Chapter 353
Pentamonium.
40th floor.
In a clean reception room, two men were sitting across from each other, drinking tea.
[That’s unexpected.]
The one who spoke first was a man dressed in a butler’s uniform.
[Even in such a chaotic situation, I didn’t expect you to remain undetected, holding out among the Crows.]
The man speaking was, in truth, not human.
Magnus’s Ancient Undead, commonly called the “Zombie Butler”.
“Unexpected.”
Across from him, a man wearing the feathered cloak that symbolized the Crows opened his mouth.
“Since when did the Magnus Legion take an interest in such a boring academic conference?”
This man’s name was Evangelos Alphonia, a necromancer with the alias “Needle”.
[Our Legion is only interested in Simon Follentia. More importantly, how are the preparations?]
“Perfect.”
Evangelos leaned back deeply against the sofa.
“I’ve tampered with the device, and now, even I can’t stop it. Soon, the Pentamonium conference will turn into a living hell.”
[That’s exciting.]
“Right, but about Lord Magnus.”
Evangelos rubbed his forehead with a sigh.
“Isn’t he going too far? Especially that attack on a student at Roke Island. There’s a limit to how much I can clean up after him.”
[That’s why we decided to use a method that wouldn’t expose the Legion as much this time.]
The Zombie Butler responded.
[Deployment of Natural Undead. Even that was only possible after much persuasion of the Legion Commander.]
“I see.”
[Continue the briefing. Who are the strong ones that might hinder the plan?]
“This is Pentamonium, there are plenty of strong people. But of course, the biggest obstacles to retrieving Simon Follentia will be—”
Sss.
He took a portrait from his chest.
“Kajan Edvalt, and Serne Eindark. Those two will probably stick close to Simon Follentia.”
[I’ll keep that in mind.]
“Especially that human Serne, you’d be better off not getting tangled with her if you value your sanity. And one more.”
Evangelos stroked his chin.
“There’s a real monster out there—”
* * *
“This way.”
Simon and Serne were walking down a long hallway under Kajan’s guidance.
“Where are we going now?”
Clinging to Simon’s side, Serne glared at Kajan’s back with a look that said she didn’t like this one bit.
“I need to hurry and enjoy my date with Simon!”
“……Serne.”
Simon gave her a look to back off a little, but she just arched her brows like a sly fox.
“When we’re at external events, acting like a couple is our routine! Already forgotten?”
“……What routine?”
“Oh, come on. There are a lot of Ivory Tower elders here at Pentamonium! I need to show them that we’re still doing great, so my voice carries more weight in supporting you within the Tower!”
So she was using that logic again. But Simon pointed out logically in return.
“But there’s no one here right now.”
She gave a bright-eyed smile and rubbed her cheek against Simon’s arm.
“Lowering your guard is bad~”
“…….”
“Enough with the love act, we’re here.”
The three of them arrived at a large door.
“Someone’s inside?”
Simon asked. Kajan turned to the two of them and replied in a low voice.
“The student council president of Keyzen wants to meet you.”
“!”
At that, both their expressions turned serious.
“Ah~ if that’s the case.”
A smile spread across Serne’s lips as well. Kajan looked her straight in the eyes.
“Before being the president, he’s a third-year senior, so show proper respect. And Serne, if you get annoyed and use your feathers, something irreversible might happen.”
“I knooow~ I know. I’m flexible enough for that.”
Serne clicked her tongue.
“More than that, I’ve been curious what kind of man the famous guy in the rumors is, so this is perfect.”
Her eyes were like those of a hawk eyeing its prey. Third-years were about to graduate, so there was room to scout them into the Ivory Tower.
“And I warn you, whatever happens in there—”
As they approached the door, Kajan’s voice sank seriously.
“Do not scream.”
The two nodded. Kajan opened the door.
“It’s Kajan, President.”
Grrrrooook.
Grrk.
The room was filled with water.
Black water, like the depths of the sea where no light reaches.
