A stone tied with a letter had smashed through the Serpent Master's window. If it had been a crossbow bolt instead. Or a bomb or magic. I might have fired a dagger instead of a restrained Ray. The output-controlled Ray for subduing was akin to a powerful finger-gun. It'd feel like a hole punched in the thigh. No wonder he screamed and toppled over.
'What the hell is that bastard doing.'
I needed to go down and catch him. But first, I checked what he'd thrown. The letter bound to the stone was on vivid red paper from who-knows-where. Scrawled in rough handwriting:
📜 ANONYMOUS DENUNCIATION 📜"The 3rd Prince is a tyrannical brute. This is just a blatant ploy to rehabilitate his image by playing teacher to that cruel prince. You dog of power! Who put you up to it?!"
What the hell is this? Playing teacher to the 3rd Prince? No one would hurl anonymous screeds over tutoring him in class. Word must have spread about me smacking that precocious prince's thigh. Was that why this rumor was circulating?
'No, even Headmaster Ballarnyar said that. Why is everyone drinking kimchi soup?'
-What soup?
Pellelian glanced subtly at Obern.
-Doesn't he look like one of those schemers with some grand plan?
'Ugh...'
Ballarnyar had asked if he was trying to become a 'Chiron'—that is, if the Court Chancellor and I were backing the 3rd Prince. Obern was indeed the Chancellor's dog, but he hadn't taken up the whip for any grand scheme.
'Let's go, Obern!'
"Yes!"
Now we were in sync. I coiled around Obern's staff, and he strode out with it. Outside was already in chaos. Someone must have heard the scream or seen my Ray. Professors and guards stood around the intruder. Emerald School's security was supposed to be tight—how had he gotten in?
Peeling off the mask revealed a surprisingly youthful face. No, he didn't even look like a full adult.
"Hey, you punk! If you're a student, act like one! What the hell is this?!"
A professor was bellowing at him. Could the stone-thrower really be an Emerald School student? He glanced our way and averted his eyes in panic. He'd been bold enough to mime slitting his throat moments ago.
"Do you know him?"
Obern approached and asked. The one yelling at the youth—somewhere between young man and boy—was none other than the Dean of Academic Affairs.
"Ah, Professor Obern. Did you subdue this brat?"
"Yes. He threw this."
He presented the stone and red letter as evidence. The Dean read it and paled.
"This... Hoo."
Apparently, the stone-pelting terrorist was a third-year student. I'd never even attended a third-year class—why the grudge?
"Ha, this is a real headache. Puberty's got him overflowing with hot blood..."
Just convene a disciplinary committee and punish him, right? When Obern asked, the Dean whispered,
"You know the 2nd Prince is in third year. He has quite a following, and this seems like one of them."
"Ha."
Obern let out a hollow laugh. I nearly snorted too.
"In principle, we'd hold a committee... but escalating could complicate things. Leave him to me—I'll handle the scolding."
I nodded to Obern.
"Apologize properly to Professor Obern. Bring your parents too."
"Yes? Please, don't tell my father...!"
Worrying about parental scolding made him seem like a kid after all.
-A princes' pissing contest, probably. Common stuff.
'Did that 2nd Prince order it?'
-Could be, or the kid acted alone. The 2nd and 3rd Princes have different mothers. The 2nd is already a third-year here, and his followers don't like the 3rd following suit.
The 'tyrannical brute' label fit the Philly I'd seen. In my view, he wasn't fit for the throne either.
'Hmm, a stronger human kingdom wouldn't benefit me.'
-Exactly, you monster.
Nanaruk wanted a goblin kingdom. A weaker humanity would be better—maybe the 3rd Prince ascending wasn't so bad.
"By the way, Professor."
The Dean whispered to Obern, standing on tiptoes due to the height difference.
"Is the Court Chancellor really backing the 3rd Prince?"
He usually scowled at Obern, but now his tone was syrupy. Obern replied aptly.
"How could I know his intentions?"
"Ha, haha... Right."
The Dean forced a smile, acting buddy-buddy.
"I heard you volunteered as the 3rd Prince's dedicated tutor. Knew something was up then."
"...I see."
Obern volunteered? He hadn't. Maybe the Chancellor's influence. The Dean lingered cloyingly before leaving.
On the way back to the dorm, I asked Obern.
'Is that old Chancellor guy that big a deal?'
'A major power player. Strongest noble besides the two old dukes.'
He looked loaded. Backing Philly with Obern at his side. Hm. Hmm...
'King's teacher, huh.'
Prince's teacher wasn't bad, but king's teacher sounded better. As I mused,
'The Chancellor promised rewards too.'
'Rewards?'
'Yes, proper guidance for the 3rd Prince would merit commendation. Didn't specify, but he's generous—worth expecting.'
Artifacts from his warehouse flashed in my mind. Tempting items I'd missed. Maybe request those.
