Chapter 646
That evening, the department party began.
In front of the dormitory, they stacked up huge logs and lit them, creating a campfire atmosphere.
The students of the department freely sat around it, noisily drinking wine and enjoying themselves.
Simon, too, held a wine glass and perched on a rock, looking up at the dormitory. The letters painted with black magic shone brightly even in the middle of the night.
<Summoning Department ranked 2nd overall for the first time in 70 years! Congratulations! Congratulations!>
It was truly a festive atmosphere.
“Alright, everyone, ga-theer!”
A third-year female student shouted loudly.
“Our grand department representative has something to say!”
“Woooooaaahhh!”
A rowdy cheer erupted. The department representative, Leonard, scratched the back of his head in embarrassment as he stood up.
“......$@^....”
“We can’t hear you, senior!”
“Idiot, the amplification crystal is off.”
“Ah.”
“Already drunk, huh?”
Both peers and juniors teased him uproariously. Leonard chuckled and activated the amplification crystal.
“Everyone, you worked hard during the Dark Emperor period!”
He grinned brightly.
“Because everyone fought as one, we achieved such a great result. Honestly, I don’t even remember the last time I laughed like this.”
“Department rep seniorrr!”
“Don’t cry!”
“Hahahahaha!”
Just for today, it was no crime to tease the lofty third-year seniors. Leonard went along with it, pretending to wipe tears.
“I’m not much of a speaker, uh… I can’t really put this feeling into words, but… I’m truly proud of you all. Today, I’m really, really happy, and I’m glad I entered Keyzen.”
He gripped the amplification crystal tightly.
“Though there’s still a long way until graduation, this will be a memory I’ll carry forever. When I’m out in society, tired and worn out, I think I’ll often recall those blazing logs. You are my pride, and also—”
“Excuse me, senior! You’re repeating yourself!”
“Your tongue’s tangled, Leonard!”
“Ahahahaha!”
What other department had such a punching-bag representative like this?
Even Simon couldn’t help but laugh heartily. Leonard stretched out his arms and shouted:
“Alright, before this memory becomes a dark history, I’d better wrap it up. Thank you, I love you all! Let’s endure to the end and all survive this school together! Summoning Department, fighting!”
“Fighting!”
As Leonard sat back down to applause, chants of “Vanilla! Vanilla!” naturally erupted.
The supportive chants grew louder and louder, and at last, as Benya Vanilla shyly waved her hands and stood, the cheers exploded like thunder.
“Hello, everyone, uh…”
She bashfully accepted the amplification crystal from Leonard and searched for words—when suddenly Eshu, sitting a couple of seats away from Simon, raised her hand high and yelled:
“The mom of the Summoning Department! Senior Benya!”
“Hahahahaha!”
The atmosphere was so good that any words were met with huge responses. Students even shouted things like: “Thanks for always taking care of us, mom!” and “I’m hungry, mom!”
Benya smiled warmly.
“Thank you for seeing me kindly. Mm, suddenly I’m nervous. I’m not sure what to say…”
She twisted a lock of her cream-colored hair, then closed her eyes and let out a long breath.
“I grew up wealthy in the Vanilla family. You know, what people call a gold spoon? A gold fork? Something like that. I never once worried about the price of undead materials, and I grew up researching whatever I wanted. But… I never thought of myself as special. Then…”
Benya opened her eyes and swept her gaze across her juniors and peers.
“After entering the Summoning Department, I was shocked. As you all know, our department costs a fortune in materials. Kids my age fell behind because they couldn’t afford materials, worked part-time jobs, took on grueling mission evaluations, and even starved because they didn’t have money for food.”
Her voice trembled.
“Honestly, whenever friends despaired over money and switched majors, I felt a deep guilt. I realized the life I enjoyed came from the blood and sweat of necromancers everywhere, not just Keyzen. Especially when my closest roommate transferred to Darkness Dynamics… I really wanted to cry. I wanted to help, but even my allowance from my grandfather was limited, so all I could do was watch. For a while, I was lost—then I made a decision.”
She clenched her fist, eyes flashing.
“To conquer the world!”
Wait—how did the speech suddenly veer in that direction?
Simon let out an awkward laugh.
“I may just be a student with no influence now, but someday, when I graduate and lead the Vanilla family, I’ll abolish the overpriced luxury policies! I’ll make sure every necromancer can use high-quality undead affordably! Then I’ll expand this low-cost, high-efficiency labor force into the civilian sector to enrich the entire world!”
Whenever world conquest came up, her tone and aura completely changed. She raised her arm like a true explorer.
“Remember me, comrades! I am Benya Vanilla, the one who will conquer the world! That is all!”
“Uwooooaaaaaahhhhhh!”
Students rose to their feet, applauding wildly.
Though no one knew why the conclusion ended at world conquest, Simon clapped along, cheering her on.
“Oh, and I know many are disappointed we only came in 2nd this time, but I think it’s truly a great achievement.”
Benya looked up at the shining letters stuck to the dormitory wall.
“Second place after 70 years! I still can’t believe it. Our professors, who suffered so much until now, must surely be happy too…”
“That is correct.”
A voice suddenly interrupted. All heads turned.
In an instant, everyone scrambled to their feet. Benya gasped with wide eyes, while Leonard rushed forward.
“Professor Aron! You’re supposed to be on vacation, how—?!”
