"Appoint me as the head teaching assistant."

It was a request filled with meaning.

Selena froze for a moment, her expression blank.

She blinked slowly, crimson eyes regaining their spark as she spoke with a hint of curiosity.

---

"So… you're asking to join my direct supervision?"

"You could put it that way."

"Hmm."

---

With an intrigued hum, Selena put down the bottle she had been holding and straightened up, her casual posture becoming more composed.

---

"Honestly, I didn't expect this."

"Why not?"

"There are plenty of other head assistant positions available. I know you've had offers from nearly every professor."

"I won’t deny it."

---

I chuckled, recalling the exhausting tug-of-war that had ensued.

All the faculty members had eagerly competed to recruit me, each offering enticing benefits to sway me.

It had been a tiring experience.

---

"I heard Professor Kadel in particular has been pursuing you quite relentlessly."

"That's true."

---

Kadel Evans, the professor of Annihilation Magic, currently held a prominent position alongside Professor Raphael.

Originally, he and Selena had both been at the top, but Selena had lost her head professor status after the recent incident, leaving Kadel as the frontrunner for the position.

---

"So why choose me over such a promising option?"

"Good question."

---

From her perspective, it must have seemed perplexing.

Turning down a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to align myself with someone in Selena’s situation probably appeared foolish.

But I had no intention of revealing my true motives.

---

"That’s a secret."

---

I sidestepped her curiosity with a sly smile.

---

"So, will you decline?"

"No. I’ll accept."

"That was quick."

"When a genius of your caliber willingly extends a hand, who would refuse?"

"Glad to hear it."

---

Selena brushed a strand of violet hair from her face, her murky gaze meeting mine.

We shared a meaningful smile before shaking hands.

---

"From now on, I’ll call you 'Master.'"

"An awkward title, don’t you think?"

"Please, call me casually. After all, I’ll be under your direct supervision for at least three years."

"I’ll pass. I prefer to maintain some professional distance."

"How unfortunate."

"I won’t nitpick your choice of address, though. Let’s leave it at that."

"Of course."

---

My request was easily granted.

Satisfied, I left Selena’s office with a smile, my eyes glinting with purpose.

---

The next day, the academy buzzed with shocking news from early morning.

Someone had evidently seen the updated roster, and rumors of my new role as Selena’s assistant spread like wildfire.

As a result, I had to endure constant stares throughout the day.

---

"Did you hear?"

"About the Snakers boy, right?"

"The academy was in an uproar this morning."

"Got appointed as head assistant, I heard?"

"I thought he had no interest in any offers since he kept declining them all."

"Who would have thought he’d end up under Professor Selena?"

---

Everyone whispered, surprised by my decision.

Having consistently turned down offers, my sudden choice was bound to draw attention.

Especially given my track record as a top student, noted for…

---

Beating the princess in the class assignment trials.

Toying with the Ice Princess in a duel.

Maintaining a perfect academic record.

---

Because of all this, the students were keenly interested in my next steps.

This decision was bound to surprise them.

---

"Why would he choose Professor Selena?"

"Sure, head assistant is prestigious, but other professors offered better conditions."

"And Professor Selena isn’t even a head professor anymore."

---

People were shocked.

It seemed they expected me to choose someone else, given my freedom in selecting my affiliation.

Even the faculty shared in the surprise.

---

"I can’t make sense of it."

"What a waste."

"Such talent, and he needed a good mentor right now."

"Perhaps he’s just being immature. Picking Selena, of all people…"

"She’s not exactly known for warmth with students."

---

Some professors even seemed disappointed, particularly those who held a grudge against Selena.

Maybe that’s why they say you shouldn’t associate with people who have too many enemies.

---

‘Being a top student can be annoying…’

---

My choice had a purpose.

For one, Selena was a brilliant illusion mage.

Though eccentric and a heavy drinker, her mastery of illusion magic was unparalleled.

Her knowledge would be valuable.

---

As the homeroom professor for Class A, she was also accessible.

She wasn’t obsessed with honor, so I wouldn’t be burdened by her ego or expected to adhere to strict lessons.

She’d even given me permission to do as I pleased.

---

But beyond that…

---

‘She’s a key figure in my future plans.’

