Special Lecture from the Invited Instructor
The courtier was said to be raising snakes in his belly. Even his servants whispered that about him.
It was a vulgar, grotesque rumor, but when Jimier Berolinger, the courtier in question, heard it, he reportedly burst out laughing.
His retainers flew into a rage instead, demanding harsh punishment for the impudent servant who dared wag his tongue.
But the courtier just chuckled and said, "It's said from ancient times that snakes are wise creatures. If I'm raising several in my belly, doesn't that mean my own cunning rivals theirs?"
His retainer had no choice but to let the servant go. Though no one ever saw that servant again.
Even that anecdote revealed the true nature of Courtier Jimier Berolinger.
Jimier remembered. The sight of Philly Aden Solion, the third prince.
After that unspeakable horror, the once-bright prince had twisted.
He'd had a certain cuteness as a child. Was it because his personality and mind warped? Afterward, even his looks turned gloomy, failing to please the courtier.
Like all princes, he thought highly of himself and treated others poorly.
Prince Leon and the first prince had matured through proper education, curbing such behavior once they grew up.
But the neglected third prince, even into his teens, couldn't break his habits and kept causing trouble.
Did he fear the courtier? When Jimier stared silently, the prince trembled like a mouse before a snake.
"Kuk."
Recalling it brought an involuntary laugh.
Even the courtier couldn't fully control the third prince, though. Philly listened only to his father and mother.
There was a strangely firm will in that defiance, as if a categorical imperative echoed in his heart: 'Never heed others.'
So when assigning the third prince to Obern Grimoire, Jimier hadn't held high hopes.
The prince was weak against intimidating figures, so perhaps he'd behave a bit better before Obern.
Recently, at a drinking session with the king, the headmaster had gushed endlessly about Obern Grimoire, so Jimier came to see for himself.
Not knowing if he truly deserved such high praise.
To confirm, and perhaps threaten or coax him into realizing his place.
But to witness a prince striking a horse stance here of all places...
"How did you do it?"
"Pardon?"
How brazen.
The courtier nodded toward the prince.
Obern replied airily. "I'm training his stamina. His is so frail."
"Haha! Hahaha!"
The courtier genuinely felt pleased.
"You're the sort who could make an elephant do a handstand. I apologize for underestimating you."
"......"
"Care for a private word?"
"Certainly."
Obern gestured to the prince and students. "Out."
"Yes, sir."
The trio, prince included, bowed politely and left. The courtier's mouth gaped like a gourd.
"Have a seat."
"Right, what I originally came for..."
Plopping onto the sofa, the courtier said, "Is to present the bill."
"A bill?"
"Indeed. The favors and funding I've bestowed aren't trifles."
Favors and funding are one and the same, he thought, stroking his beard.
"One must pay for what one receives. I've given you much—which is to say, I've bought you."
His tone toward Obern had shifted slightly.
But those backed by Jimier Berolinger inevitably served such a purpose someday.
"However."
Jimier drew a blank check from his bosom.
"I seem to have miscalculated. I undervalued your price—you're worth far more than I thought."
He picked up a pen from the sofa table and offered it with the check.
"I want to buy you. Name your price."
"......"
Obern's expression remained impassive. But his hand snatched the pen like a ghost.
The moment Jimier smiled welcomingly, Obern's hand trembled with the pen.
Invisible to the courtier, a crystal snake coiled tightly around Obern's forearm.
After a brief silence, Obern smoothly slotted the pen into his case.
"You can't buy me with money."
"......But I nearly did just now."
"No such thing."
The courtier tilted his head.
"Well, the world is full of things money can't buy."
He tore the blank check into pieces and scattered them.
Obern stared blankly at the fluttering scraps.
* * *
'Snap out of it!' I shouted mentally with all my force.
'Obern, you bastard! Get a grip!'
Through the Crown of Connection, I knew: Obern's soul was half-checked out.
'Stars twinkling before my eyes...'
'Those are check pieces, not stars.'
'Ughhh...'
At this rate, even a great actor like Obern might let tears slip.
'I'll make us money.'
'...Where's a snake gonna get money?'
'You stayed in hotels on my dime—trust me.'
I vowed to Obern.
'I promise. I'll make us rich.'
'For real?'
'Yes. Now fix your face and listen to the old man.'
