Chapter 609
Simon’s eyes widened at Toto’s explanation.
“They called a full assembly of the 3rd years?”
“Y-Yeah!”
Perhaps the lingering fear of the initiation ceremony still haunted him, because a heavy shadow clouded Toto’s face.
“Even those who were asleep, or out somewhere, every single one was summoned! Hector’s expression didn’t look good either….”
‘But his face never looks good anyway.’
Thinking that, Simon gave a wry smile and asked,
“But Toto, what about you?”
Toto lowered his head.
“The 3rd-year seniors told me to bring you… I was about to go looking for you in the student council room.”
“Hm.”
They had openly summoned all of the 2nd years. At this scale, it was most likely under the orders of the overall department representative, Leonard Feiron.
‘But for what reason?’
Ever since the initiation fiasco, one of the 3rd-year powerhouses, Benya Vanilla, had been glaringly keeping an eye on her peers. She was the one who blocked Will’s constant harassment, too.
For a gathering to be called despite her presence, there were two possibilities.
Either the 3rd years tried to rein in the 2nd years while Benya was away on some outside schedule…
Or, the assembly was ordered with her consent.
“You don’t need to worry too much. Let’s go.”
“O-Okay!”
The two of them walked to the clearing in the forbidden forest behind the dormitory.
The surroundings were quiet, only the faint chirps of insects and the hooting of owls could be heard. Toto clung tightly to Simon’s side, nervously darting his eyes around.
‘There they are.’
The 2nd-year classmates stood in formation, backs straight, as if on parade.
Since it was the first gathering after the initiation incident, everyone’s faces betrayed their tension. The atmosphere was so still that silence itself seemed to press down on them.
“What’s going on?”
Simon whispered to Eshu, who was standing at the back. She shook her head with a distressed look.
“...We don’t know either. D-Do you think someone got into trouble?”
Simon placed Toto beside Eshu and kept walking. Finally, he could see the 3rd years standing at the front.
At the very center of the group—
Seated prominently on a large chair was the overall representative of the Summonology Department, Leonard Feiron.
His slightly wavy hair draped across his forehead, his sharp nose and high cheekbones radiated presence, and his natural smile made him look genuinely kind.
He had the classic princely appearance that would make anyone think: He’s handsome.
“Ah.”
Leonard, who had been chuckling at Will’s jokes on the left, raised a hand.
“You’re here! Student Council President.”
Simon gave a slight bow and scanned the surroundings.
Behind Leonard, the 3rd years stood casually, chatting amongst themselves, far more at ease than the tense 2nd years.
To Leonard’s left stood the 12th-ranked student overall and the feared figure of the department, Will Douglas, with the 2nd-year representative Hector Moore standing at attention beside him.
And to Leonard’s right—there was Benya. She waved lightly at Simon, greeting him with her eyes.
“Well then, all the 2nd years are gathered, right?”
Leonard asked. Hector, wearing a face somewhere between a frown and a smile, bowed his head.
“Apologies. One person is still absent.”
“Who?”
“Serne Eindark.”
As if he’d expected that answer, Leonard waved dismissively with a laugh.
“Haha! I didn’t expect her to show anyway.”
“My apologies.”
“It’s fine. The heir of the Ivory Tower isn’t someone who’d heed our summons. Just notify her separately later.”
“Yes.”
At last, Leonard rose from his seat. Simon stopped at a reasonable spot and kept his eyes on him.
“The mood’s too stiff, isn’t it? No need to be so tense, everyone.”
Leonard spoke gently, but the 2nd years’ faces did not relax. In fact, most of them just wished he would get to the scolding or punishment already, anything to end the tension quickly.
“Alright, I’ll get straight to the point. There’s only one reason I gathered all of you.”
Leonard spread his arms wide.
“Three weeks from now, the Dark Emperor will begin.”
At that, murmurs erupted among the 2nd years.
Simon already knew, but since the official announcement hadn’t yet been made, the others’ reactions were only natural.
“Isn’t that right, Student Council President?”
Leonard looked at Simon for confirmation.
By tomorrow morning, the entire school would know anyway. Since it wasn’t something to hide, Simon simply nodded.
