Necromancer Academy and the Genius Summoner-Chapter 317: Episode

The Hemomancy class continued. Walter moved between the rows of students, his leaf-brown hair fluttering.

"As you all know, the greatest drawback of Hemomancy is that it directly consumes the caster’s own blood," he explained, his gentle voice holding the students captive. "The power is undeniable, but the risk is great. Historically, Hemomancy has evolved to either artificially increase blood volume or produce stronger effects with less blood. However..."

He held up the syringe as if it were a priceless artifact. "That trend is now changing."

He called it the ’Hematopoietic Injection’. It was a technique to artificially transplant hematopoietic cells—the cells that produce the main components of blood—into another person’s body. While similar procedures were used in surgery, Walter explained that this particular injection used cells extracted from a monster called a ’Blood Slime’, which could produce blood indefinitely.

"Where is blood made? Not in the heart, but in the marrow inside your bones. The bone marrow contains hematopoietic stem cells that create the building blocks of blood."

He raised his voice for emphasis. "However, a Blood Slime, despite being a boneless monster, possesses unique hematopoietic stem cells. This is the key. With this injection, it becomes possible to produce two to three times the amount of blood as a normal person."

A murmur swept through the room. If it was true, the injection was a game-changer. Not only could one use two to three times more Hemomancy, but the risks associated with significant blood loss would be drastically reduced. It could even unlock the potential for far stronger blood magic.

However...

’This sounds too good to be true,’ thought Simon, resting his chin on his hand.

He was already wary of Walter, and if he had heard this story from anyone else, he would have dismissed it as a scam. But the person speaking was a Kizen professor, the highest authority in his field.

A hand shot up. "Jamie Victoria! Are there any side effects?"

Clearly, Simon wasn’t the only one with doubts.

Walter answered with a gentle smile. "There might be minor symptoms like dizziness or numbness in the limbs, but there are no major side effects. Its components are similar to the blood potions you already drink."

Another hand went up. "Scott Snyder! The human body maintains a delicate balance of blood. Wouldn’t suddenly doubling or tripling it cause problems?"

"A common misconception," Walter clarified. "The increased blood volume isn’t permanent. As the name implies, it enhances your hematopoietic function, giving you the ability to rapidly replenish blood when you’re running low."

It was, in effect, like having an internal blood potion factory. Any student of Hemomancy would be tempted. As the students’ eyes sparkled with desire, Walter slowly set the syringe down.

"However, this is still a new technology. Mass production is difficult, and the supply is extremely limited—you might only get one after processing a hundred Blood Slimes. Therefore, I will offer the opportunity to receive this injection to just one student: the one with the highest achievement in this class."

Excited shouts erupted. The mention of a single opportunity sent the students’ interest skyrocketing.

"Well then, shall we begin a simple practical exercise?"

---

The exercise was simple: cast the Hemomancy curse ’Palpitation’ on themselves and practice controlling their heartbeat.

"The human heart rate is not constant," Walter explained. "It’s affected by body temperature, emotions, and stress. However, a first-rate hemomancer can control even this rhythm at will."

The student who took first place was, unsurprisingly, Kamibarez, who possessed the ultimate lineage for Hemomancy. She demonstrated flawless control, making her heart race or slow with complete freedom.

"Congratulations!"

"I’m so jealous!"

Meirin and other students flocked to her to celebrate. Simon approached her as well. "Congratulations, Kami."

"Ah, Simon! Thank you!" she replied with a bright smile.

Simon hesitated for a moment. "Kami."

"Yes!"

"About that injection..." He trailed off, studying her face.

She looked utterly blissful, basking in her friends’ praise. Simon knew he had no solid grounds to tell her not to get the shot. Simply saying Walter was suspicious or that he had a bad feeling wasn’t enough. For a Hemomancy major like her, this opportunity was too important to pass up.

"...Could you maybe reconsider?" he finally managed to say.

Kamibarez’s eyes widened. "H-Huh? Why?"

"It’s an unverified technology, so it could be danger—"

"He’s right, Kamibarez," a smooth voice interjected.

Walter had appeared silently behind Simon again.

Simon whipped around, startled. ’Does this man actually enjoy sneaking up on people?’

"While human clinical trials are complete and it has been verified," Walter continued, "I’m still cautious about using it on an Ursula vampire. Would you mind if I offered it to you after we’ve observed its effects a little more?"

"Yes, that’s fine!" Kamibarez agreed immediately.

Behind them, a few female students swooned. "Professor Walter is so thoughtful."

"He’s so considerate!"

