As the boy continues walking towards his next destination, his pigtails maid following closely behind him, streams of irritation astute observation can be heard flowing from his mouth.

*grumbles “What a foolish woman… It’s not like I wanted those tasty stupid cookies or anything…”

“…”

“I mean, come on! Master Haithur won’t be around with us by the end of the day. Shouldn’t those snacks be given to someone who would greatly appreciate find a more proper use for them?”

“…”

*sighs “Looks like I have to find another way to pass the time in the carriage besides munching on stuff. Maybe I should take a book with me? Ah, books... I sure miss those like the deserts miss the rain.”

“…”

“Well technically, I could access almost any information in my head, but it’ll just be like showing a drawing of a blueberry muffin to a hungry man. It’s just isn’t the same. Nothing beats the feeling of holding a thick long-awaited novel in your hand, taking in its leather-bound cover scent, and flipping page after page of literary goodness.”

“…”

“The ability to search and get answers instantly is convenient I agree, but it can’t be nourishing to the intellect in the long run. You’ll eventually get bored or worst... complacent.”

“…”

“I wonder if I should go to the library and borrow a book after all? Ah, the library… such fond memories. I think I’m the only student in the history of the Whiteford Academy to get a six-month ban from that place, which for a bookworm like me, was a fate worse than death. And no, it’s not because I returned those library books late one too many times.”

“…”

“I mean, you knock over one bookshelf, trying to get a book they put at the very top shelf, and the next thing you know, you’re public enemy number one. It’s not my fault those bookshelves knocked each other over like dominoes before finally breaking that ancient stained glass window. I’ve petitioned the library committee several times already for new steplad-“

“Master…”

“Hmmm? What is it Synnove?”

Finally, the boy thinks. He is secretly grateful that his pigtails maid has spoken at long last. She has been awfully quiet since they left Rolfe’s manor, too quiet for the boy’s liking. Synnove has barely said a few words since then, and only when addressed directly by her master. The boy has wondered what are the murderous harmonious thoughts and emotions going through the pigtails maid’s head currently, but he’s been reluctant to find out.

Since his lonely fall through the Time Abyss, the boy has grown to greatly appreciate the value of companionship. There are only a small number of people that he can talk to in this academy, most would flee at the sight of him approaching, and only a few are willing to reply him without fear.

To those the boy considers close to him, when talking to them he is hesitant about using his ability to find out what they’re really thinking. There’s a fine line between interacting and manipulating, and that line is getting more blurry every day. Case in point, his meeting with Master Cahris just now.

On any other day, the boy would find it distasteful to use the male teacher’s thoughts against him. Master Cahris is indeed a kind man. There are many good teachers in this school, but few are as compassionate to a student’s wellbeing as him. The man really does care and is concerned for all of his students, doesn’t matter if they’re good or bad. But the boy was extremely pressed for time, and he really needed to borrow Joviel’s essay paper, which the male teacher was heavily reluctant to part with by the way.

The boy is still sore about what he did to the male teacher. He will have to find a way to make it up to Master Cahris later.

As for his enemies and those that stand in his way, the boy has no problems using the full might of his powers on them.

Now that Synnove has finally started speaking out of her own volition, the boy heaves a huge sigh of relief inwardly. He is thankful that his silent follower has decided to open her mouth and say something, even if it’s to tell her master to shut the fuck up.

“You mentioned before that that first year student Athorius would grow up to be some big shot hero, correct?”

“Yup, and you won’t believe the titles that guy will rack up in the future. Champion of the Nine Realms, Light of the Grandiel Continent, the Right Hand of Enahel, the whole nine yards. I personally awarded him 'The Biggest Fucking Pain in the Arse' and 'World’s Worst Busybody' but he refused to accept them.”

“Is that envy I hear in your voice, Master?”

“Why would I be jealous of Athorius' stupid titles? I’ve got a few impressive ones on my own. Just mentioning my nickname and title, Lefty the Pirate King, the One-Eyed, One Handed, One Legged Scourge of the Nine Seas, is enough to empty a bar full of battle-hardened salty sailors, score me a few free drinks and a hot night with some passionate wenches.”

