The structure of the Summoning Department dormitory was peculiar. ’Just how many roofs does that thing have?’ Simon wondered. It was a large wooden building, but its roofs jutted out at odd angles like a miniature mountain range. It gave the impression of a single large structure that had sprouted smaller rooms over time, tacked on with a whimsical disregard for architectural sense. While it looked precarious enough to collapse at any moment, it possessed a strange charm, like a fairy-tale hideaway built in the woods by a bored, retired witch.
Befitting the Summoning Department, some rooms were constructed entirely of bone, while others seemed to writhe and pulse with a life of their own. A massive tree pierced through the center of the dormitory roof, its branches dotted with cozy little houses. Guarding the entrance stood two skeletons, each over three meters tall and armed with massive halberds, which made the second-year students tense up.
"Ah, those are just for decoration," Leonard explained.
The students let out a collective, silent sigh of relief as they passed.
"Phew, that was nerve-racking."
"Is this one for decoration, too?" one student asked, giving a nearby statue a light kick.
The statue’s stone eyes snapped open, and it swiped at the student with a massive front paw.
"Gah!"
"Hahahaha! That one’s a real gargoyle! Be careful," a third-year called out.
Past the skeletons and the gargoyle, they stepped inside, greeted by a wave of warmth and the rich scent of tree sap. Orange-hued lights hanging from the ceiling cast a cozy glow throughout the interior. Gentle heat radiated from two large fireplaces, and the space was filled with undead-themed decorations. A set of monster bones hanging from the ceiling creaked ominously; they were so realistic they would surely be terrifying at night.
There was even an aquarium built into one wall, where a school of sharp-toothed fish bubbled and swam. Whenever a senior tapped on the glass, the fish would swarm to the spot, snapping their teeth against the pane. The upperclassmen, clearly accustomed to this, simply wiggled their fingers, playing with the frenzied creatures.
"This is the lobby," Leonard explained. "When you hear an announcement to assemble, this is where you’ll gather. And this is the dormitory manager."
The servitor sitting at the front desk stood and bowed to the students.
"You’re free to use the lobby," Leonard continued, moving casually to the side, "but loud noises, smoking, and eating are forbidden, of course. Next to it is the lounge."
"Woooow!" the second-years exclaimed.
They toured the lounge, laundry room, and common kitchen, all of which were surprisingly well-equipped. Simon found he preferred this cozy, home-like environment to the grand, flashy buildings of the first-year campus. Next, Leonard led them down to the basement.
"This is the workshop."
Simon’s eyes lit up. This was probably the largest facility in the entire dormitory, and it gave him the same thrill he’d felt when he first visited the Mutation Club. The room was filled with complex equipment, and the shelves were lined with every kind of undead material imaginable.
"You’ll each be assigned a desk," Leonard said. "And be warned, touching other people’s things without permission will land you in serious trouble. The Summoning Department is extremely sensitive about material theft. If you want to store anything in the freezer, you must label it with your name."
’I’m liking this more and more,’ Simon thought.
He was quickly becoming captivated by the dormitory and the life that awaited him. This place was a summoner’s dream, realized to its fullest potential.
"Ugh, it smells like damp corpses," Serne commented bluntly.
A third-year girl turned to shoot her a glare but quickly spun back around when she realized who it was.
There were several other workshops.
"If you flip this switch..." Leonard said, entering an adjacent room.
’Creeak!’
He pulled a large lever, and with a deafening roar, the room was bathed in a bluish light. It was as if the very air was thickening, turning into a tangible sea of mana.
The students looked around, stunned, as the entire room became saturated with power.
"Nice, right?" Leonard grinned. "You can get some incredible results if you create your magic circles in here. Of course, whoever turns the mana on is responsible for turning it off when they leave. If you need help with the devices, just ask one of the seniors working here. They’ll be happy to show you."
