Knox, Lorain, and Simon returned to Camellord Road.
It turned out Camellord Road specialized in necromancer goods.
The deeper they walked, the more… questionable the displays became. Skeletons, stitched monster limbs, organs that twitched inside jars—even a few eyeballs that followed them as they passed.
Simon felt like he had stepped into a completely different reality from the quiet, peaceful Leshill.
"Do you know the most exciting moment in school life?" Lorain suddenly asked, walking beside him.
"Uh… um… I'm not sure?" Simon replied.
Before she could continue, Knox casually slipped into the conversation.
"Hm, I can think of a few. Like when teachers cancel class, end class early, or forget to assign homework. Ah, bliss. Those moments are legendary." (Approved by the author.)
He said it so smoothly and confidently that it sounded like wisdom passed down from ancient sages.
Both Lorain and Simon stopped and stared at him.
Then Lorain burst out laughing.
"Pfft—HAHAHA! Knox, what are you even talking about? You make it sound like you've already lived through that."
Knox only smiled back, hiding an inner monologue.
Of course I've experienced it. Many times.
After calming down, Lorain continued, "Putting aside whatever Knox just said… my answer is this."
She spread her arms.
"Before you even enter school—when you're out buying uniforms, textbooks, and supplies. This moment right now is the most fun, so enjoy it, Simon."
She flashed a bright smile. "Once you're in Kizen, things will get seriously hectic."
"I wholeheartedly agree with Lorain," Knox added. "Believe me, once you enter Kizen, I won't be surprised if you end up like a mindless zombie. People might think you're a graduate student instead of a first-year."
"…Haha." Simon wondered if maybe—just maybe—he made a terrible mistake enrolling.
Their first stop was a bookstore. Though Kizen covered tuition and admission fees, textbooks were another matter entirely.
"There are quite a few books you'll need to buy. Do you still have your admission notice?" Lorain asked.
"Yes! Here it is!" Simon said.
Inside the envelope was a long list of required supplies.
Lorain and Knox skimmed it—specifically the book section—then handed it back.
"Got it memorized. This way."
Simon followed… until something heavy dropped into his arms with a thud.
He barely managed to catch it. A monstrous tome. The cover read:
Introduction to Summoning Studies – Elricmoor Trinble
'S-Summoning Studies?' Before he could process it, another book was dropped on top.
Necromancy Studies.
'T-This one's heavy too!'
Lorain and Knox continued pulling thick, terrifying titles from shelves.
Cursing Studies.
Hemodynamics.
Holy Defense Studies.
Martial Necromancy Studies.
Simon's arms trembled violently.
"Miss Lorain, Mr. Knox! Don't tell me we're supposed to learn all this in my first year?!"
"Of course not," Lorain and Knox said in perfect unison.
They blinked at each other, exchanged amused smiles, then turned back to Simon with matching bright grins.
"This is Kizen we're talking about," Lorain said. "The basic expectation is that you master all this in the first semester of the first year."
"In fact," Knox added cheerfully, "some students already studied books like these before enrolling. But hey, if nothing else, these make excellent weapons. Hardcovers hurt, you know~"
"..."
"Pfftt—Here you go. Take Toxicology Studies too!" Lorain added, biting back laughter.
…Simon was already missing Leshill more than anything.
After browsing for a while, Lorain said she'd go find a copy of Darkness Dynamics and ran off.
Leaving Simon with Knox.
Come to think of it…
Most of the people in the bookstore were around his age.
Seeing them carry titles like Summonology and Necromancy Studies… they were clearly also new Kizen students.
It was the first time in his life he'd seen so many peers in one place. Back in Leshill, the only people close to his age were Calon and Sophia.
A new life surrounded by fellow students…
Simon suddenly felt a little excited.
"Seeing you like this," Knox said, looking at him sideways, "at least I don't have to worry about you failing to adapt."
Simon scratched his head with an awkward smile.
Then—
A girl's voice rang out.
"Coming through—sorry!"
"?"
While Simon was distracted for just a moment, a girl he didn't recognize darted past him. He narrowed his eyes, tracking her movements.
In truth, Knox had already sensed her presence long before she appeared. And, knowing exactly what would happen—thanks to the novel—he purposely ignored her, deciding to watch the scene unfold.
In the blink of an eye, the girl twisted her body toward Simon.
'What the?'
Simon had no reason to let her crash into him, so he shifted slightly to the side, avoiding her with ease.
"…Ah!"
She stumbled straight into a bookshelf. The books piled on top began to wobble dangerously.
This was bad.
Simon instinctively jumped forward, shielding her with his own body.
Thud—thud—!
But before the books could come down on him, Knox had already moved.
Knox raised his right hand—
and everything froze.
The falling books halted midair, suspended above Simon's back.
