Applaud the Crown of Connection!

Crown of Connection! The new crown skill I'd gained after evolving into a Little Prince Serpent. It was no different from requiring an entire evolution just to acquire a single skill.

So, was the Crown of Connection that incredible? On par with the Crown of Domination, Crown of Theft, or Crown of Overcoming?

Embarrassingly, I hadn't been using my crown skills to ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠their full potential. The Crown of Theft was a different story—I'd milked it for all it was worth. How many skills had I stolen with it? But Domination and Overcoming? Not so much.

With Domination, I couldn't control anything too smart or too strong. Unless my power grew immensely, there were limits to my dominance. As for the Crown of Overcoming… honestly, its utility seemed decent, but I just sucked at using it. The biggest issue was the massive mana drain.

I'm the type who deploys versatile skills like Transparent Hand right where they're needed. In short, a high-intelligence character. On the flip side, the Crown of Overcoming seemed perfect for unleashing overwhelming firepower in one go—especially against tough, resilient monsters or, even more so, humans.

So what about this new Crown of Connection? Simply put, it was an upgraded version of Isil's Empathy. Like Empathy, it required physical contact with the target. Once connected, telepathic communication was possible straight into their mind. No need for scribbling notes—way faster and more convenient.

And I could share skills too.

But it needed the target's consent. Useless against enemies, but a utility powerhouse for subordinates or allies.

Ray was originally a skill no human could use. "A cool, badass monster firing a ray from its mouth." That was the essence of the technique.

And yet, Obern ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Grimoire could now use it. Judging by Pellelian's shock, it was a big deal. Maybe thanks to my Potential 20 granting the Diligence trait.

Firing it from his mouth wouldn't have been cool. But Obern made it stylish, emitting the ray from his fingertips.

Kiiing!

It wasn't max power, but it shattered the mages' common sense. Light gathered and fired. No trace of any of the four elements. The professors versed in magic were all flustered.

"How in the world did you do that?!"

Interviewers were supposed to analyze and test the candidate. Instead, they were begging for enlightenment from the interviewee.

Obern spoke softly. "I simply deconstructed light magic, condensing it into wave energy at the particle level."

What the hell does that even mean? It sounded like bullshit, but he delivered it so confidently. The interviewers looked baffled.

"Then… how do you fire it in a straight line? The mana would go wild, wouldn't it?"

"Just revise the equation in real-time, no?"

"No, but… how…?"

Obern tapped his temple. Mental math, he meant. I thought it was too much bluff, but damn, he was a pro at it. No one called bullshit. They just clamped their mouths shut in awe.

They bought it that easily?

-No kidding. If I were interviewing, I'd smash him.

I thought it'd wrap up smoothly. Then a real threat appeared.

Clap, clap, clap, clap.

Someone showed up. He looked young—no, childlike. No beard, height up to Obern's chest. He wore a robe dragging slightly on the floor. Obviously not human.

-A gnome.

Pellelian said so. First gnome I'd seen. I'd heard they were handy with crafts and magic.

The interviewers shot to their feet. "President Ballarnyar!"

"We didn't know you'd grace us without notice."

He looked like a boy, but as a gnome, he could be ancient. And clearly revered—their reactions said it all. Ballarnyar something-or-other, one of the Eight Heroes.

Obern's reaction? 'Aaaah, we're screwed!' A mental scream. But outwardly, no sign. Just hand on heart, slight bow. The guy showed no weakness unless drunk and alone.

'Calm down, Obern.'

'The president himself for an interview… He'll see right through us!'

Pellelian tsked. -This flashy trash doesn't even know whose advice he's getting.

Obern didn't know about Pellelian. I relayed his advice as my own.

I briefly severed the link so Obern wouldn't hear. 'You know this gnome?'

-Never heard of him in my active days. Pathetic compared to me.

'If you don't know him, maybe he's a real big deal…'

-Gnome's are long-lived. Over a century old and only now famous? Not impressive.

Pellelian logic, but I let it slide. The president strode up briskly and stood before us.

"Fascinating."

"A pleasure to meet you. Obern Grimoire."

"Likewise."

The diminutive president offered a handshake. Obern took it politely.

Then he asked, "Did you do it like this?"

He raised his hand, twirled his index finger. A mana storm whipped up. White light gathered at his nail tip, aimed at the straw dummy—and a ray shot out.

Kwaang! The dummy's head exploded.

