Chapter 58
Elementary Black Magic, Spiritology, and even the very first course, Haematology.
Keyzen’s professors seemed to have poured serious thought into structuring their classes around the upcoming Duel Evaluation.
Of course, today’s final class, Katarology, was no exception.
“When I walk into class, the first thing I do is look into my students’ eyes.”
As always, Bahil, dressed in a sleek, pure white suit, placed his felt fedora on the lectern and began to speak.
“Oh my, today I see nothing but agony. Eyes that clearly can’t focus on the lesson. Shall we take a peek into your thoughts? Ah yes, the Duel Evaluation. Right now, all your minds are utterly consumed by it!”
Bahil’s banter drew scattered chuckles throughout the classroom.
“I graduated from Keyzen too, so I understand. It’s unsettling and nerve-racking to fight your fellow students. But don’t worry. I’ll show you the way.”
Bahil flashed his signature trustworthy smile.
“In this single class, I will teach you how to swiftly and safely subdue your opponent. All you have to do is trust me and follow.”
The students’ eyes sparkled.
And for good reason, to seventeen-year-old boys and girls, the name Bahil was something so lofty, they didn’t dare idolize it lightly.
“By now, your black magic styles should be somewhat established. So, let’s divide this lesson into two parts.”
Bahil glanced around the classroom.
“If you’ve already decided on the black magic you’ll use in the Duel Evaluation, then you’ll need a support-focused curse. I’ll teach you the speedy Leg Down, a curse that can pressure opponents quickly and with minimal strain.”
The students buzzed with interest. It was a spell not found in any textbook.
“Humans are creatures that stand on only their hind legs and walk upright with stiff backs, incredibly unstable in terms of balance. Just falling down can render most actions impossible. Leg Down induces localized fatigue, targeting just the feet, restricting mobility. If cast strongly or if the opponent moves recklessly, they’ll collapse instantly. The upside is, it’s faster and lighter than Exhaust.”
Bahil smiled warmly.
“And for those of you flipping through your textbooks right now, of course you can’t find it. I created this curse myself.”
Oooooh—
The students let out awed murmurs.
“Next, we have the Katarology-focused students, those who plan to use curses as their main weapon in the Duel Evaluation, and those who still haven’t decided which black magic to use. For these students, I’ll teach a modified version of the Paralyze curse.”
Remade Paralyze! Another spell that wasn’t in the textbooks.
“While it’s less effective than Paralyze, it’s optimized for real combat and much faster to cast. I’ve arranged it so it works with the basic runes and formula combinations available to first-years. If you stack it during combat, you should be able to reproduce the effects of the original spell.”
The students were given two options:
The light yet effective Leg Down, or the heavier but more dominating Remade Paralyze.
“Alright, let’s split up.”
Bahil clapped his hands.
“Students to the left will learn Leg Down. Students to the right will learn Remade Paralyze.”
The classroom buzzed as students began dividing to either side.
At that moment, Bahil’s gaze was fixed on a single spot.
‘……Now then, Simon Follentia.’
A glint of madness flickered in his eyes.
‘A genius like you needs to wear something tailored precisely for them. Curses are the only true path to unlocking 200% of your Darkness. Forget that worn-out Summonology nonsense. Using Summonology as your main strategy in the Duel Evaluation is something not even a fool would do! And you know that, don’t you?’
Bahil, unlike his usual self, bit his lip with a face drawn tight with tension.
Simon, who had been chatting with Dick, Maelyn, and Kamibarez, soon made his move.
‘Which side will you choose? Of course it’ll be the right……!’
Simon stepped to the left, together with Maelyn. Dick and Kamibarez went to the right.
Seeing Simon’s choice, Bahil bit down hard on his lip.
Once again, he had chosen curses not as his main, but as a sub.
“Professor Bahil.”
At that moment, a hand touched the furious Bahil’s shoulder.
When he turned, eyes still drunk with madness, he saw the gray-eyed assistant holding a finger to her lips.
“That expression, that look — it’s showing.”
“……”
Bahil’s face instantly calmed, as if his earlier expression had been a lie, and his usual soft smile spread across his face.
“Oh dear, I seem to have gotten a bit carried away. Thank you, Chehekle.”
“It’s alright. That’s my role, after all. Now then, your instructions?”
Bahil adjusted his tie.
Assistants were preparing materials for the Leg Down formula as part of the lesson.
“Send all the assistants to the right. I’ll personally teach Leg Down.”
“……Excuse me? But last week, you said you’d be teaching Remade Paralyze yourself……!”
“I’ve changed my mind.”
This was bad.
The assistant team had spent all night preparing materials and setting up to teach Leg Down.
Chehekle considered trying to persuade him, but there wasn’t even a hint of hesitation in Bahil’s expression.
‘He’s not going to change his mind, not even if it kills him.’
Assistants obey orders from professors. That’s all there is to it. She bowed her head.
“Understood.”
Chehekle approached the assistants preparing for the lesson. They were setting up mana projectors and distributing materials to students.
