I Became The Academy Necromancer
Chapter 389: Side Story - Predecessor

Owen Valtany was essentially my only apprentice, the one I entrusted to carry on my legacy.

He was my successor, but I never taught him magic.

Because it wasn’t necessary.

Although he was confused by that at times, during the final battle, he proudly showcased his growth through his performance.

That was Owen.

[He learned Necromancy?]

Sitting by the campfire, the Dark Spiritualist responded with a surprised tone. She had a look on her face as if unsure whether she should be happy or regretful.

[Why would he do such a thing?]

But Stella, on the other hand, had a clear understanding of the situation.

Necromancy was not necessary for Owen Valtany. Some might argue it wouldn’t cause any harm if someone used it, but it would only bring trouble.

“There must be a reason.”

He wouldn’t break from my teachings and start learning necromancy without a purpose.

“Does he still not understand his own talents and abilities?”

Necromancers were scattered across the continent. Though there weren’t as many as ordinary mages, they were still present.

However, Owen was not one of them.

Some might say otherwise.

They might dismiss his ability since he could only comfort the dead with his performance. They might claim it was inferior compared to true Necromancers who control spirits.

While it wouldn’t be entirely wrong, that was why a boy named Owen Valtany was unique.

He was a performer who could comfort the souls of the departed in a kingdom that rejected Dark Mages.

Unlike me, the first Soul Whisperer, he could do nothing with souls, which was actually a great advantage.

That was why I made him my successor. If I had wanted a dark mage as my heir, there was no need to insist on Owen.

“It was you two who stayed with the kid while we were gone.”

Leaning against the carriage and smoking a cigarette from a distance, Findenai asked Stella and the Dark Spiritualist in an accusing tone.

After all, the two of them had spent time with Owen and provided guidance while I was away.

Stella, perhaps feeling responsible, replied with a dark expression.

[At that time, Owen was confused about his identity. He wondered why Shinwoo didn’t teach him necromancy.]

[But he eventually found his answer, didn’t he? We didn’t tell him directly, just gave him hints.]

“Yeah, I know.”

I wasn’t trying to blame Stella and the Dark Spiritualist. After all, Owen had found his answer on his own.

But now, it seemed that answer was shaking.

Something’s going on.

I didn’t know what, but I had intended to meet Owen soon. Now, it seemed I had to hurry.

***

“When is Brother Shinwoo coming?”

“Uwaaa! I miss him! I’m dying since he’s not here!”

Erica Bright, who was in Graypond for the trials to become an archmage, had been given a comfortable room by the royal family to rest, but she couldn’t find any peace at all.

“Ah! I should’ve just followed him! I should’ve forced my way through!”

“It’s winter break! Why did we listen to Professor?”

“…”

Two people were free from the academy shackles due to winter break.

Because they were here, Kim Shinwoo, who had come to Graypond with Eleanor and Aria, was relatively at ease, but now Erica was the one feeling tired.

“You two should go outside.”

Erica said this while grumbling in her room, but the two of them didn’t budge, instead rolling around on her bed.

However, they weren’t just bothering Erica’s room for no reason.

“When Brother Shinwoo comes, he’ll definitely come looking for Erica first, so we’re staying here.”

“…”

They were surprisingly clever.

However, despite that, Eleanor’s words about Kim Shinwoo looking for her first as soon as he arrived made Erica feel oddly pleased.

“Hmm.”

Erica cleared her throat and decided not to say anything more to them.

“But really, he’s taking a long time. Didn’t he leave from Norseweden some time ago?”

Aria mumbled while putting some snacks into her mouth.

Eleanor reached out to grab her snacks, but Aria’s reflexes were too fast for her.

That’s true.

Letting them fight over the snacks, Erica paused for a moment, thinking about Aria’s words.

It wasn’t wrong.

She had heard that Kim Shinwoo had left Norseweden, and by now, he should have already arrived.

Though Norseweden was far from Graypond, using magic on the carriage should allow him to arrive faster than usual.

Is he stopping somewhere?

Erica hoped he would arrive soon.

It wasn’t just because she missed him; she also wanted him to check on Owen, who was going through trials to become a Soul Whisperer.

