Necromancer Academy’s Genius Summoner - Chapter 63
—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————
The Summoning Genius of the Necromancer School: Episode 63
Aaron strode in with long steps, opened the door to the Research Laboratory, and entered.
Simon watched his retreating figure with a somewhat dazed expression.
‘Professor Aaron makes jokes too, it seems.’
Simon didn’t know it, but if the other assistants had witnessed what just happened, they would have fainted dead away.
And so Simon entered Aaron’s Research Laboratory for the first time.
Wherever he looked, the room was filled with undead materials of every conceivable variety.
You could feel just how much Aaron loved Summoning Magic simply by stepping into this space.
Most striking of all was the dragon’s skeleton that wound through the entire Research Laboratory. It swayed and trembled as if alive, and it didn’t seem to be mere decoration—it appeared to be a Skeleton in active form.
“Sit wherever you like.”
Aaron said this while casually pulling off his pants. He then tossed them onto the dragon skeleton’s neck that encircled the lecture hall.
The dragon skeleton shook its head in apparent displeasure, but offered no further resistance.
Simon suppressed a laugh and looked for a place to sit.
The walls were lined with valuable undead research specimens, and the floor was equally crowded with them, so Simon had to step carefully with each movement. Eventually he found a sofa, gently moved aside a ghoul figurine leaning against it, and sat down.
“All right, what did you want to ask me about?”
By now Aaron had removed his shirt entirely and stood in shorts and slippers, clattering about as he brewed tea.
Simon took a light breath and spoke.
“I want to know how to win in the Duel Evaluation using only Summoning Magic.”
Aaron’s movements paused for a moment. But it was brief—he soon poured tea into a cup with perfect composure.
“Why would you waste your time on something so pointless?”
“I beg your pardon?”
“Simon Polentia. I’m aware that you’re showing promise in Combat Magic and other subjects as well.”
Aaron approached and slid a teacup toward Simon.
“There’s a perfectly obvious way to breeze through this evaluation, so I don’t understand why you’d deliberately choose the harder path.”
Simon swallowed hard.
He’d expected Aaron to say something like that. Even in the first Summoning Magic class, Aaron had made remarks that seemed to downplay the discipline itself.
Which made this all the stranger.
Looking at this Research Laboratory, you could sense so much.
How could someone who loved Summoning Magic this deeply, who poured such passion into his own field, speak to Kizen’s students the way he did?
“Then I’d like to ask you the reverse question, Professor.”
Simon’s eyes grew focused and intent.
“A Summoning Magic aspirant wants to win through Summoning Magic—what other reason could you possibly need?”
……
Aaron stopped what he was doing and fixed his gaze on Simon. Simon didn’t look away.
A moment of honest silence passed, then Aaron raised his teacup and drank. Simon, who had been thirsty, carefully took a sip as well.
The initial taste was bitter, but a sweet aftertaste lingered gently in his mouth.
“Do you want me to hand you the solution,” Aaron asked, “or,”
Setting down his teacup, the faintest smile played at his lips—unlikely as it seemed.
“Do you want me to refine the solution you’ve already chosen?”
At the same moment, Simon too broke into a grin.
“The latter, Professor.”
* * *
At last, the day of the Duel Evaluation.
Kizen was operating five indoor arenas simultaneously for the Duel Evaluation.
Dick, Merin, and Kamibarez had come to the 2nd Arena.
Only Simon from Team 7 was taking the test in the morning. The others had come to cheer him on.
But then—
“Where the hell is he?”
Merin in the bleachers bounced on her feet. Kamibarez too was restless, constantly scanning the area around her.
Simon’s turn was coming up soon, yet there was no sign of him anywhere.
“You two stay here.”
Finally Dick stood up from his seat.
“I’ll go look for him.”
While Dick was outside searching, another match had already concluded.
The winning student threw up both hands in triumph, while the student whose Barrier Gauge had reached zero hung his head low.
The Duel Evaluation rules were similar to the Cyclops performance assessment.
Both students wore a ‘Protection Suit’ that provided full-body barrier protection, and whoever’s Barrier Gauge reached zero lost.
Students who won today’s duel would start in the Middle Squad, while those who lost would begin in the Lower Squad.
If they lost again the following week in the Lower Squad, they could be demoted to the Lowest Squad depending on their record—meaning Kizen Expulsion would come within reach.
The pressure weighed on every student in the academy.
The stands were packed with classmates who’d come to cheer on their friends, and others hunting for information.
Of course, scattered throughout the Dark Alliance were adults who’d secured entry passes—not just Kizen students. The academy’s students were tomorrow’s leaders of the continent, so it was only natural that each institution and organization would dispatch scouts to gather intelligence.
And right now, every scout in the 2nd Arena had their eyes fixed on one thing.
“We’ll finally get to see this year’s top Special Admission recruit.”
“Simon Polentia? I’ve never heard the name before.”
“His origins are unclear. He was apparently selected by Neftis herself.”
“I hear he’s majoring in Summoning Magic.”
