Schlus Hainkel.
The man who achieved an unprecedented feat in human history was already receiving more than enough praises as a hero.
Son of God.
What had once been half a joke was gradually becoming reality.
Schlus Hainkel was now, undeniably, the closest person to a god.
With that, an overwhelming atmosphere of reverence for Schlus Hainkel thickened the air.
Ella could think of nothing else.
Just last year, he had been a commoner, ignored while going through school life.
However, even at the Imperial University, everyone feared to approach or even speak to Schlus Hainkel.
‘His essence must be that of an ordinary person.’
Anyone who had investigated Schlus Hainkel’s past would know that he was just an average commoner, so common that people could trip over him.
What had happened was unclear, but Schlus Hainkel had awakened a certain power and had become what he was now.
That was the truth.
So, it seemed absurd to Ella that Schlus Hainkel was fated from birth to become a superhuman.
“Look at Professor’s trembling hands.”
“I heard he came three hours early to clean the lecture room and prepare for class?”
“Well, it makes sense. It’s a class taught by Schlus Hainkel.”
“Hmph. Still just a human.”
“······.”
Ella’s blunt remark drew the gazes of the first-year students.
Can Schlus Hainkel really be just like us humans?
Being in a lecture room with someone who had gained Majin’s Authority and became immortal made their faces pale.
In their eyes, Schlus Hainkel was a cold-blooded being devoid of emotions, a monster of reason and logic.
Yet, the tales Ella heard from her half-brother were vastly different from the public gossip.
He was just an ordinary man who loved to chat with friends and immersed himself in things that interested him, like a child in love.
“Hey, hey. I’m sure you all heard that.”
“And if we did, what then?”
“Yikes······. I should apologize.”
“Apologize for what? What did I do wrong? Are you all scared? Anyway, here, Schlus Hainkel is just another student.”
“How could you say such nonsense······!”
“Just watch. I’ll prove it. Schlus Hainkel is human too.”
“Ella······!”
Ignoring her trembling friends, Ella stood up suddenly.
She turned towards the empty desk at the back, where Schlus Hainkel sat alone, staring blankly into space as if deep in thought.
Of course, she knew he was probably listening.
Ella had confidence.
She believed she could expose his humanity here, breaking through Schlus Hainkel’s perfection.
“I’m going mad.”
As soon as she approached the empty desk, those words slipped out.
The pressure made her flinch, but she swallowed hard and steeled herself.
It was almost certain Schlus Hainkel found her distasteful from the start.
But no matter how powerful Schlus was, he couldn’t touch a student at the Imperial University.
“Feeling troubled? That makes sense. You’re a second-year surrounded by fresh-faced first years. You’re probably thinking about which one to pick today?”
“Vigenstein······.”
“Oh? I don’t remember introducing myself. Did your brother tell you in advance?”
Her half-brother would never talk about her.
That man treated her as if she didn’t exist, pretending to care while secretly enjoying the perks of being the head of the family.
It would be right to assume Schlus Hainkel knew about her through his information network.
So, it was time to execute the plan…
“Friend! I see you’ve met Ella!”
“Not yet! I was just about to introduce her when you blurt it out······!”
“Oh, sorry.”
Just as she began her prayer, she was interrupted.
The man scratching his head was Aintz von Wigenstein.
He was the one who took the family seat by uprooting the corruption in the Asylum and was also Ella’s half-brother.
He showed up looking clueless, but Ella was sure there was a hidden agenda behind that silly expression.
He must have intended to block her before she could use any tricks.
“By the way, is she your sister?”
“Ah, Ella is my cousin—”
“She’s my full sister!”
“······.”
Ella had no intention of being interrupted.
She had just boisterously declared something to her friends.
The time limit was before class started, so she needed to shift the flow of the conversation quickly.
Aintz hated nothing more than hearing she was his sister.
Sure enough, Aintz’s expression shifted to shock as he lost his words.
“Looks like my self-introduction got delayed! I’m Ella von Wigenstein. I’ll lead the Wigen family later.”
“Hey. What are you saying in front of the head of the family?”
“Well, how long can my brother remain the head? I think I’m more suited for the position than he is.”
“What the heck are you talking about?”
“The times have changed, brother. Now those who have strong ties with the absolute power are the ones who wield authority. Do you think a friendship between men, which is invisible and shallow, can protect the position of the head?”
“Hey kid! Give up! Schlus has a master!”
