Necromancer Academy’s Genius Summoner - Chapter 553
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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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Necromancer School’s Summoning Genius – Episode 553
Dispatch Evaluation.
Kizen students formed teams among themselves and conducted real combat missions with professional Necromancers in the field—an external curriculum.
With the midterm examination approaching, Aaron mentioned that one full Dispatch Evaluation was scheduled for all second-year students.
“The time limit is five days. Think of it as similar to what the third-years undergo for their Dispatch Evaluation.”
Aaron opened the documents with a blank expression.
“I understand the Kizen Headquarters has prepared this Dispatch Evaluation with considerable care. They conducted detailed analysis of all second-year students’ academic records and planned customized dispatches to maximize each student’s potential. Of course, there are no choices this time. Both the teams and dispatch locations have been set by Kizen Headquarters.”
Simon, who had been sitting and listening to the explanation, nodded along.
Simon’s first-year Dispatch Evaluation had taken place in a neutral zone with Team 7 members. It had been a considerably dynamic experience—that was where he’d met Sasha and Seiwir as well.
“During the first-year Dispatch Evaluation, we kindly assigned mentors, but in this second-year Dispatch Evaluation, you must execute the missions based solely on the judgment of the students present in the field. And the missions operate under the Complete Success System. In other words—”
Aaron set down the documents and swept his gaze across the students as he continued.
“You cannot return to Kizen until the mission is successfully completed.”
“……!”
Murmurs erupted from all sides. One male student shot his hand up.
“It’s Koiter Pizen! Um, didn’t you just say the time limit was five days?”
“That’s merely the period during which the school will be empty. After that, normal classes resume. I do hope—”
Aaron’s lips twisted.
“—that you’ll return before the midterm examination.”
Aaaagh!
Students fell into chaos throughout the hall, clutching their heads and biting their school uniform shirts in distress.
“This is too much! They’re not even giving us time to study for the exam?”
“If you have the ability, finish the dispatch quickly and secure your own study time before the exam period.”
“Kizen’s really got an iron grip.”
As the commotion grew louder, Aaron spoke again.
“For our Summoning Department in particular, timely return is even more critical.”
He unfolded a new schedule.
“As announced, our second-year Summoning Department faculty plans to hold a special lecture on the Dullahan before the midterm examination.”
The moment an actual Dullahan special lecture dangled as collateral, outcries erupted in every direction.
“The special lecture is an intense schedule aimed at completing the Dullahan within one week. If you miss even a single class, consider the opportunity to create the Headless Knight Dullahan lost forever.”
Toto and students throughout the room spiraled into panic.
“……Honestly, if I end up missing that special lecture, I’m just dropping out.”
“Please, Professor. Why are you doing this to us?”
Even Eshu, with his eternally positive mindset, was saying such things. Lorain bit her lip, and Toto’s leg bounced with the pressure of anxiety.
But Aaron remained unmoved.
“This is no time for complaints. Sharpen your wits and act decisively. The dispatch locations will be notified to the Dormitory via document from Kizen Headquarters, so check your mail. That’s all.”
* * *
The sudden notification of a “full Dispatch Evaluation” was enough to turn the entire second-year class upside down.
Even if they completed the five-day dispatch on schedule and returned, there would be only slightly more than a week left until the midterm examination.
The Student Council members gathered in the Student Council Office were also discussing the dispatch rather than attending to their duties.
“Does this even make sense? What kind of schedule forgets the exam period?”
Merin, more sensitive to exam periods than anyone, spoke passionately.
And no wonder—she ranked second in overall written scores.
She’d been hoping this time to finally surpass Aseraz Mikel and claim first place overall, but the schedule had derailed from the start.
“That aside, I’m terrified that we can’t return to Rocksum until we complete the mission.”
Kamibarez spoke up. Her delicate bat wings drooped with the weight of concern.
“The professors make their test problems during the exam period anyway. Missing classes during this time is an enormous loss.”
Dick draped his arm across the armrest of his chair and spoke with unease.
Dick was also the type to predict exam questions based on his information network and study only those specific areas, making him sensitive to losing the exam period.
“If things go badly wrong, we might not even make it back before the midterm. Kizen never budges on stuff like this.”