“Yes.”
The confirmation from the Student Council President spread more commotion through the ranks.
“I was surprised too. Looks like the school intends to hold the event this year after it was postponed last year due to the Saint incident.”
Leonard shrugged his shoulders.
“Then, for the 2nd years who don’t know what the Dark Emperor is, Benya, could you explain?”
“Got it.”
Benya stepped forward.
“Hello, everyone, have you all been doing well?”
With just her kind smile and greeting, the tense mood softened remarkably.
By now, Benya had become something of a hero to the entire 2nd-year class.
“The Dark Emperor is an inter-department competition.”
The system paired each department’s 2nd and 3rd years into a single team. Seven departments in total, competing fiercely against one another.
It resembled a kind of school sports festival, but with massive performance evaluation scores and department support funds at stake, it was an extremely important event for Keyzen students.
Simon, having already heard Maelyn’s explanation, listened as though reviewing.
“It’s a heavy burden, honestly.”
When Benya finished her explanation, Leonard spoke with a grumble.
“Of all times, the Dark Emperor had to fall during my 3rd year. It’s such a weight to bear.”
He fiddled with the armband on his right shoulder, then nonchalantly shrugged.
“Already, countless senior alumni are bombarding me with messages. A 100-year-old senior from Spiritology even said if we lose to Katarology, he’d kill me.”
Laughter broke out here and there at his joke. Leonard then continued, face turning more serious.
“For the honor of our department, and above all for myself—we must achieve outstanding results in the Dark Emperor.”
All the students nodded in agreement.
“Honestly, you all know the way the school treats our Summonology Department, right? Since it came up, let’s lay it all out. Like how shabby our dorm is, for instance.”
The 2nd years eagerly raised their hands.
“The hot water doesn’t run at night!”
“It leaks when it rains!”
“Right!”
“The breakfast tastes awful!”
“Exactly. I agree with that one. I heard the Darkness Dynamics Department eats steak in the mornings.”
Leonard strolled among the 2nd years, actively engaging in conversation.
At last, the 2nd years began to loosen up and speak their minds.
‘Well, as expected.’
Simon smiled faintly.
‘He pretends otherwise, but he has the makings of a true leader.’
Leonard, having collected the juniors’ complaints, returned to his seat.
“If we take 1st place this time, we can change everything. Dormitory remodeling, hot water, meals, undead material subsidies… We might even move altogether. Our dorm is too far from campus—why not into one of the new buildings nearby?”
Ooooooh!
The 2nd years erupted in cheers.
“But I actually like our current dorm! It’s grown on me!”
“Yeah! I’ve gotten attached to it!”
There were opposing opinions, too. Leonard gave them a knowing look.
“To be honest, me too. Of course, for something big like moving, we’ll decide only after listening to everyone’s opinion.”
The 3rd years, who had been quietly watching, chimed in.
“Listen to him—getting ahead of himself.”
“The Dark Emperor hasn’t even started yet. Isn’t it a bit early to pop the champagne?”
Leonard laughed and strolled back toward his peers.
“Well, they’re right. Do you even know what our Summonology Department’s recent records in the Dark Emperor are?”
The students went quiet as Leonard continued.
“6th, 5th, 7th, 7th, 7th.”
“......”
“We’ve always been bottom-tier in the Dark Emperor. That’s why we were pushed all the way out here to this secluded area by the forbidden forest. We’re the department that costs the most money while receiving the least support from the school.”
A heavy silence settled over the crowd.
“But this year will be different.”
Leonard stretched out his arm.
“Our 3rd years include two students ranked in the Top 10. The rest are all elite, at least mid-tier or higher.”
Waaaaah!
The 3rd years swung their arms up high, shouting in response.
“And where is the so-called strongest 3rd year, Aizel Bringer? He hasn’t returned, nor is there any word from him. This is an opportunity that won’t come again.”
This time, cheers broke out from both 2nd and 3rd years.
Leonard brushed his bangs back and looked toward the 2nd years.
“Most importantly, how about our 2nd years this year? Isn’t this the strongest lineup in the history of Summonology? We have three Top 10 students!”
