Necromancer Academy’s Genius Summoner

Aaron strode over, opened the door to the lab, and went inside.

Simon looked at Aaron’s back, slightly bewildered.

‘So Professor Aaron also makes jokes, huh?”

Simon didn’t know, but it was a sight that would make the assistant teachers faint with surprise if they saw it.

And just like that, Simon entered Aaron’s lab for the first time.

All kinds of unknown undead materials filled the room wherever he looked.

He could feel how much Aaron loved Summoning just by being here in this room.

In particular, the dragon bone that wrapped around the entire laboratory was very impressive. It was shaking and moving as if it were alive. It seemed to be in the state of a skeleton rather than a simple decoration.

“Sit anywhere you like.”

Said Aaron while taking his trousers off. Soon, he threw them, and they hung around the neck of the dragon bone surrounding the lab.

The dragon bone shook its neck as though it hated it, but it couldn’t resist any more than that.

Simon held back his laughter and found a seat.

Everything hanging on the wall and on the floor was valuable for research and studies, so Simon had to be careful with each step. Soon, he found a sofa, set aside the ghoul model leaning on it, and sat down.

“So, what did you want to ask again?”

Aaron, who took off his top and wore shorts and slippers before Simon even realized it, was making tea.

Simon took a light breath and said,

“I’d like to know how to win a Duel Evaluation with Summoning alone.”

Aaron’s movements stopped for a second. But that was just for a second. Soon, he casually poured tea into a cup.

“Why would you do such a pointless thing?”

“What……?”

“Simon, I know you’re excelling in Combat Magic and other subjects too.”

Aaron approached Simon and held a teacup to Simon.

“You have a clear way to get past this evaluation easily. I don’t understand why you’d go through so much trouble.”

Simon held his breath.

In fact, he knew Aaron would say something like that. Even in Simon’s first Summoning studies class, Aaron himself made a statement that demeaned Summoning.

So it was even stranger.

You could feel a lot of things by looking at his lab.

Why did a person who loved Summoning this much, a person who was so passionate about his major, say those kinds of things to the students of Kizen?

“Then I’d like to ask you, Professor.”

Simon strained his eyes.

“Is there any other reason needed for a Summoning aspirant wanting to win with Summoning?”

“……”

Aaron stopped moving and stared at Simon. Simon didn’t look away either.

After a brief pause, Aaron took his teacup and drank his tea. Simon also carefully took a sip, feeling thirsty.

The first taste was bitter, but the aftertaste lingering inside the mouth was sweet.

“Do you want me to divulge the solution? Or…”

It was hard to believe, but when Aaron put down the teacup, a smile was on his lips.

“Do you want me to correct the solution you have chosen?”

At the same time, Simon also smiled with his teeth.

“The latter, Professor.”

* * *

Finally, the day of the Duel Evaluation.

Kizen was operating 5 indoor stadiums simultaneously for the Duel Evaluation.

Among these, Rick, Meilyn, and Camibarez were at the 2nd Stadium.

Simon was the only one from group 7 to take the evaluation in the morning. Everyone just stopped by to cheer for Simon.

But…

“Where the hell is he?!”

Meilyn in the stand stamped her feet repeatedly. Camibarez was also fidgeting and constantly looking around her.

Simon’s turn was approaching soon, and he was nowhere to be seen.

“You guys stay here.”

Eventually, Rick stood from his seat.

Another match was finished while Rick went out.

The student who won raised both hands in joy, and the student whose barrier gauge dropped to 0 dropped his head.

The rules for the Duel Evaluation were similar to the Cyclops performance assessment.

The students on each side fought while wearing a Protection Suit with the effect of ‘full-body shield’, and the one whose barrier gauge fell to 0 lost.

So, the student who won today’s duel would start from the middle squad, and the student who lost would start from the lower squad.

If you lost in the lower squad next week, you’d be demoted to the lowest squad according to your performance. In other words, ‘Expulsion from Kizen’ would be possible.

Because of this, the burden on all the students was at its peak.

The audience was full of students who came to cheer for their friends or to gather some information.

Of course, other than the Kizen students, there were also adults who came in from all over the Dark Alliance. Kizen students were the next generation of talents who’d lead the continent in the future, so it was natural for the institutions or organizations to collect information.

And the scouts who were now in the 2nd Stadium only had one interest.

“Now, we'll be able to see this year’s Special Admission No.1 soon.”

“Simon Polentia, I’ve never heard the name.”

“His whereabouts are unclear too. Apparently, he’s a student that was suddenly selected by Nefthis.”

“I heard that he’s a Summoning aspirant.”

“Summoning? What are the professors of Kizen doing? Don't tell me they're seriously planning to throw a Special Admission No.1 to Summoning?"

While the adults were chatting in the audience seats and making up a list of scouts, the most anxious ones were Meilyn and Camibarez.

