Summoning Genius of Kizen - Chapter 96Simon and Shun left the mansion in a carriage.Simon, sitting opposite, profusely apologized, sweating. "I deeply apologize for my earlier impoliteness, Count."Shun laughed cheerfully and waved his hand. "It's fine, it's fine! Just speak informally like before when we're in private!""Pardon? I couldn't possibly......""It's more comfortable for me that way! Got it?""Ah, understood."Shun was a lively, cheerful boy. Though a Count, he felt more mischievous and unpretentious than typical noble children.Simon didn't bother asking why he had inherited a countship and vast wealth at such a young age. In such cases, the situation was usually obvious.'His parents must have passed away early.'A boy who inherited a countship at a young age and ruled Blue Harbor. Simon felt his curiosity about Shun growing."That's Sara Beach, where most tourists go! And that alley over there has a large shopping complex......!"Shun pointed out each landmark visible from the carriage with his small, fern-like hands, explaining them.His excited voice was filled with affection for his territory. Simon matched his enthusiasm, engaging in various conversations."Count, we've arrived at the exhibition hall."The coachman's voice was heard. Simon had been so engrossed in Shun's guide that they had already reached their destination.As soon as Simon opened the carriage door, Shun shot out like a cannonball."Wait, Shun! You'll fall!"Simon gasped and followed him out.Shun, scrambling up the stairs, lost his balance, swayed, and fell backward.Simon, who had rushed up behind him, easily slipped his arms under Shun's armpits, lifted him, and safely placed him back on the stairs."Oh!"Shun grinned widely."You're good at your job, Simon Hyung! Yeah! Just keep doing that!""......"Simon sighed in relief, forcing a smile. He had a feeling this mission period would be tough."Count Shun. Welcome."The guards guarding the exhibition hall moved aside, clearing the way. Shun spun his small body around, grinning boastfully."The exhibition is officially open the day after tomorrow! But just for this once, I'm showing it to my bodyguard early as a special favor!""Yeah. Thanks for that."Creeeeak.The large gate opened, revealing the exhibition hall. Simon's eyes widened.'This is......!'The next-generation Undead Exhibition held in Blue Harbor.Blue Harbor was an island that had maintained its unique ecosystem, isolated from the continent for a long time. As a result, many 'unique species' not found elsewhere lived there.This exhibition focused on undead created using Blue Harbor's monsters, showcasing newly researched next-generation undead. Simon felt his eyes darting around involuntarily.'I don't know where to start!'First, the 'dinosaur-type' skeleton, which occupied the largest area in the center of the first floor, had an overwhelming presence. It was so imposing that one might lose the will to fight if such a skeleton attacked.However.'It seems they haven't solved the balance issue for the lower body to support its weight.'Jet Black threads connected throughout the exhibition hall were supporting the dinosaur skeleton to prevent it from collapsing. While developing a large skeleton was good, it seemed impractical for actual combat until the lower body issue was resolved.While Simon was momentarily distracted, thinking about the report he needed to submit to Kizen, Shun, who had been standing next to him, was nowhere to be seen."Shun!"Simon gasped and looked around frantically."Kya-ha-ha!"Shun was already riding on top of an animal-shaped skeleton inside the exhibition hall."Giddy up! Let's go! Move it!"As Shun slapped the skeleton's back with his palm, the skeleton moved its long neck and looked back at Shun.'Da-dangerous!'It wasn't just a simple exhibit; summoning magic seemed to be applied to it.Simon felt the blood in his veins turn cold as he ran.He grabbed the safety fence with one hand and leaped over it, concentrating Jet Black into his legs.'Jet Black Treading!'As Simon's body soared, the skeleton also opened its mouth wide and moved towards Shun.'I'm faster......!'Whoosh!Simon's arms, which had been about to embrace Shun, cut through the air. A green liquid had already wrapped around Shun's waist, carrying him away, and Simon