Summoning Genius of Kizen Chapter 5 Simon had exactly 20 gold in his possession. Even this was a considerable sum, enough that Richard had to strain himself, but if it wasn't enough… “Since you are none other than Lady Lorraine’s guest, I will be honest with you, without any haggling.” Stephanie said respectfully. “It’s 5,000 gold.” “……What?” Simon felt the sky collapse in his heart. That much was several years’ worth of Reshill’s budget… “I’ll pay.” Lorraine took out her wallet. Stephanie drew a bright smile on her lips, and the two began to move towards the counter. “Wait a moment!” Simon exclaimed. “What’s wrong?” “Th-this isn’t necessary! It’s 5,000 gold! I can’t accept such a big gift!” Lorraine tilted her head. “Didn’t my mom tell you? My mom is buying this.” “……Lady Neptis?” “Yeah. What did she say again?” Lorraine put a hand to her lips, lost in thought for a moment. “I don’t know the details either, but Mom said she owes your parents a great debt. She said you don’t need to feel burdened because it’s something the adults discussed.” “Ah……” After much back and forth about paying, Simon eventually accepted the Subspace. “Thank you, customer! And young lady! Please visit us again!” As Simon and Lorraine left the store, Stephanie and the clerks bowed deeply. Back outside, bathed in sunlight. Simon stared, mesmerized, at the shining ring on his finger. ‘This is mine.’ He was so happy it was hard to control his expression. “Are you that happy?” “……Haha.” Simon let out an embarrassed laugh. “I’ve incurred such a great debt. How can I repay Lady Neptis…?” “It’s fine. But if my mom wants anything, I think it’s for you to endure Kizen life well.” “Yes! I’ll truly do my best!” After that, shopping with Lorraine continued. They purchased essential items for future living, such as stationery, notebooks, and lights, as well as skeleton sets and various potion ingredients, storing them in the Subspace. Lorraine said that while materials could be bought in the annex city in front of Kizen, they were much more expensive there. “Simon! Let’s go do that!” “……Is throwing darts part of admission preparation?” “We’re just having fun!” Sometimes they would stray off course… but she was still a competent guide. “Then I’ll light it now.” “Okay! Now!” At the Langerstein Observatory, as Simon and Lorraine simultaneously released their hands, lanterns soared into the night sky. People around them were also sending up lanterns. The night sky was dyed a dazzling crimson, creating a beautiful spectacle of lights. People, caught up in the atmosphere, cheered or clapped, and couples began to kiss as if they had been waiting for this moment. “This is the Thousand Lights, a must-see tourist spot in Langerstein.” Lorraine put her hands on her hips, a confident smile on her face. “What do you think, Simon?” “Can I be honest?” “Of course.” Simon replied, his eyes still fixed on the lanterns adorning the night sky. “I just thought, ‘There are a thousand suckers spending 200 silver on a piece of oil paper that just burns.’ That’s what I….” “……” She made an incredulous expression. “You’ll really adapt well at Kizen.” “Thank you. I’ll do my best…” “That wasn’t a compliment!” Finally, the two headed to a restaurant with a pleasant atmosphere overlooking the sea. Luxurious chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, sparkling tableware, and waiters in ties and uniforms serving them. Simon had never been to such a restaurant in his life. The taste of the food was beyond words. The moment the glistening steak entered his mouth, his body trembled with an indescribable feeling of happiness. Moreover, if he turned his head, a picturesque night sea unfolded, and the sound of waves crashing against the shore echoed in his ears. It was truly a near-perfect space. “You handle difficult tableware well? A noble is a noble, after all.” Lorraine rested her chin on her hand and smiled. “My father was strict about etiquette.” “You learned well. Oh! Just in case, about 30% of Kizen students are commoners, you know?” She wiped her mouth with a napkin and continued. “You can’t push people around based on status. Kizen has an absolute meritocratic school culture; even a Duke’s daughter bows to an upper-class commoner. It’s best to just think of everyone as equal first-years.” Simon nodded, vowing to remember. He had always gotten along well with everyone in Reshill, regardless of whether they were barons or commoners, so he wasn’t worried about that aspect. “Tomorrow is admission day. Ask me anything you’re curious about.” “Hmm… Ah! This morning, I met another incoming student, and we talked about majors.” “Majors? Good question.” Lorraine smiled broadly and continued. “There are nine subjects you take in the first semester of first year, right? From the second semester, you can choose the classes you want to take, and when you advance to second year, you have to choose a major.” “I’ll have to quickly figure out what subjects I’m good at.” “Exactly!” She spun her fork, her eyes gleaming like a strategist. “Even in the first semester, it’s good to decide on your main specialty early and focus your studies on that. When group projects are held, students with clear main specialties are popular.” “I’ll definitely remember that.” “Have you thought about any majors?” Simon briefly recalled what had happened that morning. The sight of bone fragments emerging from a pile of garbage and assembling themselves into an Undead. It was so impressive that it was deeply etched in his mind. “……I think I’m a little interested in Summoning Studies.” “Summoning Studies is good! You’re going down the traditional path.” Lorraine talked about various subjects, and Simon listened with sparkling eyes. They got along well. Of course, Simon was mostly listening, but from her perspective, she liked Simon’s earnest listening attitude. Even after dinner, the two, still reluctant to part, continued their conversation at a nearby pub for a second and third round. It was Simon’s first time drinking alcohol. He hesitated at first because he was a minor, but Lorraine said Kizen students were allowed to drink. Still, since