Necromancer Academy’s Genius Summoner - Chapter 609

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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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The Summoning Genius of the Necromancer School — Episode 609
Simon’s eyes went wide as he listened to Toto’s explanation.
“The third-years called for a full assembly?”
“Y-yes!”
The fear from the hazing ritual at the start of the term still clung to Toto; shadows pooled beneath his eyes.
“Everyone—kids who were sleeping, kids who were out—nobody was left behind. Even Hector’s expression wasn’t good……”
‘Though that’s just how he always looks.’
Simon thought this and smiled wryly before asking.
“But Toto, what about you?”
Toto lowered his head.
“The third-year seniors told me to come find you…… I was already planning to go to the Student Council Room anyway.”
“I see.”
An assembly of all second-years, conducted openly. At this scale, it was likely an order from Leonard, the Department Representative.
‘But for what reason?’
Since the hazing incident, Benya Vanilla—one of the true powers among the third-years—had been watching her classmates with narrowed eyes. She was also the one who blocked the military disciplinarian Will’s petty tyrannies.
Yet an assembly had still been called. That left two possibilities.
The third-years, frustrated and emboldened by Benya’s absence on external business, were attempting to manage the second-years themselves.
Or the assembly had been sanctioned with Benya’s consent.
“I don’t think we need to worry too much. Let’s go.”
“Y-yes!”
The two walked toward the clearing in the Forbidden Forest behind the dormitory.
The surroundings were quiet, broken only by the occasional chirp of crickets and the hoot of an owl. Toto stayed glued to Simon’s side, constantly glancing around.
‘Found them.’
Simon spotted his second-year classmates lined up in formation.
This was their first assembly since the hazing incident; they all wore unmistakable tension on their faces. The space was silent enough to feel oppressive.
“What’s going on?”
Simon asked Eshu, who stood at the very back, in a hushed voice. She frowned and shook her head.
“……I don’t know either. D-do you think someone got in trouble?”
Simon positioned Toto beside Eshu and continued forward. The third-years finally came into view, arranged before the lined-up second-years.
At the center of the third-year group.
Seated in a large chair was Leonard, the Department Representative of Summoning Studies.
Wavy brown hair swept lightly across his forehead, sharp cheekbones and pronounced nose, and an effortlessly warm smile.
He was the very picture of a handsome prince—the kind anyone would recognize at first glance.
“Ah.”
Leonard, who had been chuckling at a joke from Will on his left, raised a hand.
“You’re here! Student Council President.”
Simon gave a light bow and surveyed Leonard’s surroundings.
Behind him, third-years stood at ease, chatting idly among themselves—a stark contrast to the taut faces of the second-years.
To Leonard’s left stood Will Douglas, ranked twelfth overall and an object of fear within the department; beside him, Hector, the second-year Department Representative, stood at attention.
And to Leonard’s right was Benya, who waved at Simon and greeted him with a look in her eyes.
“So, all the second-years are here now?”
Leonard said. Hector responded with an expression that was either a grimace or a smile—it was hard to tell—as he lowered his head.
“My apologies. We’re still missing one person.”
“Who?”
“Serne Eindarck.”
As if he’d expected as much, Leonard waved his hand with a laugh.
“Ha! I didn’t have much hope anyway.”
“I apologize.”
“It’s fine. The Ivory Tower’s heir isn’t someone who’d listen to us anyway. I’ll notify him separately later.”
“Understood.”
At last, Leonard stood from his chair. Simon stopped at an appropriate distance and watched him carefully.
“Hmm, the atmosphere’s a bit stiff, isn’t it? You don’t all need to be so tense.”
Leonard spoke in a gentle voice, but the second-years’ expressions remained tight. Whether he’d curse them out or bark commands, they just wanted whatever this was to begin.
“Right, let me get straight to the point. There’s one reason I gathered all the department students.”
Leonard spread both arms wide.
“We’ve received information that the Dark Festival will begin three weeks from now.”
At last, murmurs erupted among the second-years.
Simon already knew, but since it hadn’t been officially announced yet, the students’ reaction of hearing it for the first time was natural.
“Right? Student Council President.”
Leonard looked at Simon as if to confirm, speaking his words.
