Chapter 159
The most important core assignment during this first semester break.
That was—
"Increasing competitiveness in battles against High Priests."
The students began murmuring to one another as they exchanged glances.
"As previously announced, the unified second semester will focus on training practical necromancers capable of defeating priests. As you've felt from the recent incident, battles against priests are an inevitable task."
At the word "priest", a subtle intensity began to ripple through the students' atmosphere.
"During the break, you must refine and strengthen your personal edge in a battle against a High Priest. You'll be required to present what you prepared during the first class of the new semester."
The students fell into deep, troubled thought. Simon was no different.
'My own competitive edge against priests, huh.'
Just as Simon was seriously contemplating—
'...?!'
A white light suddenly flickered from his left hand, which was resting beneath the desk.
'Wh-what the heck is this?'
Simon immediately knew what the light was.
It was a priest's holiness.
He frantically flicked his left hand, but the light wouldn't go out. Maelyn, who had been taking notes diligently, shot him a sharp glare.
"What are you doing? You're being distracting."
"Ah, sorry. It's nothing."
Kamibarez, seated next to him, tilted her head.
"Simon? You don't look well. You're sweating…"
"Uh, yeah. I guess it's just hot in the classroom."
Simon quickly made an excuse and pretended to listen to Jane's explanation. Though the two returned their focus to the front, cold sweat was pouring down Simon's back.
'What's happening to me all of a sudden?'
Simon's thoughts were spinning like a top.
Was it because he had been exposed to too much holiness during the battle with the Saint of Purification? But by that logic, all the necromancers working on the front lines should also be emitting holiness from their bodies.
Every possible thought rushed through his mind in that short time.
If a necromancer started using holiness at a time like this, wouldn't people say he was Efnelle's spy and arrest him? He'd be dragged to headquarters, investigated about the Legion Commander, his parents would be brought in too. That would be a complete disaster.
Everyone else was focused on Jane's lecture, but Simon was locked in a battle with himself.
'This is driving me crazy.'
No matter how hard he tried to extinguish the holiness, the brightness only grew more intense.
Even when he put his hand in his pocket or pressed it against his body, the light still leaked out. Now even some students were glancing around from the glare.
'How the hell do I turn this off?'
Obviously, Keyzen had never taught him anything like how to manage holiness. Simon decided to concentrate as he would when controlling Darkness.
'Go out, go out, just go out…!'
It had the opposite effect.
The light doubled in intensity and illuminated the entire classroom ceiling.
"Who turned on the lights as a joke during class?"
Jane's voice rang out as she scribbled the handouts on the blackboard without turning around. Fortunately, she didn't look back.
The other students' attention turned not to Simon, but to Dick. Maelyn scolded him.
"Ugh! Attention seeker!"
"What, what?! It wasn't me!"
The more Dick defended himself, the more attention he drew.
It was the importance of daily behavior.
'Sorry, Dick!'
While everyone's attention shifted to Dick, Simon desperately tried to control the holiness. He began to feel a little wronged.
'Why is this happening during the last class? I've never even been able to use holiness before…'
As soon as that thought crossed Simon's mind, the holiness in his palm faded and vanished without a trace.
'...?'
He didn't really understand what happened, but the relief made him let out a sigh. He had been disappointed about leaving Keyzen for a few months, but now he'd changed his mind.
He needed to return to Leshill as soon as possible.
'Before anything bad happens, I need to learn how to control this power from Mom.'
While others were worried about overcoming a priest's holiness, Simon had to worry about how to control his own.
* * *
After the announcement, preparations for the break began swiftly, as was typical of Keyzen's efficient operations.
Everyone returned to the dorms to pack their belongings. While rooms and roommates would remain the same for the second semester, it was best to take home necessary items like textbooks and notes for the assignment.
"Thanks for everything this semester, Kajan."
Said Simon while packing. Kajan, wearing a large backpack, hopped down from the second floor and held out his hand.
"You worked hard too."
