First Place Toast

A few weeks earlier.

"The Dullahan body is damaged far too badly."

Right after the practical evaluation, the moment Simon was discharged from the infirmary, he went straight to the Mutant Club. Benya, dressed in her work clothes, wiped the sweat from her brow as she spoke.

"I managed emergency repairs, but at this rate the Guardian's body is going to blow like a bomb."

"Ah……"

Benya rapped Simon on the forehead with a bonk as he wore his gloomy expression, then feigned the most serious tone she could manage.

"Is this really the time to worry about an undead? Your own body will burst apart first, you know!"

The damage Simon's body had taken after the practical evaluation had been staggering too. Burst blood vessels in his eyes, vomited blood-foam, jet-black mana reflux, twisted organs. Honestly, simply surviving that was heroic enough.

It was only because Simon had a constitution that responded exceptionally well to recovery, and because Professor Farahan of Holy Defense Studies had slipped secretly into his hospital room to cast healing magic on him, that the aftereffects hadn't lingered.

"I hate saying things like this, and I'm not just gloating about entering Kizen a year before you."

Lowering her hand, she spoke with genuine concern.

"Advice from your senior: never use the Chaos Dullahan that way again."

Truthfully, even if he wanted to, he couldn't.

Because the preparation time for this Dullahan practical evaluation had been unlimited, Simon had entered the arena with his chaos magic already prepared in advance. Activating the Chaos Dullahan required a full two hours.

Most examinations at Kizen, including the duel evaluations, forbade the use of pre-prepared magic circles. As things stood, the Chaos Dullahan would be restricted not only in the duel evaluations but in real combat as well.

'I have to become stronger.'

He admitted it. The Chaos Dullahan was still a power beyond what he could handle.

So Simon decided to change his approach a little.

'It doesn't take much. Borrowing a single stroke is enough.'

An undead Swordmaster who wielded the power of Chaos itself. During the practical evaluation he'd fought the way he had because there were ten thousand enemies — but in truth, swinging that sword just once was enough to dispatch most any foe.

'I'll build an instant magic circle I can use quickly.'

He would not activate the Chaos Dullahan's Jet-Black Engine. Instead, he researched a method of stacking a magic circle that allowed exactly one swing of the sword, just enough to move the Chaos Dullahan.

The result:

Shaaaaaaaak!

Simon had succeeded in executing Manus's ultimate strike.

The sky split in two, and Simon and Manus, having drawn forth a straight line nothing could defy, brought their swords down with the monster at their backs.

Swish—

The giant monster's head fell away, its severing plane impossibly clean.

'This is how it's done.'

Simon grinned.

――――!

A colossal silence swept over the entire arena.

"A! Ah! Aaaaah!"

The announcer's mouth hung wide open, unable to string a single word together. The twin professors giggled and chuckled; the spectators shot to their feet, eyes bulging.

"First place! The student to eliminate their monster first is none other than—!"

The announcer thrust his arm up with all his strength.

"The Student Council President of the Summoning Department, competing solo! Simon Polentia!!"

UWAAAAAAAAAH!

A thunderous cheer erupted from every corner of the stands.

A beat later, the Cursing Department's Gyrodile had its heart pierced too, but first place had already been decided.

"Wh-what the! We got second?"

"He was just stalling with skeletons the whole time — how did he pull off that comeback?"

The Cursing Department students who'd taken second rolled their eyes in disbelief.

"……One strike."

Amid them, one student murmured as if he couldn't believe his own words.

"……He took the Gyrodile's head in a single strike."

"You're lying! Do you know how thick that thing's neck is?!"

"I saw it! I'm telling you I saw it!"

Simon and Manus, moving in perfect synchrony, made a stylish show of sheathing swords they didn't carry, then let out a long breath.

'No use dwelling on what's lost.'

When he'd first built and used Imperial Guard, he remembered it taking ages — golem cores, Blood Golems, a whole parade of tedious processes.

But now, with Simon's capabilities transformed, he could wield Imperial Guard freely at will.

'One of these days, you too. For sure.'

With that vow, Simon retrieved Manus's skull and the Dullahan body into his subspace, wrapped in the roaring adulation of the crowd.

Hahahaha!

The Dark Alliance VIP seats kept erupting with exclamations of admiration as well.

"Entering ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠a team match solo and taking first place! Marvelous, simply marvelous!"

"It amazes me every year — Kizen just keeps producing talents like that."

Simon had made such a massive impact that the other departments' matches were somewhat buried and forgotten. One Gyrodile after another fell, and the match wound to a close.

If you looked purely at the times, all seven departments were neck and neck, none lagging behind. Simon knocked his two fists together.

'Still not enough. Work harder!'

That night.

