Reborn with a Necromancer System - Chapter 84

Chapter 84: Equivalent Exchange
Kai stood on the roof of the east dormitory, staring down at the spires and shifting walkways of Thesiones Academy, the wind tugging at his coat and hair. He rarely came here, but today had been a day for honesty, at least the kind that got people off his back. His efforts were not in vain.

He started with Willam, cornering him in the alchemy hall where he was ranting to a third-year about fungus that could mimic mana patterns.

“I need space,” Kai said, cutting into the conversation.

The third year looked grateful to be out of the spiralling conversation and darted off.

Willam blinked. “You mean metaphorically, like emotionally, or-”

“No. I mean physically. Stop barging into my space. I need more time to myself.”

Willam had frowned, clearly wounded, then adjusted his scarf. “Alright. But in return, I want more access to the library. If you can get me clearance for the lower floors, that would be best. Some of those restricted texts hold theories we could both benefit from.”

Kai nodded. The most he could do is ask the headmaster about the lower floors, but if they got into a better-ranked class, they’d both get more library time. It was a tolerable price to pay for more silence and space.

Mari was next. She’d waited for him outside one of his classes, swinging her legs while perched on the edge of a planter, face bright as ever.

He looked at her with a blank face, staring deep into her eyes.

“I need time to study. Alone.”

Her smile faltered. “Do you not like me?”

Kai hesitated. “That’s not it.”

“Then why do you always look like you want to bolt whenever I show up?”

“Because I…”

‘I hate you. I want you to suffer. To die by my hands.’

“…don’t know how to act around people like you,” he said carefully. “But I’m trying. I just need less pressure.”

“Pressure?”

“To always give you attention and answer your endless questions. I don’t even have time to practice magic outside of our class requirements.”

‘Honestly, I didn’t have a reason to keep you alive, you’d be dead in a forest somewhere, probably eaten by the wildlife.’

Mari tilted her head. “Okay. I’ll give you space. But in exchange… can you stop pretending that you’re not kind? Just acknowledge me sometimes.”

He almost flinched. “You think I’m kind?”

She just smiled. “You’re like an older brother trying not to be. But I see it.”

He didn’t respond, simply nodded and left.

Emille had been the most difficult.

Kai found him in the dueling yard, tearing through a set of practice golems with wind-forged blades so sharp the dummies barely registered damage before falling apart. His coat fluttered with each movement, precise and cruel, like he was carving the air itself.

Kai waited until his final swing decapitated the last golem before speaking.

“I need you to back off,” he said.

Emille didn’t even turn to face him. “That so?”

“I need time to work.”

“Tch.” He sheathed his conjured blade and rolled his shoulders. “You keep acting like I’m some nuisance. You’re the one who strutted in here with no history, no explanation, and somehow survived the Gauntlet.”

Kai crossed his arms. “I’m not asking you to like me. I’m just asking for space.”

Emille finally turned, eyes sharp. “Why should I? You’re E-class trash who thinks he’s above everyone just because you’re quiet and broody. If you want space, earn it.”

Kai matched his gaze. “What do you want, then?”

A grin tugged at Emille’s lips. “I want a fight. Not one of your sneaky shadow stunts. No tricks, no theatrics. Just you and me, spell for spell. Or…” he stepped closer, narrowing his eyes, “do something no E-class has ever done.”

Kai tilted his head. “And that is?”

“Win the Arcane Crucible.” Emille smirked.

Kai blinked. “What is the Arcane Crucible? I’ve heard people mention it-”

“Oh, what, do I look like your class rep now?” he snapped. “Get lost and figure it out yourself. I’m not wasting time explaining basics to someone who can’t even read a bulletin board.”

Kai almost chuckled. He was insufferable, but useful.

‘If I can get them on my side. They’d make a pretty good undead after I graduate.’

“Fine,” he said, turning away. “I’ll see you in the arena.”

“Not if you crash out in the qualifiers,” Emille called after him. “Try not to embarrass me, boy.”

‘I’m older than you, you fuck. Both in this world and in my old world.

That had sealed it.

—

Kai asked around, but most students didn’t care to give Kai the time of day to explain it to him. A young girl suggested he speak with Juno, so Kai wandered the grounds for almost an hour before finding him.

And it was Juno who filled in the blanks.

“E-class students don’t win the Arcane Crucible,” Juno said with a tired sigh. “It’s almost tradition that you all get knocked out in the qualifiers.”

“That’s why I’m doing it.”

His eyes narrowed. “This is about more than just getting better rankings, isn’t it?”

Kai didn’t answer directly. “If I win, I get the space I need. And I’ll have enough standing to shut Emille up, give Willam his access, and let Mari… play little sister or whatever she wants, without disrupting everything.”

“Sounds like you’ve got some interesting reasons.”

“You could put it that way.”

“So, you think you can win?” he asked.

“I know I can.”

Juno led Kai to the Headmaster’s office to secure his place in the upcoming Arcane Crucible.

Kai submitted the forms after a short discussion with the headmaster.

–

Team Members: 3.

Team Name: Shadowbound.

Team Captain: Mirlin Orth.

Teammates: Willam Merve, Mari Tensen.

–

Each had agreed to Kai’s terms, some more reluctantly than others. Willam was ecstatic, babbling about optimal roles and arena layouts. Mari had agreed without hesitation, practically glowing.

“Are you sure you want to participate with only three members? You can have up to five team members.” Juno had asked.

“I won’t need them.”

Kai left the headmaster’s office and a familiar red-haired boy stood there in anticipation.

Emille had crossed his arms and spat, “Don’t put on a bad show.”

‘Did he seriously seek me out here and wait for me to submit my forms? Why are all the troublesome students obsessed with me? I couldn’t have had this in my past life when I actually wanted it?’

Kai sighed and went about his day as usual, working on his sigils, playing with his shadow magic when he could, and hoping for any moment of peace where he could practice necromancy.

—

The announcement was made during the morning assembly two days after Kai finalised his forms.

“As per tradition,” Headmaster Vail droned, “the annual Crucible Trials will commence in two months. Sign-ups close by the end of the week.”