I Became The Academy Necromancer
Chapter 396: BONUS Side Story - Necromancer

Chop! Chop! Chop!

[Huh? Why are you wielding the axe?]

At the Dark Spiritualist’s question, Findenai, who was splitting firewood, slightly turned her head and answered.

“Master Bastard needs— Wait, what?”

Findenai frowned deeply at the sight of the Dark Spiritualist with a bloated belly.

It looked almost as if she was pregnant, making Findenai slam the axe down and ask.

“Did you grow a third tits?”

[Are you joking? This is a ball.]

Saying that, the Dark Spiritualist pulled out a ball hidden inside her robe. Findenai didn’t bother asking why it was hidden there.

“I thought you got eaten by some damn dog evil spirit or something. You know, dogs have multiple tits.”

[Call them teats. Who the hell calls them ‘tits’ for dogs?]

“Same thing. Anyway, why are you carrying around a ball?”

[Why else? That guy told me to take it away. I barely managed to take it from Aria and Eleanor.]

“How old are those two that they’re still playing with a ball?”

[…Didn’t you have a blast playing with it just the other day?]

“Listen here.”

Chop!

Findenai responded nonchalantly as she split another log.

“Ever since that Mountain Lord got into my body, I feel strangely energized whenever I see a ball.”

[The Mountain Lord is a tiger, though.]

“Dogs and tigers are kinda similar. So, don’t tigers also get excited when they see a ball?”

[How would I know?]

Whatever.

Annoyed, Findenai dismissed the conversation and focused on chopping wood again.

Judging by the cigarette butts scattered around, she had been here for quite a while.

The firewood had piled up significantly as well.

[At this rate, we won’t need firewood for five years. But why bother? We could just use magic.]

They didn’t even need firewood in the first place. With so many mages around, who still relied on an old-fashioned campfire?

[Senior? Senior, where are you? Help me with the food preparation!]

As Stella’s voice called from inside the house, the Dark Spiritualist quickly flew off into the forest.

***

“Looks about done.”

A wide clearing near the house.

Although we’d spent several winters here, this was the first time we had seriously cleared the snow.

“Hyaaaaah!”

“Adaddadadada!”

Aria and Eleanor were making a fuss, competing to see who could clear the most snow.

Thanks to them, the snow disappeared in an instant.

Aria had superior physical abilities, but Eleanor, using magic, managed to keep up, making it a close match.

“What do you think?”

Erica handed over a warm cup of coffee from the side. Taking a sip, I gazed back at the clearing.

“The location is good. They shouldn’t have moved far since not much time has passed.”

“Good, that’s a relief.”

“The real problem is moving everything. Just setting up the firewood and food will take half a day. It’d be best to get it done today.”

As they looked wistfully at the sun dipping below the horizon, Erica chuckled and replied.

“I’ll help. I haven’t used magic in a while, so it feels like my mana’s stiffening up.”

“Is it okay for an Archmage to use magic so casually?”

“Casually? I’m just helping my husband.”

Erica said it so naturally that it caught me off guard. Thanks to that, the embarrassment was entirely me.

“You’ve changed a lot.”

“The biggest change is you, Deus.”

“I’m now Kim Shinwoo.”

At that, Erica leaned in until our shoulders touched and whispered.

“Not today. Today, you’re Deus, aren’t you?”

“Yeah… today, I am Deus.”

She wasn’t wrong.

At least for today, it felt like we had gone back to the days when I was Deus.

“Ugh.”

A frustrated voice sounded behind them.

We quickly put some distance between ourselves and turned to see Deia, carrying a massive load.

“Did the Dark Spiritualist not come here? She ran off.”

“…Right there.”

In the center of the now-cleared field.

Humming to herself, the Dark Spiritualist floated lazily above the designated campfire spot.

“Gun. Where’s my gun?”

Deia rummaged through her belongings, then swiftly pulled out her magic gun. Without hesitation, she fired.

Bang!

[Huh?]

Even though the bullet went straight through her chest, the Dark Spiritualist barely reacted, lazily glancing backward.

“Get over here and help! Everything’s ready. We just need to move it!”

[I was setting up the campfire here, though.]

“Like hell you’re the one doing the setup.”

[I am a Necromancer too, you know!]

Despite the Dark Spiritualist’s odd stubbornness, after a brief argument, they eventually left with Erica to return to the house.

Now, the others would bring the food and firewood.

We might be running out of time.

In that case, it might not be a bad idea to light the fire first and then set up the surroundings.

“Aria, there are things in the world that never change. Do you know what they are?”

“What? Your terrible personality? Or your twisted sexual fantasies?”

“The pure white snow and your wall-flat chest.”

“…”

“No matter how many years pass, you’re the same. As far as I can tell, you’re a true hero. You even sacrificed your chest, the symbol of femininity, for nimble movements. The continent is thankful for your laundry board. You’ve purified the dirty continent with your laundry board.”