“I’ve got the Dullahan special lecture hanging over my head too. It starts right after I return.”
Simon said. The two female students’ faces hardened with sympathy, but Dick’s eyes sparkled.
“Dullahan? They’re really making that within this semester? Wow, the Summoning Department’s insane! Once you finish it, let me touch it!”
“No.”
The moment Merin shot him a sharp look, Dick’s mouth snapped shut.
She turned to the other three. “So, have you all found out where your dispatch locations are?”
“Me! I’ve got mine confirmed!”
Kamibarez raised her hand and said.
“A place called Enes—the City of Nostalgia—where I’m supposed to meet an operative in hiding!”
“Ah, there. Of course. The birthplace of scent itself, the greatest export city. Do you need to distinguish smells? Now I understand why Kamibarez was sent.”
Merin swept a strand of hair behind her ear.
“Mine’s Snowfield Castle.”
“Oh, that place. That’s the hometown of Special Exception 8, Raheim Nosfolde, the lord of Snowfield Castle!”
This time too, Dick provided the commentary, and Simon laughed.
“If Special Exception 8 is Raheim, that’s the guy who was always following Merin around, right?”
“Ugh! Don’t even mention it! I can’t stand him! Seriously!”
Merin shuddered with a look of utter disgust. Simon grinned and glanced at Dick.
“Dick, what about you?”
“I have no idea why I’m going there. I naturally figured it would be a major commercial city or marketplace district.”
Dick pulled a letter from his pocket.
“Yahara Desert. A place with nothing but sand.”
“That sounds about right.”
Merin’s lips curved upward.
“You’re a commoner who slips through the rules and picks out petty schemes. They’re sending you to roll around in an extreme environment and have a rough time so you’ll get your head on straight.”
“……R-really? That’s actually the reason?”
Kamibarez’s eyes went wide.
“Dick! Then which students are going with you?”
“……Well, um. Raheim Nosfolde, Fitzgerald, and Elisa Selin.”
“Ahahaha! One hundred percent! Absolutely one hundred percent!”
The heads of the Student Council members, who had been laughing merrily, turned.
“Simon! What about you?”
“I haven’t gotten mine yet.”
Merin laughed playfully.
“What’s this? Is the Student Council President getting special treatment again?”
“I heard that students in the Top 10 or those with significant reputation often get separate invitations for dispatch assignments. That must be it.”
“We should look forward to good news then! Simon.”
Simon scratched the side of his head.
“Well, I guess so.”
* * *
Only two days remained until the Dispatch Evaluation, yet Simon still hadn’t received any notice from the school.
Consumed with anxiety, he was throwing himself even more intensely into exam preparation when—
Knock, knock.
A rap sounded at the Dormitory Room where Simon was studying with Toto. He got to his feet and opened the door.
‘What a shock.’
Standing before him was the hook-nosed Dormitory Supervisor, an object of terror to students in more ways than one, her eyes wide open.
“It’s the Supervisor.”
“Ah, yes.”
Did I do something wrong?
While Simon’s eyes darted about nervously, she spoke.
“Student Council President, someone from Kizen Headquarters has arrived. Please go to the Main Building right away.”
“From Headquarters? Understood.”
At last, it seemed they were going to discuss the dispatch assignment.
But a slight unease crept over him. Why had someone from Headquarters come all the way here? And if they wanted to see him, couldn’t they just use the broadcast system? Why send the Supervisor personally?
Questions piled upon questions, but now was the time to move.
Simon quickly changed into his School Uniform and headed out to the Campus.
When he arrived at the Main Building, Attendants were waiting.
‘Headquarters Attendants.’
The quality of their suits was a different class altogether. It was widely known that these Attendants who worked for Headquarters were on an entirely different level from those who served within the school.
Simon followed the Attendants to the Reception Room.
Knock, knock.
The Attendant knocked for him.
“Student Council President Simon Polentia has arrived.”
“Yes, show him in.”
Click.
The door to the small Reception Room swung open, and a man in Glasses and a striped suit with a black Necktie looked up.
“Welcome, Student Council President.”
He had the appearance of an ordinary businessman, but his angular face bore a large, jagged scar across his forehead. His Wristwatch showed signs of wear, and his eyes gleamed sharp as a bird of prey.
