So I'm a Snake, Who Cares?

Could it mean the gnome before me is the strongest among all the people I've met so far?

When I asked Pelerian about this, he shook his head.

"Your ability to see through others at a glance is certainly an amazing talent. But there definitely exist magic and artifacts related to detection. That sinister gnome must be wary and thoroughly hiding himself."

That's right.

But I have no intention of giving up.

He's clearly the best magician I've actually met, so wouldn't there be skills to see and borrow?

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[Traits]

...[Magic Maniac], [Mask]...

──────────────

Indeed, when I concentrated, some things became visible.

Beyond traits.

Skills too...

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[Skills]

...[Gravity Magic lv20], [Psychokinetic Wave lv20]...

[Supreme Elemental Magic: 4 Elements]...[Intermediate Elemental Magic: Ether lv5]...

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Intermediate Elemental Magic... Ether?

Isn't elemental magic about utilizing the 4 elements?

There were several high-level skills worth borrowing. I could feel myself drooling.

'Whew, must hold back.'

But using Crown of Steal here would surely be discovered.

Previously, when I stole Thunder Spirit from Gunter too.

From that far distance, he sensed something strange and threw his spear.

"It's an impressive created magic, but it's difficult to score something incomprehensible."

But the director suddenly said that.

"I'd like to test something else."

Is he sulking because we didn't explain how it was done?

Seems likely. Mages are that sort of bunch after all.

Obern frowned.

"In that case, what would you like me to show?"

"Sharp eyes are very important for a mage."

The gnome director also tapped beside his eye with his finger.

"This time, try to copy what I do. As much as you can follow."

See that? Clearly he's upset because he couldn't copy my beam properly.

The gnome drew his finger down vertically.

Whoosh.

A line of flame was drawn.

However, that flame wasn't hot at all.

Also, without any firewood to burn, it just flickered while fixed in midair.

Then the director flicked his finger, and the upper part of the flame split into several branches.

Exclamations already burst forth.

"The hint is..."

The director snapped his fingers with a click.

Water vapor started condensing in the air.

"I only used very basic magic."

Instead of falling, the condensed water droplets started forming in midair.

What the gnome mage was expressing was clear.

The professors couldn't help but admire.

"It's a tree, you expressed a tree!"

"Such a beautiful combination of magic..."

A combination utilizing multiple magics simultaneously.

This was truly mages' play - showing off their skills through how to connect such combinations.

"Try copying it."

The director had now thrown a test at Obern.

Whether he could grasp his magic combination.

And Obern, wearing a relaxed expression...

'...I have no idea.'

Was half panicked.

Though Obern is made up of bluffs, he's not actually stupid.

As a mage he was naturally intelligent and had high achievements for his age.

However, it's difficult to instantly grasp a test deliberately set by one of the 8 heroes.

So he made the most rational choice.

'Please help!'

He asked me for help.

'A wise decision, Obern.'

After saying that majestically, I glanced to the side.

Help me, Pelerian!

Though grumbling, Pelerian started explaining.

"He lit elemental fire magic at low temperature."

'He lit elemental fire magic at low temperature.'

"You lit elemental fire magic at low temperature."

Pelerian's words are repeated by me, and my words are repeated by Obern.

A three-stage communication that no one in this place notices.

"Though it's an illusion of flameless fire, he shaped the tree through wind and earth magic."

Obern recited those words smoothly while demonstrating.

Yes, do well!

He copied similarly.

Whoosh-

Indeed, a line of flame was drawn in the air.

"Using dust floating in the air as a medium to gather moisture. That forms the leaves."

Click.

Obern snapped his fingers.

Actually a completely unnecessary motion, but definitely looked cool.

Moisture condensed to serve as leaves.

"Ohh..."

"Similar!"

It would have appeared as if Obern instantly grasped the director's combination.

But actually, looking closely, inadequacies could be felt.

First the size was much smaller, and the wind magic control was amateur.

Without the original, one might not have thought it was a tree.

"The four elements forming one tree... this must be Yggdrasil."

Obern naturally delivered Pelerian's words as dialogue.

"You've depicted Yggdrasil."

"Eh?"

The director's eyes widened.

"How did you know?"

"The four elements forming one tree... I grasped it from that point."

"Professor Obern, you're not just good at magic. To think your knowledge was this deep."

He acknowledged that Obern's guess was correct.

Admiration burst forth from all around.

"However, tell him the fifth element is missing."

"However, one thing is lacking. Ether..."

The director's expression turned serious for a moment.

"...How did you know?"

"..."

Obern didn't answer, just smiled faintly.

The director finally gave a wry smile and took out a white wand the length of a forearm from his chest.

When he waved it.

Patztztz...

Five-colored sparks started flickering from the tree's leaves.

That must be that ether or whatever elemental magic.

"Now flowers have bloomed on Yggdrasil."

"You're the real thing. I don't know how long it's been since I've admired someone like this."

And the director offered another handshake to Obern.

"You praise me too much."

The watching interviewers also stood up and started applauding.

In this moment there was no jealousy or envy.

As those who stepped into magic, they could only purely admire.

To Director Balanyar who showed beautiful magic.

And to the young genius professor who grasped it at a glance.

Applause and acclaim.

'I'm envious...'

The pouring applause and admiring cheers.

Respect dwelled in the eyes of those looking this way.

Yet I was just coiled inside Obern's sleeve. At that moment something I didn't expect happened.

「Acclaim pours onto the connected target.」

「Receiving respect and awe together.」

Am I sharing the respect thanks to the Crown of Connection?

So what does that do?

「Due to 'Royal' trait, obtaining 'Noble Dignity'.」

...Noble Dignity?