The class paused. Aaron stepped outside to speak with someone from Kizen headquarters, and in the meantime, Simon got the story from Serne.
In short, she had postponed her inauguration as Tower Master. She would continue attending Kizen and would only take her seat after formally graduating. That was the gist of it.
"Wait a minute! Then what about the Ivory Tower while you’re at Kizen?"
"Lord Daniela will manage its affairs."
Daniela Villenne, the leader of the moderate faction, would serve as the ’Acting Tower Master’. Simon was surprised.
"There must have been a lot of opposition."
"What can they do about it?" Serne said, arrogantly crossing her legs and flicking the feather in her hand. "Now that my father is dead, the Ivory Tower has no choice but to cling to me. They have to listen to whatever I demand."
She was right. The incident had plunged the Ivory Tower into crisis. They had saved face by helping Kizen and the Dark Alliance, but their reputation had been severely damaged by the revelation that their leader was a pawn of the Union. The neutral territories that were planning to align with them had scrapped their plans and were starting a full review from scratch.
The Ivory Tower needed a strong leader to navigate this crisis. The only one they could rely on was Serne, with her overwhelming talent and charisma. She was irreplaceable. If she wanted to postpone for two years, they had no choice but to wait. Her presence had become too great to be bound by the tower’s laws.
"But if you stay at Kizen... the radical faction within the Ivory Tower will be completely wiped out."
The Kizen-hostile ’radical faction’ was Serne’s power base. She nodded at Simon’s sharp observation.
"Oh my, what an accurate guess."
"Are you okay with that? Or are you planning to make the moderates your new power base?"
From the next seat, Simon could see Lorraine’s ears perking up. From her perspective, it was naturally a good thing for the pro-Kizen moderates to take power. If Serne, a future leader, also became pro-Kizen...
"No. I’m going to destroy Kizen eventually," Serne denied flatly, her expression chilling. "I’m only cutting out the current radicals because they’re tainted by the filth of the Union. When I graduate and become Tower Master, I’ll build a solid power base that won’t be swayed by outside forces. By then..." She glanced at Lorraine with a sly smile. "Kizen will be facing the most agonizing enemy in its history."
"...I was a fool to think I’d seen you in a new light, even for a moment," Lorraine said, her face clouding over.
Serne covered her mouth with a foxy smile. "Oh my. That’s quite rude, coming from the person I saved from the Union’s wicked schemes."
"...You were helping Bermude’s plan in the first place. You should be grateful you weren’t put on trial."
Sparks flew as they glared at each other. Caught in the middle, Simon gave an awkward smile.
’These two are never going to stop fighting.’
"Oh, right." Serne looked at Simon. "You didn’t tell Meirin, did you?"
"No. She hasn’t even returned yet."
It seemed Meirin had delayed her return to Kizen to make an urgent stop at the Ivory Tower. Something must have happened in her hometown that she needed to check on for herself.
Serne smiled brightly, her fingertips held up elegantly.
"Actually, I’m thinking of adding a clause," she chirped. "Something like, ’If an individual more outstanding than myself appears before I graduate from Kizen, I will yield the position of Tower Master!’ What do you think?"
"Are you planning to hand it over to Meirin?"
"No, I told you, didn’t I?" Serne’s smile sharpened. "I will become the Tower Master, if only to crush Kizen."
Having openly declared war right in front of Nephthys’s daughter, she then lowered her voice, speaking quietly enough for only Simon to hear.
"It’s a way to motivate Meirin. I want that girl to struggle and strive with everything she has. Just imagining the look of despair on her face when I finally crush her at the very end..." She clasped her hands together, her eyes gleaming. "I really can’t wait!"
Simon’s expression hardened for a moment before softening into a wry smile, which then gave way to a quiet chuckle.
"What’s so funny?" Serne pouted.
"It’s nothing," Simon replied nonchalantly.
Narrowing her eyes, she shook his arm, her voice taking on a whining edge. "Oh, come on! What’s with that all-knowing look!"
"I said it’s nothing."
Meanwhile, Lorraine watched them with an anxious expression.
’They seem... even closer than before.’
It was only natural, she supposed. They must have faced death together countless times in the Tower of Time. Still, it was a bitter pill to swallow, seeing Serne pull ahead in the competition to recruit Simon in their third year.
’I... don’t want to lose Simon either.’
For the first time, Lorraine found herself truly envious of Serne’s free-spirited personality, which allowed her to be so effortlessly affectionate. She tried to imagine it—herself, clinging to Simon’s arm, pleading with him.
’Ugh.’
The thought was so mortifying it made her hair stand on end. She shook her head vigorously, banishing the delusion. She couldn’t stoop to that level of foolishness. Simon was a precious friend. She didn’t know what path he would choose as graduation approached, but she refused to believe his judgment would be clouded by Serne’s antics. It was always sincerity that moved a person’s heart. On that, Lorraine was confident.
