Chapter 615
Simon lifted the voice-amplifying crystal orb.
“I am Simon Follentia.”
Just speaking his name drew out a roar of cheers. The 1st-years on the left side in particular responded with fiery enthusiasm.
“Student Council President, senior―!”
“Over here!”
They were even waving a banner scrawled with something about “milky-white skin” or whatever.
Their passion was so intense he couldn’t just ignore it. When Simon gave them a slight wave, an explosive cheer erupted—several times louder than before.
The sight drew smiles from many of the spectators watching.
“The sky is clear today.”
At last, the boy’s voice resounded.
“Honorable professors, classmates who always lend me their support, seniors I respect, juniors I admire, and the residents of the Dark Alliance gathered here, it is my honor to deliver this speech before you.”
Simon smiled faintly.
“Above all, I am truly happy that this year’s Dark Emperor Festival could be held safely.”
As the speech began, the crowd was quickly drawn in.
His words had pulling power. His voice carried a pleasant charm that seemed to suck you in.
It was the flawless image of a Student Council President, like a painting brought to life.
The student council members standing behind him, guarding his back, couldn’t help but feel their shoulders swell with pride. Maelyn and Kamibarez exchanged a bright smile, and Dick’s lips curled upward when Simon read aloud the very line he had helped insert into the speech.
The clear sky. The perfect beginning of a festival.
But—
“Loving this, aren’t they? They’re loving it to death.”
Not everyone found the sight pleasant.
Will Douglas, ranked 12th overall of the 3rd-year, scowled deeply.
“First the entrance ceremony, now the Dark Emperor Festival—those guys are taking everything. And all the spectators are buzzing about why a 2nd-year is the Student Council President. Ah, come on, say something, Leonard!”
Among the 3rd-year summonology students, Leonard, standing at the very front, gave a faint smile.
“Don’t pull a face like that on such a fine day, Will. This festival, Simon Follentia is on our side, isn’t he?”
“That doesn’t matter! The important thing is that a 2nd-year is standing up there! What will people think of our class year?!”
“Once Aizel returns, the mood will change.”
“Argh, seriously! Aizel, Aizel, always Aizel!”
Will raked his fingers roughly through his hair, then spoke with a stiff expression.
“There are rumors that bastard is dead.”
“……”
The one who should have become Student Council President.
Aizel’s return had been delayed.
At the Keyzen headquarters, every detail about his mission—and even his life or death—was kept in strict secrecy. Thus, only rumors spread among the students.
That he had died during the mission.
That he had gone missing.
That he had been captured by the Holy Federation and Keyzen was negotiating his ransom.
All manner of speculation ran wild.
“That guy’s biggest mistake was trying to imitate Phantasus!”
Aizel was a gifted student.
Undisputedly Keyzen’s strongest of the present generation, a figure outstanding anywhere.
But by being conscious of Phantasus, one of the greatest Student Council Presidents in Keyzen’s history, he had sunk into misfortune.
The comparison was inevitable since Phantasus was his predecessor. Aizel had taken it upon himself to resolve doubts about his worth by undertaking a long-term mission of the same difficulty Phantasus had attempted one year earlier.
He wanted to confront those doubtful gazes head-on.
[A sparrow tried to follow a stork and tore its legs apart.]
Leonard and Will turned their heads.
Not dark circles, his eyes looked like a panda’s. A man in a cloak stood there, his blackened eye sockets shadowed.
It was Sota Psyche, representative of the Spiritology department and ranked 6th overall.
[Even active Crows said that mission was life-threatening, didn’t they? How could he take on something like that?]
“Sota.”
Leonard turned to him.
“What are you doing in the middle of an event with so many outsiders? Go back to your department.”
Sota pointed behind him.
[I already am.]
There stood Sota, dazed in the Spiritology line. Looking closer, the figure speaking now was blurred, like a spirit split from Sota’s body.
‘……As expected, incredible.’
Will broke into a cold sweat.
The record for spirit separation was said to be one hour. A department representative of the 3rd-years was on a different level entirely.
[If you ask me,]
Sota tugged the corner of his eye downward.
[Aizel is dead.]
“……”
[Which means it’s time for us to act. Professors, 1st-years, even outsiders are now content with Simon Follentia. We cannot allow that 2nd-year brat to hog the student council presidency for a second term.]
Slowly, he clenched his fist.
[If we keep believing in a dead Aizel, nothing will change.]
“Sorry to cut into the leaders’ talk, but look over there.”
Will pointed with his finger.
A short distance away, a man wearing an iron mask stood stiffly.
That was Ballack, deputy top of the 3rd-years and representative of the Toxicology department. Known for keeping a strong rivalry with Aizel.
Leonard and Sota stepped closer.
“The plan?”
Leonard whispered.
[We trash the Dark Emperor Festival.]
Sota replied.
[The student council runs the festival. If incidents and problems start breaking out among the students inside it, more and more people will begin doubting Simon Follentia’s leadership. That’s where it begins.]
“Hmph.”
Leonard smiled faintly.
“Trash the festival, cause incidents, whatever—I don’t care. But this year, the departmental championship goes to Summonology. That I will not yield.”
[That’s your problem, Leonard.]
Sota sighed.
[You care too much for your people. But now is the time to draw a bigger picture.]
“……”
[Remember—once this year ends, we leave Keyzen too.]
His spirit form began to fade, his body blurring further.
[If you change your mind, come find me.]
* * *
Dark Emperor Festival – Boilstone Arena.
“Waaaaaah!”
This was a massive coliseum, capable of seating thirty thousand spectators.
The packed stands throbbed with heat and energy, every person gripping their seat with sweaty palms as they watched.
