Necromancer Academy and the Genius Summoner-Chapter 436: Episode

Today was Phantastus’s last day in Leshill. He sat in a formal seated position on the mountain ridge, while behind him, Simon stood with a tense expression, steadying his breath.

"Then, I’ll begin."

"Come at me anytime, Successor!"

It was the final assignment of Phantastus’s lessons: to cast ’Sleep’ on him directly and be evaluated. It was time to pour out everything he had learned over the past week.

Simon began to meticulously draw a five-layered ’Sleep’ magic circle, one layer at a time, on Phantastus’s back. The moment he activated the final, fifth layer...

Phantastus’s eyes widened drastically.

’Wh-Where is this...?’

A brilliant blue sky, a warm sun, a field where flower petals drifted on the breeze. It was unbelievable. The woman he had longed to see, the woman from his dreams, was holding out her hand to him.

"Phantastus, my little sleepyhead. How long are you going to sleep?"

The man next to her spoke. "Hahaha! It’s good to dream. Just dream big! That’s how you become a great person!"

Tears streamed down Phantastus’s face. "Mother! Father!"

"Brother, what are you doing?" a little girl asked, holding out her hand. "Hurry up! We promised to go fishing today."

"Merida...!"

Phantastus, now a little boy, sat with his family by a picturesque lake, eating a packed lunch and fishing. He was happy.

"You can catch the most amazing fish in this lake! Want to give it a try, Phantastus?"

"Yes!"

Having returned to his childhood, Phantastus’s behavior became childlike as well. He smiled brightly and jumped around before grabbing his father’s fishing rod.

"Father!"

"Hm?"

"I’m sorry! And thank you!"

His father laughed, looking embarrassed. "Haha! What’s this all of a sudden? So mushy."

"Hey, my brother’s a dummy! The fishing rod is shaking!"

Phantastus held back the tears that threatened to spill and pulled hard on the taut fishing line.

’Whoooosh!’

With a fierce splash, a large fish shot out of the water and flew into the sky.

"Wow! My brother caught a big one!"

"That’s my boy! I’m so proud of you!"

"Tonight’s dinner is fish soup."

Seeing the three of them smiling brightly, Phantastus let his tears flow freely.

And then...

Phantastus’s eyes flew open. He saw a canopy of lush leaves, with sunlight streaming through the gaps. He lifted his arm. The small hand of a boy was gone, replaced by a thick, bear-like palm.

He saw his hairy legs. He touched his face. His skin was coarse, and the area near his eyes was damp.

"President Phantastus."

When he looked to the side, the black-haired boy was watching him, his expression fraught with tension.

"H-How was it?"

Phantastus stared at Simon, his reddened eyes wide.

It wasn’t a nightmare. It wasn’t the dream of his parents’ murder. How long had it been since he had dreamed of that happiest time in his life?

Phantastus clenched both fists and roared.

"PERFECT!!!"

’Fwutter-fwutter-fwutter!’

Leaves rained down from the trees, and startled mountain birds took to the sky. Simon let out a sigh of relief and smiled.

"Was it a sweet sleep?"

"Yes! It was a sweet sleep!" Phantastus grinned. "There’s nothing more I can teach you, Successor! You may descend the mountain!"

Simon bowed deeply. "Thank you so much for everything!"

"I should be the one saying that!" Phantastus grabbed Simon’s hand, his eyes filled with emotion. "For letting me have ’that dream’ one more time, I am truly grateful!"

---

Phantastus finished his preparations to leave Leshill. Simon’s family, and even the residents of Leshill he had grown fond of, gathered to bid him farewell. The week had been short, but with Phantastus around, Leshill had been a lively place.

"I’m sorry for being so loud at night! Hahahaha!"

"Farewell, Phantastus!"

"Come visit again if you get tired of adventuring!"

As Phantastus waved and moved away, he looked at Simon and gave him a thumbs-up. "You’ll be a great Student Council President, Successor!"

Simon smiled. "I’ll do my best!"

A few weeks passed after he parted with Phantastus. Simon honed the sleep curse he had been taught and continued his training while helping Richard with his duties as lord. He kept in touch with Dick, Meirin, and Kamibarez through letters.

And finally, four days before the start of his second year at Kizen...

"I’ll be going now!"

It was time for Simon to leave Leshill. In the garden, Nephthys had sent people to prepare a teleportation circle.

"Have a safe trip, Simon!" Richard exclaimed, his face flushed with excitement. "Always act in a manner befitting your status as Student Council President! Never bow your head to any provocation or trial!"

"Yes, Father."

Anna held Simon’s hand, her eyes welling with tears. "Please just come back healthy. Eat three meals a day, don’t overwork yourself studying, be careful of carriages in the city, and write if anything happens."

"I will, Mom!"

Amidst the growing light of the teleportation circle, Simon took in the sight of Richard and Anna one last time.

"I’ll be going now!"

With those final words, his body was enveloped in light.

---

Langerstine, the capital of the Dresden Kingdom and the port city closest to Lok Island. It was the city of beginnings, where Simon had first arrived after leaving Leshill. The tall, grand buildings and the staggering number of people were just as he remembered.

"Alright, then."

This labyrinthine city had become familiar after a few visits. Simon walked at a leisurely pace. Langerstine was just a stopover. He had arrived four days before the start of the semester for a simple reason: it would be a shame to go straight to Lok Island. He planned to meet up with the members of Team 7 and hang out first.

’I’m so excited!’

His heart pounded. This was the first time he was going on a trip with friends his age purely for fun, not for a mission or a dispatch evaluation.

Of course, besides having fun, Simon had one other purpose.

’Swish.’

He took out the Student Council President’s badge he had inherited from Phantastus. That purpose was...