They toured several other facilities, including personal storage units, cooling systems, and even a containment area for captured monsters. By the time Leonard was explaining the bathhouse—the part the students were most excited about—Simon’s mind was still buzzing with thoughts of the workshop.
"Alright, that’s enough of the tour," Leonard announced. "Now for room assignments."
’Finally!’
A tense silence fell over the second-years.
"Rooms are doubles," Leonard said. "I figure it’s best to just let you pair up with friends, right?"
"Yeees!!" the students roared in unison.
"Alright, alright, I get it. If you wait here a little longer, the dorm mother will arrive." Having finished his duties, Leonard headed up the stairs toward the third floor. The second-years would occupy the first two floors, while the third-years had the top two. As the other upperclassmen began to follow him, one person stepped forward.
"Everyone, listen up."
It was Hector, the second-year department representative. Will, a third-year, clapped him on the shoulder, shot a menacing glare at the second-years, and then followed Leonard upstairs.
"Before we assign rooms, I’ll explain a few simple rules," Hector began. They had expected rules about curfew or bathhouse etiquette.
They were wrong.
Second-years were forbidden from going above the third floor. Period. When encountering a senior, they were to bow deeply and offer a polite greeting. If seniors were using the personal storage area, juniors were to wait at the entrance until they had finished, greet them as they left, and only then enter. The second-year on duty was responsible for refilling the cooling water. If a senior gave an order, it was to be followed without question.
The list went on, ranging from the reasonable to the utterly pointless. It was the typical, unspoken hierarchy between upper and lowerclassmen.
"Simon, Simon," Serne whispered. "Doesn’t it smell like some stuffy old traditionalist in here?"
A few students stifled their laughter. Simon shot Serne a warning look, while Lorraine simply stood with her arms crossed, her eyes closed as if deep in thought.
"Of course, these aren’t official school regulations but rules among the students," Hector stated, his voice flat. "I won’t force you to comply. But as you all know, this is how department life works. Refusing to do what everyone else does, what everyone else has already done, is what makes someone a social outcast."
The area fell silent.
"There’s a welcome party for new department members this evening," Hector continued, his gaze sweeping over the students. "The same applies. Attendance is voluntary, but if you have a single working brain cell, I expect every one of you to be there. Your connections with the seniors are crucial, not just for your time here but for your career after graduation. There’s no need to make enemies."
Just then, the sound of footsteps echoed in the hall. A middle-aged woman in loose-fitting clothes approached them. Hector quickly stepped back into the crowd.
"My name is Margaret. I’m the dorm mother here."
Margaret had the air of someone extremely strict and fussy. Unlike other servitors, the dorm mother held the authority to discipline students and issue demerits, making her someone to be treated with extreme caution.
"I will now explain the regulations," she announced, skipping any further pleasantries.
While Hector had laid out the unwritten rules of seniority, Margaret detailed the official rules of dormitory life: curfew, demerit policies, laundry etiquette, proper trash disposal. Alcohol and smoking were strictly forbidden. Sneaking into a room of the opposite sex would result in the highest possible demerit for both the resident and the intruder.
"If you do what you’re supposed to and keep to yourselves, I’ll have no reason to interfere or issue demerits," she said, her eyes narrowing. "I expect you all to abide by the rules."
"Yes, ma’am!" the students replied.
"Then we will begin room assignments. Feel free to look around and check the room numbers. Once you’ve found a roommate, sign this document together. Male students, take the right staircase; female students, the left." She gave a single, sharp nod. "You may begin."
The moment she finished speaking, students shot up the stairs on footholds of Jet-Black, eager to claim the best rooms. The dorm mother’s mouth opened to a monstrous width.
"I believe I said running indoors is grounds for a demerit!!"
The students flinched, their frantic dash slowing to a brisk walk.
"Specifically, the green-haired male student who used Jet-Black and the one next to him—come here. You’ve earned a demerit."
"Wh-What? Already?"
"Come here," she repeated firmly.
As the two dejected students trudged back toward the dorm mother, Simon continued up the stairs to the second floor.
