I Became the Mastermind Who Betrays the Heroines - Chapter 64

Chapter 64 – Seizing Control (2)

“I want you to appoint me as the head teaching assistant.”

A single, weighty request, spoken with clear intent.

Selena froze, staring blankly at me.

Perhaps it was because she hadn’t expected such a suggestion.

Her red eyes blinked a few times in confusion before regaining their sharp focus.

Her tone carried a hint of doubt.

“Are you saying… you want to work directly under me?”

“You could say that.”

“Hmm.”

Selena hummed, sounding intrigued.

She set down the bottle of alcohol she’d been holding and straightened her posture.

“Honestly, I didn’t expect this.”

“And why’s that?”

“There are plenty of head assistant positions available elsewhere. I heard nearly every professor has extended offers to you.”

“You’re not wrong.”

I chuckled lightly as I responded, recalling the frantic recruitment war from not too long ago.

Every faculty member had desperately competed to recruit me, each presenting fierce terms in an effort to secure me for their side.

It was a rather exhausting memory.

“I especially heard that Professor Cadel has been courting you quite passionately.”

“Your information is accurate.”

Cadel Evans, the professor of Destruction Magic.

He was currently one of the most powerful figures in the academy, alongside Professor Raphael.

Originally, Selena had been part of their trio, known as the academy’s “Big Three,” but she had recently been stripped of her Head Professor position and pushed aside.

Now, Cadel was the leading candidate to take over that spot.

“I can’t imagine why you’d pass up such a good opportunity… to come to me instead.”

“Who knows?”

It made sense for Selena to be curious.

From her perspective, it must have seemed like I was throwing away a once-in-a-lifetime chance to grab hold of a sinking ship.

Of course, I had no intention of revealing my true motives.

“That’s a secret.”

I simply brushed her off with a sly grin.

“So, do you intend to refuse?”

“No. I’ll accept.”

“That’s rather decisive of you.”

“When a genius, destined to go down in history, offers their hand, how could anyone refuse?”

“I’m glad to hear you think so highly of me.”

Selena swept her violet hair back with a casual gesture, her murky eyes locking onto mine.

We exchanged a brief glance, each of us wearing a knowing smile, before shaking hands.

“From now on, I’ll call you ‘Master.'”

“That’s quite the awkward title.”

“Feel free to speak comfortably with me as well, Master. After all, I’ll be your student for at least three years.”

“I prefer maintaining a bit of distance in my speech, actually.”

“How disappointing.”

“I won’t quibble over how you address me, though, so let’s leave it at that.”

“Of course.”

The snake’s request was granted with surprising ease.

With a satisfied smile, I left her office, walking away with an easy stride.

***

The very next day.

The academy was abuzz with shocking news from early morning.

Someone must have checked the updated assistant roster, because the rumor that I’d joined Selena as her direct assistant had spread like wildfire.

As a result, I was the center of attention all day.

“Have you heard the news?”

“You mean about the Snakes’ heir, right?”

“The whole place has been in an uproar since this morning.”

“They say he became the head teaching assistant?”

“I thought he wasn’t interested in any of the offers he’d been getting. He turned them all down, after all.”

“Yeah, but who would’ve thought he’d join Professor Selena’s camp…”

Students everywhere were whispering about it.

Considering how I had consistently rejected every recruitment offer up until now, it was no surprise that my decision was drawing so much attention.

And it wasn’t just any student either—it was the top-ranked first-year student, who had already left behind a trail of impressive achievements.

The exam where I’d triumphed over the Princess.

The duel where I toyed with the Ice Princess.

Even my flawless performance in the written tests, where I’d maintained the top score.

Given my dazzling track record, it was only natural for the students to be focused on my next move.

Of course, my decision to join Selena must have caught them off guard.

“Why did he choose Professor Selena?”

“Being the head teaching assistant is a big deal, sure, but weren’t there plenty of professors offering better conditions?”

“Plus, Professor Selena isn’t even the Head Professor anymore.”

They all seemed genuinely perplexed.

Given that I had the freedom to choose any professor, picking someone so unexpected left them scratching their heads.

The professors were no different.

“I just don’t get it.”

“Such a waste of potential…”

“What a shame. This is the time when he should be learning under the best possible mentor.”

“It’s typical for students to be a bit irrational, I suppose. But of all people, why Selena?”

“She’s hardly the warmest figure toward her students, either.”

Some faculty members even seemed disappointed.

Those who already harbored ill feelings toward Selena were especially irked to see me join her, their distaste clearly showing.

I suppose there’s a reason people say to stay away from those with too many enemies.

‘Being the top student really is a hassle… It’d be nice if they just left me alone.’

Of course, I had my reasons for making this choice.

First of all, Selena was a highly skilled illusion magician.

Though she carried the image of a drunk and an eccentric, in the field of illusion magic, she had no equal.

I figured she could be useful to me from a theoretical standpoint.

Her role as Class A’s main professor also made her easily accessible.

She wasn’t the type to care about petty fame or power, so she wouldn’t try to suppress me or force her teachings onto me.

In fact, she’d given me free rein to do as I pleased.

For someone like me, who needed authority but had no desire for responsibility, she was the perfect choice.