The two exchanged a brief handshake. Dick, already finished packing and sprawled out on his bed, looked at them with envy.
"Um, by the way…"
Simon hesitated a little before asking.
"Will I still get to see you in the second semester?"
Kajan had entered Keyzen under Neftis' orders to find and capture a priest. It was a sort of undercover enrollment.
Now that the mission was over, Kajan had no real reason to stay at Keyzen.
"You'll know when the new semester starts."
"…Haha."
Simon gave a bitter smile. As expected of a member of the Thieves' Guild, he didn't reveal personal information easily.
"Anyway, it was lucky for me to have fought alongside you during this mission."
Kajan then spoke quietly, making sure Dick couldn't hear.
"The Thieves' Guild does have a minimal sense of honor. I'll keep everything I saw about you to myself, so don't worry."
"…Ah, thank you!"
Kajan lightly patted Simon on the shoulder and turned to open the dormitory door.
"Have a good break, Kajan."
Dick suddenly chimed in. Kajan paused and looked back.
"Try snoring less."
Simon burst into laughter at that. Dick chuckled too, as if he found it funny himself.
After Kajan left, Simon and Dick met each other's eyes and laughed again.
"Can't believe it's already break."
"Tell me about it. I've booked a place in Rochest for now, and I'm not the only one staying around here…"
While listening to Dick talk, Simon suddenly wore a horrified expression.
White light was seeping from the tip of his left index finger.
Simon quickly hid his hand behind his back. Fortunately, Dick was too engrossed in his own story to notice.
'I have to get back immediately.'
With all his packing done, Simon told Dick he had somewhere to stop by and slipped out.
The first place he headed to was Feer's Ruins.
The three so-called incredible Ancient Undead were sitting in a cluster on the floor, playing a card game. As soon as Simon's footsteps were heard, Feer saw his chance and tossed his cards into the air, shouting,
[You're here, boy!]
Prince clutched his head with a look of disbelief.
[What the hell! I had that game won!]
[Hohoho! Sometimes, things just end up like this, milord. Welcome, Legion Commander.]
Erzebet, who had been gnawing on her fingernails while glaring at her cards, also threw them into the air and stood up.
Prince was the only one still sitting, staring forlornly at the cards in his hand.
With his hands on his waist, Simon asked,
"Now that it's break time, have you all decided what you're going to do?"
[Of course!]
Feer had decided to visit the "Jungle of Screams" located in the southwest of Dresden. He was heading there to search for clues about the next Ancient Undead.
Erzebet was planning to go to a place called the "Insect Graveyard", known as a paradise for spiders. She said she was looking to discover a groundbreaking method to increase the population of Corpse Spiders.
And Prince said—
[I'm heading back to Deathland!]
Prince planned to reinforce his control over the other zombies and stabilize the chaotic Deathland, which had been thrown into disarray due to Magnus's group.
[It's going to be the future base of the Legion! Just you wait!]
Throwing off his crown, Prince shouted. In his hand, he still held two cards of regret.
"So in the end, I'm the only one going to Leshill."
Prince had flatly refused to meet Richard, and Erzebet held grudges against both Richard and Anna, so even if she had wanted to go, Simon would've stopped her. But Feer was a bit unexpected. Simon thought he'd have a lot to talk about with his father, Richard.
[I'm no longer Richard's undead. I'm the master of your Legion now. We're strangers, and I'm not the type to sit around chatting politely. That's just not my style.]
Feer stretched out his arm, and the fragment of himself that had been attached to Simon's school uniform was sucked back into his hand through the pull of gravitational force. Standing up, Feer slung the Greatsword of Destruction over his shoulder.
"Feer, are you really okay with not meeting father?"
[…]
Feer tilted his head back to stare at the ceiling for a moment before answering.
[It's not time yet. Richard probably feels the same way.]
* * *
Since Feer and Erzebet had business in the Dresden Kingdom, they decided to travel directly from Roke Mountain by boat. They had already booked their trip, and thanks to Erzebet's transformation ability, there was no concern of being recognized. Prince had already retrieved his power and returned to his main body in Deathland.
