Necromancer Academy’s Genius Summoner - Chapter 333

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Summoning Genius of Necromancer School Episode 333
Today was the day the third After-School BMAT would begin.
Before the test commenced, Endolas Bodville, the Necromancer of Cards, had invited all first-year students to the Grand Hall.
Perhaps thinking of the impending BMAT, refreshments had been arranged—mostly easy-to-digest vegetables and fortifying foods to build strength.
Simon and the members of Team 7 were seated around a round table, enjoying themselves,
“Hello, everyone?”
An uninvited guest had appeared.
With silken hair the color of sandalwood flowing around her, she approached and settled into an empty seat with the casual confidence of someone entering her own living room.
‘Serne Aindarck!’
“Hehe.”
With her back turned to Merin, Serne cupped her hands beneath her chin and gazed unblinkingly at Simon as he ate.
‘This is going to be awkward.’
Simon certainly felt uncomfortable.
“Who are you?”
At that moment, Merin’s eyes narrowed as she spoke.
“Get out of here—”
“Merin~!”
Serne immediately turned and clung to Merin with a dramatic flourish.
“I’ve missed you so much!”
“Ugh, get away from me!”
Merin pushed her away, her face contorted with irritation.
Serne pouted her lips and played at being offended, but against Merin, such theatrics only invited frustration.
“Hmph.”
Serne turned her head again and looked at Simon with a pretty smile.
“Have you been well all this time?”
“Stop ruining the mood and go back to your own seats!”
Merin stood up and shouted.
“No, no~ The kids in our class are boring! I’m staying here!”
“…”
Just as Merin’s anger was reaching its peak, Serne smiled knowingly and spoke.
“Then let me talk to you for a moment.”
“Why should I? Get out of here!”
This was already the third time she’d been told to leave.
Serne wore a sullen expression before turning her back on the three of them. Then she curved her lips in a significantly meaningful smile.
“Everyone! Would you like to hear an amusing story?”
“What is it?!”
At the mention of an amusing story, Pier, who had been sitting quietly as a mouse, reacted immediately.
“Wouldn’t you be curious about Merin’s childhood? Her personality back then was completely different from now!”
“Hey!!”
Merin’s face flushed crimson, but Serne pressed on without regard.
“When I first entered the Ivory Tower, little Merin came running straight at me as soon as she saw me…”
Clap!
From behind, Merin slapped her hand over Serne’s mouth, then grabbed the back of her School Uniform with her other hand and dragged her away.
“Mmph! Ugh! Ugh!”
Even as she was being dragged along, Serne managed to wave elegantly at Simon. Simon, for his part, gave an awkward nod in acknowledgment.
Thus Merin and Serne exited the Grand Hall and stood facing each other outside.
“What! What! What are you going on about? If it’s nonsense, I won’t let you off easy!”
“Oh~ It’s nothing like that.”
Serne’s voice returned to its playful, affectionate tone.
“I was just thinking about what it would be like if Simon joined our Ivory Tower.”
Merin’s brow furrowed.
“What kind of nonsense is that all of a sudden?”
“I’m asking for your cooperation! You and Simon are in the same class and the same team, so you’re close. And you’re going on the Siege Warfare Game together this time, aren’t you?”
“I see.”
Merin laughed coldly.
“The elders must be squeezing you hard these days. That’s Simon’s choice to make after graduation.”
“That’s exactly why we want to make that choice a little easier for him!”
Merin’s eyebrows shot up.
“Stop spouting that nonsense. Why would I—”
“It’s the opposite.”
Serne’s voice suddenly turned serious. A sly smile tugged at the corner of her mouth.
“You know how much the Ivory Tower values Special Case #1? If you could bring Simon to the Ivory Tower, wouldn’t the elders start seeing you differently?”
……
“What I couldn’t do, you managed it yourself. Isn’t that right, Merin?”
Merin’s expression turned vicious.
