I Became The Academy Necromancer

dreams, so it would take some time for them to regain their senses.

 

“Finden Ai, take the children and go outside to join the others.
There may be children who can't move on their own.”

 

“What about master?”

 

“I've extinguished all urgent fires.”

 

I tightened my grip on the sword.
I had resolved most of the incidents that occurred even before the barrier was completely formed.

 

But if time had continued to drag on, it could have been really dangerous.

 

“Now I'm going to resolve the barrier.”

 

“…Are you sure you'll be fine alone?”

 

When I turned to look at Finden Ai, who seemed concerned about me, she answered while taking a cigarette out of her pocket and putting it in her mouth.

 

“It's the first payday in a week.”

 

“Heh.”

 

Zwoof!

 

The cigarette in Finden Ai's mouth ignited as it came into contact with the flame I created.
She quickly took it out of her mouth, stomped on it with her foot to put out the fire, and glared at me.

 

“Oh, for f*ck's sake! It was to support!”

 

“No smoking in front of me.
Did you forget that already after not seeing me for so long?”

 

“Ah, shit! Forget it, go away! Even if you die, I won't save you.”

 

Ignoring the grumbling Finden Ai, I once again headed towards the main building of the Academy.

 

The night had become too long.

 

In order to face tomorrow with a little less fatigue, it was necessary to end it at this point.

 

* * *

 

I felt that the wind on the rooftop was stronger than before.

 

If my memory serves me right, the last time I came up here was when I had a brief coffee break with Erica Bright.

 

[You came?]

 

Just like back then, there was a girl waiting for me on the rooftop this time as well.

 

[It's been a while.]

 

The girl with black hair waved her hand towards me with a smile.

 

I nodded and calmly stood in front of her.

 

“Why did you cause such a commotion?”

 

[…]

 

“Didn't you tell me before I left? That you’ll prepare for their rest.”

 

[Right.]

 

The reason I believed that the residents of Setima would find peace even if I left the Academy was because of this girl.

 

She was the hope of Setima.

 

[When you were gone, I thought about it carefully.]

 

As the girl slowly raised her hand, a small spirit popped out like a will-o'-the-wisp.

 

It soon began to grow and transformed into the form of a haggard girl.

 

The haggard girl assumed a posture reminiscent of the crucifixion known to be nailed to the cross.

 

But what supported and bound her was the girl's braided hair.

 

The girl's hair, entwined like a vine, tightly encircled the haggard girl's emaciated body.

 

[Is it really okay for the residents of Setima to close their eyes?]

 

“…”

 

[People who were mercilessly killed for no reason, yet cried out the name of God, not seeking revenge but salvation…]

 

“…”

 

[People who didn't even utter thoughts of revenge to follow the path of the goddess who didn't help them even after their deaths…]

 

“…”

 

[People who, even while being tortured, shed tears and pleaded for forgiveness for the kingdom's soldiers.]

 

The girl's hair began to extend further.
The haggard girl held in her trembling hand gave off a sinister and threatening aura.

 

[Was it just ignorance?]

 

“Even if that's true, it's already over.”

 

[…you've always been like this.]

 

As if angered by the fact that I didn't take her side, the girl’s hair squirmed and squeezed the ground so hard that cracks began to appear on the floor.

 

[You've always prioritized living.]

 

“…”

[Even after listening to our voices, being able to see our faces, talking and being together with us! Why can’t you understand us!]

 

Through her almost rebellious outcry, I felt her intense hostility trying to push me away.

 

[Even if the whole world doesn't understand our souls, shouldn't you, at least, stand on our side?]

 

“There is a natural order in everything.”

 

I raised my hand and forcibly endured her enmity as I replied.

 

“I have been fighting for you.”

 

There were times when I protected the souls of Setima who were being tormented by other spirits.

 

“I listened to your stories.”

 

Originally, there were more souls of Setima than this, but for three months before my dismissal, I put each of them to rest.

 

“I deeply empathized with you.”

 

Typically, when people die, they often take the form they had when they died.

 

The grotesque appearance of the souls of Setima indicated the amount of suffering they endured before dying.

 

“But because I genuinely empathize with you, I have to draw a clear line.”

 

[…!]

 

Determined blue flames blossomed around me.

 

The lingering spirits of Setima, who couldn't leave yet and had a sense of responsibility, joined me to help.

 

“Even if it sounds cruel, it can't be helped.
The dead should remain dead.
Don't cross the boundary of living.”

 

[You…!]

 

“The people of Setima were foolish? They didn't seek revenge because of their ignorance? Yes, that could be true.”

 

In reality, most people would probably think they were foolish.

 

After all, how can one offer blessings for the person who caused harm to oneself?

 

But…

 

“Even so, it's not for us to judge what's right or wrong in that.”

 

[…Don't be ridiculous.]

 

“I don't make judgments.
I merely listen to what the spirits want.”

 

[Don't spout nonsense!]

 

“You, in the name of happiness for Setima, have come to this point: You twisted, distorted, and perverted their wishes.
It's all your doing.”

 

Girl…

 

So, if we have to define it, the reason that entity known as an angel moved was for the sake of the nameless girl who wished for the happiness of the people of Setima.

 

But the angel twisted and distorted that wish:

 

To achieve happiness, she decided she must inflict the same amount of suffering.

 

To protect, she thought she must show her power to the Academy.

 

It was truly sad.
If I had been with them, Angel wouldn't have been this corrupted.

 

Although it's regrettable because we once cooperated for the sake of the souls of Setima…

 

“But now, you are an evil spirit.”

 

I clenched my fist and approached her.

 

“So, I must exorcize you.”