Chapter 63
Aron strode over and opened the door to his lab, walking in.
Simon stared at his back, a little dumbfounded.
‘So Professor Aron can make jokes.’
Simon didn’t know it, but if any of the other assistants had seen this, they would have fainted on the spot.
And so, this was Simon’s first time entering Aron’s lab.
Wherever he looked, the room was filled with all sorts of unidentified undead materials.
One could feel just how much Aron loved Summonology simply by being in this room.
Especially striking was the dragon bone that coiled throughout the entire lab. It swayed as if alive—not just decoration, but seemingly an active skeleton.
“Sit wherever.”
Aron spoke as he casually whipped off his pants. Then, he threw them over the neck of the dragon bone coiling through the room.
The dragon bone shook its neck as if in disgust, but it didn’t resist further.
Simon suppressed a laugh as he looked for a place to sit.
Even the floor was covered with valuable undead research materials, not to mention the ones hanging on the walls, so he had to step carefully. Eventually, he found a sofa, gently pushed aside a leaning ghoul model, and sat down.
“So, you said you wanted to ask me something?”
By now, Aron had taken off his top, was wearing only shorts and slippers, and was clinking about as he made tea.
Simon took a light breath and spoke.
“I want to know how to win the duel evaluation using only Summonology.”
Aron froze for a moment. But only briefly, he soon poured the tea into a cup as if nothing had happened.
“Why would you do something so pointless?”
“…Excuse me?”
“Simon Follentia. I know you’ve been excelling in Magical Combat and other subjects as well.”
Aron approached and slid a teacup toward Simon.
“There’s a clear, easy way to pass this evaluation. I don’t see why you’d go out of your way to make it harder.”
Simon swallowed dryly.
To be honest, he’d expected Aron to say something like that. Even in the first Summonology lecture, Aron had made self-deprecating remarks about the field.
Which made it all the more strange.
One could learn a lot just by looking at this lab.
A man who loves Summonology this much, who pours this much passion into his field, why would he say something like that to the students of Keyzen?
“Then let me ask you something instead, Professor.”
Simon’s eyes sharpened.
“If a Summonology student wants to win using Summonology, does he need another reason?”
“……”
Aron stopped moving and stared at Simon. Simon didn’t avoid his gaze.
After a brief silence, Aron lifted his cup and took a sip. Simon, whose throat was parched, also carefully took a sip.
The first taste was bitter, but the lingering flavor in his mouth was sweet.
“You want me to give you the answer. Or,”
Aron set his teacup down, and unbelievably, a smile played on his lips.
“Do you want me to help refine the answer you’ve chosen?”
At the same time, Simon bared his teeth in a grin.
“The latter, Professor.”
* * *
The day of the duel evaluation had finally arrived.
Keyzen was operating five indoor arenas simultaneously for the duels.
Dick, Maelyn, and Kamibarez were at Arena 2.
Simon was the only one from Group 7 taking the test in the morning. The others had come to cheer him on.
But—
“Where is he!”
Maelyn stomped her feet in the spectator seats. Kamibarez also looked around anxiously, unable to stay still.
Simon’s match was approaching fast, yet he was nowhere to be seen.
“You two stay here.”
Finally, Dick got up from his seat.
“I’ll go look for him.”
While Dick was outside searching, another match had already ended.
The winning student raised both arms in joy, while the student whose barrier gauge hit zero hung their head in defeat.
The duel evaluation rules were similar to those of the Cyclops practical test.
Both students wore “Barrier Vests”, which gave full-body protective shielding, and the one whose barrier gauge hit zero lost.
The winner would start in the mid-tier squad, and the loser would start in the lower squad.
If a student lost again next week while in the lower squad, they could be demoted to the lowest squad based on their grades. In other words, ‘expulsion from Keyzen’ would become a real possibility.
Because of that, the pressure on all students was at its peak.
The stands were filled with students cheering on friends or gathering information.
Of course, there were also adults from various parts of the Dark Alliance who had obtained entry passes. Since Keyzen students would one day lead the continent, it was only natural that various institutions and organizations were here to gather intel.
And the current focus of all the scouts in Arena 2 was one thing.
“We’re finally going to see this year’s Special Admission No. 1.”
“Simon Follentia, huh? Never heard of the name.”
“His background’s unclear. Apparently, he was suddenly selected by Lady Neftis.”
“He’s aiming for Summonology.”
“Summonology? What are the Keyzen professors thinking? They’re not seriously placing Special Admission No. 1 in Summonology, are they?”
While the adults in the spectator seats chatted and wrote up scouting reports, the ones most on edge were Maelyn and Kamibarez.
The two couldn’t stay seated and continued to search the waiting area.
Just then, an announcement came from the ceiling speakers.
