d walked her here, as the door shut, the illusion around her dropped, and that didn’t cause a reaction even when the slum boss's presence had.

“No names.” The man said.

Harmony could handle that. She pulled her blood sickle out from under her cloak and put it on the table. Under [Analyze], it was still listed as it had been before, except now it showed one additional tag, presumably because The Ascendant Games were finished.

Unusual blood sickle - crystallized instance - Completed  

The man let out a sigh of relief upon seeing it; his spectacles flashed with a pattern of symbols as he studied the weapon. That was when his brow furrowed.  “May I touch it?”

Harmony nodded.

His finger touched the blade, and he immediately pulled away, cut by it. Taking the handle, he tried to lift it off the table. His muscles strained as it didn’t budge, even though the light weapon weighed less than the blood she’d fed into it during creation.

“How did you? Wait… no… don’t answer that. I don’t need to owe you a debt, and my wife will kill me if I gain a new obsession. You’re only at your first evolution, though, so maybe it wouldn’t be out of my reach. Damn, that man, I was supposed to clear my debt with this, not build a new one. What questions do you have for me?”

Harmony tried to give herself a growly timber, “What are the social ramifications of me walking around with this?”

Not the question he expected. “It’s a body extension. Shorter than most. Unusual material. You hear of bone spears and arrows designed as specialty weapons, where the person can extend their skills through them once they reach or touch targets. Oh, um, I suppose those kinds of things are more associated with forbidden classes. Ignorant people might cause you trouble, but many classes have abilities to produce such things or pay for such tools to be made. That is not what makes this unusual. This is built with an instance of reality incorporated into its construction as well as intent so strong it bends and breaks rules.”

So she wouldn’t be declared an evil necromancer for walking around campus, but it would be a point on a spreadsheet if one was needed to tabulate if she rated high enough on a scale. “Anything forbidden about that?” Harmony threw out in a more off-handed tone.

“In some kingdoms. But don’t worry, not here. Clearly, no one can steal this from you. At least it isn’t unique, but as with pair-bonded items, you might have to worry about people killing you to steal it. Most artifacts are created through murder rather than a normal death and passed down through the family. Though, as an extension of you, I’d imagine it would lose some value for the new owner even if it survives.”

  It wasn’t officially pair-bonded, but considering she had that bond as part of her existence, maybe it leaked into the creation, which could be true for the quantum bond and how it showed up with [Stride] as well?

Well, she had an expert to talk to. Skittish as he was, clearly this would also cost a messy favor, so she might as well make the most out of it while she had his interest. “I have another item I’d like you to check out, and, as you can see, I’m young, so any tips or ideas on how best to use my items would be nice.”

The old man straightened up in his chair, more confident now. The worry he had earlier had been slowly melting. “Of course.”

This was going to cost her another nice set of clothing. Night snapped into place, swallowing her outfit and the rust-covered cloak she’d chosen for this outing. The armor could use a meal, but wasn’t starving after all the earlier runs in the dungeon; perhaps it could use a little variety other than the bloody metallic shells the guards wore. There was a feeling like it was getting bored with the monomaterialistic option, at least in the Ascendant Games; she’d fed it some interesting rewards.

Slick skin-tight scales covered her once more, mostly black except for where the armored plates that had once been the original part of the uniform. She’d never do this if it were that completely pasted-on and nearly naked version, but she could feel the black sheen like it was skin.  Only her fingertips and her head were free.  She could probably use a helmet for protection, considering how many times she died of a blow to her head, but otherwise she felt very safe and secure in what looked to be skin tight, but for the few gleaming metal plates on her forearms, shins, chest, and the back of her hands.

“What do you..?” Harmony started

The bloody old man was frozen in shock. No, he’d fainted. How can you still faint after you’ve evolved three times? Wex and Gear didn’t have this reaction, and they’d crafted the original embarrassing tiny maid uniform parade armor only after getting assurances it wasn’t for a child. They knew it was unique and pair-bonded, yet they hadn’t reacted this way. They had bowed down repeatedly and done a silly worship thing, but fans of The Flows did the same silly things.

“Greep. Greep. Greep.” Hyachinh laughed, having plopped to the floor during the transformation, per usual. It would never take him into her body.

“Oh, Shut up.” She chided him.

Now that she really wanted answers. Gathering [Cold Touch] and [Renew Spirit] into that wake-up pill, she added a touch of [Shadowed Graves] for the proper kind of fear. It was time to get them.

Twenty minutes later.

“You asked about another item to look at?” Osmark asked as he squinted through his lenses.

“It’s nothing important. I have what I need to know.”

The old man blinked, still a little dazed. “Oh, best of luck. That was a very fascinating sickle.”

It had been disappointing to need to use [Recall] with disintegrate in that manner once more. She’d [mend]ed the small wound she needed to use her sickle to tap into his head to get past his natural defenses, and got to work using all the tricks she’d learned on Princess Rose. Having a recent anchor point of equipping Night and his reaction to that was helpful. Not that it had been easy due to his advancement. It required her to use [Stride Before the Fall] and double-team the old man’s brain. In and out turned into a wild five-minute-long adventure. If she needed to erase anything longer, it would have been an issue. It was good that he didn’t know her name, making there fewer attachments to go after.

Harmony left, pulling her cloak around herself tightly. Night hadn’t eaten too much of it. The clothes had a few more holes, but any indecency was covered up, though her underwear was gone. A chill reached her uncomfortable bits as she stepped onto the street through the door. There were no nearby shadows as she walked home with answers and problems to deal with  another day.

Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!