“Summoning Magic? What are the Kizen professors thinking? They can’t seriously be giving the top Special Admission spot to a Summoning student?”
As the adults in the stands gossiped and made notes on their scouting lists, Merin and Kamibarez were the ones closest to breaking.
Neither could sit still; they paced the Waiting Room without rest.
Then a voice crackled through the arena’s speakers.
—Class A student Simon Polentia. Class G student Haren Coke. Please proceed to the arena.
Haren Coke was already making his way into the arena.
Kamibarez trembled, wringing her hands together.
“Please, Simon! Where are you?”
* * *
Haren Coke stepped into the arena and drew a deep breath.
The examiner who’d drawn his blood gave the all-clear signal. Just as Bahil had promised, he’d passed the Doping Test.
‘Ahhhh, I’m overflowing with strength.’
This feeling was difficult to put into words.
Haren had spent his whole life chasing someone else’s shadow.
But that was behind him now. The whole world seemed to crouch beneath his feet. If he wanted to, he could crush anyone.
‘……Simon Polentia.’
Class A’s top Special Admission student.
The cream of the crop.
He’d always despised the Special Admission students. There was one in Class G, the eighth-ranked recruit, and all of them were arrogant and vicious.
Born into good families, living in luxury, never knowing hunger, drowning in support and resources, succeeding through sheer genetic advantage without lifting a finger.
‘Just wait.’
He knew that most of the scouts in the stands had come to see Simon.
But once this Duel Evaluation was over, that would change. The entire continent would know his name.
His gaze shifted to one corner of the stands. There, in a white suit, was Bahil, watching the match unfold.
‘……He said I just can’t kill him, right?’
Haren couldn’t give up this power. He wanted to keep receiving Bahil’s support, and he was willing to do whatever it took to become his direct disciple.
‘At least I’ll make sure both his arms and legs are thoroughly broken.’
He’d barely grasped this opportunity—one that those born into wealth might enjoy their whole lives.
A chance that might come once in a lifetime, if at all.
He would never let it slip away now. Any means necessary.
—Class A student Simon Polentia. Please proceed to the arena.
But his opponent was running late.
The announcements had spread beyond the 2nd Arena—now they echoed throughout the entire school, calling for Simon.
‘……Late? Of course these Special Admission brats are all the same.’
Haren crossed his arms. The referee overseeing the match checked his wristwatch.
“The schedule is falling behind. If he doesn’t appear within the next five minutes, Simon Polentia will forfeit. This duel will be awarded to Haren Coke.”
Disappointed gasps and tsks rippled through the crowd.
Merin and Kamibarez tapped their feet anxiously. Something had definitely happened. If Dik couldn’t find him, no one could.
Five minutes slipped away in a blink, and the referee checking his watch spoke again.
“Time’s up. This match will be awarded to Haren Coke…….”
“Wait!”
Boom!
The Waiting Room door burst open, and Simon stumbled out—haggard-faced—with Dik supporting him.
“Ooh!”
“He made it!”
Relieved that the main event wouldn’t be cancelled, scouts and students alike broke into smiles.
“Simon!”
“You idiot!!”
Kamibarez and Merin waved frantically, exhaling their relief. Simon spotted them and gave a small wave to show he was all right.
“I can walk from here. Thanks, Dik.”
“Good grief.”
Dick released his support and gave Simon a sharp pat on the back.
“Go on. Do your best.”
“Yeah.”
Simon walked toward the arena and bowed to the referee.
“My apologies for the delay.”
“No matter. Get ready quickly.”
The waiting attendants swarmed over and fitted Simon in his Protection Suit, extracting a blood sample before departing.
The Duel Evaluation preparations wrapped up swiftly.
“Both competitors, shake hands.”
Following the referee’s instruction, Simon and Haren Coke met in the center and clasped hands. Simon flashed a grin.
“Sorry I’m late.”
…….
Haren said nothing, instead studying Simon’s condition.
A wan face. Deep shadows beneath his eyes. His uniform caked with dirt.
‘His condition’s shot. This’ll be an easy win.’
The two released their grip and stepped back. The Mana Projector flickered to life, displaying the match parameters.
[Simon Polentia : 100%]
[Haren Coke : 100%]
“The match ends when one competitor loses consciousness or their Barrier Gauge reaches zero percent.”
Both fighters nodded and took their stances.
In an instant, a palpable tension blanketed the entire arena.
Merin and Kamibarez had their heads craned forward in anticipation when Dick, now in the spectator stands and drenched in sweat, hurried toward them.
“Dick! You really went all out!”
“What’s wrong with you? Where was Simon all this time?”
Dick’s uniform was smudged with dirt in several places. He dropped onto his seat and brushed the dust away.
“Simon was behind the arena.”
“Huh?”
“I’ll explain later. For now, let’s just watch.”
Simon on the arena floor closed his eyes and drew a deep, measured breath.
“Haaaaa……”
When his eyes opened again, his focus had fully returned.
‘That guy’s like a monster.’
A wry smile crossed Haren’s face as he lowered his stance further. The referee’s raised arm dropped.
“Match start!”
—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————