Even with the door open, it didn’t spill out, staying contained inside the room. Kajan took a deep breath and stepped inside first.
‘It’s not real water, is it?’
Simon wasn’t sure, but he took a deep breath like Kajan and followed him in.
Gorrrroooook.
The moment he entered the room, he realized.
This was real water.
As buoyancy tried to lift his body upward, he focused Darkness into his feet to keep his balance and looked around.
An unbelievable sight unfolded before him. Sofas, tables, and all kinds of furniture floated about, while swarms of fish with sharp teeth—unlike anything he had ever seen—swam by, devouring each other.
Gorrrroooook!
A monster-like giant shark swam past him.
When it bared its teeth at Simon, he nearly cried out, but barely stopped himself by covering his mouth.
‘……!’
And in the very center of this watery space, where it seemed the darkest and deepest—
Something massive was sitting there.
It lounged back against a sofa, chin propped on its hand. From its eyes flickered a bluish light, radiating an overwhelming presence.
It was larger than Hector, though smaller than the half-giant Shatel. Simon guessed it might be the largest size a human male could possibly be.
‘This must be…’
Simon swallowed hard.
‘The strongest necromancer in the whole school.’
Kajan, as though used to such a situation, swam over to find the room’s light switch and pressed it.
Pah!
As the lights came on, the water filling the room vanished without a trace.
With the sudden return of gravity, Simon fell right onto his backside.
Thud! Thunk! Thunk!
The sofa, tables, and other furniture returned to their proper places.
“Hup, haa.”
Simon finally exhaled the breath he’d been holding. His hair and uniform were soaking wet, water dripping down, but within five seconds it all dried completely, as if evaporating.
‘That man is?’
The student council president still sat in a lazy sprawl, chin resting in hand.
Grrrroooor—
A strange sound came from his nose.
“President.”
Kajan approached him.
Again, that grrrroooor— sound came.
“The juniors are here. It’s the appointed time.”
Pop.
A bubble burst from his nose.
He opened his eyes with a “Mm?” and looked around.
“Ah, right. I dozed off.”
Kajan’s face twisted in a deep frown.
“To think you’d dream in such a crowded place, are you sane?”
It was a sharper tone than Kajan usually used.
“Hmph! Can I control whether I dream or not?”
“Be aware that your dreams are more terrible weapons than anything in this world. If you’re tired, go sleep in some remote desert.”
“Hahaha! Your personality hasn’t changed, Kajan!”
The student council president threw his head back and laughed heartily.
“Yes, so these are the ones! Hm!”
The president rose to his feet.
Standing, he looked even more massive. Each step he took sent a deep tremor through the floor as he approached Simon.
“Phantasus Hugh Ikel! That is the name of this body!”
“Simon Follentia.”
The moment Simon clasped Phantasus’ hand, his small hand was swallowed by the enormous one. When Phantasus shook it up and down, Simon’s entire body was tossed violently in the same motion.
After shaking Simon’s hand, Phantasus turned his head. Serne gave him a bright-eyed smile and extended her pale hand, palm up.
“Serne Eindark, Mr. President~”
At her boldness, Phantasus instead laughed cheerfully and bent at the waist. Taking her hand, he gave a light kiss to the back of it, and Serne looked very pleased.
“Hm! Sit down!”
Phantasus turned his back.
Soon, the three of them sat side by side on one sofa, while Phantasus claimed an entire sofa for himself. Even so, his huge frame still made it look small.
“Special Admission No. 1 and No. 2! I’ve heard well that you are the top male and female students of the first years!”
“And the best couple, too.”
Serne leaned slightly toward Simon as she added this.
“Yes! Yes! The best couple, too! Hahahaha! I do not dislike juniors whose identity is so clear!”
“Oh my~”
Serne covered her cheeks as if shy. Unexpectedly, the two of them got along quite well. Perhaps monsters recognize other monsters.
“The president will soon graduate from Keyzen.”
Kajan said.
