Necromancer Academy’s Genius Summoner - Chapter 350
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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 at the Necromancer School, Episode 350
Mutation Club Room.
“So what do you think of this? It’s my recommendation.”
Benya, whom Simon hadn’t seen in some time, looked delighted. She stood before him, clutching a carefully curated Lich Material List and chattering away with unbridled enthusiasm.
“Well, I’m not in a rush for the skeletal frame, so I’d like to look at the heart first.”
“Is that so?”
Simon’s preparations for crafting the Lich were proceeding smoothly.
He’d decided to construct the Lich’s skeletal frame from the Crystal Skeleton he’d obtained at last week’s after-school BMAT session, and he was determined to somehow make the autonomous staff Areldelú work as the Lich’s focus.
The problem was the heart. Simon gazed at the items on the list Benya had recommended.
Heart of Adeca
-Registration Number: LSY-BA-55-70
-Static Conversion Method.
-Specialized in Jet Black Flame Arts.
-Weight: 450g
-Maximum Dark Element Conversion: 5,000PD
-Maximum Output: 500Rcm.
-Durability: Moderate.
-Freshness: Excellent.
…….
Weight, output, conversion capacity—there was much to consider. But what mattered most to Simon lay at the very bottom.
-Price: 8,000 Gold.
‘Eight thousand gold?’
Simon’s total wealth, including what he’d earned from selling the Grotesque One’s body parts, amounted to around 3,000 gold.
Though that was already a considerable sum, it fell far short of what was needed to purchase a Lich’s heart. There was good reason why Summoning Studies was said to be a money-devouring pursuit.
“What’s wrong?”
At Benya’s question, Simon’s face fell as he answered.
“It’s… it’s more expensive than I’d anticipated.”
“Is it? This is usually standard market pricing.”
The wealthy heiress spoke as if it were nothing.
Hearts for Life Vessels were expensive for a reason. Not just any heart could be fashioned into a Life Vessel, naturally.
Since it corresponded to a Necromancer’s very Core, the heart had to possess magical properties. In fact, hearts suitable for becoming Life Vessels were treated as ultra-luxury artifacts.
“Let me look at the others.”
Simon turned to the next page of the list Benya had brought.
Since he didn’t understand all the detailed specifications, he focused on just two things: the name and the price.
Heart of Hoble
-Price: 12,000 Gold.
Heart of Berit
-Price: 14,000 Gold.
‘The prices just keep climbing.’
The 8,000-gold heart he’d seen first turned out to be the cheapest option, with typical prices hovering in the low tens of thousands.
And the most expensive item on this list was.
Heart of Herseba
-Registration Number: LVT-CP-10-91
-Reverse Conversion Method.
-Specialized in Anomalies.
-Weight: 900g
-Maximum Dark Element Conversion: 10,000PD
-Maximum Output: 2,000Rcm.
-Durability: Supreme.
-Freshness: Supreme.
‘I want it.’
Merely glimpsing the sample image made his mouth water.
Of course, as a Necromancer.
The heart in the illustration, nestled within supremely luxurious packaging and glowing with a vivid blue radiance, seemed like the sort of thing that would create an undefeatable Lich no matter how haphazardly it was installed.
But for now, with no money in his pockets, it remained nothing more than a dream. Simon couldn’t let go of the thought and spoke.
“Senior, is there any way to earn a substantial sum in a short time?”
Benya raised her index finger and answered immediately.
“Mission Evaluations!”
……No matter how he thought about it, Mission Evaluation commissions seemed nowhere near enough.
Even to purchase the cheapest heart, he’d need at least 5,000 gold—so who would pay a student that much for a commission?
When Princess Molly summoned him to the Langoustin Royal Court, he’d received two thousand gold as well.
‘Maybe I should get advice from Dick. Or take out a loan?’
While Simon racked his brains, Benya slapped her knee and burst out:
“I’ve got a great idea!”
Simon’s head snapped up.
“What is it?”
“It’s the Pentamonium Academic Conference season right now!”
The Pentamonium Academic Conference was a massive event held once a year.
In essence, it was a gathering where renowned Necromancers across the continent presented their research findings and papers, sharing various information. Professor Walter, whom Simon had been keeping an eye on, had stepped out of Rocksum for a time to participate in this very conference.
“If you have a unique idea as a Necromancer, you can write a paper, get it evaluated, and register it with Pentamonium. Then you can receive royalties from other Necromancers or sell it outright! Besides, Kizen’s sending students soon anyway!”
“So I’d be selling my ideas at the conference?”
“Exactly! If it’s a brilliant idea, they don’t care whether you’re a student or some kid off the street.”
Simon felt temptation stirring in his chest.
Recently, while researching the Lich, he’d come up with plenty of original techniques. Of course, he wasn’t sure whether professional Necromancers would actually buy these ideas.
“Will you be going to the conference too, senior?”
“Of course! I go every year.”
She smiled.
“Last year as a first-year student, I went as Kizen’s Summoning Studies representative, and I made about four thousand gold right there with the Simplified Formula for Skeleton Knight.”
“Wow!”
At the mention of four thousand gold, Simon’s jaw dropped.
“And I’m still getting steady payments from it. All told, it’s probably around six thousand gold by now. Pretty good, right?”
Simon regarded her with a serious expression.
His foremost goal was Lich creation. He was prepared to do whatever it took to achieve it.
“How do I go about participating in the conference?”
* * *
The next morning.
The Class A students gathered in the Elementary Dark Magic lecture hall with eager expressions.
“It’s been so long since we’ve seen Professor Jane!”
“Right?”
Recently, Jane had been called away on various external assignments, leaving the Class A students without a glimpse of their professor for over a month.
