VVIP Headmaster Ballarnyar certainly looked young. True to his gnome nature, he was short in stature, and his features resembled those of a boy. But in truth, he had to be at least over a hundred years old. Yet he wasn't respected by the illustrious professors simply because of his age. It was all due to his own prowess.
When naming the greatest mage in the current kingdom, there were undoubtedly two: Headmaster Ballarnyar himself, and the lord of the Magic Tower. Astonishingly, the academy's headmaster was evaluated on the same level as the Magic Tower's master.
The flashy combination he'd demonstrated today was, in fact, little more than child's play compared to his true abilities. That was why the headmaster commanded respect—and why the village chief's words carried weight.
"Who else is applying? Anyone left?"
"One more was supposed to come today. But... it's past the time, and they haven't shown up."
The dean of academic affairs checked his pocket watch. The applicant's scheduled time had long passed.
"Who is it?"
"A man named Coben Axel. He was a promising talent who worked at the Empire's Asherus Research Institute..."
"Never heard of him."
Then, as if it had just occurred to him, the headmaster tapped his temple.
"I recall Obern worked briefly at the Asherus Research Institute too. They might know each other."
At some point, it had shifted to calling him "Obern." The fondness in his tone revealed the headmaster's intentions. Sure enough, he spoke up.
"I liked Obern the most. What do you all think?"
"I agree."
The dean concurred. The other professors nodded as well.
"...His scores were the highest, after all."
"His attitude seems a bit arrogant, but a young man needs that kind of spirit..."
In truth, some found him burdensome. Especially those who valued status—they looked down on the fact that Obern's family had fallen into decline.
Ballarnyar chuckled.
"Heh, I know what you're all worried about. Who among you hasn't been called a genius at some point?"
The headmaster seemed to see right through the professors' hearts.
"But from what I just saw, Professor Obern isn't merely flashing innate talent."
"Did you see something we missed, Headmaster?"
Someone asked, and Ballarnyar nodded.
"He felt like a seasoned grand archmage. That's the impression I got."
Such an evaluation...
"That insight couldn't come from a young human. It's simply impossible. Perhaps—at the very least—his eye for magic... or his knowledge... might even surpass mine in some ways."
"How could you say such a thing!"
"That's just the impression I got. Though it's unlikely, of course. Doesn't that mean Obern is a uniquely brilliant genius?"
The headmaster was kind but never spoke empty flattery. Sighs and gasps erupted simultaneously among the professors.
Watching them, Headmaster Ballarnyar thought to himself:
'For someone like that, his actual magic use was still crude and unrefined...'
One side exceptional meant the other had flaws. In any case, the headmaster's assessment of Obern was unprecedented.
The professors here once again raised their evaluation of Obern Grimoire.
Amid applause and admiration...
⚡ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚡The scholars hold awe for the connection target.
⚡ TRAIT ACQUIRED ⚡Due to the 'Royal Blood' trait, you have gained 'Dignity'.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇Oof, that startled me! As I headed up to the hotel room, another message like that rang out. It was the exact same one I'd heard earlier in front of the Emerald School interviewers.
'Hurry up and get upstairs.'
'Yes, understood.'
Obern climbed the stairs briskly with his long legs. Thanks to me being a rich snake, he'd been able to check into a nice hotel again.
I'll check it out once we're in the room.
'Hey, when those people were praising you just now...'
"Yes...?"
'Didn't you suddenly feel anything? Like your chest swelling with grandeur or something.'
"Well, my heart raced a bit. Isn't that normal?"
'...Yeah, probably.'
Come to think of it, getting praised usually made your chest swell anyway.
'But aside from that. Like real power surging through your body.'
"I don't think so."
I had felt it. That "Dignity" wriggled inside me like a living thing.
Oh right, not everyone gets these friendly status messages like I do.
-Don't waste time. That fool knows nothing for sure.
'Really? Then what is it?'
I'd told Pellelian about the Dignity too. He hadn't recalled anything immediately and said he'd think on it.
-It's similar to the Emperor's trait.
He must have remembered something.
-Some are born with the Emperor's trait. Among humans and monsters alike. Some are true royalty by birth, others not.
'Ooh.'
-Regardless, they end up leading packs. Becoming kings or generals, or even heading gangs of thugs. For monsters, they lead their kin...
I've seen plenty of boss monsters, but never one with the Emperor trait. It must be pretty rare.
-From observation, a notable effect was found...
'What is it?'
-Their personal power varies based on how many pledge loyalty or how fervent the support is.
To sum up Pellelian's words: Emperors cheered by multitudes grow that much stronger.
-You're probably the same. Since your Dignity stems from the 'Royal Blood' trait.
Definitely.
'But those professors weren't cheering for me.'
-Since you're connected to that human, their cheers must have reflected back to you.
Is that how it works? Then the timing was exquisitely perfect.
I gained the "Royal Blood" trait upon evolving into Little Prince Serpent. But I shrank too, so who would respect or revere a tiny snake? Breaking through prejudice and preconceptions is no easy feat.
But I'd chosen Obern as my subordinate. Humans mistook the flashy exterior for genius and showered him with acclaim—which benefited me.
'Good thing I picked this guy.'
Look at those eyes glazed with excellence. Clearly just spacing out, though.
Then it hit me.
'What about Ouroboros?'
-You mean the goblins.
'Hate to say it myself, but they worship me.'
Surely the goblins hadn't forgotten me entirely.
-You're so different now from back then. Or maybe they've finally started forgetting you.
'...Hmm.'
I'll have to meet Nanaruk later. But right now, other priorities.
'I need to figure out exactly what this Dignity does.'
-Go ahead. Like how you can feel the mana accumulated in my body when you focus.
