So I'm a Snake, Who Cares?

While holding the staff, he could talk with me and share skills.

'Ah, is it because the staff and I are connected?'

It might be possible because using the Crown of Connection on inanimate objects is like a special usage? with dignity.

So what's good about being connected to the staff?

It's not that I can have conversations with it.

However, I could see right through it.

──────────────

[Sovereign's Arachne]

A staff that was offered to the King of the Eastern Army.

Made of hellish ebony wood coated with jet-black fluid, with a grotesque silver spider ornament attached.

Bael received the sacrifice, and fragments of that power remain in the staff.

──────────────

Text appears like seeing someone's status window.

That's not all, but also the power dwelling in the staff.

──────────────

[Traits]

[Amplification+++], [Assistance+], [Transmutation: Hell]

[Skills]

...

──────────────

No way, this is...

When I told Pelerian what I could see, he was shocked.

"Hell transmutation, to think such power was hidden... The King of the Eastern Army refers to the demon Bael. Indeed, so that's why it had such a level of curse."

The staff had excellent specs but had a fatal curse placed on it so normal people couldn't use it.

Somehow I keep getting involved with demons.

However, it seems the staff also has inherent skills.

──────────────

[Skills]

[Hell Magic]: Hellfire lv1, Corruption lv1

[Status]

[Curse: Madness]

──────────────

It had the Hellfire skill that Isil had.

'Hell magic'. This seems to be related to the mana transmutation trait.

Does it allow using hell magic that normally couldn't be used?

Since I can share skills with the Crown of Connection, I might be able to use hell magic too.

But the situation was beyond what I expected.

「You can absorb the abilities of connected artifacts.」

Absorb? Not just borrowing temporarily?

I might be able to use hellfire like Isil.

I focused my mind with a sensation similar to using the Crown of Steal.

Then.

Tsss-!

The staff started resisting.

It emitted such dark mana that even Obern turned pale and stepped back.

"This is transmuted mana."

It seems I can steal the staff's skills, but it probably won't be possible in just a day or two.

However, it's a bit troublesome if it emits such intense mana like this.

While I was thinking about how to handle it, Isil, who was planted in the flowerpot, approached me.

More precisely, she climbed up the staff and wrapped her vines around me.

'Ooh!'

Isil started absorbing the mana the staff was emitting.

She's Isil who could easily use hellfire originally. The staff's mana seems like a snack to her.

"Ho, you look much more splendid than before."

'Really?'

Pelerian praised like that.

It was already a splendid staff originally.

But now with the crystal snake ornament on its head and World Tree vines wrapped around it.

Now it's undoubtedly a legendary item, not just unique level.

"Yes, the one holding it looks quite dashing."

'...'

He means it's not me that looks cool.

...Hmm, wait.

At that moment, a brilliant idea flashed through my mind.

'Obern, I've got a good idea.'

==

"I didn't know course registration would be this hard!"

Rania said while holding her forehead.

Amain, who was next to her, smiled slightly.

Unlike her cold first impression, Rania had a personality befitting her age.

She laughed easily at trivial things, sometimes was overly conscious of others' gazes, and sometimes didn't care about others' views at all. That kind of personality.

A bit different from Amain who had some old soul aspects.

"Still, we could make them almost the same."

"Well, first years have lots of common subjects."

The chancellor of Emerald School is a mage, and many professors are magicians.

Of course, Emerald School doesn't only train magicians.

It's inevitable since many scholars are magicians.

There are various liberal arts, academics, and even physical training that all students must take.

'Exploration of the Four Elements' that Amain and Rania will take is also a common course.

Even those not walking the path of a magician should learn elemental magic.

Fire, water, earth, wind. The four elements that make up the world.

Elemental magic will properly deal with mana transmutation as well, so it helps those walking the path of martial arts rather than magic arts.

Therefore, Rania was determined to study the course diligently.

Rania and Amain entered the lecture hall.

It was a sloped lecture hall with steps, looking like an opera theater.

Since the front row is burdensome and the back row somewhat disappointing.

Rania and Amain took seats around the middle.

They became seatmates taking classes together.

Perhaps they could call each other friends now.

"Hey, Rania."

Then, a girl with twin tails and glasses sat next to Rania.

She was holding a notebook and pen.

"Nemi."

Nemi Raiters, Rania's roommate.

She was an outgoing girl who already had many friends due to her active personality.

Even though it was school rules, the fact that she spoke informally to Rania, daughter of a viscount, shows her personality.

"Can I sit next to you?"

"Of course."

Nemi cheerfully exchanged greetings with Amain too.

"You're Amain Riddle, right? Know me?"

"Um..."

"How disappointing. My father wrote such great articles about your father."

"Ah, Reporter Baumet."

Nemi Raiters was the daughter of famous gossip reporter Baumet Raiters.

Her father's reputation was actually 90% notoriety, but Nemi didn't seem to mind at all.

Rather, she respected her father and dreamed of becoming a reporter.

Her thick notebook was full of various information and gossip.

"Did anything happen in the boys' dormitory?"

"What do you mean?"

"About the royal family member entering this time."

"Ah..."

"You really don't know anything. The third prince is entering as a freshman with us!"

There's a saying that 'All students at Emerald School are equal except royalty.'

That means royalty is not equal but more noble.

Will the third prince adapt well to school? Amain rather had such thoughts.

"But actually I'm more excited about now than the prince."

"About the class?"

"Yeah, Obern Grimoire came as a professor."

That was the name of the professor teaching Exploration of the Four Elements.

But is that professor so great?

It was the first time both Rania and Amain heard the name.

"Ah, this is crazy."

But Nemi Raiters treated Amain and Rania like strange people.

"You haven't read my dad's articles. He's a genius professor making his name in the Empire."

"Ah... really?"

"Amain, aren't you an aspiring magician? How can you not know such a genius magician?"

Do I have to know? Amain thought so but couldn't say it, overwhelmed by Nemi's force.

Hearing her, her father Baumet Raiters wrote several articles about Professor Obern.

As Nemi enthusiastically spread such stories to freshmen and built up expectations about the professor. She seems to already have qualities of a reporter.

"And how amazing he is... well, you'll see."

Nemi sat down with a grin.

Soon after, the chime bell announcing the start of class rang.

Students sat in their seats waiting for class to begin.

The professor hadn't arrived yet, but all students stared at the door.

Strangely, no one was chattering.

Instead of chatting, everyone just watched the door the professor would enter through.

It was an incredibly strange atmosphere.

"Something..."

"Shh!"

Nemi stopped Rania who was trying to say something.

And thump, thump, footsteps were heard.

The door opened and the professor entered.

Obern Grimoire.

The young genius mage with golden hair.

Dignified and beautiful appearance.

Even the staff he holds is elegant and artistic.

"Ah, he's really so handsome."

Nemi muttered like that.

Rania had to agree.

Rania glanced at Amain.

But Amain was pale and his mouth slightly open.

She thought it strange for a boy to be so amazed, but.

"M-Mas..."

Amain's lips trembled.

His gaze was fixed not on Obern but on that staff.

Because a small snake wearing a crystal crown was attached to the staff.

"...Master?"

Could they be reuniting like this?