A few weeks ago.
"The damage to the Dullahan's body is too severe."
The first place Simon visited after being discharged from the hospital was the Mutants club room. Benya, dressed in work clothes, wiped the sweat from her forehead as she spoke.
"I managed some emergency repairs, but if this continues, the Guardian's body will explode like a bomb."
"Ah..."
Seeing Simon's crestfallen expression, Benya flicked his forehead with a sharp 'thwack!' and adopted a serious tone.
"Is this any time to be worrying about an undead? Your own body will explode before that happens, my man!"
The damage Simon's body had taken after the performance evaluation was immense. Popped blood vessels in his eyes, coughing up bloody foam, Jet-Black backflow, twisted organs—it was a miracle he had survived at all. If it weren't for his body's natural resilience and Professor Parahan of the Divinity Defense department secretly casting healing magic on him in his hospital room, the aftereffects would have been severe.
"I don't like to pull rank, and it's not like I'm lording my one extra year at Kizen over you, but..." She lowered her hand, her expression turning concerned. "As your senior, I'm giving you some advice. Never use the Chaos Dullahan that way again."
Truthfully, he couldn't use it even if he wanted to. During the Dullahan performance evaluation, the preparation time had been unlimited, so Simon had entered the arena with the Chaos magic already prepared. The time required to activate the Chaos Dullahan was a staggering two hours. Most exams at Kizen, including combat evaluations, prohibited preparing magic circles in advance. At this rate, its use in evaluations, let alone in actual battle, was severely limited.
'I need to get stronger.'
He admitted it. The Chaos Dullahan was still too much for him to handle. So, Simon decided to change his approach.
'I don't need much. Just borrowing a single strike will be enough.'
He was an undead Sword Master who wielded the power of Chaos. He had fought that way during the evaluation because there were ten thousand enemies, but in reality, a single swing of that sword could defeat most foes.
'I'll create an instant magic circle that can be used quickly.'
He wouldn't activate the Chaos Dullahan's 'Jet-Black Engine'. Instead, he researched a method to build a magic circle just powerful enough for a single, decisive strike.
The result...
'Imperial Swordsmanship - Hwacheon'
Simon succeeded in executing Manus's ultimate technique.
The sky split in half.
Having drawn a line that nothing could defy, Simon and Manus lowered their swords, the monster at their backs.
The massive monster's neck fell, tracing a clean cross-section.
'So this is how it's done.'
Simon grinned.
A profound silence fell over the entire stadium.
"Ah! Ahh! Aaaah!" The announcer was speechless, his jaw hanging open. The twin professors giggled, and the spectators shot to their feet, their eyes wide with disbelief.
"First place! The student who eliminated the monster first is none other than..." The announcer raised his arm forcefully. "The Student Council President from the Summoning Department, who entered solo! Simon Polentia!!"
A thunderous cheer erupted from the stands. A moment later, the Curses Department's Gyrodile also had its heart pierced, but first place had already been decided.
"What the hell! We're in second place?"
"He was just stalling for time with those skeletons! How did he pull that off?"
The Curses students who took second place could only stare in disbelief.
"One strike," one of them muttered, his voice filled with awe. "...He took off the Gyrodile's neck in a single strike."
"No way! That thing's neck is massive!"
"I'm telling you, I saw it!"
In a perfectly synchronized and stylish motion, Simon and Manus sheathed their swords and let out a long breath.
'I can't be disappointed.'
He remembered how time-consuming and cumbersome it had been when he first created the 'Royal Guard', with its golem cores and blood golems. But now, as his capabilities had grown, he could use it freely.
'Someday, you too.'
Simon made a vow to himself, retrieving Manus's skull and the Dullahan's body into his subspace amidst the roaring cheers of the crowd.
Gasps of admiration echoed from the VIP section of the Dark Alliance.
"Entering a team game solo and taking first place! How amusing!"
"It's amazing how Kizen produces talents like that year after year."
Simon's performance had been so impactful that the other departments' matches were lArjely overshadowed. One by one, the Gyrodiles fell, and the event concluded. In terms of time, all seven departments had been evenly matched.