I could feel the Dignity swelling in my chest. It took about three hours, roughly.
To pinpoint a concrete use for the Dignity.
Since it originated from the "Royal Blood" trait, I wondered if it linked to the crown skills.
⚡ SKILL ENHANCEMENT ⚡You can temporarily enhance Crown of Connection lv1 by consuming Dignity.
Bingo. I could use the Dignity I'd gained to empower crown skills.
'Like temporarily boosting skill levels with the Crown of Overcoming?'
I thought so at first, but it was slightly different. Dignity seemed to enable special effects beyond the base crown skills.
Like turning Gum-Gum Pistol into Gum-Gum Jet Pistol with Gear Second.
However, the Dignity I had was still meager. It couldn't be used on Crown of Domination, Overcoming, or Seizure—only on Crown of Connection.
'Should I try it here...?'
🗡 Altead Ritual Celadon 🗡Ceremonial celadon vessel infused with mana.
For reference, Isil was planted in it right now. I'd brought it specially to make a home for Isil.
But as I focused my mind on the flowerpot...
⚡ SKILL USAGE ⚡You can use Crown of Connection lv1 on inanimate objects—or rather, mana-infused artifacts—by consuming Dignity.
Connection was now possible on non-living things, specifically mana-charged artifacts.
What would happen if I used it on one?
'...Nah, hold off for now.'
I wanted to test it, but decided against it. It was like Isil's cushion—what would connecting to it do right now? There'd be chances soon enough.
I didn't know how much more Dignity I could gather either...
I looked at Obern. Time to make better use of him. His acting skills would prove useful going forward.
That's when it happened.
Knock knock.
A knock echoed from outside. I quickly hid, and Obern opened the door.
It was a hotel staff member.
"What is it?"
"A letter for you, Mr. Grimoire."
The envelope bore the Emerald School's seal. We'd just had the interview today—already?
Obern shut the door and tore open the letter in a frenzy. I scurried over to peek.
To Mr. Obern Grimoire,
We extend our deepest gratitude for visiting our Emerald School...
To summarize briefly: He was accepted. Report for duty next week, that sort of thing.
'Nice!'
Obern collapsed to his knees.
"Ughhh!"
And started shedding tears of emotion.
Yeah, relief sets in. But this is just the beginning—crying already? And no backing out of the contract now. You're my subordinate forever.
Play today, but tomorrow morning, straight to the bank. Got it?
Obern nodded through his sobs.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇Solion Royal Bank.
Even as a royal bank, it didn't serve as the king's private vault. Maybe in ancient times, but not in this modern era. Advanced nations need reliable financial systems. If the king dipped into the bank's funds at will, who would trust it?
It was obvious, yet many didn't grasp it. In that sense, the king several reigns back had wisely made the bank independent.
Though he probably didn't think of it himself. The mighty Empire had already established such a system.
Still, emulating the Imperial Empire Bank was wise enough to call him a sage king.
Having preserved that independence, the bankers took pride in their work. They treated nobles the same as any guest—courteous but not servile, meticulous and impartial.
Their sole criteria: deposit amounts and asset scale. Status meant nothing.
Of course, since clients didn't wear their wealth on their foreheads, judging eyes mattered.
'Hm, not a deadbeat.'
New teller Mikael thought that upon seeing the guest in the waiting area. VIPs went straight to VIP counters, so probably a regular or first-timer...
'Smells like money.'
He was strikingly handsome. A man with long blond hair tied loosely back, legs crossed, fingers interlaced—elegant poise. Bound to be VIP soon. Should offer tea to make a good impression.
That very moment.
Mikael thought he'd misseen.
'Huh...?'
A toy? No way a grown man carries that. Pretty, but it's clearly alive.
He thought that seeing the crystal snake slithering along the man's wrist.
'No live animals in the bank!'
Even VIPs couldn't bring pets inside. Strict, longstanding rule.
Mikael rushed to his senior teller. She heard the story and shot up from her seat—muscular build.
"Where?"
"Over there!"
Mikael trailed after her briskly to the man. A "friendly" warning from her would scare even a noble.
"Sir."
"Ah, finally."
But the guest pulled a golden key from his coat pocket. Squishy-looking, like it wouldn't turn properly.
The moment she saw it.
Her back bent ninety degrees.
"Vault user, I presume. Apologies for the wait."
"It's fine. But I won't wait longer."
"We'll prepare immediately. One moment, please."
Mikael gaped. His scary senior, so deferential?
Asking as she passed: "No chasing out the animal?"
"Idiot, chase out VIPs? VVIPs, no way."
She just growled that.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇No wonder the bankers turned friendly the instant he showed the key.
'Vault rental must cost a fortune. See how polite they got.'
I asked Obern, but:
'I didn't even know underground rental vaults existed.'
Probably not publicized to the public. Just how rich was Pellelian?
Security to the underground vault was airtight. No stairs down—only a magically operated elevator. In emergencies, cut the cable, and the path seals off.
Of course, we weren't here to steal; just to claim our vault's contents. No issue.
The guiding teller seemed excited.
"An anonymous vault—my first."
Apparently, they didn't normally allow anonymous rentals.
We clomped down the underground corridor. Iron doors lined the walls—each a vault.
We reached the deepest end.
There loomed especially massive iron doors. Unlike others, no name—just "006."
"Here it is. Shall I open the vault door?"
Obern nodded, and the teller gently inserted the golden key.
Click, whirrr...
With odd sounds, the locks began disengaging.
'Wonder what's inside.'
Curious. 8,000 galleons? Or mithril maybe. No clue.
-Opening.
Screeech—
Finally, the vault door swung open.
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