Simon opened the door to Room 409 and stepped inside.
Knox was already there, sitting by the desk and reading a novel. Rick was lying sprawled across his bed, looking far too relaxed for someone in an academy like Kizen. Kajann, meanwhile, hadn't been seen all weekend.
"Oh, Simon! You're back already?" Rick said, pushing himself upright.
"Hey, Rick. Did you have a good weekend?" Simon replied.
"So-so," Rick shrugged. "Since it was the first one, I mostly made some connections with merchants, secured a few investment promises, and wrapped up the basics. What about you?"
Simon placed Pier's 'avatar' on the desk, then took off his uniform jacket and hung it neatly in the closet.
"I met up with someone I knew," he said calmly. "It was a pretty decent weekend."
Knox nearly choked internally.
Decent, my ass.
If people heard you describe becoming a Legion Commander as 'decent,' every necromancer in this world would feel like a clown.
Pier's avatar grinned broadly—until his gaze landed on Knox.
The smile froze. Every instinct Pier possessed screamed danger.
This white-haired kid…A monster.
"Well, I'm glad to hear that," Rick continued, oblivious. "Oh—more importantly, did you check next week's schedule?"
"Not yet," Simon replied.
At Kizen, all faculty members were active necromancers. Because students constantly received fluctuating assignments and external duties, class schedules were flexible. Everyone had to check the updated timetable every week without fail.
"Tomorrow morning and afternoon are both 'Elementary Black Magic' classes," Rick said.
"Elementary Black Magic…" Simon frowned slightly. "That's the one with the group project, right?"
"Yep."
All Kizen freshmen took nine classes:
Katarology, Darkness Dynamics, Summonology, Spiritology, Haematology (Hemomancy), Toxicology, Magical Combat Studies (Matou), Holy Defense Studies, and Elementary Black Magic—also known as Jet-Black Mechanics.
Among them, Elementary Black Magic was unique.
The professor in charge would also serve as the homeroom teacher for Class A, and the class itself evaluated performance across all eight other subjects. It was conducted entirely in groups.
"I really hope Professor Bahil ends up in charge of Class A," Rick said enthusiastically. Ever since the teleportation incident, he'd clearly become a fan.
Knox smiled faintly to himself.
Bahil? Ah… ignorance truly is bliss. I'd love to see your face when you realize the one who shows up is her.
"Anyway," Rick continued, "that's not even the most important part. According to the schedule, tomorrow's Elementary Black Magic class is when groups are formed."
"And once they're set," he added seriously, "they're locked in for the entire semester. Our whole Kizen life depends on this."
"That makes sense," Simon said.
A single group for an entire semester—there was no doubt how critical that was. Simon nodded, his expression turning serious.
"We'll need a solid strategy for group composition."
After a long discussion between Simon and Rick—with Knox occasionally dropping comments that were suspiciously insightful—the conversation finally wound down.
Simon glanced at Knox and muttered, "If only you could be on the same team as us…"
Rick immediately chimed in, "Yeah! Then our group would practically be number one!"
Knox rolled his eyes. "I already told you that's impossible. But I did recommend someone, didn't I?"
Rick nodded. "Camibarez Ursula, right? I did some digging. She's low-tier right now, but based on what you said—and what I found—she's definitely worth investing in."
Simon frowned slightly. "Then… who should be the last member?"
Rick fell silent, thinking.
Knox, however, casually ruined the suspense by offering a "hint"—or rather, a 'spoiler'.
"Hmmm" he said. "How about… Meilyn Villenne?"
The room went dead silent. Simon and Rick stared at him.
"…Isn't that impossible?" Rick finally said.
"Well," Knox shrugged, "considering your current lineup, there's a pretty high chance she'll refuse." His smile turned teasing. "But~ there's no harm in trying, right?"
Simon nodded slowly. "…You're right," he said. "There's nothing wrong with trying."
Knox smiled quietly to himself.
The next morning, a new week began at Kizen.
