So I'm a Snake, Who Cares

Rationally thinking, that would make sense.

The pen moved by itself.

Could it be an 'animate object' spell?

Is someone holding and moving the pen with 'invisible hand' magic? No, surely not such common and simple magic.

Or telekinetic control from afar... then there might be magical devices watching and listening inside this room. Maybe familiars hidden in insects or rats.

Obern's head spun.

There was only one certain countermeasure he could take right now.

Block magic.

Yes, he had artifacts for that at least.

He twisted a cubic cube taken from his chest, and it split into four pieces.

Obern scattered those pieces to the four corners of the room.

Clatter-

A barrier blocking magical interference.

Though the effect won't last long, it should prevent observation magic, familiar control, or animate object spells from penetrating from outside.

But.

Scratch scratch-

The pen moved as if mocking such Obern.

「Then, see you in hell. Obern Grimoire.」

"Wh-who are you! Are you a demon!"

The pen lost power and dropped.

No answer came.

Obern was terrified.

In the room were only him and the crystal snake specimen he received recently.

After downing the remaining cheap rum in one go, Obern pulled the blanket over himself and trembled.

Trembling like that, he drowsily fell asleep.

When he woke up staggering with a splitting hangover headache, yesterday's memo remained on the desk.

「Then see you in hell. Obern Grimoire.」

Demonic bad handwriting.

It wasn't a dream.

Obern felt the urge to run away.

But where to?

He had nowhere to run, neither in the Empire nor kingdom.

His interview is tomorrow.

Today he had things to prepare for that.

He needs to buy magic reagents.

Obern hurriedly groomed himself.

He became neat quickly but couldn't hide the shadows under his eyes.

Though that rather suited him, creating a decadent atmosphere.

He hastily packed his luggage and left the hotel room.

Then went down to the lobby and said he would check out.

"Um, if there were any problems during your stay..."

"...Kuk."

He could only glare at the lobby staff asking that.

He walked aimlessly carrying his suitcase of luggage.

With limited funds, he had no choice but an inn.

This time he was careful not to let anyone follow.

Hiding in crowds, he went to the riverside.

Where he stopped was an inn operating a tavern on the first floor.

As soon as he entered through the door, he demanded.

"Single room, corner room. If the next room is empty too, I'll pay for both."

"Uh..."

The inn's serving girl gaped.

Finding such a noble-like handsome man visiting a place like this, it was natural to be surprised.

"Are there no rooms?"

"No, there are!"

He entered the room, roughly threw in his luggage and came out.

This time he searched the windows and ceiling to set up magical defenses in advance.

No one should be able to eavesdrop or use remote magic from outside.

He staggered out of the inn.

Now to go somewhere selling magic reagents... first things to buy for tomorrow...

Thud.

Someone bumped into Obern.

A man as tall as Obern.

Brown hair, confident smile, slightly drooping eyes.

"Obern?"

"..."

"Hey, isn't this Obern Grimoire!"

In front of a shop selling magic reagents.

What were the chances of meeting a classmate from studying in the Empire?

"Hey, you bastard... so it was true."

"...Corbant?"

"Corbant? Haha."

Moreover, what were the chances that classmate would be one of the few who knew Obern's pretense and secrets?

"You should call me Lord Corbant. Forgot after not seeing me for so long?"

"..."

"I was shocked when I heard you became a full academy member. Haha, how'd you do it? Bribes?"

Instead of answering that.

Obern asked about what bothered him.

"...'So it was true', what do you mean by that?"

"That tone of voice..."

Corbant said.

"You, you applied for the Emerald School professorship right? I applied too."

Your next read awaits at

"..."

"What great timing. So good to see you."

That phrase came to mind.

「See you in hell, Obern Grimoire.」

Truly, Obern felt like he had fallen into hell overnight.

"Let's have a drink and catch up! Hehe."

Corbant put his arm around Obern's shoulders.

Obern staggered, swaying as he was practically dragged along.

==

Evolution Day 30.

Time until evolution completion, about 10 minutes.

Before, looking through the translucent crystal, something like a bright red mass would writhe.

Not anymore.

According to Pelerian's description, though blood remained, the flesh was complete.

[Little Prince Serpent lv1]

While completing evolution, I evolved several skills by consuming mana.

I became stronger.

Now, I just need to break out of the crystal.

'Quite a demonic snake.'

"Indeed indeed."

'How was my acting?'

"Can writing count as acting?"

What's wrong with that.

Even verbal sparring counts as martial arts.

Why, isn't there a saying that imagination is the best graphics engine?

Thanks to my heartfelt performance last night, Obern Grimoire looked completely terrified.

Malphas' parchment that I brought.

I planned to use it to make a contract with Obern Grimoire.

'Now that I've shaken him up, negotiating should be easier.'

I used what I learned about him over several days to shake Obern.

Since he seems afraid of me, he won't look down on me despite my small size.

"This isn't enough. To truly make someone a slave, you must completely break their mind and reason."

'Come to think of it, making him a slave might be a bit...'

"Weak words!"

'Ah, by the way, why isn't he coming back?'

Though I said it to change the subject, I was genuinely concerned.

It was already midnight outside and raining.

Rumble-

A rough night with even thunder.

Is he staying out overnight? Making a snake worry.

CRASH!

The door burst open with thunder at that moment.

That startled me.

Of course it was Obern who returned.

Having no umbrella, he was completely soaked.

He walked into the room making splashing sounds.

He closed the door with a thud and collapsed to his knees.

"Are you still watching me now. Demon..."

What's with him, is it acting time again?

He knelt down, clutching his head and bending over.

And started sobbing.

"As you said, have I fallen into hell?"

Looking closely, something was off.

Pelerian informed me.

"Blood, there's blood on his hands."

'Gasp!'

Obern returned with blood on his hands.

He doesn't seem injured, so is it someone else's blood?

"I killed him, yes, I killed Corbant."

He muttered while crying.

Who is Corbant...

"I had no choice but to kill him!"

CRASH!

Thunder roared.

Pelerian chuckled.

"Though I don't know what happened."

His voice was quite sinister.

"Now is the time. The moment has come when he must sell his soul to a demon!"

5 until evolution complete...

4, 3, 2, 1.

I picked up the pen with invisible hand.

Crack.

Simultaneously, cracks appeared in the crystal covering my body.

The demonic serpent descends.

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