The next morning, Simon was panting as he climbed a steep mountain slope, cursed bracelets and anklets weighing down his arms and legs. He could barely take a single step without pushing his Internal Jet-Black Circulation to its absolute limit, but he stubbornly forced his legs onward.
’There’s no time to rest before we leave for the Holy Federation!’
While running, he practiced turning his Divinity on and off with one hand. With the other, he read a book from Anna’s room about the culture of the Holy Federation.
It was a feat of coordination that bordered on the absurd. Even with his vision obscured by the book, he skillfully dodged the dense trees and safely navigated the mountain range.
"By the way."
Simon turned his head.
"Why are you following me?"
Beside him was Lethe, also running with Divinity emanating from her legs. She made a sullen face.
"I was bored, so I came along for a walk. You got a problem with that?"
"None at all. It’s just work, so it won’t be much fun."
"It’s fine. Don’t mind me; just do what you were doing."
Simon nodded and returned his attention to the book. Lethe watched his training methods with an expression of utter disbelief.
’First, Vtant Village.’
Located halfway up the mountain range, Vtant Village was situated in a region where large-scale slash-and-burn farming was practiced. The sight of houses lined up on the high ground looked precarious, yet beautiful.
"Young Master!"
"It’s Simon!"
At the appearance of the heir, who hadn’t been seen recently, the villagers flocked to him like a cloud.
"Oh my, Young Master." Coughing, an elderly man approached and tightly grasped Simon’s hand with both of his wrinkled hands.
"This old man has watched you since you were just a little tyke. To hear that you’re already a student at Kizen... I’m truly overcome with emotion."
"Thank you, Nelton."
"He’s the son of those two, after all! The Young Master is the pride of Leshill!" a woman exclaimed.
"You’re too kind, madam. I’ll work harder to meet your expectations."
"Hey, Simon! Glad you got into Kizen all by yourself, huh? And are there a lot of pretty girls there?" a young man called out.
"Uh, yeah. I think so. More importantly, Tom."
Simon replied, then pointed behind him.
"Catherine’s coming."
"Ah, shit!"
Laughter erupted from the crowd.
It was a small mountain village, but the atmosphere was incredibly warm. Simon, too, called out to each of the residents by name, connecting with them.
"Mr. Peter. Have you had any difficulties lately?"
"Perhaps because it’s mating season, but there seem to be too many goblins in the mountains. They keep ruining the fields."
"I’ll reduce their numbers a bit on my way back."
Listening to the residents’ concerns was also part of Simon’s role. He would report what was necessary to his father and resolve what he could himself.
Lethe, watching from a distance, was a bit surprised. That dreadful necromancer had appeared, yet the villagers were treating him with such warmth.
Weren’t they all afraid of being turned into skeletons? She had heard that necromancers smiled to your face while secretly kidnapping good people to turn them into undead.
’I’ll know if I watch a little longer.’
Whether they were being deceived or not, these villagers seemed to genuinely trust and follow Simon.
"Hey, Simon!"
Just then, Tom, who had dodged Catherine, slung an arm around Simon’s neck. He was four years older than Simon, but they were like sworn brothers.
"...My neck hurts, Tom."
"Quit whining, you punk! Anyway, more importantly."
Tom lowered his posture while still holding Simon’s neck. Then, with a wide grin, he asked in a secretive voice, "Who’s that girl?"
A beautiful girl with hair as white as winter snow was strolling through the village. Her skin was as fair as jade, her large eyes a pale gold, and she walked with long strides, her brown robe fluttering gently behind her.
"You punk, you already brought a girlfriend from Kizen to meet your parents? You move damn fast."
"...It’s not like that."
"Then who is she?"
Simon thought for a moment before giving a concise answer.
"My mother’s friend’s daughter."
"I see. So, just tell me straight, man."
Tom poked Simon in the chest and grinned.
"Is she your girl or not? Even a guy like me knows bro code."
"I told you, it’s not like that."
"Okay, okay."
Finally releasing his arm from Simon’s neck, Tom cleared his throat and slowly approached Lethe.
"Hello, lady."
Lethe tilted her head, her platinum white hair swaying. At the sight, the country bumpkin’s face flushed hot.
’Wow, she’s so fucking beautiful. I’ve never seen anyone that gorgeous, except for Simon’s mother!’