“I believe that master has many, right? Am I wrong?”
“······.”
Schlus Hainkel’s expression twitched slightly.
Ah, it was true.
Contrary to the public’s rumor, Schlus Hainkel certainly had many women.
It was a logical conclusion anyone could make.
He likely kept the reason undisclosed because his lovers could be used as weaknesses against him.
It would be better not to reveal that there are multiple weaknesses.
Of course, it would also be for the honor of Schlus Hainkel, known for being stern and disinterested in romantic affairs.
Now, it was simple to turn this around.
By taking both his weaknesses and reputation hostage, she could pressure Schlus while gradually getting closer.
This somewhat risky method would raise his guard, which could later transform into affection.
Then, pretending to be charmed by Schlus Hainkel, she would subtly signal her willingness to be a part of his sordid harem.
With that, she would push Aintz out of the way and set the stage to claim the head’s position.
Then, she could recruit the elders one by one and instigate a coup.
With such thoughts swirling in her mind, a smile crept onto Ella’s face.
However, her plan…
“Indeed, it’s better to keep all the households separate.”
“What did you just say, Schlus?”
“Huh?”
In an instant, it shattered into pieces.
Ella’s smile twisted.
What did that man just say?
He definitely just said it’s better to keep all the households separate…
That implied he was declaring his harem.
“Class is starting soon. Ella, are you staying to listen here?”
“N-no······.”
Overwhelmed by Schlus’s calm demeanor, Ella could do nothing but get up in a daze.
As she walked back, she found her friends buzzing with excitement.
“What did I just hear?”
“Schlus Hainkel just mentioned his wives, right?”
“Ella, what did you say to make him say that?”
“Yeah, yeah! Ella. What did you say?”
“······.”
Ella sat down and ground her teeth.
She had done nothing.
She had just been played with by Schlus Hainkel.
Her intention to pressure him and get leverage had been fully exposed.
Schlus Hainkel confidently revealed that women were no weaknesses at all.
It was a complete defeat.
He didn’t even allow any approach from this side, cutting her off cleanly.
But was it necessary to make such a grand declaration just to get rid of a mere pest like her?
‘A declaration of a harem······.’
This was madness.
As Ella glanced back at Schlus Hainkel, she thought.
*
Things escalated.
First, she pretended to be unfazed and feigned a declaration, but it had its limits.
How could she suddenly boast about having multiple households right in front of first-year students?
All throughout the lecture, the first-years kept staring at her······.
Her face felt like it was on fire, nearly melting off.
“My dear friend, what I said earlier was a joke. You know that, right? With your capabilities, why stop at two households? You could have three, and no one would bat an eye!”
“Could you please be quiet?”
“Oh, don’t tell me you’re not running a three-household setup······?”
“······.”
“Four households?”
“I’m leaving.”
“What?! Are you serious? Five houses?”
Unable to hold back anymore, she bolted for the door as soon as class ended.
Sometimes, Ella had her suspicions that Aintz could be just as obnoxious.
No matter how she looked at it, that guy seemed to be mocking her cleverly.
‘The next class is in three hours…’
Stepping outside, she could immediately feel the atmosphere shift.
People passing by glanced at her, carefully observing her reaction.
It was a familiar sight, but somehow different.
Due to the Majin’s superhuman ears, she could hear every word exchanged.
“Wow. A harem!”
“Wow! I firmly believed that rumor about him being an eunuch.”
It seemed a student from the lecture room had spread her embarrassing confession using Communication Magic.
Maybe she should just drop by home for a bit.
With this kind of atmosphere, everywhere she went would become tiresome.
Having only spent one night at her newly moved-in place, it would be her first time seeing it completely clean.
Just as she prepared to deploy the Teleportation Technique, someone called out to her.
“Hmm. Schlus. Looks like class ended?”
“······?!”
A familiar voice floated behind her.
Saintess Iris.
Instead of her usual gentle smile, she wore an enchanting smirk.
However, what left her bewildered wasn’t just that subtle change.
“I-Iris. There are eyes watching us······.”
“Why? Is that a problem? I heard everyone acknowledged it clearly. Was that just a rumor?”
“What am I acknowledging?”
“You being a scoundrel who has a lover yet still lays hands on the Saintess.”
“······.”
Iris was hugging her arm closely.
Deep enough to nestle between her bosom.
In the bright daylight, right in the middle of the plaza, Ella froze in place.