Just then, Professor Aaron, who had been speaking with a staff member from Kizen headquarters, returned to the platform.
"Preparations are complete," he announced, glancing at his wristwatch. "I’ll give you exactly thirty minutes. Return to your dorms, pack winter clothes, a few changes of garments, and toiletries, then report back here."
The students’ eyes widened at the sudden, shocking declaration. Aaron continued in a calm, unbothered tone.
"This special lecture on Dullahans will be conducted as a three-day, two-night training camp."
A department-wide training camp. They had had outdoor classes and off-campus lessons before, but this was a first. The Summoning Department dorms were a considerable distance away, so the students scrambled outside, summoning their mounts. Cheers and whistles erupted from all corners, a clear sign of their excitement.
"Hold on tight, Toto!"
"Okay!"
Simon and Toto rode a Golem Board back to their dorm. They threw open their doors and flung their closets wide.
"Whoa, a training camp out of nowhere! That was a surprise," Toto said, his small frame nearly disappearing inside the closet as he rummaged.
"You and me both."
"Where do you think we’re going, Simon?"
"Since winter clothes are on the list, I’d guess we’re heading somewhere cold," Simon mused as he packed socks and underwear. Having just returned from his dispatch mission, however, he was short on socks for a three-day trip.
"Toto, could I borrow a pair of socks?"
"Yeah, of course!"
Simon unfolded the socks Toto handed him and let out a dry laugh.
’Is this a sock or a glove?’
It looked like it would be a tight fit even as a wristband. He thanked Toto but returned them, saying they probably wouldn’t work. He’d have to borrow from Fitzgerald or just do laundry at the training site.
After they finished packing, Simon and Toto headed down the stairs, only to be swept up in a chaotic tide of students rushing from every direction. The thirty minutes Aaron had given them was definitely not enough.
"Ack!"
Running frantically, Toto bumped into something solid. He rubbed his nose and looked up to see a massive pair of buttocks.
A pair of murderous eyes, sharp enough to tear a person apart with a single glance, stared back at him. Of all people, he had run into Hector. Their gazes met, and Toto let out a choked ’hiccup’ as he froze solid.
"Hey, Hector!" Simon called out, stepping forward with a cheerful laugh.
The glare that had been fixed on Toto instantly snapped to Simon.
"Making waves wherever you go, Simon Polentia," Hector sneered. "Did you stir things up at the Ivory Tower this time?"
"It wasn’t that big of a deal."
"What about that woman?"
"Ah, Serne? She’s decided to stay at Kizen."
Hector grunted and, without another word, began to stalk away. He paused at the entrance, however, and glanced back over his shoulder.
"I will crush you for certain at this Dullahan training camp."
Simon just grinned. "I’ll be looking forward to it."
Hector glared at Simon with his piercing eyes for a moment longer before turning and striding toward his faction, who were waiting outside.
Thirty minutes later, all the students had reassembled. Under the TAs’ guidance, they stepped onto a teleportation circle.
Simon, the first to arrive, opened his eyes.
’Ah.’
A pristine snowfield stretched out before him, as picturesque as a painting. Gasps of awe rippled through the students arriving behind him.
"Wooooow!"
It was a world of snow, a pure white forest blanketed in a fresh layer.
"It’s beautiful."
"I can see my breath."
The students, thrilled by the surprise outdoor class, chattered excitedly as the TAs walked to the front.
"Students, we will now take attendance. Please form four lines."
As they lined up, the students pulled on their winter coats and robes. The Kizen uniform had a warming function, but it was no match for this biting cold.
"Professor, all department students have arrived safely," a TA reported after finishing the roll call.
Aaron nodded. "This is the Frigod Autonomous Region, the northernmost part of the Shahed Kingdom."
Even Aaron had shed his usual shorts and slippers for a classic, well-tailored coat. Perhaps clothes really did make the man; he looked like a different person entirely.
"Keep in mind that while this is royal territory, it is a strictly autonomous region governed by its native people. They are highly wary of outsiders and do not speak the continental language, so communication will be difficult. Be careful. Any unnecessary trouble could escalate into a political dispute."
"Yes, Professor!"
"Then let’s move out."
The group of fifty-two students, Aaron, and the TAs set off, their boots crunching in the snow. Simon tucked his cold hands inside his robe to warm them, taking in the scenery.
"Haaah."
Lorraine, walking beside him, let out a puff of white breath. Thankfully, her coat wasn’t pink; she was dressed in a stylish, long black coat that made her look like the young, formidable leader of a secret organization.
"I’ve never been to a place with such a high mana density," she remarked.
At her words, Simon took a deep breath and felt a massive influx of mana rush into his body. A single breath filled him with what would normally take two.
"You’re right."