Simon felt… nothing. The pain he was bracing for never arrived. Confused, he lifted his head and looked up—only to see the books floating.
Then he followed the trail upward and found Knox, hand raised toward the airborne stack. With a simple gesture, every book slid neatly back into place on the shelf.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm so sorry! This is all my fault—I almost hurt you…!"
Then she turned to Knox. "And thank you so much for helping!"
"No, it's fine. I was the one spacing out and standing in the way," Simon replied with a strained smile.
Knox simply gave her a warm, easy smile. "No problem."
A store clerk, having rushed over after hearing the commotion, took one look at the perfectly neat bookshelf… and quietly walked away, deciding he must've imagined it.
Then the girl suddenly spoke. "U-Um, the two of you… you're students too, right?"
She must've noticed the textbooks in Simon's hands. Simon gave a small nod, while Knox answered with a playful smile, "Correct answer."
Her face lit up at their response.
"I-I'm a new student too! I'm Cindy Vivace! And you guys?"
"Simon Polentia," Simon introduced himself.
"My name is Amuro Ray," Knox said casually.
Simon blinked and tilted his head, wondering if his ears were malfunctioning. Amuro… what? He was just about to retort—like a proper tsukkomi questioning where Knox dug that name from—when the girl cut in.
"I see! Nice to meet you all! I'm actually from the northern region—Shahed. I don't know anyone here, so I was a little scared."
Simon nodded. "Guess we're in the same boat."
"Ohhh, Simon," Knox chimed in with a grin, "looks like you met a soulmate~"
Simon shot him a look, but Cindy spoke again, blushing.
"I-If it's okay with you…"
She poked her index fingers together, voice shrinking to the size of an ant.
"Later… at school… could I… say hi to both of you?" As if she were asking for a huge favor.
Simon let out a soft laugh. Knox just smiled kindly.
"Of course," Simon said. "I'll be the one who says hi first."
Then Knox leaned in slightly with a teasing glint in his eyes.
"You want to say hi to me? Hmm… then you should pay me first. Candy, cookies, cake—oh, I accept full-course meals too."
Simon could only stare at him and shake his head slowly.
Cindy burst into a small laugh before saying, "Thanks!" Then I'll get going! My dad's waiting outside," said Cindy.
"See you all at Kizen!" She waved and started walking away.
"Wait, Cindy," Simon called out.
"Huh?" She turned back. Simon was holding something.
"Would you mind giving back my wallet now?"
In Simon's hand… was Cindy's wallet.
Her innocent eyes sharpened instantly, pupils slit like a cat's.
No way. She checked her pocket—empty.
"…Ha." She'd been caught cleanly.
With a crooked grin, she looked back at Simon.
"I used necromancy to lift that. I was sure I wouldn't get caught. How'd you know?"
Simon sighed. "Well… my wallet suddenly started floating," he said.
"So of course I knew."
Cindy marched up to him, staring right into his eyes.
"You figured that out just like that? Oh, don't lie. You're aiming for a necromancy major too, aren't you?"
"I haven't decided ye—"
"Knew it!"
Her eyes sparkled.
"Seriously, Kizen's on another level! Oh man, what am I gonna do? There are probably tons of kids like you, huh? Ugh, I'm really looking forward to school!"
With a giggle, she pulled Simon's wallet from her coat and tossed it back to him.
"If we both go necromancy, we might be stuck together for three whole years. Right? Let's battle it out till we bleed, Simon!"
She really wasn't the type to listen to anyone else.
Simon sighed softly and tried to hand her wallet back, but she waved it off.
"It's fine. I lost this round. Consider it your victory prize."
She turned to leave—
"Wait~ before you go, don't forget this~" Knox said with a bright smile.
Cindy turned—and froze when she saw what was in Knox's hand.
"H-Huh?! That's my main wallet?! How—?!"
She frantically grabbed her other pocket. Empty.
Knox shrugged innocently.
"Ahh, well, when the books were falling earlier, I caught a glimpse of your wallet. And then, when Simon's wallet started 'floating' toward you, your wallet kind of… floated toward me too~"
He smiled like a saint.
In Cindy's head:
What do you mean 'floated toward you'?! You might as well just say you stole my wallet while I was stealing his!
Then, Knox casually tossed the wallet back, and Cindy caught it without trouble.
She let out a long sigh—half defeated, half impressed.
I really underestimated Kizen students…
Then she straightened up, her usual smile returning.
"Looking forward to seeing you. Say hi if you spot me at school!"
She waved and walked away, passing right through the bookstore wall and disappearing.
————————————
Character Voicelines · Knox and Simon: About Cindy
Simon:sighs …What a unique student.
Knox: Unique? I'd still file her under "normal."
Simon: …Huh?
Knox: Give it a week. Your standards will drop. (￣▽￣)b
Simon: (・・;)