“You really are trying to get killed—!”
That was when a tremendous roar erupted from the Grand Hall—a wave of cheering that seemed to shake the very air.
Both their heads snapped toward the sound. Endolas Bodville was walking onto the stage of the Grand Hall.
“Count yourself lucky.”
Merin turned on her heel and walked away. Serne called after her.
“Think about Seri’s proposal!”
“Get lost!!”
By the time Merin had sprinted back to her seat, Endolas—dressed in an absurdly flamboyant circus outfit—was holding an Amplification Crystal and addressing the crowd.
“First-year students! Are you enjoying the game?”
“Yes!!”
“It’s amazing!”
“Doesn’t feel like an exam!”
Delighted by the torrent of praise from the students, Endolas waved his hand with visible satisfaction.
“You see, Professor Aaron? They’re responding even better than I anticipated!”
He nudged Aaron’s elbow repeatedly, speaking in a stage whisper.
“My game isn’t a test—it’s an art form! At this rate, surely extending the exam by just one more day wouldn’t—”
“I’m afraid that’s impossible,” Aaron said flatly.
His tone was ice.
“The subsequent schedule is already tight. Any further extension would place undue strain on the students.”
“Ugh, tch!”
Endolas clicked his tongue in displeasure.
“What a philistine you are! I’ve spared no effort assisting Kizen for days now, and you repay me with such rigidity?”
“I lack the authority. You should take it up with Professor Jane when she returns.”
“That lady is utterly unreasonable.”
Even the great Endolas shook his head at the mere mention of Jane.
Aaron checked the watch on his wrist and spoke.
“We should wrap this up soon. The students need to be in position before BMAT.”
“Ahem! I’m well aware!”
Endolas raised the Amplification Crystal to his lips again.
“Attention, students of Kizen! Your focus for just a moment, please!”
The cheerful chatter of the students died down rapidly.
“I have an announcement! A new element will be added to this game!”
The expressions of every student in the hall froze in unison.
“What now?”
“This doesn’t feel good.”
From their time at Kizen, the students had learned that announcements of this sort rarely brought welcome news.
More than that, everyone had already laid out their plans and strategies, so the prospect of a new variable was far from appealing.
“And that is!”
Endolas threw both arms up dramatically. Cards spilled from his sleeves, streaming into the air with a sharp rustling sound.
Bang!
Poof!
The cards transformed into countless gift boxes that began piling up like a tower.
“This game comes with far more prizes than before!”
Waaah-!!
A wave of roaring approval crashed through the Grand Hall.
“Endolas is a god!”
Dick, who had climbed onto a table, shouted with foam at the corners of his mouth.
“Haha! Thank you, thank you! Please, settle down.”
Endolas placed a hand over his heart.
“I have always sided with the adventurous spirit of the young! Not like those rigid adults who impose tedious study upon them!”
As he spoke, Endolas shot a sidelong glance toward Aaron. Aaron kept his expression neutral, eyes forward.
“In any case, among these magnificent prizes, I must now reveal the cream of the crop—the two greatest treasures at stake in today’s exam!”
The heap of gift boxes Endolas had conjured from his cards was divided into two piles.
The box at the very top of the left pile opened slowly.
“The first magnificent prize is none other than!”
Screeeeeech!
The lid of the box burst open, and black flames erupted from within.
—Kiiiiiii!
What emerged was none other than a bird wreathed in black flames.
As the dark bird flew freely through the Grand Hall, ash drifted down everywhere. Students looked alarmed and shielded their plates.
“The first prize needs no introduction—a rare Undead! The Death Phoenix!”
The black bird landed on Endolas Bodville’s left arm and cried out.
—Kiiiiiii!
The students’ eyes went wide. Everyone in the room had the same thought.
They wanted it.
“You’re giving that precious Undead to a student?”
“That’s incredible, though.”
The hall was already beginning to stir with excitement.
“Let’s reveal the second prize right away while we have this momentum!”