Given that he worked at Kizen Headquarters itself, he was clearly no ordinary office worker. The aura he carried was distinctly formidable.
“Please, sit.”
“Oh, yes.”
Simon settled into the chair as attendants brought tea. The Headquarters Staff member flipped through a document folder, his fingertips entirely calloused.
“Are you enjoying your time at school?”
An unexpected inquiry about his wellbeing?
Simon answered with an untroubled smile.
“Yes, it’s quite enjoyable.”
“That’s a relief. When I’m worn down by the strain of work, I close my eyes and reminisce about my student days walking across campus. That fresh, youthful feeling of sitting together in the library during exam periods, unwrapping candy for each other. And as I kept feeding her candies, before I knew it, she and I had become…”
What is he suddenly going on about?
The Headquarters Staff member noticed Simon’s blank stare and quickly wrapped up his thought.
“In any case, those joyful memories of the past sustain my weary heart.”
“Ah, so you’re an alumnus.”
“The vast majority of Headquarters Staff are Kizen graduates.”
He set down the document folder.
“I suspect you’ve been wondering why your dispatch assignment has been delayed.”
Now we’re getting to the point.
Simon’s expression sharpened.
“Where am I being sent?”
“I’ll explain once one more person arrives.”
It seemed there was someone else being dispatched alongside him.
Soon came a knock, and an attendant’s voice reached them from beyond the door.
“Merida Hu Ikel has arrived.”
“Yes, show her in.”
Click.
The door opened, and a drowsy-eyed girl stepped through, a thin blanket draped over her shoulders like a robe.
Ranked fourth overall and the Department Representative of the Curse Department.
And the one and only younger sister of Phantasus Hu Ikel.
‘So Merida’s my partner for this dispatch.’
Her mint-green hair was striking. She walked forward with an expressionless face and settled quietly in the seat beside Simon, giving him not so much as a glance.
“Very well—the two of you will be dispatch partners for five days.”
The Headquarters Staff member smiled as he spoke.
“Why don’t you two exchange introductions and get to know each other?”
Being a Kizen alumnus himself, he showed a certain deft touch in these matters.
Simon had actually wanted to have a proper conversation with Phantasus’s younger sister at least once.
He flashed her a cheerful smile, but she merely rolled her eyes toward him before looking forward again.
Clearly she had no desire to speak with him.
She simply stared at the Headquarters Staff member with a protesting look.
“Well then, I’ll explain the details of your dispatch.”
He lifted a document case from the floor. After disabling a series of security magic circles, he opened it to reveal a bright red envelope bearing the Kizen insignia.
He withdrew crisp papers from within and unfolded them.
“Simon and Merida. Your dispatch destination is the Ivory Tower.”
The development was entirely unexpected—Simon’s mouth fell open.
‘The Ivory Tower?’
He had never imagined that Kizen would send him to the Ivory Tower.
“The Ivory Tower has made an earnest request to Kizen for your dispatch.”
It meant they’d poured an enormous sum of money into making this happen.
“The Ivory Tower is an important ally from Kizen’s perspective. The upper echelon carefully reviewed the announced dispatch details and judged that both of you possessed the capacity to be of maximum use to them. They accepted the request accordingly.”
With that much money flowing in, the senior leadership couldn’t pretend not to notice.
‘Something seems off.’
Simon folded his arms.
Though both were part of the Dark Alliance, Kizen and the Ivory Tower competed fiercely for talent acquisition. You could see it in the way Lorain and Serne sparred with each other even within the school.
Yet they weren’t dispatching some raven or professional necromancer from headquarters—they were sending the Student Council President and the fourth-ranked student.
‘Is there some hidden agenda?’
Simon’s mind raced trying to discern what calculation lay behind Kizen Headquarters’ decision.
Meanwhile, Merida yawned as if she couldn’t care less, her eyes fluttering drowsily. She was clearly making an effort to fight off sleep.
“Of course, you won’t be going to the Ivory Tower’s main building.”
The Headquarters Staff member then produced a new sheet of paper and handed it over.
“What is this?”
Simon’s eyes widened as he saw the pamphlet with a clock emblazoned on it.
“We cordially invite you to the Festival of Time?”
From the start, something about this dispatch evaluation felt off.
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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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