REAPER SCANS
Necromancer Academy's Genius Summoner
[Translator - Ramen]
[Proofreader - Artethrax]
Chapter 475
"Simon Polentia, sir."
Simon stood up from his seat.
The meaning of the skeleton knight's 'strength that doesn't require control'… After watching one in action, Simon felt he now understood.
"Ordinary skeletons require precise undead control. Since they're undead created by binding bones together with jet-black, they easily collapse from simple impacts."
Simon turned his head to look at the skeleton knight Aaron had made.
"However, the skeleton knight is equipped with armor, providing defense. Once its thoughts are connected, it seems it can perform its role without much intervention from the summoner."
"Indeed, that's the correct answer."
Applause came from around the room. In particular, Toto, sitting next to him, clapped enthusiastically.
"You may sit. As Simon said, skeleton knights wear armor. This restricts the use of typical skeleton 'restoration skills' like Bone Armor, Bone Spear, and Bone Wall."
As Aaron waved his hand in the air, the bones of the skeleton knight disassembled, floating upward.
It seemed like it was trying to use Bone Spear, but the armor got in the way, preventing proper movement. The heavy armor also made it sink to the ground.
"Although it can't use restoration skills, the knight can be more effective than ordinary skeletons when you are leaving the combat to the summon and preparing other spells. Anyway, that's enough explanation for now. Open your textbooks to page two."
Rustle rustle…
The sound of textbook pages turning could be heard all around.
"The difference between a skeleton and a skeleton knight, as well as the knight's unique skill. These are common questions for the first problem in the midterms, so it would be best to memorize these details and more."
There was a brief moment of quiet note-taking.
It was a peaceful atmosphere.
Simon rested his chin on his hand, noting the key points Aaron wrote on the board.
'But still, even after this class, I feel like I'll just keep using regular skeletons.'
As Aaron had explained, they were mainly for buying time to prepare main skills. Or, for students with weaker undead control, knights were an expensive but much quicker alternative to training it.
However, Simon was confident in his undead control and didn't see much merit in replacing his well-practiced restoration skills.
'Once this class is over—'
"Some of you might be wondering,"
At Aaron's words, Simon raised his head.
" 'I've done well with skeletons so far, so why should I bother learning skeleton knights now?' "
Tap.
Aaron picked up the chalk again.
"I'll explain that now. Pay attention, since this isn't in the textbook."
The students gulped. Moving to the far left of the board, Aaron wrote 'Skeleton Knight' in the middle.
"To make a skeleton knight, you need to learn the 'Rune of Recollection' and its associated formulas. It's a technique for controlling residual thoughts to enhance the undead's skills from its past life."
He wrote 'Rune of Recollection' beneath 'Skeleton Knight'. Then, he drew a line from the new term.
"And the Rune of Recollection you learn here also becomes a key component for creating the higher tier of zombie, the ghoul."
Aaron wrote 'Ghoul' on the board.
"To create a ghoul, you must learn both the reformation modifier that mutates a corpse and the decomposition mutation formula. Then, by combining the decomposition mutation formula for a ghoul with the Rune of Recollection learned from the skeleton knight…"
Shiik. Shiik.
Aaron drew lines connecting the names of the two undead and added a new circle at their intersection, writing its name inside.
"You can create the magical undead known as a 'devourer'."
Aaron's chalk danced across the board. By combining the learned runes and formulas, various undead could be created, and the formulas required for one undead could then be combined with others for higher-tier undeads.
Aaron was drawing a massive 'roadmap' right now.
"Night terrors, colossi, crypt guards…"
At the mention of these powerful undeads which they'd only heard of in stories, the faces of the Summoning students grew increasingly excited. Aaron even incorporated runes and skills from other departments when necessary.
One could enhance the existing undead 'death bat' with the 'life steal' formula from hemomancy, resulting in a 'blood bat', and with some curses formulas, they could make a 'nosferatu'.
The students' jaws dropped further and further with each undead added to the board. Finally, at the far end of the board…
Shiiik!
Shiik…
All the runes and formulas converged from the board's left to the far right.
"This is also the goal for this semester. Once you've mastered all these basics, you'll finally be able to…"
Tap!
"…create the tier-three undead, the headless knight 'dullahan'!"
A loud gasp came in unison from the entire lecture hall.
It was one of the dreams of any summoner. A monster that could withstand any attack, tirelessly overwhelming enemies with its unrelenting strikes.
The very being that ended the 'Great Era of Knights' across the continent and the epitome of a monstrous summon.
"I'm not saying you have to use every undead you've learned in actual battle."
Aaron lifted the chalk and pointed to his head.
"But all the knowledge and experience you gain while creating undead will become nourishment, allowing you to craft and command higher-tier undead."
Simon smiled as he inspected the formulas needed to create a dullahan.
Unlike the lich and its Life Vessel, which relied heavily on innate talent and instinct, the dullahan couldn't be made with talent alone.
Knowledge.
This single summon required a solid foundation and vast knowledge of summoning. And when all these accumulated within his mind and truly became his own, Simon felt certain he'd become far stronger than he was now.
'Honestly, if I was told to make a lich again, I'm not sure I could pull it off like I did back then.'
He had relied too much on compello, and the lich's creation involved the help of far too many people.
Also, there was the coincidence of the autonomous staff and Herseva fusing. He couldn't always depend on instinct and chance forever.
'I need to study.'
Simon's eyes sparkled.