“I highly doubt that. Anyway, regarding Athorius, why didn’t Ouroboros target him once he became so outstanding? Didn’t Master say before that the nail that sticks out gets hammered down?”

The boy nearly stops in his tracks to look at the pigtails maid following behind him, but he continues walking.

Impressive, the boy thinks. Gods Synnove, you weren’t kidding when you said you were intelligent and more than just a pretty face. The boy allows himself to give out a small smile. And even though he is walking in front Synnove, she must have noticed it because the pigtails maid is suddenly skipping happily for a brief moment, proud that she managed to endear herself to her master for a bit.

“Have you ever been to any of those family-themed restaurants in town Synnove? The ones that have a six-foot tall chicken or a cow standing on its two hind legs as a mascot?”

“I have never entered one myself but I’ve seen them before during the trips I sometimes make into Sunnyvale.”

“Most of the commoner students here try to save enough money so they can eat the beef burgers or the fried chickens there once a month during their monthly outing, which is something that I never understood. Why would you want to eat food promoted by a giant-sized chicken, clearly a freak of nature as well as something which is deplorable enough to sell out its own kin? Speaking of which, how can a cow stands on its own two legs? Its knees should have exploded under that much weight.”

“…”

“Anyway, I digress. Now where was I? Oh yes, mascots. Yeah, well, Athorius is kinda like that to Ouroboros, even though he isn’t in their employment or under their thumb.”

“The smiling golden poster boy works the front of the store while the cows and chickens are slaughtered mercilessly in the back?”

“Exactly. No one wants to know how the meat gets made, as long as it ends up on their dinner table.”

“Nothing makes the average citizen more complacent than everything working normally, even if it’s just on the surface. A genuine hero for everyone to look up to for inspiration and to make them feel safe and protected. While the monsters continue hiding in the darkness, keeping people in line and making sure they show up at their jobs.”

“Spoken like a true future ruler, Synnove. Yes, that’s how leadership generally works. Fear and hope, those are the tools used by the people in control to stay in control. Fear is what keeps the masses in their bed instead of venturing out into the night, and hope is what makes them get out of bed in the morning to work the fields of whatever lords they belong to.”

“And Ouroboros never saw Athorius as a threat to their organization?”

“Not as long as he is unaware of their existence or got in their way too much. Athorius did suspect someone or something was hiding in the shadows, pulling the strings from behind the curtains, causing wars for profits and for shits and giggles, but he never could prove it. Anyway, getting married to a princess also provided him with some sort of mediocre protection which would make Ouroboros a bit hesitant in killing Athorius if they ever feel that he has outlived his usefulness.”

“A princess? Anyone I know?"

"No one from this school. It's just a member of royalty from one of the neighboring kingdoms."

“…”

“What is it Synnove?”

“I think there’s more to the story than what Master is willing to let on.”

“Gods Synnove. Are you sure you don’t have any mind reading powers that you’re not telling me?”

“It’s called a woman’s intuition. Athorius never stood out while he was in school?”

“He was known to make some waves, even back then.”

“So Master Haithur never approached-“

“Headmaster Haithur…”

“Hmmm?”

“He replaced Headmaster Joss six months from now and took over his place. Well, that was in the original timeline anyway. But then I suddenly appeared out of nowhere and fucked up his schedule, which would explain why he moved his coup earlier than he anticipated.”

“So Headmaster Haithur never approached Athorius to recruit him into Ouroboros, just like what he did to that dead boy Joviel? He never realized Athorius’ potential?”

“He had some awareness of it, but no, Headmaster Haithur never tried to get Athorius to join him.”

“But why…”

The boy suddenly stops walking and turns to look into his pigtails maid’s eyes.

“The same reason why Rolfe Primero didn’t immediately snap your neck when you guys met for the first time in the courtyard outside the north hall two days ago.”

