I wrote up my list in the library, away from the watchful eyes of the dean. I didn't want him to influence my decisions. I write the names on paper and walk over to the administration wing. I left Duchess outside the window since she is too big to take anywhere.

I use her head as an elevator to the dean's office.

The window is still open, so I invite myself inside and present my list to the dean. He reads over it while nodding.

"Good, good. I can see exactly why you picked these exact students."

"Oh, can you tell me then? I am curious about what a dean can analyze from five names?"

Ego laces his voice and demeanor as he tries to outclass me by getting into my reasonings.

"It's good that you picked up on the silent hint on picking only first-years. That will make more waves if everything goes to plan.

Rai Wilson is an obvious choice due to his honed combat experience and massive bursts of damage. It's also a safe choice since responsibility weighs on him more, meaning will do his role perfectly. It also shows that the leader bears no ill will to past competitors. Willing to place them as the second in command."

Wait, is his name being first automatically giving him that power. I should have pulled the nepotism card and put my foster sister first.

"Seeing a necromancer that isn't morally black is rare. Anabel and her magic is a powerful tool that can demonstrate that we are unique in more than one way. Showing a necromancer that doesn't defile the dead will bring excellent attention to the team.

Jerry Dacre has a good reputation for being a kind boy with a big heart. His family lineage will show the other races that we are serious about this, even bringing someone to represent the "nobility" to their nation. Also, it's only efficient to have three people who can take along more creatures for the team.

Bringing your sister with you shows that you have great family morals, but not having her as the second captain shows that you are not influenced by nepotism but prioritize ability over relations. All of that is a good trait for a captain. She is also one of the best archers in her year."

Oh, so she uses a bow.

"Arlug is a weird choice with your history with him, but I can see your reasoning."

If he gets it right, I will never bad talk him mentally again.

"Being a half-dwarf in a predominately human land tends to put pressure onto the child, but adding him to the human representative team shows that we support the communion of other races and that we see the half-breeds as one of our own.

It's an incredible political move. Also, Arlug being a healer brings a balance to your group.

Excluding the captain and his tamed beasts who can fill any role, you have an assassin, a mage, an archer, a healer, and a utility spot. The only thing left is a tank, and your staggering defenses and self-healing make you almost perfect for the role. Your team is quite formidable."

"..."

[...]

My respect for the dean went up a little bit. Managing to find meaning in my half-assed selection process. I will gladly take this misunderstanding.

"I am glad that you can understand the minds of your students. I am more relieved to continue."

[... Master is shameless.]

~

I decide to deliver the news personally to my new team members (except for Arlug).

All of them accepted the role gracefully, all except Val.

"..."

"Are you going to say anything?"

"What happened to your tamed beasts... they are all weird now."

"That's not important right now."

"The cute skeleton is no longer cute. You made your creatures look weird."

I look at my tamed beasts and don't see what she means. They just got bigger and deadlier. They are all still pretty cute.

I put my arm on her shoulder and said, "Don't worry about that. The dean should send someone to tell you exactly what rewards you get for joining the team."

"Ellis, what the fuck happened to your arm?"

Oh shit. I almost forgot about my prosthetic.

"Uh, nothing. Anyways got to go."

I run off before she can respond. Tactical retreat.

~

[Ring of Thorns F (Degraded)

This ring is a long-lost relic from a bygone age. The ring has heavily degraded and will need to be fed.

Effect One: The ring cannot be taken without the owner's consent.

Effect Two: The ring may reflect (1%) damage taken before mitigations back to the attacker.

Effect Three: LOCKED]

I've been holding off feeding this. The last time it 'fed,' I almost died. A thousand health gone, just like that. I check my current health.

[Health Points: 1210/1210 (+120% bonus)]

I can risk feeding this thing since my mana is maxed, and I could heal myself as it drains my blood. Now, how do I nourish this thing...

I try stimulating it with my mana, but nothing happens. Maybe I have to take the ring off first.