Not to mention…

‘She’s also a key player in my future plans.’

There was that to consider as well.

I had a specific use for her in the upcoming episodes, so keeping her close and monitoring her was a calculated decision.

Having carefully weighed all the factors, I made my choice.

The suspicions of those who knew nothing didn’t bother me in the least.

I was focused on doing what needed to be done.

“Judas Snakes.”

Yeah.

That’s what I thought, at least.

“I don’t know what you were thinking, but it seems you’re not much after all.”

Until someone decided to pick a fight.

***

Over the past few months, I had received countless recruitment offers, but none had been as persistent as Professor Cadel’s.

He was currently one of the top three most influential faculty members.

At the same time, he was the leading candidate to become the next Head Professor.

Originally, he was meant to be Class A’s main professor.

Though the plot had shifted, causing him to lose the position to Selena, his solid standing within the academy remained unshaken.

In short, he was one of the academy’s bigwigs.

To recruit me, Cadel had visited me every day.

He even offered me the coveted head assistant position, but I had consistently refused, forcing him to leave empty-handed each time.

Not that he ever showed any signs of being upset.

Even though he had a somewhat scheming side, he was always kind to his students—that was his principle.

However, the problem was with his assistant.

– How long are you going to keep stalling with your answer?

– A mere first-year… Think you can keep toying with the professor?

Ian Ternado.

He was Cadel’s current head teaching assistant and the top student of the second-year class.

Every time I encountered him, he would glare at me.

– Tch… What does the professor even see in this guy?

Maybe it was because he felt threatened by the possibility of losing his position, but Ian had always looked at me with clear disdain.

Whether it was pure anxiety or arrogance toward his junior, one thing was clear—he was anything but friendly.

And now, several weeks later…

“Judas Snakes.”

“It’s been a while. How have you been, Senior Ian?”

“Better than some, it seems.”

He had come to find me again.

Judging by the timing of his arrival, he must have heard the news about me.

“I hear you’ve joined Professor Selena’s camp.”

“That’s correct.”

“What a laughable sight.”

“I’m afraid I don’t understand.”

“Pfft… After all that arrogance, acting like you’re something special, and this is the best you could do? It’s quite underwhelming.”

Ian sneered openly.

There was no mistaking the mockery in his tone.

Perhaps because the person I’d chosen to work under was Selena, his condescending attitude was particularly strong.

“Of all the professors, you chose her? How am I supposed to interpret that?”

“I don’t follow what you’re saying.”

“You can’t claim ignorance about the relationship between them, can you?”

“Not really.”

Selena and Cadel.

The two professors didn’t get along.

In fact, it would be more accurate to say they had the worst possible relationship.

Cadel had always coveted the Head Professor position.

For that reason, he constantly undermined the drunkard, and Selena found him to be a nuisance.

In such a situation…

A student who had consistently ignored recruitment offers from both sides suddenly joined the camp of Cadel’s enemy.

It was no wonder Ian felt provoked.

He must have been eager to put me in my place.

With a sneer still on his face, Ian continued.

“Learning illusion magic, of all things—what do you expect to accomplish with that? She hardly seems like a worthy mentor. Isn’t it time you reconsidered and joined us instead?”

“She’s my master now. I’d appreciate it if you refrained from disrespecting her.”

“If you say so.”

“…”

He was walking a fine line.

Prodding at me with just enough to annoy but never quite crossing the line into outright trouble.

I silently observed Ian.

“…”

“You really should have made a smarter choice.”

“Hm.”

Normally, I wouldn’t have paid much attention to his provocations, but other students were watching us closely.

If I backed down here, it would reflect poorly on Selena as well.

The head teaching assistant retreating in the face of an insult to their master—such a display would weaken her position.

That was a situation I wanted to avoid.

‘What a bother.’

What should I do with this idiot?

As I contemplated for a moment…

“Getting all submissive now after acting so high and mighty.”

“…”

“You should be grateful you’re a junior. If we were in the same year, I would’ve challenged you to a duel multiple times by now.”

“Ah.”

Suddenly, a great idea popped into my head.

That’s it.

There was such a simple solution to this.

With a sinister grin spreading across my face, I immediately put my plan into action.

I removed the gloves I was wearing.

“That’s an excellent suggestion.”

“What…?”

“A duel.”

Thud!

I threw the glove directly at his broad chest.

As the sound of it landing lightly against him echoed, Ian’s pupils widened in shock.

I calmly recited the formal challenge.

“I, Judas Snakes, hereby challenge Ian Ternado to a duel, in the name of honor and order.”

The words dropped like a bomb among the gathered students.

I couldn’t help but smirk.

The answer was simple.

I would crush him.

By displaying overwhelming strength, I would put an end to all the doubts surrounding me.

“I trust you won’t run away.”

I added one last provocation, smiling meaningfully.

It was a smile that carried a chilling edge, the kind that sent a shiver down your spine.

As I stared at my stunned opponent, dopamine rushed through my veins, filling me with excitement.

Internally, I chuckled to myself.

‘Shit, I can’t stop smiling.’

It had been far too long since I’d stirred up trouble like this.

———-