episode_0064

“I would like to be appointed to the position of Head Assistant.”

A meaningful request, spoken subtly.

Selena froze blankly.

Was it because of the completely unexpected content?

Her red eyes, which had blinked for a moment, soon regained their light and spoke.

It was an questioning tone.

“Are you saying… you wish to join my direct subordinate?”

“You could say that.”

“Hmmph.”

Selena hummed, as if interested.

The woman put down the bottle of alcohol she was holding and straightened her disheveled posture.

“Honestly, it’s unexpected.”

“Why?”

“There were plenty of Head Assistant positions elsewhere, though. I understand you received offers from almost every professor.”

“I can’t deny that.”

I chuckled lightly in response.

I remembered the hectic scramble for recruitment that had been going on for a while.

Indeed, all the faculty members had clung to me, offering fierce conditions to recruit me.

It was an exhausting memory.

“Especially since I heard Professor Cadell was enthusiastically courting you.”

“You are correct.”

Professor of Annihilation Magic, Cadell Evans.

He was currently one of the real powers alongside Professor Raphael.

Originally, Selena was also part of their group, and they were called the Three Greats, but she had been stripped of her Head Professor title and was retired.

Amidst this, the person most frequently mentioned as the next Head Professor was none other than Cadell.

“Putting aside such a good option… I don’t understand why you would specifically come to me.”

“Well, now.”

It was understandable for Selena to be curious.

It must have looked like I was kicking away a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and grasping a rope that was clearly rotten.

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

“It’s a secret.”

I simply deflected playfully.

“So, are you going to refuse?”

“No. I’ll accept.”

“You’re quite bold.”

“How many people in the world would refuse when a genius destined for history extends their hand?”

“I’m glad you see me favorably.”

She subtly brushed back her purple hair.

The woman gazed at me with cloudy eyes.

The two, who had exchanged gazes for a moment, soon shook hands, each wearing a meaningful smile.

“From now on, I will call you Teacher-nim.”

“That’s an awkward title.”

“Teacher-nim, please speak comfortably with me too. Am I not your direct disciple for at least three years?”

“It’s fine. I prefer a certain degree of distance in my speech.”

“That’s truly regrettable.”

“I have no intention of nitpicking the titles you use, Yuda student, so please be generous.”

“Of course.”

The snake’s request was granted easily.

The ominous slitted eyes smiled with satisfaction and leisurely turned to walk out of the laboratory.

***

The very next day.

The academy was bustling from early morning with shocking news.

Someone must have checked the revised affiliation roster, as the rumor that I had joined Selena’s direct subordinate had already spread far and wide.

Thanks to that, I had to contend with everyone’s gazes all day.

“Did everyone hear the news?”

“That news… you mean Young Master Snakers, right?”

“It turned everything upside down this morning.”

“He got the Head Assistant position, right?”

“He kept putting all the recruitment offers on hold, so I thought he wasn’t interested in this kind of thing at all.”

“I never imagined he’d join Professor Selena’s direct subordinate…”

The students whispered amongst themselves.

Having resolutely refused countless recruitment offers until now, this decision was bound to draw attention.

Especially since the person in question was the top-ranked new student, praised as a talent of unprecedented caliber.

The class placement test where he defeated the princess.

The duel where he toyed with the Ice Princess.

Even his written exams, where he maintained the top rank with overwhelming scores.

Perhaps due to the sheer brilliance of his accomplishments, the students were all focused on my every move.

Of course, this decision must have been very surprising to them.

“Why did he choose Professor Selena?”

“Of course, the Head Assistant position is great, but weren’t there many other professors who offered better conditions?”

“Besides, Professor Selena isn’t even a Head Professor anymore.”

Everyone seemed surprised.

In a situation where he could choose his affiliation as he pleased, picking someone completely unexpected seemed to baffle them.

This reaction was no different among the faculty members.

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

“Tsk, tsk… he’s going down the wrong path.”

“It’s a waste of talent. This is the time when he should have a good teacher by his side.”

“Perhaps it’s because he’s just a student. He seems to have an irrational side. Of all people, Professor Selena.”

“She’s not particularly friendly with students, either.”

Some faculty members, in particular, even looked disappointed.

These were professors who usually held a grudge against Selena, and my joining her seemed to displease them.

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

‘Being the year’s top student is troublesome in many ways… it would be nice if they just let me do my own thing.’

There was a reason for my decision.

First, Selena was an outstanding illusionist.

Although she carried the image of a drunkard and an eccentric, in the field of illusion magic, there was no one who could compare to her.

She would be helpful on the theoretical side.

The fact that she was the homeroom professor for Class A also made her easily accessible.

She wasn’t someone who staked her life on trivial honor, so she wouldn’t try to oppress or teach me.

Rather, I even received permission to act as I pleased.

