Summoning Genius of Kizen Chapter 35 On the way back to Kizen on the Skeleton Horses, Lorraine spoke. “Thank you for cooperating with Kizen. For now, your safety is the problem. That Priest might target your life anytime, anywhere. For a while, you should skip classes……” “No.” Simon shook his head. “I’ll just live as usual.” “……Wouldn’t that be too dangerous?” “It’s fine. That person might not have seen my face, and even if they target me, there will be clues left behind somehow.” A strange light flickered in Lorraine’s red eyes. “Don’t be ridiculous. I don’t need clues obtained at the cost of your life.” “Listen to me, Lorraine. If I skip classes or act unusually, the Priest will, conversely, become certain of my identity. What would they think if they saw Kizen’s guards patrolling around me? They’d realize I’ve told the higher-ups everything, and that they’re cornered.” “That’s true, but!” “Can you predict what kind of impulsive actions a fanatic will take when cornered?” Lorraine bit her lip tightly. The opponent was so loyal that they would engrave a Core, a terrible sin, into their body and infiltrate Kizen to carry out their mission. And the actions of fanatics were incomprehensible within the scope of normal people. Large-scale hostage situations and suicide bombings had already occurred countless times by fanatics. If the same thing happened in Kizen, it would not only severely damage the organization’s external image but also provide a pretext for those who questioned Kizen’s ruling system to unite. “……Alright.” After much thought, Lorraine sighed and said. “But if there’s even the slightest strange sign, I will protect you, even if it means restricting your freedom. Remember this. You don’t need to sacrifice yourself for everyone’s safety.” “I’ll remember.” Of course, Simon didn’t consider it a sacrifice at all. ‘I can’t stop my school life for something so trivial.’ If he couldn’t attend classes, the gap between him and other students would only widen. What if the time came when he had to leave Kizen due to poor grades or lack of skill? Kizen was by no means a flexible institution that would care about an individual’s circumstances, and if he just stood by, he would be the only one losing out. If he had to take risks either way, Simon judged that it was better to boldly push through with his school life. There was still much to learn at this school. The two arrived at Kizen and parted ways, and Simon returned to his dormitory as if nothing had happened. * * * The next morning. Class A students were waiting to enter the building with excited faces. “It’s finally today!” “I’m looking forward to it.” Today was Jane’s Beginner Dark Magic class. Among them, it was the day the Cyclops simulation, which everyone had been eagerly awaiting, was scheduled. Everyone was wearing their specialized training uniforms instead of their school uniforms. “As expected of Professor Jane.” Dick said, wiping his nose. “They say you usually only get a taste of simulations in the second semester. But we’re doing this before the protection period is even over.” “Ugh, I couldn’t get a proper wink of sleep last night.” Kamibarez mumbled. Mei-rin chuckled, “Hmph.” “You can’t be like this already, it’s just a virtual battle, isn’t it?” “Alright, alright, Class A students. Please stand in your groups now!” Jane’s teaching assistants controlled the students. The students lined up and entered the building. The corridor seemed clean, like a new building. Everyone exchanged various stories, anticipating the simulation, but Simon felt his hairs stand on end with an unknown sensation every time he walked. “Groups 1 to 8, this way.” “Groups 9 to 16, this way.” Then, they took a magic circle elevator down, and a wide-open space unfolded. “Wow……!” Kizen’s virtual combat simulation system, ‘Avalon.’ It was a system that only Kizen possessed on the continent, capable of reproducing any monster as a mana creature for virtual combat. It was the result of moving the ancient ruin ‘Hallucina,’ the ‘Fortress of Illusion and Hallucination,’ to Kizen and repeatedly modifying it. “Welcome, Class A.” And from the magic circle elevator on the opposite side, Jane and her teaching assistants descended. The students all bowed in unison. “We don’t have much time, so let’s move straight to the explanation.” It was her usual neat progression. Jane pressed a button on the control device in her hand, and the mana projector on the ceiling activated, displaying a screen. “Groups 1 to 4 will conduct their simulations on the left, and groups 5 to 8 on the right. All rules are exactly the same as the performance evaluation. One combat member, three support members. Support members cannot move from their set positions, and only the combat member can use direct attack methods. And the Cyclops will only recognize and attack the combat member.” Jane extended her arm and tapped the vest held by a teaching assistant. “However, there’s no need to worry too much. The barrier magic on this vest will absorb all attacks from the virtual Cyclops. Each time damage is absorbed, the barrier gauge on the screen above will decrease. When the gauge reaches 0, the training ends immediately. Return to the waiting room.” The students nodded with tense faces. “You will be able to experience a maximum of three sets of virtual combat. I hope this will be a time for you to self-evaluate how well your strategies from last time align and to maximize your practical combat sense.” Jane’s explanation ended, and the simulation immediately began. Groups 1 and 5 entered the training rooms, while the remaining groups were guided to the waiting room. The waiting room was a spacious resting area with large sofas placed throughout and refreshments available. A mana projector was installed on the ceiling, allowing them to view the situations of other groups on the screen. Before reviewing their strategy, Simon’s group decided to watch other groups’ tests first. ‘Ah, Cindy Vivace’s group is up.’ Group 5 was the group of Cindy Vivace, the pickpocket he met in Langerstein, who specialized in Necromancy. She was the combat member, and the group consisted of students specializing in Curse Studies, Jet Black Mechanics, and Toxicology. Simon thought the balance wasn’t bad. -Now, we will begin the simulation battle. Jane’s voice came through the loudspeaker. Whoooooosh! The surroundings seemed to fill with mana, and suddenly the training room transformed into a forest. The surroundings were truly covered in trees as if they had been dropped into the middle of a forest, and bird songs could be heard, and even wind blew. The watching students gasped in admiration. Thump! Thump! Thump! Then, from deep within the forest, earth-shaking footsteps were heard. Birds fled. The footsteps grew closer and closer, and soon, a massive, teal-colored monster over two meters tall burst through the bushes. Its entire body was muscular, one eye was distorted as if crushed, and the pupil of the other eye moved wildly up and down. -Kwoooaaarrr! As the monster opened its mouth wide and roared, the expressions of the students who had entered the training room all stiffened. “Alright!” Cindy stretched her arm behind her back. A sleek black scythe was summoned and grasped in her hand. “Shall we give it a try!” With a roar, the battle began. And then. [Simulation Failed] Time taken: 1 minute 16 seconds Damage dealt: 22% Barrier Gauge: 0% Overall Evaluation: F The information measured in the simulation was projected onto the mana projector screen. Everyone’s mouths hung open at the one-sided result. Simon was equally surprised. ‘It’s really no joke.’ The group members rushed towards Cindy, who was lying on the ground. She sat up, scratching her head with an embarrassed smile. “Sorry, my etherealization timing was a bit late. I’ll definitely dodge next time!” Group 1, next to them, finished even faster than Group 5. The reason was the same. The combat member couldn’t properly cope with the Cyclops’s fierce attacks and was eliminated. Even one hit would drop the barrier gauge to less than half. Moreover, both groups had brought ‘curses’ as a means of containment for the Cyclops, but the combat member was eliminated before they could even deploy the curses, leaving them helpless. “The combat members, their movements were all frozen.” Dick said. Simon nodded. “There must be psychological issues too.” Even with three support members behind them, the fear and tension of facing a Cyclops alone would not be easy to overcome. Simon turned his head. “Mei-rin. Are you really okay?” “Uh, huh?” Her face, which had turned as white as a sheet, quickly nodded. “Of, of course I’m fine!” From her voice, which was filled with tension and trembling, it seemed she was not fine at all. Eventually, she excused herself to go to the restroom. Many other students were also heading straight to the restroom. Following that, Groups 2 and 6 had their practical sessions. Simon watched with wide eyes, hoping to gain some hints, but again, the combat member was directly hit by the Cyclops’s attacks and fell. -Groups 3, 7. Please enter the training rooms. Group 7’s turn came much faster than expected. As Simon was getting up, a group of students was heading towards the opposite training room. ‘Ah, Group 3 was Hector’s group.’ Centered around their leader Hector, it included Class A’s Summoning Studies ace, Pierre Buckley, and two other skilled individuals with over 90 points in Jet Black Mechanics and Necromancy respectively. It was practically the most highly-rated group in Class A. Just then, Hector and Simon’s gazes met in the air. Hector’s lips curled into a smile. “Group 7, you’ll be the combat member, right?” Simon shook his head. “Not me, Mei-rin.” “That naive young lady as the combat member. Did you give way to boost her morale?” “The person who’s best simply went.” “Don’t be boring, Simon Pollentia.” Hector’s eyes flashed. “Clash with all your might. This time, I’ll properly break you.” -Groups 3, 7! Please enter the training rooms quickly. At the teaching assistant’s urging voice, the two turned their backs and headed to their respective training rooms. Simon entered the training room, where Dick and Kamibarez were waiting, stretching. A teaching assistant holding a clipboard looked around and said, “Where’s the other one?” “Sorry for being late!” Finally, Mei-rin rushed in, panting. The teaching assistant pressed a button on the control device in their hand, and the countless mana signal lights on the wall lit up, and the door closed. “Combat member, step forward.” “Yes.” Mei-rin stepped forward with a stiff face. “I will mark the positions for the support members.” The ceiling signal lights flickered, and mana circles were drawn on the floor. The three walked to their respective positions. Kamibarez stood on the left, Simon in the center, and Dick on the right set positions. And in front of them stood Mei-rin. “The Cyclops cannot see the support members, so rest assured. Of course, if you step even one foot outside this circle, you will be disqualified.” “Yes!” “Combat member. Are you ready?” “Ah…… Yes!” Mei-rin, who had been momentarily lost in thought, replied. “Mei-rin, snap out of it. Are you really okay?” Dick asked. “……Ah, I told you I’m fine!” “Don’t be too nervous, Mei-rin! It’s just a virtual battle anyway! You can do it!” “Yeah. Thanks.” Everyone took their positions. The teaching assistant stepped back and said, “Then, Group 7’s first simulation battle. Begin.” The teaching assistant’s body seemed to melt into the air and disappear, and a strong wind blew. Simon’s eyes shone sharply. ‘Wind indoors. It’s definitely not just a simple illusion.’ The floor turned green, and the surroundings transformed into a forest with a swamp. Leaves flew on the wind and brushed against Simon’s forearm. When he touched them with his hand, he could feel the texture of the leaves perfectly. There was definitely a difference between watching from outside and experiencing it directly. Amidst the overwhelming storm of realism, Simon couldn’t think of anything else. And then. Thump! Thump! The floor vibrated. Dick shouted, “Everyone get ready! It’s coming!” Thump! Thump! Thump! Thump! With loud, echoing footsteps, a massive Cyclops burst through the dense foliage and charged forward. -Kwoooaaarrr! All the hairs on his body stood on end, and his heart pounded wildly. It truly felt like he was facing a monster in a forest. If the pressure was this intense even from the set position, Mei-rin, who had to face it head-on…… “Hoooh.” Then, he saw her take a deep breath. Mei-rin’s expression became much more serious. “Alright, let’s just do as we practiced.” Her trembling subsided. Simon smiled. Contrary to his worries, she quickly adapted to the situation. ‘Right, who am I to worry about? There’s no need to worry about anyone here.’ Simon pulled an imaginary lever. ‘Let’s focus 200% on my role!’
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