The explosive reaction was instant as expected.

- How dare you speak in such a manner to His Majesty King Harold, you worthless knave?!

- Dirty scoundrel needs to be taught a lesson!

- A thousand floggings with a whip at least!

Whoaaah, how bloodthirsty. Want me to hook you guys up with an anger management counselor?

- Oh the humanity!

- Milady Ann!!!

...did that girl just faint for real? I've gotta admit, they are a moderately fun bunch, could've done well as a travelling variety show troupe on Earth. Either they are super into clownery level theatrics or just love their king Arthurs a bit too much. Eh, to each their own, I ain't going to judge your hobbies. You sick weirdoes.

Some enthusiastic chaps are already prancing towards me like angry puppies with their nostrils flaring, but I can only laugh inwardly because...

- Stop this at once.

The Grand Hall falls deadly silent in an instant, everyone frozen in place by a low yet powerful voice.

- We, King Harold IV of the great Delfina Kingdom, graciously allow this one to speak.

Bingo~

Corners of my mouth raise a bit. I've got you by the balls now, "your majesty". Thank you for biting the bait so eagerly, this makes it far easier for me to painlessly get what I want.

Name

Harold Delfina

Age

62

Classes

Monarch lvl.22, Knight lvl.8, Fighter lvl.5

Skills (active)

Words of power, Shield bash, Martial Arts

Skills (passive)

Aura of the strong, Strong body

Titles

King, Human supremacist, Cruel, Kinslayer, Twofaced

Twofaced - you have done horrible things before and they will haunt you until your last breath. This developed acute paranoia and baseless fears, destroying any notion of trust; all you can do now is to keep up appearances of being a fair upstanding person to uphold the loyalty of your military forces. It's fine to ignore powerless peons, but soldiers should be handled with utmost care. If you yourself turned upon your own family, how can you trust these filthy animals to not stab you in the back?

Envious gaze seems to have a far wider range of uses than simply stripping others of their abilities - getting the rough understanding of the person before you, who he is, how he led his life up to this point and how to manipulate him all become possible options. The heart of commerce lies in ability to provide the customer with what he desires most and setting a price that seems laughable in comparison. You want to curry favor with your new toy soldiers over there? No problem, I'm their "favorite, most loved teacher" after all. It doesn't matter that it's complete hogwash, what matters most is what he is lead to think. Give their powerless mentor freedom and several benefits on top of it, and they'll surely love you for that, right? Now let's quickly sell this sucker some thin air before the brats blab something stupid and foil my plan.

- My liege, I humbly thank you for your boundless kindness! Your clear insight and ceaseless will of protecting humanity from brutish evil beastkin have touched my heart, citizens of Delfina are truly blessed to have a wise and powerful ruler like you, graciously extending your protecting hand to them...

Oh, look. Nobles and knights seem awfully pleased and somewhat touched. Looks like ass kissing can go a long way in this kingdom.

- ...and I would most definitely be overjoyed to join the crusade against the wicked under your majesty's banner! However, there is one embarrassing thing I must confess. I... Am not a hero!

Grand Hall is thrown into confusion, some gasp at the sudden turns of events, some murmur to each other, the whole room is abuzz.

- What is the meaning of this?

Oh-oh, he look slightly angry.

- In all honesty, I only have a single class - Traveler; and no skills whatsoever.

A wave of commotion floods the audience once more, Harold gives the seedy spokesman a meaningful look, he runs over to me and uses some sort of appraisal device.

- I-It's true, your Majesty! A lvl.1 Traveler with no skills and titles Affectionate Teacher and Innocent Bystander!

Without losing the momentum I stand up and say:

- Fair ladies and dashing gentlemen who gathered here today! I confess - I indeed wasn't supposed to be here. These thirty children... I have been watching over them for a long time, knowing they are destined for greatness, and thus I poured my heart and soul into raising them like my own children. This morning! I had a feeling as if the time has finally come! And stood next to them, hoping to see them fly out of the nest with my own two eyes!

I storm towards the dumbfounded future tools of war, erm, heroes, and place my hands on Cooper's shoulders.

- Cooper!

- Y-yes?!

- Your time to shine has finally come! Starting with your wonderful family and continuing with your leadership skills and attitude towards academics and elders, everything was giving away hints that one day you will become a model hero. The kingdom is in peril, surely you wouldn't abandon them?

- Huh?! No, of course not?!

- Marvelous! Lead your classmates, bring honor to your family name and work hard for his Majesty. Everybody! Long live the king! Long live the king! Long live the king!

Congratulations! Public speech (active) skill gained!

Congratulations! Brainwashing (active) skill gained!

It didn't take long for the properly warmed up crowd to pick up the ball and start chanting so earnestly that crystal chandeliers started vibrating and making clanking sounds. Everything else was easy to handle afterwards - I've managed to get the right to mooch off the royal family for seven days straight, under the pretext of learning about this world's common sense and observe the work of various palace servants to get the idea of what occupation I'd like to pursue in this kingdom after leaving the palace. As for the real reason? I wanted to pilfer some quality skills of course. If I am to live alone in the world where manticores roam the woods, I'd rather have some semblance of power under my belt. Still, I should be careful with my targets. Stealing ability to wield a spear like a pro from an active guard instructor or nabbing from somebody who frequently checks their status wouldn't be neither wise nor safe. Although I can't deny there is a mischievous wish lurking in the back of my head to strip the top brass of every ounce of power they have just for the shits and giggles. But as an adult, I will contain myself. Absolutely. Probably. Maybe? Hopefully... Meh, I'll manage somehow.

____________________________________________________________________________

...I might have somewhat underestimated king beard. A nasty surprise was waiting for me first thing in the morning.

- Good morning, sir. As of today and until this week ends, I am going to be your personal servant. My name is Vale, it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance.

He looks like a good natured butler gramps archetype, I've got no problems with that. What I DO have problems with, however, are his skills and titles. Isn't sending a bona fide master assassin -type to watch over my every move a bit excessive?! And what's up with the "Assassin of Kings" title? Who do you think you are, a ninja? Your eyes shine yellow or something? Also, I'll be having your Poison resistance skill, thank-you-very-much. That is the least you can do to compensate me for nearly shitting myself first thing in the morning.

- ...is there something wrong?

- Hm? Oh no, I'm just anemic in the mornings, sorry for that.

- Not at all, sir. The breakfast will be served soon, should I ask for it to be brought here?

Are you really expecting me to say "yes" when you have a Toxicology lvl.8? Hell no!

- If it is fine, I would like to have meals together with the servants from today on. It might sound a bit weird, but I've always been eating in company of either my family or colleagues. It would feel wrong to dine all alone at this point.

- I...see. If that is your wish, we would happily comply. Please ring the bell if you need anything.

Sigh. Would you kindly leave normally, without a meaningful smile and a knowing glint in your eye? I hope he's acting like that with everyone and didn't figure me out. Deep breaths John. Even if he did, he doesn't have shit on you, no dirt, no evidence, no nothing. Don't freak out or act suspicious and you'll be golden. Whew, good. Everything's fine, high time to start rolling already, gotta do lots of recon today.

I stood up, heaved a mighty yawn and walked out the door, full of vim and vigor, ready to take on the world! Noticing a young maid walk around the corner towards me, I decide to make a good impression of myself among the residents and greet her with a "good morning" and the brightest smile I could muster.

- Kyaaaaaaaah! A mammoth!

Oh. So that's why it was feeling so breezy in here.