Simon's eyes widened as he listened to Toto's explanation. "The third-years called a full assembly?"
"Y-Yeah!"
Perhaps still haunted by the fear of the 'welcoming ceremony' at the beginning of the semester, a dark shadow was cast over Toto's face. "Kids who were sleeping, kids who were out, every single one was called! Hector didn't look too happy either..."
'He just looks unhappy all the time, though,' Simon thought. He gave a bitter smile and asked, "But Toto, what about you?"
Toto hung his head low. "The third-year seniors told me to go get you... I was just about to head to the student council room to find you."
"Hmm."
They had assembled the entire second year. An operation of this scale was likely ordered by the head department representative, Leonard.
'But for what reason?'
After the welcoming ceremony incident, Benya Vanilla, one of the most influential third-years, had been keeping a close watch on her peers. She was the one who blocked all of Will's hazing, the department's de facto disciplinarian. For an assembly to be called despite that, there were two possibilities. Either the disgruntled third-years were trying to manage the second-years while Benya was away on an external schedule, or the assembly was called with Benya's consent.
"I don't think you need to worry too much. Let's go."
"O-Okay!"
The two of them walked toward the clearing in the Forbidden Forest behind the dormitory. The surroundings were quiet, with only the occasional gentle chirping of insects and the hooting of an owl. Toto stuck close to Simon's side, constantly glancing around.
He spotted them.
He could see the second-year students lined up at attention. It was the first assembly since the welcoming ceremony incident, so no one could hide the tension on their faces. The crowd was so silent it was deafening.
"What's going on?" Simon asked Eshe, who was standing in the very back row, in a hushed voice.
She shook her head with a mournful look. "We don't know either... M-Maybe someone got in trouble?"
Simon had Toto stand next to Eshe and continued walking. As he passed the lined-up second-years, he could finally see the third-years.
In the very center of the third-year group, sitting grandly in a large chair, was the head representative of the Summoning Department, Leonard. Wavy hair that slightly covered his forehead, a prominent nose and cheekbones, and a natural, friendly smile. He had the classic princely look that anyone would find handsome.
"Ah." Leonard, who had been chuckling at a joke from Will on his left, raised his hand. "You're here! Mr. President."
Simon gave a slight nod and surveyed Leonard's surroundings. Behind him, the third-years were standing around freely, chatting amongst themselves, looking relaxed unlike the tense second-years.
To Leonard's left stood Will Douglas, ranked 12th overall and the department's object of fear, and next to him, Hector, the second-year department representative, stood at attention. And to Leonard's right, Benya was also visible. She waved at Simon, greeting him with her eyes.
"Alright, are all the second-years here now?" Leonard asked.
Hector bowed his head with an ambiguous expression that was somewhere between a frown and a smile. "My apologies. There is still one person who has not arrived."
"Who?"
"Serne Aindark."
As if he had expected it, Leonard laughed and waved a dismissive hand. "Not that I had high hopes in the first place."
"My apologies."
"It's fine. It's not like the heir to the Ivory Tower is going to listen to us. Just notify her separately later."
"Yes, sir."
Finally, Leonard rose from his seat. Simon also stopped at a suitable spot and watched him.
"Hmm, the atmosphere is a bit too stiff. There's no need for everyone to be so tense," Leonard said in a soft voice, but the expressions of the second-years didn't relax. Whether he was going to berate them or give them drills, they just wished he would get on with it.
"Alright, I'll get straight to the point. There's only one reason I've gathered all the department students." Leonard spread his arms. "I've received information that the <Dark Festival> will begin in three weeks."
Only then did a murmur break out among the second-years. Simon already knew, but since the official announcement hadn't been made yet, it was natural for the students to be hearing it for the first time.
"Right, Mr. President?" Leonard said, looking at Simon as if for confirmation.
The entire school would know by tomorrow morning anyway. It wasn't something to hide, so Simon readily nodded. "Yes."
Confirmation from the student council president. The murmuring spread in all directions.
"I was a little surprised myself. It seems they're planning to hold the event that was postponed last year due to the Saintess incident." Leonard shrugged. "Well then, since there might be some second-years who don't know about the 'Dark Festival,' could you explain it, Benya?"
"Got it." Benya walked forward. "Hello, has everyone been well?" she greeted them with a gentle smile. Her appearance alone eased the atmosphere to an unbelievable degree. At some point, Benya had become a sort of hero to the entire second year.
"The Dark Festival is an inter-departmental competition."
A system where the second and third years of a department team up to compete fiercely against the other six departments. It was similar to other athletic competitions, but because it offered a huge number of performance evaluation points and a department grant, it was a very important event for Kizen students.
Simon had already heard the explanation from Meirin, so he listened as if it were a simple review.
"This is so stressful, really," Leonard said with a sigh after Benya's explanation. "Of all times, the Dark Festival had to be when I'm a third-year. The burden is heavy."
He stroked the department armband on his right shoulder and shrugged nonchalantly. "I'm already being flooded with calls from my esteemed seniors from way back. A 100-year-old senior told me he'd kill me if we lose to the Curse Department."
Laughter erupted here and there at Leonard's good-natured joke. Leonard continued, his face a little more serious. "For the honor of our department, and more importantly, for myself. We must get good results in the Dark Festival."
All the students nodded.
"Let's be honest, you all know how poorly the Summoning Department is treated at this school, right? While we're at it, let's just air out our complaints. The dorm is a bit shabby, for one."
The second-years raised their hands as if they had been waiting for this.
"There's no hot water in the evenings!"
"It sometimes leaks when it rains!"
"Right!" Leonard affirmed.
"The breakfast tastes bad!"
"That's right. I agree. I heard the Jet-black Dynamics Department cuts steak in the morning." Leonard walked around, actively communicating with the second-years. The second-years, having let go of their tension, were now speaking up.
