Ch.64Control (2)

“I would like you to place me in the position of head teaching assistant.”

With that meaningful request,

Selena froze in bewilderment.

Was it because of the completely unexpected content?

Her red eyes blinked momentarily before regaining their light as she spoke.

Her tone was puzzled.

“Are you saying… you want to work directly under me?”

“That’s one way to put it.”

“Hmm.”

Selena let out an interested hum.

The woman set down the bottle of alcohol she was holding and adjusted her disheveled posture.

“Honestly, this is unexpected.”

“Why is that?”

“Well, there are many other head teaching assistant positions available elsewhere. I understand you’ve received offers from almost every professor.”

“I can’t deny that.”

I answered with a slight smile.

I recalled the intense recruitment battle that had been going on for a while.

Truly, all faculty members had been clinging to me, each presenting fierce conditions to recruit me.

It was an exhausting memory.

“I heard Professor Cadel has been particularly passionate in his pursuit.”

“That’s correct.”

Annihilation Magic Professor, Cadel Evans.

He was currently established as a power player alongside Professor Raphael.

Originally, the three of them including Selena were called the Big Three, but currently, she had retired after being stripped of her position as head professor.

In the midst of this, Cadel was the one most frequently mentioned as the next head professor.

“I don’t understand why you would set aside such good options… and specifically come to me.”

“Well…”

From Selena’s perspective, it was understandable to be curious.

It must have seemed like I was kicking away a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and grabbing a visibly rotten rope instead.

Of course, I had no intention of revealing my true motives.

“It’s a secret.”

I simply dodged the question with a sly response.

“So, are you planning to refuse?”

“No. I’ll accept.”

“You’re quite bold.”

“How many people in the world would turn down a genius who will go down in history when they reach out their hand?”

“I’m glad you think so highly of me.”

She gently brushed back her purple hair.

The woman gazed at me with cloudy eyes.

After exchanging glances for a moment, both of us smiled meaningfully and shook hands.

“From now on, I’ll call you Master.”

“That’s an awkward title.”

“Master, please speak comfortably as well. I am, after all, your direct disciple for at least three years.”

“That’s alright. I prefer a somewhat distant way of speaking.”

“That’s rather disappointing.”

“I don’t intend to nitpick about what title Judas uses, so let’s generously move past this.”

“Of course.”

The snake’s request was easily granted.

Those ominous narrowed eyes smiled with satisfaction and leisurely turned to walk out of the research lab.

***

The very next day.

The academy was buzzing with shocking news from early morning.

Someone must have checked the updated affiliation list, as rumors had already spread that I had joined directly under Selena.

As a result, I had to endure being the center of attention all day.

“Did you all hear the news?”

“If you mean that news… you’re talking about Young Master Snakus, right?”

“The whole place has been turned upside down since morning because of it.”

“I heard he received the position of head teaching assistant?”

“He had been putting all scout offers on hold, so I thought he wasn’t interested in that sort of thing at all.”

“Who would have thought he’d go directly under Professor Selena…”

The students whispered among themselves.

Having firmly rejected numerous scout offers until now, this decision naturally drew attention.

Especially since the subject was the top-ranked freshman, evaluated as having generational talent.

The class assignment test where he achieved victory over the princess.

The duel where he toyed with the Ice Princess.

The written exams where he maintained the top position with overwhelming scores.

Perhaps because of these brilliant achievements, all students were focused on my movements.

Of course, this decision must have seemed very unexpected to them.

“Why did he choose Professor Selena?”

“The position of head teaching assistant is certainly impressive, but… weren’t there many other professors who offered even better conditions?”

“Besides, Professor Selena isn’t even the head professor anymore.”

Everyone seemed surprised.

In a situation where I could choose my affiliation freely, they were bewildered that I had selected someone completely unexpected.

This reaction was no different among the faculty members.

“No matter how I think about it, I just don’t understand.”

“Tsk tsk… heading down the wrong path.”

“What a waste of talent. This is precisely when he should have a good mentor by his side.”

“I suppose it’s because he’s still a student. There seems to be something irrational about his choice. Of all people, Professor Selena…”

“She’s not particularly friendly to students either.”

Some faculty members even showed disappointment.

These were professors who normally harbored antipathy toward Selena, and they seemed displeased that I had gone under her.

Is this why they say not to keep people with many enemies close by?

‘Being the top student in the year is troublesome in many ways… they should just leave me alone to do as I please.’

There were specific reasons behind my choice.

First, Selena was an outstanding fantasy magician.

Although she carried the image of a drunkard and eccentric, she was unmatched in the field of fantasy magic.

I thought she could help me on the theoretical side.

The fact that she was the homeroom professor for Class A, making her easily accessible, also played a part.

Since she wasn’t the type to obsess over petty honor, she wouldn’t try to suppress or teach me.

I even received permission to act as I pleased.

For someone like me who needed some authority but didn’t want much responsibility, this was perhaps the best option.

Moreover.

‘She’s an important person for my future plans.’