By tomorrow morning, the whole school would know anyway. Since there was nothing worth hiding, Simon nodded without resistance.
“Yes.”
The Student Council President’s confirmation.
Murmurs spread in all directions.
“I was surprised too. It looks like they’re holding the event this year—the one that got postponed last year because of that Saint business.”
Leonard shrugged his shoulders.
“Then, since there might be second-year students who don’t know about the Dark Festival, could you explain it? Benya.”
“Got it.”
Benya stepped forward.
“Hey everyone, how have you all been?”
She greeted them with a warm smile. Her mere presence transformed the atmosphere in a way that was almost unbelievable.
Benya had become something like a hero to all the second-year students.
“The Dark Festival is an inter-departmental competition.”
Second-year and third-year students from each department formed a team, and seven departments in total competed fiercely against one another.
Though similar to other athletic festivals, it was an extremely important event for Kizen students because of the substantial performance evaluation scores and department funding at stake.
Simon had already heard Merin’s explanation, so he listened to the account as if simply reviewing what he already knew.
“It’s so much pressure, honestly.”
After Benya finished her explanation, Leonard spoke in a tone of complaint.
“Of all times, I have to be a third-year when the Dark Festival happens—it’s a heavy burden.”
He smoothed the Department Armband across his right shoulder, then shrugged with casual ease.
“I’m already getting flooded with messages from distant seniors. This ancient senior told me he’d kill me if we lose to the Curse Department.”
Laughter broke out across the room at Leonard’s irreverence. He turned more serious and continued.
“For the honor of our department, and above all for myself—we absolutely have to perform well in the Dark Festival.”
Every student nodded in agreement.
“You all know the school treats our Summoning Department pretty poorly, right? Since we’re on the subject, let’s lay out the problems. Our dormitory is pretty shabby, for starters.”
The second-year students raised their hands as if they’d been waiting for this moment.
“After evening, there’s no hot water!”
“When it rains, we sometimes get leaks!”
“Exactly!”
“The breakfast tastes awful!”
“Right. I agree with you. I heard the Dark Runic Studies Department gets to eat steak at breakfast.”
Leonard walked around the room, actively engaging with the second-year students. They were beginning to shed their anxiety and speak freely.
‘Yeah, typical.’
Simon smiled faintly.
‘He pretends otherwise, but he’s an exceptional leader.’
After gathering all of the second-year complaints, Leonard returned to his seat.
“If we take first place this time, we can change everything. The dormitory renovation, hot water, meals, undead material funding—while we’re at it, why don’t we just move entirely? Our dormitory is so far from campus anyway, we could move to a modern building nearby.”
Ohhhhh!
The second-year students cheered.
“But I actually love our dormitory the way it is now!”
“That’s right! I’ve grown attached to it!”
There were contrary opinions. Leonard winked at them.
“Honestly, I feel the same way. Of course, when it comes to something big like moving, I’ll listen to everyone’s input before deciding.”
The third-year students who had been listening quietly objected.
“All this talk about listening—aren’t you getting ahead of yourself?”
“The Dark Festival hasn’t even started yet. Are we already celebrating?”
Leonard laughed good-naturedly and returned to his peers.
“Right, you make a fair point. Do you know what our Summoning Department’s recent record is in the Dark Festival?”
The students fell silent, and Leonard continued.
“Sixth place, fifth place, seventh place, seventh place, seventh place.”
…….
“We’ve always placed in the bottom tier at the Dark Festival, and eventually we got pushed all the way out here to this remote location next to the Forbidden Forest. We’ve become the department that costs the most money while receiving the least funding from the school.”
A heavy silence fell over the gathering.
“But this year will be different.”
Leonard extended his arm.
“Our third-year class has two students in the Top 10. The rest of our third-years are all elite, positioned in the middle ranks or higher.”
Yeahhhhh!
The third-year students pumped their fists in the air enthusiastically.
“Meanwhile, where is Aezel, supposedly the strongest third-year? He hasn’t even returned yet, let alone made any contact. This is an opportunity we won’t get again.”
This time, cheers erupted from both the second-year and third-year students alike.
Leonard brushed his bangs aside and turned toward the second-year students.