This gnome, not even a monster, mimicking my ray. The professors ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠applauded in awe. But the president who pulled it off looked unimpressed.

"No. Too much mana waste. It explodes instead of piercing. And above all… not clean."

He looked up at Obern with a boyish grin. "How'd you do it?"

This time, Obern didn't spout vague jargon. As a con artist, he went pro.

"Heh."

Just a sly smile.

"Aw, no fun. 'It's a secret,' right?"

And it worked. The president didn't grovel like the others. The mood warmed.

I seized the moment, focusing on the president. Time to size up my fourth hero.

And it was shocking.

First time a status window was this garbled. Not even Gunter or named monsters were like this.

Was this gnome the strongest I'd met? I asked Pellelian; he shook his head.

-Your piercing sight is impressive, but anti-scrying magic and artifacts exist. That sly gnome's hiding.

Fair enough. But I wouldn't give up. Top mage among those I'd met—bound to have skills worth borrowing.

Focusing mentally revealed more. Beyond traits… skills too.

Intermediate Elemental Magic… Ether? Isn't elemental magic the four basics? Plenty of high-value skills to borrow. Drool-worthy.

'Hoo, hold back.'

Using Crown of Theft here would get spotted. Like with Gunter and his thunder skill—he sensed it from afar and hurled his spear.

"Impressive original magic, but hard to score something incomprehensible."

Then the president added, "I'd like to see something else."

Butthurt 'cause you won't spill how? Plausible. Mages are like that.

Obern frowned. "If so, what shall I demonstrate?"

"A magus needs sharp eyes."

The gnome tapped beside his eye. "Follow my lead this time, Obern. As much as you can."

Check it out. Pouting 'cause he couldn't replicate my ray perfectly.

The gnome raised a finger, slashed downward vertically.

Fwoosh.

A line of flame traced it. But it wasn't hot. No fuel, just flickering in midair.

He flicked his finger—and the flame's top split into branches. Gasps erupted.

"The hint is…"

He snapped his fingers. Tak. Moisture condensed in the air.

"Just basic magic."

The droplets didn't fall; they clustered midair. The gnome magus had clearly depicted a tree. Professors couldn't hold back.

"A tree! You've shaped a tree!"

"Such a beautiful magic combo…"

Combining spells seamlessly—their playground to show off.

"Try mimicking it."

Now he was testing Obern: could he discern the combo?

Obern, looking relaxed… '……No clue.' Half-panicking.

Obern wasn't dumb—just a bluffer. Smart for his age, real achievements. But cracking an Eight Hero's deliberate test on the spot? Tough.

So he made the smart call. 'Help me, please!'

'Good choice, Obern.'

I glanced aside. Help, Pellelian!

Pellelian grumbled but explained. -Low-temp fire elemental magic.

'Low-temp fire elemental magic.'

"Low-temperature fire elemental magic."

Pellelian's words via me to Obern. Three-way relay no one noticed.

-Bluffing no heat, but wind and earth shaped the tree.

Obern recited smoothly, demonstrating. Good boy!

He mimicked it. Fwoosh— Flame line in midair.

-Gathered moisture via floating dust. That's the leaves.

Tak. Unnecessary, but cool snap. Moisture condensed into leaves.

"Ooh…"

"Close!"

Looked like Obern nailed it instantly. But scrutinized, it was off—smaller, sloppy wind control. Without the original, maybe not even a tree.

-The four elements form a tree… World Tree.

Obern delivered it naturally. "You've shaped a World Tree."

"Eh?"

President's eyes widened. "How'd you know?"

"The four elements forming one tree… I took it from there."

"Obern, it's not just magic—you're knowledgeable too."

He acknowledged the guess. Awe rippled.

-But mention the fifth element's missing.

"One thing lacks, though. Ether…"

President's face hardened. "…How'd you know?"

"……"

Obern just smiled slyly.

President gave a wry smile, drew a white wand from his robes—forearm length. Swished it.

Pzzt… Multicolored sparks danced on the leaves.

Ether elemental magic, I guessed.

"Now the World Tree blooms."

"You're the real deal. Can't remember the last time I was this impressed."

He offered another handshake. "Too kind."

Interviewers rose, applauding. No envy—just pure awe from fellow magic enthusiasts. For the president's beautiful combo. And the young genius who saw through it.

Claps and cheers.

Jealous…

Pouring applause, envious cheers. Eyes on us brimmed with respect.

I was just coiled in Obern's sleeve.

Then something unexpected hit.

……Dignity?