Simon bumped his fists together.
'Still not enough. I have to work harder!'
That night.
"To being first place overall on the first day!"
"Cheers!"
The sound of clinking beer mugs echoed through the Summoning Department's dormitory lobby. The second and third-years had all gathered, laughing boisterously as they celebrated.
"Everyone worked hard," said Leonard, the overall department representative, smiling from the head table. "Especially the second-years. Thank you so much for securing first place overall." He turned to his peers and shouted, "Let's step it up, third-years!"
"Of course!"
"The seniors can't lose!"
Joyful laughter filled the room. The results of the first day were encouraging. The third-year Summoning students were in third place, while the second-years were in first. Combined, they were first overall.
'I can't believe it turned out like this.'
Simon smiled and took a sip of his foamy beer. This ranking was only possible because the third-year Curses and Jet-Black Dynamics departments had underperformed.
"An expected result," Fitzgerald said, pushing up his glasses. "The third-year Curses Department was thoroughly marked by the Poisonous Venom Department. And the Jet-Black Dynamics Department suffered too much from the absence of their ace, Aizel."
Surprisingly, first place among the third-years went to the Poisonous Venom Department, the department of Aizel's rival, Balak.
"But we can't let our guard down. We have the upper hand, but there are still four days left. Now that we're in first place, we'll be heavily targeted." Fitzgerald looked at Simon. "Your role is important."
"Yeah. I'll do my best."
The atmosphere grew more festive as drinks were passed around, the students making a mess of the dorm lobby. Normally, the dorm supervisor would have put a stop to it, but the Summoning Department's first-place finish was so surprising that even she was turning a blind eye.
With morale at its peak, toasts were being called out from all corners.
For the Combat Magic representative who missed a step in the tightrope event.
For the repair of the bathroom.
For Benya Vanilla, who got five kills in the survival event.
For Balak, who took down the opponent's ace.
And then...
"To the Student Council President who entered a team game solo and seized first place! To Simon Polentia!"
"Cheers!"
Simon raised his glass, his face slightly flushed with embarrassment. All around, beer mugs were raised and then brought to eager lips.
"President."
"Hi."
As Simon was talking with Fitzgerald and Toto, two female students slid in front of them.
"Your performance today was so cool," one said, gracefully sweeping back her long hair. Her cheeks were slightly flushed, a hint of intoxication in her eyes.
"Yeah. Thanks," Simon replied.
'Who are they?' He only knew them by face; they had never actually spoken.
"You're so amazing! We're the same age, but I respect you as a fellow necromancer!"
"How are you so strong?"
"I got chills when you cut down ten thousand of them in the performance evaluation!"
They chattered excitedly, one after the other.
"If you're free this weekend... 'oink!"
Suddenly, the student's voice ended in a high-pitched squeal. Her face turned bright red as she clamped a hand over her mouth.
"Are you okay?" Simon asked, surprised.
"Ah, sorry, 'oink!' Something's caught in my throat, 'oink!"
Her whole body flinched with each pig-like squeal.
"Ohoho! What are you doing—'Buuuuurp!"
This time, the other student let out a massive, unexpected burp. Everyone turned to look at her.
"No, this is suddenly... 'Buuuuurp!"
"What's that sound? Is a whale yawning somewhere?"
"Hahahaha!"
Their faces beet red, the two girls fled to the women's restroom. While Simon was still dazed, a new voice cut through the noise.
"Honestly, some people just don't know their place."
Serne, her ivory hair swaying, sat down in front of Simon. "Pardon me."
"Serne. Did you just..."
Simon flinched. Lorraine had appeared beside him without a sound, her legs neatly together, her eyes sharp.
"You," Lorraine hissed. "It seems you're taking my warning lightly."
"How amusing," Serne cooed, flicking her tongue. "You were just fidgeting from afar, but the moment I show up, you come running. You were actually happy I got involved, weren't you?"
"Do you think I'm you?"
The two of them glared at each other, their expressions turning vicious. Terrified of getting caught in the crossfire, their classmates stealthily backed away.
Simon tried to intervene, then looked to his side. "Fitzgerald."
