"Can I sit next to you?"
Simon nodded with a smile of his own.
"Of course."
Lorraine sat down, her ebony hair fluttering around her, and calmly lowered her eyes to adjust her tie.
"I wonder what scraps brought you all the way over here," Serne muttered from across the table, her expression sullen.
"I was aiming for Summoning from the beginning," Lorraine retorted in a calm, even tone as she straightened her collar. "Unlike you, who clearly came scavenging."
"Is that so?"
Sparks flew between the two girls as they glared at each other. Caught in the middle, Simon was sweating profusely. ’This is driving me crazy.’ He was terrified a fight would break out in front of the seniors, but the second-year students at other tables watched the scene with envy. The Kizen Student Council President, Nephthys’s daughter, and the heir to the Ivory Tower—it was a truly unapproachable combination.
What could they possibly be discussing? The future of the Dark Alliance? A fierce, secret struggle to divide the continent’s power structures?
"This one is hilarious!" Serne declared. "She puts on all these chic, aloof airs, but I bet she’s wearing cute pink bunny underwear, right?"
"That’s sexual harassment, Serne Aindark."
"No, I just like cute things, too," Serne purred. "So, what’s your type, Simon? Lingerie? Or something sheer?"
"...Please, I’m begging you, don’t drag me into this conversation."
In reality, it was just useless, silly chatter.
Time passed quickly. Perhaps because the strongest students had all flocked to Summoning, the normally unpopular department was barely reaching fifty members with the addition of the 382nd-ranked Toto.
"Rank 391, Soen Varus, to the Venomology Department!"
"Rank 394, Grast Lane, to the Venomology Department!"
Dick’s face was a mask of sheer terror. The Jet-Black Dynamics and Cursology Departments were already full, and Venomology now had fifty-nine out of sixty spots filled. If even one of the next five students chose Venomology, it was over for him.
"Pleeeease!" Dick cried, fidgeting frantically below the stage. "I’m sorry! I’ll study this year! I swear I’ll study hard, so please, just leave one spot!"
The broadcasting minion, unable to watch any longer, told him to be quiet, but the desperate Dick didn’t hear a word.
"Rank 397, Lirari Anre, to the Hemomancy Department."
"Rank 398, Guillaume Marirose, to the Combat Magic Department."
Dick stumbled onto the stage. The last student before him was just pulling a card from the flames.
"Rank 399, Avola Roadfield, to the Necrology Department! And finally..."
"Wooooooooooh!"
With a sudden, inhuman roar, Dick bolted forward, tears of joy streaming down his face.
"Professor Byulya! Thank goodness! Thank goodness! Oooof! Hahah!" He then threw his arms around the emcee in a desperate hug.
She scowled.
"Hey! What do you think you’re doing? That’s dangerous."
Dick was struck on the forehead and collapsed. Red hives were already breaking out across his body.
"I was sweating because it’s hot, you idiot," Byulya explained. Her constitution caused toxins to be secreted in her sweat and other bodily fluids.
"I don’t care!" Dick proclaimed, leaping to his feet with a wide grin, despite the welts blooming on his face. "I, rank 400, Dick Hayward, choose—!"
Before Byulya could even speak, he ran and plunged his hand into the flames of the Venomology Department’s altar. The fire flickered precariously, and as soon as Dick pulled out a card, it was extinguished, signaling that the department’s quota was full.
"Mhehehe!" Dick beamed, holding up his student ID. The back displayed the symbol of the Venomology Department: a broken potion bottle and a skull.
"I never thought I’d see a bigger psycho than I was at his age," Byulya chuckled, then announced, "Rank 400, Dick Hayward. You’re my last student!"
"Yeeeeeeeeeeesss!" Dick roared. He sprinted across the stage, slid on his knees, and howled in a voice thick with emotion.
The students at the tables just shook their heads with disbelieving smiles.
"What’s with that guy?"
"You’d think he ranked first or something."
At the head of the Venomology table, a man resting his chin on his hand spoke.
[What are you all doing?]
A gloomy voice emanated from the mask of Balak, the second-ranked student in the entire third year and Aizel’s only rival.
[He is one of our family now.]
Startled by his words, the Venomology third-years shot to their feet and roared.
"Welcome! Dick what’s-his-name!"
"Last one on the bus at 400th place! Welcome to the Venomology Department!"
"YAYYY!"
Hearing the cheers, Dick waved emotionally toward the Venomology table.
"Thank you! Thank you, seniors! This Dick Hayward is on his way!"
As he ran over, making a huge fuss, Meirin, sitting at the Jet-Black Dynamics table, quietly covered her face with her palm.
"...Augh, that embarrassing oaf."
At the Hemomancy table, when the seniors asked about Dick, Kamibarez just giggled.
"He has a really bright and cheerful personality, though!"
And at the Summoning Department table.
"Isn’t he your friend?" Serne asked.
Simon chuckled and nodded.
"Yeah, he’s my best friend."
And so, the department selection ceremony came to an end.
Cursology Department: 60 students / Professor Bahil
Jet-Black Dynamics Department: 60 students / Professor Jane
Summoning Department: 50 students / Professor Aaron
Necrology Department: 58 students / Professor Stacy
Hemomancy Department: 55 students / Professor Preston
Venomology Department: 60 students / Professor Byul
Combat Magic Department: 57 students / Professor Hong Feng
As expected, the Cursology and Jet-Black Dynamics Departments were the first to fill their sixty-student quotas. The Summoning Department recorded the lowest number with fifty students, but its talent pool was considered stronger than any other. The popularity of the Hemomancy Department had plummeted due to the recent Silage and Blood Cult incident, and Professor Byul’s Venomology Department reaped the benefits, filling all sixty of its spots.