I had my own circumstances.

As she would be useful in upcoming episodes, I intended to keep her close and observe.

After calculating everything one by one, I made my choice.

The suspicions of those who knew nothing didn’t affect me at all.

I just wanted to focus on what I needed to do.

“Judas Snakus.”

Yes.

That’s exactly what I thought, but…

“I don’t understand what you were thinking when you chose her. So you turned out to be nothing special after all.”

An interesting provocation came my way.

***

Over the past few months, there had been many scout offers, but the most aggressive came from none other than Professor Cadel.

Currently the third most influential figure among the faculty.

Simultaneously, a strong candidate for the next head professor position.

Originally, he was supposed to be the character in charge of Class A.

Although the original plot was disrupted and Selena took his position, his solid standing remained unblemished.

In short, he was one of the most respected figures in the academy.

Cadel had visited me almost daily to recruit me.

He even offered the radical condition of giving me the head teaching assistant position, but due to my firm rejection, he had no choice but to turn away each time.

However, he never showed signs of being displeased.

Although he had somewhat sinister aspects, treating students kindly was his principle.

But the problem was the teaching assistant he brought along.

-How long are you going to keep postponing your answer?

-Just a first-year… do you think you can test a professor?

Ian Ternado.

Currently the head teaching assistant supporting Cadel and the top student reigning over the second year.

He would frown whenever he encountered me.

-Tch… what does the professor see in this guy?

Was it because his position was at risk of being taken?

Ian had an unfavorable look in his eyes.

Whether it was simple anxiety or some kind of prejudice looking down on a junior, I wasn’t sure.

But it was certain that he wasn’t particularly friendly toward me.

And now, several weeks later.

“Judas Snakus.”

“It’s been a while. Have you been well, Senior Ian?”

“Yes. Unlike some people.”

He came looking for me again.

Judging by his timing, he must have heard the news about me.

“I hear you’ve gone under Professor Selena.”

“That’s correct.”

“That’s truly ridiculous.”

“I’m not sure what you mean.”

“Heh… after putting on all those airs and acting so high and mighty, the choice you finally made looks quite pathetic.”

Ian sneered openly.

It was undoubtedly mockery.

Perhaps because the person I chose was Selena, his sarcastic attitude was particularly severe.

“Of all the professors, you attached yourself to her… how should I interpret this?”

“You’ve been speaking nonsense from the start.”

“Surely you can’t say you didn’t know about the relationship between those two?”

“Well…”

Selena and Cadel.

The two professors didn’t get along well.

In fact, their relationship could be described as terrible.

Cadel had always coveted the position of head professor.

Because of this, he constantly checked and slandered the drunkard, while Selena found Cadel annoying.

In this situation.

A student who wouldn’t even respond to their recruitment offers suddenly attached himself to someone who was practically an enemy. From the head teaching assistant’s perspective, he must have felt the need to pick a fight.

It seemed like he wanted to put me in my place.

Ian continued speaking with a sneer on his lips.

“What do you hope to achieve by learning mere fantasy magic? She doesn’t even seem like a great mentor. Wouldn’t it be better to come to our side even now?”

“She is my master now. I would appreciate it if you refrained from crossing the line with your remarks.”

“If that’s how you want it.”

“……”

He was walking a fine line.

Rudely poking and prodding, yet skillfully avoiding anything that might cause real problems.

I quietly observed Ian.

“……”

“You should have made a better choice.”

“Hmm.”

Normally, this would be a provocation I wouldn’t particularly care about, but other students were watching us.

If I backed down here, it would also impact Selena.

It would look like the head teaching assistant was tucking his tail when his master was being disrespected.

I wanted to avoid such a situation.

‘This is troublesome.’

How should I handle this precious child?

While I was contemplating…

“Acting so arrogantly when you’re actually this docile.”

“……”

“Consider yourself lucky that you’re a junior. If we were in the same year, you would have received several duel challenges by now.”

“Ah.”

Suddenly, a good idea came to mind.

That’s it.

I can’t believe there was such a simple solution.

With an ominous smile, I immediately put my idea into action.

I remove the glove I was wearing.

“That’s a very good idea.”

“What…?”

“A duel, I mean.”

Thwack-!

I throw the removed glove directly at his broad chest.

Right after the light impact sound, the pupils of Ian, who had been standing crookedly, dilate.

I murmur.

“I, Judas Snakus, challenge Ian Ternado to a duel in the name of honor and order.”

A bombshell statement dropped among the students watching the situation.

My lips curl up involuntarily.

All I need to do is crush him.

I need to show such overwhelming proof that it will overturn all the doubts being poured on me.

“I trust you won’t run away.”

My lips provoke meaningfully.

My narrowed eyes form a grin.

It was a smile that couldn’t shake off a somewhat chilling feeling.

Looking at the victim frozen in bewilderment, I savor the dopamine rushing through me.

Inwardly, I mutter.

‘Damn, I can’t stop smiling.’

It was time for chaos after a long while.