Fitzgerald, who was discussing strategy with Toto, turned to him.
"I have a proposal," Simon whispered in his ear.
Fitzgerald stroked his chin. "Strategically, that doesn't sound bad. I'll mention it to the department representative later."
"Haha, thanks."
Just then, Leonard stood up. "That's it! The hour is up."
A collective "Aww..." of disappointment went through the room.
"We have matches tomorrow, so you know you can't drink too much. Let's head out for evening training!"
At his words, the students began to head outside. Lorraine grabbed her coat, while Serne, clearly planning to skip, waved at Simon before heading up the stairs.
'Well then, I should...'
A voice echoed from the speakers. "Student Council President Simon Polentia! Student Council President Simon Polentia! Please proceed to the Student Council room immediately!"
As expected, there was no time for evening training. The surrounding students, now used to this sight, chuckled.
"Good luck, President."
"Don't wear yourself out at the Student Council! Department matters are more important, you know?"
"We're expecting another first place tomorrow!"
His classmates passed by, joking. Simon smiled, nodding or giving them light high-fives. He felt like he was getting particularly close to his classmates during the Dark Festival.
"Good luck, Simon," Lorraine said, her tone mature as always. "Thank you for always working so hard for us."
Simon nodded vigorously.
"I'll be back."
Simon was freer than any other student. Jane, the Vice-Principal and Committee Head, had lifted all curfews and restrictions for Student Council members. Of course, that also meant they had an immense amount of work.
As soon as he arrived at the Student Council room, he got an earful from Meirin about drinking, and then the work began. Time flew by as he processed documents and complaints, and soon it was well past midnight. It was too late to go back to the dorms, so the council members grabbed blankets and slept on the sofas.
He didn't mind. He enjoyed the work, and everyone was determined to see the Dark Festival through to a successful conclusion.
Early the next morning...
"Let's go, Simon!"
"Yeah."
Simon and Kamibarez put on their Student Council armbands and went on patrol. During the festival, the population of Roc Island swelled to several dozen times its usual number, and incidents were constantly breaking out. They arrested people trying to steal artifacts from the island's ruins and escape by boat, and they rescued tourists who had gotten lost in the forbidden forest.
Their other duty was to send students found wandering outside the campus back in. Many parents visited during the festival, and it was common for students to sneak out of the dorms to stay with them. This was especially true for the pampered first-year nobles. Exhausted by Kizen's unimaginably intense training, they couldn't resist the temptation to see their families.
"You can't do that! Understand?" Kamibarez was scolding those very first-years. She placed her two small fists on her hips and raised her voice, standing on her tiptoes and flapping her bat wings threateningly. "I understand that you miss your moms and dads! But breaking the rules is wrong!"
"S-Sorry, Senior."
"You can see them after your regular classes are over!"
"Yes."
But the first-years seemed to be glancing more at Simon in his Student Council President's coat than at Kamibarez. When Simon narrowed his eyes, their heads immediately drooped again.
"If you get caught again, it's the disciplinary committee for real! Got it?" Kamibarez said sternly.
"Yes! We're sorry!"
She scolded the first-years and sent them on their way. With a huff, she watched to make sure they were leaving, then trotted over to Simon with a bright smile.
"Simon! I gave them a stern talking-to!"
Looking at the grinning Kamibarez, Simon struggled to keep a smile from his own lips. "Yeah. I'm sure the first-years have learned their lesson now."
She had volunteered for the role of scolding the first-years herself. It couldn't have been easy for someone with her personality, but she kept trying, determined to improve and not hold the team back. Simon supported her efforts more than anyone.
"Alright, shall we head to the next spot?"
"Yes!"
They had barely taken a few steps when a sharp shout came from a distance.
"Who the hell are you?!"
"Out and about this early in the morning."
"And in your school uniforms, no less. Come here."
A group of students in Kizen uniforms was walking toward them.
'Aha.'
A small laugh escaped Simon's lips. It seemed they had also received a report and their patrols had overlapped. They wore black armbands on their right arms.
'It's the School Patrol.'

Comments

Loading...