That evening, the department party began. A massive bonfire was built in the dormitory courtyard, its flames licking at the night sky. Students gathered around it, laughing and drinking wine, their voices a boisterous chorus. Simon, holding a wine glass, perched on a rock and looked up at the dormitory building. Words drawn with black magic glowed brightly in the darkness.
’The Summoning Department’s First Overall 2nd Place in 70 Years! Congratulations! Congratulations!’
The atmosphere was electric.
"Alright, everyone, listen up!" a third-year girl shouted over the noise. "Our esteemed department representative is going to say a few words!"
A clamorous cheer erupted. The department representative, Leonard, stood up, scratching the back of his head in embarrassment.
"..." His voice came out in a mumble.
"We can’t hear you, Senior!" a junior called out.
"You idiot, the amplification crystal is off," one of his classmates pointed out.
"Ah."
"Are you drunk already?"
Everyone, from his peers to the underclassmen, teased him mercilessly. Leonard just chuckled and activated the crystal.
"Everyone worked so hard during the Dark Festival!" he said, his smile bright. "I believe we achieved such a great result because we all fought as one. Really, I don’t know when I last smiled like this."
"Our Rep!"
"Don’t cry!"
’Hahahahahaha!’ Just for tonight, teasing the usually untouchable third-years was fair game. Leonard played along, making a show of wiping away fake tears.
"I’m not the best with words, so... I can’t quite find the right ones to express this, but I am so incredibly proud of all of you. Tonight, I’m just so happy, and so grateful that I came to Kizen." He clutched the amplifying crystal, his knuckles white. "We still have a long way to go until graduation, but we’ve made a truly wonderful memory here. When I’m out in the world, struggling and exhausted, I know I’ll often think back to this massive bonfire. You are all my pride, and also..."
"Senior! Excuse me, but you’re repeating yourself!" someone shouted from the crowd.
"He’s slurring his words, Leonard!" another voice chimed in.
A wave of laughter rippled through the students. Where else could you find a department representative who was such a beloved punching bag? Even Simon couldn’t suppress a grin, letting out a hearty laugh.
Leonard spread his arms wide. "Right, I should probably cut this short before this memory becomes an embarrassing one. Thank you all, and I love you! Let’s endure to the end and make sure we all survive this school together! Go, Summoning Department!"
"Go!" the students roared back in unison.
As Leonard sat down to a thunderous round of applause, a new chant began to swell through the crowd. "Vanilla! Vanilla!" The chorus grew louder, and the moment Benya Vanilla, who had been shyly waving them off, finally rose to her feet, the cheer erupted into an explosion of sound.
"Hello, everyone. Um..."
As she awkwardly accepted the amplifying crystal from Leonard, trying to gather her thoughts, Eshe, sitting two seats down from Simon, shot her arm into the air. "The mother of the Summoning Department! Senior Benya!"
The crowd howled with laughter. The mood was so infectious that any comment was met with a massive response. Shouts of "Thanks for always taking care of us, Mom!" and "I’m hungry, Mom!" echoed through the night.
Benya offered a sweet smile. "Thank you all for being so kind. Wow, I’m suddenly nervous. I’m not sure what to say." She nervously twirled a strand of her cream-colored hair before closing her eyes and taking a long, steadying breath. "I grew up in the wealthy Vanilla family. The kind people say are born with a silver spoon? Or maybe a golden fork? I suppose that was me. I never once had to worry about the cost of undead materials, and I was free to pursue any research I wanted. But I never thought of myself as special. And then..."
Benya’s eyes opened, her gaze sweeping over her juniors and peers.
"When I entered the Summoning Department, I was hit with a harsh reality. As you all know, our department’s material costs are astronomical. I saw students my age falling behind because they couldn’t afford materials, working part-time jobs, taking on dangerous mission evaluations, and still going hungry because they didn’t have money for food." Her voice trembled with emotion. "Honestly, every time a friend despaired over money and transferred departments, I was crushed by guilt. I realized that the privileged life I enjoyed was built on the blood and sweat of all necromancers, not just those at Kizen. I nearly broke down when my closest roommate transferred to the Jet-Black Mechanics Department. I wanted to help, but the allowance I received from my grandfather was limited, so all I could do was watch. After being in a daze for a while, I made a decision."
She clenched her fist, her eyes flashing with a sudden fire. "To conquer the world!"
’Wait, what?’ Simon let out a bewildered laugh. ’Her speech was going so well, how did it suddenly veer in that direction?’
"Right now, I’m just a student with no influence," she declared, her tone shifting entirely. "But when I graduate and take leadership of the Vanilla family, I will shatter our high-end brand policy! I will make it so that all necromancers can afford high-quality, outstanding undead! Furthermore, I will expand this low-cost, high-efficiency labor force to the civilian sector and make the world a more prosperous place!" The moment she mentioned world conquest, her energy became electric. She raised her arm high like a true revolutionary. "Remember this, my soldiers! I am Benya Vanilla, and I will conquer the world! That is all!"
A roar of approval swept through the crowd as students leaped to their feet for a standing ovation. Though he had no idea how she’d arrived at that particular conclusion, Simon found himself clapping and cheering along with them.
"Oh, and I know many of you are disappointed about getting second place," Benya added, her gaze shifting to the glowing letters on the dormitory building. "But I think it’s a monumental achievement. Second place for the first time in seventy years! I still can’t believe it. Our professors, who must have been so anxious, will surely be pleased..."
