I looked around.

Currently I found myself standing in a classroom full of colourful youths. None older than twenty… and Maria. She was staring at me with her arms crossed. An annoyed expression on her face.

This was pure coincidence. I swear!

I broke the silence. “Fancy seeing you again… Sister.” I gave off a little smirk; everyone was staring at me in complete silence. How embarrassing! Good thing I was wearing this robe, Otherwise they would laugh.

Appearances! Hehe.

“Sister!? Yes I am you sister. Why are you… stalking me. —Here!?” She blurted out.

“I ask the questions woman! And… what are you doing here?” I immediately answered.

“Teaching. I am a master so I teach; what part of that do you not understand?” She said.

“I see.”

“Yes.“ She nodded.

I turned to the class. Gray robes and some white ones… It seems they didn’t really organize these classes. Whoever wanted to attend; attended. And… there were quite a lot of them here. I counted twenty-five. The room was full.

Was schooling here… popular!? I mean they do teach magic.

Provably was.

“Well class.” I turned to the students, Maria just frowned. “Today you will have a special lesson. Given by none other than me; grandmaster Adam, formerly Just Adam… Any questions?”

Three of them raised their hands orderly. Were these kids… educated? I mean. They aren’t exactly kids, they are about my age mostly; this body’s age. But I wouldn’t expect this from a school. An underground school. A underground magical school. Actually… it makes sense.

“I have one.” Maria quickly spoke. “What the hell are you doing? Get out of here.” She demanded. “Silence wench.” I quickly rebuked. “Why… you! There is no such things as special lessons! You are trying to irk me is that it? To ruin my reputation?” She looked a little bothered. But not that much.

I ignored her. And pointed to a student; one with a white robe. A kid, no older than ten. He was neat and seemed quite smug; rich parents, here? I wondered.

“Why are your… robes purple, master Adam?” He asked.

I adjusted my stature to something more… Professorly and answered. “As you might know, Maria here is Grandmaster Daryle’s daughter. And there is me; his son. Recently my father decided to retire; and placed me as the head of the order.” Maria grimaced— “Really!?” I smirked at her. “Yes, It is the truth.” I quickly replied.

“The purple represents the temporary grandmaster. Gifted to me by Daryle’s personal attack Dog. Eeer… The Doghead!” I explained… and the whole class gasped.

What…!?

Noticing that I was a little confused Maria quickly explained. “The last person who called great master Doghead that; well he was mutilated in more ways than one would believe imaginable. He was a master by the way.” She gave a subtle nod.

“I see… well screw him.” I laughed.

Only I laughed… Anyway…

I pointed to another student. “Speak.” I said.

It was an older one, a girl. Gray robe. An acolyte; they were also called apprentices. “can… your excellency hurry up and teach something…? These classes aren’t exactly cheap you know.” She said.

I guess this was a reasonable opinion… I looked at the board and… well nothing. She was teaching gibberish. I mean, it was crap of such a low level that one would call it that.

I turned back to the class. “I will be teaching you all about killer moves today. Everyone’s favourite!” I said. “Killer what?” Maria asked. “My dear sister, one is never too old or too wise to learn. Go take a seat if you will.” I told her.

“But…! I am the teacher.” She complained. “Away with you. Sit and be quiet.” I immediately rebuked; she was now fuming. But… she took a chair and sat at the side.

I wiped the board and made some drawings. “Killer moves… are exactly what the names entail.” I started. “Their propose is to surprise; to immobilize and therefore to kill you opponent.”

The class nodded.

“Good.” I nodded along. “We will start with an example. Then I explain.”

I looked around the class with a smile. The most warm smile I could muster. “Any volunteers?” I asked gently.

The whole class shock their head in unison; Maria was just flabbergasted. Shame that; anyway…

I used telekinesis to drag a nearby dummy close.

A rugged and stitched thing. It had some burn marks too… It seemed to be enchanted with some resistances too.

This was combat magic class after all. It couldn’t be entirely theoretical could it? So I casually threw a firebolt at the dummy. The class gasped. …What now!?

“Without incantation!?” Someone in the back said surprised.

Get good wimp, I thought. “This is something you will learn if you live long enough, or eventually… now where was i… During a real fight one would be trading blows with their opponent, in this case the dummy won’t fight back.” I casually took a knife from my pocket.