“…”

“It’s because something a bit more interesting had caught his eyes.”

“…”

“We’re here.”

The boy and his maid are currently on the second floor of the east building, right outside Mistress Ariessa Ricon’s office. The boy knocks on the door politely and waits for an invitation to come in, his civil demeanour a clear contrast to the behaviour he shown during his entrance at the teachers’ lounge before this.

The boy notices his pigtails maid giving him a raised eyebrow, quizzical at the subdued manner in which her master is about to make his entrance.

“I just didn’t want to get punched in the eye again,” is what the boy said to Synnove, referring to the time he rudely woke the sleeping female teacher in her own quarters.

********************

“Good morning Mistress Ricon.”

“Morning. What are you still doing here? Aren’t you suppose to-“

“Yeah yeah I know, stop Master Haithur’s evil plan. Like I’ve told you last night in the kitchen behind the north hall, I’ve got it covered.”

“Don’t tell me you’re leisurely wasting your time here in order to make a dramatic entrance?”

“Knowing when the right time to show up is half the key to winning a battle after all.”

“And what’s the other half?”

“Shock and awe, Mistress Ricon. Shock and awe.”

“...”

“Anyway, I’m here because I need something from you, Mistress Ricon. More specifically, I need something from your medical cabinets.”

“You want some antipsychotic medication?”

“Haha, no. I need one of those little blue vials you keep.”

“Is someone about to get poisoned?”

“Yes.”

“Is it you? I hope to the Gods is going to be y-“

The female teacher is about to finish her sentence/joke when she noticed the boy is just smiling at her and not saying anything.

“Don’t tell me you’re going to...”

“Relax Mistress Ricon. I think my body can handle it. If you recall, I took the effects of the heavy tranquilizers you coated on that crossbow quite well.”

*growls “I remember.” the female teacher replies begrudgingly, her face red after being reminded of how she made a fool of herself by falling asleep in front of all those students and teachers.

“My above average healing ability should be able to neutralize the common poison available to men.”

“And if the poison is not so common?”

*smiles “Hence, the blue vial.”

“...”

“If anything, it’s going to be an interesting learning experience finding out firsthand what are the effects of poison on my body.”

“...”

The female teacher stares incredulously at the smiling boy with one arm in a sling sitting in front of her. After a brief moment, Mistress Ricon sighs, gets up from behind her desk and walks over to a medicine cabinet. She doesn’t go to where the blue vials, a common antidote for poison, are usually kept. Instead, the female teacher opens a nearby drawer and takes out a purple vial which she then proceeds to throw it casually at the boy.

The boy catches the vial with his left hand and examines it closely. He can see its purple content sloshing about and shining brilliant under the sunlight.

“This is...”

“Take it, I insist.”

“No, this is too much.”

“I said take it.”

“I’m sure one of the blue vials is more than enough to suit my purpose.”

“Are you willing to bet the fate of the whole Grandiel Continent on your assumption?”

“...”

“And you’re welcome.”

“...”

The boy looks at the persistent female teacher who is still standing with her arms crossed. He decides to give in for now and shove the purple vial in his left pocket, muttering a small “thank you” while in the process.

“Now if there’s anything else, I like to get back to my work.”

“No, I’ve already got what I needed.”

“Good. Off you go to save the world then.”

“Would you..."

“Hmmm?”

“Would you like to come with us for a day in town?”

“No thanks. I’ve got a ton of request forms for medicines and bandages to fill out. Not to mention an infirmary full of injured students to tend to. Do you have any idea whose hands I have to shake in gratitude for my sudden and heavy workload this early in the year?”

“Pfft. Half of those so-called injured students wanted to skip class and is faking it. Some just wanted to spend some time being taken care by you while those with a legitimate reason to be in the infirmary got done in by Synnove here. Would you like me to show you which is which?”

“Rejected. You’ll undoubtedly inflict some mental trauma which is bound to increase the workload I have to deal with in the future.”

“Are you sure you don’t want come with us, Mistress Ricon? We’ll be riding to Sunnyvale in Headmaster Joss’ personal carriage and I’m told it’s quite comfortable and spacious.”

