Summoning Genius of Kizen Chapter 58 Beginner Dark Magic, Necromancy, and even the first class, Hemomancy. Kizen's professors had laid out a curriculum that seemed heavily focused on the Duel Evaluation. Of course, today's final class, Curse Studies, was no exception. "When I enter the classroom, the first thing I look at is the students' eyes." Bahil, dressed in his usual sophisticated pure white suit, placed his felt fedora on the podium and spoke. "Oh, today they're filled with anguish. Eyes that seem unable to focus on class. Shall I peer into what you're thinking? Ah, it's the Duel Evaluation. Your minds are completely preoccupied with the Duel Evaluation!" Bahil's easygoing manner drew scattered chuckles from around the room. "I graduated from Kizen myself, so I understand well. The fact that you have to fight against fellow Kizen students must make you anxious and nervous. But don't worry. I will show you the way." Bahil flashed his characteristic trustworthy smile. "In just this one class, I will teach you how to quickly and safely subdue your opponent. All you have to do is trust me and follow." Students' eyes sparkled brightly. After all, the name Bahil carried a lofty aura for seventeen-year-old boys and girls, one that they couldn't easily look up to. "By now, I believe your dark magic styles have been somewhat established. This class will be divided into two parts." Bahil looked around. "Students who have clearly decided on the dark magic they will use in this Duel Evaluation will need curses specialized in support. I will teach you a speedy 'Leg Down' that can quickly and effortlessly pressure your opponent." Students murmured. It was a spell not found in textbooks. "Humans are creatures with a very unstable sense of balance, standing on only their hind legs and walking with their backs straight. Simply falling makes most actions impossible. Leg Down applies exhaustion only to localized areas, including the opponent's feet, restricting their movement. If applied strongly or if the opponent moves excessively, they will fall. Of course, its advantage is that it's faster and lighter than Exhaust." Bahil smiled faintly. "And for the students currently flipping through their textbooks, it's natural that you won't find it. It's a curse I personally improved." Ooooh— Students gasped in admiration. "Next are the Curse Studies majors, students who plan to use curses as their main focus in the Duel Evaluation, and students who haven't yet decided which dark magic to use. For these students, I will teach an improved 'Remake Paralysis' curse." Remake Paralysis! This, too, was a spell not found in textbooks. "Its effect is slightly weaker than Paralysis, but it can be completed faster through practical improvements. And I've arranged it so that it can produce effects with the basic runes and formula combinations that first-year students can use. If you stack its effects during combat, you'll be able to reproduce the original spell's power." Students were given two choices. Light but effective Leg Down, or heavy but reliably subduing Remake Paralysis. "Alright, then, let's split up." Bahil clapped his hands. "Students who come to the left will learn Leg Down, and students who come to the right will learn Remake Paralysis." Students murmured and began to divide left and right. At this moment, Bahil's gaze was fixed on only one spot. '......Now, Simon Pollentia.' His eyes gleamed with madness. 'A genius like you must wear clothes that fit you perfectly. Curses are the best way to bring out 200% of your Jet Black! Throw away outdated Summoning Studies. Using Summoning Studies as your main force in the Duel Evaluation is something even a fool wouldn't do! You know that, don't you?' Bahil bit his lip, his face unusually tense. Simon, who had been talking with Dick, Mei-rin, and Kamibarez, eventually changed direction. 'Which way! Of course, to the right......!' Simon entered the left side with Mei-rin. Dick and Kamibarez were on the right. Seeing Simon's choice, Bahil clenched his lips tightly. He had chosen curses as a 'sub' again, not a 'main'. "Professor Bahil." Just then, a hand touched Bahil's shoulder, who was seething with anger. He turned around with madness-filled eyes to see his gray-eyed teaching assistant placing an index finger on her lips. "That expression, that expression is showing." "......." Bahil's expression subsided as if by magic, and soon his usual gentle smile covered his face. "Oh, I seem to have gotten a little excited. Thank you, Chehekl." "It's alright. That's my role. More importantly, your instructions." Bahil adjusted his tie. Teaching assistants could be seen rummaging through the Leg Down formula designs, preparing for the lesson. "Send all the teaching assistants to the right. I will personally teach Leg Down." "......Huh? But last week, Professor, you said you'd teach Remake Paralysis......!" "I've changed my mind." This was troublesome. The teaching assistants had stayed up all night preparing materials to teach Leg Down. Chehekl considered trying to persuade him, but Bahil's face showed no sign of wavering. 