Necromancer Academy’s Genius Summoner - Chapter 537

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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 537
Stepping through the Teleport Magic Circle, Simon arrived in a new place.
Despite the hour being midday, the sky hung dim and overcast; fog drifted thick across the ground, which bore no trace of life, and skeletal trees stood with their branches stripped bare.
‘This is…….’
[Deathland, it seems.]
Pier’s avatar spoke abruptly. Simon lowered his gaze.
‘Is this the place?’
[Yes! Though it looks like we’re on the outskirts, quite distant from the center where Prince’s Mansion stands. It appears they’ve already cleared out the natural undead like zombies!]
A massive Mana Screen had been erected here, and Kizen Headquarters staff were moving about busily. Seeing headquarters’ involvement made it clear this was indeed a major examination.
Once all the students had arrived, Aaron stepped forward.
“Attention. I will now explain this examination’s theme.”
Rumble—
The teaching assistants approached, pulling wheeled carts behind them. Students craned their necks and rose on their tiptoes, each trying to get a better look.
Three trays sat atop the cart, each covered with a lid. The assistants lifted all three simultaneously.
“This is…….”
“What is it?”
Broken dishes caked with dirt, pottery shards, and the like were revealed. They appeared extremely ancient—the luster had faded, and the surface showed heavy wear.
“This examination’s theme is the ‘Artifact Acquisition Battle.'”
Artifacts?
Question marks appeared in every student’s eyes.
“Rare artifacts are buried throughout the Test Arena’s floor. You will participate as Treasure Hunter Teams, and you must acquire artifacts faster and more rare than your competing teams.”
Simon’s eyes lit up immediately, and he smiled.
‘Buried in the ground, they said?’
For now, this examination seemed highly likely to be the type where they’d use a ghoul’s highly developed sense of smell and detection ability to locate artifacts buried underground.
Aaron activated a device in his hand. The screen powered on, and the layout of the vast Test Arena came into view all at once.
“This is the Test Arena. It takes a square form, and the area currently marked indicates your starting positions.”
Four markers blinked near the edges and corners of the square-shaped arena.
“And at each starting position stands a structure called the ‘Altar.'”
This time the screen displayed the Altar’s form—a massive skull-shaped structure with its mouth gaping wide.
“You must use the ghoul’s detection ability to find ‘artifacts’ buried throughout the Test Arena and bring them to the Altar.”
Now the screen flashed with countless blue and yellow markers across the entire arena.
Example positions of artifacts for demonstration.
“The moment the examination ends, the points of artifacts held in your Altar will be tallied. The team with the highest score achieves final victory. All other teams receive grades corresponding to their respective rankings.”
Lorain, who had been listening intently, rested her chin on her hand.
“The rules are simpler than I expected.”
Simon nodded as well, thinking the same thing.
“Next, the point values by artifact type.”
The blue artifacts scattered abundantly throughout the arena were worth 1 point each.
The slightly rarer yellow artifacts were worth 3 points.
And at each starting position’s Altar sat a red artifact, valued at 15 points.
Immediately, a female student’s hand shot up.
“This is Aseraz Mikel! What is that red artifact?”
“It is an artifact kept at each starting position.”
Aaron answered plainly, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
“All of your teams will begin with possession of this 15-point artifact.”
The quicker-minded students caught on immediately.
It was a deliberately crafted mechanism.
“To summarize: find artifacts buried in the Test Arena’s ground and place them in your team’s Altar. At the moment the examination ends, the team with the highest score wins. Any questions?”
“None, sir!”
Aaron folded his arms.
“I’ve covered the broad strokes. The framework itself is simple, but as always, the ‘detailed rules’ are what matter in Kizen examinations.”
The teaching assistants scattered as if they’d been waiting for this moment, distributing pamphlets to the students.
“Study the detailed rules thoroughly. Your every move is being observed by monitors at headquarters. Violate the rules once and you’ll receive a warning; a second violation will be treated as examination misconduct, and you’ll be expelled with an F grade.”
Simon took a pamphlet as well.
“Next, the examination matchups.”
Aaron displayed a new screen. Simon checked his team’s placement first.
[Match 1: Team 1, Team 4, Team 10, Team 13]
‘First match then……! And what’s more.’
Simon’s head turned. At the same moment, another student turned his head to look at Simon.
It was Hector from Team 1.
“Argh! Why does it have to be our first match?”
Eshu bounced about fretfully. Lorain, beside her, spoke in a measured voice.
“I don’t think going first is necessarily a disadvantage. We’re all starting on equal footing—awkward and uncertain on both sides.”
“Y-yes, that’s true, isn’t it?”
Just then, the senior instructor’s voice rang out.
“You now have thirty minutes of rest time! You’re free to move about, but venture too far and you’ll risk attacks from the wild Undead. Stay alert.”
Rest time in name only—it was really thirty minutes of strategy. All four members of Team Ten quickly relocated and settled in, pulling out their pamphlets.
“Before we plan anything, let’s go over the detailed rules first.”
“Right!”
The detailed rules covered many points, but the essentials came down to this:
-Test participants cannot directly intervene in the exam.
-Test participants may only use techniques applicable to Ghouls.
-Test participants can control a maximum of three Ghouls simultaneously. Once a Ghoul is summoned, it cannot be sent back to the Subspace.
-Test participants must maintain at least one Ghoul at all times.
“I think those four points are the core of it.”
Simon spoke. Toto, absorbed in reading through the pamphlet, looked up.
“Right, so since this is strictly a Ghoul evaluation exam, we have to use only Ghouls.”
“Exactly. Can anyone tell me how many Ghouls they have left? I’ve got nine.”
Lorain raised her hand.
“Nine as well.”
Eshu and Toto answered hesitantly.
“Four. President.”
“…Sorry, Simon. I only have three left.”
Other Summoning Department students averaged around three to four. Losing even one meant a drastic drop in combat strength. Students with nine or more Ghouls like Simon were rare.
Simon spoke again.
“If I remember right, Hector has nine too. It’ll be hard to whittle down his forces.”
Hector had lost more Ghouls than Simon during Funeral Studies, but had started Materials class with a staggering thirteen Ghouls in his possession.
Eshu suddenly raised her hand with a snap.
“Me! Me! I have intel too! Pier Burkler has seven Ghouls!”
Simon, by now accustomed to her over-the-top energy, took it in stride.
“How’d you know that?”
“Picked it up during the all-nighter last night during talk time! Everyone was going on about how many Ghouls they had left. Though… it could be a bluff?”
“L-let me write it down.”
Toto pulled out his notebook and carefully recorded the estimated Ghoul counts of their opponents.
Simon opened his mouth.
“Alright, back to the detailed rules. There are other things I want to go over.”
-All artifacts in the Test Arena can only be moved by Ghouls.
-The Red Artifact on the Altar cannot be moved arbitrarily by the possessing team.
“Here’s the last point. The fifteen-point Red Artifact has to stay on the team’s home Altar at all times, it seems.”
Lorain’s expression turned serious.
“Someone will have to stay behind and defend it.”
“Right.”
The fifteen-point Red Artifact was considerable in value.
You’d need fifteen one-point Blue Artifacts or five three-point Yellow Artifacts to match its score.
“Hmm—with that in mind, everyone will make artifact protection their top priority, won’t they? So this might end up being just an artifact search, nothing more.”
Eshu ventured suddenly.
“Everyone finds the artifacts near their own base, occasionally ventures out and fights the other team’s Ghouls to drive them off, and that’s it.”
“No.”
Simon shook his head decisively.
“Hector will come.”