"To celebrate first place overall on day one!"

"Cheers!"

WAAAAAAH!

The sound of beer mugs clashing rang out again and again through the Summoning Department dormitory lobby. Second-years and third-years alike had gathered, clinking mugs and laughing boisterously.

"Great work, everyone."

At the head seat, the department's Chief Representative, Leonard, smiled with delight.

"Especially you second-years — thank you sincerely for taking first place overall."

He turned to look back at his classmates and shouted.

"Let's pick it up, third-years! We can't fall behind!"

"You know it!"

"The seniors can't lose either!"

Happy laughter burst out from everywhere.

The first day's results had been encouraging.

Third-year Summoning: third place.

Second-year Summoning: first place.

Combined, that put them at the very top.

'So that's how it shakes out.'

Simon smiled pleasantly too and took a sip of his foamy beer. The ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠third-year Cursing and Jet-Black Mechanics departments had both slipped, posting results below expectations — which was what made this ranking possible.

"An obvious outcome."

Fitzgerald adjusted his glasses.

"The third-year Cursing Department got thoroughly marked by the Deadly Poison Department. And for Jet-Black Mechanics, the absence of their absolute ace, 'Eisel', left a hole too big to fill."

Third-year first place had gone, somewhat surprisingly, to the Deadly Poison Department — the department home to Eisel's rival, 'Ballack'.

"But we can't let our guard down. We have the advantage today, yet four days of the Dark Festival still remain. Now that we've taken first on day one, the focused checks and marks will come."

Fitzgerald looked at Simon.

"Your role is crucial, Simon."

"Yeah. I'll do my best."

The atmosphere was warming up nicely.

Mugs flew back and forth as students turned the dormitory lobby into an absolute pigsty. Under normal circumstances the dorm supervisor would never have stood for it, but even that strict matron was willing to look the other way — a first-place finish for the Summoning Department was that remarkable a result.

The department's spirits were at their peak, and toasts kept springing up all over the room.

For the Battle Arts representative who'd slipped on a rope during the tightrope event.

For the repair of the bathroom.

For Benya Vanilla, who'd racked up five kills in the survival match.

For Ballack, who'd taken down the enemy ace.

And then—

"To the Student Council President who entered a team match solo and seized first place! Simon Polentia!"

"Cheers!"

Simon raised his mug, his face reddening slightly from embarrassment. All around the room, mugs lifted high disappeared into students' mouths.

"Mr. President."

"Hii~"

As Simon chatted with Fitzgerald and Toto amid the festive din, two girls slipped smoothly into the space in front of him.

"You were so cool out there today."

They seated themselves before him, sweeping their long hair aside prettily. Perhaps they'd had a bit to drink, because their cheeks were faintly flushed.

"Mm. Thanks."

Who were they again?

Truthfully, he knew their faces but had never really held a proper conversation with either of them — classmates, nothing more.

"You're amazing~ We're the same age, but as fellow necromancers I really respect you!"

"How are you that strong?"

"When you cleared ten thousand monsters in the practical eval, I honestly got chills!"

The two of them competed to pour out their praise.

"If you're free this weekend, maybe we could— oink!"

Suddenly the girl's voice broke at the end and came out as a squeal. Scarlet-faced, she slapped a hand over her mouth with a hnk!

"Are you okay?"

Simon shot up from his seat in alarm.

"Ah, sorry, oink! Something caught in my throat, oink!"

Every time she let out a sound like a pig's squeal, her whole body jolted with it.

"Ohohoho! What are you doing! BUUURP!"

Now the girl on the opposite side abruptly began belching enormous burps. The students nearby turned to stare at her.

"No, I mean, it just suddenly— BUUURP!"

"What's wrong with you? Where's the whale yawning from?"

"HAHAHAHA!"

In the end, the two girls fled, faces scarlet, into the women's restroom.

While Simon stood there dumbfounded—

"That's what you get for not knowing your place~"

Before he knew it, Serne had appeared, her champagne-gold hair swaying, and seated herself in front of him.

"Excuse me."

"Serne. That thing you just did—"

Snap.

Simon flinched. Lorraine ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠had materialized soundlessly at his other side, legs folded neatly, her eyes narrowed into a sharp glare.

"You. My warning must have seemed funny to you."

"Hilarious, you mean~"

Serne lolled her tongue out.

"You were fidgeting around from way across the room, and the second I showed up, out you pop. Honestly, weren't you glad I stepped in?"

"You thought it'd be me?"

The two began glaring at each other again, their expressions warping into something positively murderous. Terrified of the sparks that might fly, their classmates quietly retreated.

Simon shushed the pair of them and glanced aside.

"Fitzgerald."