'He's not going to change his mind, no matter what.' A teaching assistant only obeys the professor's orders. She bowed her head. "Understood." Chehekl approached the teaching assistants who were preparing for class. They were setting up mana projectors and distributing materials to the students. "Hold on, teaching assistants, gather 'round." At the sudden command to gather, the teaching assistants looked puzzled and came together. "What's wrong? It's a two-hour class, we need to start right away." "The professor changed his mind. He said he'll teach Leg Down himself." "Whaaaat?" Bahil's teaching assistants murmured in confusion. "No way, unnie! We've been preparing for Leg Down all this time, if he changes it on the day of......!" "Ah, this really isn't right! Senior, please try to persuade him!" Chehekl crossed her arms. "You all know he's not someone we can persuade, right?" "......." "How many times has the professor been whimsical? Stop whining and get ready, everyone. I'll figure out the Paralysis class somehow." The teaching assistants, with slumped shoulders, put down their materials and moved. Chehekl, who had been patting her juniors' backs and encouraging them, shifted her gaze to a boy sitting in his seat. 'The professor acting like that...... it's probably because of that kid, isn't it?' Thinking that both she and he would have a tiring time ahead, Chehekl turned her back. * * * And so, Curse Studies concluded. All classes for the day were over. Dick went down to Rochester, and Mei-rin and Kamibarez headed to the girls' dormitory. Simon, alone, sat on a deserted bench, staring blankly at the sky. A beautiful sunset was painting the sky. [What thoughts are you so lost in, boy?] As he sat blankly, Pier spoke to him. Simon, still gazing at the sky, replied. "Pier, does a Legion Commander necessarily have to major in Summoning Studies?" Pier chuckled. [There's no such rule! If you choose Martial Arts, I can manage the Legion myself! It's entirely your choice to have the Legion take a supportive role and maximize your inherent power! The Legion will respect that will.] "......." When Simon remained silent for a moment, Pier's lips curled up. [Why. Did you expect me to stop you?] Simon flinched. [Tell me. What is shaking you so much?] "No, it's just......." Simon sighed deeply. "Everyone says it. Summoning Studies is weak. It's outdated. It needs support from other disciplines. You can't win with just Summoning Studies. I've heard nothing but that all day today. Teaching assistants, Dick, professors, even Toto, who's a Summoning Studies major." [So?] Pier said. [Are you going to quit Summoning Studies?] "......." Quit Summoning Studies. Simon felt a strong sense of rebellion welling up inside him. [That feeling is probably genuine now.] Pier chuckled. [In my opinion, boy, you like Summoning Studies! While it's true you generally enjoy learning new things and feel a sense of accomplishment, your feelings for Summoning Studies are special. Do you really need to find a reason to continue Summoning Studies from the Legion?] "......." Simon couldn't deny a single word. [But! That's not what you're agonizing over, is it?] "Huh?" [Boy. Your ideology and values are established. It's not like you to hesitate about giving up Summoning Studies now just because of what others say! It's something deeper. Something more trivial and insignificant!] Pier's lips stretched into a long smile. [Isn't it the desire to win this Duel Evaluation with only Summoning Studies?] "......!" Simon looked down at Pier's sub-body with a startled expression. Then he let out a small sigh and chuckled. "Wow, I really can't hide anything from Pier." [Kuhuhuhu!] "It's foolish, isn't it? I don't know when I'll grow up. Even though there's a better way, this urge to win with Summoning Studies keeps coming up......." [What do you think is the reason?] "It just, makes me angry." Simon said. "Summoning Studies is weak. It takes time. It needs assistance from other disciplines. You can't win with just Summoning Studies. I heard nothing but that all day today. Teaching assistants, Dick, professors, even Toto, a Summoning Studies major." Simon crossed his arms. "It's not even my major yet, but it made me a little angry. That Summoning Studies is treated that way." [But you've always chosen efficient means. Those two ideas clashed, and that's what you were agonizing over.] "Yes." Simon stood up and brushed off his pants. [So, what's the result of your deliberation?] "This time, it's for the romance." Simon grinned. "Imagine, Pier." Everyone, everyone is denying it. If he really wins the Duel Evaluation with only Summoning Studies, right in front of those people. "Wouldn't that feel amazing?" Wouldn't it feel like a huge weight lifted off his chest? [Kwahahahahahaha! Yes! That's it!] Pier laughed loudly and resonantly. [Willingly walking a path others don't! That act itself is special and valuable! And you have the ability and talent to do it, so there's no reason not to! Remember, boy!] Blue flames flared around Pier's sub-body. [You are none other than the Legion Commander I chose! Do not hesitate with the lines drawn by sardines, when you have the body of a shark! Do whatever you want!] "Yes, Pier." Finally, a relieved smile appeared on Simon's lips. "I've definitely made up my mind now."
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