The two could hardly sit still and were scanning the waiting room.

Then, an announcement was aired from the speaker on the ceiling.

[Simon Polentia from Class A, Haren Cork from Class G, please head to the stadium.]

The opponent, Haren Cork, was coming into the stadium.

Camibarez trembled and put her hands together. 

“Please, Simon! Where in the world are you?”

* * *

* * *

Haren Cork came to the stadium and took a deep breath.

The inspector who took Haren’s blood sent an ok sign. As Bahil said, he wasn’t caught for doping.

‘Haaaah! Power is overwhelming in my body.’

It was hard to express…… how he currently felt.

Haren had always lived a life of chasing after someone’s back.

But now, it was different. He felt like the whole world was under his feet. It seemed that he could overthrow anyone if he had the will to do so.

‘……Simon Polentia.’

Class A’s Special Admission No.1. The special admission among special admissions. 

He was already fed up with the special admission students. They were all arrogant and violent, including the Special Admission No.8 from Class G, Haren’s class.

Those people living in luxury thanks to their parents had never gone hungry, received tremendous support, and were born with genes full of talent, even if they didn’t put in much effort.

‘Watch me.’

He knew that most of the scouts who were watching from the audience came to see Simon.

However, after this Duel Evaluation was over, they’d change their minds. The whole continent would pay attention to him.

And Haren’s gaze moved to one side of the audience. At the end of the audience, Bahil, wearing a white suit, was also watching the match.

‘……He said that it’s fine as long as I don’t kill him, right?’

Haren couldn’t give up this power. He wanted to continue getting Bahil’s support, and for this, he was planning to somehow become a direct disciple of Bahil.

‘I’ll at least destroy one of your limbs.’

He struggled and seized this opportunity that those born into rich families would enjoy forever.

It was probably a once in a lifetime chance.

He won’t miss it again. He’d do it, no matter the means.

[Simon Polentia from Class A. Please come to the Stadium.]

However, the opponent was a little late.

Now, there were broadcasts looking for Simon resounding throughout the school, not only in the 2nd Stadium.

‘……Being late? All special admissions are like this, after all.’

Haren folded his arms. The referee in charge of the match looked at his watch.

“We’re getting delayed. If he doesn’t come within 5 minutes, Simon Polentia will be disqualified. We’ll count this duel as a win for Haren Cork.”

There were shouts of disappointment and the clicking of tongues from everywhere.

Meilyn and Camibarez stamped their feet. No matter which way you looked at it, something must’ve happened. If Rick couldn’t find him, nobody could.

Five minutes passed in the blink of an eye, and the referee checking the watch said,

“Time’s up. This match is Haren Cor—”

“Hold up!”

Poow!

The waiting room door opened at a dramatic moment, revealing Simon with hollow-looking eyes and Rick supporting him.

“Ohhh!”

“He’s there!”

At the fact that the big match hadn’t been canceled, the scouts and students who were waiting all smiled.

“Simon!”

You dumbass!!”

Camibarez and Meilyn waved in great relief. Simon also noticed them and raised his hand slightly to signal to them that he was okay.

“I can walk by myself, Rick.”

“Good grief.”

Rick released the support and slapped Simon on the back.

“Do well.”

Simon walked to the stadium and bowed his head at the referee.

“Forgive me for being late.”

“Well, it’s fine. Please get ready fast.”

The servants who were waiting rushed in and put a protection suit on Simon and collected his blood.

Preparation for the Duel Evaluation ended quickly.

“Both players, shake hands.”

Simon and Haren met in the middle and held their hands, following the referee's orders.

Simon smiled. 

“I’m sorry for being late.”

“……”

Haren didn’t say anything and looked at Simon’s condition.

A sullen face, huge bags under his eyes, and a school uniform covered in dirt.

‘His condition is clearly fucked up. It should be an easy win.’

After shaking hands, the two stood a distance apart. The screen spread out from the mana projector.

[Simon Polentia: 100%]

[Haren Cork: 100%]

“The match is over when either side loses consciousness, or their barrier gauge drops to 0%.”

The two nodded and took a stance.

In an instant, tension was built throughout the stadium.

Meilyn and Camibarez were also waiting, leaning forward in their seats. Rick came up to the audience stand and approached them while sweating profusely.

“Rick! Good work!”

“What’s wrong with you? Where was Simon at?”

There was dirt all over Rick’s uniform. Rick sat down and brushed off the dirt.

“Simon was at the back of the stadium.”

“Hm?”

“I’ll explain later. For now, let’s watch.”

Simon, in the stadium, closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

“Pheeeeeeew.”

And when he opened his eyes again, his concentration was back to normal.

‘Monstrous bastard.’

Haren gave a wry smile and further lowered his stance. The referee’s raised arm dropped down.

“Begin!”

——