---

There were reasons specific to future events.

Since she would play an important role in upcoming episodes, I wanted her close by.

So, I had calculated my choice carefully.

The opinions of those who knew nothing meant little.

---

"Yuda Snakers."

---

At least, that was my mindset.

---

"Can’t imagine what you were thinking, but I guess you’re just a nobody after all."

---

And then came an unexpected confrontation.

---

Over the past few months, I had received countless offers, with Professor Kadel’s being the most persistent.

He was one of the academy’s three most influential professors, a leading candidate for head professor.

In the original story, he was actually meant to be the homeroom teacher for Class A.

However, he had lost his position to Selena after the story veered off course, though his influence remained unshaken.

---

Kadel had been relentless, approaching me almost daily with offers.

He had even promised the position of head assistant, but my refusal left him no choice but to withdraw.

---

It wasn’t that he took it personally.

Though a bit sly, Kadel prided himself on his amicable demeanor toward students.

The problem lay with his assistant.

---

- "How long are you going to drag this out?"

- "Just a first-year… Do you think you can toy with the professor like this?"

---

Ian Ternado.

Currently Kadel’s assistant and the top student in the second year.

Whenever we crossed paths, he would give me a disdainful look.

---

- "Hmph… Can’t see what the professor sees in someone like you."

---

Perhaps he was uneasy about his own position.

Whether it was that or arrogance toward a junior, Ian was clearly unfriendly.

And now, after several weeks…

---

"Yuda Snakers."

"It’s been a while. How have you been, Ian?"

"Better than you, it seems."

---

He was back.

Judging by the timing, it seemed he had heard about my recent decision.

---

"I heard you’ve chosen to work under Selena."

"That’s correct."

"What a laughable choice."

"I’m not sure what you mean."

"All that high-and-mighty talk, yet you end up settling for such an unimpressive option."

---

Ian sneered openly.

The mockery in his tone was unmistakable.

Perhaps my choice of Selena as a mentor made me an easy target for his scorn.

---

"To think you went with her instead of anyone else… What’s the meaning of that?"

"You’re speaking nonsense."

"Don’t pretend you didn’t know about the two of them."

---

Selena and Kadel.

The two professors had a notoriously poor relationship.

Kadel had long desired her head professor position, and in response, Selena had always found him bothersome.

---

So, the fact that I rejected their offers only to join her must have seemed like an insult to Ian.

It looked like he was eager to put me in my place.

A smug smile spread across Ian’s face.

---

"What do you hope to gain from learning illusion magic? That professor doesn’t even seem impressive. Isn’t it better to come over to our side?"

"She’s my master now. I’d appreciate it if you refrained from disrespectful remarks."

"If you say so."

"…"

---

Ian danced on the line, his words provoking while staying just shy of outright hostility.

I looked at him, unbothered.

---

"…"

"You should’ve made a smarter choice."

"Hmm."

---

Under normal circumstances, I would have ignored such a taunt.

But other students were watching, curious to see how I’d respond.

Backing down here would reflect poorly on Selena as well.

If I appeared weak as her assistant, it would only undermine her.

That was a situation I wanted to avoid.

---

‘Quite the annoyance.’

---

How to handle this troublesome guy?

As I pondered, he continued.

---

"You’re lucky you’re a junior. If you were in my year, I’d have challenged you to a duel by now."

---

That’s when an idea struck me.

Of course. It was so simple.

With a sly grin, I slipped off my glove.

---

"An excellent idea."

"What…?"

"A duel."

---

Thunk.

I threw my glove at his broad chest.

A soft thud echoed, and Ian’s eyes widened as he processed my challenge.

I declared clearly,

---

"I, Yuda Snakers, hereby challenge Ian Ternado to a duel in the name of honor and order."

---

Gasps rippled through the crowd.

My smile stretched wider.

---

All I had to do was crush him.

If I could overwhelm him enough, it would dispel any doubts lingering in their minds.

---

"I trust you won’t be running away."

---

My words carried a hint of amusement, my eyes gleaming.

The smirk on my face must have looked unsettling.

Watching Ian’s stunned expression, I relished the rush of adrenaline.

---

‘Damn, I can’t stop smiling.’

---

It was time to shake things

 up again.