Chapter 461: Episode 461

“If you don’t like that option, let’s negotiate.”

He had seized the initiative. But even though he was set to become the official Student Council President in a couple of days, Simon didn’t have the power to overhaul everything at once. Above all, he was a president with limited authority, forbidden from interfering with the third-years. He had to clearly distinguish what he could and could not do.

’The greatest virtues of the Student Council are dialogue and coordination.’

Dialogue and coordination. Simon recalled the words of Professor Jane, the council’s faculty advisor. The real challenge was just beginning.

“In exchange for destroying this disposable memorial crystal orb, end both the department welcoming party and the hazing ritual,” he declared. “Right now.”

Will, who had been listening from behind, looked incensed. “End it here?” He had waited so long for this day. They had only hazed twelve of the fifty students. This was unacceptable. Letting this slide would only embolden the second-years.

“Who do you think—!”

“Would you be quiet, Will?” Leonard cut in coldly, and Will’s mouth snapped shut. “Anything else?”

“Promise me that there will be no more harsh treatment of underclassmen, like what Will has done.”

“Fine. I accept.”

“!”

The surrounding students stared at Leonard in shock.

“But we have a condition, too,” Leonard added. “You will destroy that orb in front of me…”

The crystal orb was already rolling on the ground. With an icy expression, Simon lifted his foot and brought it down hard.

The orb shattered into countless pieces. His point made, Simon turned his back and walked away.

“Impressive,” Leonard muttered, as if mesmerized. He watched Simon’s retreating figure, the hem of his uniform fluttering and the student council armband on his arm whipping in the wind.

Just then, Will ran over, laughing maniacally. “What a fool, destroying it himself! Leonard, let’s just forget this and continue—!”

“Alright, listen up.” Leonard turned to face all the Summoning Department students. “The welcoming party ends here. Clean up this mess and return to the dorms.”

“Leonard!” Will roared.

Leonard, still smiling, spoke in a chillingly calm voice. “This is all your fault, Will.”

“N-No! I was just—!”

“Everyone, hurry. Wake up those who are asleep and gather the trash for disposal.”

As if on cue, the second-year students stood and began to clean. The third-years grumbled, their faces etched with displeasure.

Hector, who had been watching the entire scene unfold, silently drained his cup alone.

—

“I’m exhausted.” Back in his dorm room, Simon sank into his chair, his arms dangling powerlessly.

Across from him, Toto, who had been fidgeting with embarrassment, finally spoke. “Thank you so much for your help today.”

Simon, though slumped over, managed a faint smile. “It’s nothing. I’m just glad you’re safe.”

In truth, Simon felt a little guilty. The third-years had manipulated the main event, which meant the first students called up for the hazing were likely those the seniors had singled out to put in their place. And Toto was his roommate. He might have been targeted because of that, so Simon had been determined to save him.

“U-Um, I have a question, Simon.”

“Yeah?”

Toto’s eyes were fixed on the student council armband on Simon’s right arm. “If the hazing was the problem, wouldn’t it have been simpler to just ban it using your authority as president? Why did you negotiate with Leonard?”

It was a question of pure curiosity. Still leaning back, Simon looked at the ceiling and smiled. “Did you know, Toto? Kizen already forbids freshman hazing.”

“Oh.”

Not just hazing, but all forms of harsh treatment toward underclassmen were prohibited.

“But everyone still does it in secret, right?” Simon continued. “Do you really think the third-years, who already break school rules, would obediently listen if a second-year president banned it?”

“S-So that’s why you had to stop at just ending the ritual for now.”

“No.” Simon sat up straight, his eyes gleaming. “This is just the beginning.”

“H-Huh?”

—

At that same moment, in the Forbidden Forest…

’Pfft! Bwahahaha!’ The third-year seniors of the Necrology Department were clutching their stomachs, roaring with laughter. On a makeshift stage stood a line of second-year male students dressed in drag, complete with wigs, ridiculous makeup, and skirts.

The third-years whistled.

“Whoa! Looking good, juniors!”

“Seriously, you guys are prettier than the girls in our year.”

Jeers rained down from all sides, completely demoralizing the boys on stage. Most were top-tier elites from high noble families; they had never been so humiliated in their lives.

