Necromancer Academy and the Genius Summoner-Chapter 432: Episode

Phantastus’s shocking announcement left Simon reeling.

"From now on, you are the Student Council President of Kizen!"

’The Student Council President of Kizen? Me? I’m not even a third-year. I’m just starting my second.’

"Wa-Wait a minute!" Simon said, holding up a hand as if to stop the world. He was certain there had been some mistake. "This is a little sudden. When I first met you at the Pentamonium, you definitely said..."

"I remember!" Phantastus interjected, his rugged face looming closer. "At the time, I asked if you had any interest in the presidency, and you deferred, saying it was too early to decide."

"That’s right! So why all of a sudden..."

"The situation has changed slightly," Phantastus said, pointing downward with his fingertips. "How about we sit down and you hear me out? Hmm!"

"...Alright."

Simon reined in his confusion and sat down to listen. Typically, the Kizen Student Council President was a third-year. While there was no rule that the president had to be the strongest student, it was the prevailing consensus. And the next president had already been all but decided—a candidate backed by the school, Kizen headquarters, and the third-year class alike. That candidate was the top student of the third year, Aizel Bringer.

Phantastus crossed his arms.

"He was the top student throughout his second year, and now as a third-year, he’s the undisputed strongest in Kizen. Hmm!"

Simon tilted his head.

"Then shouldn’t he be the one to become president?"

"Hahaha! I told you the situation has changed!"

Aizel was currently on an important mission, moving between the Holy Federation and the Neutral Zone. However, things had gotten a little—no, gravely—complicated, and Phantastus said it seemed he wouldn’t be able to return until midway through the first semester, at the earliest.

"What kind of mission..."

"Infiltration and assassination of a key figure."

Simon’s expression hardened at the blunt answer.

"Forgive me for not being able to share more details; it’s top secret. Hmm!"

"Ah, of course. That’s fine."

Phantastus smacked his lips. "It was an unnecessary mission, really. It seems Aizel felt my shadow, so he stepped up to take on the exact same mission I had in the past! Hmm. He must have wanted to escape the legacy I left behind."

Just then, Anna set down a dish of sugar-preserved fruits for dessert.

"Now, now. Important talks are all well and good, but please have some of this while you speak."

Phantastus’s eyes lit up.

"How kind of you! Thank you, ma’am!"

Phantastus didn’t even use utensils, shoveling the fruit into his mouth with both hands. He claimed to be an adventurer now, but it seemed he wasn’t eating well.

"Aren’t you having any?"

"I’m fine," Simon replied as the conversation resumed.

"As Aizel’s return has been delayed, Kizen has no choice but to select a new Student Council President! We can’t leave such a vital position vacant at the beginning of the semester, our busiest time. Hmm!"

"That makes sense."

"However, I had already clearly conveyed my intentions to Lady Nephthys and the school!"

Phantastus’s thick finger shot out, pointing at Simon’s forehead.

"The person I recommend as my successor is Simon Polentia! If not Simon, then Aizel, who at least shows some promise among the third-years!"

"W-What?"

"And now that Aizel’s return is delayed, a temporary president is needed!" Phantastus’s eyes blazed like fire. "I have no intention of letting any other third-year take that seat!"

Simon was bewildered.

"Even if it’s not Aizel, aren’t there many other third-years who are more qualified than me?"

"Nonsense! They’re all pathetic!"

Phantastus slammed his fist on the table, making the preserved fruit leap into the air before settling back into the bowl.

"I was their senior for two years, so I know them well! Of course, their skills are beyond doubt. But they are overly calculating! They bow to the strong and prey on the weak! They live the lives others want for them, without any life of their own! Most importantly, as men, they lack any dream or vision!" He let out a beastly growl of anger. "Over my dead body! I cannot recommend such people for the presidency!"

Simon scratched the side of his head.

"But I also..."

"You’re different!" Phantastus held both palms out toward Simon. "During the busiest time of your first year, with BMATs and promotion exams, you willingly participated in the Pentamonium academic conference!"

"Yes, that was..."

Simon began, "To earn money—"

"You came to earn money!" Phantastus finished for him.

"Bwahahahaha!" Phantastus slapped his knees and laughed heartily. "You’re a real piece of work, junior! The reports I received on your activities afterward were a series of surprises! You wrote an excellent paper at the conference, yet you didn’t submit it for your Summoning class assignment! You would have obviously received a perfect score if you had just turned that in! Instead, you used the money you earned from selling the paper to create a Lich and submitted that for the assignment!"

Phantastus leaned forward.

"Why did you go to such lengths?"

Simon blushed, embarrassed.

"It-It was just something I really wanted to do."

Tears of pure, unadulterated pride welled in Phantastus’s eyes.

"Perfect!"

His roar echoed through the high peaks of Leshill. Behind him, Richard calmly covered Anna’s ears.

"This is why I like you! Meeting you in person has only strengthened my conviction! You are the only one worthy of being the Student Council President!"

Simon was so flattered he didn’t know what to do, but he still couldn’t understand Phantastus’s high praise.

"But many people told me that what I did back then was strange."

"Don’t pay any mind to such voices! Hmm!" Phantastus pounded his chest. "In the end, what happened after you made that Lich? You defeated Chatel, the giant-kin who was considered a cut above you, and you even stopped the Blood Cult! All thanks to that very thing others mocked as unnecessary!"

