Imp to Demon King: A Journey of Conquest-Chapter 313: Mimir’s Academy

Adam observed the goblin’s dark sclera through the glasses resting on his big nose with a reminiscent smile and a hint of amusement. Gork looked as ugly as he was ten years ago. Wearing intricate magic robes and exuding a scientist’s air didn’t help, in his opinion.

As he covered his smile to muffle a laugh, Vaelion bowed slightly.

"I wouldn’t act up if I were in your shoes." He gestured at Adam respectfully. "He is..."

However, Gork cut him off with a snort. "Even if the lord came in person, I wouldn’t care! Do you think new inventions sprout on trees and that you can break our focus for any Thom, Dick, or Harry? I knew I should have changed this inconsiderate guard leader after Luna stepped down." He slammed his desk. "You have three seconds to leave before I act on my idea."

Adam’s eyes narrowed upon hearing the arrogant declaration. "Wow! You must be the territory’s most important figure if even the lord isn’t as worthy as your time."

"Who’s this daring fool?" Gork started, locking eyes with Adam for a second before an icy shudder ran down his spine as realisation rumbled in his mind louder than an earthquake. This gaze, the absolute authority hidden behind, and the threat of death covered by a playful smirk... "Nooo!"

He gripped his forehead and collapsed on the desk, his laments shocking the nearby scientists.

"I-It was just a figure of speech. Of course, the lord is more important." His voice cracked as horror clawed at his heart.

He had never forgotten the warning from ten years ago when he had mocked the lord’s battered face after his training. Yet, here he was, saying much worse in front of him. No. He had to salvage the situation.

He slammed his forehead against the desk, his voice thundering through the lab.

"I’m delighted to see you out after ten years, my lord. Please feel free to ask if you need anything. I’ll suspend our current projects and lead the development of your item!"

"I heard someone crowned me king during my absence. Shouldn’t you adjust the title?" A playful smirk spread on Adam’s lips. "You didn’t change, Gork, but I commend the technological advancement you brought to the city."

Without giving the goblin time to answer, he placed Mimir’s severed head on the desk.

Everyone watched in a muted stupor, their teeth chattering at Adam’s clear warning. However, they all fell to the ground when the head’s lips moved to let a wise voice escape.

"Mhh. What are you trying to do, brother?"

Adam shrugged and focused on Gork, his eyes softening. "Remember the prosthesis I asked you to develop ten years ago? I want you to create an entire body and connect it with the head."

He observed Mimir’s conflicted grimace with a smile. "It won’t be a living body, but it’ll serve its purpose."

"Are you sure, brother? Even if I didn’t pursue strength, I was more powerful than Hrimgar," Mimir muttered, the corner of his lips rising.

Adam nodded. "You endured solitude for far too long and provided me with invaluable help." He winked. "Even if the eye thing served your agenda. Anyway, this royal academy needs a..." He glanced at Gork and clicked his tongue. "A wiser dean, and who else fits the bill better than Odin’s previous advisor?"

As Gork paled, he stretched his hand with a bright smile. "Guide this territory’s new generation by teaching them harmony."

A heavy silence lingered before Mimir nodded, images of him surrounded by excited teenagers and discussing complex subjects with researchers flashing in his mind. But more importantly, he felt relieved—relieved that Adam didn’t ask him to become his advisor. He had given enough to Odin and didn’t want to live a similar experience.

"I’ll do it." His pale golden eyes hardened. "Forget about graduates. I’ll produce sages in this very academy."

Adam nodded before he felt someone tug hesitatingly at his arm. Turning, he saw Gork’s dejected expression and watery eyes.

"What about me, my king?"

"You? Didn’t I appoint you as the territory chief researcher years ago?" He shook his head. "I’m not punishing you. You’re dividing your focus by managing the academy. Continue to lead the lab and develop new products for the city. That’s where your strength is."

Gork frowned before his eyes brightened. He wouldn’t have to deal with the annoying brats and academy planning while keeping his lab. It was just perfect.

He hid his broad smile with a bow. "Thank you for the arrangement. I promise to invest everything in crafting our new dean’s body."

Adam patted the goblin’s shoulder, then turned to Vaelion. "Increase the academy security. I want a hundred soldiers on the campus."

Vaelion twisted his lips. "It’ll heavily burden the treasury, my king. We can’t afford more men when we charge the students with the bare minimum."

Adam shrugged. "Take the money from the warehouse, palace, or wherever you stored it. Or do you think risking kids’ lives is worth more than useless pieces of metal?" freewebnσvel.cѳm

Mimir nodded while Vaelion scratched his head. "Gilgamesh manages the realm’s funds from the castle."

Gork nodded. "This man is a cheapskate! We repeatedly asked him to invest in our research. But he always refused with random excuses about controlling the money’s value or outright lying about not having any!"

’Inflation?’ Adam tucked his fingers around his chin. It was a valid concern but not reason enough to starve the academy.

"I already planned to visit him. Are the others bas..." He exhaled. "The other mythical figures in the castle?"

Vaelion shook his head. "Ozymandias is with him, but Karna teaches here. Achilles trains a new military division in the barracks by the castle, and Muramasa never leaves his forge. There was a ruined tower west. Merlin renovated and moved in a few years ago. As for the last..." He massaged his brows and sighed. "Wu Kong left even before the generals. No one has the slightest clue about what he had been up to."

Adam cracked his neck, his gaze hardening. Wukong’s departure, while unexpected, wasn’t surprising, given his adventurous personality.

"Send a few men to lead everyone else to the castle but Karna." He stepped to the exit, his voice growing darker. "Whoever refuses will dearly regret it."

Before his words faded, he left for the castle, ready to make the schemers know their places: beneath him.