Necromancer Academy and the Genius Summoner-Chapter 330: Episode

The renowned Special Admission No. 1, personally chosen by Nephthys. Eric knew all about Simon.

"So, what can I help you with?" he asked.

"I was hoping you could take a look at this formula," Simon replied.

With Meirin’s help, he had fixed the error in his elemental magic formula, but he still had a long way to go. This time, Simon showed Eric the structure of his summoning magic circle.

"Let’s see." Eric’s gaze sharpened, tracing the lines of the magic circle with intense focus. "In a summoning circle, each element has a profound impact on the whole, which makes it difficult to isolate just one part. Still, this section here..."

He pointed to a spot on the magic circle with his fingertip.

"This is definitely incorrect. It would be better to apply Gale’s formula rather than simple addition." 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

"Then what about this part?"

Each time Simon pointed out a problem, Eric answered without a moment’s hesitation. Then, Simon pressed further.

"Why is that?"

"Because using Gale’s formula is more efficient."

"But it also complicates the pattern," Simon countered. "I don’t quite understand why that makes it more efficient."

It was a rare occurrence at Kizen—a student who asked ’why’. It had been so long since he’d been asked that even Eric, a professor of Jet-Black Dynamics, was momentarily flustered.

"Hmm, I see. If you’re curious about that..."

Still, answering a student’s question was a professor’s duty. Eric kindly picked up a piece of chalk and began writing out the solution.

"My thoughts on this part are..."

Simon also took a piece of chalk and began to write down his own reasoning. Eric’s eyes widened in surprise. Simon was constructing a sequence of formulas from a fundamental level, forgoing established shortcuts. And yet, the result he derived was a near-perfect approximation of the one calculated using the standard formula.

"This is a fascinating interpretation," Eric remarked with a smile. "But you learned the Hexa formula in the first semester, didn’t you? Why go through the trouble of calculating it this way?"

"The Hexa formula..." Simon lowered the chalk and met Eric’s gaze. "Because I didn’t understand it completely, I didn’t consider it a tool I could truly call my own."

Eric was speechless.

"I didn’t want to introduce an element of uncertainty into my magic circles."

Eric let out a silent gasp of admiration. When he taught new runes or formulas, students never questioned the principles behind them. They were too busy putting them to use, eagerly reinforcing their magic circles for the next duel evaluation or BMAT. It was extreme pragmatism.

Kizen championed a meritocracy, and its students had adapted to survive within that system. It wasn’t necessarily a bad thing; competition always bred efficiency and results. But if one were to ask a Kizen graduate why they used the Hexa formula in a particular instance, nine out of ten wouldn’t be able to answer. They’d say it was just how it was done, or that it was the traditional method.

Young necromancers who used formulas without grasping their principles would one day stand at the apex of this world. As an educator, Eric lamented this reality, but he, too, had been forced to change. The competition among Kizen’s professors was just as fierce. To survive teaching a "boring" subject like Jet-Black Dynamics and receive positive student evaluations, ensuring deep understanding was secondary.

’Still...’

For Eric, a student like this, appearing once a year or so, was like rain in a drought.

"The explanation might get a little long," he warned, uttering the magic words that usually made students back down. "Will that be alright?"

Nine out of ten would ask him to just skip it.

"Yes, by all means!"

But this boy... what he truly wanted, surprisingly, was the origin itself.

"Watch closely."

A genuine delight filled Eric as he scribbled the proof on the chalkboard. How long had it been since he’d last done this?

’Do we really need to do proofs?’

’As long as the runes work, that’s all that matters.’

’A Kizen professor wouldn’t teach us a faulty formula, would they?’

He had heard those words countless times. They were right, of course. The runes and formulas taught at Kizen had been thoroughly verified by generations past. Their duty was simply to become stronger, building upon the great achievements of their predecessors.

Proofs were purely in the realm of non-essential research. And yet...

’This is fun.’

A smile crept onto Eric’s lips. ’Right now, I am enjoying proving this formula in front of this student.’

"Does that make sense now?"

"Yes! It’s perfectly clear now. Thank you!"

After a few more words with Eric, Simon bowed deeply and left the lecture hall. As he watched the boy’s departing back with a satisfied smile, Eric suddenly picked up the chalk again.

’I’d been suppressing this for so long.’

He began to fill the board with proofs for other formulas, one after another. This old man’s heart, it seemed, could still beat with purpose. He was grateful for it.

---

"Alright! Let’s try this again!"

After returning to the dorm, Simon frantically scribbled the newly learned formulas into his notebook. He hadn’t initially set out to understand the absolute fundamentals of every formula. His grades in Jet-Black Dynamics were decidedly average. He could barely keep up with the simplified concepts thrown his way, so trying to grasp the underlying proofs felt like pure greed.

Besides, proving them required a far greater depth of knowledge and study. He only wanted the proof this time because it was for a summoning magic circle. While he was hitting a wall with the Skeleton Mage, his mind was buzzing with anticipation. He could feel it coming—the same kind of breakthrough he’d had on the first day of Summoning class, when he had reverse-engineered and reassembled an Island Ratman’s skeleton into a four-legged Gray Rat.

But it wasn’t coming easily, and he suspected it was because he didn’t fully understand the complex formulas he was using. But now, with Eric’s help, it felt possible. Every variable was within his grasp.

’Scribble. Scribble. Scribble.’

Lying on his bed, Dick clicked his tongue as he watched Simon work. "Amazing, truly amazing."

Seeing him so focused, Dick couldn’t even bring himself to be sarcastic. He was, however, a little worried.

