Snippet #2466552

A man, young and in his prime, stood up next. He appeared to be older than any of the students, which would only mean one thing : he was the teacher. Well, among the youngest of the teachers, undoubtedly.

This was the famed Tristan Rephaim, a necromancy teacher of renown. For those who lived in Aeolia, his name could be faintly remembered on the news' headlines. For those who lived in Shadowtown, it was more than likely that they probably had seen his face during a soup kitchen or the like. And for those who descended from places of politics and adventurers, he was known as the Bane of Estra, the old empire.

At a glance, it was hard to say that he even knew Necromancy. Most of those who taught the controversial subject were men and women in their middle age, experienced and learned professors who sought eternal life. As for Tristan here...he was a child in comparison with the stereotype. His movements were casual and relaxed, but his face showed bitterness.

"...students, I'll get straight into it. For those who do know me, please wait quietly. For those who don't know me, I'll go over a brief synopsis of myself.

I am Tristan Rephaim, your Necromancy teacher. I will teach you how to re-possess the dead, if you're into that sort of macabre hobby. If you are taking this class to get into crime-related occupations, I will teach you how to communicate with the spirits of the dead. If you are using this class as a filler, then I'll teach you how to preserve corpses and thralls. I doubt anyone wants to really be a mortician, but niches do need filling. I cannot hope you will become a niche-filler. In fact, I expect that at least half of you will find no profit in this branch of magic. For those who come into this class with their heads held high, you will have your ambition rent to shreds. For those who come into this class without self-confidence, not even a single rat will obey your words. If you come into this class hoping to learn laughs, then take Illusion. This is not an empty threat, but if you cannot control yourself around the dead, the dead will not control themselves around you.

I am NOT your friend, I am NOT someone you should be friendly with. I will treat you with respect if you will give me that same respect. Do the same with your partners, unless you want me to personally see you to becoming a mortician. The only time you should speak with me is if it concerns about necromancy or vitaemancy, whether you want to apply your own principles or if you need review on a principle. I will not help you re-possess a thrall, I will not do any ritual for or with you without good reason and pay.

If you're interested, you can advance onto vitaemancy. A great deal harder, and it pertains not to the un-death, but to the concept of living. Unlike the deal with the monkey you saw earlier, you DO get to bow out of my class, as necromancers are hated in these parts and widely around the world. I will respect your want to live if you do not want to formally take my class.

And if you came here to kill me, it's a waste of your and my time."

He sits down, and takes a glance around the room.