Richard raised a hand with a smile.
"Long time no see, nephew!"
вЂTMNephew.вЂTM The moment he heard the word, SimonвЂTMs mind kicked into high gear. His father was in no position to enter Lok Island openly. He wasnвЂTMt sure if Lady Nephthys had pulled some strings, but whatever the case, he had to hide his identity. Being a relative with a bit of distance would be far more convenient than drawing attention as the father of the top student.
Simon also smiled brightly and replied, "Uncle!"
The two met and shared a light hug. Just then, Meirin, her face flushed, took a step closer.
"S-Simon! This person is..."
"Ah. Let me introduce you."
Simon spread his arms.
"This is my maternal uncle. His name is..."
"Henry," Richard introduced himself with a name that was clearly made up on the spot. He bent at the waist and kissed the back of MeirinвЂTMs hand. Her cheeks turned as red as an apple.
"Hmm."
Just then, Richard noticed the handkerchief wrapped around MeirinвЂTMs hand. His own hand slowly moved toward it.
"Is the wound from the rose thorn any bet—"
"Uncle!"
Simon wedged himself between the two, pushing RichardвЂTMs shoulder away with a smile.
"This is Meirin Villenne, from my group."
"Ah, I see. What a coincidence."
Richard gave a sly smile and whispered in SimonвЂTMs ear, "Impressive, Simon. Are you being protective because sheвЂTMs your young lady?"
"Please, Father. Meirin doesnвЂTMt belong to anyone," Simon said, putting a little pressure on RichardвЂTMs shoulder. But the smile on RichardвЂTMs lips didnвЂTMt fade.
вЂTM...I canвЂTMt believe Father already approached Meirin.вЂTM
Of course, Richard was a father he respected, a great lord, and a magnificent necromancer. But from what Pier had told him, his father was completely untrustworthy when it came to women. вЂTMPlease, just behave yourself at my school,вЂTM Simon pleaded internally.
After shooting Richard a look, he turned his head. The shy Kamibarez was bashfully looking back and forth between Simon and Richard.
"Uncle, this is also a member of my group, Kamibarez Ursula."
"Ah, hello!"
Kamibarez, looking somewhat nervous, bowed a full ninety degrees. The cute little bat wings on her back fluttered.
"Yes, itвЂTMs nice to meet you. My nephew must have been a lot of trouble."
This time, as Richard tried to take KamibarezвЂTMs hand, Simon gently pushed it away with his palm and forced his fatherвЂTMs head to turn.
"And this is Dick Hayward, also from my group."
Dick, who had been waiting for his turn, shouted with sparkling eyes, "SimonвЂTMs best friend! BFF! Soulmate, Dick at your service! Hahaha!"
"Oh, yes. IвЂTMve heard a lot about you from Simon."
An excited Dick brought up various topics, lightening the mood. Richard seemed to quite like Dick, as he readily played along.
вЂTMPhew.вЂTM
Simon mentally sent a word of thanks to Dick and let out a sigh of relief.
Meanwhile, the two girls who had stepped back were whispering to each other, trying to calm their pounding hearts.
"H-HeвЂTMs his uncle, but he looks so much like Simon," said Kamibarez.
"I know, right? I thought he was his dad for sure. Maybe the genes on his motherвЂTMs side are strong?" Meirin replied, then looked at SimonвЂTMs face. вЂTMWill he look like that when he gets older? If thatвЂTMs what aging looks like, IвЂTMm all for it.вЂTM
Now, Simon was introducing his friendsвЂTM families to Richard. As Richard was shaking hands with MeirinвЂTMs father, Daniela, he winked and waved at a group of female students who were watching from behind. A loud shriek erupted from their direction.
Kamibarez smiled wryly.
"...He kind of feels like a slicker version of Simon."
"Y-Yeah. That partвЂTMs a bit of a turn-off," Meirin agreed. Unlike the serious and calm Simon, his lighthearted and flirtatious demeanor was a bit much.
Finally, Richard also shook hands with KamibarezвЂTMs father, Dietrich.
"ItвЂTMs an honor to meet you, Vampire Lord."
"YouвЂTMve raised your son well, human," Dietrich said, lowering his voice.
Richard smiled and tilted his head as if to ask what he meant.
"Do you intend to hide your bloodline in front of the Vampire Lord?"
"I would be grateful if you kept it a secret."
"Shameless bastard."
Even standing before the Vampire Lord, a man a full head taller than him, Richard showed not a flicker of intimidation. He stood with his back straight, maintained his dignity, and never lost his smile. He shook hands and exchanged greetings with confidence, his actions showing that he considered Dietrich his equal.
"Yes. Your son was just as shameless. I wanted to meet the father who raised him. And indeed—"
DietrichвЂTMs eyes, which craved the strong, flashed.
