Necromancer Academy and the Genius Summoner-Chapter 354: Episode

"Have you thought about the position of the next Student Council President?"

At the shocking proposal, Simon’s thoughts froze.

"I’m about to graduate, and I must step down from the presidency," Phantastus continued, stroking his chin. "But to be honest, the second-years are not quite to my liking! Hmm! They’re outstanding and capable, but they’re too calculating. You can’t call them men with fiery hearts."

Simon’s eyes widened in surprise. "A fiery heart! My father used to say that, too!"

"Indeed! You have an excellent father!"

Contrary to his grand and imposing appearance, Phantastus was quite the talker. Before long, Simon was the only one still focused on his over-the-top monologue. Serne was gazing off into the distance, and Kajan was staring blankly into space.

"It’s difficult for me to say anything about the presidency yet," Simon finally managed. In truth, it wasn’t a position he could take even if he wanted to, and he didn’t even know what the Student Council President did.

"Yes, it is a position of heavy responsibility," Phantastus nodded. "The Student Council President of Kizen must always be exceptional. Even if I were to give you this position, the second-years wouldn’t stand idly by. You would have to overcome their challenges as well!"

"...I see."

"Still, I hope you’ll think it over! Of course, I won’t force you! As I said before, who is the master of your life?"

"I am!"

"That’s right!"

Sensing the conversation was about to drag on, Kajan checked his watch and cut in. "We should wrap this up. You have another appointment to get to, Mr. President."

"What a shame! It’s been a while since I met friends I could really connect with. Hmm!" Phantastus thumped his chest. "Remember this, my juniors! Don’t let others drag your life along for you. Live your own life, armed with a fiery heart and big dreams! That is the path of a true man!"

"But I’m not a man," Serne chimed in with a sweet smile.

"That is also the path of a true heroine!" Phantastus corrected himself instantly. "If you ever need help, come find me! If you’re willing to fight for true freedom, I will gladly aid you! Hmm!"

---

After the whirlwind meeting with the Student Council President, the three of them stepped outside. Their next destination was a place Simon had insisted on visiting.

He turned to the others. "This is a personal matter. You two don’t have to come."

"My mission is to guard you," Kajan stated flatly.

"And I want to stay with Simon," Serne added, maintaining her spot by his side with a bright smile. "If the Ivory Tower elders see us apart, they might get suspicious!"

"...Fine. Do as you please."

Simon led them to the building among the seven glass towers where the Jet-Black Dynamics events were being held. There, he rode a magic circle elevator for the first time. After presenting his student ID for verification, he stepped onto a glowing circle that instantly transported them to the thirty-seventh floor.

The walls were as clear as glass, offering a breathtaking view of the magnificent cityscape of Pentamonium below.

"Kajan, what’s that over there?" Simon asked, pointing toward the city’s outskirts. Beyond the protective walls, the world was shrouded in a thick, black fog.

"The Demon Scape," Kajan explained. "Pentamonium is a repository of knowledge, holding countless historical records from across the continent. Many powerful figures have tried to claim this city, but none have succeeded, all because of its location. Pentamonium lies in the very center of the Demon Scape."

He continued, his gaze fixed on the fog. "There’s no oxygen in that region. An alien atmospheric layer envelops it, making it uninhabitable for humans and other living creatures. It’s become a paradise for the undead. The only way in is to receive permission from Pentamonium and use a teleportation circle."

"Legend says a meteor fell on this spot a thousand years ago," Kajan added, looking out at the city. "Only the impact crater was safe; the rest of the area was shrouded in black clouds, forming the Demon Scape. The natives of this region founded Pentamonium based on the extraterrestrial knowledge found within that meteor. Well, that’s the gist of it."

Simon’s eyes sparkled. "That’s actually pretty interesting."

"Of course, the barrier has never once been breached in Pentamonium’s long history, so you can rest easy."

After a bit more conversation, they arrived at a hospital room. The door was ajar, but Simon knocked lightly out of courtesy. A rustling sound came from within, followed by a soft, "Yes?"

"I’m coming in." Simon slowly opened the door to see a young girl in a patient’s gown lying on a white bed. "Have you been well, Sasha?"

Her eyes widened in recognition. "Simon!"

It was Sasha, the saint candidate he had met during the dispatch mission to the Neutral Zone. It had only been a few months, so the memory was still vivid. A priest named Figaro, obsessed with researching the essence of a saint, had kidnapped her and forced her power to run rampant, leaving her in a vegetative state.

Simon, using the authority of a legion commander, had managed to rescue her. He had only recently learned she was receiving treatment here.

"How have you been?" he asked again, setting down a fruit basket he had bought in Rochest.

"Good!" 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

He sat and chatted with her. When he had first met her, she had been fragile and withdrawn, a timid girl who only opened up to Kamibarez. But she seemed to have gained a lot of energy since coming here. Her complexion was healthier, she had grown a little, and her hair was longer.