“Hold on, assistants, gather up.”
Startled by the sudden order, the assistants gathered in confusion.
“What’s going on? It’s a two-hour class, we need to start immediately.”
“The professor changed his mind. He’s going to teach Leg Down himself.”
“Whaaaat?”
Bahil’s assistants exchanged bewildered glances and murmurs.
“No way, ma’am! We’ve been preparing for Leg Down this whole time, changing plans on the day of the class…!”
“Ugh, seriously, this isn’t right! Please, senior, can’t you talk him down?”
Chehekle crossed her arms.
“You all know better than anyone that he’s not the type to listen even if we try to convince him, right?”
“……”
“This isn’t the first time the professor’s changed his mind. Quit whining and get ready. I’ll figure something out for the Paralyze lesson.”
The assistants, their shoulders slumped, set down the materials and moved to new positions.
Chehekle, after patting the younger assistants on their backs in encouragement, shifted her gaze toward one particular boy.
‘The professor’s acting this way…… probably because of that kid, huh?’
Thinking that they were both in for a rough time ahead, Chehekle turned away.
* * *
And with that, even Katarology was over. The entire day’s lessons had finally ended.
Dick had headed down to Rochest, while Maelyn and Kamibarez returned to the girls’ dorm. Simon, meanwhile, sat alone on a deserted bench, blankly staring up at the sky.
A beautiful sunset painted the heavens above.
[What thoughts weigh on your mind so heavily, boy?]
As Simon dazedly sat there, Feer spoke up. Still staring at the sky, Simon replied.
“Feer, does a Legion Commander have to major in Summonology?”
Feer chuckled.
[There’s no rule that says so! If you decide to pursue Magical Combat instead, then I’ll just run the Legion myself! Shifting the Legion into a support role and maximizing your own power, that’s your choice alone! The Legion will honor that will.]
“……”
When Simon didn’t respond right away, Feer smirked.
[Why. Were you hoping I’d talk you out of it?]
Simon looked caught off guard.
[Go on. Tell me. What’s really making you waver?]
“No, it’s just……”
Simon let out a deep sigh.
“Everyone keeps saying it. That Summonology is weak. Outdated. Not just the other professors and students, even Professor Aron, who teaches Summonology, says it.”
[So.]
Feer spoke.
[Are you going to quit Summonology?]
“……”
Quit Summonology.
The mere thought sparked a strong resistance inside Simon.
[That feeling, I’m sure it’s genuine.]
Feer let out a chuckling laugh.
[In my opinion, boy, you actually like Summonology! While you do enjoy learning new things and feeling a sense of accomplishment, what you feel for Summonology is something different. Do you really need to find a reason for continuing Summonology within the Legion?]
“……”
Simon couldn’t deny a single word.
[But! That’s not really what you’re struggling with, is it?]
“Huh?”
[Boy. Your values and ideals are already well-formed. Worrying now about whether to quit Summonology just because of what others say, that’s not like you at all! What’s really bothering you is something much lower. Something a bit more petty and insignificant.]
Feer’s grin stretched wide.
[Don’t you simply want to win the Duel Evaluation using only Summonology?]
“……!”
Simon looked down at Feer’s avatar in shock. Then, with a quiet sigh, he let out a small laugh.
“Wow. I really can’t hide anything from you, Feer.”
[Kuhuhu!]
“It’s stupid, isn’t it? I don’t know when I’ll grow up. There are better methods out there, but I keep wanting to win using Summonology…”
[Why do you think that is?]
“I guess, it just pisses me off.”
Simon said.
“Summonology is weak. It takes too much time. It needs support from other disciplines. You can’t win with Summonology alone. That’s all I’ve heard all day. From the assistants, from Dick, from the professors, even Toto, who’s trying to specialize in Summonology.”
Simon folded his arms.
“It’s not even officially my major yet, but… I couldn’t help but feel a little angry. At how people treat Summonology.”
[But you’ve always chosen the most efficient means. That conflict between those two ideas must be what’s been eating at you.]
“Yeah.”
Simon stood up and brushed the dust off his pants.
[So, what’s your conclusion?]
“Just this once, I’ll go with my dream.”
Simon grinned.
“Imagine it, Feer.”
Everyone — everyone — is denying it.
And right in front of all those people, if I actually win the Duel Evaluation using nothing but Summonology…
“Wouldn’t that feel amazing?”
Like a weight lifted off your chest.
[Kahahahahaha! Yes! That’s exactly it!]
Feer burst into a loud, booming laugh.
[Choosing to walk a path no one else takes, that act alone is special and meaningful! And you, you have the ability and the talent to do it! There’s no reason not to! Remember this, boy!]
Blue flames erupted around Feer’s avatar.
[You are none other than the Legion Commander I chose! Don’t hesitate in a shark’s body just because sardines drew the lines! Do whatever you want to do!]
“Yes, Feer.”
Finally, a carefree smile appeared on Simon’s face.
“I’ve made up my mind for good.”
Superb.