"I see."
Heads snapped toward the sudden, low voice. In an instant, everyone present scrambled to their feet. Benya covered her mouth, her eyes wide with shock, as Leonard rushed forward.
"Professor Aaron! I thought you were on vacation, how...!"
Aaron, the second-year supervising professor, appeared, his slippers scuffing against the grass. "No need for formalities. Please, sit." He signaled behind him, and a line of servants and merchants emerged, carrying long tables laden with freshly prepared food, vibrant fruits, and bottles of expensive wine.
"Whoa!"
"Finally, some real food!"
A boisterous cheer went up. Aaron addressed the students, his voice calm and even. "Normally, this party would be funded by the departmental grant from the Dark Festival. This time, however, I’ll be covering the cost myself, so enjoy yourselves. The remaining grant money will be used to subsidize student material costs."
The crowd erupted again. "As expected of Professor Aaron!"
"Thank you, Professor!"
As students began to find their seats, Aaron was already turning to leave. Leonard hurried after him, holding the amplifying crystal. "You’re leaving already, Professor Aaron?"
"I have a lot of work to catch up on," he replied without turning back.
"We can’t let you go like this! Just one word before you go!"
A hush fell over the party as every student turned to watch him. Still with his back to them, Aaron offered just one word.
"Thanks."
He walked away, his footsteps silent on the grass. The students couldn’t see it, but a deep, satisfied smile was spread across his lips.
Two hours later, the party was in full swing. If the first half had been about strengthening camaraderie among the students, the second half had transformed into a grand celebration, complete with luxurious food and a crowd of guests. Kizen alumni from the Summoning Department, both active and retired, had arrived, along with parents and even spectators who had cheered them on to victory.
"How could the Summoning Department lose to the likes of the Curses Department! Back when I was the representative...!" A hunched-over old man was railing, shaking his cane in the air while Leonard stood at attention, managing him with a wry smile.
"I never expected to meet a member of the Vanilla family here."
"I’d like to negotiate the future of the ghoul market."
A group of high-ranking tribal leaders had cornered Benya, deep in a business discussion. Elsewhere, students mingled with the guests, their laughter and chatter filling the night air.
And among them...
"This is quite a scene," Lethe remarked. She had come to visit, and now she and Simon sat on a bench slightly removed from the main bonfire. She sipped her wine, observing the lively party, while Simon savored a piece of chicken steak.
"Thank you," Simon said quietly.
"For what?"
"For coming all this way for the Dark Alliance. We wouldn’t have this peaceful moment without your help."
Lethe offered a faint smile. "You also saved that train in the Holy Federation and rescued a city from an ice dragon’s curse. Let’s just call it even."
"I suppose so." The two clinked their wine glasses and shared a small laugh.
"Ah, Simon," she began, her gaze softening under the influence of the wine. "Actually, I..."
"Student Council President!"
A sharp voice cut through the air. Simon shot to his feet reflexively. "Yes!"
Leonard was beckoning to him. "What are you doing over there? The esteemed seniors are looking for you!"
"Ah, right!" Simon hurriedly shrugged on his student council coat and gave Lethe an apologetic look. "I’ll be right back after I greet them!"
"Of course. Take your time."
Straightening his tie, Simon jogged off. Left alone, Lethe smiled faintly and gazed up at the glittering night sky, wondering when the party would finally quiet down enough for them to talk.
"Hi!"
A cheerful voice sounded from behind her. Lethe turned to see a girl with tangerine-colored hair and a unique bat-shaped hairpin smiling at her. She was a complete stranger, not one of the friends Simon had introduced.
"Who... are you?"
"Oh, I’m Eshe Arjel, from President Simon’s group! You must be Lena, his friend from back home, right?"
Lethe’s eyes widened in surprise. "How do you know who I am?"
"I saw you two together earlier and pestered him about your relationship," Eshe explained brightly. "Can I sit here?"
Normally, Lethe would have been repulsed by the very idea of a necromancer, but her time here had softened her edges. She nodded, and Eshe promptly sat down beside her.
Lethe closed her eyes and took another sip of wine. Eshe wiggled her fingertips.
"You know, it’s not good for you to only drink wine."
Lethe’s eyes flew open. A group of tiny, spirit-like dolls was waddling toward them, each balancing a tray of fruit on its head. The adorable sight made Lethe’s eyes sparkle.
"Did you do that, Ms. Eshe?"
"Yep! And please, just call me Eshe. I’m practically a commoner myself." Eshe took the tray and set it on the bench. She popped a grape into her mouth, then raised her wine glass with her other hand, grinning. "Cheers?"
"Ah, yes. Cheers."
They clinked their glasses and took a drink. Savoring the taste, Lethe looked out at the party and saw Simon. She couldn’t hear what was being said, but a middle-aged man who had just shaken Simon’s hand was now laughing heartily and clapping him on the shoulder. He then introduced Simon to his wife, and Simon, ever the gentleman, kissed the back of her hand and continued the conversation with ease.
"He’s good, isn’t he?" Eshe murmured.
"He is," Lethe agreed.
Eshe’s eyebrows shot up, her eyes gleaming like a hawk that had just spotted its prey. "So~ what’s your relationship with Simon?"

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