Necromancer Academy’s Genius Summoner

Simon only had 20 gold in his hand.

And even this was a considerable sum of money that Richard went a little overboard with, but if this wasn’t enough……

“Since you’re none other than Young Lady Lorain’s guest, I’ll be honest with you without any haggling.”

Said Stephanie in a polite tone.

“It’s 5,000 gold.”

“……What?”

Simon felt as though his world was caving in.

For how many years could that pay all of Les Hill expenses…?

“I’ll pay for it.”

Lorain pulled out her wallet. Stephanie made a bright smile with her lips, and the two began to move to checkout.

“Wait!”

Simon exclaimed.

“What’s wrong?”

“Y-You don’t have to do this! It’s 5,000 gold! I can’t receive such a huge gift like this!”

Lorain tilted her head.

“Didn’t you hear from my mother? She’s paying for it.”

“…Nefthis?”

“Yeah. I’m sure she said…”

Lorain put her hand to her lips and got lost in her thoughts for a while.

“I don’t know the details, but my mother owes a lot to your parents, apparently. She said that, since they’ve already come to an understanding, you don’t have to feel burdened.”

“Ah……”

In the end, after arguing about the payment for a while, Simon decided to receive the subspace.

“Thank you, dear customer and young lady! Please visit us again next time!”

At the back of Simon and Lorain leaving the store, Stephanie and the staff bowed their heads.

Again, outside in the sun,

Simon gazed at the gleaming ring between his fingers as if he were charmed by it.

‘I can’t believe this is mine.’

He was so happy that he couldn’t hold back his expression.

“Are you that happy?”

“……Haha.”

Simon let out an awkward laugh.

“I really owe Nefthis a huge one. I wonder how I can repay her……”

“It’s fine. However, if there’s one thing my mother wants, I think it’s you keeping up with life in Kizen well.”

“Yes! I’ll really do my best!”

After that, shopping with Loraine continued.

In addition to future necessities such as pens, notebooks, and lights, he also purchased a skeleton set and materials for potion crafting, placing them in the subspace.

According to Lorain, you could also buy the ingredients in the annexed town in front of Kizen, but it looked like it was much more expensive there.

“Simon! Let us go play that too!”

“…Is playing darts a part of prepping for school?”

“Just having fun!”

We sometimes strayed somewhere else… but she was an excellent guide nonetheless. 

“Then I’ll light it up.” 

“Yes! Now’s the time!”

At the viewing tower of Langerstine, when Simon and Lorain released their hands simultaneously, the lantern flew towards the night sky.

People around them were also flying their lanterns. The night sky was dyed with an enchanting scarlet red, and a beautiful party of lights stretched out.

The people caught up in the mood gave cheers or clapped their hands, and couples began to kiss as if on cue. 

“This place is the Langerstine’s must-see attraction, the Thousand Lights.”

Lorain put her hands on her waist and smiled confidently.

“What do you think, Simon?”

“Can I be honest?”

“Of course.”

Simon answered without taking his eyes off the lights that lit up the night sky.

“I’m just pondering that there are thousands of stupid people who spend 200 silver on burning oil paper…”

“……”

She gave a cold gaze.

“You’ll adjust really well in Kizen.”

“Thank you. I’ll also do my be—”

“It’s not a compliment!”

The last place the two went was a restaurant with a good atmosphere overlooking the sea. 

Luxurious chandeliers hung on the ceiling, the tableware sparkled, and there were even waiters in ties and uniforms.

It was the first time Simon ate in a restaurant like this.

Needless to say, the food was delicious. The moment when the glossy steak entered his mouth, his body trembled with an indescribable sense of joy.

In addition, when you turned your head, the picturesque night-sea spread out, and you could hear the sound of waves crashing in your ear. It was indeed just about a perfect place.

“You’re pretty good at handling difficult tablewares too, huh? A noble is noble after all.”