“I don’t know. Maybe...” the female teacher glances and the towering stacks of papers she has on her desk. She is sorely tempted to skip work and spend a day playing hooky. She could probably make up some bullshit to Headmaster Joss to explain her absence from school, maybe about some urgent business in Sunnyvale that requires her immediate attention. Which is why she is following them in order to hitch a ride.

The students in the infirmary have already been taken care off when she made her rounds earlier and they won’t require any further treatment until later that evening.

“There’s a new bakery opening in town. Half prices on all baked goods. Headmaster Joss is bringing his coin purse and will be treating us.”

“...”

Just as Mistress Ricon is about to say yes, she suddenly remembers an embarrassing dream she had previously, which causes the female teacher to abruptly yell out “No!” in loud voice.

“...”

The boy stares at her with wide eyes, surprised by the female teacher’s sudden and weird outburst.

“No... I’m sorry... I didn’t mean to... I...” stammers Mistress Ricon as she struggles to explain her odd behaviour. Her face is strangely red for some unknown reason.

“...”

“Just get out of my office. Go stop Master Haithur’s from taking over this academy or something.” yells the exasperated female teacher finally.

“Okay okay, I get it. I’ll be on my way.” says the boy as he holds up his left hand in defeat in order to placate the agitated female. It looks like Mistress Ricon takes her work very seriously, is what the boy is thinking.

As the boy is nearing the door to leave Mistress Ricon’s office, the female teacher suddenly calls out to him.

“Wait.”

“Oh Mistress Ricon, first you want me to leave, then you want me to stay. Push me, pull me, messed me up and turned my life around. Women...” is what the boy wanted to declare, but saying that would open a whole new can of argument, something that although he deeply enjoys doing so but regrettably right now he just didn’t have enough time for.

Which is why the boy chooses to turn towards Mistress Ricon, smiling weakly at the female teacher and replying to her request with a patient “Yes?” instead.

“Will you really be okay?”

“Oh ye of little faith. Of course I’m going to be okay.”

“...”

“I have no plans of dying today. I haven’t gotten a chance to eat that blueberry muffin after all.”

“I... I still don’t know your name.”

“My name, my real name isn’t important. But the things they’ll be calling me in the future are the ones you should be interested about.”

“Something tells me you’re more than willing to share them with me.”

“I will be known as the Monster, the Trickster, the Ender of Dreams, the Walking Storm, Bob,”

“Bob?”

“Bringer of the Beast.”

“...”

*continues “The Mouth of Madness, He-Who-Doesn’t-Know-When-to-Shut-the-Fuck-Up, Demon, Hero, Reaper, Savi-“

The boy stops himself from finishing his sentence. “Ah, that last one is not confirmed yet. I don’t want to jinx it by declaring it early. That’ll be like counting your chickens before they hatch.”

“...”

“And a good day to you too, Mistress Ricon.” says the boy as he turns and walks out the door.

The silent female teacher could only watch the boy’s back as he leaves. Just as Mistress Ricon is about to gather her thoughts, she hears someone speaking to her.

“Don’t mind his boasting, Mistress Ricon. He just wanted to feel good about his own titles.” says a smiling Synnove as she bows her head in apology.

Before the female teacher could say anything, a voice can be heard declaring loudly from outside her office.

“I AM NOT SUFFERING FROM TITLE ENVY!”

********************************************************************************************

Yeah yeah, I know, the chapter is a bit short and the story seems to be dragging longer than it should. Please accept my apology if you're dissatisfied with that. To tell you the truth, I really busy at work and writing one of these chapters during the weekend when I'm free is taking more time and energy than I anticipated.

As usual, any review is greatly appreciated. Demon Hero Reaper Saviour Epic Adventures of the Time Traveling Troll (thanks to reader TheMundaneLord for the title suggestion) is currently in the #53rd place. Come on guys, just three more places until we get to the top 50 of the Best Rated ranking.