"We fathers should have a drink later, right? IsnвЂTMt that so, Daniela?"
"Of course."
Daniela nodded, but Richard politely declined.
"My apologies. IвЂTMm busy with work, so I must return to my domain as soon as the ceremony is over."
"Tsk, thatвЂTMs a shame."
Meanwhile, RichardвЂTMs unexpected appearance made Simon feel like he had lost several years of his life.
вЂTMHaaah.вЂTM
He was leaning against a pillar, a little exhausted, when Meirin and Kamibarez came running over.
"Simon! Simon!"
Kamibarez bounced on the spot, her fists clenched tightly.
"Your uncle seems really cool and gentle!"
"Really? Thanks."
"But is he really your uncle?" Meirin asked suspiciously.
Dick also chimed in abruptly.
"IsnвЂTMt he actually your dad?"
SimonвЂTMs heart skipped a beat, but he managed to maintain his composure. "I get that a lot."
"If his uncle is that amazing..."
A deep smile spread across MeirinвЂTMs lips.
"It makes me even more curious about your dad."
"Me too!" Kamibarez nodded, and Dick, as if on cue, shouted, "Then letвЂTMs go visit SimonвЂTMs house during the break! Who wants to go!"
"Me!"
Meirin and Kamibarez shot their hands up. Simon waved his hands frantically, breaking out in a cold sweat.
"E-Even if you come over, I wonвЂTMt be there! I have a busy schedule during the break...!"
"Even if SimonвЂTMs not there, we can just go say hi to his parents!"
"I agree!"
As the three of them were already discussing their plans, the back of SimonвЂTMs head was drenched in sweat. They seemed dead set on actually invading his home.
"IвЂTMm sorry, but."
Just then, Richard strode over to the four of them.
"May I borrow my nephew for a moment? We have some things to talk about, just the two of us."
Meirin and Kamibarez spun around with incredible speed, their hands politely clasped as they put on pretty smiles.
"O-Of course! Go ahead."
"Thank you."
Richard beckoned with his finger, and Simon nodded and followed him.
The father and son left the Grand Auditorium and walked along the deserted back of a building.
"YouвЂTMve made good friends, Simon."
"Yes. TheyвЂTMre really great people."
Simon looked up at Richard.
"But I was so surprised. How did you get onto Lok Island?"
"I received an offer from Lady Nephthys," Richard answered calmly. "She said that since you played a big role in the recent Blood Cult incident, I should come and congratulate you on your promotion if IвЂTMd like. She promised to take full responsibility if any problems arose."
"...Ah."
Richard lightly stroked SimonвЂTMs hair.
"IвЂTMm proud of you. Thanks to my good son, I get to set foot on Lok Island, a place I never thought IвЂTMd visit in my lifetime."
A smile touched SimonвЂTMs lips.
"How does it feel to be back at your alma mater after so long?"
"...I miss it."
Richard looked around with a wistful expression.
"Every tree, every blade of grass, I miss it all. The memories of those days are still so vivid. Yes. I even remember this place weвЂTMre at right now."
"What? Here too?"
"The back of the building is deserted and secluded. I used to bring girls here to..."
"Father!"
Hahahaha! Richard burst out laughing. Simon, on the other hand, was glaring at him with cold eyes.
"This is a secret from your mother."
"...WeвЂTMll see how you behave, Father. WhereвЂTMs Mom?"
"SheвЂTMs at home. Anna has temporarily returned to her girlhood."
Simon blinked.
"What do you mean by that?"
"YouвЂTMll see when you come home in a little while."
Richard replied, then turned his gaze to PierвЂTMs clone, which was attached to SimonвЂTMs uniform.
"...I know full well that I donвЂTMt even have the right to speak to you."
Richard looked up at the sky with eyes full of regret.
"IвЂTMm sorry. And thank you for taking good care of our son."
[Mwahahaha!]
Suddenly, Simon could hear PierвЂTMs laughter. It seemed Pier had been watching all along. He spoke in a mental voice that Richard couldnвЂTMt hear.
[You have changed a lot, Richard.]
Simon smiled warmly.
"Pier says youвЂTMve changed a lot, Father."
[Boy!]
Pier was flustered, and a strange smile appeared on RichardвЂTMs face.
"And IвЂTMm sorry to you too, Simon."
"...What?"
"For making you inherit the sins of the legion. It all happened before you were even born."
Simon leaned his back against the wall and said nothing for a moment. After a period of silence, he spoke again.
"It was my own will to take on FatherвЂTMs legion."
Richard had only enrolled Simon in Kizen; he had never breathed a word about the legion. From the beginning, Richard had no intention of making Simon the legion commander. But Simon, guided by Nephthys, had willingly inherited the position and was now gathering the scattered Ancient Undead.
"And Father."
Of course, RichardвЂTMs actions might be considered betrayal and evil by others.
