Chapter 144: The Best Necromancer

It had been a week since I had returned to the academy from Marias Great Forest.

As I came back quietly, some students and professors didn't even realize that I had returned.

However, I made it known that I had indeed returned during my lecture, which I resumed the previous day.

As they were upset that I sent them home first, Findenai and the Dark Spiritualist irritated me slightly with their blunt reaction upon my return, but I decided to let time sort it out.

More importantly, there was another thing that needed to be addressed now.

"Huff."

Right now, Eleanor Luden Griffin was in my lab, tearfully writing a reflection.

There was a sign hanging around her neck that read,

I'm stupid.

I didn't know why she was wearing something like that. Was it perhaps a joke by Findenai?

Well, it was not wrong, so I just let it be. Then, another female student approached me carefully.

It was Aria who had her long black hair tied up, probably because it was summer. She cautiously handed me her sheet with her reflection written.

She also had a sign hanging around her neck.

I'm sorry for behaving like I'm in a rut.

"...Take that sign off."

Regardless, asking a student to wear something like that was a bit too much. Upon hearing my words, Aria smiled brightly as she immediately removed the sign, tearing it in half.

"I-it's Findenai's doing."

As expected.

I sighed and began reading Aria's short reflection.

I deeply reflect on the incident of drawing an unpleasant picture resembling Professor Deus this time. Actually, I was not the one who drew the picture; it was Eleanor who did... (omitted)... But down the line, wouldn't this also become a bittersweet memory of my school days? Just like how Professor wants me to, am I not living faithfully as the student Aria Rias? A curious and innocent child...-

Scrunch.

As I read it until there, I found myself crumpling the reflection before I realized it.

Glancing beyond the crumpled ball of paper, Aria scratched her cheek with embarrassment.

"Please, look at me~!"

She winked while acting cutely.

Normally, I would have calmly let the student act cute. However...

"Write another two pages."

"Huwaaah!"

Since it really soured my mood, I immediately doubled the length of the reflection she had to write.

Aria trudged back to the seat next to Eleanor and began writing her reflection again on the paper she received from Owen.

She glared at Owen, the informant, but as soon as I glanced at her, she withdrew her gaze and focused on her reflection, like a puppy running away.

It seemed like it was going to be a long day.

Frankly, it felt uncomfortable that they were drawing weird pictures of me. However, both of them were my precious students for now, and they were still young, so I decided to overlook it.

"Hmmm."

At that moment, Illuania, who was sitting beside me and flipping through the drawings, let out a murmur. I had told her to stay at the hotel and rest, but she insisted on coming all the way here with Sevia to visit.

She was flipping through the pictures Eleanor had drawn while holding her child in her arms.

Then.

"Pfft."

Finding something amusing, she chuckled to herself.

"Perhaps because they're still kids, their imagination is lacking. You're much more impressive than this."

"...Pardon?"

"What did you say?"

Both Aria and Eleanor immediately stared at Illuania. I also frowned and glared at her. Covering her child's ears, Illuania smiled awkwardly.

"Oops, an old habit of mine."

"Sigh, stop looking at them and go burn it outside. Findenai is also getting ready."

"Alright, understood! Goo-goo ga-ga, Sevia, shall we go~?"

Holding Sevia tightly, Illuania carried the drawings, and walked out.

I sighed and turned to look at the woman who shared the lab with me.

Since there were an unusual number of people present in the lab today, I was worried that Professor Fel Petra would be bothered by it. However...

"......"

With her pink hair tied up messily, and her lips sealed tight, she was completely focused on her work.

According to Erica, her lectures were so advanced that students found them difficult to understand at times. That was how much of a genius she was in her field.

Other than her actions of erratically waving her arms around, which made her look no different from a mad scientist or a serial killer, it was hard to see her as anything else.

"Ugh."

Professor Fel sighed wistfully, and since I had finished my tasks, I approached her slowly, wondering what troubled her.

The two female students glanced at me briefly but immediately averted their gazes back to the paper when I glared at them.

"Is anything troubling you?"

"Ah, Professor Deus. I must have disturbed you! I-I apologize!"

Professor Fel scratched her head apologetically. After reassuring her that she didn't need to apologize, I simply stood by her side and said so.

It was truly a sophisticated imitation body.

I was amazed at how it was made. From what I heard, it was something akin to alchemy.

Although I was curious, I had no intention of prying into someone else's personal research recklessly.

As I stared intently at the imitation body she had created, as if embarrassed, Professor Fel fidgeted a bit before answering.

"Actually, the process of making the imitation body itself isn't that difficult, but I don't have anyone to help me test it."

"Hmm."

"I've tried it myself, but I feel like using three arms would feel very different compared to what actual users would experience."

I briefly wondered about where she would attach and use the prosthetic arm, but if that was the issue, I immediately thought of someone I knew who would be able to be of some help.

"I think I can help."

"Huh? Really?!"

"Just wait a moment."

After saying that, I headed out of the lab.

"Please keep an eye on those two until I return."