“This bitch, are you possessed by an evil spirit or something? If you keep going like this, I’ll tell Professor about the third volume of ‘The Vassal and I.’”

“You enjoyed it too!”

“I asked for ‘The Professor and I’ to be drawn!”

“Why would I draw you with Deus? That’s disgusting!”

I clearly told them not to do it when Eleanor locked herself in her room, complaining about how much the brush had worn out.

With a sigh, I looked around at the dimming clearing.

Seeing them stealthily gathering as if a rumor had spread, I began to prepare.

***

[Ignite!]

As soon as the stacked firewood was lit, a beautiful pillar of flames shot up into the sky.

The Dark Spiritualist spun around, cheering as it started.

The once-dark clearing was immediately bathed in a bright scarlet glow, with the smell of meat cooking by Findenai mixing with the rising smoke.

Not only that, but Erica had summoned elemental spirits, and golden butterflies embroidered the night sky beautifully.

Deia had prepared warm milk and cold beer to endure the cold night.

Aria and Eleanor set up a table with various playthings: balls, wooden sticks, horseshoes, and board games.

[All set.]

Finally, Stella stood beside me, smiling as we both looked up at the sky.

“Everyone worked quickly. Thank goodness.”

[It’s because we wanted to impress you.]

“…I know, thank you.”

In the past, I would’ve ignored such words, but today, I responded.

Stella smiled brightly and gently clasped her hands together.

[It’s a shame, though. The guests won’t be able to enjoy everything we’ve prepared.]

Food and drinks were ultimately just for creating the right atmosphere.

However, that was important. You don’t just prepare a table when doing a ritual for no reason.

“I wanted them to think they’re spending the same time they would any other day.”

[Such thoughtfulness.]

“It’s been a while, so I might have gotten nervous and over-prepared.’

[You?]

“…”

The night sky began to look murky, as if covered in fog.

Seeing the tall flames, they began to approach cautiously.

[Shall I cast a spell to ease your nerves?]

I wasn’t actually nervous.

However, looking at Stella’s clear gaze, I knew she’d do it anyway, even if I said no.

I subtly leaned my cheek out, and she smiled and kissed it.

[Was that too obvious?]

“That works well.”

[You even know how to do lip service now, huh?]

Smiling with her hand over her mouth, Stella carefully stepped back.

[It seems like the time has come.]

“Alright.”

[I’m counting on you, my moon.]

“…”

[Fufu.]

The title, which I hadn’t heard in a long time, made me slightly embarrassed, and I scratched my cheek before stepping forward.

Many souls were gathered around the fire.

[C-Cold.]

[Where is this? Where are we?]

[My legs feel frozen. I can’t feel them.]

[Warm up! Warm up!]

[Mooommm!]

They all called out with pale faces.

“The flames cannot solve your cold.”

A low but resonant voice.

“An avalanche swept away the village you once lived in. Unfortunately, many perished.”

Even though it had been a while, it seemed my skill hadn’t faded, and the souls that were gathering all turned their attention to me.

“That’s all of you.”

[Lies! That’s a lie!]

[I’m dead? No! I was just sleeping…?!]

[What is happening here?]

[I-I saw it. A huge avalanche… swallowed the village.]

[Where’s my father? Where is my father?]

[It’s all because of the people from the upper village! Those bastards!]

When many souls gathered, there were a variety of reactions. But maybe it was due to my past experiences, it didn’t feel much different from what I had gone through before.

“You must be frustrated. Angry, sad, and full of regret… I understand.”

They looked at me with different expressions.

“The avalanche was a natural disaster, something no one could stop. Regardless of whether you are a bad or good person, you are simply victims.”

That was why I prepared this place.

“The cries filled with resentment have been haunting nearby villages every night.”

[So we can’t even cry out freely?]

[I didn’t want to die! I didn’t want to die!]

[Are you telling us to shut up? We died unfairly, and now we can’t even scream?]

“That’s why I prepared this place.”

More and more souls gathered.

I created an environment where they could be the most comfortable.

Right after they died, their memories were still vivid.

A place where they could feel warmth.

“I will listen to your stories.”

You can tell me everything until you can rest.

The souls were confused, but they didn’t leave, staying by my side.

After crying out all night for the last two days, they too, would realize nothing would change.

[Who… Who are you?]

At that moment, one of the souls asked me.

There was a time when I was called the end of the continent and death.

A time when I was known as the Soul Whisperer who comforted souls.

But now…

“I am…”

With a gentle smile, I introduced myself to them

“Simply a Necromancer.”

It would take a long time to resolve their grievances.

But even so… after overcoming everything and having emptied my heart, the only thing left was time.

“It’s cold, so come closer. I’ll listen to your stories.”

***

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