"This place is quite famous in the Ivory Tower," Serne chimed in, approaching them with her hands clasped behind her back. She wore a golden fur robe so luxurious it bordered on extravagant. "Untouched nature, abundant mana. It’s the perfect place for pure magic training."
"I see."
Suddenly, Aaron, who was leading the group, raised his arm. Seeing the signal to stop, all the students halted.
"There’s a monster up ahead."
He was right. The sound of heavy footsteps grew closer, and the students tensed, their eyes darting around nervously. A stampede of thuds echoed through the forest as a large reptile, reminiscent of a dinosaur, charged toward them. Its appearance was slightly different from the monsters of the main continent.
Aaron raised his hand, Jet-Black blooming at his fingertips as if he were about to cast a spell. But then he chuckled and glanced back at the students.
"Who wants to go?"
In a flash, three figures shot forward, trails of Jet-Black streaming behind them without a moment’s hesitation.
It was Simon, Hector, and Aseraz.
"You piece of trash," Hector snarled. He launched himself into the air with a marvelous leap, landing atop the monster’s head and bringing his clasped fists down like a hammer. "Who do you think you’re baring your teeth at?"
A sickening crack echoed as the monster’s face was driven into the frozen ground.
Aseraz rushed in from the side, her hand slicing through the air. A magic circle materialized, unleashing a flash of blue light that carved through the monster’s thick scales.
"I’ve marked its weak point!" she called out.
With a powerful rush of air, Simon vaulted into the sky, his hands moving like a conductor’s. The bones scattered around him were dyed pitch black and shot forward like a volley of deadly awls, piercing the gaps Aseraz had created with pinpoint accuracy. The monster, struggling to rise, lost its balance and staggered. As a final blow, Simon gestured, and the bones converged into a massive Bone Spear that crashed down on the back of its head where the scales had been split open.
The three of them landed gracefully, each in their own distinct style. Behind them, the massive beast teetered for a moment before collapsing into the undergrowth with a heavy thud.
"Woooooow!" the students erupted in cheers and applause.
Aaron nodded in approval. "Well done. The TAs will retrieve the corpse and distribute it among the three of you."
"Yes, sir."
After instructing the TAs, Aaron turned back to the students.
"We’ll reach our destination in about twenty minutes. Don’t let your guard down."
"Yes, Professor!"
The Weltrip territory of the Shahed Kingdom. The Hook Butchery.
"Hope business is brisk," said the middle-aged noble who had entered holding a child’s hand.
The butcher, clad in a work apron and boots, bowed his head deeply. "Thank you, my lord!"
The bell on the door tinkled as the noble and his child departed. The child chattered away, smiling brightly about the steak they would have for dinner. The butcher waved with a simple, rustic smile, even though the child was no longer looking.
"Alrighty! Now for the next job...!"
’Tinkle, tinkle.’
No sooner had the man turned his back than the bell chimed again. He lifted a fresh slab of meat and beamed.
"Welcome!"
"Ruin is the staircase of revolution."
The butcher froze. He let out a long sigh and slammed the meat down on the block with a heavy thud. With a flick of his wrist, the shop’s curtains were drawn, the ’OPEN’ sign on the door was flipped to ’CLOSED’, and a series of soundproofing magic circles shimmered into existence.
’Click. Click.’
The butcher slumped onto a chair, promptly stuck a cigar in his mouth, and lit it with a sizzle. He blew out a thick cloud of smoke and scowled.
"What is it now? Things are going well. Word has spread all over the area. The target should be visiting within a week..."
"Something more important has come up," said the customer, a gentleman in a tall hat. His face was a featureless void, save for a single, unblinking pupil. "Do you know these children?"
The gentleman produced two drawings from his coat. One depicted a boy with blue hair, the other a girl with platinum blonde hair.
"So it’s them. The ones from the Ivory Tower incident..."
"Indeed. The very ones who turned our perfect plan to destroy Kizen to ruin."
"Haha! Not those pesky crows, but little brats like these did it? That’s surprising," the butcher said, removing the cigar from his lips. "What do you want me to do? Should I turn them into chunks of meat, too?"
"No." The gentleman gripped the brim of his hat. "That person wishes to meet the boy. He must be captured alive. If you kill him, you’ll be the one turned into a chunk of meat."
"What a shame."
"As for the girl, you can do as you please. Capture her, kill her, it matters not."
The butcher took the cigar from his mouth and viciously stubbed it out on the picture of the blue-haired boy.
"Alright. Where are they now?"
As an autonomous region lArjely unmanaged by the kingdom, Frigod was teeming with monsters. They encountered them three times in twenty minutes, and each time, Aaron designated a few students to handle them, even offering tips on their summoning magic as part of the lesson.
Finally, they arrived. Aaron stopped at the base of a hill, and the chattering students quickly gathered around him.
"We’re here." Aaron pointed forward with his index finger. "That’s the base camp where we’ll be staying."

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