She had noticed that the boy’s complexion had been worsening recently.

She wondered if there was anything she could help with, but Owen had been strangely distant, and it was hard to approach him at the right time.

After all, she was a candidate for the archmage, so she couldn’t just go around meeting someone like a Soul Whisperer candidate.

There could be rumors about it, so she had to be careful.

Personally, Erica hoped that Aria and Eleanor would go check on Owen.

“Jeez, give me some! Why are you being so stingy?”

“Just buy your own! Is it really good for a princess to steal snacks from a commoner?”

“Yeah, I love it! It’s the best! Stealing your food is the most fun!”

“You crazy bitch! If Brother finds out, he’ll be horrified!”

“No way? No way? Brother Shinwoo will just sigh and say, ‘Sigh, Eleanor, enough,’ and then scold me in a sexy way.”

“Oh? Hey, you’re really good at imitating him!”

“Right? I practiced in front of the mirror.”

“Can you do other impressions?”

“Cough.”

Eleanor stretched her neck, then whispered seriously, lowering her gaze.

“I am a necromancer.”

“Oh! Oh! Princess~! Please do another one!”

“I will listen to your story.”

“This is insaaaannnee!”

Erica shook her head as she watched the two of them mimicking Kim Shinwoo while offering snacks.

Considering how sensitive Owen was right now, she already knew what would happen if the two went.

He would probably just warn them not to annoy Kim Shinwoo and tell them to stay quiet.

“I love you, Eleanor.”

“No, your voice is completely different, but the tone and atmosphere are spot on.”

“I’m talented in many ways.”

“Say it with my name, too! Say you love me!”

“Aria, you idiot.”

“This bitch….”

As the two of them started bickering again on the bed, Erica just turned her head, pretending not to see it.

***

“Well done. The consolation for those who collapsed due to the plague was also done splendidly.”

“Thank you.”

While Aria and Eleanor were imitating Kim Shinwoo’s voice in Erica’s room, Owen Valtany, who was undergoing trials to become the second Soul Whisperer, bowed his head to the bishop in front of him.

The position of Soul Whisperer was inevitably related to souls, and the religious circle, which had been strongly hurt by the first Soul Whisperer, was now deeply involved in selecting the next one.

Because of this, Owen was solving problems related to souls and other incidents raised by the bishops.

The small boy, who used to be tiny, had now grown into a young man.

His growth had been harsh, and though his appearance had matured, his shoulders slouched, his freckles were darker with signs of age, and his figure had become thin.

He was now a completely different person from the young Owen Valtany of the past.

“Then I’ll give you the next trial in a few days. You’re really becoming a Soul Whisperer now.”

The bishops chuckled as they spoke, and Owen bowed his head again before leaving.

Waiting for him outside was the current Saintess, Lucia.

“Owen, let’s talk for a moment.”

“Saintess Lucia…”

Lucia spoke to him with genuine concern.

“Your face looks so pale. You’re pushing yourself too much.”

“…”

“You don’t need to take the bishops’ tests. After all, His Majesty King Orpheus has already made it clear that the bishops have no authority to decide.”

Although Owen had to take the test to become a Soul Whisperer, it was the royal family that made the decision, and there was no need to be swayed by the bishops. Lucia had already told him this.

“But Lord Soul Whisperer won by directly facing the bishops.”

Owen, the boy, refused to back down and was engaged in a war of nerves with the bishops.

“Lord Soul Whisperer never avoided anyone. He moved forward with dignity and strength. I must follow in his footsteps because he entrusted me with a role.”

“Ah, Owen…”

“I must take my leave now. As you said, I’m tired and should rest.”

With that, Owen left the temple.

Lucia could only watch wistfully as the tall yet still childlike boy’s back faded into the distance.

She understood his worries very well. And she also understood his intention well.

The legacy of the predecessor shining so brightly could be an immense burden for the successor.

Lucia, who had succeeded Stella’s position as the Saintess, understood this feeling all too well.

“Ah, Deus.”

His path had been so brilliant that the boy Owen Valtany seemed even darker in comparison.

***

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