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It was clearly in the form of a condensed elixir, yet it exuded enough mana to make its presence known.

It undoubtedly contained even more mana than the elixir obtained from killing Besaha in the human realm.

‘...If I consume this, I might be able to break through the 5,000 mark.’

This was as good as certain.

It was true that the more mana one possessed, the smaller the increase became, but there was no way the amount of mana would remain the same after consuming such an elixir.

… However, I couldn\'t consume this elixir.

It wasn’t that I wasn\'t tempted, but I needed to leverage it for something from the Headmaster.

Besides, in my current state, it wasn\'t wise to expect significant growth just from increasing my mana capacity.

At best, my Killing Intent and Darkness characteristics might evolve a single stage.

Obtaining something from the Headmaster would be far more beneficial than evolving those characteristics.

As I was lost in thought,

"Now, feast your eyes!"

Flap-.

Idea swiftly removed the cloth covering the cart.

The elixir that was revealed had a rather unexpected form.

This is… similar to a dragon fruit.

The purple skin, with its spiky thorn-like protrusions, was reminiscent of a dragon fruit.

… I’d never even tasted a dragon fruit back in my old world.

The fact that I couldn\'t eat it now only added to my regret.

As I was staring at the dragon fruit-like elixir, my mouth watering,

"Now then, let\'s distribute these one by one. There’s no difference in the amount of mana contained within each, so don\'t complain and just accept what you\'re given! Well, except for one, that is."

Idea winked at me as she spoke.

It seemed she intended to give me a better elixir than the other students since I achieved the highest score in the final exams.

… It was truly unfortunate that I couldn\'t accept that elixir.

Idea began distributing the elixirs to the students one by one.

And when it was my turn,

"Here you go!"

Idea handed me two elixirs.

One was filled with mana, seemingly intended for me, while the other was identical to what the other students received.

However, I tilted my head in confusion, unsure why I was given two.

"Why do I have two?"

"Only one is for the class president, of course!"

"Well…"

[Although it seems like you\'re giving it to me, isn\'t there some kind of mistake? I didn\'t participate in this exam.]

"Hehe, I can\'t tell you why, but please accept it."

Despite Samuel\'s question, Idea didn\'t provide an explanation, simply shaking the elixir as if urging him to take it.

Come to think of it, it seemed Sytan had already decided which first-year students they would support.

This was likely part of their plan to continuously support the members of the Seven Deadly Sins, including me.

Although Samuel didn\'t participate in the final exams, Sytan had used their discretion to distribute an elixir to him.

With a slightly displeased expression, Samuel opened his thorn-shaped mouth and swallowed the elixir from Idea\'s hand in one gulp.

*Crack-. Crack-.*

Samuel savored the taste of the elixir.

[Not bad. For an elixir, I thought it would be rather bland.]

"Is it sweet?"

[No, it\'s not sweet. It\'s mainly sour, but quite refreshing.]

"...."

*Click-.*

For some reason, hearing the word "sour" made my mouth water.

It wasn\'t because I was looking forward to the taste, but rather an instinctive reaction, like how the thought of sourness naturally stimulated saliva production.

… It\'s definitely not because I\'m craving the elixir.

As I stood there for a while, savoring the imaginary taste, Idea tilted her head and asked, sensing my internal struggle.

"Aren\'t you going to eat it, class president?"

"I have other uses for it."

"Is that so?"

I answered Idea truthfully.

Since I had to trade this elixir with the Headmaster here, there was no benefit in lying.

"...."

I shifted my gaze to the Headmaster, who was watching the students with a benevolent smile.

The other students were currently entering a meditative state to harmonize the energy surging through their bodies after consuming the elixir.

This energy would expand the vessels that contained their mana, ultimately increasing their total mana capacity.

With that, I walked towards the Headmaster.

"Headmaster, I would like to trade this elixir for your ability."

"Hmm? It would be helpful if you could clarify what you mean."

"It\'s simple. I would like you to inscribe five of your magic spells onto an ‘inscription’ stone."

The inscription stone.

It was a rare stone used to store magic, similar to a scroll.

However, unlike scrolls, which could only contain relatively weak spells, inscription stones could store even high-level magic.

To utilize the Headmaster\'s offensive magic, an inscription stone was essential.

In other words, I was asking for the powerful magic that the Headmaster could wield.

"Hmm."

The Headmaster fell into thought, seemingly comparing the value of the elixir in my hand with the value of the five spells.

After a brief silence, the Headmaster spoke.

"Denied. The price is insufficient."

"...."

