Necromancer Academy Genius Summoner

**Necromancer Academy’s Genius Summoner - Chapter 5**
Simon had exactly 20 gold in his possession.

It was no small sum—Richard had stretched their finances to provide it—but if it wasn’t enough…
“As you’re a guest of Miss Lorain, I’ll be frank with no haggling,” Stephanie said courteously.
“It’s 5,000 gold.”

“…What?”
Simon’s world seemed to collapse. That was enough to cover Leshill’s budget for years.
“I’ll cover it,” Lorain said, pulling out her wallet. Stephanie beamed, and they moved to settle the payment.

“Wait!” Simon shouted.
“What’s wrong?” Lorain asked.
“Y-You don’t have to do this! It’s 5,000 gold! I can’t accept such an extravagant gift!”

Lorain tilted her head. “Didn’t Mom tell you? She’s the one buying it.”
“…Lady Nephthys?”
“Yeah. Let me think…” Lorain tapped her lips, recalling. “I don’t know the details, but Mom said she owes your parents a huge debt. It’s ➤ NоvеⅠight ➤ (Read more on our source) an adult matter, so you don’t need to feel burdened.”

“Oh…”
After some back-and-forth, Simon reluctantly accepted the subspace ring.
“Thank you, sir! And Miss Lorain! Please visit again!” Stephanie and her staff bowed as Simon and Lorain left the shop.

Back under the sunlight, Simon stared, entranced, at the shimmering ring on his finger.
*This is mine?*
He could barely contain his joy.

“You *really* like it, huh?” Lorain teased.
“…Haha,” Simon laughed sheepishly. “I’m so indebted to Lady Nephthys. How can I ever repay her?”
“Don’t worry about it. If Mom wants anything, it’s probably for you to thrive at Kizen.”
“Got it! I’ll give it my all!”

The shopping continued with Lorain’s guidance.
They bought essentials like stationery, notebooks, and lighting, as well as skeleton sets and potion ingredients, all stored in Simon’s subspace. Lorain explained that while Kizen’s nearby city sold materials, they were far pricier.
“Simon, let’s do that!” Lorain pointed excitedly.

“…Is dart-throwing part of enrollment prep too?” Simon asked.
“Nope, just for fun!”
She occasionally veered off track, but she was an excellent guide.

“Now we light it!” Lorain announced.
“Got it! Now!” 
At Langerstine’s observatory, Simon and Lorain released a lantern into the night sky. Others joined, sending up a cascade of lanterns that painted the sky in radiant crimson.

Cheers and applause erupted, and couples seized the moment to kiss.
“This is Langerstine’s must-see attraction, the Thousand Lights,” Lorain said, hands on hips, grinning confidently. “What do you think, Simon?”
“Can I be honest?”

“Of course.”
Still gazing at the lanterns, Simon replied, “I’m thinking there’s a thousand suckers spending 200 silver on burning oil paper.”
“…”

Lorain stared, dumbfounded. “You’re gonna fit right in at Kizen.”
“Thanks, I’ll do my—”
“Not a compliment!”

Their final stop was an elegant seaside restaurant. Chandeliers gleamed, silverware sparkled, and waiters in ties and uniforms bustled about. 
Simon had never been anywhere like it.
The food was divine. The moment a glossy steak touched his tongue, he trembled with bliss. Outside, the night sea shimmered like a painting, accompanied by the soothing crash of waves. It was near perfection.

“You handle fancy cutlery well. Noble blood, huh?” Lorain said, resting her chin on her hand.
“Father was strict about etiquette.”
“Well taught. Oh, by the way, about 30% of Kizen’s students are commoners.”

She dabbed her mouth with a napkin and continued. “No lording your status over others. Kizen’s culture is pure meritocracy. Even a duke’s daughter bows to a skilled commoner upperclassman. Think of everyone as equal freshmen.”
Simon nodded, taking it to heart. In Leshill, he’d mingled freely with nobles and commoners alike, so he wasn’t worried.
“Tomorrow’s enrollment. Any questions?” Lorain asked.

“Hm… Oh! I met another freshman this morning who mentioned majors.”
“Majors? Good question.”
Lorain smiled. “In your first semester, you take nine subjects. From the second semester, you choose your courses, and by your second year, you pick a major.”

“I’ll need to figure out what I’m good at quickly,” Simon said.
“Exactly!” 
Her eyes gleamed as she twirled her fork like a strategist. “Even in the first semester, it’s smart to focus on your strongest subject. In group classes, students with clear specialties are in demand.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”
“Got any majors in mind?”
Simon recalled the morning’s events—the bone fragments snapping together to form undead in the alley.

It had left a deep impression.
“…I’m a bit interested in Summoning.”
“Summoning’s great! You’re aiming for the classic path.”