* * *
“We strike Simon Polentia.”
Hector declared it with a harsh tone.
Pier Burkler nodded, while the other two students stiffened slightly.
“D-do we really need to fight the Student Council President?”
“Why take such a massive risk? Wouldn’t it be safer to crush Team Four or Thirteen and take first place……?”
“No.”
Hector shook his head.
“Strictly speaking, this exam is a battle between Team One and Team Ten. Since it ultimately comes down to a first-place race, no matter how the exam unfolds, we’re bound to clash at some point. Making a move against the first-place contender is simply natural.”
“Then, if we strike Groups 4 and 13 first, and then attack Simon’s Group 10……!”
“But what happens if, while we’re fighting those weaker teams, Simon’s Group 10 assaults our Altar?”
“…….”
The expressions of the two team members grew conflicted.
“We’d only drain our own strength in the initial fight. And even if we managed to take down either Group 4 or 13 within two hours, it doesn’t matter if our main base falls.”
“Then what should we…….”
“Do the opposite of what I just said.”
Hector’s eyes gleamed.
“Early in the exam, when everyone’s scattered searching for artifacts, we strike hard and fast—seize Simon’s group Altar before they know what hit them.”
“B-but then won’t Simon come charging at our Altar to take it back?”
“We hold the line. And honestly, it’s unlikely he would.”
Hector snorted.
“That man always thinks rationally. Considering the time remaining, he’ll see it makes more sense to hit Groups 4 or 13 than to pick a fight with us when we’re stronger.”
“……Hmm.”
“Don’t overthink it.”
Hector pressed his fingertip to his forehead, thinking.
“This isn’t a four-way free-for-all. From the start, it’s a direct confrontation between Group 1 and Group 10.”

