Chapter 455
"Can I sit beside you?"
Simon nodded with a smiling face.
"As much as you like."
Loraine, her ebony-like hair fluttering, sat down calmly and adjusted her tie.
"So, what’s brought you crawling all the way here this time~ Looking for scraps again?"
Serne, across from her, muttered with a sullen expression.
"I’ve been aiming for Summonology from the start."
She folded her collar neatly and replied in a composed tone.
"Unlike you, who only came sniffing for leftovers."
"Oh, really now?"
The two girls glared at each other, sparks practically flying between their eyes. Simon, caught in the middle, was sweating buckets.
‘This is driving me nuts.’
Even with seniors present, he was worried something might blow up, while the 2nd-year students at other tables were watching them with envious eyes.
The combination of Keyzen, the Student Council President, Neftis’ daughter, and the Ivory Tower’s successor.
It was a lineup that few could dare to approach.
What are they talking about?
Could it be the Dark Alliance’s future and vision? A fierce secret battle to divide up power and influence?
"This girl is seriously hilarious! Acting all chic, all aloof, keeping up that pretentious attitude… yet I’ll bet anything she’s wearing panties with cute little pink bunnies on them right now!"
"That’s sexual harassment, Serne Eindark."
"Nope~ I just happen to like cute things too. What about you, Simon? What’s your taste? Lingerie? Or see-throughs?"
"......Please, I’m begging you, don’t drag me into this conversation."
In truth, it was nothing more than some pointless, silly chit-chat.
Meanwhile, time flew by.
Maybe it was because the overwhelming elites had flocked into Summonology, but the department, usually unpopular, barely reached 50 students, thanks only to Toto at rank 382 joining in.
And then—
"Rank 391, Soen Varus. Toxicology!"
"Rank 394, Grast Lane. Toxicology!"
Dick’s face was withering away in real time.
Darkness Dynamics and Katarology had already filled their quotas. Toxicology had 59 out of 60 spots taken. If even one of the next five students chose Toxicology, it was over.
"Khh—! Pleeeaaase!"
Down below the platform, Dick flailed around desperately, panicking.
"I was wrong! I’ll study this year! I swear I’ll work super hard this time, just save me a spot, pleeease!"
The broadcast assistant tried to hush him, but the frantic Dick couldn’t hear a word.
"Rank 397, Rilari Anre. Haematology."
"Rank 398, Guillaume Marilos. Magical Combat."
Dick staggered up onto the stage. At that same moment, the very last student was just drawing their card from the flames.
"Rank 399, Abola Rodfield. Spiritology! And finally—"
"UWAAAAAH!"
With a sudden wail, Dick burst into tears of relief and sprinted forward.
"Professor Belya! Thank goodness! Thank goodness! Hahahaha!"
He immediately lunged and hugged Belya, the announcer, tightly. Her face twisted into a fierce scowl.
"You brat! What the hell do you think you’re doing, pulling dangerous stunts like that?"
"Ugh!"
She smacked his forehead, knocking him flat on the floor. Red hives were already breaking out across his body.
"I was sweating, idiot. That’s all."
Belya’s constitution caused her sweat and body fluids to carry toxins.
"That doesn’t matter!"
Even though hives were spreading across his face, Dick leapt up with a huge grin plastered across it.
"I, rank 400! Dick Hayword, choose—!"
Before Belya could even announce it, he dashed toward the blazing altar of Toxicology and thrust his hand into the flames.
The fire wavered as though it might snuff out, and the moment he drew his card—
fwoosh— it vanished.
The quota had been filled.
"Mhmhmhm!"
Dick, grinning, held up his student ID. Behind him gleamed the cracked potion bottle and skull insignia of Toxicology.
"Never thought I’d meet someone even crazier than I was as a kid."
Belya smirked and continued.
"Rank 400, Dick Hayword. My last student!"
"YEEEEEESSSSSSSSS!"
With his face covered in hives like blossoms, Dick ran across the platform and dropped to his knees in a triumphant ceremony, shouting at the top of his lungs.
"......."
The other students sitting at their tables could only smile awkwardly.
"What’s with him?"
"He acts like he just ranked 1st place or something."
At that moment, a man seated at the very front of the Toxicology table propped his chin on his hand.
[Well, look at that.]
The muffled voice leaked from the mask of none other than Ballack—3rd-year rank 2 overall, and said to be Aizel’s only rival.
[He’s family now.]
Startled, the Toxicology 3rd-years shot up and yelled in unison.
"Welcome, Dick-whatever-your-name-is!"
"400th place straggler! Welcome to Toxicology!"
WAAAAAAHHHHH!
The cheers made Dick wave back at them, his eyes glistening with gratitude.
"Thank you! Thank you, seniors! Here comes Dick Hayword!"
As he scampered over, fussing dramatically, Maelyn Villene, seated at the Darkness Dynamics table, quietly covered her face with her palm.
"......Ugh, so embarrassing no matter where he goes."
At the Haematology table, Kamibarez Ursula chuckled when seniors asked about him.
"Still, he’s got such a bright, cheerful personality!"
Meanwhile, back at the Summonology table.
"Isn’t he your friend?"
Serne asked.
Simon chuckled and nodded.
"Yeah. He’s my best friend."
* * *
And so, the department assignments came to a close.
Katarology – 60 students / Professor Bahil
Darkness Dynamics – 60 students / Professor Jane
Summonology – 50 students / Professor Aron
Spiritology – 58 students / Professor Stacy
Haematology – 55 students / Professor Preston
Toxicology – 60 students / Professor Belya
Magical Combat – 57 students / Professor Hongpeng
As expected, Katarology and Darkness Dynamics filled up the quickest, hitting 60 right away.
Summonology barely scraped by with 50—the lowest headcount—but its talent pool was considered second to none.