Lorain rested her chin with her hand and laughed.

“Because my father was strict with etiquette.”

“You learned it well. Ah! I’m saying this just in case, but when you get in Kizen, about 30% of them are commoners, you see?”

She continued to speak as she wiped her lips with the napkin.

“So you shouldn’t put people down with your status. Kizen’s school tradition is an unconditional meritocracy. Even the daughter of a duke bows their head to a commoner of a higher grade. Just think of everyone in the first year as an equal.”

Simon said he would mark her words and nodded his head. In Les Hill, people harmonized well regardless of their status, so he wasn’t worried about it.

“The entrance ceremony will be held tomorrow. If you have any questions, feel free to ask.”

“Mm…… Ah! This morning, I met an incoming freshman like me, and she talked about a major.”

“A major? That’s a good question.” 

Lorain smiled and continued to speak.

“In the 1st semester of the 1st year, there are nine subjects, you know? From the 2nd semester, you can choose the class you want to take, and you’ll have to choose a major when you go up to the 2nd year.”

“Then I’d have to figure out what subjects I’m good at quickly.”

“Exactly!”

She spun the fork, and her eyes gleamed like a strategist.

“Even in the 1st semester, it’s better to decide in advance the main subject that you’re good at and study mainly in that area since people who’re distinct with their main subjects are popular when group classes are conducted.”

“I’ll definitely remember that.”

“Do you perhaps have a major in your mind?”

Simon remembered what happened in the morning for a moment. The scene where the bone fragments from the garbage pile were put together and turned into an undead. 

It was so impressive that it was ingrained deeply in his mind.

“…I think I’m a little bit interested in studying Summoning.”

“Summoning is good! So, you’re planning to walk the path of the orthodox.”

Lorain told stories of the different subjects, and Simon listened, his eyes shining.

He could communicate with her well. Of course, Simon was the one who usually listened, but she also appreciated Simon’s attitude, as he was eagerly attentive when she was speaking.

Even after dinner, as if they felt lacking, the two of them talked at a nearby pub until the 2nd and 3rd round.

And it was Simon’s first time drinking.

He was hesitant at first because he was a minor, but Lorain said that drinking alcohol was allowed for Kizen students. However, since the next day was the entrance ceremony, they only drank to be in a good mood.

The talk got long, and Simon arrived at the inn just after midnight.

“Thank you for bringing me home, Lorain”

“Nah. This much is nothing.”

“Uhm……”

Simon blushed and scratched his head.

“I should be the one taking you home, but…”

“Hm?”

Lorain blinked, wondering what Simon said, then let out a peculiar smile.

“So you were aware of it, huh?”

“……Ahem.”

“I’ll just accept the gesture. Langerstine is a complicated city. You won’t be able to take me home, let alone get back here by yourself.

He couldn’t deny it.

“Go in and get some rest. If my mother hears that you were late because of drinking, she’ll beat me to death.”

“Yes. Thank you for today! I really enjoyed it.”

Simon bowed his head and thanked her.

Actually, it wasn’t just enjoyable. Simon seemed like he could never forget his first day at Langerstine.

Lorain, waving her hand while walking away, suddenly stopped and turned back to Simon.

“Ah! Simon, I have one confession to make.”

“Yes?”

Lorain ran her hand through her hair while being unusually shy. 

“I didn’t mean to deceive you, but somehow I couldn’t find the right timing to tell you. Uhm……”

When their eyes met, she cutely crinkled her eyes.

“Actually, I’m a 1st-year freshman too!”

“……Wait, what?”

“So the next time we meet at school, just talk casually. Bye!”

She waved her hand and disappeared into the darkness.

Dumbfounded, Simon, looking at the place where she disappeared, giggled and entered the inn.

* * *

* * *

The morning had come.

Lorain told him to get a good night’s sleep, but because of the excitement and expectation of a new life Simon couldn’t sleep well. He got up early, got ready, and left the inn.