“Focus! We’re starting the choreography,” a sharp-featured third-year barked from in front of the stage. “You all know the deal. Anyone who messes up is out. Especially the body-shaking parts—do them properly. If you’re half-hearted or show any sign of embarrassment, you’ll get your head stomped on and be sent to the sidelines.”

One student who had already been eliminated was rolling in the mud nearby. The boys in drag stiffened.

“Alright, st—”

A sharp whistle suddenly pierced the air, echoing from all over the forest. Everyone jumped to their feet in surprise.

“What’s that sound?”

“It’s the Watchmen!”

The Kizen Watchmen, who managed the mountains and forests of Roc Island, began pouring in from all directions, their whistles shrieking.

“What are you all doing out here at this hour!”

“You’re under arrest for violating school regulations! Get them!”

The Watchmen drew their bows and threw nets, sending the students scattering in a panic.

“What the hell! How did they know we were here?”

“Just run for the dorms!”

The hazing ritual instantly descended into chaos. The Necrology students used Spirit Form to flee as the Watchmen gave chase, shouting and blowing their whistles.

“Those bastards…” a Necrology student growled, stepping forward as he conjured spirits in both hands. A female classmate grabbed him by the scruff of his neck and dragged him away.

“Hey! Let go of me!”

“Are you stupid? We’re not running because we’re scared! If we get caught, it won’t end with just a slap on the wrist!”

This scene was repeating itself across the forest. The Hemomancy Department, the Venomology Department, the Combat Magic Department—the Watchmen were simultaneously raiding the hazing sites of nearly every department except Cursology.

“What’s going on?”

“Run! Just give up and get out of here!”

Getting caught and disciplined at the start of the semester would be the worst possible outcome. As students fled or tried to rescue their captured friends in the confusion, a third-year from the Jet-Black Dynamics Department rose to his feet, a murderous expression on his face.

He was done playing games. With both hands fully charged with black magic, he glared at the Watchmen.

“What are you doing?” a classmate hissed.

“First, I’ll crush them all. Then I’ll cast a curse to scatter their memories.”

“That doesn’t even erase memories cleanly!”

“Like I care.” The moment he raised his arms to fire—

“!!”

He froze, every muscle locking in place. Behind the raiding Watchmen, among the darkened trees, a pair of sharp pupils glinted. The back of his neck went cold with sweat. It was blurry, but that woman was undoubtedly—

’Vice Headmaster Jane!’

Other students spotted her and began to murmur in terror.

“Damn, they really came prepared.”

“If you’re caught on site, it’s an automatic expulsion! Run!”

“No wonder the Watchmen knew our location.”

And so, the hazing rituals of every department were swiftly brought to an end by an unforeseen variable.

—

“The Watchmen are raiding the sites?” Toto’s eyes widened as he listened to Simon’s explanation in their room.

“Yeah. It’s all thanks to Dick.” With his extensive information network, Dick already knew the location of each department’s hazing ritual. Simon had used his authority as a member of the Student Council to alter the Watchmen’s patrol routes, leading them straight to the hidden camps. The seniors must have been completely caught off guard.

’And one more thing.’

It would be a problem if a student fought back and someone got hurt. So, Simon had sent the one person the students feared most: Vice Headmaster Jane Olivia. Of course, it wasn’t the real Jane. He had sent a Corpse Spider to summon Erzebet from the ruins. She had assumed Jane’s form and taken a stroll through the Forbidden Forest. The students who saw her would spread the rumor, a preemptive measure to ensure no more rituals started up later in the night.

“Toto, you said earlier that I had no choice but to stop at just ending the hazing, right?” Simon began, his tone serious. “This isn’t just a Kizen problem. Vile practices exist in any organization. Teachers can’t completely stop bullying. Commanders can’t root out corruption among their soldiers. Simply banning something isn’t enough to eradicate it.”

He unfastened the student council armband and placed it on the desk. “Stopping it for now—that’s the important first step. Our year will be one of the only ones at Kizen to have not properly experienced these traditions.”

“Ah!”

“And when we become third-years, I’ll persuade everyone to abolish hazing entirely. Since our year didn’t go through it, the justification for forcing it on others will be weaker. By not hazing the second-years next year…” Simon smiled. “We can finally break this tiresome, vile practice for good.”

“Simon!” Toto’s eyes filled with admiration. “That’s amazing! You were thinking that far ahead! You really care about the school!”