Wait… this is the dagger meant for Ruth. I forgot to give it to her! Even after all that trouble. Well, anyway, I continued.

“Fights often drag. One would be proving his opponent to find out what he can do… and not do. So that’s why killer moves exist. They are meant to throw your opponent in a specific state where your spells have the greatest effect.” I looked over my class. I had their full attention, these tips were clearly off their schoolbook.

Maria seemed impressed too.

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“It is quite simple. One easy kill move would be… for example something like oil. You get a way to cover your opponent with oil and then…!— Firebolt!, it is really that simple. If that works the fight will be provably over. Or water, you could drench your opponent and fry him with a simple electricity spell.”

I took a breath and faced the dummy. I walked up to it and raised my dagger, a quick slash to the chest.

*swish* *rip*

It proved effective.

“And now, another simple killer move. Pay attention you all. Two steps.” I held up an old book at Maria’s desk and lifted it up right in front of me with telekinesis and opened it. And with a quick motion of telekinetic force, I ripped the book apart.

Maria gasped. Again.

“My Notebook!!!” She got up. “Back to your seat miss!” I immediately ordered. And… she did. Dejected.

The whole class chuckled. Just a tiny bit.

Then I turned to the dummy. “See that opening there in the chest, class?” I did the same to the dummy. Foam bloody everywhere! —As the darn thing was violently ripped apart. There were two half of the same dummy on the floor right now.

The class started cheering. Shame I didn’t have volunteers… real shame.

Maria face palmed.

“Thank you!” I made a simple bow. “Much thanks everyone. Now quiet! I need to explain.” They went quiet. I am great at this. Who would have guessed?

“Two steps. —You see this is your level. Novices; pay attention Maria you are one too.” I could hear some giggles again. Maria wasn’t amused , a frown on her face; i do so much love to tease her.

“As you go through your life and win your fights, you will find out how useful killer moves are. But at some point they will start to fail as your opponents grow stronger and more ferocious, etcetera. —The important is to learn many spells, grow your might— reach the next step in the paths of power!”

I leaned against the teacher’s desk.

“Use your environs, think outside of the box. Team up, and complement each other. This is how you grow stronger. It is in no means necessary to mention that the more killers move you invent, the more creative they are; the stronger you will be as a whole. Its now just about quality— quantity too. Both are equally important if you are all to survive and become mighty.” I finished.

Most of the class nodded.

“So go you all. Learn spells, complement what you already have. And remember… be unique. As the saying goes. —What you don’t know usually gets you killed.” And with that I was done.

“You are not getting paid.” Maria said. “I don’t care.” I answered. She shrugged.

The class was over, actually in went overtime. The students were actually unwilling to leave… impressive that.

We bid our farewells, and I walked alongside Maria.

She didn’t have much to say.

I told her to come with me, and she did. I wanted to show her my new place and explain the next steps. —We reached the third floor. My quarters. She was actually… in awe with the place. It was indeed a nice one.

Ruth was exactly where I left her two hours ago. Reading her book, she made a gesture as she noticed with her hand. I could imagine a “What’s up.” Coming from her. But that was unlikely.

“Ho… She is here.” Maria commented. “Yes.” I said. “Gather up.” We sat by a a nearby table. Ruth brought her book, but she was listening.

“As I said before to both of you. Now I run the place.” I started. “And as you might guess, this is an ungrateful and tiring job, so much so that I will need both of you to… do what I don’t want to.” I casually explained.

Ruth gave me a look and Maria just sighed. “Most of the masters are right now plotting. Making their plays and brewing their schemes. Against me; they want my place and they have the means to take it.” I placed both my elbows on the table and rested my chin on my fists, leaning forward.

“The only thing that keeps them on their toes right now is father. The fear they have of him. Who knows for how long he will be without showing his ugly face… —So that’s why we have to act sooner than later. I explained.

“What’s the plan?” Maria asked casually.

“Tomorrow morning I will give the whole place a big speech. Then we go hunting. Our goal? Fear. Its quite simple actually. I just have to be about as feared and respected as father.” I continued.

Ruth nodded. Maria didn’t have a reaction at this time.

“And right now?” I smiled. “I’m going to relax. I have had too much walking and talking for a day.” I said nonchalantly.

Maria looked around. “Big place.”

“Yes.” I said.