Feeling his heart pound wildly, Tom opened his mouth.
"Do you happen to believe in a goddess?"
At those words, Lethe’s face went pale. ’Is this what I think it is? Is this man suspicious of me?’
She turned her head and shot a fearsome glare at Simon, who just shook his head with an innocent expression, as if he had no idea what was going on.
Tom strode toward Lethe. Startled, she unconsciously took a step back, but soon found her back against a wall.
"I do believe in a goddess."
Tom lowered his body with a serious expression. Lethe gathered her Divinity in preparation for the worst. But in Tom’s fingers was a wildflower he had just picked.
"The goddess that is you."
A cold wind swept between them.
’Oh, this is killing me.’ Simon felt a wave of second-hand embarrassment and turned his head away, his face bright red. Lethe, equally flustered, looked back and forth between the wildflower and Tom’s face.
"...Are you hitting on me right now?"
"Hahaha! Not necessarily, but if you feel that way, I can’t help it. Haha!"
Lethe inwardly sighed in relief, then held up two slender fingers.
’What kind of answer is that?’ As Tom wondered, Lethe waved her fingers and asked, "Can you see this clearly? How many is this?"
"T-Two."
"How many is this?"
"Three."
"And this?"
"You haven’t held up any."
"Oh, you seem to see just fine. How strange."
Lethe approached with the gait of a graceful lady. As she drew closer, a faint, sweet fragrance wafted over, making Tom feel dizzy. Lethe, with a serious face, reached out and pried open Tom’s right eye.
"It doesn’t seem like your eye is bruised."
"...Wh-What?"
Withdrawing her hand, she clasped them behind her back and smiled.
"A wonderful and handsome man like you doesn’t suit me."
"Wh-What...!"
"How about focusing more on Catherine from earlier? She was much more beautiful than I. Well then, goodbye!"
Lethe effortlessly brushed Tom off and walked over to Simon’s side. When Simon stared at her, her expression hardened instantly.
"What are you staring at? Wanna die? Get back to work."
The sweet voice from a moment ago was gone, replaced in an instant by her usual icy tone. Simon chuckled.
"You really do have a peculiar personality."
"Says you. Hurry up. I don’t know my way around here, so I have to follow you."
"Alright."
Simon paid a final visit to the village chief’s house. After listening to suggestions, checking the ledgers, and collecting taxes, he bowed respectfully and came outside.
"We’re going to run again, you okay with that?"
"Don’t worry about me. Just run."
Simon moved on to the next village. And the next, and the one after that. He didn’t rest for a moment. Even while wearing the four cursed artifacts, he never once showed a sign of fatigue, facing the people with a smile.
Having finally visited all seven villages Richard had mentioned, Simon and Lethe returned to the annex where he was waiting.
"Welcome back, Simon," said Richard.
Lethe, with her hands behind her head, strode ahead first.
"You did a commendable job today, too, Lethe."
"...I didn’t really do anything."
With that reply, Lethe entered the master bedroom where Anna lay, as always. Simon, panting for breath, came to stand before his father.
"I’ve visited all the villages you mentioned."
Simon reported all the suggestions and problems he had heard directly from the residents. Richard nodded.
"I’ve also located the goblin settlement. I’ll subjugate them by the end of today, so don’t worry."
Richard created a Jet-Black magic circle in the air. Simon didn’t notice, but outside in the yard, a large troop of skeletons was rising from the ground and heading up the mountain.
"Father, then..."
"Yes, a promise is a promise."
Richard grinned, showing his teeth.
"Starting tomorrow, I’ll teach you ‘Corpse Explosion’ for two hours a day."
"Wow! Thank you!"
Simon bowed his head deeply. Just then, Lethe’s head poked out from the master bedroom.
"Whatever. You do remember you have a white magic lesson in a bit, right? Mission or not, if you whine about being tired during my class, I’ll stomp on your head."
"That won’t happen. I’ll be ready for your class, no problem."
With a beaming smile, Simon gathered his white magic books and left to take a shower. Richard watched him with a look of pride.
’Is there any other child who finds such happiness in learning something new?’
It might be too early to think about it, but he couldn’t help but imagine what Simon would be like when he became an adult. Perhaps Simon was the key to resolving the long-standing, stagnant problems of this rigid continent.