"...You did it to save Mom, didnвЂTMt you?"
Even if the whole world condemned Richard, Simon knew he never could. After all, he owed his very existence to that incident. The weight of his fatherвЂTMs sins was heavy, but he had chosen to bear it willingly. Both the sin and the power.
"Thank you for saying that," Richard said, closing his eyes.
After exchanging a few more words, the father and son returned to the Grand Auditorium.
"So, which one is it?" Richard suddenly wore a mischievous smile.
"What do you mean?"
"Meirin and Kamibarez. I asked which one is your girl."
SimonвЂTMs face turned beet red.
"N-No! ItвЂTMs not like that!"
"Hahaha!"
Richard laughed loudly.
"They are both beautiful ladies."
"...I really wonвЂTMt let it slide if you make a move on Meirin or Kamibarez."
"As if."
Richard ruffled SimonвЂTMs hair.
"I was relieved that your naive personality is just like your motherвЂTMs when she was young. IвЂTMm truly glad you didnвЂTMt take after me in that regard."
"Mom?"
"Yes."
Richard briefly wore a doting expression.
"Anna back then was pure, untainted white. The very definition of it."
"Now she has you wrapped around her little finger."
"...Ahem."
He had finally gotten one over on his father. The fact that the Lord of Leshill was under his wifeвЂTMs thumb was known by all the residents of the domain.
"Anyway, this is why I called you out."
Richard took something out from behind his back.
"Congratulations on being promoted to the top of the second year, Simon."
It was a lush bouquet of flowers he had never expected to receive. Simon accepted it with a touched expression and smiled brightly.
"Thank you, Father!"
"And."
Richard walked ahead, waving his hand.
"A studentвЂTMs duty is to study. Romance is an unnecessary expenditure of energy. Focus on maintaining your top position from now on."
Simon smirked at the irony.
Simon returned to the Grand Auditorium. Not wanting to part ways just yet, he chatted enthusiastically with his group members and the Hayward brothers. The seven of them had already become quite close.
"Meirin! I want to go to Kizen, too!"
"Me too!"
The fourth brother, Bill, and the fifth brother, Al, exclaimed. For the two of them, who had spent almost their entire lives working in the merchant guild, visiting Kizen was a major event that could cause a seismic shift in their values.
"In cases like this, itвЂTMs best to be blunt so you donвЂTMt get any false hope."
Meirin swept her hair behind her ear.
"ItвЂTMs impossible for you two."
"Why!"
"Because your most talented brother, Dick, is ranked 400th out of 400 students."
"Ack!"
Faced with an irrefutable comeback, Dick was left speechless, and everyone burst out laughing.
"B-But anyway!"
Dick quickly changed the subject.
"Who do you think the new first-years will be next year? Anyone know?"
"Sasha!"
Kamibarez shot her hand up.
"Do you remember Sasha from the Neutral Zone? SheвЂTMs going to be admitted as a special admission student next year. IвЂTMm so excited!"
Kamibarez was still exchanging letters with Sasha, who was receiving treatment at the Pentamonium.
Dick stroked his chin with a puzzled expression.
"But is Sasha good enough for special admission? DoesnвЂTMt it usually take a few years to achieve form manifestation after just opening your core?"
"Sasha is a very unique case! SheвЂTMs already creating and using her own original curses."
"Wow, really? I wonder what special admission number sheвЂTMll get."
This time, Simon raised his hand.
"Speaking of which, Princess Molly will also be enrolling next year."
At those words, everyoneвЂTMs eyes widened.
"Princess Molly, as in...!"
"The youngest princess of the Dresden Kingdom?"
Simon shared the contents of the letter he had received from Molly. There had been fierce opposition from the queenвЂTMs faction, but she had recently received the kingвЂTMs permission to open her core, and it seemed she would be able to achieve form manifestation by the time of enrollment. It sounded like all the renowned necromancers of the royal family were tutoring her.
"ArenвЂTMt you curious about this, too?" Meirin began. "The current second-years will soon be moving up to the third year. Who do you think will be the next Student Council President?"
"ThatвЂTMs right."
Simon crossed his arms.
"I hope Benya gets it."
"Whoever it is, the next Student Council President is going to have a tough time," Dick said with a chuckle.
"Because theyвЂTMll be constantly compared to the legendary former president, Senior Phantastusos."
"Th-ThatвЂTMs true." Phantastusos was rumored to be even more skilled than an active Crow. His vice president had made up for his somewhat lacking administrative skills, and together they had completed their term perfectly.
"Sorry to interrupt, but just a moment."
Someone suddenly cut into the conversation. They were familiar faces, fellow students from Class A.
"Simon, Hector said heвЂTMll be waiting for you at the southern beach of Lok Island."
At those words, Simon stood up with a grin.
"IвЂTMve been waiting, too."

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