“More than that, how are our second-years this year? Aren’t they extraordinary even by the entire history of the Summoning Department? We have three in the Top 10!”
First place overall: Simon Polentia.
Third place overall: Hector Muir.
Fifth place overall: Aseraz Mikel.
It was, frankly, an absurd lineup.
Seeing these three established so firmly, many upper-middle-tier students had actually given up on choosing the Summoning Department.
“And on top of that, the next Ivory Tower Master and the next Chancellor of Kizen!”
Cheers erupted toward Lorain. She’d been listening quietly from her seat in the middle, and now she jumped, embarrassed, scratching her cheek with an awkward smile.
“The other second-years are doing well too. I heard the return rate from the Dispatch Evaluation was first place, and the expulsion rate is zero percent. And.”
Leonard strode forward and placed a hand on Simon’s shoulder.
“You know what I’m about to say, right?”
The loudest cheer yet erupted from the crowd.
Tap, tap.
Leonard, who had lightly tapped Simon’s shoulder, walked away with his jacket fluttering behind him.
“Let me emphasize once more—this year is our chance.”
Back in his seat, he clenched his fist.
“There were some unfortunate incidents at the start of the semester, but I think when it’s time to unite, we should unite. Let’s work together and give our professors something real to be proud of.”
“Yes, Senior!”
Energetic voices answered from all corners.
Simon too found himself thinking of Aaron’s face for a moment, and felt his resolve strengthen.
“Of course!”
Boom!
Will, ranked 12th overall, strode out with an unruly gait.
The festive expressions on the second-years’ faces hardened, and Toto shrank back, already intimidated just by the sight of him.
“Work hard! Give your all! If first place is something achievable just by spouting such empty words, anyone would have won it by now! We need real, concrete changes in action!”
‘Changes?’
Snap!
“From now on, you’re all under sleep restriction! Don’t even think about getting rest until the department wins!”
“…Will.”
This time Benya stepped forward. At her pointed look, Will’s lips twisted in a grimace.
“Let me clarify what my peer said so there’s no misunderstanding. During the time remaining until the Dark Festival, we’re planning to hold Department Training twice a day. Of course, participation is voluntary, not mandatory. I’m not planning to take attendance either.”
Relief appeared on faces throughout the room. Will muttered about “falling short” repeatedly, but Benya brushed it off lightly and continued.
“Your morning and evening sleep will be reduced a little, but I’m confident the effort will pay off. For those who participate, we third-years plan to coach you directly and offer all sorts of advice.”
The second-years’ eyes gleamed.
Since grades were on the line, everyone would have to prepare for the Dark Festival anyway. But if the third-years would spare their own time to oversee training, there was no reason to refuse.
If anything, it was a tremendous opportunity.
“Yes, I’d really like as many of you as possible to participate.”
Leonard stepped forward.
“We third-years are also going to minimize outside commitments during this period and focus on the Dark Festival. Let’s do our absolute best with no regrets.”
The second-years answered with vigor.
“Yes, Senior!”

* * *
Whoooooosh—
A space thick with green vapor.
In a bubbling cauldron of toxic liquid, a man was half-submerged, bathing with unnerving composure.
The skin across his entire body swelled and deflated rhythmically, and horrific phenomena were occurring—pus from deteriorating flesh rupturing open—yet.
He himself remained utterly composed.
[…]
Even while half-submerged, he refused to remove the distinctive metal mask that covered his mouth.
“B-Ballak! This is hardly the time!”
And behind that grotesque bath, a nervous third-year wearing a gas mask stammered his words.
[Is the information reliable?]
He was none other than the second-ranked third-year overall.
Ballak—the only rival said to stand against Aezel, the Valedictorian of all Kizen. Green breath exhaled from behind his mask.
“Almost certain information! The Dark Festival is happening this year! There’s someone from our department in the Student Council, and he said so himself!”
[…]
“Other departments are already moving! We need to hurry too…!”
[There’s no need for commotion.]
A long, measured exhale.
Poison-laced breath flowed from his Metal Mask, and the concrete wall began to dissolve. The 3rd Year Senior behind him flinched, taking a step back.
[My true rival has always been one and the same.]
Ballak’s massive frame slowly rose to his feet.
[Only Aezel, who will return soon!]

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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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