* * *
Simon’s Group 10 was also in the middle of their strategy session.
But Eshu, rather than focus on tactics, was more intent on craning her neck and peering about to monitor what the other teams were doing.
“Oh!”
Eshu lowered her head, speaking in a hushed voice.
“There! Pier! Pier! Pier Berkler is on the move! What do we do? He’s heading toward Group 4!”
That was useful intelligence.
Simon glanced toward Group 4 as if making conversation. He could see Pier and the Group 4 students talking together.
“It’s definitely an alliance proposal.”
Toto’s shoulders trembled slightly.
“What if three groups rush us at once? If Hector pressures those two teams…….”
“I don’t think that’ll happen.”
Simon shook his head with cold certainty.
“Groups 4 and 13 are part of Kizen too. They’re not the type to buckle under Hector’s pressure, and besides—Hector wouldn’t operate that way.”
“……You think so?”
“Yeah. Back in first year, with that volatile temper, maybe. But now he’s the Department Representative leading the whole Summoning Department.”
Simon smiled, resting his chin on his hand.
“He wouldn’t resort to intimidating other department students. At most, he’d just tell them not to interfere with his match.”
Lorain chuckled softly.
“Being in the same class, you two really do know each other too well, don’t you?”
“……Ha.”
Eshu, who had been watching the other groups’ movements like a meerkat, turned her head back.
“Excuse me, everyone! Breaking news! This time Hector Moor himself is heading to Group 13! Oh no, shouldn’t we be doing something too? This is so nerve-wracking!”
“Fine. Let’s do it.”
At Simon’s single word, everyone’s eyes widened as they looked at him.
Simon smiled wryly and spoke.
“Unlike Hector’s side, let’s make them an offer they absolutely cannot refuse.”

* * *
When strategy time ended, the senior proctor called out loudly.
“All students participating in the first match, please proceed to the Teleport Magic Circle.”
Since it was the first match, all the department students’ attention was focused.
Simon and his group, along with three other teams, stepped forward, and before them stood four Teleport Magic Circles.
Group 1, Group 4, Group 10, Group 13.
The students of each group gathered together and lined up in front of their respective Teleport Magic Circles.
“I trust you’ve all familiarized yourselves with the rules.”
Aaron stepped forward and spoke.
“Now, no need to second-guess yourselves. Compete fiercely and focus on earning the highest score.”
“Yes!”
“The exam begins now.”
The proctor activated the Magic Circle, and all sixteen students’ bodies lifted into the air.
‘Good. First major practical assessment. I have to finish first—no matter what—to keep my Valedictorian position.’
Simon’s head turned.
He glimpsed Hector staring ahead, a grim smile playing at the corners of his mouth. The other boy seemed every bit as confident in this Ghoul Practical Assessment.
Of course.
‘With my new ghoul, I can beat anyone.’
Simon harbored not the slightest doubt that he would lose.

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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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