This time, the silver gift box at the very top of the pile on the right opened. A torrent of pure darkness poured out, and a staff shot forth from within.
The staff was made of violet metal, with a triangular eye and teeth at its tip. It laughed like a person with a gleeful chuckle.
The staff freed itself from the box and began flying through the air on its own.
“Kyaaaa!”
The students flinched and crouched down in fear.
The staff wandered freely through the Grand Hall, indiscriminately firing curses. Students struck by the curses went bald, or sprouted tails, or fell madly in love and began embracing the people next to them.
“What is this thing!”
Watching the panicked students, the staff giggled with delight, then wheeled in midair and flew directly into Endolas Bodville’s right hand.
“The second prize is the ‘Autonomous Action Staff,’ Areldellu! Two students will emerge today as the owners of these prizes!”
At those words, the students’ expressions turned intensely serious.
“Good timing.”
At Merin’s words, Simon turned his head.
“What is?”
“Well, think about it. Prizes that amazing must be attached to large-scale or difficult games. Don’t you think one of them might be connected to the Siege Warfare Game?”
Hearing this, Dick tapped the table enthusiastically.
“You’re right! At least one of them should go to a game that requires thirty people!”
Kamibarez fidgeted with her hands regretfully.
“I… I wanted to go with you all too…… I’m sorry.”
“No, Kamibarez! It’s more important that we each refine our individual Card Combinations.”
Endolas Bodville spoke again from the podium.
“Then we’ll begin the After-School BMAT in twenty minutes! You’re free to go!”

* * *
Twenty minutes before the test began.
Excited students rushed out of the Grand Hall in a surge.
Simon, Dick, and Merin ran across the Kizen Campus Grounds after parting ways with Kamibarez.
“This is urgent!”
Dick guided the two of them through a shortcut as he spoke.
“Today’s announcement by Endolas might make competition for the Siege Warfare Game even fiercer!”
Simon nodded in agreement. It was plain as day that people would flock to the Siege Warfare Game to snatch those major prizes.
“Do you have a plan?”
“Not exactly a plan, but the Siege Warfare Game Card appears at random locations somewhere on the City Wall, right? So let’s spread out and search for it.”
Dick pulled out some firecrackers from his Subspace.
Whoever found the card first would use the firecrackers as a signal flare to reveal the location.
Hearing the plan, Simon raised an objection.
“But if we do that, other people will probably come too.”
“Exactly, you blockhead! When firecrackers suddenly go off on the City Wall, they’ll catch on!”
“Hehe, don’t worry!”
Dick handed Simon and Merin blue firecrackers. The two of them accepted them for now.
“We’ll just set off tons of dummies instead.”
With that, Dick pulled out a bundle of green firecrackers from his Subspace. Simon, catching Dick’s intention, grinned.
“That’s classic Dick!”
No one could match this guy when it came to cunning schemes. The two of them high-fived with a sharp clap.
Shortly after, the towering Kizen City Wall came into view.
“I’ll take this section!”
Dick clutched the firecrackers to his chest and sprinted toward the rampart as he shouted.
“Simon, go east! Merin, go west!”
“Got it!”
“On it!”
There was no time to waste. The two split immediately, one left and one right.
“Aaron! I need to ask you for the favor of a lifetime!”
“……Dick? The BMAT starts in a minute—what’s going on?”
Dick mobilized his network of minions. He handed out firecrackers to those passing by and asked them to set them off at the right moment once the game began.
Meanwhile, Simon sprinted forward clutching a handful of green firecrackers—’dummies’ meant for decoys. His gaze drifted to the card of Endolas Bodville pinned to his chest.
[The test begins!]
[Earn one additional point for each victory against an opponent student.]
[Denban Arena.]
‘Here we go!’
Simon raced along the City Wall, tapping lightly on Pier’s avatar—the one shaped like a skull-shaped badge.
‘Pier! Pier!’