Haematology, after the Sillage and Blood Heaven Cult incidents, had lost popularity. Meanwhile, Belya’s Toxicology took advantage of the backlash and hit full capacity.
"Alright then, let’s head to the dormitories!"
Led by Leonard, the department representatives of the 3rd-years guided the new 2nd-years forward.
From 2nd-year onward, Keyzen students lived in their department dorms. Usually, the lower floors were for 2nd-years and the upper floors for 3rd-years.
"Hey, the Katarology kids are heading that way."
"Looks like they’ve got that huge building."
Indeed, Katarology and Darkness Dynamics students entered large, modern dormitories located close to campus. But the Summonology dormitory was tucked away deep in a valley-like spot, farthest from campus.
The 2nd-years whispered among themselves.
"How far do we have to go?"
"Feels like we’re entering the Forbidden Forest."
"So it’s true then, that Summonology’s department situation isn’t that great…."
"Hey, you there."
Will, the discipline officer, glared at them.
"Got a problem?"
Their mouths snapped shut instantly. From then on, the 2nd-years just followed silently, too afraid of their seniors’ eyes to say a word.
"Uwaah! Bugs are scary, Simon!"
Of course, except for one person.
Serne was clinging tightly to Simon’s side, acting as if she were the most delicate girl in the world. Reading the mood around him, Simon pulled her away.
"Then at least throw up a barrier. You’re good at that."
"I already did."
"Huh? Where?"
As Simon glanced around, Serne suddenly shouted, "Yap!" and clung to him again.
"Inside Simon’s arms!"
Simon’s cheeks flushed bright red, and Serne laughed gleefully at his reaction, finding it endlessly amusing.
"Stop it."
Loraine spoke up.
"Simon doesn’t like it."
"Aw~ he only says that. No way he really hates it. If a guy hates being spoiled by a girl, he’s not a man—he’s a eunuch!"
Serne stuck her tongue out playfully.
"And honestly, you’re no fun either~ Always going ‘Stop that!’ ‘Don’t do this!’ Are you my teacher, or my mom?"
"You really want to keep getting on people’s nerves?"
As the two of them started clashing again, Simon sighed and stepped in to mediate.
The other 2nd-years, who had been nervous under their seniors’ eyes, chuckled at the bickering, and the mood lightened somewhat.
And then—
"......"
Will clenched his teeth, his fists trembling.
With Neftis’ daughter right there, he couldn’t say anything.
"Will, don’t do anything stupid."
Leonard, walking ahead, warned him in advance. Will flinched and straightened his posture.
But Leonard’s attention wasn’t on the scene behind him. He turned to the sturdy junior walking at his side.
"That armband suits you, Hector."
Hector walked proudly, wearing the armband symbolizing the 2nd-year representative of Summonology.
"Thank you, senior."
"What do you think is most important in an organization?"
Leonard asked—and before Hector could answer, he spoke again.
"Discipline."
"......."
"This year, our department has the 2nd-year Student Council President and some irregulars. It’ll be a bit harder to keep control, but within the department, your word as the representative is absolute."
"Yes."
"You’re the face of the department. Your orders are my orders, and by extension, the will of the department. As long as they belong to the organization, they must follow your command. That’s how the system works."
"Understood."
"We, the 3rd-years, will fully back you. What matters is how quickly you get everyone under control, right?"
"Yes."
"Then here’s your first mission as the 2nd-year representative."
Leonard clapped him on the shoulder as he spoke.
"Tonight, there’ll be a department welcoming party. Attendance is technically optional, but anyone serious about fitting into department life will be there. Bring every single one of them. No exceptions."
The Keyzen department welcoming parties were infamous.
They were especially notorious for their bizarre initiation rites. In Katarology, seniors were known for turning juniors into animals with curses and toying with them. In Toxicology, it was tradition to shove faces into bowls of poison.
Hector bowed his head.
"I’ll do my best."
* * *
They finally arrived at the Summonology dormitory.
It sat at the farthest edge of campus, with its back against the Forbidden Forest. But Simon found himself quite satisfied with the location.
The distant chorus of insects and the babbling of a stream gave it a bit of a Leshill feel, and it seemed like he’d be able to meet Feer more easily too.
"A bit far, isn’t it?"
Leonard glanced back at the juniors. Naturally, no one would be stupid enough to say yes, so an immediate chorus of "Not at all, sir!" rang out.
"If you don’t want to be late, you’ll either have to wake up early or prepare a commuting-type summoned beast."
Thunk.
"Uwaaaah!"
Toto tripped over a bone lying on the ground and tumbled forward. Laughter rippled through the group.
"Careful."
Leonard smiled as he spoke.
"The yard can be dangerous, there are leftovers from undead creations scattered around. Honestly, I keep telling them to clean it up."
One of his 3rd-year classmates retorted.
"Says the guy who burned down the forest while making a Fire Golem."
"Hahahaha!"
The 3rd-years burst out laughing. Leonard scratched his head sheepishly.
"Come on, at least spare me the roasting in front of juniors."
"There it is, that sulky face again."
"Watch out, juniors. If Leonard sulks, it lasts three weeks."
The 2nd-years didn’t laugh outright, but small smiles spread across their faces.
Simon quietly observed Leonard.
As a leader, he was the classic benevolent general type.
He had deep trust, got along with everyone, and was easygoing even when teased, hit, or pranked.
And considering that only twenty Summonology students had survived to advance from 2nd to 3rd year, they must share bonds as tight as family. Whatever challenge came from outside, those twenty would surely close ranks and fight together.
"Alright then, let’s go in!"
Leonard strode ahead.
At last, the Summonology dormitory building came into view.
Superb.
When are we getting more free chapters?
Thanks for the new chapters