tomorrow was the admission ceremony, they only drank until they felt pleasantly buzzed. The conversation stretched on, and it was past midnight when Simon finally arrived at his lodging. “Thank you for walking me back, Lorraine.” “No, it’s nothing.” “That…” Simon blushed and scratched his head. “Originally, I should be walking you back…” “Huh?” Lorraine, who had been blinking, wondering what he meant, soon let out a peculiar smile. “So you were aware?” “……Ahem.” “I’ll just gratefully accept the thought. Langerstein is a complicated city, so let alone walking me back, you wouldn’t be able to return to your lodging alone.” He couldn’t deny it. “Go in and get some good rest. If I hear you were late because you drank, my mom will kill me.” “Yes, thank you for today! I really enjoyed it.” Simon bowed his head in greeting. In fact, it was more than just enjoyable. Simon felt he would never forget his first day in Langerstein. Lorraine, who had been waving and walking away, suddenly stopped and looked back at Simon. “Oh! Simon. Actually, I have something to confess.” “Yes?” Lorraine, uncharacteristically shy, brushed her hair back. “I didn’t mean to trick you, but somehow I missed the timing to tell you. That…” “……?” As their eyes met, she gave a cute wink. “Actually, I’m also a first-year student!” “……W-what?” She waved her hand and disappeared into the darkness. “……” Simon, staring blankly at where she had disappeared, soon let out a small laugh and entered his lodging. *** Morning dawned. Lorraine had told him to rest well, but Simon couldn’t sleep properly due to the excitement and anticipation of his new life. He woke up early, finished his preparations, and left his lodging. Lorraine was going to Kizen via a different route, so Simon had to find the meeting point alone. Of course, the location was firmly in his mind. The spot visible from the restaurant he had visited with Lorraine yesterday. A sharp piece of land protruding towards the sea. As he approached the meeting point, the streets became increasingly crowded. Most were children Simon’s age, and each one was full of individuality. A fairy student fixing her makeup as she walked, a male student with twenty swords strapped to him as if his whole body was storage, and a female student casually walking with a large case on her back bigger than herself. ‘I guess I’m the most normal one here.’ Simon walked with that thought, but in fact, everyone there thought the same about themselves. He soon arrived at the meeting point. Kizen’s dispatched subordinates were controlling the area, and a ship was docked at the end of the protruding land. Presumably, they would take that to enter Kizen. “Please hurry. We will depart for Kizen soon!” Simon also lined up to board the ship. A peculiar detail was that the hull was facing the land rather than the sea, and he couldn’t understand why it was positioned that way. “Please present your admission certificate.” Now it was Simon’s turn. He handed over the letter he had prepared in advance. The subordinate checked the letter against a list in his hand, then checked it with a quill pen and returned it. “Mr. Simon Pollentia. Confirmed.” “Thank you.” Simon, having passed successfully, was about to board the ship when. “This is wrong!” A vehement protest came from the adjacent line. “I’m candidate number one, and not a single person is missing?” “I apologize. Mr. Lucius is not on the admission list.” “Damn it, are you really going to handle things like this? Contact Kizen! There must be some mistake!” A small commotion broke out nearby. Some students whispered as they boarded the ship. “It’s an annual event.” “There are always some kids who can’t accept the results.” “Candidate number one? A little pathetic, huh.” The students sneered as they boarded the ship. CRACK! It was unstable, and finally, a problem erupted. An agitated Lucius had finally knocked a subordinate to the ground. “I am Lucius Karol, heir to the Count of the Dresden Kingdom! This is an order. Contact Kizen headquarters right now!” “Please return. Mr. Lucius is not on the admission list.” The subordinate repeated the same words in a firm tone. Lucius, his face beet red, finally grabbed the subordinate’s hair. Murmurs. The atmosphere grew increasingly hostile. Students also stopped walking, watching the scene, and someone even began to draw forth Jet Black. Just as Lucius, his eyes bloodshot, raised his right arm. GRAB. “Stop it.” Lucius’s head snapped around. Simon, who had moved behind him, was holding his arm. “Who are you? Let go of me!” “……” Simon smiled faintly and tightened his grip. CRUNCH! “Aaaargh!” With unbelievable grip strength, Lucius screamed and twisted his body like a pretzel. There was no way a pampered noble boy could withstand the strength Simon had cultivated through long hours of arduous estate work. PRESS. PRESS. His body gradually lowered until he was on one knee on the ground. Eventually, the strength in his left hand, which was gripping the subordinate’s hair, gave way, and Simon also released Lucius’s right hand. Lucius, who had hastily retreated, then shouted, his face crimson, as he rubbed his wrist. “What the hell are you doing, you bastard! Do you want to die?!” CLANG! When Simon didn’t answer, he even drew the sword from his waist. The murmuring grew louder, and the situation became increasingly extreme. “What’s going on?” It was then. A man approached from the ship. His face was pale like a patient battling illness, his cheeks were sunken, there were gray hairs scattered throughout his head, and his hands were yellowish. Upon seeing him, the students let out hushed gasps of admiration. “P-Professor Syllage!” “……Professor Syllage is faculty! Kizen is Kizen, indeed.” As he approached, even the arrogant Lucius flinched and backed away. Professor Syllage slowly moved his gaze. One subordinate lying on the ground with disheveled hair. One student who had intervened. And one noble who had been shouting about being candidate number one. Professor Syllage looked at Lucius with an unfeeling expression. “Any last words?”
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