Necromancer Academy's Genius Summoner – Episode 5
Simon had exactly 20 gold on him.
It wasn't a small amount, Richard had already stretched their limits to get it, but if it wasn't enough...
"Since you're none other than Lady Loraine's guest, I'll speak frankly without bargaining."
Stephanie said politely.
"It's 5,000 gold."
"...What?"
Simon felt the sky collapsing in his heart.
That amount was several years' worth of Leshill's budget…
"I'll pay for it."
Loraine took out her purse. Stephanie's lips curled into a bright smile, and the two began moving toward the register.
"Wait a minute!"
Simon shouted.
"What's wrong?"
"You, you really don't have to do this! It's 5,000 gold! I can't accept such a huge gift!"
Loraine tilted her head.
"Didn't you hear from my mom? She's the one buying this."
"...Lady Neftis?"
"Yeah. Let me think…"
Loraine pressed a finger to her lips, falling into thought for a moment.
"I don't know all the details, but she said she owed your parents a big debt. It's something the adults talked about, so you don't need to worry about it."
"Ah..."
After some back and forth over whether or not to accept it, Simon finally took the subspace pouch.
"Thank you, customer! And Lady! Please visit us again next time!"
As Simon and Loraine left the shop, Stephanie and the clerks bowed deeply.
Outside once more, under the sunlight.
Simon stared, enchanted, at the sparkling ring between his fingers.
'This is mine?'
He was so happy, it was hard to hide his expression.
"You like it that much?"
"...Haha."
Simon let out an awkward laugh.
"I feel like I owe too much. I don't know how to repay Lady Neftis…"
"It's fine. But if there's something my mom wants, I think it's for you to endure life at Keyzen well."
"Yes! I'll really do my best!"
The shopping with Loraine continued after that.
They bought not only essentials like pens, notebooks, and lamps for daily life, but also skeleton sets and various potion materials, which they stored in the subspace pouch.
According to Loraine, you could also buy supplies in the city outside Keyzen, but things were far more expensive there.
"Simon! Let's go do that!"
"...Is dart throwing part of the entrance preparation too?"
"It's just for fun!"
Though she occasionally got sidetracked… she was still a capable guide.
"Now, we light it."
"Yeah! Now!"
At the Langerstine Observatory, Simon and Loraine let go of the lantern at the same time, and it floated toward the night sky.
Other people around them were also sending lanterns into the sky. The night was painted in a brilliant crimson hue, a mesmerizing display of lights.
Caught up in the atmosphere, people let out cheers, clapped their hands, and couples began kissing as if they had been waiting for the moment.
"This is Langerstine's must-see attraction, A Thousand Lights."
Loraine placed her hands on her hips and smiled proudly.
"What do you think, Simon?"
"Can I be honest?"
"Of course."
Without taking his eyes off the lanterns decorating the night sky, Simon answered.
"I'm just amazed there are a thousand suckers willing to spend 200 silver on a flaming sheet of oily paper. That kind of thought crossed my mind…"
"..."
She gave him an exasperated look.
"You're really gonna fit in at Keyzen."
"Thank you. I'll do my best…"
"That wasn't a compliment!"
The final destination for the two was a fancy restaurant overlooking the sea.
A luxurious chandelier on the ceiling, sparkling tableware, and waiters dressed in ties and uniforms.
It was the first time Simon had ever been in such a place.
The taste of the food went without saying. The moment the glossy steak entered his mouth, an indescribable sense of bliss ran through his body.
And when he turned his head, a picture-perfect night sea stretched out before him, accompanied by the soothing sound of waves crashing in his ears. It was near perfection.
"You're good with fancy cutlery too? Guess a noble's still a noble."
Loraine chuckled with her chin resting on her hand.
"My father was strict about etiquette."
"You were trained well. Oh! Just so you know, about 30% of Keyzen students are commoners."
She dabbed her mouth with a napkin and continued.
"You can't look down on others because of status. Keyzen is a place of absolute meritocracy, and even the daughter of a duke bows to upperclassmen commoners. It's better to think of everyone as equal first-years."
Simon nodded seriously. Back in Leshill too, he got along with everyone regardless of whether they were barons or commoners, so he wasn't too worried about that part.
"Tomorrow's the entrance ceremony. If you're curious about anything, ask away."
"Hmm… Ah! I met another new student this morning, and they were talking about majors."
"Majors? Good question."
Loraine smiled and went on.
"In the first semester of the first year, you take nine subjects. From the second semester, you can choose what you want to study, and when you become a second-year, you have to pick a major."
"I guess I need to quickly figure out which subjects I'm good at."
"Exactly!"
Her eyes sparkled like a strategist's as she twirled her fork.
"Even in the first semester, it's good to pick your main area early and study with a focus. In group projects, students with a clear specialty are really popular."
"I'll definitely keep that in mind."
"Do you have any majors in mind?"
Simon recalled what happened in the morning. The sight of bones rising from a trash heap and assembling into an undead…
It had left a strong impression in his mind.
"...I think I'm a bit interested in summoning."
"Summoning? That's a good one! You're walking the traditional path, huh."
Loraine talked about various subjects, and Simon listened intently, eyes shining.
They got along well in conversation. Of course, Simon mostly listened, but from Loraine's point of view, his focused attention was very satisfying.
Even after finishing dinner, they didn't want to part ways and continued chatting through a second and third round at a nearby tavern.
It was Simon's first time drinking alcohol.
As a minor, he hesitated at first, but Loraine said Keyzen students were allowed to drink. Still, since tomorrow was the entrance ceremony, they only drank until they felt pleasantly tipsy.
