Necromancer Of The Black Bible (41)

Meanwhile, William, disguised as Andre, was adapting to life at the Academy.

Fixed schedules, strict discipline, and difficult lessons.

A burden for boys in their early teens—but nothing for William.

In fact, it was easy, and sometimes amusing.

Even now, surrounded by his peers.

This was the lavatory behind the Academy.

Always shaded by the tall building in front.

Probably why they’d lured William here.

‘So even here, there’s a place like this.’

He’d thought the Academy of the Holy Theocracy of Kallios would be different.

But shadows exist everywhere.

Glancing around, William looked straight ahead.

Four boys.

All wore menacing expressions, their builds fairly large.

The biggest stepped forward.

“Hey, Andre. Why don’t you greet me?”

A face full of resentment, words dripping with arrogance.

William knew this conversation was pointless.

It was simply hazing for a newcomer.

Show their power, force submission, then exploit him.

Such behavior exists in every human group.

Though the tolerance for it differs by group.

‘How should I handle this?’

William studied the boy.

His unusually large frame didn’t look like someone in his early teens.

Mid-to-late teens, at best.

Meaning he likely flunked and was held back.

If so, another incident reported against him might mean no second chances.

William asked him:

“What’s your name?”

“What? Are you nuts? You don’t even know my name?”

“At the very least, I need to know who you are to greet you, don’t I?”

At that, the boy looked around awkwardly and answered.

“I’m Leon.”

“Leon.”

William tasted the all-too-common name.

No surname—likely an orphan.

No mana sensed, only muscle. He now knew why the boy had been admitted.

‘He’ll be drafted into the military corps.’

But with such poor talent, he’d never become a high knight. At best, a guard captain.

William placed a sympathetic hand on Leon’s shoulder and spoke.

“Good to meet you, Leon.”

William greeted him sincerely.

But Leon’s face twisted, and he screeched.

“Hey! Are you crazy?”

He slapped William’s hand away, loomed over him, and growled.

“You think I’m your buddy? No respect? Talking to a senior like that….”

“Senior? How old are you?”

Leon couldn’t answer.

Being older here wasn’t a point of pride.

His face flushed red.

Just then, a telepathic message reached William.

From his master, Damian.

William carried out the exchange while facing Leon.

[Soon the spell will unravel. Be ready.]

[Rest assured. No one will learn our identity.]

Finishing the link, William realized the situation wasn’t ideal.

So instead of disciplining them, he postponed and apologized.

“My apologies for today. I’ll greet you properly next time.”

He apologized again politely and turned to leave.

But Leon yanked his shoulder back.

“Where do you think you’re going? Do you want a beating?”

Leon’s booming voice echoed, and as William turned, their eyes met.

In that instant, William felt the mana shielding him vanish.

And then—

He felt himself grow taller—and saw the boys’ expressions change.

William brushed off Leon’s hand and quickly turned away.

Striding, he entered the nearby restroom.

‘Damn.’

William felt chagrin.

It had been ages since he’d felt this, but the situation was bad.

He rushed to the sink’s mirror.

Though dirty and faint, his silhouette was clear.

A white skeleton marred with stains, blazing eyes glowing.

His true height returned—so tall he nearly touched the ceiling.

Even children couldn’t overlook such a sight.

‘Should I kill them all?’

That was the surest solution.

But he disliked it. Even in life, William had despised killing children.

Then, a voice echoed in his chest.

Similar to his master’s, but different.

It was Equinox.

[William. Can you hear me?]

[Old man?]

[Indeed. The Master just fell into a trance. He won’t wake for a while.]

[I know.]

[Looks like you’re in trouble now.]

William agreed with Equinox’s point.

[That’s right.]

[No need to take it so seriously. They’re just children, aren’t they?]

[So I don’t have to kill them?]

William asked in a grave tone, but Equinox replied lightly.

[Children often see illusions.]

[What do you mean by that?]

[Exactly what I said. Children can’t even tell if what they saw is real. Even if they claim they saw your true form, who would believe them?]

Sure enough, he was right.

Leon and his gang numbered no more than four.

The fact that they spent their time picking fights here meant they weren’t very diligent in their studies.

No one would take the words of such kids seriously.

‘I didn’t think it through properly.’

William nodded, blaming himself.

[You’re right, old man. I was too sensitive.]

[Good. Now you know what to do, don’t you?]

[I do.]

William looked at his skeletal palm.

