Chapter 94
All the first-years returned to Keyzen.
Everyone thought the aftereffects would linger for a long time, but once classes began, the intense days on Kera Island quickly felt like a dream, and they were able to return to their routines surprisingly fast.
From the Cyclops performance evaluation, to the duel evaluation, to the island survival test, all of Keyzen's curriculum had one thing in common: they stimulated the students’ desire to grow and fueled their motivation.
As they faced trials, the students were made to experience a wide range of emotions.
Admiration and jealousy toward those more talented than themselves. And even tension from seeing underachievers, whom they used to look down on, suddenly grow at a rapid pace. The atmosphere in class after each performance evaluation was always good.
Of course, Simon was no exception to this stimulation.
“Get ready.”
As evening approached and the sun began to set, Professor Aron was observing Simon’s Restoration technique.
Every time the Summonology class covered topics related to Restoration, it always went like this.
Simon had already mastered the Restoration techniques covered in the regular curriculum, so there was nothing more for him to learn in standard lessons. Whenever that happened, Aron would make time to offer Simon special tutoring tailored to his level.
“I’m ready, Professor!”
“Begin.”
At Aron’s signal, strength surged into Simon’s eyes. The skeleton standing beside him disassembled and its bones began flying toward Simon’s arm.
Chwachachachak!
Simon’s right arm became covered in bone. Long humeri and femurs formed the central pillars, and smaller bones filled the gaps between them in a tight, compact structure. Then Darkness flowed between the bones, connecting them to form joints.
This was it—
‘Bone Armor, focused only on the arm!’
Bone Armor was a defensive Restoration technique that created armor from a skeleton's bones to protect the body. Simon had nicknamed this form, which covered only the arm, “Gauntlet Mode”.
He had successfully done it three times in a row. The speed and stability were now well established.
Excited, Simon clenched and opened his fist, then swung his arm up and down like he was lifting weights. It felt denser than bare skin, but he could clearly feel the strength.
‘A genius really is a genius.’
Aron, standing with his arms crossed and watching with an expressionless face, had sweat soaking the back of his neck.
Restoration techniques were officially taught starting in the second year. Yet Simon had already created his own technique, Bone Nail, based on Bone Spear, and reached a level of proficiency where he could use it in actual combat.
Now he had even succeeded in mastering the advanced Restoration application technique known as Bone Armor, which was considered particularly difficult.
His learning speed truly made the word "genius" seem fitting.
“Professor!”
Simon turned to Aron and shouted,
“Can I test out a strike?”
“…Of course.”
With his heart pounding, Simon stood in front of a nearby tree.
He spread his legs shoulder-width apart, pulled back his arm covered in the Bone Gauntlet, and struck the tree with a loud kiai.
Thud!
A heavy impact sound echoed as the tree’s leaves fluttered to the ground.
‘Wow! This is the raw strength, even without covering it in Darkness?’
While Simon admired his right arm with a look of amazement, Aron began explaining.
“As you just felt, Bone Armor means more than just defense. It converts the skeleton’s raw strength and Darkness into brute force. You can think of it as a type of enhanced exoskeleton suit.”
Simon nodded with sparkling eyes.
“Depending on how you assemble the Bone Armor, and which skeleton you use, the effects can vary drastically. Even among the necromancers at Keyzen, each uses Bone Armor in a unique style. Of course, no one can teach you that individuality. You have to study and develop the Bone Armor that suits you best.”
“Yes! I understand what you mean!”
Aron folded his arms.
“Then lastly, let’s try preparing a full-body Bone Armor.”
“Yessir!”
Of course, Aron was aware. That having a first-year even attempt this was sheer madness.
Still, Simon went for it.
Full-body Bone Armor required at least two skeletons. The two skeletons disassembled into bones that fell to the ground, then flew toward Simon and began attaching themselves to his body. The bones were appropriately fitted over his chest, arms, and legs.
But then—
Clatter!
While Simon focused on his arms, the chest portion of the armor crumbled and collapsed.
The balance between the sections broke in an instant. Once the joints fell apart, there was no saving it.
Simon let out a frustrated sigh.
“Well done.”
Despite the failure, Aron gave him rare praise.
“Covering just one arm with Bone Armor and covering your entire body are completely different in terms of difficulty. There’s no need to rush.”
“Yes, thank you, Professor!”
And just like that, the personal lesson came to an end.
‘Ahhh, I love this so much.’
Simon was deeply satisfied. He wished more Summonology classes would involve Restoration, thinking that as he retrieved the skeletons.
Aron sat on a nearby bench and put a cigar in his mouth.
As he exhaled smoke with a fwoo, he opened his mouth.
“Next week marks the start of the new mission period.”
“Yes, that’s right.”
Simon was truly looking forward to this “mission”.
The biggest reason was financial. Buying the golem had severely drained his funds, and he was at the limit of borrowing little by little from Dick.
A mission where he could officially earn tuition was like rain in a drought to Simon.
Most importantly, it was a stage where he could use his legion freely without worrying about Keyzen watching over him. If he was lucky, he might even acquire a new Ancient Undead.
“Have you thought of a mission yet?”
“No, I plan to decide after the list is released.”
Aron exhaled a long stream of smoke.
“Here’s a tip. If there’s no mission on the list that interests you, just try waiting.”
“…Huh?”
“I mean that literally. You still don’t fully understand the influence that comes with being the first special-admission student.”