"Spread it out properly!"
As always, Simon and Lethe resumed their lesson on the hill. The next subject was ‘Guardian Studies’—a field that used Divinity to create defensive barriers and shields. Efnel even had a specialized defensive curriculum like this.
The protective barrier Flema had cast during the Kizen terror incident had been so powerful that even Nephthys had to pay a price to pass through it.
’At Kizen, all seven subjects are focused on offense. It’s a shame we don’t have something like this.’
Thinking this, Simon extended his arm. A thin film of Divinity spread out from his palm, and Lethe created and fired a ‘Divine Arrow’ imbued with physical force.
As the attacks landed with intensity, his concentration wavered. Soon, one side of the barrier collapsed, and scratches from the arrows appeared all over his body, but he quickly raised his Divinity to repair the breach.
"You’re getting decent. Let’s move on to the next training."
When he got injured, it was time for a lesson in Healing Studies. Simon brought his hand to the bleeding wound on his skin.
‘Heal’.
A white light emanated from his hand, and the wound began to close. Simon touched the spot where the wound had vanished, looking amazed.
"That’s all for today’s lesson."
The beginning and end of the class always followed the same ritual. They faced each other, knelt, recited a prayer, and then offered a prayer of thanks to the Goddess. Then, they placed their hands over their navels and bowed their heads to each other.
Lifting his head, Simon gave a wry smile.
"Do we really have to keep doing this? I don’t even believe in the Goddess."
She immediately flared up.
"This is basic manners, you punk! If you’re going to refuse this, too, then just give up on taking my lessons!"
"Alright, alright."
He had only gotten on her bad side by bringing it up. While packing his things, Simon quickly scanned the notes he had organized about white magic.
’Blessing Studies:’ Support-type white magic that strengthens oneself or others.
’Divinity Dynamics:’ The most offensive of the seven subjects. Attack spells that use white magic to exert physical force or cause explosions.
’Healing Studies:’ A field related to recovery, such as healing wounds, detoxifying poisons, curing illnesses, or breaking curses.
’Spirit Studies:’ The Efnel version of Necromancy. White magic that deals with beings called spirits by consuming ‘Radiance’ instead of Divinity. Unusable by Priests not connected to a spirit.
’Guardian Studies:’ A field specialized in defense, such as creating protective shields or barriers.
’Divine Beast Studies:’ A field that deals with and utilizes special creatures called Divine Beasts.
’Holy Combat Studies:’ Martial arts techniques learned by combat priests known as ‘Monks’.
"Aside from class, can I ask a personal question?"
"...What is it?"
"Blessings, Divinity, Healing, Spirits, Guardians, Divine Beasts, Holy Combat. Among Efnel’s seven subjects, what’s your intended major? You have to choose one later, right?"
"Yeah, that’s right." She also sat down comfortably, leaning back with her hands on the grass.
"It was actually decided from the moment I enrolled. I’ll probably major in Divine Beast Studies."
"Divine Beast Studies? Come to think of it, we haven’t learned anything about that."
"That’s because it’s a field you can’t learn right now."
She wagged her index finger smugly.
"First, you need a Divine Beast."
"A Divine Beast?"
Divine Beasts were sacred creatures that could generate Divinity from their bodies. While undead were widely distributed across the continent and their numbers had exploded, the number of Divine Beasts was extremely limited. They were a rare species, said to be born one or two at a time in pure, beautiful, and untainted nature.
"...Just hearing the description makes it sound incredibly expensive. It’s probably not a very popular subject at Efnel, right?"
"No, it’s not."
She waved her hands as if to say ‘don’t even mention it’.
"It’s hard to get a Divine Beast, the cost of feed and maintenance is enormous, and there’s so much to worry about. Above all, if it dies from an enemy attack or its lifespan runs out, the mage becomes completely powerless."
"Huh, that sounds kind of..."
It was similar to Summoning Studies. For a brief moment, Simon felt a sense of kinship with her.
"Oh, wait! Then that means you have a Divine Beast."
"Yes."
A wave of curiosity washed over Simon, and he tilted his head.
"Can you show it to me?"
Lethe was none other than Efnel’s top freshman. Just what kind of Divine Beast did she have that she had decided on it as her major since enrollment?

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