'Well, as expected.' Simon smiled faintly. 'He pretends not to be, but he's an excellent leader.'
After gathering the juniors' complaints, Leonard returned to his spot. "If we get first place this time, we can change everything. The dorm remodeling, the hot water, the meals, the support funds for undead materials... hell, should we just move out altogether? Our dorm is too far from campus, so we could move to a new building nearby."
'Ooooh!' The second-years cheered.
"But I'm attached to our current dorm, I like it!"
"That's right! It's grown on me!"
There were opposing opinions as well. Leonard nodded at them. "To be honest, me too. Of course, a big decision like moving will be made after hearing everyone's opinion."
The third-years who had been listening quietly started to heckle.
"Listen to you getting ahead of yourself."
"The Dark Festival hasn't even started yet. Are you popping the champagne already?"
Leonard laughed cheerfully and returned to his peers. "Hmm, actually, you're right. Do you know what our Summoning Department's recent record in the Dark Festival is?"
The students quieted down, and Leonard continued. "Sixth, fifth, seventh, seventh, seventh."
The students were silent.
"We've always been at the bottom in the Dark Festival, and eventually, we were pushed out to this remote place adjacent to the Forbidden Forest. We became the department that costs the most money, while at the same time, the one that receives the least funding from the school."
A heavy silence fell over the area.
"But, this year is different." Leonard extended his arm. "Our third year has two students in the Top 10. The rest of the third-years are all elites who are at least in the middle ranks."
'Waaaah!' The third-years waved their arms vigorously in response.
"On the other hand, where is the so-called strongest third-year, 'Aizel'? There's no news of him, let alone his return. This is an opportunity that won't come again."
This time, cheers erupted from both the second and third years. Leonard swept his bangs back and looked at the second-years. "Most importantly, how are our second-years this year? Isn't this the best lineup in the entire history of the Summoning Department? We have a whopping three students in the Top 10!"
Simon Polentia, ranked 1st overall. Hector Moore, ranked 3rd overall. Aseraz Mikel, ranked 5th overall. It was a truly unbelievable lineup. In fact, seeing these three here had made many mid-to-high-ranking students give up on choosing the Summoning Department.
"And on top of that, the next head of the Ivory Tower and the next Chancellor of Kizen!"
This time, cheers poured out for Lorraine. Standing quietly in the middle, she was startled and scratched her cheek in embarrassment.
"The other second-years are doing well too. I heard your dispatch mission return rate was number one, and your dropout rate is zero percent. And." Leonard strode over and placed a hand on Simon's shoulder. "I don't even have to say it, right?"
The loudest cheer yet erupted.
Leonard, who had lightly patted Simon's shoulder, walked away, his jacket fluttering. "I'll emphasize it again, this year is our chance."
Returning to his spot, he clenched his fist. "There were some unfortunate incidents at the beginning of the semester, but I think we need to join forces when it's time to. Let's work together and give our professors a real reason to hold their heads high."
"Yes, senior!" enthusiastic replies poured out from all over.
Simon, too, briefly pictured Aaron's face and felt his body tense with a bit more energy.
"Of course!"
With a heavy thud of his boots, Will, ranked 12th overall, walked out with a delinquent's swagger. The festive mood among the second-years froze. Toto shrank his shoulders, looking terrified at the mere sight of him.
"I'll work hard! I'll do my best! If first place could be achieved with empty words like that, anyone could do it! We need a definite change in action, not just words!"
'Change?' Simon wondered.
With a sharp motion, Will pointed at the students.
"From now on, your sleep is forbidden! Don't even think about sleeping until we win the department championship!"
"Will..."
This time, Benya walked forward. At her warning glance, Will smacked his lips.
"My peer has misspoken again. We're thinking of holding 'department training' sessions twice a day for the remaining time until the Dark Festival. Of course, participation in the training is voluntary, not mandatory. We don't plan on taking attendance either."
Looks of relief could finally be seen here and there. Will kept muttering 'they've gone soft,' but Benya lightly ignored him and added, "You'll lose a little bit of your morning and evening sleep, but I'm confident that your efforts will pay off. If you join us, we third-years plan to personally coach you and give you all sorts of advice."
The second-years' eyes sparkled. Since their grades were on the line, everyone had to prepare for the Dark Festival anyway. There was no reason to refuse when the third-years were offering to give up their own time to oversee their training. On the contrary, it was a huge opportunity.
"Yes, I hope as many of you as possible will participate," Leonard said, coming forward. "We third-years also plan to minimize our external schedules during this period and focus on the Dark Festival. Let's do our best so we have no regrets."
The second-years replied energetically, "Yes, senior!"
A space filled with green smoke. A man was lounging in a half-bath inside a cauldron of boiling poison. The skin all over his body swelled and receded repeatedly as foul pustules of rotting flesh burst open.
But the man himself was extremely composed.
Even while bathing, he did not remove the distinctive metal mask that covered his mouth.
"B-Balak! This is no time for this," a third-year in a gas mask stammered from behind the gruesome bath.
[Is the information true?]
He was none other than the 2nd ranked student among all third-years. The man called 'Balak,' said to be the only rival who could stand against Kizen's top student, Aizel. Green breath flowed from his mask.
"The information is almost certain! The Dark Festival is happening this year! We have a guy from our department in the student council, and he confirmed it."
"The other departments are already making their moves! We need to hurry up and...!"
[There is no need to make a fuss.]
A hiss of poisonous breath flowed from his mask, melting the concrete wall. The third-year behind him flinched and took a step back.
[My rival has always been, and will always be, one person.]
The massive Balak slowly rose to his feet.
[Only the soon-to-return 'Aizel'!]

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