[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-strongest-existence-becomes-teacher":3,"chapter-strongest-existence-becomes-teacher-strongest-existence-becomes-teacher-chapter-181":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Strongest Existence Becomes Teacher",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1723443,2200,"Chapter 181: The Birthday Cake","strongest-existence-becomes-teacher-chapter-181",181,"\u003Cp>The dim light of Dren’s laboratory pulsed softly as the scrying globe hovered before him, its surface rippling with images from Grom’s office.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mira’s voice echoed clearly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...so I named it Dawnveil Crest.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dren leaned forward, fingers steepled, eyes gleaming as the image of the silver brooch appeared within the globe. The milky-white gem glowed faintly even through the projection.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So it solidifies light,\" he murmured, lips curling upward. \"Forms barriers... purifies... stabilizes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His quill scratched rapidly across the notebook on his desk, runes and formulas piling atop one another.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes... yes, that’s it. A stabilizer. Exactly what I need.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The corners of his mouth lifted further.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"With this, the metal won’t collapse. The reaction can be regulated. My Heart of the Deep Forge will finally be complete .\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His gaze flicked back to the globe just in time to see Mira handing the artifact back to Zane.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dren’s smile twitched.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...No. Don’t give it to him.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He watched Zane closely now, eyes narrowing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I still don’t know how strong you really are,\" Dren muttered. \"But anyone who speaks to old man like that... is no ordinary professor.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His fingers tightened around the edge of the desk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If that artifact stays with you, taking it will be troublesome.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zane’s voice reached his ears again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No, you can keep it... for research.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dren froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he laughed quietly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A fool,\" he whispered. \"An absolute fool.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes shifted to Mira’s image as she clutched the brooch, her face lighting up with excitement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Taking it from you will be far easier,\" he said softly. \"An A-rank professor, yes... but easy for vassel. \"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He reached out and snapped the scrying globe shut. The images vanished instantly, plunging the room into silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dren straightened, already moving.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’ll need assassins,\" he muttered, flipping open his notebook again. \"And I have to provide the information to the base .\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His pen flew, writing a coded message only a handful of people in the world could read.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"To the base. Priority retrieval. Target: Dawnveil Crest.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He closed the notebook, a thin smile stretching across his face as he stepped toward the exit with the notebook.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Tonight,\" he said to the empty room, \"the Heart takes its first step toward perfection.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dren left his laboratory without looking back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The academy gates loomed behind him as he stepped into the city proper, the noise of Gravundar swallowing him whole. Steam vents hissed, mana-lamps flickered, and the rhythmic clang of metal filled the streets—but his mind was already far away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tonight, he thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tonight, I will get what I want.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>---\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back in Grom’s office, the door closed with a heavy thud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zane stood calmly near the desk, hands loose, posture relaxed—far too relaxed for what he had just revealed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...An uninvited guest will attack Mira tonight.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Grom stared at him, disbelief flashing across his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What do you mean by that?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zane tilted his head slightly. \"The replica inside you is still connected.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Grom stiffened. \"Didn’t you say that thing wouldn’t harm me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zane smiled faintly. \"Did it harm you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The question landed heavier than it should have.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He was watching,\" Zane continued evenly. \"All of us. Through you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Grom’s breath caught.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"To entice him,\" Zane added, almost casually, \"I simply gave him what he needed.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Grom slammed a hand onto the desk. \"What are you talking about?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zane stepped closer and placed two fingers against his own temple, shaking his head slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You still don’t understand,\" he said. \"Your student, Dren... he’s researching the Heart of the Deep Forge.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Grom froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"N-no,\" he said hoarsely. \"That’s impossible. Even he knows how unstable it is.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zane’s eyes sharpened just a little.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And you know,\" he replied, \"that a creator can never stay away from an incomplete invention.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silence stretched between them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"From what I can tell,\" Zane went on, \"he wants to perfect it. He’s trying to solve the pressure issue by creating a living liquid metal.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Grom swallowed. \"...But he’d be stuck. Without a way to stabilize it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zane didn’t answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Grom’s eyes widened slowly, dread creeping in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A stabilizer...