ended up colliding face-first with the skeleton.'Ouch!'Simon clutched his face and fell to the floor."How can a bodyguard worth his salt be so distracted?"A man approached from under the dim lighting.He had long, slanted eyes with prominent eyelashes, small nostrils, and a long mouth. One hand was in his pants pocket, and his other arm had transformed into a liquid-like substance, holding Shun.When the man put Shun down, Shun smiled brightly and shouted, "Uncle Pinch!"The man called Pinch returned his hand to normal and patted Shun's head."You need to be careful, okay? It's dangerous here with moving undead.""I told you I'm fine! Oh, let me introduce you!"Shun pointed at Simon and said, "This is Kizen's strongest bodyguard! Simon Pollentia, Special Admission Student No. 1!""Hmm."Pinch stroked his chin, examining Simon from head to toe. Then he smiled faintly and extended his right hand."My name is Pinch Nikiman. I'm a Necromancer too.""Simon Pollentia."The moment Simon took Pinch's hand for a handshake, Pinch's hand melted fluidly. Simon was startled internally but remained calm, not showing it."Hahaha! Just a joke, a joke!"Pinch, whose hand had returned to normal, lightly shook the hand he had just clasped before putting it back in his pocket."You're a first-year here to earn some pocket money, aren't you? I don't know what soft-hearted reason brought you to this resort island, but you still need to do your job properly. Don't you agree?"It was a reprimand for not properly protecting Shun. Simon placed a clenched fist over his left chest and bowed deeply at the waist."Please forgive my oversight, Count."Of course, the person he bowed to was Shun, not Pinch."......"Pinch's eyebrow twitched."Ah, Simon Hyung! Why are you doing that?!"Shun grabbed Simon's pant leg and shook it."And Uncle, stop scolding my bodyguard! It was my fault just now!""Haha, scolding? No, I was just giving advice to a junior."Pinch sweated slightly as he made excuses, then subtly glared at Simon.'Look at this......?'He thought Simon was a naive young master, but it seemed he had some spirit after all.When Simon raised his head, Pinch cleared his throat and spoke."So, you're Kizen's Special Admission Student No. 1?""Yes.""There must be high expectations for you. As a senior, I'd advise you not to think that all the knowledge you learn at Kizen is the absolute truth. Honestly, Kizen nowadays has gone astray quite a bit. It used to be legendary, but their recent teaching methods feel too old-fashioned and rigid......""Excuse me, Senior Pinch."Simon interrupted him and asked, "Are you a Kizen graduate?""......"Pinch's smiling lips twitched."Ahem. No, I started at Aland Public Necromancer School.""Ah, yes. I see.""You'll meet them soon enough, but the top students from Aland, Sierra, and Moiran often transfer to Kizen through the transfer system. They're more capable in every aspect than the existing Kizen students!"Simon smiled sweetly."Wow, that's amazing! If they're more capable than Kizen students, then wouldn't there be no need for them to transfer to Kizen?"'......This bastard, seriously!'He was subtly getting on his nerves while pretending to smile.Since he couldn't directly slander Kizen, Pinch had no choice but to swallow his anger."Ahem. Well, everything has its pros and cons. Don't you think so?""Yes. That's right.""Uncle Pinch! Hurry, hurry! You said you'd introduce us to the undead, me and Simon Hyung!""Ah, right."Pinch quickly composed his expression."Let's stop talking about student-level matters. Isn't the true start of a Necromancer's career after graduating from school? From now on, I'll show you the realm of professionals.""I look forward to it."Simon said that and lightly placed a hand on Shun's shoulder. When Shun looked up as if asking what was wrong, Simon merely smiled without speaking.However.'If you run away again, you'll be in trouble.'He sent that look along with his smile. Shun shivered, feeling a chill."Now, my two esteemed guests. I will explain this piece first."As a Necromancer affiliated with Blue Harbor, Pinch was a pioneer in next-generation undead research. There were a total of 100 exhibits in the hall, and 20 of them were Pinch's creations.Listening to Pinch's explanation, Simon was honestly impressed.Putting aside