For someone like me who needed just enough power but didn’t want much responsibility, it was, in a way, the best choice.

Moreover.

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

There was also a personal reason.

As she would be used in a later episode, I planned to keep her close and observe her.

Thus, it was a choice made after calculating everything.

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

I just decided to focus on my own tasks.

“Yuda Snakers.”

Right.

I definitely thought that.

“I don’t know what you were thinking to choose her. I guess you’re nothing special either.”

An amusing challenge was thrown my way.

***

Over the past few months, there had been many recruitment offers, but the most aggressive among them was none other than Professor Cadell.

He was currently the third most influential person among the faculty members.

And also a strong candidate for the next Head Professor.

Originally, he was also the character who served as the homeroom teacher for Class A.

Although the original plot had twisted and his position was taken by Selena, his firm standing remained unblemished.

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

Cadell had visited me every day to recruit me.

He had even offered the extraordinary condition of the Head Assistant position, but my firm refusal always forced him to turn back.

However, he never showed any signs of displeasure.

Even if he had a slightly devious side, being kind to students was his ironclad rule.

But the assistant he brought with him was the problem.

“How long are you going to keep postponing your answer?”

“Just a first-year, yet… are you trying to test the professor’s limits?”

Ian Ternado.

He was the current Head Assistant assisting Cadell, and also the year’s top student reigning over the second-years.

He would frown whenever he saw me.

“Tch… I don’t know what the professor sees in a brat like this.”

Perhaps it was because his own position was at risk of being taken.

Ian had a displeased look in his eyes.

Whether it was simple anxiety or a kind of arrogance that looked down on juniors, one thing was clear: he was not very friendly towards me.

And now, weeks later.

“Yuda Snakers.”

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

“Yes. Unlike some people.”

He came to find me again.

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

“I heard you joined Professor Selena’s subordinate.”

“That’s right.”

“It’s truly a ridiculous sight.”

“I don’t understand what you mean.”

“Pfft… you acted all high and mighty, putting on airs, but the choice you made in the end looks quite shabby.”

Ian openly sneered.

It was undoubtedly mockery.

Perhaps it was because I chose Selena, but the sarcastic atmosphere was particularly strong.

“To attach yourself to *her* of all professors… how am I supposed to interpret this?”

“You’ve been saying nonsense for a while now.”

“Surely you didn’t know about their relationship?”

“Well, now.”

Selena, and Cadell.

The two professors did not get along well.

In fact, their relationship was the worst.

Cadell had always coveted the Head Professor position.

Because of this, he constantly checked and criticized the drunkard, while Selena found Cadell annoying.

In such a situation.

A student who hadn’t even responded to their recruitment offer suddenly joined the side of their sworn enemy, so it seemed the Head Assistant was itching for a confrontation.

It seemed he wanted to put me in my place this time.

Ian continued speaking, a sneer on his lips.

“What do you plan to do by learning mere illusion magic? She doesn’t even seem like a great teacher. Wouldn’t it be better to come over to our side now?”

“She is my Teacher-nim now. I would appreciate it if you refrained from overstepping your bounds.”

“If you say so.”

“……”

He was treading a fine line.

He poked and prodded annoyingly, but subtly backed off whenever it seemed like it might cause real trouble.

I quietly watched Ian.

“……”

“You should have chosen better then.”

“Hmm.”

Normally, it wouldn’t be a provocation I’d care about, but other students were watching us.

If I backed down obediently here, Selena would also take a hit.

It would look like her Head Assistant was tucking his tail between his legs when his teacher was being disrespected.

I wanted to avoid such a situation.

‘This is tricky.’

How should I deal with this troublesome fellow?

While I was briefly contemplating.

“To act so insolent, yet you’re so meek.”

“……”

“Be glad you’re my junior. If you were in the same year, I would have sent several duel challenges your way by now.”

“Ah.”

Suddenly, a good idea came to mind.

That’s it.

To think such a simple method existed.

I wore an ominous smile and immediately put the thought that came to mind into action.

I took off the glove on my hand.

“That sounds like a very good idea.”

“What…?”

“The duel, that is.”

Thud!

I immediately threw the removed glove towards his broad chest.

Immediately after the light thud, Ian’s eyes widened as he stood crookedly.

I declared.

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

A bombshell declaration dropped among the students watching the situation.

The corner of my mouth twitched involuntarily.

All I had to do was crush him.

All I had to do was show overwhelming proof, enough to overturn all the suspicions.

“I trust you won’t run away.”

My lips provocatively spoke with meaning.

My slitted eyes smiled faintly.

It was a smile from which an unsettling feeling could not be erased.

Watching the stunned, frozen sacrificial lamb, I savored the surging dopamine.

I muttered internally.

‘Damn it, I can’t wipe this smile off my face.’

It was time to stir up trouble again.