No matter how frightening Simon was, work had to be done.
The instructor spread her fingers.
"There is a reason we conducted the mock duel. Those who wander without knowing their own strengths, when pushed to their limits, will eventually find their answers. In the most dangerous and crucial moments, you can see what you truly rely on."
"Ah..."
"In your case, you started with summoning techniques out of your own will, right? But when you found yourself in a tight spot, you immediately resorted to martial arts without a second thought. You seem to have talent in that area too. Is there really a need to think any further?"
"......."
It felt like a jab to the heart.
To simply say, 'I used martial arts because you got too close' would not suffice.
Even while sending three skeletons, Simon was finishing his dark body enhancement and preparing for close combat.
His movements were almost instinctual.
"I'm not asking for an answer right away. Take your time to think about it~"
"Thank you, Instructor."
After Simon left, the instructor let out a sigh of relief inwardly.
She noticed her senior instructor guiding a student from afar.
The senior was wearing a protective vest, and a similarly clad student lay on the ground with a dazed expression.
It seemed they had already gone through a rough session.
The student, having heard her advice, also expressed gratitude before leaving.
Now was the opportunity.
"Uwaah! Sister!"
The instructor ran over and hugged her senior tightly.
"I was so scared!"
The senior pushed her away with a frown, as the younger one whined with a lisp.
"You started the sparring session, and now all the students are clamoring for fights! It's so annoying."
"...... Hee."
"By the way, what was so scary?"
The instructor pointed at Simon, as if reporting to a mother.
He was deep in thought in a corner by himself.
"Oh, it's Simon from the special admission."
"I thought he was cute, but he's scary. It's the first time my heart dropped while sparring with the kids."
The senior crossed her arms, having pushed away her whiny junior.
"So, what did you advise him?"
"I told him, 'You're really good at martial arts, so why are you fixated on summoning techniques?'"
"Hmm."
Indeed, with just a few summoning spells learned in the early part of the first year, he would inevitably fall short in the upcoming duel evaluation.
There were a few subjects that were advantageous in the early duel evaluations, with curses and martial arts being the most prominent.
Summoning and necromancy required a bit more time to develop.
'Is he struggling because he aims to specialize in summoning? Well, such a well-fed concern can only be entertained now.'
It was pointless to talk about it now.
If he fell into a lower squad, his mindset would change as his desperation grew, she thought.
'If not, then as a genius...'
For a moment, she envisioned Simon facing a cyclops.
'He might come up with a new method.'
After the mock duel with the instructor, Simon felt even more confused in his mind.
It felt like two different thoughts were clashing within him.
Still, one thing became clear.
'In this duel evaluation, skeletons alone won't cut it.'
He slowly recalled the duel with the instructor.
To be honest, the skeletons had been of no help at all.
Instead, they had been used against him as a means to land curses on his opponent.
Things needed to change.
To survive here, he had to constantly evolve and grow.
A new challenge had arisen for Simon.
"Simon!"
Lost deep in thought, Simon lifted his head.
Kamibarez approached, waving with a bright smile.
Following closely behind were Dick and Meilin, who seemed to be bickering about something.
"Heh, heh, how come you couldn't even land a hit?"
Meilin stuck her tongue out teasingly, while Dick gritted his teeth in frustration.
"Oh, I just let you off because you're a girl!"
"Yeah~ next time, you won't even land a hit~"
Before Dick could retort, Meilin burst into laughter and ran behind Simon.
"By the way, Simon. You said you had something to think about, but you ended up sparring with the instructor again?"
"Yeah. It just happened that way."
"Did you win?"
Simon scratched his head awkwardly and smiled.
"How could I win against the instructor?"
As he spoke, Simon's gaze turned toward the instructor.
Coincidentally, she was looking at him too, and when their eyes met, she quickly turned away and fled.
'What's going on?'
Simon tilted his head in confusion.
"Ah— but this duel evaluation is so stressful, isn't it?" Dick said, scratching his head.
"Not all necromancers just fight. There are scholars and researchers too. No matter how long the tradition, it's just too ignorant."
Kamibarez nodded timidly in agreement.
Meanwhile, Meilin squinted her eyes and smiled.
"It's stressful because you're weak."
"I told you, I just let you off!"
She snorted dismissively.
"This is just my opinion, but if you're in the bottom 10% of combat ability, then you simply lack skill. You're disqualified as a necromancer."
At those words, Kamibarez's expression turned gloomy.
The wings fluttering behind her drooped as well.
"Ah!"
Realizing Kamibarez was feeling down, Meilin rushed over, sweating profusely.
"Oh, no! I didn't mean it like that! You're a vampire, from the great Ursula family!"
"But I... I'm not confident in fighting."
"Don't worry! I'll take responsibility and train you!"
While the two girls chattered away, Dick sighed heavily and came over to Simon.
"Still, you're lucky. You don't have the burden of the duel evaluation."
