So I'm a Snake, Who Cares?

Why is Master here?

Crystal-like scales, and a small crown sprouting from the head.

Could there be more than one such snake in the world?

"Nemi Raiters."

"Yes."

It was natural for Amain to think of Snake teacher.

But the place where that teacher was seemed strange.

Coiled around an unfamiliar professor's staff like a crystal ornament.

"Max Meira."

"Here!"

Staying still like dead.

No, rather than being alive, is it a crystal crafted piece?

It seems so. Why on earth is Master hanging on someone else's staff like a decoration?

"Amain Riddle."

Yes, that must be it.

Putting animal decorations on staffs isn't anything special.

Some people carve dragons, eagles, or even beetles to attach.

That professor must prefer snakes. Not bad taste.

"Amain Riddle."

That's when Rania poked Amain's side.

"Ah, yes!"

"I will only call attendance once. Understood?"

"Yes, sir..."

Students laughed while looking at Amain.

Amain blushed slightly from embarrassment.

"Why were you so spaced out?"

Rania whispered.

"Are you going to become a fan of that professor like Nemi?"

"No, what..."

"He's a magic genius. You said you want to become a mage too."

"Just... that snake, no, the staff is unique."

"Snake?"

Rania also looked at Professor Obern's staff.

"What... huh."

She too was startled.

"Ah... pretty, pretty staff..."

There was clearly something strange about Rania's reaction.

But the flustered Amain failed to notice it.

Both simultaneously closed their mouths awkwardly.

Professor Obern Grimoire didn't seem to have a very friendly personality.

Instead of lightening the mood with small talk, he went straight into the lesson.

Slightly raising the snake-adorned staff.

"Fire."

A fireball was created.

"Water."

And next to it, a water sphere.

"Earth, and Wind."

An earth sphere, a compressed air sphere.

The four spheres symbolizing the elements simply existed in the air without dispersing or moving.

Even Amain's gaze, which had been fixed on the snake, was stolen by Obern's magic at that moment.

'...Amazing.'

Excellence reveals itself in the simplest things.

Igniting fire and stirring wind is easy.

But creating such stable elemental spheres and keeping them stationary in the air is not an easy feat.

Obern started speaking while maintaining all four spells.

"Understanding the four elements that make up the world."

And those spheres began gathering in one place.

Water, fire, earth, and wind.

They swirled without completely mixing.

"Is no different from knowing the entire world."

Professor Obern's voice wasn't loud, but it dominated this wide lecture hall alone.

"The course drop deadline is in a week. If you think you can't keep up, make your decision by then."

An arrogant statement saying leave if you can't keep up.

It might seem too haughty for a newly appointed professor.

But rather, admiration gleamed in the students' eyes.

Class time was 1 hour and 40 minutes.

Unlike other professors, Obern didn't take a break in the middle.

Nevertheless, students' concentration didn't drop significantly.

Not only was his voice good, but he also spoke well.

Except for the start of the lecture, he didn't show any extraordinary magic, but his lecturing ability was sufficient.

After 1 hour and 40 minutes, the professor ended class precisely.

"We'll stop here. Then."

Even ending the lecture so coldly had such charisma.

Nemi and several other female students, along with a few male students, admired with sparkling eyes.

Amain stood from his seat.

"Just a moment."

Saying that to Rania, he ran down the lecture hall stairs.

And caught up to the departing Obern.

"Pro, Professor."

Up close, Obern's height was really tall.

"What is it?"

There was definitely pressure in his gaze looking down from above.

The intimidated Amain realized he hadn't prepared what to say.

Suddenly asking to see the staff would probably deserve a caning.

"I, I, ah, wanted to ask a question."

He said while holding out his notebook.

"What are you curious about?"

"In the wind magic compression part, this formula..."

It was content beyond what was taught in today's first class.

Amain hastily scribbled down a formula he came up with on the spot.

"I'm not sure if there's a proper value here."

He handed the notebook to Obern.

Obern slightly furrowed his brow and took the notebook.

Actually, what he just scribbled was a difficult problem he saw in a book recently.

It's practically no different from trying to trick the professor, but he'd probably just get scolded a bit.

Boldly, that's what Amain had thought.

Taking that chance, he glanced repeatedly at Obern's staff.

'Master...?'

Up close, it definitely resembled Master.

But also, subtly different.

The crystal shone more beautifully, and above all, the size was too small.

The original Master was big enough to strangle someone to death, but now it looks like it would make a pretty accessory if worn around the neck.

'Or not. Am I mistaken?'

And also. If it were Master, there would be no reason to stay still like this.

The Master he knew would have said 'Good to see you, Amain!' and acknowledged him.

Want to look closer.

As Amain thought that.

"Amain Riddle."

"Ah, yes!"

Startled, he looked up as Obern returned the notebook.

"Next time you have questions, request a formal consultation at the professor's office."

"Yes... sir."

And Obern left.

No, even so, how can he just leave without giving an answer?

Looking at the notebook in disbelief.

"...!"

The answer was written on the scribbled formula in the notebook.

It even perfectly matched the answer he saw in the book.

Could he have solved such a difficult problem instantly in his head?

Amain could only stare blankly at the departing Obern.

==

'Amain...'

I felt a bit frustrated, and a bit sorrowful.

'How can you not recognize me?'

Who knew Amain would be in Obern's first class.

Seeing the attendance list, I thought it might be someone with the same name. But seeing from afar, that cream-colored hair was definitely Amain.

That kid, sleeping soundly in the wagon's cargo hold.

It feels like just yesterday he was reading books by firelight.

From the beginning, I taught him magic with books that were half nonsense.

Of course, I basically just passed on what Pelerian taught me, but that doesn't make Amain Pelerian's disciple.

A disciple of the Murim Public Enemy tends to become a Murim Public Enemy.

I couldn't let Amain walk such a terrible path. As a kind snake, I took Amain as my disciple.

But!

Why can't he recognize me clearly!

If Amain had just said 'Master?' once, I would have surprised him with 'Surprise!'

But even after coming close, Amain just rolled his eyes around.