“After graduation, he plans to join the Crows. It’ll be a joint record with Professor Bahil as the youngest ever. Before that, he wanted to meet you two—”
“Kajan! Sorry to interrupt your explanation, but I’ve declined the Crows’ offer!”
Kajan narrowed his brows as he looked at Phantasus.
“Why did you refuse? Wasn’t becoming the strongest man your dream as president?”
“Hm! That’s true, but I felt I needed more of a journey to find my true self!”
Listening to their conversation, Simon felt a bit dazed.
It seemed the saying that there are no normal necromancers was true. And the strongest necromancer in the whole school was no exception.
“Enough about me in front of juniors! More importantly, what brings you to the Pentamonium conference?”
At Phantasus’ question, Simon answered,
“To present a paper—”
“Hm! A paper?”
Phantasus cut him off. He shook his head as if doubting his own ears, then leaned his head forward and widened his eyes.
“You came here because the professors told you to!”
‘Did he just get bigger?’
Simon thought Phantasus’ massive frame had doubled in size.
Some ability? Black magic? Or just an illusion? His stretched-forward face blocked Simon’s entire view.
Simon stammered,
“It’s not exactly that. Haha.”
…Somehow, he felt it would be better to be honest.
“I came to make money.”
Clap!
Phantasus clapped his hands.
Clap! Clap! Clap!
With each clap, vibrations rippled out like waves, making the nearby furniture rattle.
“Hm! Excellent!!”
He boomed in a resounding voice.
“Securing capital in advance for your dream is important! You have the right awareness, junior!”
“I–Is that so?”
“Then what about you? Did you come because the professors told you to present some paper?”
This time, Phantasus looked at Serne. She smiled like a fox and said,
“I came to seduce men~”
“Perfect!!!”
Bang! Bang!
Phantasus jumped up and gave her a standing ovation.
“Splendid! That’s exactly it! Now I see why you two are the best of the first years!”
Then he looked at Kajan sitting in the third seat.
“Learn from your juniors, Kajan! Stop just doing the missions you’re told!”
Kajan didn’t answer, just scratched at the scar over his eye.
“Hm! Remember this, juniors!”
He thumped his chest as he spoke.
“The world exists because we exist! You are not merely the masters of one short life, the whole world is yours! If you keep your ears to others’ opinions, to your past, to your surroundings, you will accomplish nothing!”
He pointed his huge finger at Simon’s face.
“You! What do you plan to do with the money you earn?”
“I… want to make a lich.”
“Hm! And why do you want to make a lich? That’s a bit much for a first-year!”
Simon gave a slightly embarrassed look. Should he really say something like this to a stranger?
“Because it’s a goal I absolutely want to achieve.”
Freeze.
Phantasus stopped moving. Soon, his large pupils began to tremble.
“So very!”
He suddenly stood and approached. Thinking it would be another handshake, Simon stood as well.
Grab!
“Splendid!!”
This time, it was a hug. Simon felt his breath being squeezed out of him.
“That’s exactly it! Hm! A first-year should at least make a lich! The size of the world you’ll challenge grows with the size of your dream!”
Letting Simon go, he exhaled through his nose.
“Because you set such a goal, you can come to places like this while others waste their time!”
“Th–That’s true, now that you mention it.”
“Indeed! Keep running toward your own dream! Any wall in life, if you run while looking at the sky, you’ll find you’ve already passed it!”
He spread his massive arms wide.
“Whatever it is, don’t let it control you! Smash the world for your dream and drag it along! That is—”
Tooooung!
He thumped his chest and grinned broadly.
“The path to becoming the strongest!”
At those words, Simon felt a fire ignite in his chest.
‘Wow, this guy is amazing.’
Seeing Simon’s eyes sparkle, Serne and Kajan chuckled inwardly. Simon was, after all, still a boy.
“Proud junior! On that note, let me ask you something!”
Phantasus opened his palm wide.
“Any thoughts about becoming the next student council president?”
“…What?”
For a moment, Simon’s mind went blank.
Superb.
When are we getting more free chapters?
Thanks for the new chapters