"Aww, what gives?"
"Guess there aren’t any prime spots, huh?" the first students to arrive grumbled.
Simon checked for himself and found they were right. The room sizes, furnishings, and even the beds were all identical. If the rooms were all the same, the next most important thing was the roommate.
"Hey, Student Council President!!"
Startled, Simon turned from the room he was inspecting. A brown-haired boy he’d never seen before was grinning at him.
"Wanna be roommates? Huh? C’mon!"
Being approached so bluntly by a stranger was a little unsettling. A few more students quickly crowded around.
"Hey! Simon! I’ve seen that bastard snore. It’s like a damn pig."
"You grind your teeth, you psycho!"
"Simon! No, President! I heard you’re from Baldwin? I am too!"
It was the first day of their second year. The friends he’d made in his first year were now scattered across different departments, leaving him surrounded by new faces. For those without close friends, latching onto a well-known figure was one of the safest ways to build connections. Simon, however, was simply bewildered.
’Dick isn’t here, so it doesn’t really matter who I room with.’
But the students in front of him weren’t just being friendly. He could see it in their eyes—not a genuine desire for friendship, but a calculated gleam that sized up his background, hungry for any advantage it might offer.
His gaze swept the hallway, and he spotted a boy standing apart from the eager crowd. He was short and frail, nervously watching the others from the corner of his eye. He seemed unable to bring himself to speak, fidgeting for a moment before turning away with a look of resignation.
"Everyone, I appreciate the offer, but I’m sorry," Simon announced. "I’ve already promised to room with someone."
At his words, the short boy who had been leaving stopped in his tracks.
Simon looked directly at him. "Right, Toto?"
Toto whipped around, his eyes wide. The other students glared at him, their expressions a mixture of disbelief and annoyance. ’Who’s that kid? The Student Council President is rooming with a guy like that?’
Toto swallowed hard, the pressure of their stares immense. But the thrill of being chosen by Simon eclipsed everything else.
"That’s right, Simon!" he managed, his voice stronger than he expected. "Have you picked a room yet?"
Simon smiled faintly and pointed. "How about this one? It’s close to the stairs and seems nice."
"Yeah, sounds great!"
The other students finally gave up and dispersed. Once they were alone, Toto looked at Simon, his eyes shining with awe.
"Are you really going to be my roommate?"
Simon scratched the side of his head, a little embarrassed. "If you’re okay with it."
"Thank you so much, Simon!"
"No, thank you," Simon replied sincerely.
The two of them went downstairs, wrote their names next to a room number, and signed the document.
"By the way, where’s Fitzgerald?" Simon asked.
"I saw him signing up earlier. Looks like he already found a roommate."
"That’s good. Let’s go unpack."
"Okay!"
The dormitory room was small but cozy. The level of comfort was incomparable to his first year. While the first-year dormitory was a nicer building, he had shared a room with two other people. Now, with only one roommate, the space felt significantly larger.
"Simon! Did you know?" Toto exclaimed. "The third-years get the biggest and best rooms all to themselves!"
"I guess I’ll have to get promoted just for a chance at that room, then," Simon joked.
"Ahaha!"
Toto was shy at first, but once he opened up, he was quite talkative. They got along well, especially since they shared a passion for Summoning. Time flew by as they chatted and unpacked their belongings from their subspaces. Before they knew it, evening had fallen.
"Alright," Simon murmured, sitting on the soft bed to collect his thoughts. The day was ending, but his night was just beginning. He had to attend the department welcome party, find out what had happened to Bahil, and visit Pier’s ruins to receive a report as Lord Commander. He decided to make a brief appearance at the party and then slip away unnoticed.
"The sun’s already setting. I’m so nervous," Toto said, his teeth chattering as he stared out the window.
"What are you nervous about?"
"The welcome party! I heard the seniors make you drink a lot, force you to do talent shows, and put you through all sorts of hazing rituals..."