'Well, Prince Philly probably hates me now.'
'What, over one scolding?'
My motivation surged. Turn that prince into a good disciple like Amaen, and someday 'that' might be possible.
'Old man, remember the kingdom's crest?'
-The three-headed eagle clutching a snake?
'Yeah, that ugly thing.'
The kingdom's symbol was a three-headed eagle gripping a snake. Grotesque, zero aesthetic sense. Time to change it.
'To a crystal snake with a crown...!'
Then the kingdom's knights would bear my image. Even Gunter. A terrifying plan.
But Pellelian's reaction to my grand ambition was deflating.
-Is that all you want as National Master? You always exceed expectations.
'Hehe, great idea, right?'
-...Sure, let's say so.
Nanaruk would make a goblin kingdom too. I'd ask to include me in theirs.
-Will that prince submit easily? After the thrashing, he might avoid you.
Fair point. Even with Obern's help, a teacher's influence on a student was limited. Peer relations mattered hugely in academy life—with his personality, no friends.
'Obern, one more meeting with that prince tomorrow.'
'Yesss... Understood.'
We returned to our quarters. The next day, entering the lecture hall coiled on the staff, I was stunned. The prince wasn't alone. Two others sat beside him, bantering casually without deference.
He'd made friends. And they were familiar: Amaen and Lania.
'Amaen, you lucky charm!'
At least I'd raised one disciple right.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇There's an old saying: the grace of sovereign, teacher, and parents is equal. Though my path to it was mostly 'circumstantial.'
I'd taken Amaen as disciple. Thus, as master, I bore responsibility and duty toward him. Like bearing eternal accountability for what you've tamed. Or a father protecting his child—I must guard and teach Amaen.
Though as a busy snake, I couldn't always stay by his side. Still, fate reuniting us meant imparting the magical knowledge he craved.
We hadn't properly greeted yet. After class, I had Obern approach the Amaen trio.
"Hieeek!"
Prince Philly spasmed. Recalling the five thigh shots? Amaen and Lania tensed at Obern too.
"A quick meeting."
The prince freaked.
"I won't meet you ever again!"
Was it that terrifying? A bit hurtful, but I wasn't after the prince.
"Not talking to you, Prince Philly."
"...What?"
"Your ego's out of control."
Obern deadpanned without smiling. The prince flushed. Instead, Obern named,
"Amaen Riddle."
"Y-yes!"
Amaen perked up smartly.
"A quick meeting."
Obern lifted the staff with me coiled. Amaen beamed from confusion.
"Got it!"
He followed promptly. Philly and Lania hesitated, then trailed awkwardly. Wondering what Obern would do to Amaen?
At the research lab door:
"Good you followed, but meetings are one-on-one. Wait here."
The prince and Lania were left in the hall. Only Amaen entered.
"Professor...?"
"Phew."
Obern sighed, swung the staff to cast soundproofing magic—blocking eavesdroppers—then flopped into a chair.
"Aigoo. Exhausting."
The charismatic genius professor sounding like an uncle startled Amaen. I'd prepped him: Obern knew we'd reveal a secret.
I uncoiled from the staff. Amaen's jaw dropped.
"M-Master!"
"Saaak!"
Amaen rushed me. I leaped into his arms. Master and disciple reunited in warm embrace.
"It's you, Master! Why're you so small?"
"Sasasak, saak, sak!"
⚡ SKILL ACTIVATED ⚡Giantification Lv2
I grew larger with Giantification.
"Ah, you can adjust size."
Not quite—evolution. I quickly grabbed a pen.
'Been well, Amaen? You've grown.'
"Lots! Made friends too."
'Those two? Good job. How's Royle?'
"Father's now..."
We chatted cozily. Amaen asked too.
"Why on Professor Obern's staff...?"
'Ah, Obern?'
Obern tensed at his mention, bracing for his secret's reveal.
'My partner. Helping each other while here.'
"Whoa... Master's partner. Impressive."
'Partner' over 'slave' to save face. Obern looked shocked, maybe touched.
'Learned much magic?'
"Worked hard! Wanted to ask—could you check my skills?"
My latest disciple? Of course. Then an idea struck. Pen-talk was tedious. New power time.
'Extend your hand, Amaen.'
"Like this...?"
I deactivated Giantification, climbed onto his palm.
⚡ SKILL ACTIVATED ⚡Connection Crown Lv1
Amaen winced oddly but accepted.
✅ SUCCESS ✅Connection established.
'Hear my voice?'
"Wha— M-Master?!"
Hearing me directly moved him deeply, eyes welling.
⚡ CONNECTION ESTABLISHED ⚡Connection target 'Amaen Riddle Lv14' relationship set as 'Disciple'.
🌿 EFFECT ENHANCED 🌿Connection Crown Lv1 effect strengthened.
Huh?
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