The conversation continued late into the night, and it was just past midnight when Simon finally arrived at his lodging.
"Thank you for walking me home, Loraine."
"Don't mention it."
"Um…"
Simon scratched his head, his face red.
"Technically, I should be the one walking you home…"
"Hm?"
Loraine blinked in confusion before giving a curious smile.
"So you were aware?"
"...Ahem."
"I appreciate the thought. But Langerstine is a complicated city. Forget walking me home, you wouldn't even be able to find your way back to your lodging alone."
He couldn't argue with that.
"Get some good rest. If I hear you were late tomorrow because of drinking, I'll be dead meat when my mom finds out."
"Yes, thank you so much for today! I had a really great time."
Simon bowed his head in gratitude.
Actually, it wasn't just a great time, Simon felt he would never forget his first day in Langerstine.
Just as Loraine was walking away with a wave, she suddenly stopped and turned back toward Simon.
"Oh! Simon. Actually, I have a confession to make."
"Yes?"
Loraine, uncharacteristically shy, tucked her hair behind her ear.
"I wasn't trying to deceive you, but I just kind of… missed the right timing to say it. So…"
"...?"
As their eyes met, she playfully winked.
"Actually, I'm a first-year freshman too!"
"...Ye-yeah?"
"So next time we meet at school, talk casually. Bye!"
She waved her hand and disappeared into the darkness.
"...."
Staring blankly at the spot where she vanished, Simon eventually let out a chuckle and entered the dormitory.
***
Morning arrived.
Though Loraine told him to rest well, Simon was too excited and full of anticipation for his new life to sleep properly. He got up early, got ready, and left the dorm.
Loraine was going to Keyzen by a different route, so Simon had to find the gathering point on his own.
Of course, the location was clearly etched in his mind.
That spot visible from the restaurant they went to yesterday, the land jutted sharply out toward the sea.
As he got closer to the gathering point, more people filled the roadside. Most were kids around Simon's age, and every single one of them had a distinct look.
A fairy girl fixing her makeup while walking, a boy with twenty swords strapped to him like his whole body was a storage unit, and even a girl leisurely walking with a case on her back that was bigger than her entire body.
'I'm the most normal one here.'
That was what Simon thought as he walked—but in truth, everyone there was thinking the exact same thing.
Before long, he arrived at the gathering point. A few assistants dispatched from Keyzen were maintaining order, and at the edge of the jutting terrain, a ship was docked.
It looked like they were taking that ship to enter Keyzen.
"Please hurry. We will depart for Keyzen shortly!"
Simon got in line to board the ship. One curious thing was that the ship was facing inland, not the sea, it wasn't clear why it was set up that way.
"Please present your admission letter."
It was Simon's turn. He handed over the prepared letter.
The assistant checked the letter against the list in his hand, marked it with a quill, and handed it back.
"Simon Follentia, confirmed."
"Thank you."
Simon was about to board the ship, having cleared the check smoothly—
"This is a mistake, I'm telling you!"
A loud protest erupted from the line next to his.
"I'm candidate number one, and there's not a single dropout?"
"I'm sorry, Lucius, but you are not on the admission list."
"What the hell, are you guys doing your jobs or what? Contact Keyzen! There must be a mistake!"
A commotion broke out nearby. A few students whispered as they boarded the ship.
"It's a yearly thing."
"There's always someone who can't accept the results."
"Candidate number one on the waiting list? Kinda feel bad. Pfft."
The students laughed and boarded.
Snap!
Just as things were getting tense, it finally happened. Lucius, in a fit of rage, shoved the assistant to the ground.
"I am Lucius Karol, heir to the Count of the Kingdom of Dresden! This is an order. Contact the Keyzen headquarters immediately!"
"Please return. Lucius, you are not on the admission list."
The assistant repeated the same words firmly. Lucius, his face flushed red, grabbed the assistant's hair.
Murmurs.
The atmosphere was growing more hostile. Students stopped walking and turned their attention to the scene, some even began summoning Darkness.
Just as Lucius, veins bulging in his eyes, raised his right arm—
Grab.
"Stop."
Lucius turned his head. Simon, who had moved behind him at some point, was now gripping his arm.
"Who the hell are you? Let go!"
"...."
Simon gave a calm smile and tightened his grip.
Crunch!
"Aaaagh!"
With unbelievable strength, Lucius screamed in pain and twisted like a pretzel.
There was no way a pampered noble boy could endure the strength Simon had built up over years of hard work in the territory.
Push. Press.
Lucius' body slowly sank until one knee hit the ground. He lost his grip on the assistant's hair, and Simon let go of Lucius' right hand.
Lucius scrambled back in retreat, clutching his wrist with a flushed face, and yelled,
"What the hell's your problem?! You wanna die?!"
Shing!
Simon didn't answer, and Lucius drew his sword from his waist.
The murmuring grew louder, and the situation escalated rapidly.
"What's going on here?"
It was then.
A man approached from the ship.
He had a pale face like someone fighting disease, his cheeks were sunken, patches of gray hair scattered through his head, and his hands had a yellowish tint.
The students, upon seeing him, let out gasps of awe.
"Pr-Professor Sillage?!"
"...Sillage is on the faculty? That's so Keyzen…"
Even Lucius, who had been acting all high and mighty, shrank back as Sillage approached.
Sillage slowly scanned the scene.
One assistant collapsed on the ground with messy hair. One student who intervened. And one noble who had shouted about being candidate number one on the waiting list.
Sillage stared at Lucius with a dull expression.
"Any last words?"