Summoning Genius of Kizen - Chapter 19 Simon pulled two lanterns from his Magical Inventory. He held one, and placed the other in a skeleton's hand. “Let’s go.” The skeleton led the way, with Simon following behind. Upon entering the ruins, it was absolute darkness. The coldness of the stone floor seemed to creep up his feet and legs. There were no railings, so he walked carefully, thinking that a fall would mean instant death. ‘This is……’ As he descended the stairs, he saw indecipherable characters carved into the walls. Yet, the characters felt strangely familiar. Had he seen them recently? Simon racked his brain, trying to recall. ‘Right, Ancient Runes!’ They were similar to the Ancient Runes Eric had explained during Jet Black Mechanics class. So, this was an ancient ruin? Why was it so close to Kizen? With countless unanswered questions swirling in his mind, Simon continued his descent. Thud. Finally, he reached the bottom of the stairs. He had descended quite deeply; even when he shone the lantern upwards, the ceiling was out of sight. He needed to expand his search area. Simon summoned a second skeleton, handed it a lantern, and gave it an exploration command. Simon himself walked, illuminating his surroundings with his lantern. Ancient Runes were densely carved all over the walls and floor. ‘Runes of this scale……’ This ruin itself was like a colossal magical device. Clack! Clack! Just then, a skeleton signaled that it had found something. Simon quickly rushed over. ‘What is this?’ In the center of the rune-filled ruin was an altar, and on it rested a skull. Simon placed his lantern on the altar and carefully brushed the skull. ‘……’ An unknown shiver ran up his arm. Simon didn't have extensive knowledge of the undead, but he knew this instinctively. This was the remains of an unimaginably ancient and terribly dangerous undead. Simon carefully lifted the skull. Thud-thud-thud! “Whoa!” As he lifted the skull, bones poured down from the ceiling. Simon quickly stepped back to avoid them. “N-Nearly scared me to death.” The skeletons approached and shone their lanterns on the floor. Simon stared down, then picked up a bone that had fallen to the ground. “……Number 2?” Simon muttered to himself and inserted it beneath the skull. It fit perfectly, like a puzzle piece. ‘……’ A strange excitement began to well up from deep within his chest. He wanted to assemble this undead. He didn't know how it would react if it awakened, or what harm it might inflict upon him. Nevertheless, he felt that if there was ever a time in life to boldly bet on something, it was now. With his decision made, Simon placed the skull back on the altar and put his hand on the handprint visible below it. Then, as before, he activated his Jet Black. Whoooosh! “Ugh!” He had only slightly activated his Jet Black, but it felt as if the Jet Black within his body was being sucked into the altar. The altar hummed, emitting a dark blue light, and a faint blue flame flickered in the skull's eye sockets. ‘Hmm. Is this not complete yet?’ Simon brought the number 2 bone to the skull. Click! It attached like a magnet. The 'Attraction' unique to skeleton-type undead was at work. ‘Good.’ Simon put the skull down and began the full assembly. He fit the bones together as if possessed, and the sensation was better than ever. He connected the cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral, and coccygeal vertebrae in order to form the spine, then attached the scapulae, clavicles, and humeri to the front, adding the ribs to assemble the upper body. Below, he picked up the hip bones and added them below the coccyx to form the pelvis. The femurs, tibias, and patellae followed, gradually forming the shape of the legs. ‘It was worth studying Summoning Studies all morning after all!’ He wasn't 100% sure, but this skeleton had the bone structure of a 'human'. Simon's intuition, combined with his knowledge of Summoning Studies, allowed him to assemble the bones without hindrance. But this skeleton was too tall. Simon, who had been kneeling to assemble it, soon squatted, then straightened his knees, then stood on tiptoes, and finally had to climb onto the altar, grunting, to continue assembling. It would have been nice if the skeleton had bent down, but it didn't obey his commands. As soon as its legs were complete, it stood up on its own. ‘I should have assembled the arms first!’ Simon grunted and completed the remaining arms. Then he stepped back a little and looked at the skeleton with a surge of emotion. “Whoa……” A massive skeleton, over 2 meters tall, stood imposingly before him. It was a sight that naturally drew admiration, but it still didn't move. “What should I do now?” As Simon stood there, arms crossed, pondering. Whoosh! Blinding moonlight poured down from the ceiling like a curtain of light. The moment the moonlight illuminated the skeleton's skull, the flames in its eye sockets began to burn fiercely like torches. [Hah. Hahaha! Hahahahahahahahaha!] With a colossal laugh, the floor and walls of the ruin rippled. Soon, the runes on the walls peeled off, forming a current, and covered the skeleton's body like silk robes. The runes were being sucked into and absorbed by the skeleton's bones. [Finally! Finally, I have returned!] Simon covered his ears at the booming cry. The Jet Black emanating from the skeleton's body resembled violent waves. [Who has awakened me!] The skeleton's head creaked as it moved. Then it looked at Simon, who was leaning against the wall. Stomp. Stomp. The colossal being approached Simon. Then it stretched its neck forward, observing him right in front of his nose. Simon had to try hard not to scream. [State your name, human.] “S-Simon Pollentia.” The skeleton's skull tilted sideways. [You are a Pollentia……?] Hahahahahaha! The booming laughter echoed throughout the entire ruin. Simon broke out in a cold sweat. [I see! Could it be Richard’s descendant?!] “No.” Simon said, calming his pounding heart. “I am his son.” [Hahahahahaha! Yes! Yes! That’s how it was! I thought the Jet Black felt familiar! Only Richard could have awakened me!] The skeleton turned its back. A shadowy, cloak-like garment wrapped around it fluttered. “……Who are you?” This time, Simon asked. The skeleton stopped walking, turned around, and grinned. It was strange for a skeleton to have an expression, but it undoubtedly did. Its mouth widened, its nose flared, and its burning eyes held intense curiosity. It was as if it were a living human. [I am Pier. The Legion’s Administrator.] Pier said. [I once overturned the continent with your father, Richard!] Simon’s eyes sparkled. That was his father’s undead! Pier, who had been laughing heartily, stretched his neck forward and continued. [Before that, I ask. Who led you here?] His voice was somehow sharp. Feeling as if he was being tested, Simon swallowed hard and replied. “Neptis Arcbold.” [Ah.] Pier’s mouth curved upwards. [Hehehe, so that’s how it was! That woman would do something like that! Good!] Whoooosh! A storm-like wind swept through the chamber. Light filled the entire ruin, and the air shrieked. [Contract with me, Simon Pollentia! And lead the ‘Legion’!] His father’s undead spread its arms and shouted. [The Legion will become your will and trample everything that stands in your way! All things in the world will kneel at your feet and bow their heads!] An excited voice hummed through the ruin. [However, you will inevitably walk a bloody path! That too is your destiny! Son of Richard, are you prepared to lead the Legion?!] Simon bit his lip, a troubled expression on his face. Pier walked around Simon, grinning. [Are you afraid? Are you terrified? What are you weighing in your mind before power, boy!] It was an unknown ability, though once his father's power. Simon didn't know what the Legion was, what the bloody path meant, the terms of the contract, or what handicaps it might have. However. “I have a question.” Instead of an answer, a question came back. Pier’s face crumpled in displeasure. [Speak.] “I don’t know what use you are. Is this Legion strong?” Stop. Pier’s steps halted. [Hah. Hehehehe! Pfft! Khuhuhu! Hahahahahahahaha!] Booming! The air vibrated, and dirt fell from the ceiling. Usefulness, usefulness! This boy wasn't wandering in doubt and fear. He dared to 'evaluate' the Legion! [A splendid question, human! Strong? If you wish, shall I topple Kizen?] Groooowl! Eerie wails of the dead echoed from all directions. It was a terrifying sight, but Simon’s expression remained unchanged. [Good! I shall answer your question!] Pier withdrew his power and said. [Your father already disbanded the Legion once! And I was sealed here! And by you awakening me, the Administrator, the Legion has met its ‘first moment’.] “First moment.” [That’s right! But if you gather the scattered forces of the Legion and restore its former power…] Pier’s lips curved upwards. [No one on this continent will be able to stop you.] “Alright.” Simon nodded. “I will contract.” [Khuhuhuhu!] Pier wrapped his arm around Simon’s waist and leaped onto the altar. [Place your hand on my ‘Core’!] Pier’s ribs parted, and from within, a mass of Jet Black magic pulsed like a beating heart. Simon obediently placed his palm on it. [When this contract is complete, your life will be completely changed! Are you not afraid!] “There’s nothing to be afraid of.” Simon said calmly. “If you truly are my father’s army, it’s only natural for me to take command.” [Hahahahahaha! Excellent! That’s precisely the mindset!] Outwardly calm and humble, an ordinary boy, yet occasionally displaying the qualities of a hegemon. ‘You raised your son well, Richard! This one is different from you!’ His current proficiency in dark magic seemed low, but he possessed immense potential. And unlike Richard, he was a complete being in terms of mentality, with a properly established self and emotions. Pier was quite satisfied with this boy. [I will now proceed with the contract! Do not die! Simon Pollentia!]
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