So I'm a Snake, Who Cares?

Director Balanyar definitely looks young.

Like a gnome, he's not only short in stature, but his features also resemble those of a boy.

But in reality, his age must be at least over 100.

However, it's not because of his age that he receives respect from the distinguished professors.

It was all due to the director's own ability.

When naming the greatest mages in the current kingdom, there are clearly two.

Director Balanyar himself, and the master of the Magic Tower.

Surprisingly, the academy's director is evaluated on the same level as the Magic Tower's master.

The flashy combination Balanyar showed today was, in fact, merely child's play compared to his true ability.

That's why the director was respected.

And the words from his mouth were also respected.

"Who else is an applicant? Are there more remaining?"

"One more was supposed to come today. But... though time has passed, they haven't arrived."

The academic affairs director checked his pocket watch.

The time for the applicant to arrive had long passed.

"Who is it?"

"Someone called Corbant Axel. A talented person who worked at the Empire's Asher Institute..."

"I don't know them."

Then the director tapped his head as if remembering something.

"I remember Obern also worked briefly at the Asher Institute. They might know each other."

At some point, he started calling him "Young Obern."

From the goodwill felt in his words, one could guess the director's thoughts.

Sure enough. The director opened his mouth.

"I liked Obern the most, what do you all think?"

"I think so too."

The dean agreed. Other professors were the same.

"...He did score the highest."

"Though his attitude seems somewhat arrogant, young people should have such spirit..."

Actually, there were some who found him somewhat burdensome.

Especially those who valued status looked down on Obern's fallen house.

Balanyar grinned.

"Huhu, I know what you're all worried about. Which of you hasn't been called a genius?"

The director seemed to see through the professors' true feelings.

"But from what I just saw, Professor Obern isn't just sparkling with natural talent."

"Did you see something we didn't, Director?"

Someone asked that, and the director nodded.

"He felt like an aged archmage. That's how he felt to me."

To think such an evaluation would come out.

"That insight couldn't come from a young human. It's simply impossible. Perhaps at least in terms of seeing magic... or knowledge, he might have parts superior to me."

"How could you say such things!"

"I'm saying that's what I thought. Of course, it would be difficult to actually be so. Doesn't it mean Obern is that unique a kind of genius?"

The director doesn't speak kindly without reason.

Sighs and exclamations burst forth simultaneously among the professors.

Watching this, Director Balanyar thought to himself.

'For all that, his actual use of magic itself was unrefined and crude...'

If one side is remarkable, there must be parts inferior to that.

In any case, the director's evaluation of Obern was extraordinary.

The professors here once again raised their evaluation of Obern Grimoire.

Applauding, admiring...

==

「Scholars feel reverence for the connected target.」

「Due to 'Royal' trait, obtaining 'Majesty'.」

Eek, startled!

While heading up to the hotel room, I heard that sound again.

The same message I heard earlier before the Emerald School interviewers.

'Hurry up and go up.'

'Yes, understood.'

Obern climbed the stairs with long strides.

Thanks to me being a wealthy snake, Obern could stay at a good hotel again.

Need to check when we get to the room.

'Hey, just now when you were being praised by people.'

"Yes..."

'Didn't you feel anything suddenly? Like your chest becoming majestic. Something like that.'

"Well, my heart did beat a bit faster, but isn't that normal?"

"...I guess so."

Come to think of it, my chest usually did feel majestic when someone praised me.

'But not that. I mean really feeling power overflow in your body.'

"I don't think I felt anything like that."

I did.

That 'Majesty' seemed to writhe within my body.

Ah right, not everyone hears kind status messages like I do.

"Don't waste time, that fellow surely knows nothing."

'Really? Then what is it?'

I also told Pelerian about the Majesty.

He said he didn't recall immediately but would think about it.

"It's similar to an emperor's trait."

Seems he remembered something.

"Sometimes there are those born with emperor traits. Among both humans and monsters. Some are born as true royalty and some are not."

'Ooh.'

"But regardless, such ones came to lead groups. Becoming kings, becoming generals, or even forming gangs of thugs. In monsters' cases, leading their own kind..."

I've seen several boss monsters, but never seen the emperor trait.

Must be quite a rare trait.

"However, observing the results showed something special..."

'What is it?'

"How many were loyal, or how passionate the support was, even affected individual fighting power."

To summarize Pelerian's words, an emperor who received cheers from many people became that much stronger.

"You must be a similar case. Since that Majesty originated from the 'Royal' trait."

That was certainly true.

'But those professors didn't send acclaim to me.'

"Since you're connected to that human, seems the acclaim came to you too."

Is that so.

Then the situation must have aligned exquisitely.

I gained the 'Royal' trait when evolving into 'Little Prince Serpent'.

But I also became smaller, so who would show respect and reverence to a small snake?

Breaking through walls of prejudice and preconception is difficult.

But I chose Obern as my subordinate.

Humans mistook the superficially polished Obern for a genius and sent acclaim.

That turned into benefit for me.

'Glad I chose this one.'

Look at those eyes seemingly melting with excellence.

Though he's clearly just spacing out.

Then, something occurred to me.

'Then what about Ouroboros?'

"You mean the goblins."

'Though I hate to say it myself, they worship me.'

Surely the goblins haven't forgotten me.

"You now and you then are so different. Or they might really be starting to forget you."

'...Hmm.'

I should meet Nanaluk later.