After a moment of silence, light flickered into the avatar’s eyes.
[Hmm? What is it, boy?]
‘Help me out, would you? Keep an eye on the wall with me and help me find the card!’
[Krhrhrhm! Waking me for some trivial test like this!]
Simon quickly added more.
‘It’s a test where a rare Undead—the Death Phoenix—is on the line.’
[Boy! From here, the wall doesn’t come into view all at once! Hurry!]
Watching Pier shift his attitude so abruptly, Simon felt a laugh rising in his chest. He detached Pier’s avatar and affixed it directly to his shoulder.
[Hmm.]
Pier’s avatar spoke.
[First, we need to dodge whatever’s coming from behind.]
‘Huh?’
The instant Simon spun around, a pitch-black spear of lightning descended from the sky.
Crash!
He threw himself aside in alarm. Where the lightning spear had struck, everything blackened.
Simon took a moment to survey his surroundings.
‘Whoa—there are so many people!’
Students were sprinting around the City Wall, flinging Dark Magic at one another. The competition for siege warfare game participation was already in full swing.
[Boy! We don’t have time to deal with every small-fry one by one!]
‘Understood!’
Simon immediately surged forward, weaving between incoming Dark Magic like a loach through water.
Explosions erupted across the grounds, and overhead, Dick’s firecrackers were popping and crackling.
‘This is insane from the very start—wait?’
Simon’s gaze lifted skyward.
That firecracker just now sounded different.
Boom!
A blue firecracker burst in the sky.
‘That direction—that’s Merin’s way. She found it quick!’
Whoosh!
Simon planted his heels and skidded, spinning on his axis to dash back the way he’d come. The two students charging behind him froze in shock, dropping into combat stance.
“Hah!”
“Bringing it on?”
Skeleton fragments came flying from behind, wreathing Simon’s body in Bone Armor. He vaulted straight up the City Wall.
‘Hold on using the skeleton’s pull!’
Tap!
Simon sprinted along the wall itself. The two students stared after him, eyes wide with disbelief.
‘Good. Keep it up!’
Simon drove himself forward toward the direction of the blue firecracker burst with everything he had.
Throughout it all, the minions’ green firecrackers continued to paint the sky green.
But.
‘Man, running like this is seriously draining.’
Not having to face other students was a relief, but running along the wall itself was exhausting.
Then Simon’s mind conjured up the image of a certain creature.
The four-legged, four-armed chimera he’d seen roaming freely across walls and ceilings in the Underground of Professor Walter’s Marksmanship Range.
‘If I moved like that creature…’
Simon pulled another Skeleton from his Subspace.
Click. Click.
The bone fragments of the Bone Armor began to float up into the air, then started reassembling themselves.
Using eight Skeletons, Simon temporarily fashioned four legs and gathered the bodies to form a single central mass.
‘Is this what I was aiming for?’
It had become something like a four-legged spider made of bone. Of course, this assembly was completely unlike the Skeletons’ natural form, so it rattled and threatened to fall apart at any moment.
[Hold together!]
Simon’s Absolute Command kept it from collapsing. And crucially, he replaced the leg joints with his own Cloud, locking them in place.
‘Perfect!’
Simon leaped onto it. The skeleton spider thrashed its limbs in a flurry and bolted across the City Wall at a shocking speed.
The students running below the City Wall glanced up, wondering what was happening.
“A—a skull spider?”
“What kind of undead is that?”
Through Simon’s eyes, moving faster than anyone else, the Card attached to the City Wall finally came into view.
Several students had already made their way inside. It looked like the fifteen-person limit was about to be reached.
‘Run!’
The students, spotting Simon, pushed themselves harder and clambered faster, but the spider skeleton was quicker.
The skeleton leaped and jumped inside with Simon.
[Entering new game.]
[Defense Team member entering.]
[Defense Team (15/15) all members entered.]
It was a matter of seconds.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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