"You’re not going to lose your mind like you did when you first made that golem, are you?"

"I won’t make that mistake again," Simon said, his eyes still fixed on the page. "I’m taking care of myself—eating well, exercising hard. I’m fine."

"The problem is you’re not sleeping, you idiot."

"More importantly," Simon began, still scribbling, "how is Professor Walter’s handwriting analysis coming along?"

"Oh, that. I got it to an expert, no problem. They said it might take a while since they’re a bit backlogged. And since it’s not his actual handwriting but a photo from a recording device, it could take even longer."

"What about the analysis of the blood-infusion serum?"

"I’m looking for someone who can run the tests discreetly. There’s an academic conference going on, so I should be able to find someone soon."

"And the Gwoegong corpse auction?"

"It starts tomorrow. Apparently, they found something of academic value in its skin tissue, so the price might go up. You can look forward to—" Dick cut himself off and shot up in bed. "Hey, wait a minute! What is all this? I’m not your manager! How many jobs have you dumped on me?!"

Simon stopped his quill and laughed. "Don’t make me laugh. You’re breaking my concentration."

"How can you possibly focus on your studies after working your roommate to the bone, you little prince?" Dick swung his legs off the bed, wrapped them around Simon’s neck from behind, and started shaking him.

"I’m getting dizzy!" Simon yelled, still laughing. "Besides, I’m paying you for everything. Aren’t you the one being a little too strict about taking money from your roommate?"

"That’s an occupational hazard! I can’t help it!" Dick released Simon, his expression turning serious. "I don’t know why you’re digging into Professor Walter, but be careful. Don’t get tangled up in something you shouldn’t."

"I know."

’Click.’

Just then, the door opened, and Kajan walked in. Dick tensed and fell silent. Kajan glanced at Simon.

"The job you assigned has begun," he stated flatly. "I’ll let you know when there’s progress."

"Right. Thank you for your help."

Kajan tossed his uniform aside and climbed into the top bunk. He burrowed under the covers, shifted for a moment, and then went still. Dick immediately lunged at Simon, clamping him in a rough headlock.

"Hey! You gave Kajan a job too? You traitor!"

"Ow, that hurts! How is that a betrayal—!"

"So you’re saying the Thieves’ Guild is better than my information network, huh?"

With a smooth motion, Simon slipped his arm between Dick’s and pressed down, easily breaking the hold. He then lifted Dick and tossed him back onto the bed.

"Hah." Dick clicked his tongue. "His martial arts are getting scary good."

"I’ve been practicing a new technique lately."

Dick put on his best Hector impression. "Just how far do you intend to go, Simon Polentia!"

The voice was nothing like Hector’s, sending Simon into a fit of laughter. Dick joined in, their laughter filling the small room.

---

"Ughh..."

Tossing and turning, Dick woke in the dead of night. He rubbed his eyes, let out a long yawn, and shuffled to the bathroom. Afterward, he sighed and checked the clock on the wall. Still four hours until class.

A small wave of bliss washed over him as he turned to get back in bed.

’Huh?’

Simon’s bed was empty.

’He’s at it again.’ Dick sighed. ’He’s the only person I know who’s crazier than I am.’

He slipped on his slippers and padded out of Room 409. Dragging his feet, he headed first for the pantry.

He threw the door open, rubbing his eyes. "Hey, Simon! You sleeping in here?"

But Simon wasn’t there. Only the messy remains of empty Skeleton Mage boxes were scattered in a corner.

"Tsk." He clicked his tongue at the mess. "If he keeps this up, the dorm manager is going to ban us from using this room."

Fighting off sleep, he staggered over and cleaned up the mess Simon had left behind. Next, he headed for the garden behind the dormitory.

’Ugh, it’s cold.’ He hugged his shoulders as he stepped outside, the chilly dawn air biting at his skin. He trudged through the grass.

"Hey! Working hard is great and all, but you should sleep in your—!"

His words caught in his throat. Simon was there, frantically manipulating a sprawling magic circle on the ground, muttering to himself.

"I think I’ve finally got it. I’m sure of it this time."

’Who is he talking to? Looks like he’s finally snapped.’

As the thought crossed his mind, Dick’s gaze shifted to the side.

’...Whoa!’

Three fully assembled Skeleton Mages stood imposingly beside Simon.

’He... he really built all of them? By himself?’

Simon’s expression was grimly focused as he prepared to test them. Dark circles shadowed his eyes, and his face was gaunt, a testament to his sleepless nights.

"Ready."

As Simon extended his arm, the three Skeleton Mages raised their staves in unison.

’Gulp.’

Dick swallowed hard, a knot of tension forming in his own stomach. He had watched Simon struggle with this for so long.

"Activate!"

Before the word was fully out of Simon’s mouth, flames, ice, and wind erupted from the tips of the three staves, flickering in the pre-dawn gloom.

"It worked!" Simon roared in triumph.

He threw his arms into the air, clenching his fists as the first rays of the rising sun cast a brilliant light on his back. Dick was in awe.

’To think he actually pulled it off before Summoning class.’

In a few hours, the other students would see it and think nothing of it.

’He’s a genius, after all.’

’He’s Special Admission No. 1. This is nothing for him.’

They would rationalize Simon’s achievement to make it easier to swallow. But who among them would ever know? That behind the facade of a genius was a boy who worked himself to the point of collapse.

"...Hah."

Looking at Simon’s triumphant silhouette, Dick felt a shiver run down his spine.

"He’s so damn cool."

Just as every result has a cause, there is always a reason why someone is called a genius.