Lorain was supposed to go to Kizen by a different route, so Simon had to go to the meeting point alone.

Of course, he clearly remembered the meeting place.

The spot seen from the restaurant he went to with Lorain yesterday. The pointy-shaped land that protruded towards the sea.

As he got closer to the meeting point, more and more people were on the side of the road. Most of them looked the same age as Simon, but they all looked unique.

A fairy girl was fixing her makeup while walking. A male student wore 20 swords as if his entire body was an inventory. A female student strolled with a large case bigger than her on her back.

‘As expected. I’m the normalest one here.’

Simon walked while thinking that, but in fact, everyone here had the same thought.

He soon arrived at the meeting point. Dispatched ‘Servants of Kizen’ were restricting the surroundings, and a boat was anchored at the end of the protruding terrain.

Maybe they were getting into Kizen with that.

“Please hurry up. We’ll be departing to Kizen soon!”

Simon also waited in line to board the boat. The unique part was that the hull faced the ground rather than the sea. He couldn’t figure out why the boat was placed that way.

“Please present your proof of admission.”

Now it was Simon’s turn. He handed the servant the letter he had prepared in advance.

The servant checked the letter and the list in hand, ticked it with a quill, and returned it. 

“Simon Polentia. You’re registered.”

“Thank you.”

When Simon, who passed through safely, was about to get on board…

“There must be some kind of mistake!” 

A violent complaint was heard from the next row.

“I’m the 1st candidate for substitution, and not even a single one is backing out?”

“I’m sorry, but Lucius isn’t on the admissions list.”

“Fucking shit. Are you really going to do your jobs like this? Contact Kizen! There must be something wrong!”

A small commotion happened by the side. Some students whispered while getting on the boat.

“It’s an annual event, apparently.”

“There are always some people who can’t accept the results.”

“1st candidate? I do feel a little bad about him. Ahem.”

The students boarded the boat while sneering.

Wham!

A problem broke out in the end. Out of agitation, Lucius knocked over the servant, letting them fall to the floor.

“I’m Lucius Carol, heir to the count of Dresden! This is an order. Contact the headquarters of Kizen right now!”

“Please return. Lucius isn’t on the admissions list.”

The servant repeated the exact words in a firm tone. Purple with rage, Lucius finally grabbed the servant’s hair.

Clamor.

The atmosphere became harsher. The students also stopped walking and looked at this scene, and some even pulled up jet-black.

The moment when Lucius, bloodshot in his eyes, raised his right arm…

Grab.

“Please stop it.”

Lucius turned his head. Simon had already turned around and grabbed his arm.

“Who the hell are you? Let me go!”

Simon smiled and strengthened his grip.

Crack!

“Aaaagh!”

With the unbelievable grip strength, Lucius screamed and twisted his body.

It was impossible for a noble boy to handle the power of Simon, who had been training for a long time by working in his territory.

Press. Press.

His body gradually went down, and then he fell to the floor on one knee.

In the end, the strength in his left hand , the one holding the servant’s hair, was released, and Simon also released Lucius’ right hand.

“Who the fuck are you?! Do you wanna die?”

Shiing!

He even drew the sword on his waist because Simon didn’t answer.

The whispers grew louder, and the situation grew more and more tense.

“What’s going on?”

It was then.

A man approached from the boat.

His face was pale, like a patient battling a disease. His cheeks were hollow, hands yellow, and he had premature gray hairs on his head.

The students who saw him made a hushed admiration.

“I-It’s professor Silage!”

“…Silage is part of the teaching staff?! Kizen is Kizen after all…”

As he approached, even Lucius, who had been triumphant, staggered and stepped back.

Silage moved his gaze slowly.

One of the servants lay on the floor with his hair messed up. A student who jumped in to stop someone. And a noble who was shouting that he’s the 1st candidate.

Silage looked at Lucius with a flinty stare.

“Any last words?”

——