“It’s nothing, really.” Simon smiled awkwardly and turned his head away. ’I don’t know if it will work out perfectly, though.’

He’d heard that even this year, the Cursology third-years had mostly skipped the hazing. There was still hope.

’Anyway, the biggest hurdle is over now.’ The unofficial Student Council intervention and the conflict with the third-years had come to an end.

—

The long day was finally drawing to a close.

In the dead of night, with Toto sleeping soundly across the room, Simon’s eyes snapped open.

’I’m dead tired.’

Still, he had things to do. He tiptoed over and waved a hand in front of Toto’s face.

Not a stir. Reassured, Simon crept to the window.

He drew the curtains, opened the window, and skillfully climbed out, closing it behind him. He then extruded Cloud like a rappelling rope, fixing it to the windowsill. Grabbing hold, he descended smoothly and landed safely on the grass below.

’Alright, let’s go.’

He ran toward the Forbidden Forest. The journey was shorter than it had been in his first year, which was a relief. Soon, he reached Pier’s ruins. After a final check for onlookers, he stepped inside.

A chill traveled up through his shoes with each step on the ancient stone floor. Endless darkness, the faint whispers of the undead—an ordinary person wouldn’t dare enter this place.

When he finally reached the bottom of the stone steps, he saw familiar faces.

[Young Master! You have arrived.] An undead, wrapping itself in wings larger than its own body, lowered its posture in greeting.

Simon smiled brightly and raised a hand. “It’s been a while, Akemus—Whoa!”

[Lord Commander~!]

Erzebet rushed forward and tackled him to the ground. He let out a grunt as he hit the floor.

“You scared me, Erze,” he said, opening his eyes.

[I missed you so, so much! And to send me on an errand the moment I arrived on Roc Island! How cruel.]

-’Kireee! Kiri!’- The surrounding Corpse Spiders chirped in agreement. Simon smiled and gently stroked them.

[You look well, boy!]

Another voice boomed from the altar. A tall, cloaked skeleton sat bathed in the moonlight, grinning broadly.

Simon grinned back. “It’s really been a while, Pier! Have you been well?”

[Mwahaha! A mere two or three months is a long time? For an undead, that’s the blink of an eye.]

“That’s true.” Simon got to his feet and opened his subspace. “You can come out now.”

A single staff shot out. At a glance, it was just a strange-looking staff with facial features, but this was Herseva, the officially recognized Captain of the 7th Legion’s Mummy Corps.

[Ugh! I was so bored!] she wailed, flying freely around the ruins. The surrounding dust turned to gold and gathered on the staff, forming the shape of a woman riding it like a witch. [Kiddo! It’s so boring inside the subspace! What took you so long?]

“Sorry, sorry.”

[Look at her being dramatic,] Erzebet scowled. [She was the only one who got to be with the Lord Commander!]

[I didn’t get to play much either!] Since completing her ‘Legionization,’ Herseva constantly emitted the legion’s jet-black energy. It was a liability to bring her out, whether in the Holy Federation or the Dark Alliance.

Simon looked around. “By the way, I don’t see Prince.”

[Mwahaha! Prince was destroyed in battle. You’ll have to summon him again!]

“Alright, then.” Simon took a zombie from his subspace and spoke to the gray ring on his finger. ’Prince, come over.’ He then touched the ring to the zombie’s body.

’Ruuuumble!’

A black lightning bolt struck, and the zombie was engulfed in a black radiance. It soon transformed into a small boy wearing a faded crown.

[Ah! What took you so long!] Prince shouted, running over with his palm held out. Simon played along, giving him a quick handshake.

“Alright, is everyone here now?”

Pier the Administrator. Erzebet, Captain of the Spider Corps. Prince, Captain of the Zombie Corps. Akemus, Captain of the Skull Wing Corps. Herseva, Captain of the Mummy Corps. It was a reassuring lineup. Simon nodded at the five captains.

“Then I’d like to hear your reports.”

[Excellent!]

The White Grave Dungeon. During the break, all the captains except Herseva had entered the dungeon to search for one of Richard’s other Ancient Undead.

“Hmm, but since there are no new faces, I guess it wasn’t there.”

[No,] Pier shook his head. [We met it in that dungeon. Just as I predicted, Kal, the Beast of Pestilence, was there.]

“Ah!”

[And…] Pier’s expression turned strange. [That bastard is here, in this very place.]

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