I couldn\'t help but sigh inwardly at the Headmaster\'s response.

To be honest, I had half expected this.

Receiving the Headmaster\'s magic was akin to obtaining magic capable of destroying a city or even more.

It was precisely because it was something so difficult to obtain that I had proposed the trade for the elixir.

It seemed the value of the elixir fell far short of the price for five spells.

Then, how many would I need to offer to obtain an inscription stone from the Headmaster?

… In reality, even receiving a single spell from the Headmaster would be a bargain.

Asking for five was just me testing the waters…

As I racked my brains,

"However, I shall show some generosity."

The Headmaster spoke to me with a benevolent smile.

My eyes widened.

Those words meant,

"Are you saying you\'ll agree to the trade?"

"Indeed. In exchange for the elixir, I shall bestow upon you an inscription stone containing three spells."

"….!"

An inscription stone containing three spells.

I had been unsure if I could even receive one, but the Headmaster was offering me three!

This is how negotiations are done.

If I had initially proposed a trade for one spell, would the Headmaster have offered three?

Absolutely not.

I would have received a single inscription stone, and that would have been the end of it.

But because I had proposed five, the Headmaster was now offering three inscription stones.

Maybe I have a knack for business.

Furthermore, the Headmaster wasn\'t finished speaking.

"And you won\'t need to give me the elixir either."

"Does that mean…"

"The elixir, along with the three inscription stones, are yours to keep."

"...."

Crazy.

I was speechless at the Headmaster\'s generosity, rooted to the spot in astonishment.

A single inscription stone would have been a blessing, but to receive the elixir and three inscription stones on top of that…

… It was clear how highly the Headmaster valued me.

She was willing to go this far to make me her "dog."

Of course, I had no intention of completely falling for her seduction.

If at any point I sensed danger, I would immediately make my escape.

However, for now, I had to accept everything the Headmaster was offering.

"Wait here for a moment."

Thud-.

After returning the elixir to me, the Headmaster went to fetch the inscription stones.

As I watched her retreating figure, Idea tapped my shoulder and spoke in a serious tone.

"Class president."

"Yes, Instructor."

"You\'re not actually crazy, are you?"

"…I\'m as sane as I\'ve ever been."

"Don\'t lie! It\'s absurd that you would attempt such a trade in your right mind!"

"...."

"You\'re lucky the Headmaster is in a good mood today. Normally, you would have been torn to shreds and met a gruesome end!"

She doesn’t mince her words.

Even I wouldn\'t have made such a request to the Headmaster without a plan.

It wasn\'t impossible to receive spells inscribed onto an inscription stone.

As long as there was sufficient compensation, that is.

However, Idea was worried about the fact that I had made such an unreasonable demand of the Headmaster.

If I had said anything to offend her, the situation could have turned dangerous.

However, I was aware of the Headmaster\'s intentions to groom me as her "dog" while providing support.

That\'s why I was confident that I could make such a request.

And in the end, it had worked out well.

However, it seemed Idea was still unable to let go of her anger.

"Honestly…! You and Senior are so alike, you know?"

"….That\'s harsh."

Now those words hurt.

Was it okay to curse so vehemently even among fellow Demons?

But Idea continued speaking.

"How are you any different?! You both act all high and mighty, but you\'re both accidents waiting to happen! It makes me wonder if you\'re his secret love child or something!"

"Has Instructor Ares gotten married?"

"Don\'t be ridiculous. What woman in her right mind would like a man like that?"

"Hmm, but I think he\'d be quite popular… Perhaps you\'re secretly dating…."

I trailed off, unable to finish my sentence.

Idea was staring at me with a fierce glare.

"No."

"Yes?"

"No, I said."

"...."

Idea spoke with a chilling tone.

I decided to keep my mouth shut.

As I avoided Idea\'s wrathful gaze and looked around, I heard approaching footsteps.

*Thump, thump-. *

The Headmaster, who had gone to fetch the inscription stones, was returning.

She held out three stones, each about the size of two of my fingertips.

"Here you are."

"…These are the inscription stones?"

It was my first time seeing inscription stones in person, and I couldn\'t help but be intrigued.

How should I describe them?

Green and blue light swirled harmoniously within, emitting a subtle glow.

As I held the inscription stones, captivated by their mystique, the Headmaster smiled faintly and spoke.

"They are yours now. I have specifically imbued them with powerful spells, so use them carefully and gratefully."

No.

Seriously? How naive does she think I am?

If I said that out loud,

"Thank you!"

…That\'s exactly what I\'d say.

Well, survival takes precedence over pride.

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