Thankfully, Obern pulled himself together quickly.
"I am grateful for the courtier's generosity. If there's something you desire from me, I'll help as one who received aid should."
"Those who appeal to friendship with me always meet bad ends. Heh heh."
The courtier seemed utterly taken with Obern.
"It's nothing major. You know the Grand Festival hosts the Solarian?"
"Of course."
The Grand Festival was Emerald School's celebration period.
The Solarian was a tournament open to all years.
Academies in this world honed both knowledge and combat prowess.
The Solarian selected top talents—a major event.
"Make the third prince win it."
"......"
Obern and I agreed for once.
'That's possible?'
'Possible? Has the old man's lost it?'
Obern was harsher.
"You think it's impossible."
I startled—caught off guard.
"It's not. The Solarian finals will be teams of three."
Internal info even Obern hadn't heard.
How did an outsider like the courtier know? No idea.
"And the inaugural prelim? 'Treasure Hunt.'"
"Ah."
"Remember that. They'll hide gold coins in the forest; finders advance."
Noted. How does he know this stuff?
"Get His Highness at least top three."
"We'll win."
I made Obern declare it.
"Hahaha! Such confidence."
"But to do so, we'll need certain things."
"Like what?"
A serpent strikes boldly when the time comes.
And here was a golden goblin—no, a patron.
"Elixirs, potions, and minor artifacts."
The prince, raised on luxuries, had surprisingly rich mana.
Lania too, since entering Martine, had feasted well.
But our Amaen—and Obern—were still starved inside.
Not gorging magic stones like me, but similar boosts were needed.
I ordered mana-boosting materials and useful artifacts.
With Pellelian's help, of course.
- Order like this.
'This much?' Obern worried.
Was it extravagant? The courtier's reaction...
"You... rejected the blank check, yet demand this?"
He looked baffled, then laughed.
"Fine, your price is high. I'll prepare them."
How much did I ask for?
"In return! If we fail, I claim something."
No losses for him, it seemed.
"Fail to win, and I take your life."
"......"
O! Nice deal. Nod, Obern.
I felt Obern's pulse racing.
But he knew momentum's importance.
"Of course."
No tremor in his voice.
The courtier smiled again, pleased.
After he left, Obern collapsed on the sofa, legs shaking.
"I'm dead."
Saaak!Don't worry—we'll win!
* * *
I discussed the Grand Festival and Solarian with the kids.
All three were in, naturally.
But first place startled Philly.
"First... might be a stretch..."
"Prince, do you fret defeat before starting? Aim for the top once committed. All three of you."
"You think I can take first?"
Philly had mellowed these past months.
Obern replied without hesitation.
"You will. I'll make it so."
"Ah..."
Obern showed rare fire. Philly looked moved, whatever he thought.
"So, Amaen, Lania."
"Yes!"
"Give your all, but ensure Philly wins. Hold rivals back if needed—even if you fall."
Lania yelped in surprise.
But Amaen nodded without regret.
"Got it."
Lania had no choice but to follow.
"And this is top secret: the first round is treasure hunt. Collect gold coins hidden in Tephere Forest."
"......Can you tell us that?"
"I said top secret. Of course it's secret."
Obern revealed the exam casually—a firing offense.
"The second prince likely knows already."
Assume the other side had this intel.
Second prince—we must beat them.
"No need to worry overly."
I wasn't concerned.
Lania's physical prowess ranked high among students. Martine secrets or innate talent—who knows.
Amaen was tougher than expected, adept in woods and magic. No worries.
Philly was the issue, so I'd help.
"Snake Lord will assist you."
Obern was my "partner," so Snake Lord fit. I liked it.
I slid from the staff, coiled around Philly's wrist. Sleeve down—no trace.
Don't worry! I'll help.
'Ah, yes...'
Philly used honorifics with me properly.
Prep eighty percent done.
"Exploring forests requires skills. I've invited a daily instructor."
Lania's face turned odd.
This wasn't Emerald School. Weekend trip to nearby woods.
And she'd called "someone"—actually someones.
"Knight Jarein and hunter Oliver."
The pair emerged from inside.
"Milady, you summoned."
"This is the professor... H-heck!"
They spotted me leaping down immediately.
Mouths agape in delight.
Saaak!
Zain, Oliver! Long time no see!