’Recruiting Student Council officers!’

Naturally, the Student Council couldn’t be run by the president alone. Simon needed people to help him.

’”So, who should you pick for the Student Council officers?”’

’When Phantastus was in Leshill, Simon had asked for his advice on this very matter.’

’”Yes!”’

’”That’s simple!”’ ’Phantastus had spread his arms.’ ’”Just form the Student Council with your closest friends!”’

’”What?”’ ’A rather dumbfounded sound had escaped Simon’s lips.’

’Phantastus had grinned, showing his teeth.’ ’”Is that strange?”’

’”Well... won’t I be criticized for picking only my acquaintances? It feels like when corrupt officials give public positions to their close friends...”’

’”Hahahahahaha!”’ ’Hearing that, Phantastus had laughed boisterously, slapping the table.’ ’”You’re more naive than you look!”’

’”...That’s not a very glorious compliment, but thank you.”’

’”This isn’t a matter of political seats that run a country or balancing factions. It’s a school’s student council! The members will be five at most.”’ ’He had crossed his arms.’ ’”No matter what anyone says, the Student Council officers are your ’closest aides’! They have to implement school policies and stay busy, but if opinions are divided and they fight amongst themselves, you won’t get anything done! It would be worse than just doing it alone!”’

’”Ah...”’

’”Remember this. Picking the Student Council officers is strictly the ’right of the Student Council President’! You must pick people you can trust, people who will take your side no matter what external pressures arise!”’

People he could trust. People who would take his side. Simon mulled over those words carefully.

’”And the four hundred second-years who have survived until now are already the best talents on the continent! Whoever you put in the position, they’ll do their part!”’

’”That’s certainly true.”’

’”All the past presidents have done it this way, so you don’t need to worry about that. In fact...”’ ’Phantastus had looked up at the sky with eyes full of reminiscence.’ ’”In a place like Kizen, meeting four trustworthy friends is the hardest part.”’

By the time he finished his recollection, he had arrived at the meeting spot. The path was familiar, as it was near the beach where they had ridden the Nether Whale in their first year. Walking along the coast, he saw a large port bustling with ships. Next to it was a small park. This was their designated meeting place.

’Ah!’

Someone was already there. Simon instinctively ducked behind a nearby wall.

’Who is it?’

He peeked his head out. Skin as white as jade, sky-blue hair that flowed like a stream. She was dressed in a pastel-colored top with a light outer garment, a skirt, and a shoulder bag slung over her arm. The girl stood still, looking at the sky and humming a song. ’Hmm- hmm-’ Even the simple melody sounded sweet.

’...Ugh, I’m suddenly nervous.’

Meirin, whom he hadn’t seen in a long time, seemed more beautiful than ever. Simon clutched his chest. ’This is a good chance while we’re alone, but how do I bring up the Student Council?’

Just as Simon was lost in thought, the humming stopped.

"Did you pick up a habit of spying on people while I was gone?"

Simon’s shoulders flinched. Meirin’s blue eyes were turned right toward him. He gave an awkward laugh and stepped out from his hiding spot.

"...L-Long time no see, Meirin."

Meirin offered a bright smile and an equally awkward wave. Soon, Simon was standing next to her.

’Whoooosh—’

An awkward breeze blew between them. They had been practically inseparable all year, so why did it feel so strange now? What should he say? What did he usually talk about with Meirin?

Beside him, Meirin was just as fidgety, idly stroking her hair. Simon felt that, as the man, he should be the one to break the silence. If he could then naturally transition to the Student Council topic, that would be perfect.

"Meirin."

"Ah, yeah."

She looked at him with undisguised gladness. It seemed she had been hoping he would speak first. Talking about the weather was too cliché, so Simon decided to ask about someone they both knew.

"Is Se..."

He was about to ask, ’Is Serne doing well?’ but he instinctively clamped his mouth shut. ’Wow, I’ve really been away from school life for a while. I’ve completely lost my touch.’

"Se-what?"

"Ah, no. I was thinking you look so... sophisticated. You’re dressed nicely today. Haha!"

A faint blush colored Meirin’s cheeks as she let out a playful laugh. "Thanks. As for you, that white shirt you’re wearing... it’s your school uniform, isn’t it?"

’Ugh.’

Simon’s face turned red. "How did you know?"

Meirin chuckled. "You always wear a white shirt and black pants when we go to Rochester on weekends, you dummy! Please buy some clothes. You have plenty of money."

"It’s all reserved for my undead."

Meirin burst out laughing at his joke. "Oof! You’re really something else—"

Thankfully, the atmosphere had loosened. While Simon was feeling relieved at having avoided what could have been the worst reunion imaginable, let alone a Student Council proposal, Meirin was sneaking glances at him.

’...Still, though.’

She had teased his fashion sense for fun, but in reality, she thought he looked unfairly good in just a simple shirt. Just as Meirin was feeling a familiar fluttery sensation...

’Now’s my chance!’ Simon’s eyes sparkled as he seized the opportunity. "Meirin! There’s something I really want to tell you!"

"H-Huh?" Meirin jumped, startled by his sudden approach.

"...Um, I’m not sure where to start," Simon hesitated, beating around the bush.

Meirin blushed slightly. She pretended to be preoccupied, twirling a strand of hair around her finger. "...You can take your time."

"Actually, this time I...!"

Just then, they heard a noise nearby. Simon and Meirin flinched and turned their heads.

Dick, who had been hiding behind a bench the entire time, slowly lowered his head. Realizing he had already been caught, he simply stuck his hand over the bench and waved it back and forth.

"Don’t mind me, carry on! Carry on! Ah, to be young again."

"Hey!!!"