"No, I'm worried too."
"Heh, really? I sneaked around a bit, and it seems everyone wants to avoid fighting you at all costs..."
At that moment, Simon's eyes lit up.
His right hand shot up beside his head with a loud clap, and something flew in and collided with him.
Boom!
"Ugh!"
Dick gasped in surprise, inhaling sharply.
The force of the impact stirred up dust around them.
Simon shifted his gaze to see what it was.
It was a protective vest.
Thud.
Thud.
"Simon Polentia."
Hector approached, followed by his faction members who snickered like guards.
"Put it on. Let's have a match."
"......."
Simon sighed softly and adjusted the vest.
Then, whoosh!
The vest flew at incredible speed and collided with Hector's hand.
He barely managed to catch it, but beads of sweat formed on his forehead.
"Get lost. I'm not in the mood to deal with you right now."
"...... You bastard!"
Hector's face turned red with anger.
Veins bulged on his neck, and his fists turned dark with rage.
He strode forward, and Simon did not back down, lifting his chin defiantly.
"Don't do it, Hector."
At that moment, Meilin dashed in between Simon and Hector.
"...... Get lost, Ivory Tower."
Hector said coldly.
"Why are you acting like a child? If you keep this up, I'll call the professor."
Hector's lips trembled with anger.
Then he spat out, "You're just a lackey of Serne."
In an instant, the atmosphere turned icy.
Dick's eyes widened, Kamibarez's face turned pale, and the faction members flinched and looked at Hector.
Most importantly, Meilin's eyes turned wild.
A dark flare magic circle appeared in her palm.
'This is dangerous!'
Hector was unarmed, and the student protection period had ended.
Moreover, using an attack spell against an unarmed Hector during class would not end with just a reprimand.
Simon quickly ran toward her.
Hector stood still, smirking as if to say, "Go ahead, try it."
"Stop."
Simon, Meilin, and Hector all froze.
Before they knew it, the instructor had stepped in between them, smiling.
"Is there a problem?"
Her approach was so swift that they barely had time to react.
Even in this tense moment, Simon quickly covered Meilin's palm, while Hector respectfully bowed.
"Nothing happened, Instructor. I'm sorry for causing concern."
Although Hector was like a tyrant among students, he had a strong image of being polite and respectful in front of professors and instructors.
As Hector turned away, muttering "Let's go," his faction members exchanged glances with the instructor before quickly following him.
"...... Hmm."
The instructor turned to Meilin.
Meilin hesitated for a moment before quickly lowering her head.
"Hector and Meilin. This is a warning, so be careful. Just now, you almost did something that Professor Jane would hate the most."
Fortunately, the instructor did not make a fuss and left.
As the suffocating atmosphere eased, Dick let out a deep sigh.
"Ah~ I really want to smack Hector's head. I just want to land one proper hit on that crazy bastard."
"Meilin! Are you okay?"
"Ah, yeah. I'm fine, Kami."
She said, taking a deep breath.
"I just... lost my composure for a moment."
It didn't seem like just a moment.
As Simon thought that, Meilin lifted her head and said, "And you."
"Yeah?"
"Can you let go of my hand now? It's embarrassing."
Simon realized he was still holding her hand.
Nodding, he casually released it.
"Ha, seriously."
She approached and grabbed Simon's hand with both of hers, turning it to show his palm.
The burn had turned his palm bright red.
"Are you really crazy? You caught a dark flare magic circle with your bare hands?"
Simon could only smile awkwardly.
Meilin frowned and pulled on Simon's wrist.
"I'm taking this kid to the infirmary for a bit."
"Ah, okay! Take care!"
They went to the infirmary for treatment.
Fortunately, it was a minor burn.
The treatment ended with ointment and a bandage, and the two returned to the training room.
"...... Simon."
"Yeah?"
"Why did you cover my palm?"
Simon shrugged.
"Isn't it obvious? If the instructor caught you trying to use magic, it would have been a big deal."
She cleared her throat.
"Earlier—"
"Thank you, Meilin."
The two spoke simultaneously.
She turned her head sharply.
"For stopping me when I was about to fight Hector."
"......."
"Although you almost ended up fighting Hector yourself, I stopped you this time. So we're even."
Simon chuckled, but Meilin wore a very complicated expression.
"Anyway, Simon. That's your problem."
"......?"
"You're too overly kind. Do you know that? It's bothersome because you're so considerate. But..."
She stepped closer and grabbed Simon's shoulder.
"This time, it won't work."
"......?"
Then she took a deep breath, as if making a resolution, and tightly closed her eyes.
"Go. Fight!"
She shouted and ran off into the training room, as if fleeing.
......
Simon stood there, momentarily stunned, before breaking into a smile.
[He is indeed his father's son.]
The avatar of Pier clicked its tongue.
Simon pressed down on the avatar with his finger, signaling it to be quiet.