In exchange for participating in Pentamonium’s experiments, she was receiving treatment with the latest technology. After the saint’s essence was removed, she could no longer manifest divinity. At Pentamonium’s persuasion, she had recently opened her core to become a necromancer. They had determined that to control her ability—the tree branches that grew uncontrollably from her body—she needed training with a specific power, be it white or black magic.

"Here," Simon said, handing her a letter.

Sasha’s eyes grew round. "What’s this?"

"It’s from Kami."

"Really? From Kami?!"

Kamibarez hadn’t been able to come, but when she found out Sasha was here, she had written a long letter. Sasha read it with a happy expression, and soon, tears welled in her eyes.

"Kami said she’ll definitely visit during the break after the first year ends," Simon told her gently, patting her head.

"...Okay. Thank you for delivering it, Simon."

"Oh! Look at this, Simon!" She spread her arms, and green stems flowed from her body, extending and retracting at her will. Kajan and Serne watched with interest.

"It’s not yet confirmed," Kajan interjected suddenly. "But Lady Nephthys mentioned she plans to bring her in as a special admission student next year and enroll her in Kizen."

Simon jumped. "S-Sasha? As a special admission?"

"Yes. Sasha’s ability holds a rare and supreme potential."

It was true. When Sasha had fused with that crazed priest, even with the help of the saint’s essence, the enormous tree she had created was a testament to her incredible power. It was common knowledge that high divine potential meant low jet-black potential, but she was exceptional in both.

"But isn’t she too young?" Simon asked, concerned.

Kajan shook his head. "Sasha is fourteen. She meets the minimum admission requirement."

Simon turned to Sasha, shocked. She puffed out her cheeks.

"Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Ah, it’s nothing." He had thought she was ten at most, not just three years his junior.

"It seems her growth was stunted by the side effects of her ability, much like Lady Nephthys," Kajan noted.

"I-I see," Simon said, forcing a smile. "But Sasha, do you remember what happened back then?"

"Hmm?"

She shook her head. "After I was kidnapped by my godfather... no, by that awful priest, I can’t remember anything."

"You can’t?"

’It’s better this way,’ Simon thought.

Sasha simply stared at him.

’The truth is, she sometimes has nightmares. A dream of becoming a giant tree. It hurt so much. It hurt and hurt and hurt. To survive, her brain had erased the memories, but they sometimes returned as fractured dreams.’

’Still, in that nightmare, there is a moment she loves most.’

"—No matter what happens!"

’A voice from a place far, far away.’

"—Sasha!"

’A white-haired man, his cape fluttering behind him.’

"—I will bring her back!"

’A dream where he saves her. The final scene was always of that long, white-haired prince holding her in his arms. His strength. His smile. His kindness. In that moment, held in his embrace, she could finally fall into a peaceful sleep. And the prince from her dreams...’

"What’s wrong?"

’...was right beside her, smiling.’

Sasha’s face flushed red. She quickly turned her head away. "Ah, it’s nothing."

She didn’t know if it had really happened. The prince and Simon had different hair and eye colors. And besides, if Simon really was that prince, it would be strange for a necromancer to use divinity. But she was certain. Her heart, her very skin, knew.

’This is the person who saved me.’

Because Simon was at Kizen, Sasha had decided to enroll there, too.

"Simon, I’m curious about life at Kizen," she said.

"Really? Shall I give you a quick rundown?" Simon shifted his posture and began his story. "The new students arrive on a giant whale, and the view is beautiful. The majors you can choose from are Cursology, Summoning, Hemomancy, Venomology, and Combat... Let me explain them one by one—"

It seemed this conversation would also be a long one. Kajan watched them for a moment before turning away to find Serne standing with her arms crossed, a hollow laugh on her lips.

"What is it?" Kajan asked.

"Oh, nothing," she replied, her eyes on Simon, who was excitedly telling his junior about Kizen, and Sasha, who was gazing at his face with a faint blush on her cheeks. "I was just wondering how many more people he has to charm before he’s satisfied."

"? I don’t know what you’re talking about."

"You probably won’t ever understand in your entire life!"

---

At that same moment, in the 2nd-year necromancer student thesis presentation hall...

’Rip— Rip— Rip—’

In front of a female student in a green checkered uniform, trembling with tears in her eyes, a thesis lay torn to shreds on the floor.

"Trash," one of the judges spat.

The judges’ eyes were wide with anger. "It’s trash!"

"Did you really think this patchwork thesis would pass in Pentamonium?!"

"It’s a joke to even call yourself a necromancer!"

Amidst a crowd of thousands, the judges began to completely shatter the student’s spirit. The audience booed. The other students looked shell-shocked, and the next presenter turned pale with fear.

"Trash! Trash! Nothing but trash! For second-years to be at this level! How can not a single one of you satisfy us?!" The judge in the middle slammed the table. "Next! Bring in the next one!"