Necromancer Academy’s Genius Summoner

It was the same in Beginner Dark Magic, Necromancy, and even their first Hemomancy class.

The Kizen professors came up with a class curriculum that seemed to be thinking a lot about the Duel Evaluation.

Of course, Curses, the last class of the day, was no exception.

“When I enter the class, the first thing I observe is the eyes of the students.”

Said Bahil, dressed in a sophisticated pure white suit as always, while setting his felt fedora down onto the table.

“Oh my. They’re full of anguish today. It looks like you won’t be able to concentrate in class. Shall I take a look at what you guys are thinking? Ahh, it’s the Duel Evaluation. The Duel Evaluation is the only thing on your mind right now!”

Small laughter came out with Bahil’s humor.

“I also graduated from Kizen, so I know it well. The fact that you have to fight against other Kizen students must be unnerving. But don’t worry. I’ll show you the way.”

Bahil made his unique, trustworthy smile.

“With just this class, I’ll teach you how to quickly and safely subdue your opponent. You just have to trust and follow me.”

The students’ eyes sparkled. Needless to say, the name Bahil had some sort of great halo that seventeen-year-old boys and girls couldn't even look up to.

“I think the type of dark magic you’ll use should’ve been established to some extent by now. Let’s divide today’s class into two parts.”

Bahil looked around.

“Students who have clearly chosen the dark magic they’ll use in the upcoming Duel Evaluation will need a curse specialized for support. I’ll teach you the speedy ‘Heavy Foot’ that can pressure the opponent quickly without burdening you.”

A clamor broke loose among the students. It was a spell that wasn’t written in textbooks.

“Humans are creatures with a precarious sense of balance, standing up on their hind legs and walking with their backs straight. Just falling over makes most of their actions impossible. Heavy Foot restricts movement by exhausting only certain areas, including the opponent’s feet. If the opponent receives it strongly or moves too hard, they’ll fall over. Of course, the advantage is that it’s a lot faster and lighter than Exhaust.”

Bahil chuckled.

“And to the students who’re looking through textbooks right now, it’s only natural that you can’t find it there no matter how hard you try. I refined it myself.”

Woahh…

“The following one is for the students who’re Curse aspirants or who’ll mainly use curses in Duel Evaluation, as well as students who have not yet decided which dark magic to use. I’m going to teach these students a remake of the Paralyze curse.”

A remake of Paralyze! Yet again, it was a spell that wasn’t found in textbooks.

“It’s less effective than Paralyze, but it can be completed faster through refinements made for actual fights. I also arranged it so that it’d be effective with a combination of basic runes and formulas that first-year students can use right now. By stacking it up during battle, you’ll be able to produce the original spell’s effect.”

Two options were given to the students.

Would they choose Heavy Foot, a weak but effective spell, or Remade Paralyze, a strong spell that allowed them to completely subdue their opponent?

“Now then. Let’s split up.”

Bahil clapped his hands.

“Students who come to the left will learn Heavy Foot, and those who come to the right will learn Remade Paralyze.”

The students began to buzz around and split between the left and the right.

At this time, Bahil’s gaze was focused on only one person.

‘……Now, Simon Polentia.’

Madness was flashing in his eyes.

‘A genius like you must wear clothes that fit you perfectly. Curses are the best way to utilize your jet-black by 200%! Get rid of that old, outdated Summoning. Not even a fool would use Summoning as their main weapon in the Duel Evaluation! Don’t you understand?’

Bahil was biting his lip with an unusually tense expression on his face.

Simon, who was talking with Rick, Meilyn, and Camibarez, shortly changed his course.

‘Which way are you going! Of course, you’d go right……!’

Simon came in with Meilyn on the left, and Rick and Camibarez were on the right.

Seeing Simon’s choice, Bahil strongly bit his lip.

He again chose Curses as the ‘Sub’ rather than the ‘Main.’

“Professor Bahil.”

At that moment, when Bahil was becoming furious, he felt someone’s hand holding his shoulder.

As he turned around with his eyes full of madness, the gray-eyed assistant teacher brought her finger to her lips.

“That face… You’re making that face.”

“……”

Bahil’s expression softened as if the anger was a lie, and his usual soft smile covered his face.

“Oh my. I guess I got a little agitated. Thank you, Chehekle.”

“It’s alright. This is my job. Other than that, your command, please.”

Bahil straightened his tie.

You could see the assistant teachers rummaging through the formula designs of Heavy Foot to prepare to teach.

“Send all the assistants to the right. I’ll teach them Heavy Foot myself.”

“……What? But last week you said you’ll be teaching Remade Paralyze……!”

“I changed my mind.”

This was a difficult situation.

The assistant teachers had been expecting to teach the Heavy Foot, preparing the materials all night.

Chehekle thought about persuading him, but he looked very firm.