Rank 1 overall: Simon Follentia.
Rank 3 overall: Hector Moore.
Rank 5 overall: Aseraz Mikel.
It was truly an unbelievable roster.
In fact, the presence of these three alone had made many mid- and upper-ranked students abandon the idea of choosing Summonology.
“And on top of that, we’ve got the future master of the Ivory Tower and the next chancellor of Keyzen!”
This time, cheers erupted for Loraine. She had been sitting quietly in the middle, listening attentively, and now scratched her cheek in embarrassment, surprised by the sudden spotlight.
“The rest of the 2nd years are doing well too. I heard your recent dispatch evaluation had the highest return rate and a 0% dropout rate. And…”
Leonard strode forward and placed a hand on Simon’s shoulder.
“You already know without me saying it, don’t you?”
The loudest cheer yet exploded.
Tap, tap.
Leonard patted Simon’s shoulder lightly, then swirled his jacket as he walked away.
“Let me emphasize it again—this year is our chance.”
Back at his seat, he clenched his fist.
“There may have been some unpleasantness at the start of the semester, but when it’s time to come together, we must unite. Let’s give our professors something to be proud of.”
“Yes, Senior!”
Energetic responses resounded throughout the crowd.
Simon briefly recalled Aron’s face, feeling his own resolve strengthen.
“Of course!”
Thud!
Striding forward with a delinquent swagger came the 12th-ranked, Will Douglas.
The festival-like expressions of the 2nd years hardened at once. Just seeing him made Toto shrink in fright.
“All that talk of ‘I’ll try hard! I’ll do my best!’—if 1st place could be won with words like that, anyone could’ve done it already! What we need is not words, but clear changes in action!”
Changes?
Clap!
“From this moment on, your sleep is restricted! Don’t even think about sleeping until we win the Dark Emperor!”
“……Will.”
This time, Benya stepped forward. At her glance, Will clicked his tongue in annoyance.
“My classmate has once again chosen the wrong words. What we really mean is this: until the Dark Emperor, we’ll hold ‘department training’ twice a day. Of course, participation is voluntary. No attendance will be taken.”
At that, many showed visible relief. Though Will muttered “slackers” under his breath, Benya ignored him and added,
“Morning sleep and evening rest might be cut a little, but I promise the effort will bear fruit. If you join us, we 3rd years will personally coach you and give you advice.”
The 2nd years’ eyes lit up.
Since grades were at stake, everyone would have to prepare for the Dark Emperor anyway. With the 3rd years offering personal coaching, there was no reason to refuse.
It was, in fact, a huge opportunity.
“Yes, I hope as many as possible will join in.”
Leonard stepped forward again.
“We 3rd years will also cut down on outside schedules during this period and focus entirely on the Dark Emperor. Let’s give it our all, with no regrets.”
The 2nd years shouted back with spirit.
“Yes, Senior!”
* * *
Fwoooosh—
A chamber filled with green smoke.
Inside, a man sat in a boiling cauldron of toxic liquid as if enjoying a half-body bath.
All over his body, his skin swelled and subsided, pus burst from corrupted flesh, grotesque sights beyond description.
And yet, he remained utterly calm.
[……]
Even in the bath, he never removed his signature metal mask that covered his mouth.
“B-Ballack! This isn’t the time for this!”
Behind that grotesque bath, a 3rd year wearing a gas mask stammered nervously.
[Is the information true?]
This was none other than the 2nd-ranked student of the entire 3rd year.
The only rival said to be capable of opposing the top of Keyzen himself, Aizel—Ballack. From his mask, green vapors seeped out with each breath.
“I-It’s practically certain! The Dark Emperor will be held this year! A guy in the student council from our department confirmed it!”
[…]
“Other departments are already moving! We need to—”
[There’s no need to make a fuss.]
Fwoooosh—
The poison-laden breath from his mask melted the concrete wall. The 3rd year behind him flinched and stepped back.
[My only opponent has ever been, and will always be, one.]
The massive figure of Ballack slowly rose to his feet.
[The one and only—Aizel, who will soon return!]
Superb.
When are we getting more free chapters?
Thanks for the new chapters