Simon, back at Keyzen, stopped by the Mutant Club room to say goodbye to his seniors, then made his way to the teleportation circle without delay.
"Simon! Over here!"
"Hurry up! Why are you so late!"
Less than an hour remained until it was time to go home.
The four of them chatted happily until the very end.
From the Cyclops assessment to the incident with the Saint—Group 7's bond was at its peak. Of course, Simon couldn't fully relax and enjoy the conversation, worried that his holiness might suddenly burst out again.
They shared their plans for the break.
Maelyn would be training intensively in cold-element black magic at the Ivory Tower while also working to build up her weak physical stamina.
Dick planned to stay on Roke Mountain, in Rochest, for about a month. He said he would organize his business there before heading to the continent to meet his father.
Kamibarez, with a recommendation from Sillage, was going to visit a Keyzen graduate to learn how to suppress and control her violent blood.
Everyone had solid plans for their break.
"What about you, Simon? What are you going to do?"
Asked Maelyn, and Simon shrugged.
"I'll probably just help my dad out at home and work on the assignment."
It wasn't a lie, but in truth, the most urgent matter was learning how to control the holiness that kept bursting out unpredictably.
If he could master this power, he might also discover a clue for the biggest break assignment, 'competitiveness in battles against priests'.
"We're starting! Students whose names are called, please come forward!"
As the teleportation circle activated, the moment of parting arrived.
Kamibarez, ever sentimental, teared up. Everyone promised to write letters. They comforted her, saying two months would fly by.
"Simon Follentia!"
"Yes!"
Simon was the first to be called. Judging by how hard it was to take a step, their bond must've really deepened, even in the short time.
After saying farewell to his teammates, Simon stepped onto the teleportation circle. A servant gave a polite bow.
"To Leshill, Fiefdom of the Baldwin Kingdom. Is that correct?"
"Yes!"
"Initiating the process."
As the teleportation magic activated, Simon's feet lifted into the air. He closed his eyes and surrendered to the familiar sensation.
* * *
Tweet tweet tweet.
Birdsong could be heard.
Warm sunlight, the scent of fresh grass, and even the gentle babbling of a stream.
Simon opened his mouth slightly at the familiar scene before him.
'Wow...'
He was really back.
In Leshill.
It was hard to believe, but his hometown looked exactly the same. Nothing had changed.
Having come from the intense world of Keyzen, Leshill felt like a completely different dimension.
Simon walked forward slowly, like he was taking a stroll, savoring the scenery. Charles, a resident of the fief, who was chopping firewood as usual, spotted him and broke into a big smile.
"Well, look who it is! Young Master!!"
Charles tossed aside his axe and waved his arms wildly. His young son, Roharon, peeked out and let out a shrill cheer.
"Simon brother!!"
Smiling brightly, Simon approached them and exchanged greetings.
Roharon kept touching Simon's Keyzen uniform, saying it looked cool, and began begging that he wanted to attend Keyzen too. Charles laughed heartily and encouraged him, saying he could go when he grew up big and strong.
"Alright then, I'll be off."
"Yessir! Now that you're back home, make sure to rest up properly!"
Simon continued walking.
Past the familiar scenery, he arrived at the lord's manor—or rather, the humble wooden house that the villagers respectfully called so.
He was simply coming home, and yet tension flooded over him, his heart pounding wildly.
'What should I say first when I see Mom and Dad?'
A flood of greetings filled his head. Simon took a deep breath and stood at the door.
Knock knock knock.
He knocked, but no reply came. Still, he could hear someone inside.
'Maybe they're busy?'
The door wasn't locked, so Simon cautiously opened it and stepped in.
There stood Richard, wearing a grave expression in front of the master bedroom.
"Simon!"
Richard spotted him.
Seeing his father's expression, Simon sensed something was wrong and rushed into the bedroom.
"Ah...!"
His eyes widened dramatically.
Anna Follentia was lying in bed, her face pale and haggard.