Aron tapped his cigar with his fingers as he continued.
“Try using your position a little more.”
It sounded like a riddle, a cryptic kind of tip. Simon wanted to ask more, but Aron flicked the ash off his cigar, tossed it into the trash, and stood up.
“Let’s go back.”
“Ah, yes!”
* * *
The next day, after classes ended, just as Aron had said, the mission board was installed in the dormitory.
Students gathered, murmuring as they examined the mission postings. There were four boards in different colors.
White – Missions within Roke Mountain. No likelihood of priest encounters.
Blue – Missions within the Dark Alliance. Extremely low likelihood of priest encounters.
Red – Missions in the Neutral Zone. High likelihood of priest encounters.
Black – Missions within the Holy Federation. Will involve priest encounters.
“We reaped the benefits on Roke Mountain last time, so I guess it’s time to head out, right?”
“Anyone want to team up for a Neutral Zone scouting mission?”
Letting the noisy chatter of the other students pass by, Simon and Feer carefully examined the four bulletin boards.
[Nothing!]
Said Feer.
[No matter how I look, I don’t see any situation that looks like the work of those damned generals. Tsk! The continent being too peaceful is a problem too!]
Hmm.
Simon nodded calmly.
They had just been lucky with the last mission. It was rare for traces of an Ancient Undead to align perfectly with a mission.
[There’s only one that even remotely has potential.]
Feer’s gaze turned toward a black mission request.
[Corpses covered in bite marks and partially eaten alive. You might assume it’s the work of one of those damned Princes who lead zombies… but that’s not enough to be sure. And going there ourselves to confirm it would be way too risky.]
‘Yeah, I’ve heard it’s almost impossible to get a professor’s approval for black missions.’
This time, Simon focused on the high-paying missions. After buying the golem, he realized just how important capital was for a necromancer.
‘Ugh.’
But none of the high-paying ones really clicked either. Maybe it was because his standards had risen after earning over 500 gold last time, but all of them felt a bit lacking.
‘Might as well try Professor Aron's tip.’
Simon had to be cautious. He needed a mission that could steadily earn him money, especially since it was unclear when the next one would come.
“Simon! Did you pick one?”
As usual, Dick had picked up a white mission request.
“Not yet. But are you going with white again? If you keep doing only easy missions, won’t it get harder for you later?”
“Tomorrow’s sun will rise tomorrow!”
Dick held the request slip in his mouth, slung his school uniform jacket over his shoulder.
“At Keyzen, one wrong move can get you expelled at any moment, right? Gotta make the most of each day!”
“Making the most of it means taking missions within Roke Mountain...?”
“Hehehe, I’ve got my reasons. Anyway, let’s go get some late-night snacks! Snacks!”
* * *
The next day.
Simon decided not to register for a mission and just wait it out.
Kamibarez decided to try a blue mission this time, and Maelyn, saying she still hadn’t recovered from the fatigue of Kera Island, planned to finish a white mission quickly and rest in the dorms.
“Cough! Cough! Cough!”
And today’s first class was Toxicology.
“Hack! Hack! Sorry, everyone. I’ll leave it to you again today!”
“Yes, Professor. Please go get some rest.”
Professor Lang Strauss of Toxicology was growing more ill by the day. He’d often end up coughing up blood during class, and his head assistant Francesca frequently took over.
Lately, he had been coughing up blood so often that even the theory classes were being led by Francesca. Sometimes Lang didn’t show up at all.
The students genuinely worried about Lang’s health, but deep down, many secretly hoped Francesca would take the podium instead.
Lang’s lectures were a battle against sleep, while Francesca’s classes were full of professionalism and energy, rivaling any full professor. Many students were now saying Lang should retire and let Francesca take over.
“I know it’s a bit harsh, but in a school like Keyzen that’s all about survival of the fittest, Professor Lang just isn’t competitive anymore.”
Like most students, Maelyn was firmly on Francesca’s side.
“You can’t just demand brutal competition from the students, then let the professors sit back on their past reputations. That’s just not right, is it?”
“I mean, it’s not that simple.”
Dick took a more pragmatic stance.
“If a professor’s position changes at Keyzen, then all their assistant instructors have to pack up and leave too. A new professor and their assistants take their place. It’s like an entire administration being replaced.”
Simon nodded as if he understood. Dick continued.
“Who doesn’t know Francesca-sensei is capable? I want to keep taking her classes too. But if Professor Lang steps down, his assistants go with him.”
“Ugh, that’s complicated.”
Maelyn muttered, resting her chin on her hand. This time, Kamibarez asked a question.
“Can’t Assistant Instructor Francesca become a professor at Keyzen?”
“Jumping straight to the professor would be tough.”
Dick waved his fingers side to side.
“Assistants are in this weird position between educators and subordinates at Keyzen. Honestly, they’re more like class helpers than educators.”
Maelyn scowled.
“Helpers? Watch your mouth.”
“That’s just the general perception. Of course, with a professor’s recommendation and a solid record as an assistant, someone could move up. But to become a professor right away… it’d take something on the level of Neftis-sama’s intervention.”
Step.
As footsteps approached from the front, Dick and the rest of Team 7 went silent, stiff-faced.
Before they realized it, the 15-minute break had ended, and Francesca was entering the classroom.
“……”
And she was staring straight at Simon’s group.
Superb.