Professor Aron, the second-year head, appeared, dragging his slippers.
“No need for formalities. Sit comfortably.”
When he signaled behind him, attendants and merchants emerged.
Long tables were set up, piled with freshly cooked dishes, fruits, and expensive wine.
“Woooahhh!”
“Finally, real food!”
Everyone erupted in cheers. Aron looked around at the students and said:
“Normally, this party’s cost is covered by the department subsidy granted for Dark Emperor achievements, but this time, I’ll cover it out of my own pocket. The remaining subsidy will go toward supporting students’ material expenses.”
“Uwooooaaaaaahhhhhh!”
“As expected! Professor Aron!”
“Thank you, sir!”
While the students swarmed the tables, Aron was already turning his back to leave. Leonard hurried after him with the amplification crystal.
“Are you leaving already, Professor Aron?!”
“There’s much work piled up.”
“We can’t let you go like this! Please, just one word!”
Before he knew it, all the students had fallen silent, watching only Aron. He still kept his back turned and spoke just a single word.
“…Thank you.”
Aron walked across the grass.
The students couldn’t see it, but at the corner of his lips was a deep smile.
* * *
Two hours later.
The party atmosphere grew even hotter.
If the first half was about students strengthening their bonds, the second half had transformed into a grand banquet—with lavish food and the addition of outsiders.
Keyzen alumni who were still active or retired, parents, and even spectators who had cheered for the Summoning Department’s victory.
All had come together as one to enjoy the party.
“How! How could the Summoning Department possibly lose to something like the Katarology Department?! Back in my day as department rep…!”
An elderly man with a hunched back was seen raising his cane in anger. Leonard stood before him with an awkward smile, posture stiff at attention.
“To think I’d meet a descendant of the Vanilla family here.”
“I’d like to discuss negotiations over the future ghoul market.”
High-ranking clan elders had gathered around Benya, talking all sorts of business. Elsewhere, countless students mingled with spectators, laughing and having fun.
And then—
“What a commotion.”
Lete had arrived as well.
She and Simon sat side by side on a bench a little away from the campfire, eating food. Lete sipped wine as she watched the boisterous party, while Simon chewed a piece of chicken steak.
“Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For coming here on behalf of the Dark Alliance. Without your help, this peaceful moment wouldn’t even exist.”
Lete smiled faintly.
“And you also secured the train from the Holy Federation and saved the city cursed by the Ice Dragon, didn’t you? Let’s call it even.”
“I guess so.”
The two clinked wine glasses together and chuckled softly.
“Ah, Simon.”
“Yeah?”
Slightly tipsy from the wine, Lete gazed at Simon.
“I actually…”
“Student Council President!”
A voice suddenly called out to Simon. He reflexively leapt to his feet.
“Yes!”
Leonard gestured.
“What are you doing? The great seniors are anxiously waiting for you!”
“Ah, yes, sir!”
Simon hurriedly threw on his Student Council President coat, giving Lete an apologetic glance.
“I’ll just greet them quickly and come right back!”
“Yes, yes. Take your time.”
Simon straightened his tie and dashed off.
Left behind, Lete smiled faintly and lifted her gaze to the glowing night sky. She wondered when the party would end, when things would quiet down enough for them to talk at ease.
“Hi there!”
A voice came from behind.
Turning around, Lete saw a girl with tangerine-colored hair, wearing a unique bat-shaped hairpin, smiling at her.
Someone she had never seen before. Not even one of the friends Simon had introduced to her.
“Who… are you?”
“Oh, I’m Eshu Arzel, in the same group as President Simon! You’re his hometown friend, Rena, right?”
Lete’s eyes widened in surprise.
“How do you know me?”
“I saw you two sticking together earlier, so I pestered the president asking what your relationship was. Mind if I sit next to you?”
Normally, Lete would have instinctively recoiled at the thought of interacting with a necromancer—the kind of people who dealt with corpses. But since coming here, she had grown a bit numb to it.
When she nodded, Eshu immediately plopped down beside her on the bench.
“……”
Lete closed her eyes and took another sip of wine, while Eshu moved her fingers slightly.
“Just drinking wine like that isn’t good for your stomach, you know?”
Lete blinked in surprise. Before her eyes, tiny doll-like figures—like little spirits—were carrying a tray of fruits on their heads, wobbling toward her with effort.
At their adorable appearance, Lete’s eyes sparkled.
“Was that your doing, Lady Eshu?”
“Yep. And just call me Eshu. I’m no different from a commoner.”
Eshu set the tray down on the bench, plucked off a grape, popped it into her mouth, and raised her wine glass with a playful grin.
“Wanna toast?”
“Ah, sure. Cheers.”
The two clinked glasses—clink—and took a sip. Lete savored the taste as she looked ahead.
There, Simon was in sight.
She couldn’t hear what was being said, but a middle-aged man was laughing heartily as he shook Simon’s hand and clapped his shoulder. Then, introducing his wife, Simon bowed politely, kissed the back of her hand as etiquette required, and smoothly carried on the conversation.
“He’s good at it, huh?”
Eshu murmured.
“He is.”
Lete replied.
Eshu’s eyebrows arched as her sharp gaze lit up, like a hawk eyeing its prey.
“So then~ what’s your relationship with Simon?”
Superb.
When are we getting more free chapters?
Thanks for the new chapters