Fitzgerald, who'd been discussing the next strategy with Toto, turned to look at him.

"There's something I'd like to propose."

Simon whispered quietly. Fitzgerald rested his chin on his hand.

"Strategically, it doesn't seem bad. I'll bring it up with the department representatives later."

"Haha. Thanks."

Just then, Leonard rose from his seat.

"That's it! Our promised hour is up."

Disappointed groans of "Aw~" rose from all around.

"We're all competing again tomorrow, and you know better than to drink too much. Let's head out for evening training!"

At that, the students rose one by one and filed outside. Lorraine, seated beside him, gathered up her coat, while Serne — clearly with no intention of training — waved cheerfully at Simon before heading up the stairs.

'Well then, I should—'

So much for finding time for evening training. The surrounding students, long since used to the sight, just chuckled.

"Hang in there, President!"

"Don't burn out at the Council, alright? Department work comes first!"

"Counting on another first place tomorrow!"

His classmates tossed jokes at him as they filed past. Simon nodded with a smile or traded light high-fives with each of them.

Somehow, over the course of this Dark Festival, he felt like he was growing especially close with his department classmates.

"Good work, Simon. Thank you, as always, for everything you do for us."

And it was always Lorraine alone who said such mature things. Simon nodded firmly.

"I'm off."

Among the students, Simon enjoyed more freedom than anyone. That was thanks to Jane — Vice Principal and Committee Chairwoman — who had swept away every curfew and restriction for the Student Council members specifically.

Of course, the workload came with it.

The moment he arrived at the Council room, Mayrin tore into him — how could you bring alcohol anywhere near your mouth? — and then the work began. He lost track of time processing the endless stream of documents and complaints that came flooding into the Student Council, and by the time he looked up, it was well past midnight.

Going back to the dorm was awkward at that hour, so the Council members wrapped themselves in blankets and slept on the sofas of the Student Council Room.

It never felt like a hardship. He loved the Council work, and for the sake of seeing the Dark Festival through to a triumphant close, everyone steeled themselves.

And then, in the small hours of the next morning—

"Let's go, Simon!"

"Right."

Simon and Camibarez, wearing their Student Council armbands, set out on patrol.

During the Dark Festival, the number of people on Roke Island swelled to dozens of times the usual count. And with that, incidents across the island erupted without pause.

They arrested people trying to steal relics from Roke Island and flee by boat; they rescued tourists who'd gotten lost in the Forbidden Forest.

Beyond that, most of their work was escorting students caught wandering outside campus back where they belonged.

During the festival, plenty of parents were on the island too, and there had been a rash of students escaping the dorms to sneak into the lodgings where their parents stayed.

The tendency was especially pronounced among the pampered high-noble first-years. Worn down by training intensities beyond anything they'd imagined, and with their parents right there on the island, there was no way they could resist going to see them.

"You mustn't do that! Understood?"

It was exactly those first-years that Camibarez was currently dressing down. She planted her adorable fists on both hips and raised her ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠voice, standing as tall as she could on tiptoe, a pair of bat wings flapping threateningly behind her.

"I understand missing your mom and dad! But breaking school rules is wrong!"

"W-we're sorry, senior."

"You visit them after regular classes! Got it?"

"Yes, ma'am."

And yet, for some reason, the first-years kept sneaking glances — not at Camibarez, but at Simon standing behind her in his Student Council President coat.

The moment Simon narrowed his eyes at them, their heads ducked right back down.

Camibarez spoke up.

"If you get caught again, next time it's a real disciplinary hearing! Understood?"

"Yes! We're sorry!"

Having scolded the first-years and sent them on their way, Camibarez let out a firm hmph! of breath through her nose, watched to make sure they were really leaving, then came dashing back to Simon, beaming.

"Simon~ I gave them a proper scolding!"

Watching her grin her hee-hee smile, Simon fought to keep his loosening mouth from curving upward as he answered.

"You did. I'm sure the first-years have come to their senses now."

She had volunteered for the role of disciplining the first-years herself. It couldn't have been easy for someone with Camibarez's personality to deliver harsh words to others, but she kept at it, saying she didn't want to hold her teammates back and she wanted to improve on her own.

Simon rooted for her effort more than anyone.

"Alright, on to the next spot?"

"Yes!"

The two of them set off — and they'd barely walked a few steps when—

"Which little bastards are you?!"

An explosive shout rang out from a distance.

"Out wandering at this hour."

"And flaunting their Kizen uniforms while they're at it. Over here, over here."

Students dressed in Kizen uniforms were walking toward them.

'Ah.'

Simon smirked. It seemed they too had received a report and come running — and now two jobs had collided at once.

On their right arms, they wore black armbands.

'The Disciplinary Prefects.'