Necromancer Academy and the Genius Summoner-Chapter 149: Episode

Simon, Kajan, and Erzebet ran frantically until they reached their destination on the outskirts of the Kizen campus: a secret base managed directly by Kizen headquarters, built by boring a hole into a sheer mountain cliff. It was a restricted area for students, with security so tight that trespassing could result in near-expulsion.

"Think of it as an on-campus command and control center," Kajan explained as they ran. "From here, you can monitor the entire school and manage its defensive barriers and emergency networks."

Erzebet, keeping pace, chimed in.

[I understand that, but why would a Priest go to the command center?]

"Because it’s the best place to activate the Prima Materia. By hijacking the barrier system there, she can instantly spread those monstrous creatures throughout Kizen."

Simon, who had been listening quietly, swallowed hard. Francesca had planted four heinous curse bombs across Kizen. For her plan to work, they had to detonate after her barrier was complete. But if even one was discovered or failed to go off on time, her entire operation would be compromised. This was her core strategy, her way to guarantee success. Kajan had called it ‘Plan B,’ but to Simon, it sounded more like the main event.

"We’re here."

At Kajan’s words, the others stopped. A large, artificial cave was carved into the mountain cliff.

[Was there always a forest in front of the entrance?] Erzebet pointed.

"No way."

A lush, overgrown forest blocked the cave mouth. It was clearly no ordinary forest. Trees sprouted eyes, and plants with gaping maws writhed restlessly. They were the same type of plant-monsters that had guarded the Desolaters, but their number and scale were on a completely different level. It was a living, breathing fortress of flora.

"We’re out of time. We’ll have to break through," Kajan said.

Simon and Erzebet nodded. She drew spider silk from her hands as Simon tapped the skull he wore.

"Wake up, Pier."

[Hehehe! So it begins!]

Pier’s skull, which had been resting on his back, slid up to cover Simon’s head like a helmet.

[By the way, boy, you said our opponent is a Venomology TA, right?]

"Yes."

At his word, the skull transformed. The jawbone shifted to cover Simon’s nose and mouth, making it more of a mask than a helmet.

[A temporary gas mask. It’s not perfect, but you won’t fall to some flimsy poison.]

"Nice."

Simon turned his head.

"Kajan, don’t you need any protection against poison?"

"My body is immune. Besides, she probably won’t use Venomology techniques to fight me."

It seemed he had a natural resistance. Simon nodded lightly.

"Then let’s go."

Kajan was the first to charge into the forest, with Simon and Erzebet right behind him. The forest’s assault began. Simon’s eyes widened.

A storm of poison seeds rained down as thorny vine-whips lashed out from all directions. The grass on the ground sharpened into blades, and flower petals released a dense, toxic fog.

’I have to dodge all of this?’

Simon ran low to the ground. Poison projectiles slammed into the earth around him, creating toxic puddles. This was far tougher than he’d anticipated; he seriously considered using Internal Jet-Black Eruption.

A quick glance showed he didn’t need to worry about Kajan. His evasive maneuvers were impossibly fluid, weaving like laundry in the wind as he ran at full speed. He would suddenly accelerate to outpace projectiles, shooting through the forest like a flash of light.

"Ah!"

A swarm of plant-monsters poured out from the trees, blocking Simon’s path. He tightened his grip on his greatsword.

[Wait.]

The monsters’ bodies split into three sections before being torn to shreds and flung into the air.

[You must conserve your strength for the Priest,] Erzebet’s voice echoed.

"Erzebet!"

She somersaulted over Simon, landed, and swung her hands violently. Tree-monsters were cut down in chunks, revealing their white rings, as the smaller plant-monsters were sent flying.

[Go on ahead!]

"Thanks!"

Simon surged forward again, with Erzebet following close behind, firing off dark blue spiderwebs. She might not be a combat specialist, but the power of an Ancient Undead was undeniable. Her true value shone not in duels, but in battles against overwhelming numbers like this. Thanks to her, Simon was able to conserve a great deal of stamina.

But as soon as he broke free of the forest, over a hundred plant-monsters were on his heels, baring teeth from within their petals.

Transparent threads stretched out behind Simon. The moment the monsters crossed them, they were sliced apart, collapsing into a pile of debris.

[I will handle things here!] Erzebet shouted.

From the forest, not a hundred, but nearly a thousand more monsters were rushing out.