It felt strange to see again after so long, but that was all.

Compared to the price of living again after a thousand years, it was nothing.

William focused his mana, envisioned Andre’s form, and cast the transformation spell.

Moments later, the same boy from before stood before him.

Seeing this, Equinox spoke.

[Well done.]

[This much magic, I can manage.]

Though a swordsman, William also possessed two Mana Rings.

This was thanks to the Elf Queen he had once been tied to.

At the time, she gifted him Mana Rings to bind him to her, but he had to leave—for his mission to seal the Demon King.

[Do you miss her?]

[No.]

[That’s not what your heart says.]

Equinox’s remark landed heavily.

William placed a hand on his chest.

Having transformed into a child’s body, his heart was beating.

Thump, thump, thump…

Within that rhythm, a strange emotion lingered.

He couldn’t identify it clearly, but listening to Equinox, it seemed longing was mixed in.

William’s expression stiffened.

Not because of old memories of a lover, but because having his feelings exposed irritated him.

Suppressing his displeasure, William spoke.

[Thank you for today. But I’d prefer you not to meddle in my private affairs.]

[Ah, my apologies. I won’t again.]

[And…]

William, in turn, shared what he had sensed from Equinox.

[I feel deep longing from you, old man. Don’t let it burden our Master.]

[…Understood.]

That was the end of their conversation.

William checked his disguise once more and stepped outside.

Leon and his group were still there.

They had been talking among themselves, but when William appeared, their faces froze in fear.

William gave them a faint smile.

“Let’s get along from now on, Leon.”

“H-huh? Uh, yeah.”

Leon answered meekly like a lamb, and William patted his shoulder once before leaving.

They really were just kids after all.

As Equinox predicted, they couldn’t even tell if what they’d just seen was real.

Sanchez and Mobin were deep into investigating their new case.

It was a case commissioned by the Black Leaf Merchant Guild: the sudden coma of a sickly branch leader’s daughter.

“So you’re saying your daughter was fine until a week ago, then she suddenly collapsed?”

To Sanchez’s question, the branch master, Damir, answered sharply.

“That’s correct.”

“And you believe this healer here is the cause?”

At the second question, the healer Eppendorf, standing nearby, went pale.

Accused as the main culprit, he shook his head in denial.

“It wasn’t me. Erian was frail from the beginning.”

At that, Damir exploded in anger.

“How can you say that! I fetched the hundred-year ginseng you told me to, gave it to my child, and you even confirmed it was genuine. You brewed it yourself! And now you deny it? Erian ended up like this because of you! You prescribed the wrong herb!”

Damir’s face was flushed red with rage.

But this was the Theocracy.

No matter the grievance, certain rules must always be observed.

That rule was respect and courtesy toward priests.

Those who break it receive no service from the Theocracy—sometimes even exile.

Sanchez reminded Damir of that fact.

“Master Damir, I understand your frustration, but you cannot insult a priest like that. The investigation isn’t over, nor has any blame been confirmed. You should apologize to the priest for those words.”

“Ugh…”

Damir felt an even greater fury but barely restrained himself.

For losing his temper further would solve nothing.

If anything, angering an investigator could bring worse.

He himself had only been appointed ten years ago because the previous branch master was exiled after clashing with a priest.

At last, Damir apologized to the healer Eppendorf.

“S-sorry. My words were too harsh.”

“Please be more mindful with your words. I’ve also done my best to heal Erian.”

“……”

Damir gave no reply, closing his eyes.

He no longer wished to look at the one who had brought his daughter to this state.

Sanchez glanced between Damir and Eppendorf before proceeding.

“Then, where is your daughter?”

Damir led Sanchez to the annex.

There lay a pale-faced girl.

She seemed dead, but her wrist revealed a faint pulse, and her breathing was weak.

She could die at any moment.

It was clear why even the famed Eppendorf of the Theocracy could not heal her.

‘In this condition, no one could cure her.’

Who could possibly heal this child?

For a moment, he thought of Raiernov, then shook his head.

Raiernov was currently resting.

Even as the greatest healer, it would be improper to trouble him now, while recovering from his long journey.

‘I’ll have to ask later—if she survives until then.’

Sanchez released the girl’s hand and spoke.

“Now, let’s see where the medicine was made.”

It was the final step.

He had spoken to those involved and seen the child’s condition—only the ingredients remained to check.

Though he hadn’t inspected them yet, Sanchez had already decided what conclusion he would reach.