“Did… did Ruth move in here?” She asked. Ruth glared at her sister.

“Indeed.” I nodded.

“Can i…” The glare was murderous. I laughed softly, Maria didn’t… seem to actually notice it. “Move in too?” She asked.

“I don’t know… is that proper?” I teased her. “I don’t care. Those fools up in the surface are always plotting ways to skim rent out of me… even thought the rules are clear; that rooms on the surface are free!” She answered.

“And what makes you think I won’t?” I asked with a smug smile. “You are the grandmaster now. You don’t need points… and you just do whatever you want anyway… and it would be nice… I mean easier to help you out if I’m close by!” She explained.

“Sure.” I said. Ruth slammed a fist against the table and walked way to her spot. “What crawled up her butt?” Maria suddenly asked; I smirked.

“Something nasty.” And gave Maria a look.

“I… I will go arrange my things to be brought over. I will take that spot over there.” She pointed towards corner by the fire. “Sure.” I said.

Then she walked out of the place, off to somewhere.

I stretched a little, and reflected. How numb this dead flesh felt… How uncomfortable everything was; I really felt like I was a rock or something useless like that. The more it would decay the worse it would be. At this point I even have to cast a jinx every now and then to get rid of the smell.

Damn it. I must find a solution to this.

There was those gangsters Ruth mentioned. I will take care of them… After the speech. It could be fun actually; a few ideas had gathered in my head, I even left them that note.

I walked over to Ruth, and threw over a deck of cards in her lap. She looked at me; like… like she was a puppy. How adorable.

“Want to play?” She quickly threw away her book and nodded. We walked somewhere suitable and started the little game. The girl was all smiles… who would have guessed she liked gambling this much!

I lost.

Then I lost again.

She was laughing at my face.

Dammit.

I placed the dagger that I bought for her and casually forgot to give to her at the table. Hilt and everything. “Again. I demand another game! And I raise the stakes… fancy stab stick for! …I don’t know, wine?” I challenged the girl. How could such a little runt like her beat me at cards!

I am the Overlord for fuck’s sake! I don’t lose at cards! Dammit again.

She smiled. “You are on…!” I imagined her saying just by her expression alone. Am I… starting to understand her language!? Silly…

—

Suddenly the door into the room came open.

Two haggard looking girls walked inside and bowed to us. The maids from before… they looked. Well… terrible. —They looked like they had a fist fight with an ogre and lost. Their clothes torn and bruises all over; the ginger was even missing a couple of teeth.

“What happened to you two fools?” I noticed a small box that the blonde was holding and took it.

“Ho! what is this… wait! I told you to go buy this; i remember!” Opening It, I noticed… a pair of briefs! Am the one getting this? I never liked underwear, its itchy and too tight! I mean… These would be quite loose, actually. Too loose!

Wait… are they recognising my… unbridled masculinity! Of course they are. I am such a great man… Any member of the opposing gender would want to gift me oversized briefs in pure respect!

Ruth was laughing, quite wildly too for her standards. I laughed along… shit was just too funny.

These two might have gone through hell to just do something I ordered on a whim… Given their situation. Well I can do naught but respect them.

“At least you got the size right!” I couldn’t help but say it.

The blonde maid laughed a little too. How quaint.

I guess I will let them stay. Not like I enjoy cooking… doing dishes or laundry.

I finished the game with Ruth… and she won again. The dagger was for her anyway. So I didn’t mind the loss really. Maybe it will keep her safe in the future.

I told Ruth to practice her healing spells on them. And… she did a great job. Was my little sister a genius or something? Even I had trouble with those when I started.

She could not help with the missing teeth sadly, it was more complicated after all. So I did it for her, —Casually explaining the process. She seemed to understand the theory of the thing. Good on her.

Then I walked my new maids over the place, explained who I was; and what kinds of foods I liked, what time I would like to be woken up and such. Things they could touch and not. Stuff like that. Also , I mentioned Maria.

They seemed a bit troubled… After all they now served three masters. Lot of work and lots of life and death situations. But I comforted them a little by saying that neither Ruth or Maria would hurt them, after all I was the boss.

It worked. At least on the blonde.

It’s just time.

They will grow more comfortable. Maybe someday I will even find a reason to set them free… I never been a fan of sentient slaves to be honest.

Then I went for a nap.