Necromancer Academy’s Genius Summoner - Chapter 438

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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 the Necromancer School — Episode 438
Crunch. Crunch.
A dark basement.
Dust drifting thick enough to make breathing difficult, reeking of mold, and yet someone was walking through it.
Or rather, being dragged through it.
A fair-haired boy, barely into his teens, his arms gripped firmly by two broad-shouldered men in formal suits as they walked.
Soon the boy arrived at the deepest point of the basement. The men finally released his arms and stepped back.
Crackle.
Flame bloomed in the darkness. A sharp sound of smoke being drawn in, then a long plume exhaled slowly.
“You’ve come. Malcolm.”
The basement lights blazed on, and the space became clear. The middle-aged man sitting on the sofa was someone the boy knew very well.
The leader of the “Randolph Gang,” called the third-largest gang faction of the Dark Alliance, and the boy’s father.
Markel Randolph.
“…Father.”
And this boy’s name was Malcolm Randolph.
A former Special Case #10 student of Kizen.
“Cold, aren’t you, Malcolm. You disappear during your only break, without so much as a glance at your father.”
Malcolm kept his silence before lifting his head.
“What business did you wish to discuss, Father?”
Markel drew smoke from his cigar once more with a sharp inhale.
“It seems I’m a parent too, after all—Kizen sent me something like this.”
Malcolm flinched. What Markel held and waved in his hand was Malcolm’s Kizen 1st Year Grade Report.
“Let me see.”
Markel narrowed his eyes.
“At admission, you were Special Case #10. And at the end of 1st Year……”
Markel’s mouth twisted.
“Rank 128.”
“……”
Fallen from 10th to 128th.
Malcolm’s face hardened, his fists trembling visibly as he cried out.
“That’s—!”
“I know.”
Markel cut him off with a cold voice.
“Your specialty, Doppelgänger, is a Dark Magic that creates duplicates to multiply your numbers. It may serve you well in the early term, but by the latter half of 1st Year, your power inevitably begins to wane. Your competitors kept studying, kept growing stronger.”
Markel’s words were accurate.
From the middle of the second term onward, every student at Kizen possessed at least one Area Attack Skill, and they all knew detection-type Dark Magic or Curses designed to find the true body among Doppelgänger copies.
—Against Malcolm, you only need to master the Chromatic Curse.
This rumor spread widely, and victory strategies were shared freely.
The reason Malcolm, who was feared in the 1st semester Duel Evaluation that no one wanted to face, had become a punching bag by the 2nd semester.
“It wasn’t only because of that!”
Sweat beaded on Malcolm’s forehead. He had to defend himself somehow.
“The Liquid Bombs I used as my main weapon……”
“Were banned.”
Markel finished as if he’d been waiting for it.
The Randolph Gang’s specialized “Liquid Bombs,” imbued with Dark Element to trigger explosions—combined with Doppelgänger, they were formidable.
But after Kizen’s review, they were deemed in violation of multiple Duel Evaluation regulations and prohibited from use.
“But that’s self-inflicted, isn’t it?”
Markel leaned forward as he asked, and Malcolm realized his own blunder.
‘Damn.’
He should never have brought up this excuse, even if it killed him.
“Do you remember? The Duel Evaluation with Special Case #1, Simon Polentia.”
Of course he remembered.
It was impossible to forget.
“At that Duel Evaluation, watched by numerous high-ranking officials including royalty, you used Liquid Bombs indiscriminately.”
The Randolph Gang had used these Liquid Bombs to commit countless acts of terrorism, earning astronomical sums in return profits and destroying several rival organizations in the process.
It was an extremely sensitive asset, but Malcolm had deployed the Liquid Bombs in his desperation to defeat Simon, and those Kingdom officials watching the Duel Evaluation took notice.
As a result, all the outstanding, unsolved bombing incidents the Randolph Gang had previously denied were reopened for investigation.
The gang suffered irreversible, critical damage from the fallout.
Four kingdoms seized the organization’s business assets in a race to dismantle it, forcing the gang to pay massive reparations and accept countless penalties. On top of that, they suffered attacks from other gangs harmed by the Liquid Bombs.
“Speak, if you have anything to say. Your damned school games have jeopardized this organization.”
“…….”
“And yet your grades aren’t particularly impressive, are they? That Simon Polentia you fought—he’s maintained the top ranking in his class. Without a shred of family backing, entirely through his own strength.”
Markel rested his chin in his hand.
“……I wished for a son like that. His father must be dancing with joy about now.”
‘Grgh!’
Malcolm, groaning in pain, could say nothing.
Markel’s voice turned glacial.
“It’s over. Do not return to Rocksum.”
“……!”
He was telling him to abandon Kizen. Malcolm’s head snapped up in desperation.
“Father! I can……!”
Crack!