When Knox entered the classroom for the first-period Elementary Black Magic class, the atmosphere was completely different from the previous week. Gone was the quiet tension of unfamiliar faces—now the room buzzed with lively chatter as students talked freely with one another.
Knox took a seat while greeting the familiar faces nearby.
"Hi~ Jamie, Claudia, Cindy, Merida," he said with a smile.
Each of them responded in their own way, their greetings reflecting their personalities. As the exchange settled, Knox noticed something odd.
More precisely—Claudia, Cindy, and Merida seemed… tense. As if they were holding something back.
Knox tilted his head. "…Hm? What's wrong with you guys?"
Cindy let out a dramatic sigh. "I told you already! Knox would notice right away!"
Claudia rubbed the back of her neck. "Alright, alright… it's just—Knox, have you found your group yet?"
Knox immediately understood why they were acting like this. Instead of answering right away, he glanced at Jamie.
Jamie noticed his gaze and flushed slightly.
"I know what you're thinking," she said quickly. "But I already have a group. I made a promise with my friends before I even met you guys." She smiled apologetically. "I'm sorry."
Knox nodded. "I see. That's fine. Promises are important."
Then he turned back to Claudia. "As for your question—"
The moment Knox paused, not only Claudia, Cindy, and Merida fell silent—
(even though Merida was already asleep, so she didn't count), the entire class suddenly went quiet as well.
Students pretended to read, adjust their seats, or organize their notes, all while clearly pricking their ears to listen in.
Knox twitched slightly. Do all of you really think I don't notice this?
Outwardly, he smiled.
"I still haven't found my group members," he said lightly. "In fact, I don't even have a single member yet~"
Silence.
Then—
It was as if thunder had struck the room. The class froze for a brief moment—before eyes all around lit up.
Knox is still ungrouped?!
This is a jackpot!
A UR-rank card with six eidolons!
Before anyone else could react, Cindy struck first.
"Then, Knox!" she said quickly. "How about joining our group?" She gestured proudly. "We already have Claudia as a Toxicology major, Merida as a Katarology major, and me as a Spiritology major! If you join us, you'll cover Matou and Black Magic perfectly!"
She placed her hands on her hips, grinning. "Each of us is an ace in our field! And on top of that~ we're all beautiful girls! So—join us!"
Knox stared at her.
The entire class stared at her.
Then Knox spoke. "Sure~ I'll join you guys."
"…."
For a second, it felt like collective amnesia had swept the room.
Then—
"What?!"
"Are you serious?!"
"Ace of Toxicology, Katarology, Spiritology—and Knox for Matou and Black Magic?!"
"That group is insanely stacked!"
The classroom instantly erupted.
Hector, watching from his seat, clenched his teeth. That team… could become the biggest threat.
Meanwhile, Meilyn watched the scene unfold from afar, her expression unreadable—emotions quietly mixing beneath the surface.
"…Really?!" Claudia said, snapping back to reality. "Wait—before that, may I ask why you chose us?"
Cindy puffed out her chest proudly. "It's because the three of us are beautiful, right?"
Knox nodded thoughtfully. "Well… that's not wrong."
Claudia and Cindy both flushed slightly.
"But," Knox continued, smiling, "putting beauty aside, all of you are aces. And honestly, I was already considering you before this. I just thought you'd form a group together with Jamie."
Cindy clapped her hands together decisively. "Then it's settled! Welcome to our group, Knox!"
Under countless stares filled with envy, disbelief, and complicated emotions, Knox casually pulled over a chair and sat beside them.
"Hehe~" he said. "Please take good care of me for at least the next semester~"
The four of them—plus one sleeping Merida—soon fell into lively conversation as the class continued around them.
————————————
Character Voicelines · Knox: About Group Assignments
Knox: Ahh~ this reminds me of my past life, when professors used to assign random groups for projects.
Knox: That wonderful feeling of being carried by your teammates while you lazily sat back…and then—bam! The assignment was suddenly finished.
(This author is absolutely not that kind of lazy bum. I repeat. Not. That. Lazy.)