The Tower of Chronomancy—an Arcane force so powerful that all nations grit their teeth behind closed doors, but still had to smile and bow in public.
Led by the "Three Sages," it was an organization of Arcane Mages devoted to seeking the origin of mana.
The reason nations were forced to smile at them was simple: they were too powerful. Not only did they possess three confirmed Nine-Ring Arcane Mages at the top, along with the terrifying Twelve-Ring inner council made entirely of high-ring mages, but even their regular members were all exceptionally gifted or already famous across the continent.
And the reason they cursed them in secret was... the same.
The Tower's allure to Arcane Mages was simply overwhelming. Many nations had watched in horror as their top mages defected—lured away by forbidden knowledge, rare spellcraft, or irreplaceable magical artifacts. By the time emperors realized what was happening, it was already too late.
How could one sleep peacefully with wolves at the foot of their bed?
Breaking ties with the Tower of Chronomancy meant purging nearly half of a nation's high-ring Arcane Mages—and turning against the other half on the continent. The cost was too great. No ruler dared pay it.
Thus, in many countries, the Tower remained a diplomatic ally.
But its members? Were placed under strict surveillance.
Eden Academy, for instance, could invite Tower members to consult on formations or collaborate on research—but they'd never allow a Tower mage to teach the heirs of their nobility.
Let alone be a homeroom teacher.
If Ken's true identity was exposed, everything he'd built—his life, his career, his respect—would collapse in an instant.
And just to make matters worse, he'd recently received not one but two assignments from the Tower's inner circle.
The first, from a Twelve-Ring member, asked him to "observe and apply pressure" to a girl named Elena.
No big deal. Just a small favor. Easy enough to earn some merit.
But then, a second order came from another Twelve-Ring.
This one asked him to "create complications" for the Flame Rose Empire's third princess, Hysteria Baier.
Ken had gone to the dorms yesterday under the pretext of enforcing academy rules. In reality, it was a scouting mission to get a read on this so-called "genius princess."
She's probably just some puffed-up noble girl whose countrymen keep praising her out of royal obligation, he'd thought.
We're not even in her territory. I don't serve her. What's she gonna do, glare at me?
How bad could she be?
That confidence had lasted until the moment he caught a full-force [Combustion] spell to the face.
Right then, Ken had seriously considered dropping the Hysteria assignment and just focusing on Elena.
But then—surprise! Turns out Elena and Hysteria were roommates. And after only one night, they were already best friends.
Ken had their profiles. He knew these two came from wildly different worlds. Under normal circumstances, they'd be acquaintances at best.
To become friends that quickly?
There was only one explanation: someone was pulling strings behind the scenes.
Whoever did that better hope I don't find out who they are.
After the homeroom meeting, Ken had already cursed a thousand times internally and begun drafting a formal letter to the Tower requesting permission to withdraw from the mission.
Better to lose favor than to lose everything.
And then—bam. Linen Norton appeared out of nowhere, requesting his help in making life miserable for Elena and Hysteria.
Was he upset about them being his students?
Pfft. No way.
Did Ken look like some noble educator who took pride in mentoring the youth?
All that self-righteous posturing? Just a smokescreen. A ruse to make the prince think he was being reluctantly coerced.
In truth?
Ken was thrilled beyond belief.
This wasn't a teammate. This was a lightning-sent scapegoat.
Plenty of people had seen the tension between Linen and Hysteria. Even if she got kicked out and the higher-ups came sniffing around afterward, Ken could simply say: "I was threatened by His Highness."
Worst-case scenario, he'd take a slap on the wrist.
As long as his Tower affiliation stayed hidden, and he could remain at Eden, everything else was manageable.
Besides—two Twelve-Ring masters owed him favors after this. He'd be rewarded handsomely.
And once he became a high-ring mage himself?
Even a prince would have to think twice before touching him.
Perfect. Too perfect.
Only one loose end remained: he couldn't let Linen see him as expendable. He needed to ensure he wasn't the fall guy once things went south.
He's a prince. If he pins the blame on me later, I'm dead.
There was only one way to protect himself.
Ken paused, deep in thought.
Meanwhile, Linen was seated calmly on the leather sofa, but inside, he was equally uncertain.
He knew that no matter what timeline played out, Ken always found a way to target the female leads.
But this time, both leads were present from the start. Would Ken still have the guts?
In the original story, Ken had been a small-time weasel—cowardly, two-faced, always scheming, and convinced he was clever. A classic "useless teammate" character. The only good thing was that he was easy to control and not particularly strong.
But now?
If I'm going to do this, I want it done flawlessly.
No half-measures. I want a betrayal worthy of legend. One that floods the world.
And if possible, when Elena and Hysteria did find out the truth, Linen planned to take all the blame himself—maximize the backstab impact, and finally trigger the rejection he needed.
But...
Wouldn't telling Ken to frame him outright be too obvious?
Just as Linen was trying to phrase things carefully, Ken spoke first.
"All right, Prince Linen. I'll cooperate on this… under one condition."
"You're making conditions with me?"
Linen's tone went cold.
Ken trembled slightly but straightened up, gritting his teeth and forcing the words out:
"Yes! If you won't agree to it, I might as well turn myself in to the Shadow Knights. That might even be a better outcome!"
"…State it. I'll consider."
Linen's voice was icy.
Ken pulled a scroll from his inner coat.
Linen immediately recognized it—a contract scroll, the kind merchants used. Enchanted with mana, they bound both parties to their promises.
Seeing the skeptical look in Linen's eyes, Ken swallowed hard and said:
"Regretfully, Your Highness... this is a one-sided contract. I hope you'll sign it. It only binds you—a guarantee that you won't betray me."
"In other words," Linen said coolly, "I can't expose you, but you can throw me under the bus whenever you like. If anything happens, all the blame falls on me. Is that what you're saying?"
"I-I only suggested it because—!"
Ken's voice trembled as he tried to explain.
But before he could finish, Linen plucked the pen from his hand, signed his name swiftly across the scroll, and tucked the pen into Ken's breast pocket.
"Ken-sensei, I owe you an apology."
Linen stood up, clapped him firmly on the shoulder, and smiled.
"You're not a useless teammate."
"You're the best teammate."
Ken: …???
Meanwhile, just outside the door, Hysteria's face was twisted with rage. Her delicate fingers were clenched tight enough to splinter the frame.
She had heard everything.