his personality and character, he was a person whose skill was impeccable. He had created undead with innovative functions using Blue Harbor's monsters, all of high quality.'But perhaps because it's an exhibition showcasing completely new undead, it's a bit lacking in practical aspects.'Some undead were so impractical that Simon couldn't imagine how they could ever be used. So, with his shallow knowledge, he pointed out the regrettable parts."For this Locker Worm Skeleton's tail, wouldn't it be better to cover it with protein or chitin rather than forcibly connecting it with bones? As it is, the joints would be overloaded after just a few swings, rendering it useless."At Simon's critique, Pinch's face flushed, and he reacted sensitively."Oh, what does a first-year know! Every work has a reason. Just blurting out ideas without thinking things through doesn't solve the practical issues!""Ah, yes. I apologize for interfering unnecessarily."Pinch took out a notebook from his pocket."So, where did you say it would be better to cover it with chitin?""?"They continued talking like that, circling the exhibition hall. Shun was already yawning, his concentration waning.Seeing this, Simon poked Pier's Sub-Body.'Pier. Are you there? Please help me for a moment.'[What is it?]While Pinch was explaining frantically and Shun was yawning repeatedly, Simon unhooked Pier's Sub-Body from his uniform and held it out to Shun."Shun, look at this.""What is it?""If you poke it, it moves?"Shun poked Pier's Sub-Body with his fingertip. Pier gasped and said, "[What are you doing! I am not a toy!]""Wow! When I tickle it, the skull's mouth opens and closes!""Isn't it amazing?"[Boy! Get that thing away from me at once!]"What happens if I pinch it like this?"After Pier played along for a while, Shun quickly regained his focus and enjoyment. They ascended to the 5th floor of the exhibition hall."Now, I will unveil the highlight of this exhibition."Pinch pulled down a white cloth covering something, revealing a large aquarium-like structure. Inside was a skeleton of a form Simon had never seen before.Its body was like an alien creature, a mix of a jellyfish and an octopus, but its core was made of bone, and a soft, fluid-like substance surrounded it, maintaining its shape.What was most special was that the long legs of this jellyfish monster were made of pure bone. They looked like mechanical legs with perfectly interlocking joints, but they were undeniably bone."Soft-bodied Undead Overlord."Pinch said seriously, all traces of humor gone from his voice. "The material is a deep-sea monster, a Kraken. It has an appearance similar to deep-sea cephalopods, but uniquely, its core body parts are composed of bone, meeting the conditions for a skeleton. Moreover, this size is not even its adult form yet. No one has ever captured an adult Kraken."Pinch placed his palm on a magic circle. With a hum, the Overlord began to move.'Insane......!'Simon was so surprised he couldn't maintain his composure.The six long legs, made of bone, moved freely like the tentacles of a flexible cephalopod. It was the first time he realized that bones could be so soft and pliable. "It possesses not only speed but also cutting power."Pinch took out a sheet of iron from his subspace and held it above his head. The Overlord saw it and moved its legs.Shhhk.A long leg emerged from the aquarium and sliced through the air in a straight line, cleanly cutting the iron sheet in half. A second leg then pierced the center of the fallen iron sheet.'Wow, seriously.'As a student of summoning, this was torture. To have such an amazing undead right before his eyes and not be able to use it.Pinch signaled, and the waiting staff covered the aquarium with the cloth again."Senior Pinch.""Yes, do you have a question?""If someone wanted to buy this undead, what would be the approximate price?"Pinch chuckled, putting his hand on his hip."Is that a question you're asking as Kizen? Or...""No, no. It's just a personal question.""Well. This is a research specimen of astronomical value, not something for sale, and it's not even my personal property. But if I had to say......"Pinch pondered for a moment, then said, "It would have to be at least 10,000 gold."
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