As the students murmured amongst themselves, Walter leaned in and added in a whisper only Kamibarez could hear, "Still, if you insist on receiving it now, I suppose I have no choice."

Kamibarez’s expression grew conflicted. She glanced at Simon, then back at the professor. "It’s alright," she said finally. "I’ll get it next time."

"Very well. I understand."

In the end, Walter gave the injection to the student with the next-best score, a girl named Sophie Santana. With the shot in her arm, she demonstrated a Hemomancy spell for the entire class.

"Let’s try it right away," Walter instructed. "To activate the Blood Slime’s hematopoietic cells, you need to match your heartbeat to a specific frequency, replicating the slime’s pulse to create the same conditions within your body."

Having just practiced the technique, Sophie did so skillfully.

"Now, use a Hemomancy spell."

"Yes, Professor." She brought her palms together and closed her eyes.

’Blood Frenzy’

’WHOOOSH!’

A fountain of blood surged endlessly from the magic circle between her hands. Her reaction was one of genuine shock. "P-Professor! I’ve never produced this much before!"

The other students gaped at the endless torrent of blood magic.

"Looks like it really works."

"Wow..."

Walter smiled gently and nodded. "Well done. A success."

Sophie dispelled the black magic.

"But don’t overdo it," Walter cautioned. "It will take time for the Blood Slime’s cells to adapt to their new body."

"Yes! Thank you so, so much!" Sophie bowed repeatedly, her face beaming with joy.

Envious gazes were fixed on her, including Kamibarez’s. Though she was clapping and offering genuine congratulations, it was clear she wished it had been her.

’...Kami.’

Watching her, Simon’s mind grew heavy with conflict.

---

After class, Simon returned to the men’s dormitory early. Room 409 was quiet, as always. Dick had gone down to Rochest, and Kajan was sleeping under his covers.

’Hm?’

A crow was perched on the windowsill, pecking at the glass as if asking to be let in. When Simon opened the window, the crow flew over and landed on his shoulder.

’!’

A letter was tied to its leg.

’To: Simon Polentia’

Spotting his name, Simon quickly untied the message. As soon as its leg was free, the crow flew out the window without a backward glance.

’I’ve never received a letter like this before.’

Normally, mail was delivered to the dormitory office first. Simon immediately checked the sender’s name: Wim Mueller. He didn’t recognize it.

’Who is this?’

Since the recipient was clearly him, he sat at his desk, broke the envelope’s seal, and carefully unfolded the letter.

"Ah!"

He saw a name he hadn’t heard in a very long time.

’I hope you are well. This is Metin.’

A small gasp escaped Simon’s lips. A thrill of recognition ran through him.

’Metin!’

He was the Inquisitor who had relentlessly pursued Simon after discovering he was a necromancer during his trip to the Holy Federation with Lethe. Later, after Simon saved his life and the lives of the other passengers during the Blood Cult’s attack on the Holy Train, Metin’s perspective had shifted entirely.

"Even though you are a necromancer," Metin had said, his voice still clear in Simon’s memory, "you risked your life for the people here. You saved hundreds of lives. The inquisitors, myself included, were useless. I admit it. We were less effective than a single necromancer. I am abandoning my inquisition of you."

Pleased, Simon quickly read the rest of the letter.

’Student Lethe—no, the Saintess of the Stars, contacted me.’

He had asked Lethe to investigate the evidence from the train, and it seemed she had immediately passed the request to Metin.

’I have enclosed a copy of the evidence obtained from the train. Please review it.’

Simon pulled out the documents tucked behind the letter. They were copies of the confidential papers he had acquired after defeating the Blood Cult’s bishop on the Holy Train. Metin’s life would be in danger if it became known that he had sent this information to a necromancer of the Dark Alliance. Feeling a surge of gratitude for the risk he’d taken, Simon carefully examined the documents.

They were directives from the Blood Cult, filled with nefarious schemes to sow chaos throughout the world. Simon’s expression hardened as he read.

One detail caught his eye: the signature. Every directive was signed by the same person.

’No way...!’

Simon finally understood the source of his nagging unease. He shot up from his seat and ran to the library, letter in hand.

’Archaic, archaic...’

He grabbed several thick books on archaic languages from the shelves and spread them open. While Simon was proficient in the old tongues used by nobles, thanks to his etiquette lessons with Richard, he couldn’t decipher the script in the signature at a glance. Still, the structure felt familiar. He began to cross-reference the signature with the books.

’Ha.’

A long sigh of relief escaped him. The nagging feeling that had been bothering him for weeks finally vanished. The signature on the directive, written in an archaic script, read:

[Bishop of the Blood Cult, Judas.]