Necromancer Academy’s Genius Summoner

Chapter 149

Simon, Kajann, and Elizabeth frantically ran to their destination.

They headed to a place on the outskirts of the campus.

A secret base directly managed by Kizen Headquarters, made by mining a hole in the cliff of a sheer mountain range. Security was so strict there that students were suspended if they just entered the area.

"You can think of it kind of as the campus’s command and control room."

Said Kajann, running with the group.

"One can see all over the school from there as well as manage the barriers and emergency networks."

Elizabeth, who was listening by the side, replied,

[I understand what the place is, but why do you think the priest would head there?]

"Because it's the best place to activate the Prima Materia. If she uses the barrier system there, she could scatter the monsters all over Kizen at once."

Simon, who had quietly been listening, groaned in silence.

The four vicious curse bombs were installed in Kizen. Francesca knew that these bombs had to explode after her barrier was complete.

However, if they were discovered by someone before that, or if even one wasn't triggered in time, there'd be a big hole in her plan. She couldn’t rely on it working. Kajann simply described it as a 'Plan B', but when Simon heard it, it felt less like a secondary plan and more like the main plan.

"We're here."

At Kajann's words, the two of them also stopped. Indeed, a large man-made cave could be seen carved into a cliff.

Elizabeth pointed forward.

[By the way, was there originally a forest in front of the cave entrance?]

"Not really."

A thick forest barred all entry.

Even at a glance, it was clearly no ordinary forest. Eyes gazed from the trunks of trees, and plants ran around with gaping maws.

It was similar to the monsters guarding the desolators. However, the number and scale was on a whole other level. It really was a forest.

"There's no time. Let's break through."

Simon and Elizabeth nodded at Kajann's words. Eliza pulled spiderwebs from her hands, and Simon—wearing Pier as armor—tapped the skull attached to his back.

"Wake up, Pier."

[Kuhehe! We're finally starting!]

Pier's skull moved up and covered Simon's head like a helmet.

[By the way, Boy, you said the opponent is an assistant teacher for Poisonous Alchemy, right?]

"That’s right."

Click.

Pier's skull started changing form. The jaws partially closed over Simon's nose and mouth, making it more of a mask than a helmet.

[It's like a makeshift gas mask. Even if it's not perfect, it’ll block out shabby poisons.]

"Pretty good."

Simon turned to Kajaan.

"Don't you have to prepare for the poison?"

"Poison doesn't work on my body. And Francesca probably won't be using her Poisonous Alchemy skills anyway."

Simon nodded lightly.

"Then, let's go."

Kajann dived in first, followed by Simon and Elizabeth.

[Kishshshshsh!]

The forest began to fight back.

Simon's eyes widened as he stared forward.

Countless poisonous seeds shot out, thorny vines swung like whips from all sides, the grass on the floor sharpened into blades, and a thick mist came from the flowers.

'You're telling me to dodge all this?'

Simon could only run. Seeds fell behind his every step, leaving puddles of poison where they landed.

It was a lot tougher than he expected. He seriously considered tapping into his 3-minute maximum for Jet-Black Eruption.

Glancing around when he could, it seemed he didn't have to worry about Kajann. He was so elusive that even Simon couldn’t predict his moves.

Despite running at full power, he dodged the attacks with the grace of a butterfly, or he would go even faster and evade the projectiles as they crashed elsewhere in the forest.

'Ah!'

Just then, plant monsters jumped out from behind a tree and blocked Simon's way. Simon tightened his grip on the greatsword.

[Wait.]

Ssshhhk.

Shiing.

The monsters were split in three, and blasted backward as they were torn apart further.

[You must save your strength for the priest.]

"Eliza!"

Elizabeth jumped over Simon, landed, and swung her hands with prejudice.

The living trees were diced down to the stumps, and plant matter was scattered through the air.

[Please go ahead!]

"Thank you!"

Simon started moving again, and Elizabeth escorted him forward, shooting out dark-blue webs.

Although she didn’t specialize in combat, the power of an Ancient Undead could not be ignored. Her true value was seen against hordes rather than in one-on-one confrontations.

Simon, who had been debating on whether to use Jet-Black Eruption, was able to get through the forest while conserving a lot of energy.

[Kishshshshsh!]

However, even after he broke out, over a hundred of the hideous flowers followed right behind him, sharp fangs being bared beneath the petals.

Ssshhhk.

Sshh.

Sharp, transparent webs were spun behind Simon. The moment the monsters barged in, they were diced into tiny shreds.

[Leave them to me!]

Shouted Elizabeth.

Almost a thousand more flowers were still rushing in from deeper in the forest.

Simon hesitated for a moment but soon nodded.

"Don't push yourself too much."

