So I'm a Snake, Who Cares?

Crown of Connection!

A new crown skill obtained after becoming the Little Prince Serpent.

It was like requiring one evolution just to acquire a single skill.

Then, is the Crown of Connection that remarkable a skill?

Like the crowns of 'Domination', 'Steal', and 'Overcome'.

Shamefully, I wasn't properly utilizing my crown skills.

I'm using the Crown of Steal very well in various ways. How many skills have I gained with it?

But 'Domination' and 'Overcome' were different.

With Domination, I can't handle things that are smart and strong. Unless my power becomes extremely strong, there are limits to domination power.

The Crown of Overcome...

Honestly, its utility doesn't seem bad but I'm not good at using it.

First, consuming a lot of mana is the biggest problem.

I'm the style to use versatile skills like Invisible Hand at the right time and place.

Simply put, I could be called a high-intelligence character.

Meanwhile, the Crown of Overcome seems useful when unleashing strong firepower at once.

Especially when fighting humans rather than tough and durable monsters.

Then what kind of skill is this newly acquired 'Crown of Connection'?

To put it simply, it could be called an upgraded version of Isil's 'Empathy'.

Like Empathy, it has the condition of requiring physical contact with the target.

I could communicate mentally with contacted targets.

Much faster and more convenient than having to write to converse.

And, I could share skills.

「Using Crown of Connection lv1 to share 'Beam lv3'.」

However, there's a condition that requires the target's consent.

Can't use it on enemies, but it's a utility skill that can be used on my subordinates or allies.

Beam is originally a skill humans cannot use.

The essence of the beam technique is 'magnificent and amazing monsters shooting beams from their mouths'.

「Success.」

Nevertheless, Obern became able to use beam.

Seeing Pelerian's shock, it seems like an amazing feat.

Maybe it's because of the 'Perseverance' trait I got with 20 potential.

It wouldn't have looked cool shooting the beam from his mouth.

But Obern coolly emitted the beam from his fingertips.

Kiiing!

Though its power wasn't supreme, it transcended mages' common sense.

Light gathers and is fired.

No traces of any of the four elemental magics visible.

The professors who stepped into magic all fretted.

"How did you do that!"

Interviewers are in the position to analyze and test the subject.

Yet they instead sought teachings from the interview subject.

Obern opened his mouth softly.

"I merely decomposed light magic and condensed wave energy at the particle level."

What's he talking about?

Seems like he's making stuff up but how can he be so confident?

The interviewers' expressions were perplexed.

"Then... how do you emit it in a straight line? The magic power should run wild?"

"Can't you just modify the calculation formula in real-time?"

"No, that... how..."

Obern tapped his temple area.

Saying he did it through mental calculation.

I thought it was too much bluffing, but Obern was truly a professional at bluffing.

No one shouted 'Nonsense!'

They just closed their mouths in admiration.

'They're buying it so easily.'

"Indeed. If I were the interviewer, I would have crushed him."

The matter seemed to be ending more easily than expected.

Who knew a formidable opponent would appear here.

Clap, clap, clap, clap.

Someone appeared.

A person who looked young, no, childlike.

No beard and only about chest-height compared to Obern.

Wearing a robe that slightly dragged on the floor, clearly not human.

"A gnome."

Pelerian said.

My first time seeing this race.

I heard gnomes are a race skilled with their hands and specializing in magic.

The interviewers all stood from their seats.

"Director Balanyar!"

"We didn't know you'd come without saying anything."

Though looking like a boy, being a gnome he might be quite old.

And he's clearly respected. Just look at the interviewers' reactions.

Balanyar something-us, one of the 8 heroes.

And Obern's reaction...

'Aaaack, I'm doomed!'

He was screaming mentally.

Yet outwardly there was no sign of it.

He just placed his hand on his chest and bowed slightly.

Looking at that, he seemed like someone who never showed weakness except when drinking alone.

'Calm down Obern.'

'I never thought Director Balanyar would come to the interview himself... He'll see through everything!'

Pelerian clicked his tongue.

"This superficially polished trash, not even knowing whose advice he's receiving right now."

Obern didn't know about Pelerian's existence.

Because I was delivering his advice as if it were my own.

I briefly broke the connection so Obern couldn't hear and asked.

'Do you know that gnome?'

"He wasn't even known by name when I was active. Compared to my level, he must be pathetic."

'If you don't know each other, couldn't he actually be an amazing mage...?'

"Gnomes are a long-lived race. If he's only become known now despite being at least 100 years old, he can't be that impressive."

It was Pelerian-style logic but I didn't say anything.

The director walked steadily and stood before us.

"Interesting."

"Pleased to meet you. I am Obern Grimoire."

"Nice to meet you."

The small director offered a handshake.

Obern politely accepted.

Then the director asked.

"Did you do it like this?"

He lifted his hand smoothly. Twirled his index finger.

A storm of magic power swept through.

A white light mass gathered at his fingertip.

When he pointed it at the dummy, a beam shot out.

BOOM!

The dummy's head exploded.

This gnome, daring to imitate my beam when he's not even a monster.

The professors applauded, saying it was amazing.

But the director who actually performed this impressive feat didn't look very pleased.

"No, there's unnecessary waste of magic power. It explodes instead of penetrating. Above all... it's not clean."

He looked up at Obern and smiled like a boy.

"How did you do it?"

When asked such a question, Obern didn't randomly string together difficult words like before.

As a conman, he responded more professionally.

"Huhu."

He just smiled faintly.

"Aw no fun. It's a secret, right?"

But that worked.

Director Balanyar didn't cling desperately like the interviewers.

The atmosphere became warm.

And taking advantage of that moment, I focused my eyes to observe Director Balanyar.

Let's see what kind of person this fourth hero I've met is.

But, it was truly surprising.

──────────────

[????? Balanyar ???lv???]

──────────────

This was the first time I'd seen a status window so unclear.

Not even other heroes including Gunter were like this, and neither were named monsters.