"If it gets to be too much, just tell the seniors you’re not feeling well and leave."
"H-How could I possibly do that?!"
Just then, a voice echoed from a speaker in the hallway.
"Student Council President, Simon Polentia. Please come down to the lobby immediately."
Simon rose from his seat. "Huh? What’s going on?"
"They’re probably calling you for student council business," Toto guessed.
"Ah, that must be it."
As Simon pulled a jacket on over his shirt, Toto waved, a hint of envy in his eyes. "Have fun."
"I’ll stop by the welcome party when I’m done, even if it’s late."
"N-No, don’t worry about it! Stay at the student council as long as you can! Nothing good will come from you being here. Got it?"
"Student Council President, Simon Polentia. Please come down to the lobby immediately."
A wry smile touched Simon’s lips. "The dorm mother is certainly impatient. I’ll be back."
"Okay!"
Simon left the room and strode down the stairs, where the dorm mother was waiting.
"Student Simon Polentia," she said curtly. "A message has arrived from the school. Please proceed to the student council building at once."
"What is it about?"
"A student council summons. You’ll receive the details there."
Simon nodded and turned to leave. Just as he opened the door to the darkening garden, a voice stopped him.
"Simon Polentia."
Hector was leaning against the wall, arms crossed, as if he’d been waiting.
Simon paused, surprised. "Ah, Hector. It’s been a while—"
"Cut the pleasantries."
Hector pushed himself off the wall, his posture rigid. "Are you already planning to make enemies of the seniors?"
"What are you talking about?"
"The third-years are not fond of a second-year serving as student council president. They’ll be even less pleased if you use council business as an excuse to skip the welcome party they organized."
Simon remained silent.
Hector continued, his voice calm and even. "I hear you’ll only hold that position for a few months before Senior Aizel returns to take over. If you think about the long term, it should be obvious which side is the wiser investment."
A small smile played on Simon’s lips. "Whether it’s a few months or a few weeks, this is a duty I’ve been given. I can’t just ignore a summons."
Simon had expected Hector to be more forceful. As the department representative, it was his job to ensure full attendance at the party.
But instead, Hector just turned his back. "Do as you please," he said coolly, walking away. "But you’ll be responsible for the consequences."
The dormitory door swung shut behind him. Simon stared out at the darkening garden and pulled his collar tighter against the evening chill.
’Time to go.’
Even as night fell, the second-year campus sparkled, its paths illuminated by mana-lit streetlights. Simon crossed the grounds and made his way to the central student council building.
"We’ve been waiting for you, Mr. President," a servitor at the entrance said, bowing deeply. "Please head to the lounge first. Everyone is waiting."
Simon followed him to the brightly lit lounge on the first floor. When he opened the door, he was greeted by familiar faces.
"Ah, Simon! You’re here!" Kamibarez chirped, her small wings fluttering in welcome.
The tense expressions on Meirin’s and Dick’s faces softened into smiles.
"You made it, President."
"Hey! My best friend!" Dick exclaimed, holding out a fist. Simon bumped it with his own.
"Hey."
"Hehe, wow. Seriously," Dick chuckled. "We only saw each other a few hours ago. Why does it feel so good to see you all again?"
"I know!" Kamibarez agreed, nodding eagerly.
Simon let out a small grunt as he settled onto a sofa. "Looks like student council work starts today."
"Uh-huh," Meirin confirmed. "They told us to wait here for a bit while they clean the student council room."
Simon straightened up, looking at his friends. "So, how’s the atmosphere in your departments?"
The moment the words left his mouth, the floodgates opened.
"It was so, so weird!"
"It’s terrifying! The seniors are so grim and intimidating!"
"Nah, Jet-Black Dynamics is tame. The Venomology department is filled with absolute psychos!"
"Our department rep is—!"
"Listen! Let me go first!"
The words tumbled out of them like water from a broken dam. A wry smile touched Simon’s lips.
"One at a time, please."

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