—Student Simon Follentia of Class A, student Haren Koak of Class G, please proceed to the arena.
Simon’s opponent, Haren Koak, was already entering the arena.
Kamibarez clasped her hands together, trembling.
“Please, Simon! Where are you?”
* * *
Haren Koak stepped into the arena and took a deep breath.
The inspector who had drawn his blood gave him an OK signal. Just like Bahil had said, he hadn’t been flagged for doping.
‘Haaah, my whole body is overflowing with power.’
This feeling… was hard to describe in words.
Haren had always lived chasing someone else’s back.
But now, things were different. He felt as though all things in the world were beneath his feet. It seemed like he could crush anyone if he simply made up his mind.
‘…Simon Follentia.’
Special Admission No. 1 of Class A.
The special of all specials.
Haren had already had enough of all the special admissions. The No. 8 special from his own Class G was no different, they were all arrogant and aggressive.
Born into wealth, never knowing hunger, showered with tremendous support, and blessed with overflowing talent just by virtue of good genes, even without much effort.
‘Just you wait.’
He knew well enough that most of the scouts in the audience had come to see Simon.
But after this duel evaluation, their minds would change. The whole continent would have its eyes on him.
Haren’s gaze shifted to one side of the stands. At the far end, Bahil, dressed in a white suit, was also watching the match.
‘…He said as long as I don’t kill him, it’s fine, right?’
Haren couldn’t give up this power. He desperately wanted to continue receiving Bahil’s support and was determined to become his direct disciple, no matter what it took.
‘At the very least, I’ll make sure he’s got a limb or two thoroughly broken.’
Those born into luxury would enjoy the world’s blessings their whole lives. Meanwhile, he was barely clinging to this single opportunity.
Perhaps a once-in-a-lifetime chance.
He wouldn’t lose it now. He’d use whatever means necessary.
—Student Simon Follentia of Class A. Please come to the arena.
But his opponent was running late.
Now the announcements weren’t just playing in Arena 2, but throughout the entire school as they searched for Simon.
‘…Tch, tardy? Typical of a special admission brat.’
Haren crossed his arms. The referee checked his wristwatch.
“The schedule is being delayed. If Simon Follentia doesn’t arrive within five minutes, he will be disqualified. This match will be awarded to Haren Koak.”
Disappointed sighs and tongue clicks echoed from all over.
Maelyn and Kamibarez stomped their feet in frustration. No matter how they thought about it, something had clearly gone wrong. If Dick couldn’t find him, no one could.
And so, the five minutes flew by in a flash, and the referee, after checking his watch again, spoke.
“Time’s up. This match will go to Haren Koak—”
“Wait a moment!”
Thunk!
At that dramatic instant, the waiting room door flew open, and a haggard-faced Simon, supported by Dick, came walking out.
“Ooh!”
“There he is!”
Both the scouts who had been waiting and the students smiled in relief that the big match wasn’t canceled.
“Simon!”
“You idiot!!”
Kamibarez and Maelyn waved in relief. Simon noticed them and raised his hand slightly to signal he was okay.
“I can walk on my own now, Dick.”
“Seriously…”
Dick let go of Simon and gave him a firm slap on the back.
“Do your best.”
“Yeah.”
Simon walked toward the arena and bowed his head to the referee.
“Sorry for being late.”
“It’s fine. Hurry and get ready.”
Assistants quickly rushed in, dressed Simon in the Barrier Vest, and drew blood for testing.
Preparation for the duel evaluation finished quickly.
“Both participants shake hands.”
Following the referee’s command, Simon and Haren met in the middle and clasped hands. Simon smiled lightly.
“Sorry for being late.”
“……”
Haren didn’t respond, instead sizing up Simon’s condition.
Haggard face, deep dark circles, a uniform stained with dirt.
‘Just from the looks of it, his condition’s a mess. This’ll be an easy win.’
They finished their handshake and stepped apart. The mana projector displayed their stats.
[Simon Follentia: 100%]
[Haren Koak: 100%]
“If either side loses consciousness or their barrier gauge drops to 0%, the match ends.”
The two nodded and took their stances.
Tension instantly flooded the entire arena.
Maelyn and Kamibarez stretched their necks out, watching intently, while Dick, now in the stands and sweating profusely, approached the two.
“Dick! You really worked hard!”
“What happened with him? Where was Simon?”
Dick’s uniform was covered in dirt. He slumped into his seat and brushed it off.
“Simon was behind the arena.”
“Huh?”
“I’ll explain the details later. Let’s just watch for now.”
In the arena, Simon closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
“Huuuuuu…”
And when he opened them again, his usual focus had returned.
‘Monster bastard.’
Haren gave a crooked smile and lowered his stance even further. The referee raised his arm high and then dropped it.
“Match, begin!”
Superb.