"Ah, yes! Understood!"

"Owen, you as well. If they harass you, inform me immediately."

"Yes, Soul Whisperer!"

The two girls, who were looking forward to taking advantage of my absence, became dejected, and the light in their eyes went dim once again.

These kids... it seems like I had been too lenient with them.

Not only that, but they were also doing weird stuff with my face.

Well, to be precise, it was with Deus' face, and that didn't exactly make me feel very unpleasant.

Although I took a bit of time outside, I was able to find someone to help.

"Why are you here?"

[...]

The Dark Spiritualist was sitting on the rooftop railing of the academy, looking at the surrounding scenery. Although her behavior was unusual, and I was confused about that, she still didn't look at me.

"Sigh, can you not let it slide this time? It was really something I had to do alone."

After forcefully using the souls in Marias Great Forest, it was naturally my responsibility to seek forgiveness from them.

So, there was no need for the Dark Spiritualist to accompany me.

[What would you do if a student of yours commits a serious offense?]

"......."

[You will ask them to bring their parents, right? You will also contact their family, correct? Aren't I in a similar position? When you make a mistake, don't you think that I also need to bow my head along with you?]

"You do not need to do that."

At my words, the Dark Spiritualist turned her head abruptly, descended from the railing, and approached me with long strides.

Unlike her usual self, she seemed incredibly angry this time.

[Who taught you Necromancy?]

"...You did."

[If it weren't for me, you would have still been struggling with the basics of Necromancy, let alone mastering it, and you would have been devoured by Lemegeton, you know that right?]

The Dark Spiritualist's tone became quite harsh.

I thought time would help soothe her anger, but it seemed like the situation had only worsened.

Her anger seemed to have been festering inside.

[Isn't it within my capacity to do that much for you? Am I not in a position where I can accompany you to kneel down and apologize?]

The Dark Spiritualist closed the distance confidently, clenched both fists, leaned forward, and glared at me.

From her attitude, I felt as if she was saying, 'I dare you to say something.' However, I still opened my mouth.

"Yes, you are right."

[...Excuse me?]

She must have not expected me to accept it so easily. Despite the puzzled expression on the Dark Spiritualist's face, I continued speaking.

"If you want to think like that, of course, you have every right to do so."

At some point, the Dark Spiritualist had somehow also become quite significant to me.

She stammered in surprise.

"However, please do not misunderstand. It is not because I ignored or distanced myself from you."

In fact, I had instructed her to leave first because I didn't want her to suffer like that just because of me.

[A-hem. Okay. I understand.]

Feeling awkward, the Dark Spiritualist cleared her throat nervously and averted her gaze. Though barely visible from behind the semi-transparent veil, it seemed like she was forcibly stopping the corners of her lips from rising.

After giving her a moment, the Dark Spiritualist finally regained her composure and asked with a brighter mood.

[Did your apology in the Great Forest go well before you returned here?]

"I did my best. Not everyone accepted it, but I paid a suitable price for that."

Currently, I was fine, thanks to Saintess Lucia's treatment.

However, when I had emerged from Marias Great Forest, I was covered in blood and lost consciousness because there were no souls who would graciously accept being used by force.

"And I also gained something as well."

[Gained something?]

When the Dark Spiritualist stared at me in confusion, I slowly stretched out my hand.

In it was a burning red orb.

While some might consider it to be a mere ember, it was not the same for the Dark Spiritualist.

[Horua?!]

Her eyes widened in surprise. I nodded slightly in response to her.

"He has weakened considerably, but since guardian deities are spiritual beings as well, I was able to collect his soul."

Initially dumbfounded by my calm response, the Dark Spiritualist eventually let out a bitter laugh.

[From a Saintess to a Demon Lord, and now a Guardian Deity who has lost his land as well. You're truly remarkable.]

"You forgot another one."

[What?]

"The greatest Necromancer on this continent is also with me, right?"

When I glanced at her with a faint smile, the Dark Spiritualist gaped for a moment before straightening her shoulders and exclaiming proudly.

[Of course! No doubt! I have no intention of stepping down from the top position! I will continue to keep moving forward!]

"Indeed, keep working hard. Anyway, how about we go now?"

As I turned around, the Dark Spiritualist followed me in a good mood.

[Fufu, you were unusually kind when you came to find me today. I should get upset with you more often.]

Her humming response surprisingly didn't put me in a bad mood either.

Although it wasn't my intention, asking her for a favor while in this state didn't seem difficult.

After returning to the laboratory, I pointed to a lone artificial arm lying there and said.

"Put it on."

[...]

"Professor Fel said she needed an actual user. I thought you would probably feel something similar since you don't have a physical body."

The Dark Spiritualist, who had been staring blankly at me, slowly clenched her fist.

And then, as expected, she burst out in anger.

[You! YOU! YOU FOOOOOL! You deceived me! You used sweet words to manipulate me! Scum! Garbage! Necromancer!]

"...You too are a Necromancer."

[SHUT UP!]