The Genesis Of A Necromancer - Chapter 38

Chapter 38: the gathering
The word “tournament” echoed in Jack’s mind, striking a chord. ‘Finally,’ he thought, his pulse quickening with anticipation. This was exactly the event he’d been waiting for—a chance to assess the nobles of each kingdom, to measure himself against future rivals. His smirk deepened as he envisioned the scene.

‘Now I’ll get to see all those fools who might pose a threat down the road. I’ll finally understand how far I am from truly surpassing them.’ Jack’s excitement simmered beneath his cold exterior. In Asriel’s life, this tournament had been a pivotal moment, an opportunity Asriel had squandered. But Jack intended to approach it differently. He saw it as the beginning of something larger—an arena where alliances and hostilities would silently take shape. ‘If only Asriel had taken advantage of it, he might’ve saved himself a lot of trouble.’

“Master Asriel,” Urek began, noticing Jack’s growing intensity, “the tournament is simply a sparring assessment arranged by the academy. It’s a way for the instructors to see where each student excels and where they require guidance.”

Jack narrowed his gaze, a glint of amusement flickering in his eyes. “Is that what they told you, Urek?” he replied, the sneer unmistakable in his voice. “Tell me, do you honestly think this is just an innocent test? Why would they organize a tournament when they could assess our skills over time as they teach us?”

Urek’s brows furrowed slightly, his confidence wavering. “Well… I believe they’ve chosen this method as the most efficient way to evaluate each student’s strengths.”

Jack shook his head subtly, a dark amusement curling his lips. ‘These people are hopelessly blind,’ he thought, stifling a sigh. “Never mind, Urek. How much longer until we reach the destination?”

‘There’s no use trying to explain anything further to him,’ Jack reflected. He already saw through the academy’s hidden agenda. Each kingdom wanted a clear measure of the others’ power—to gauge exactly who held the upper hand, should the threat of war ever arise. In this tournament, skill wasn’t the only thing on display; it was a stage for silent political maneuvering, where the nobles were pawns in a larger game. ‘I’ll have to keep a low profile, at least for now.’

Urek glanced out the window. “Master, we’ve already arrived. This is as far as we can go.”

The coach jolted to a stop, and Jack could feel the sudden stillness as the horses snorted, their breaths visible in the cool air. Urek reached into his coat, pulling out a brilliant, glowing mana core. Its fiery red hue shimmered as he passed it to Jack.

“This is for you, young master,” Urek explained, holding the core with great care.

Jack examined the crystal, turning it over in his hand. It was smooth, its surface almost glass-like, and yet it weighed nearly nothing. Intricate golden threads etched across its surface like veins, catching the light. “What is this?”

“A transportation array,” Urek replied with a rare, almost mischievous smile. “It’s been enchanted to transport you directly to the academy. You see, the school’s location is hidden to maintain security. With recent threats from cults, your family insisted on this method.”

Jack’s gaze grew sharper. “I’m guessing the alchemist kingdom had a hand in creating this?”

“Indeed, young master,” Urek confirmed. “We were instructed to bring you here, where the array will work most efficiently. The academy’s location is heavily warded, and this crystal will allow you to bypass those defenses.”

“Very well,” Jack replied, though he made no effort to hide his disinterest in Urek’s further explanations. “And how do I activate it?”

“Just crush it in your palm,” Urek instructed, his expression turning more serious.

Jack gave a curt nod. “I’ll be going, then.”

Urek watched him in silence, a bittersweet smile briefly flickering on his face. ‘The young prince hasn’t changed much,’ he thought. Jack’s gaze was icy, dismissive, and he didn’t even acknowledge Urek’s dedication.

With a swift motion, Jack knocked on the coach’s wall, signaling the driver to open the door. He stepped down from the coach, his leather boots sinking slightly into the dusty ground. Before him stretched a barren expanse—a desolate land that seemed to exist in the middle of nowhere, with dry hills and endless sands stretching to the horizon. Behind him, green fields and lush trees hinted at the comfort they’d left behind.

Just as he prepared to activate the mana core, Urek’s voice interrupted. “Forgive me, young master, you’ll need this as well.” Urek hurriedly pulled out a small red card adorned with a golden emblem, its design intricate and unmistakably regal.

“What’s that?” Jack asked, his voice impatient.

“It’s a pass key,” Urek explained, carefully handing it over. “You’ll need it to gain entry into the academy.”

Taking the card without a word, Jack turned his attention back to the mana core. His fingers tightened around it, and with a quick squeeze, he shattered the core, watching as it dissolved into a flurry of glowing particles that swirled around his hand. The air around him shifted, rippling as if bending reality itself.

The sensation was strange and disorienting; the world around him spun, blurring into a vortex of light and shadow. His stomach lurched as if he were falling, and his vision was swallowed by a blinding white glow.

Then, suddenly, he found himself standing beneath a vast, open sky, his feet solidly on the ground once more. Before him rose an immense wall that loomed over the landscape, its shadow casting a chill despite the bright sun overhead.

“So, this is the academy,” Jack muttered, studying the colossal structure.

But he wasn’t alone. From the corner of his eye, Jack noticed thin fractures appearing in the air around him, similar to the one he’d passed through. As he watched, more students materialized out of thin air, each emerging from their own pocket of light and reality.

To his left, an entire group appeared—an entourage clad in the emblem of the church, their white and silver uniforms marking them as devout followers. Their leader, a sharp-eyed boy with an almost ethereal presence, surveyed his surroundings with an air of authority.

Just as Jack took this in, a mocking voice sounded to his right. “Ah, and here I thought the church would be too busy praying to bless us with their presence,” the voice sneered.

Jack turned, his eyes meeting a young man wearing the familiar emblem of the Kingdom of Swords. He was dressed in gleaming silver armor with a large bow slung across his back. The young knight’s expression held a mix of disdain and amusement as he eyed the church group.

The boy at the head of the church faction returned the glare, his face hardening. “We’re not here to tolerate your kingdom’s arrogance, swordsman,” he retorted sharply. “Don’t think your barbaric ways will be tolerated within these walls.”

‘It hasn’t even started, and they’re already at each other’s throats,’ Jack thought with faint amusement. He shifted slightly, granting himself a better view of the growing tension.

Just then, a soft, soothing voice floated through the air, carrying an undeniable authority. “Xavier, that’s enough. We’re not here to quarrel. Save your strength and let things unfold naturally.”

Jack’s eyes followed the voice, settling on a figure with striking red eyes that glowed like rubies. There was something unsettlingly familiar about those eyes, though Jack couldn’t place why.

The argument seemed to settle as the red-eyed newcomer’s words took effect. But before the tension could fully dissipate, a massive shadow fell over the group, casting the entire scene in darkness.