His words died unfinished. A gleaming dark shape erupted from nowhere, snapping his jaw upward with brutal force.
Crack!
Thud!
The shape materialized from both sides. Pain lanced through his abdomen, ribs, and thighs. He couldn’t breathe.
In seconds Malcolm was bathed in blood, on his knees, when two figures that were Markel seized his skull and slammed it against the floor with full force.
Bang!
The sickening crack of breaking nasal bone echoed through the room.
“Have you still not come to your senses?”
The real Markel remained exactly where he sat on the sofa. The organization members in the shadows swallowed hard.
‘So that’s Markel’s Doppelgänger……!’
The Doppelgängers held Malcolm’s head fixed, forcing it up. Blood streamed from his shattered nose and forehead.
And Malcolm saw it.
Markel, commanding the darkness, his eyes blazing.
He was not the boss of one of the three great gangs for nothing. Markel had always been ruthless and merciless—even to his own son.
“School games are finished. Do you understand?”
Before absolute terror, Malcolm could only nod.
Soon the Doppelgängers released Malcolm onto the floor and dissolved into the air.
“You have a new assignment.”
Snap.
Several photographs fell before the prostrate Malcolm.
“Bring me what’s in the photographs.”
The images showed the skeletal structure of some monster, its teeth filled with high-grade gold. It was clearly valuable.
“It’s in a place called the Daymos Museum on the Parona Peninsula. While you’re at it, grab any other expensive items you can.”
Malcolm pushed himself up and examined the photos.
“……What about backup?”
“You go alone, Malcolm.”
“It’s impossible to steal that on my own without raising alarm.”
“Then make a disturbance.”
Markel gestured, and four burly men grunted as they carried something forward and dropped it heavily on the floor.
A metal construct roughly knee-high. At its center, a crimson core pulsed visibly.
“Since Liquid Bombs can’t be used anymore, I’ve developed something new.”
“……A replacement for the Liquid Bomb?”
Markel nodded.
“It’s said that superior monsters emit a special wavelength when controlling their lesser spawn. The lesser creatures obey it absolutely.”
“Surely not…….”
“Yes. This is a summoning device based on the wavelength the Naga Queen emits—it calls the nagas together.”
Markel grinned wickedly.
“When activated, countless nagas will swarm to the Parona Peninsula. You’ll use the chaos to slip into the exhibition hall.”
“Father!!”
Malcolm shot to his feet.
“The Parona Peninsula is in the middle of a festival right now! Drawing monsters there will cause catastrophic casualties……!”
“Do you still think you belong to Kizen, my son?”
Malcolm flinched and closed his mouth.
“Please.”
Markel interlaced his fingers, regarding Malcolm with cold eyes.
“Do not disappoint me twice.”

* * *
Simon’s party slipped out of the Harbor at Parona Peninsula and immediately went to change clothes.
And thanks to Merin’s enthusiastic suggestion, since they’d come all the way to Parona, they decided to rent and wear the traditional garments of the region.
“Wait, what is this?”
Dick stared down at the flowing garment he’d been given.
The silk robe, plastered with Moon Flower patterns of Parona Peninsula, hung below the knee, and underneath it he had to wear separate white trousers. As a finishing touch, he even had to wear a traditional straw hat on his head.
Dick looked thoroughly displeased.
“I mean, why are there flowers on men’s clothes? And this isn’t even a skirt—why does it flow like this?”
“I think mine looks decent, actually.”
Simon was also dressed in traditional garments. He held the brim of his straw hat, covered one eye with it, and was striking poses in front of the mirror.
“This is a complete ripoff! Nine hundred silver for a three-day rental of these clothes? I could buy twenty bowls of hearty meat noodle soup with that money!”
“We’re here~”
Merin and Kamibarez arrived.
Simon and the grumbling Dick turned their heads.
‘Wow…!’
A celadon silk robe that draped like a dress, showing off its elegant lines, with white trousers visible through the side slit. And a delicate little straw hat, more refined than the men’s version.
Merin pressed her hands together and struck a lively pose, lifting one leg.
“How do I look? Does it suit me?”
Kamibarez kept her hands folded at her chest, laughing softly.
“I-I feel kind of nervous, actually.”
Simon’s face flushed crimson as his eyes fixed on the two of them. He simply nodded, as if enchanted.
“You both look really beautiful in them.”
“Wait, does that even make sense?”
Dick couldn’t quite bring himself to say it looked bad on them, so instead he grumbled while looking at his own outfit.
“The women’s clothes are so pretty, but why does the men’s outfit look like this? It’s discrimination!”
“If you’re so jealous, why don’t you wear the women’s clothes instead, you blockhead?”
Merin covered her mouth and giggled.
“And look at your best friend over there. He looks great in his.”
Indeed, the store clerks couldn’t take their eyes off Simon. Dick shook his head.