Viewed purely by its results, the logic was sound. Suppressing a swell of pride, Simon regained his composure.

"I understand why you think so highly of me, but I believe it’s time to consider more realistic problems."

Phantastus calmed his excitement and crossed his arms.

"Right! Realistic problems! You will face strong opposition and resistance from the third-years!"

"Yes, that’s my biggest concern."

"Hehehe." Phantastus chuckled. "Of course! I’ve taken care of that as well!"

"You have?"

"Did you think I came to you recklessly, without any preparation? Hmm!"

Phantastus revealed that he had negotiated with Aizel and the other third-years.

"First!" One of his heavy fingers shot up. "Simon Polentia will serve as Student Council President during Aizel’s absence!"

That much was a given.

"Second! The third-years will respect the activities of the interim Student Council President, and the president, in turn, will not interfere with the third-years!"

This was a rather clever move. Since he was a second-year, there would be little reason for the student council to control the third-years, who were often away on external missions. In effect, this clause prevented interference ’from’ the third-years.

"Third! In the event that Aizel returns and Simon has successfully maintained the presidency, and if Simon shows the will to continue as president, the winner will be decided through a duel evaluation between the two!"

Simon was shocked. He had assumed Phantastus was a typical warrior type, but this was a remarkably sharp proposal. To the third-years, Aizel, who had firmly held the top spot, was an absolute figure. Therefore, Phantastus instilled the perception that the presidency originally belonged to Aizel. The third-years would feel pressured to honor the agreement between Phantastus and Aizel, giving Simon that much more freedom.

Then, he unfolded his last finger.

"Fourth!"

"There’s more?!"

"In accordance with the third condition, in the event that Aizel takes over the presidency from Simon!" The corners of Phantastus’s mouth curled into a wide smile. "Aizel will unconditionally recommend Simon Polentia as the next Student Council President!"

It was a pact that guaranteed him the presidency in his third year, regardless of whether he could maintain it as a second-year student.

"Did Aizel really accept those terms?"

"He did! I obtained his permission via letter while he was on his mission!"

Simon couldn’t help but be surprised. To think that so much had been orchestrated behind the scenes without his knowledge.

"Of course, your life is your own, so the choice is yours to make!" Phantastus spread his arms. "But think about it! As you know, the Kizen Student Council President is not a position just anyone can hold! Beyond power, command, and prestige, this is an experience you can only have at Kizen! It will be a great asset, not just to you as a necromancer, but as a person. I, Phantastus, stake my name on it!"

Just as Simon closed his eyes in deep thought, Richard, who had been silent until now, spoke up.

"Now that you seem to be concluding, perhaps I might have a word."

"Of course! Sir!" Phantastus took a step back, and Richard took a seat.

"Phantastus Hugh Ikel. When a man of your stature makes such a strong recommendation, it is little wonder my son is tempted."

"Not at all, sir! I am thinking only of what is best for your son—"

"That is not your place to judge."

Having effortlessly dismissed Phantastus, Richard sat and crossed his legs with practiced dignity. It was the precise pose known to set the hearts of noble ladies aflutter.

"Simon, I am against it."

Simon was startled. He had expected his father to be ecstatic at the prospect, but Richard voiced his opposition.

"To be precise, I am against you becoming president in your second year. The second-year curriculum at Kizen is entirely different from that of the first year. It will inevitably take time to adjust. Above all, the second year is when you learn the most during your three years at Kizen. The student council would require you to manage external events when you should be focused entirely on your studies. It is premature."

Richard clasped his hands and continued. "You can be president in your third year, Simon. In the third year, there are frequent off-campus assignments and missions. The presidency holds merit then, as you can use its activities to bypass some of those obligations."

Phantastus shot to his feet.

"Sir! You misunderstand! There is something I must tell you regarding that matter...!"

"You." Richard’s voice was ice. "Why did you choose my son as your successor?"

Phantastus pounded his chest.

"Because he is a man that I, Phantastus, have truly acknowledged with all my heart!"

"I see. You have acknowledged Simon. And yet, while trying to take my son away..." His eyes flashed. "Why do you not seek the acknowledgment of me and Anna, this child’s parents?"

Phantastus froze, his mouth falling open. 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

’What kind of nonsense is that, Father!’ Simon’s mouth also fell open, though for an entirely different reason.

"Indeed!" Phantastus looked as though he had been struck by a hammer. Soon, his eyes filled with tears of admiration and respect.

He dropped to one knee.

"I, Phantastus Hugh Ikel! Please forgive my rudeness! Blinded by desire, I nearly erred in the proper order of things!"

Richard offered an arrogant smile and uncrossed and recrossed his legs.

"I’m glad you’ve realized it now."

What in the world was going on? Simon looked at Anna, but she just shook her head with an expression that screamed, ’Your dad’s at it again.’

"Though I spoke harshly, there were a few points in your story that I found agreeable."

At Richard’s words, Phantastus quickly raised his head.

"Does that mean...!"

"However, there is a condition. There must be some merit for my son to take on the difficult and burdensome role of president in his second year."

"You speak wisely! A condition, you say...!"

"Teach my son the ’Sleep’ curse."

Phantastus tilted his head.

"The Sleep curse is taught in the second-year curriculum."

"Not that textbook garbage." Richard’s eyes glinted, his true intentions revealed. "Your original. I want you to teach him ’that’."

When Simon should have been groveling in gratitude for the offer, Richard had somehow managed to extract even more from the deal.