He determined himself to make all of this his own.
"Any questions?"
Excited by Aaron's lecture, a student raised his hand and stood up.
"Matt Comer, sir! Is it really possible for us to create a dullahan in just one semester?"
In the standard Kizen curriculum, the dullahan was strongly perceived as an undead learned by the third year. However, Aaron nodded calmly.
"Of course. That is, if you can keep up with the lessons."
"Th-Then!"
Suddenly, Toto stood up.
He was so excited that he forgot to announce his name before asking his question.
"If we're making dullahan in the first semester, then can we make that next?"
His voice swelled with passion.
"Every summoner's dream! The death knight!"
At the mention of 'death knight', the lecture hall fell into suspenseful silence.
Aaron gave a faint smile instead of answering.
"Toto Amori, that's something you'll have to survive until next semester to find out."
"…Ah."
Perhaps the embarrassment hit him belatedly, as after Toto sat down, his face started turning red.
"I believe I've provided enough motivation, so let's end the theory there."
Aaron checked his watch and said,
"Now we'll move on to the practical lesson. With the materials you brought, you'll create a skeleton knight. I believe I don't need to explain how important the first step is."
"No, Professor!!"
While the students quickly brought out their remaining materials, Lorain, who sat next to Simon, smiled faintly.
"Professor Aaron… He's really good at teaching."
Come to think of it, Lorain wasn't under Professor Aaron last year. Simon smiled softly and said,
"Look forward to more."
A dullahan and a death knight.
Simon finally felt like a true Summoning major.
* * *
Reaper Scans
Translator - Ramen
Proofreader - Artethrax
Join our discord for updates on releases!
* * *
The students started working on creating their skeleton knights in a relaxed atmosphere.
The assistant teachers wandered around, helping students who were stuck. Since it was the first class, it felt a bit cluttered, too.
"Can someone lend me some bone adhesive?"
Many students hadn't been able to get their hands on all the materials. An orange-haired girl eagerly looked around and then waved at Toto, who was sitting in front of Simon.
"Hey, you, death knight boy!"
"Pfft!"
Simon couldn't hold back a laugh as he assembled his bones.
Because of what happened earlier, Toto was already being called the 'death knight boy' among the students.
"Don't laugh, Simon!"
Shouted Toto as his cheeks went red. Just then, the orange-haired girl approached.
"Can you lend me some bone adhesive?"
"M-Me?"
Toto's chronic problem came up. As soon as a girl came near, his face turned red, and he started to stutter.
"Come on~. Can you lend me some or not?"
"Ah, y-yeah!"
Looking around for an escape and hesitating, Toto eventually grabbed the bone adhesive. Simon looked at him.
'He hasn't even done his own joint work yet.'
Simon sighed quietly and offered his own bone adhesive.
"Just use mine."
Toto and the girl both turned their heads simultaneously.
"Ohh, thanks, President!"
She gratefully took the adhesive with both hands.
"Just call me Simon during lectures."
At that, she paused briefly, then chuckled with a soft 'hmm'.
What was that supposed to mean?
"Anyway, thanks for what you did during the hazing, too."
"For what?"
"Ahaha! Acting like you don't remember now, hm? When we crossed the skeleton bridge, you saved me with that weird skill!"
'Ah, that.'
Simon nodded. It had been too dark to see, but it seemed like she was one of the ones with him then. Simon smiled.
"I'm glad you weren't hurt."
"Huh…"
She faintly smiled and narrowed her eyes.
It was the kind of look that seemed to say, 'Well, aren't you something.'
"Anyway, I'll quickly return it after I'm done!"
With a hum, she returned to her seat.
And so, when Simon was just about to resume assembling…
"Simon~?"
A frightening voice was heard. Simon pretended not to hear it, but when it called again, saying, "Simon~," he had no choice but to turn around.
Serene, who had arrived late and taken the seat diagonally next to Simon, picked up two bones and clumsily tried to stick them together.
"I can't do this! It's too hard for me~"
'…Why did she even join the Summoning department if she struggles with something so fundamental?'
Simon let out a bitter smile.
"Of course it won't work. You're trying to connect bone 34 and bone 102. Look at the textbook and match them in the correct order for that part."
"It's too harrrrd! Can't you come over and help me out?"
"Oh, that one!"
Just then, a boy with a big physique sitting behind Serene raised his finger.
"The one in your left hand is bone 34, and the one under your elbow is bone 35. You just need to connect those two."
Perhaps he wanted to gain favor from the heir of Ivory Tower. He offered a kind explanation, but he only got Serene's cold glare in return.
"…"
Moments later…
That boy was licking the skeleton bones like a chew toy, his eyes dead.
"Serene! Not again!"
Unable to tolerate the sight, Lorain rushed over, and another fight broke out.
"What's all this commotion?"
In the end, Aaron came to intervene and began personally teaching the troublemaker Serene.
While connecting the bones, her pouting face made her look like a duck. Simon had to stifle a laugh every time he turned in her direction.
Click click!
Clatter!
In Simon's brief moment of distraction, the elites had made significant progress.
Rank three, Hector.
Rank five, Aseraz.
And Fitzgerald, from the same club as Simon.
The sight of those three rapidly building their skeletons amazed the other students.
'Alright, I should focus as well.'
He couldn't lose to them.
Simon warmed his fingers up and began working earnestly on making his knight.
——
Join our discord for updates on releases!