“The professor’s here!”
The Class A students promptly took their seats.
Moments later, the sharp click-click of heeled footsteps echoed crisply down the corridor, and a short-haired woman entered the lecture hall.
‘It’s been so long, Professor Jane!’
Simon’s eyes sparkled. She maintained her characteristic, detached expression as always.
“Professor! We’re so relieved you’re safe!”
“We’re grateful on behalf of the Kingdom!”
A group of students waiting at the front of the hall rushed forward and presented her with a bouquet of flowers.
All of them were students from the Kalos Kingdom, expressing gratitude for resolving the recent crisis of the “Forest of Titans” — where grade-seven colossal monsters had invaded.
Jane accepted the bouquet from the students and returned to the podium, standing before them.
“Class A.”
Every student in the lecture hall lit up their faces and answered with a resounding “Yes!”
“I’m afraid I must deliver some admonishment.”
Jane was already reviewing the papers in her hand.
“In my brief absence, there are still ten students who haven’t secured five BMAT Cards. This result is deeply disappointing.”
There was no warm welcome for having been apart so long.
“And why are the Poison Studies Performance Evaluations such a mess? All of you should be ashamed to be trailing Class B.”
Jane’s characteristic barrage of scolding ensued. Watching her air grievances she’d held back, the students quietly laughed to themselves.
Only after thoroughly deflating the students’ spirits did Jane announce new information.
“You’re all aware of the recent issue regarding the Pentamonium Academic Conference, I’m sure.”
Of course, she began.
“This year, Kizen has also decided to dispatch students to the paper presentation conference. The topic is open, and two first-year students per subject will be attending. Are there any volunteers?”
The lecture hall fell silent.
Going to Pentamonium as Kizen’s representative was something akin to bringing honor to one’s family, but having to present your own paper before an audience and authority figures and undergo evaluation was a considerable burden.
Of course, students were also busy preparing for various practical assessments.
As everyone exchanged hesitant glances.
Swish!
A single hand shot up, as if waiting for this very moment. All eyes turned toward it.
“Simon Polentia. Will you be participating in the conference?”
“Yes!”
Since Benya’s prediction had come true, Simon answered without hesitation.
“If your preparation for the practical assessments, final exams, and graduation exams is insufficient, the school won’t force you to participate. Surviving at school matters far more than outside commitments, after all.”
“Of course, I’ll make sure to prepare thoroughly for all the school schedules as well!”
Jane nodded with satisfaction.
“Would a Summoning Studies-related paper presentation work for my part?”
“Yes, please do that.”
Jane checked the box herself with a quill pen, then handed the documents to the assistant.
“Wow! You’re really going there?”
Dick from the back row suddenly poked his head forward with the question. Merin and Kamibarez turned to look at Simon as well.
“That’s amazing, Simon! Presenting a paper at an academic conference as a 1st year!”
“Aren’t you busy with the school schedule anyway?”
“It’s fine.”
Simon answered with an easy smile.
“Actually, I already have an idea in mind, so I just need to write it up.”
All he had to do was present the paper and collect payment. With a schedule of two nights and three days including the weekend, there was no burden.
It felt like he’d gain far more than he’d lose from this trip.
‘If I can get the heart from this trip too, I’m done! I’ll create the Lich before 2nd year no matter what!’
The feeling of rushing toward his goal always felt good.
* * *
Time passed quickly.
Simon didn’t spend much time preparing the paper for the academic conference. It was a technique he’d already written about before, and the quality was already high.
All he had to do was transcribe everything into writing.
Now the final hurdle awaited him. The paper had to receive corrections from the subject’s professor.
If he received a failing grade from the professor here, attending the conference would become impossible.
After finishing his morning classes, Simon walked toward Aaron’s Research Office.
‘Right, one more person is coming today.’
There were at least two 1st year Summoning Studies paper presenters. It seemed like he’d be spending the entire two-night, three-day conference traveling with them.
‘Toto and Fitzgerald said they weren’t doing it.’
He wondered who it could be. He’d meet them soon enough when they came for corrections too.
Shortly after, Simon arrived at Aaron’s Research Office, which had become familiar to him. He knocked lightly with the back of his hand.
“Professor Aaron. It’s Simon Polentia.”
Permission to enter came from beyond the door. Simon opened it and stepped inside.
‘…Huh?’
Someone had arrived ahead of him.
Though he could only see her back, the long hair and skirt marked her as a female student.
“Perfect timing. Come in.”
Simon’s ears didn’t quite register Aaron’s voice.
‘No way.’
A slender girl with her hands clasped behind her back, beautiful chestnut-colored hair flowing—
She turned around, opened her eyes wide, and smiled.
“Oh my, we’re meeting here~ Simon!”
It was none other than Serne Aindarc.
Simon’s face twisted with surprise and confusion.
“What are you doing here?”
“What do you mean, what am I doing? Obviously—”
She said “ta-da!” and held up the paper in her hand.
“As a prospective Summoning Studies student, I’m here to present a paper at the academic conference.”
She winked at him with one eye cutely as she spoke.
“What a coincidence, right?”
No, this didn’t feel like a coincidence no matter how he thought about it.
Simon forced an awkward smile and waved his hand.
“You two know each other? Good then.”
Aaron said this while glancing at his wristwatch.
“Wait a moment. One more person is coming.”
“Really? The three of us are going together?”
“Yes, that’s how it’s turned out.”
Aaron’s expression seemed displeased as he answered.
Then came the sound of a knock—tap, tap.
“Ah, right on time. Come in.”
Click.
The door swung open, and the third participant stepped into view.
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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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