Conquest (2)
“I would like you to appoint me as your chief assistant.”
A meaningful request delivered in a single breath.
Selena freezes in a daze.
Was it because of the completely unexpected content?
Her red eyes, which had been blinking for a moment, soon regain their light and speak in a dubious tone.
“Are you saying… that you want to be directly under me?”
“You could say that.”
“Hmm.”
Selena lets out a hum, as if intrigued.
The woman puts down the bottle she was holding and straightens her posture.
“Honestly, this is unexpected.”
“Why?”
“If it was just the position of chief assistant, there were many other options. I heard you received offers from almost every professor.”
“I can’t deny that.”
I reply with a smirk, recalling the hectic scouting war that had been going on for a while.
Really, every faculty member had clung to me, each offering fierce conditions to recruit me.
It was an utterly exhausting memory.
“I especially heard that Professor Kadel is ardently courting you.”
“You are correct.”
Professor of extermination magic, Kadel Evans.
He was currently a powerful figure alongside Professor Raphael.
Originally, the three of them, including Selena, were called the Big Three, but she was currently retired after being stripped of her position as Head professor.
Meanwhile, the person most frequently mentioned as the next head professor was none other than Kadel.
“Leaving such a good option behind… I don’t understand why you would choose to come to me.”
“Well.”
It was natural for Selena to be curious.
It must have seemed like I was kicking away a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and grabbing a rope that was clearly rotten.
Of course, I had no intention of revealing my true motives.
“It’s a secret.”
I simply brushed it off with a sly grin.
“So, are you going to refuse?”
“No. I accept.”
“You’re quite straightforward.”
“How many people in the world would refuse when a genius who will go down in history offers himself?”
“I’m glad you think highly of me.”
She smoothly brushes back her purple hair.
The woman gazes at me with cloudy eyes.
After a brief exchange of gazes, the two of us exchange meaningful smiles and shake hands.
“From now on, I will call you Master.”
“That’s an awkward title.”
“You can speak comfortably to me too, Master. I'll be your direct disciple for at least three years.”
“It’s alright. I prefer a certain level of formality.”
“That’s a shame.”
“I have no intention of nitpicking about the title you use, Student Judas, so please be generous.”
“Of course.”
The Snake’s request is easily granted.
His ominous, narrowed eyes smile with satisfaction as he gracefully walks out of the laboratory.
***
The very next day.
The academy was abuzz with shocking news from early in the morning.
Someone must have checked the updated affiliation list because the rumor that I had become Selena’s direct disciple had already spread like wildfire.
As a result, I had to endure the constant attention all day long.
“Did you all hear the news?”
“If you mean the news… are you talking about Young Master Snakus?”
“It’s been chaotic since this morning because of it.”
“I heard he received the position of chief assistant.”
“He kept putting off all the scout offers he received, so I thought he wasn’t interested in this sort of thing at all.”
“To think he would become Professor Selena’s direct disciple…”
The students whispered amongst themselves.
Since I had consistently and firmly rejected countless scout offers, this decision inevitably drew attention.
Especially since the other party was the top-ranked freshman, evaluated as a once-in-a-generation talent.
The class placement test where I won against the princess.
The duel where I toyed with the Ice Princess.
The written exams where I maintained the top spot with overwhelming scores.
Perhaps because of the dazzling achievements I had accumulated, the students were all focused on my every move.
Of course, this decision must have been very unexpected for them.
“Why did he choose Professor Selena?”
“Of course, the position of chief assistant is amazing, but… weren’t there other professors who offered better conditions?”
“Besides, Professor Selena is no longer the head professor.”
Everyone seemed surprised.
In a situation where I could freely choose my affiliation, choosing someone completely unexpected must have been bewildering.
This reaction wasn’t any different for the faculty.
“I can’t understand it no matter how much I think about it.”
“Tsk tsk… he’s going down the wrong path.”
“What a waste of talent. It’s a time when he should have a good mentor by his side.”
“Is it because he’s still a student? It seems he has an irrational side. Of all people, Professor Selena.”
“She’s not exactly known for being warm to students.”
Some faculty members, in particular, seemed disappointed.
They were the professors who had a grudge against Selena, and it seemed they were annoyed that I had gone under her wing.
Is this why they say not to keep people with many enemies close?
‘Being the top student in the year is troublesome in many ways… It would be nice if they just let me do my own thing.’
There was a reason behind the choice I made.
Firstly, Selena was an exceptional illusion magician.
Although she had the image of a drunkard and an eccentric, she was unmatched in the field of illusion magic.
I thought she could be helpful in theoretical aspects.
The fact that she was the homeroom professor of Class A also played a part in my decision.
She wasn't the type to be obsessed with personal honor, so she wouldn't try to suppress or teach me.
Rather, I even received permission to act as I pleased.
It was, in a way, the best choice for me, who needed a certain amount of power but didn't want to take on much responsibility.
Furthermore,
‘She’s an important person in my future plans.’
I had my own reasons.
Since she would be useful in future episodes, I intended to keep her close and observe her.