Pulling the ring off my finger was a struggle. It almost tore my skin right off. I hold the wood and silver ring to my eye and see the issue. Tiny needle-like thorns were trying to get into my skin, but they couldn't penetrate my flesh deep enough. I wonder how long it was unsuccessfully feeding on me.

When I first put the ring on, it felt like my bone was scratched by the thorns. I went to rummage around in my bags and pull out my [Unwieldy Tanto]. One day, this weapon won't be able to penetrate my skin even if I wanted it to. I carefully cut myself, creating a broad circular rim around my finger.

I pull the ring over the wound and feel fish hooks sink in. It's a strange feeling, the blood slowly leaving my body. It's what I imagine getting your blood drank from a vampire with a silly straw feels.

I try stimulating my ring with mana again, and this time something happens. The thorns push deeper into my finger. It doesn't hurt. I wonder if it's my mental fortitude or if the ring is trying not to annoy me.

I watch my health drain, topping it off with my mana whenever I feel lightheaded. [Second Heart] doesn't help me make more blood. Unfortunately, I will need skills in bone marrow for that.

Once it drains over a thousand health from me, I try to stop it from feeding. It starts to squirm, almost like it's crying or trying to convince me to keep nourishing it. I'll relent just this once since I've probably been starving it this whole time.

Almost like it realizes that I can cut it off any time I want, it starts to reach deeper. I can see roots bulge in my veins as it lusts over my blood. This ring seems more like a parasite than those parasitic flowers I found it with.

The roots reach my wrist before stopping. The health drain is starting to get ridiculous. I have to use all my mana and give this thing over two and a half thousand health points before it stops.

[Ring of Thorns F (Degraded) > Ring of Thorns D (Degraded)

This ring is a long-lost relic from a bygone age. The ring has heavily degraded and will need to be fed.

Effect One: The ring cannot be taken without the owner's consent.

Effect Two: The ring may reflect (5%) damage taken before mitigations back to the attacker in the form of thorns.

Effect Three: Unlock the skill Bramble Blade.

Effect Four: Unknown]

[Bramble Blade]? What does that do?

I stare at the ring as I try to activate this new skill. Thinking hard or shouting out the name of the ability does nothing but make me look like a fool in front of Flash Gordon.

[...]

The sword I am most familiar with is the [Unwieldy Tanto], a blade without a handle. I hold in and try to use the skill once again.

Brambles originating from the ring cover the blade. Great... now my sword has a bunch of shit on it. What's the use of this skill? Blunt my sword so I don't hurt myself?

Wait. Isn't this tanto a part of my blood now? I try using the [Bramble Sword] skill again as I use one of my tanto's item skills.

[Forged by Blood Bound by Blood A

The user can only own and use the blade if they share blood with the creator. The owner can store the sword in their blood without detriment to the owner. In this state, the sword will only be identified as normal blood. The owner can summon the blade or recreate it with their blood.

(Recreating the tanto will destroy the old one.)

Cost to summon/recreate: 10% of current health.]

I feel a weird energy journey up my arm into my ring, conjuring my tanto, but this time it's different.

Instead of natural thorns coating the blade, the metal itself has changed, creating thorns at random. It looks like the bastard child of a ninjato and a flamberge, still without a handle.

Speaking of bastards, I'd rather have that type of sword instead of this mess.

What is stopping me from making the sword a different shape in the first place? It's not even a tanto in the first place. If it's forged from my blood, It should follow my rules.

I remake my blade, destroying the amalgamation in the process. I use the ring and shape my mana into an ideal blade, conjuring a bastard sword that is four feet long. Both edges of the blade are razor-sharp, and the entire blade is covered in metal barbs. I guess that not even my imagination can get rid of the thorns.

I swing the blade around, and it seems to have a nice balance. It might be a little short. I remake the sword and go for something six feet long, a true greatsword.

I can still swing it with one hand, but I can't make the sword any bigger. I still have no idea if the brambles do anything helpful rather than deck out my sword. I should go test this thing out.