[Got it!]

Plants started screaming as she pulled webs through them, leaving none intact. Also escaped, Kajann beckoned to Simon.

Simon looked back at Elizabeth one last time before catching up with Kajann.

* * *

* * *

"You have good subordinates."

Said Kajann.

"I've always worked alone, but it makes me think it wouldn't be so bad to have a summon like her."

Simon smiled.

"Try majoring in Summoning like me, Kajann. It's fun."

"When I took that ‘midterm exam’ thing, I got 20 points in the subject."

"Oh…"

The two entered the cave. Before they knew it, the rugged natural cave had turned into an artificial cave with walls and a ceiling. It felt like entering an underground bunker.

It was getting darker and darker, so the two of them had to put their glasses on again.

"We were late."

There was a large hole in the door that was meant to bar entry into the command and control room.

Wondering what kind of dark magic she used, Simon wiped the surface of the hole with his palm. I shiver ran down his spine. It felt like she had melted the wall rather than having pierced it with strength.

The two of them ran through the darkness again.

After about fifteen minutes of running, they realized they had arrived.

The cold stone had been replaced in part by carpet. The parts without carpet were wet and slippery.

"Simon."

Whispered Kajann.

"She’s found us."

"…"

Simon immediately went on high alert.

"The surprise attack is meaningless now."

Muttered Kajann before grabbing a lever attached to the wall and yanking it down.

Clack!

Rattle!

A sound came from inside the wall like an emergency generator powering on

After a moment, the command and control room was flooded with light.

"…!!"

Simon opened his eyes wide.

The first thing he saw was the blood. He couldn’t not see the blood: It was everywhere! Guards were sprawled across the ground, bodies mangled to the point where not even their closest loved ones could recognize them.

'She took all these people down by herself?'

The bodyguards at such an important facility wouldn't be just any kind of chumps.

Simon turned his head. A woman was sitting on a table in the center of the blood-soaked room.

She had red hair, a black scarf and suit, and heels.

Francesca Belmond, ex-Chief Assistant Teacher for Poisonous Alchemy in Kizen, and now Professor of Poisonous Alchemy.

She was staring at the two of them.

"I was waiting for you."

Her tongue flicked in and out of her mouth like a snake’s. Simon felt blood rushing to his face and fury overtaking him.

"I really wanted to kill you."

Her eyes lit up once she saw Simon behind Pier's helm.

"Thank you for walking in with your own two feet, 'witness'."

"…"

"And it's been a while."

Added Francesca, looking at Kajann.

"The stalker who has followed me persistently for over a year."

"It's been a hell of a year."

Flatly replied Kajann.

"Why?"

Then both of them turned to look at Simon.

Simon was clenching his fists and glaring at Francesca with a primal rage.

"Why are you doing such a crazy thing?"

She blinked as if she didn't understand Simon's question. Then, she scoffed.

"I'm Efnel, and you guys are Kizen. Kill the rivals, right? Isn't it common sense?"

"I'm not looking for that black and white answer!"

Cried Simon, gnashing his teeth.

"Even if you belong to Efnel, did you really feel nothing after coming to Kizen? You must've seen with your very own eyes that necromancers are as human as priests! And above all…!"

Simon recalled Francesca enthusiastically drawing across the blackboard and passionately tutoring the students.

He doubted her, but he felt she was sincere when she stood on the stage and taught.

"They're your students!"

Shouted Simon.

"Do you feel no remorse or rebuke? They really believed in you, followed you, and respected you!"

"Hmmm…"

She flashed open her hands and held them as if they were claws, her long fingernails painted red like blood shining in the emergency lights.

"The class was nothing but an act to hide my identity. Those children of the devil could never stir my heart. If my face showed passion, joy, or sincerity, wouldn't that mean…"

Her mouth bent upward into an unsettling grin.

"…I was satisfied that I was doing well in my acting. Don't you agree?"

Shiiiing!

She bowed her head. A long blade of light passed through the space her forehead occupied but a second before, carving a large scar into the wall behind her.

"Thanks."

Simon, having swung his greatsword at her head, readied his sword in front of him once more, clutching it with both hands.

"For letting me kill you without remorse."

Crrrrrrrrrumble!

Jet-black began to whir up inside Simon's body. She smiled.

"This will be my last class, Simon Polentia. The answer to your question is…"

Jet-black flowed out from her and formed a cross in the air.

"…because the great goddess…"

Shshshshshshshshshshk!

Soon, countless crosses filled the air, encircling the entire command and control room.

"Told me to!"

"I don't know how Efnel's system works, but even if that terrible plan was an order from God…"

Simon strengthened his grip on his greatsword.

"The final decision was yours and yours alone, you murderer."

——josei