It was a choice made after carefully calculating every aspect.
The doubts of those who knew nothing didn't bother me in the slightest.
I just wanted to focus on my own tasks.
“Judas Snakus.”
Yes.
That's what I thought.
“I don’t know what you were thinking choosing her. I guess you’re not that special after all.”
An interesting provocation came my way.
***
Over the past few months, there had been many scout offers, but the most persistent one came from Professor Kadel.
Currently the third most influential figure among the faculty.
Simultaneously, a strong candidate for the next head professor.
Originally, he was the character who was supposed to be the homeroom professor of Class A.
Although the original story had changed and Selena had taken his place, his solid position remained unscathed.
In short, he was one of the top figures in the academy.
Kadel visited me every day to try and recruit me.
He even offered the exceptional condition of giving me the position of chief assistant, but I had to turn him down every time due to my firm refusal.
However, he never showed any signs of being offended.
Even though he had a somewhat shady side, it was his principle to treat students kindly.
But the assistant he brought with him was the problem.
-How long are you going to keep stalling for an answer?
-Just a first-year… are you trying to test the professor’s patience?
Ian Ternado.
He was currently the chief assistant supporting Kadel and the top student reigning over the second year.
He frowned every time he saw me.
-Tsk… what does the professor see in this kid?
Was it because he was in danger of losing his position?
Ian had an unfriendly look in his eyes.
Whether it was simple anxiety or a kind of arrogance that looked down on his juniors, I didn't know.
But one thing was certain: he wasn't friendly towards me.
And a few weeks later.
“Judas Snakus.”
“It’s been a while. How have you been, Senior Ian?”
“Yes. Unlike some people.”
He had come to find me again.
Judging by the timing of his appearance, he must have heard about me.
“I heard you went under Professor Selena.”
“That’s correct.”
“You’re a real joke.”
“I don’t understand what you mean.”
“Pfft… you acted all high and mighty, but the choice you made in the end is quite pathetic.”
Ian openly sneered.
Perhaps because the person I chose was Selena, his mocking tone was particularly harsh.
“Not just any other professor, but you chose to join her… how should I interpret this?”
“You’ve been saying things I don’t understand.”
“Surely you can’t say you didn’t know about the relationship between the two of them?”
“Well.”
Selena and Kadel.
The two professors weren't on good terms.
It could be said that their relationship was the worst.
Kadel had always coveted the position of head professor.
Therefore, he constantly criticized and belittled the drunkard, and Selena found Kadel annoying.
In such a situation,
The student who hadn't even bothered to respond to their recruitment offers suddenly joined the side of their nemesis, so it seemed the chief assistant was itching for a fight.
He seemed to want to take this opportunity to put me in my place.
Ian continued, with a sneer on his lips.
“What are you going to do by learning such trivial illusion magic? She doesn't even seem like a great teacher. Wouldn't it be better to come to our side now?”
“She is my master now. Please refrain from making disrespectful remarks.”
“If you say so.”
“….”
He was walking a fine line.
He kept provoking me in an annoying way, but he subtly backed off whenever it seemed like things might become a problem.
I quietly stared at Ian.
“….”
“You should have made a better choice.”
“Hmm.”
Normally, I wouldn't have paid much attention to such a provocation, but there were other students watching us.
If I backed down here, it would also affect Selena.
It would make her look like a master who was being ignored while her chief assistant was tucking his tail between his legs.
I wanted to avoid such a situation.
‘This is tricky.’
How should I deal with this golden child?
While I was pondering,
“Acting all obedient when you were being so arrogant before.”
“….”
“Be grateful you’re a junior. If you were in the same year, you would have received several duel requests by now.”
“Ah.”
A good idea suddenly came to mind.
That's it.
There was such a simple solution.
I formed a sinister smile and immediately put my thought into action.
I took off the glove I was wearing.
“That’s a great idea.”
“What…?”
“A duel.”
Thwack-!
I threw the removed glove straight at his broad chest.
Immediately after the light impact sound, Ian’s eyes widened in surprise.
I declared,
“I, Judas Snakus, in the name of honor and order, challenge Ian Ternado to a duel.”
A bombshell dropped among the students who were watching the situation.
The corners of my mouth twitched involuntarily.
All I needed to do was crush him.
I just needed to show an overwhelming demonstration that would overturn all the doubts pouring in.
“I trust you won’t run away.”
My lips formed a meaningful provocation.
My narrowed eyes curved into a smile.
It was a smile that couldn't help but feel somewhat eerie.
Looking at my dumbfounded prey, I savored the dopamine rushing through me.
I muttered inwardly,
‘Damn, I can’t stop smiling.’
It was the return of the long-awaited time for chaos.
Read ahead by supporting me on Ko-fi. Access 5 advance chapters with the Irene's Blade Tier ($10) or 10 advance chapters with the Regia's Wings Tier ($18)!
Join our discord server for latest release updates and novel discussions.
Rate and review this novel on NU to help people find this novel. Bonus chapters on reaching milestones.
Happy reading!