–This is your host, Conrad Hayabon! We’re bringing you the 2nd-year matches this afternoon, live from Boilstone Arena!
This arena had no ground.
Only chains, tangled and crisscrossed in midair, served as footholds. Students dashed frantically across them, leaping from link to link.
And beneath those chains boiled a seething red sea of magma. Fall into it, and you were out, no questions asked.
–Keeeeeeeh!
There were even monsters. A colossal beast wallowing in the magma: the Salamander Snake.
It swung its tail in wide arcs, attacking indiscriminately, while the students scrambled desperately to avoid both its strikes and the surging bursts of molten rock.
–This event is Balloon Capture! The department that collects the most balloons floating throughout the arena and deposits them into the basket at the summit will be the winner! Who will emerge as the final victor?
Cheers erupted from every direction.
“Let’s gooo! Katarology Department!”
“Gleck Crow! Show them your strength!”
“There, grab it there! Yes, that’s it!”
The first ones to stand out were the students of the Magical Combat department, quick to adapt to the battlefield.
Some students struggled just to balance themselves on the chains, but those with outstanding physical ability leapt about like fish in water.
“Hup-cha!”
One Magical Combat student launched himself from the chain, springing toward a balloon floating in midair.
“That makes three balloons now…!”
Fwoooosh!
But scarlet flames engulfed the student’s body just as he reached out. His barrier gauge instantly dropped to 0%, and he was forcibly teleported out of the arena.
–It has appeared again!
Kwoooooohh!
A pitch-black dragon landed on the chains, roaring.
The wide-area curse “Dragon Fear” detonated, causing the students to falter in their movements. In that instant, the serpent monster’s tail swept in and sent them flying.
–Summonology Department has brought out none other than their department representative for this match! 2nd-year Rank 3, Hector Moore! Truly formidable!
Each time the dragon breathed flames, students fell from the chains like autumn leaves. Meanwhile, Aseraz Mikel was manipulating skeleton arms to snatch up balloons one after another.
–And alongside him, the overall Rank 5, Aseraz Mikel! Summonology has fielded not one but two Top 10 players in a single event! They are making their intentions clear, they will seize this match at all costs! Personally, I think it’s a smart strategy. Selection and focus are crucial!
But Keyzen’s students weren’t about to sit back and let one faction dominate. Soon, other departments began to move in to counter.
“Block the brat from the Moore family first!”
Sliding down the opposite chain, Katarology students hurled curses relentlessly at Hector.
He grimaced as allergic reactions broke out between his scales, but suddenly, behind the curse students, a massive shadow loomed.
–That summoned creature is…!
Shrrng! Shrrng!
With flashing strikes, the curse students’ barrier gauges plummeted to 0 in an instant. As their casters were eliminated from the battlefield, the curses binding Hector were lifted.
Clang!
The chain tilted heavily around the hulking figure swinging its sword.
This creature, massive in weight, carried a greatsword in one hand—while holding its own head in the other.
–Dullahans! It's Dullahans!
The announcer shot up to his feet.
Already six Dullahans were racing across the chains, cutting down students from other departments.
–So that’s what the Summonology students were saving themselves for early on—they had Dullahans prepared! Just how many are there? Incredible! Could it be that every Summonology student can summon one?!
The Summonology students, empowered by special lectures on Dullahan summoning, surged forward.
Coupled with the dazzling performance of their two Top 10 members.
1st place: Summonology Department – 35 points.
2nd place: Magical Combat Department – 20 points.
3rd place: Katarology Department – 18 points.
In this first event, Balloon Capture, the score gap with 2nd place was already double.
“Looks like this match is ours.”
Watching from the stands, Simon murmured with a smile.
“Yeah. Everyone’s doing great.”
Beside him, Loraine clapped her hands, cheering on their classmates.
The match was thrilling even just to watch. But Simon, sitting in the stands, felt his body itching with restlessness. He wanted to jump in and prove himself already.
“Let’s gooo, Summonology Department!”
Leading the Summonology cheers, as always, was the boundlessly energetic Eshu. She waved her cheering tools, rallying the crowd’s voices.
“Our rep is crushing it!”
“Aseraz! Keep it steady!”
Perhaps because their cheering was so loud, the students of the Haematology Department in the opposite stands fired back with mockery.
“Oooooh!”
“Did the beggars show up? Go forage wild berries in the park instead!”
“Even if you try to transfer into our department, we wouldn’t take you!”
Hahaha!
The Haematology students burst out laughing. Veins bulged on Eshu’s forehead at those words.
“You bastards! Don’t even dream of a blood donation! You filthy blood-suckers!”
“Did you take your iron supplements? Heart failure! Arrhythmia! Baldies!”
“Your future dream is joining Blood Heaven Cult!”
The atmosphere boiled over.
Enraged students began leaping to their feet.
“Baldness and Blood Heaven Cult? That’s way too much, you psychos!”
“You’re the ones who started blabbering about transfers!”
As tensions flared too hot, teaching assistants and enforcers rushed in to calm the students down.
This too was a sight unique to the Dark Emperor Festival.
“Simon.”
Fitzgerald Ingels, who had been involved in arranging the 2nd-year schedules, approached.
“It’s almost time for your match.”
“Ah, really? Time flew by.”
Simon sprang to his feet, preparing himself.
“I don’t want to pressure you, but…”
Fitzgerald adjusted his glasses.
“It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say our department’s fate rests on the next event. How do you rate our chances?”
At those words, Simon grinned.
“100%. I’ll bring back the win.”
Superb.
When are we getting more free chapters?
Thanks for the new chapters
Very good story and translation but half the chapter aren't for free and it is wayyyy too expensive will it stat like tjis foreve or will it get free after some time