“He’s an exception. That guy gets compliments even in just a white shirt.”
“…That’s not really a compliment, is it?”
And so the four of them stepped out into the streets, dressed in Parona’s traditional garments and setting the perfect mood.
“Wow!”
The streets were packed with people. About half of them were tourists like Simon’s group, dressed in traditional clothing.
“It’s really beautiful!”
The streets were already in the midst of the Moon Flower Festival.
Moon Flowers swayed in profusion on the wind, and countless street vendors filled the air with delicious smells, enticing the tourists.
“Dick, where’s the lodging?”
“About thirty minutes by carriage from here? First we should do some shopping.”
“Let’s buy some things to grill and eat here at the market.”
Simon and Dick discussed their itinerary.
“Kamibarez! Over here! There are so many Moon Flowers blooming here!”
“That part looks pretty too!”
Merin and Kamibarez were fully absorbed in enjoying the festival.
“Simon! Simon! Look here!”
Simon, who had been browsing for evening snacks, turned at the sound of Merin’s voice.
Merin had tucked herself into a dense cluster of celadon Moon Flowers. She poked her head out just enough and asked shyly with a smile.
“Where am I?”
“…!”
Simon, who had no resistance to such playfulness, turned bright red.
“Oh, Merin!”
Dick strode over and knelt in front of the flower bed where Merin was hiding, then picked up a stone nearby and wailed dramatically.
“Merin! Where’s your body? Only your head has come to see us…!”
Merin promptly kicked him with a side kick, sending Dick flying. Simon burst out laughing.
“Simon~ Simon~”
This time Kamibarez pointed to a street vendor stall with her fingertips.
“Would you like to try those skewers?”
“Sounds good. I’ll buy.”
“Oh, no! Let me—”
Simon smiled broadly.
“Let me buy them. I had some income during the break.”
Simon had ten thousand Gold from the Sacred Federation mission that he’d received from Israphil.
Even as he spent time enjoying the festival with his team members after so long, a faint worry lingered in his mind.
‘How should I bring up the student council?’
Simon had decided to make the position offer tonight.
Following his companions around, he found himself wrestling with the thought alone.
Thump!
He collided with someone in the crowded street.
“Oh! I’m so—I’m terribly sorry!”
The passerby he’d bumped into hastily bowed and extended a hand. When Simon came to his senses, he realized he was lying on the ground.
“Are you hurt anywhere? I’m truly, truly sorry!”
Simon’s eyes widened.
‘What just happened?’
He hadn’t activated his Dark Element, but Simon’s durability was far different from an ordinary person’s. Even lost in thought, he shouldn’t have fallen so easily.
Simon lifted his head to look at the passerby he’d collided with.
A young boy with red hair, fresh-faced and neatly dressed. His forehead was bare, and his thick hair stood in wild, lion-like tufts.
‘It wasn’t intentional. It seems like a genuine accident.’
Simon took the boy’s hand and stood up.
“Again, I’m truly sorry!”
The boy apologized repeatedly.
“It’s not your fault. I wasn’t paying attention either.”
The red-haired boy apologized several more times before disappearing into the crowd. Even as his body was wrapped in a robe, something long and cloth-wrapped was slung across his back.
“Simon! Simon! Where are you?”
“Oh, sorry. I’ll be right there.”

* * *
“Ow! That hurts~”
The red-haired man, having slipped out of the crowd, was rubbing his shoulder with glistening eyes.
-What happened?
A woman’s voice came through from a communication crystal placed on a fence.
“I just bumped into someone on the street and my magic activated. They fell down, but if I’m feeling this much pain…”
He scratched his head.
“Normally I’d be the one sprawling on the ground? Haha!”
-Didn’t I tell you to stop being so careless? Red-haired Boy.
The boy, known as Red-haired Boy, spoke as if embarrassed.
“Ugh! That title still feels a bit awkward.”
-Then you’ll just have to get used to it~ How does the situation look?
“It’s still quiet.”
The boy scanned the street with a serious expression, as if he hadn’t been joking moments before.
“But are you certain? That information about the Randolph Gang planning an attack?”
-Can’t say for sure. But then again, we get paid whether they attack or not. We should just hope nothing happens.
“Right.”
The boy’s hand moved along the hilt of the sword slung across his back. Then, as if a thought had suddenly occurred to him, he spoke.
“Oh! By the way, I bought something amazing at the market in Parona Peninsula!”
-A souvenir?
The boy rummaged through his pocket and pulled out something.
“This! It’s a magical artifact that’s supposed to help you spot dropped coins on the street when you carry it—and I only paid ten Gold for it!”
-…….
Silence fell from the communication crystal for a moment.
-Are you kidding?! You’d never make back ten Gold picking up coins in a lifetime!
The boy’s mouth dropped open.
“Wait… does that mean I got scammed?”
-You idiot!!

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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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