Lorain launched into a detailed rundown of various subjects, and Simon listened eagerly. They clicked well. Though Simon mostly listened, Lorain appreciated his attentive attitude.
Even after dinner, they lingered, chatting over drinks at nearby pubs. 
Simon tried alcohol for the first time. Hesitant as a minor, he relaxed when Lorain assured him Kizen permitted it. Still, with enrollment tomorrow, they drank just enough to feel pleasantly buzzed.

Their conversation stretched past midnight, and Simon finally reached his lodging.
“Thanks for escorting me, Lorain.”
“No big deal.”

“Um…” Simon scratched his head, blushing. “I should’ve been the one escorting you…”
“Hm?” 
Lorain blinked, then gave a sly smile. “So you *did* notice?”

“…Ahem.”
“I’ll take the sentiment. Langerstine’s a maze—you’d never make it back alone.”
He couldn’t argue.

“Get some rest. If I hear you overslept after drinking, Mom’ll kill me.”
“Thanks for today! I had a blast.”
Simon bowed. Honestly, “blast” didn’t cover it—he’d never forget his first day in Langerstine.

As Lorain waved and walked off, she suddenly stopped and turned back.
“Oh, Simon, I have a confession.”
“What?”

She brushed her hair back, uncharacteristically shy. “I didn’t mean to hide it, but I missed the right moment to say…”
“…?”
Meeting his gaze, she winked playfully. “I’m a freshman too!”

“…What?”
“So, drop the formalities at school. Bye!”
She waved and vanished into the dark.

“…”
Simon stared after her, then chuckled and entered his lodging.
---

Morning broke.
Despite Lorain’s advice to rest, Simon was too excited about his new life to sleep well. He rose early, prepared, and left the lodging.
Lorain was taking a different route to Kizen, so Simon had to find the meeting point alone.

He knew the spot clearly—the jagged land jutting toward the sea, visible from yesterday’s restaurant.
As he neared, the crowd grew, mostly students his age, each brimming with personality.
A fairy girl touched up her makeup while walking, a boy sported twenty swords strapped across his body, and a girl casually carried a case larger than herself.

*I’m definitely the most normal one here.*
Simon thought so, but in truth, everyone there believed the same about themselves.
He reached the meeting point. Kizen’s minions controlled the area, and a ship was docked at the tip of the promontory.

Presumably, it would take them to Kizen.
“Hurry, please. We depart for Kizen soon!”
Simon joined the line to board. Oddly, the ship faced landward, not the sea, but he couldn’t fathom why.

“Present your admission letter.”
Simon’s turn came. He handed over the letter.
The minion checked it against a list, marked it with a quill, and returned it. “Simon Polentia, confirmed.”

“Thank you.”
As Simon moved to board—
“This is a mistake!” 

A heated protest erupted from the next line.
“I was the top candidate, and you’re saying *no one* dropped out?”
“I’m sorry, Lord Lucius, but your name isn’t on the enrollment list.”

“Damn it, you’re handling this like idiots! Contact Kizen! There’s got to be a mix-up!”
A commotion stirred. Some students boarding whispered.
“It’s the usual.”

“Some people just can’t accept the results.”
“Top candidate? Kinda feel bad for him. Heh.”
Students snickered as they boarded.

*Crack!*
The tension snapped. Lucius, in a rage, shoved the minion to the ground.
“I’m Lucius Carol, heir to a Dresden count! This is an order—contact Kizen headquarters now!”

“Please step back. Your name isn’t on the list,” the minion repeated firmly.
Face red, Lucius grabbed the minion’s hair.
Murmurs grew louder. Students paused, watching, some channeling Jet-Black.

As Lucius raised his arm, eyes bloodshot—
*Grab.*
“Stop.”

Lucius turned. Simon, having slipped behind him, held his arm.
“Who’re you? Let go!”
“…”

Simon smiled and tightened his grip.
*Crunch!*
“Argh!”

Lucius twisted in agony under Simon’s monstrous strength, honed by years of grueling work in Leshill. A pampered noble boy stood no chance.
*Press. Press.*
Lucius sank, forced to one knee. His grip on the minion’s hair loosened, and Simon released his arm.

Scrambling back, Lucius clutched his wrist, face crimson, and roared, “Who the hell are you? Wanna die?”
*Shing!*
When Simon didn’t respond, Lucius drew his sword.

The crowd’s murmurs swelled, the situation spiraling.
“What’s going on?”
A man approached from the ship.

His face was pale as if battling illness, cheeks sunken, hair streaked with gray, hands yellowish.
Students gasped in awe.
“It’s Professor Silage!”

“Silage as faculty? Kizen’s on another level.”
Even Lucius faltered, stepping back.
Silage scanned the scene—disheveled minion, intervening student, and the noble shouting about being top candidate.

He fixed Lucius with a bored stare.
“Any last words?”