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The word barely left his mouth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Dawnveil Crest.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zane smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He’ll need it,\" he said simply. \"And I don’t think he’ll move personally.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Grom’s jaw clenched.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He’ll use someone else,\" Zane continued. \"A warrior. Someone expendable. Someone provided to him.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Grom’s voice dropped to a whisper.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Vassel.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Exactly.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The realization hit hard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You’ve made Mira a target,\" Grom said, anger bleeding through his shock. \"If something happens to her—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Nothing will happen to her,\" Zane cut in sharply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice wasn’t loud, but it carried absolute certainty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I guarantee it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Grom exhaled slowly, shoulders sagging.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Dren,\" he muttered. \"I still can’t believe it. That he would betray me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zane watched him quietly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What’s your story with him?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Grom leaned back, eyes unfocused, drifting into the past.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I found him alone,\" he said after a moment. \"The sole survivor of a dwarven village... annihilated by humans during the war with Solvanyr. He lost both his parents.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His hands curled into fists.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I raised him. Taught him everything I knew. He had talent—real talent.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A faint, bitter smile crossed his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then Mira came. From Valdoria. Another genius. Different, but just as bright.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He closed his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My two disciples... I truly believed they would surpass me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice cracked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This is my fault. I made that accursed Heart of the Deep Forge.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zane shook his head slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s not the fault of an artifact,\" he said. \"Nor of the inventor.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The room fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>--\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dren moved through the city with practiced ease, blending into the crowd as if he belonged there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Steam vents hissed along the streets, mana-lamps flickering against iron walls. He stopped in front of a modest bar tucked between two massive foundries, its sign etched with worn runes and a carved fox sigil.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stepped inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The air was warm, thick with the scent of alcohol and metal dust. Dwarves, beastmen, and a few humans sat scattered across the room, laughing, drinking, arguing. Behind the counter stood the bartender—an orange-haired fox beastman, fox ears twitching slightly as he polished a glass. His bushy tail swayed lazily behind him, sharp fox eyes paired with a pleasant, easy smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Welcome,\" the fox bartender said smoothly. \"What can I get you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dren returned the smile, friendly and harmless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hey, boss. I’ll have a special order.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bartender’s ears twitched. \"Oh?\" He nodded toward the menu. \"You can choose from there.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dren shook his head lightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh no. I’ll have my special order.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He tapped the notebook at his side. \"I’ve got the recipe written down.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fox bartender chuckled. \"My, my. Sounds interesting.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He leaned in a little. \"Special occasion?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dren’s smile widened just a fraction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ah yes. Tomorrow’s a birthday party.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He paused, eyes half-lidded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I finally found the perfect cake for it. Now I just need the drinks to go with it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bartender’s smile never faded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And the cake?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dren nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh, the baker worked very hard on it. I’ll make sure she’s... properly paid.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Understanding flickered in the fox beastman’s eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Very well,\" he said calmly. \"Your drinks will be delivered to the address along with the cake. A little later than usual. Would you like to pay baker..?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dren reached into his notebook, tore out a page, and slid it across the counter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Of course. I’ll pay the baker.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned and walked out without another word.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bar door closed behind him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fox bartender set the glass down slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Washroom break,\" he called casually to the customers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stepped into the back, closed the door, and pressed his palm against the stone wall. A faint red magic circle bloomed beneath his hand, runes spinning silently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Dispatch five top assassins,\" he said flatly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Retrieve the item. Kill the target.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The circle pulsed once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’ll send the details.\"\u003C\u002Fp>",1317,"2026-06-06T15:36:01.016Z",1,"novelbin.me","cdab542bded88b0daff8b2aadc84ccf309b2fcbc36e33bd62acdfef4e12e94ab","strongest-existence-becomes-teacher-chapter-182","strongest-existence-becomes-teacher-chapter-180",275,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fstrongest-existence-becomes-teacher-cover.jpg"]