"Alright, let’s head to the dorms!" Leonard announced.
Led by their department representative, the third-year seniors began to lead the second-years away. From the second year onward, Kizen students lived in department dormitories, with second-years generally occupying the lower floors and third-years the upper ones.
"Hey, the Cursology kids are going that way."
"Looks like they get that big building."
While the Cursology and Jet-Black Dynamics students were heading into large, modern buildings close to the main campus, the Summoning Department dormitory was located in the deepest, most remote valley on campus grounds. The second-year students began to whisper among themselves.
"How far are we going?"
"It feels like we’re heading into the Forbidden Forest."
"So the rumors about the department’s poor funding were true..."
"Hey, you there." Will, the discipline enforcer, glared at the whispering students. "You got a problem?"
The three of them immediately fell silent. Now, no one dared to speak, too wary of the seniors.
"Eek! I’m scared of bugs, Simon!"
Well, almost no one. Serne was clinging to Simon’s side, pretending to be the most delicate creature in the world. Reading the tense atmosphere, Simon tried to push her away.
"Then put up a barrier or something. You’re good at that."
"I already did," she chirped.
"Huh? Where?"
As Simon looked around, Serne cried, "Ta-da!" and latched onto him again. "Inside Simon’s embrace!"
Simon’s cheeks flushed bright red, and Serne giggled, clearly amused by his reaction.
"Stop it," Lorraine said flatly. "Simon doesn’t like it."
"Aww, he only says that," Serne dismissed. "There’s no way he really dislikes it. If a man dislikes this kind of luxury, is he even a man? Or just impotent?" She stuck out her tongue. "And you’re no fun at all. All you ever say is ’Don’t do that!’ or ’Stop it!’ Are you a teacher or my mother?"
"Are you trying to get on my nerves?"
As the two squared off, Simon sighed and stepped between them. The other second-years, who had been nervously watching the seniors, chuckled at the exchange, and the tense atmosphere lightened slightly.
Will ground his teeth and clenched his fists in frustration. With Nephthys’s daughter right there, he couldn’t say a word.
"Will, don’t do anything foolish," Leonard warned from ahead without turning back.
Startled, Will straightened his posture. Leonard’s attention was focused on the reliable junior walking beside him.
"That armband suits you, Hector."
Hector walked with the armband symbolizing the second-year Summoning Department Representative on his arm.
"Thank you, Senior."
"What do you think is the most important thing in an organization?" Leonard asked, then answered his own question. "Discipline."
"Huh..."
"This year, our department has the Student Council President and a few other irregulars. It’s become a bit difficult to maintain control, but at least within the department, your orders as representative are absolute."
"Yes."
"You are the face of this department. Your instructions are my instructions, and they represent the will of the department. Since those kids are part of this organization, they ultimately have to follow your orders. That’s how the system works."
"Understood."
"We third-years will give you our full support, so do a good job. Whipping them into shape quickly will be crucial, won’t it?"
"Yes."
"Then, as department representative, here is your first mission." Leonard patted Hector’s shoulder. "There will be a department welcome party this evening. Attendance is technically optional, but anyone who wants to take their department life seriously should be there. Gather them all. I want every single one of them there."
Kizen’s department welcome parties were notorious, especially for their bizarre hazing rituals. The Cursology Department was known for turning underclassmen into animals to play with, while the Venomology Department was famous for making them shove their faces into bowls of poison.
Hector bowed his head.
"I will do my best."
They arrived at the Summoning Department dormitory.
It was situated in the most remote corner of the campus, its back against the Forbidden Forest.
However, Simon was quite satisfied with the location. The distant chirping of insects and the gentle babbling of a stream gave it a relaxing atmosphere. Plus, he figured it would be a little easier to visit Pier from here.
"It’s a bit far, isn’t it?" Leonard, the department representative, said as he looked back at the new arrivals.
Of course, no one was foolish enough to say yes, so a chorus of "No, sir!" rang out.
"If you don’t want to be late, you should either wake up earlier or get a rideable summon for your commute," Leonard advised with a friendly smile, but his words were cut short.
"Agh!"
Toto, who was walking ahead, stepped on a stray bone and tumbled to the ground. Laughter rippled through the group.
"Careful now," Leonard said, his smile unwavering. "The garden can be a bit hazardous with leftover materials from undead creation scattered about. Honestly, you’d think people would clean up after themselves."
"That’s rich, coming from the guy who burned down half the forest trying to make a fire golem," one of Leonard’s third-year classmates retorted.
"Hahahaha!"
The surrounding third-years roared with laughter. Leonard scratched his head, a sheepish grin on his face.
"Hey, I asked you not to call me out in front of the underclassmen."
"There he goes again with that pouty face."
"Watch out, juniors. When Leonard gets sulky, it lasts for three weeks straight."
The second-years didn’t laugh openly, but small smiles touched their lips. Simon observed Leonard quietly. He was the classic benevolent leader—well-liked, approachable, and friendly with everyone. Despite being ranked fourth in their year and serving as the department representative, his friends felt perfectly comfortable teasing him.
Besides, only twenty students from the Summoning Department had survived the cut to become third-years. Their bond was likely as tight as a family’s, and they would undoubtedly band together to face any challenge.
"Alright, let’s head in!" Leonard announced, leading the way.
At last, the Summoning Department’s dormitory building came into view.

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