Simon hesitated for a moment, then nodded.

"Don’t push yourself too much."

[Okay!]

He could see the monsters screaming as she pulled her webs taut, splitting them apart. Up ahead, Kajan was beckoning. Simon gave Erzebet one last look, then hurried to catch up.

"You have a good subordinate," Kajan remarked. "I’ve always worked alone, but having a summon like her... it might not be so bad."

Simon grinned, seeing an opportunity.

"You should major in Summoning like me, Kajan. It’s fun."

"I got a twenty on the midterm."

"Oh, dear."

The two ventured deep into the cave. The rough, natural cavern soon gave way to an artificial tunnel with smooth walls and a ceiling, like a deep underground bunker. As darkness enveloped them, they put their glasses back on.

"Are we too late?" Kajan said, looking up.

A large hole had been bored through the massive door that sealed the command center. Wondering what kind of black magic could have done this, Simon ran his palm over the hole’s surface. It felt less like it had been broken by force and more like it had been melted away.

They ran through the darkness again. After what felt like fifteen minutes, they knew they had arrived. Their boots met the soft resistance of carpet. Where the carpet ended, the bare floor was wet and slick.

"Simon," Kajan said quietly. "She’s spotted us."

Simon swallowed hard.

"The element of surprise is gone."

Kajan muttered, grabbing a large lever on the wall and pulling it down with all his might.

The emergency magic generator kicked in with a groan from beyond the wall. A moment later, the ceiling lights flickered on, illuminating the command and control center.

Simon’s eyes shot open.

Blood. It was a sea of blood. The guards who had been stationed here were scattered across the floor in gruesome heaps.

’She took down this many people by herself?’

The guards of such a critical facility would have been anything but pushovers.

Simon’s head snapped toward the center of the blood-drenched room. A woman was sitting on a table. Red hair, a black scarf, a black suit, and shoes. Francesca Belmont, the senior TA and now professor of Venomology. She was staring right at them.

"I’ve been waiting."

Her tongue flicked out like a snake’s.

Blood rushed to Simon’s face as a furious heat boiled within him.

"I really wanted to kill you."

Her eyes glinted, piercing through the sockets of Pier’s helmet.

"Thank you for walking right into my hands, ’Witness’."

Simon said nothing.

"And it’s been a while," Francesca added, her gaze shifting to Kajan. "My tenacious ’Pursuer’."

"It’s been a tedious year," Kajan replied nonchalantly.

"Why."

Both of them turned. Simon was glaring at Francesca, his fists clenched so tightly his knuckles were white.

"Just why did you do this insane thing?"

She blinked, as if she didn’t understand the question, then let out a small chuckle.

"I am from Efnel. You are from Kizen."

Her fingertip pointed to her own chest, then at the two of them.

"We kill our enemies. Isn’t that just common sense?"

"I’m not looking for that kind of black-and-white answer!" Simon snarled. "Even if you belong to Efnel, did you feel nothing while you were here? You saw with your own eyes that ordinary people live here, too! And more importantly...!"

An image flashed in Simon’s mind: Francesca at the blackboard, passionately explaining a lesson to her students. He had suspected her, but he had truly believed that when she stood before them and taught, her passion was sincere.

"They were your students!" he shouted. "Don’t you feel any guilt? Any remorse at all? There were students who genuinely trusted, followed, and respected you!"

"Hmm."

She spread her fingers, revealing long nails painted blood-red.

"The classes were an act to hide my identity. I feel nothing when I look at those wicked children of Satan. If you sensed any passion, joy, or sincerity on my face, then that was..."

A slow, cruel smile spread across her lips.

"My own satisfaction at how well I was acting. Perhaps?"

’Screech!’

She ducked. A flash of steel passed where her head had been, scarring the wall behind her.

"Thank you."

Simon brought his greatsword back before him, supporting it with his left hand.

"For making it so that I’ll have no regrets about eliminating you."

Jet-Black began to swirl around Simon’s body.

She smiled sweetly.

"This is our last lesson, Simon Polentia. The answer to your question is..."

Her own Jet-Black flowed out, forming a cross in the air.

"The great Goddess..."

Countless crosses materialized in the air, enveloping the entire command center.

"...told me to do so."

"I don’t know how Efnel’s system works," Simon said, his voice low and dangerous as he gripped his greatsword. "And even if a god truly ordered this horrible act, people are the ones who make the decisions. Murderer."