‘He would die before he changes his mind, huh?’

The assistant teachers would only obey the Professor’s orders. She bowed her head.

“Alright, Professor.”

Chehekle approached the assistant teachers preparing for class. They were setting up a mana projector and giving handouts to the students.

“Hold on. Gather up, assistant teachers.”

The assistant teachers gathered in wonder at the sudden assembly order.

“What’s wrong? We need to start right now since it’s a two-hour class.”

“The Professor has changed his mind. He’s going to be teaching Heavy Foot.”

“Whaaaat?”

Bahil’s assistants murmured in bewilderment.

“Hey, that’s absurd, big sis! We prepared for Heavy Foot, but if he changes it like this on the day……!”

“Oh, this isn’t right! Please persuade him, Senior!”

Chehekle folded her arms.

“You do know that he’s not the person to listen to us trying to persuade him, right?”

“……”

“Is it your first time seeing the Professor being unpredictable? Stop whining and get ready. I’ll try to do something with teaching Paralyze.”

The assistant teachers laid down the materials, shoulders dropping, and moved on. 

While patting her juniors on the back to encourage them, Chehekle turned her gaze toward a boy sitting in his seat.

‘The reason why Professor is acting like that…… Would it be because of him?’

While thinking that things would get tough from now on, for both her and Bahil, Chehekle turned her back.

* * *

* * *

And just like that, including Curses, all classes were finished for today.

Rick went down to Rochest, and Meilyn and Camibarez headed to the women’s dormitory. Simon sat alone on an empty bench, staring blankly at the sky.

A beautiful sunset was setting in the sky.

[What kind of thoughts are you so immersed in, Boy?]

As he was blanking out, Pier talked to him. Simon looked up at the sky and said,

“Pier, does the Commander have to major in Summoning?

Pier chuckled.

[Not really! If you want to choose Combat Magic, I can run the Legion myself! It’s purely your choice whether the Legion goes down as a secondary and you focus on your natural power! The Legion will respect that will!]

“……”

After Simon stayed silent for a moment, Pier grinned.

[Why? Did you expect me to stop you?]

Simon made a guilty face.

“No, it’s just that……”

Simon let out a huge sigh.

“Everyone says it. That Summoning is weak. It’s outdated. Other professors and students, and even Professor Aaron, who teaches Summoning.”

[So… Are you going to stop Summoning??]

“……”

Quitting Summoning.

Simon felt a strong repulsion welling up in his heart.

[Perhaps that feeling is how you really feel.]

Pier chuckled.

[In my opinion, Boy, you like Summoning! Although you’re the type of person who likes to learn new things and feel a sense of accomplishment, your feelings for Summoning are unique. Do you really need the Legion to find a reason to continue Summoning?]

“……”

Simon couldn’t deny a word.

[However! That mustn't be what you’re agonizing about!]

“What?”

[Boy! Your thoughts and values are already established! It’s not like you to think about whether to give up Summoning just because of other people’s comments! Something less than that. Something a little more trivial and insignificant than that!]

The corners of Pier’s lips went up high.

[Don’t you just have the mentality of wanting to win this Duel Evaluation with Summoning alone?]

“……!”

Simon looked down at Pier’s clone with a shocked look. Then, he let out a small sigh and smiled.

“Woah, I really can’t fool you, Pier.”

[Kuhehe!]

“Don’t you think it’s stupid? I don’t know when I’ll be mature. There’s a better way, but I keep wanting to win with Summoning……”

[Why do you think that is?]

“Just, it pisses me off. Summoning is weak. It takes time. Support from other majors is required. Summoning alone can’t win. It’s all I’ve heard all day. From assistant teachers, Rick, professors, and even Toto, a Summoning aspirant.”

Simon crossed his arms.

“It’s not my major yet, but it pissed me off a little. That Summoning is treated like that.”

[But you’ve always chosen the most effective paths. I see. You agonized over it because those two notions collided.]

“Yes.”

Simon stood up and brushed off his pants.

[So, what’s the result of your agonizing?]

“At least for now, I’m going to chase my dream.”

Simon grinned.

“Imagine, Pier.”

The people, everyone, were denying it.

If he really won the Duel Evaluation with only Summoning in front of such people…

“Don’t you think it’s gonna feel damn good?”

[Kuhahahahahaha! Yeah! That’s it!]

Pier laughed out loud.

[To be willing to walk a path that others don’t! That act itself is special and valuable! Moreover, there’s no reason for you not to when you have the ability and talent to pull it off!]

A blue flame swirled up from Pier’s clone.

[Remember, Boy, you’re none other than the Commander of the Legion I chose! Don’t hesitate to cross the line drawn by small fries with the strength of a shark! Do whatever you want!]

“Yes, Pier.”

A light-hearted smile finally formed on Simon’s lips.

“Now, I have definitely made up my mind.”

——