[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-strongest-existence-becomes-teacher":3,"chapter-strongest-existence-becomes-teacher-strongest-existence-becomes-teacher-chapter-260":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},1723347,2200,"Chapter 260: A Calculated Bond","strongest-existence-becomes-teacher-chapter-260",260,"\u003Cp>Deep beneath the floating palace of Glimmereach—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Far below the grand halls, music, and celebration—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lay the prison.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A place not meant for ordinary criminals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only for those who were meant to disappear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Execution awaited anyone brought here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The air was damp, cold, and heavy with silence. Dim lights flickered along the stone corridors, casting long shadows across iron bars and sealed cells.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside one of those cells—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ron sat on the ground, his back resting against the wall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His clothes were torn prison garments, his body marked with wounds and dried blood. His breathing was steady, but his condition was far from good.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the adjacent cell—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Separated only by a thick stone wall—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lia sat in the same position.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back against the wall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Facing the opposite direction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So close—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet unable to see each other.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both of them wore cuffs around their wrists.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mana-restraining cuffs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A faint glow pulsed from them, suppressing any power they tried to use.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a while—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was only silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lia spoke softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Ron.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A pause.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ron answered, his voice low.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Yeah.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How long has it been... since we were imprisoned?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ron closed his eyes slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I don’t know.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lia stayed quiet for a moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Do you think our friends from the academy will come?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her voice carried a hint of worry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’m also worried about Jax...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Did they find him...?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ron exhaled slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I don’t know, Lia.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A short silence followed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he added,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Knowing our siblings...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They’ve probably banned their entry into the kingdom.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lia didn’t reply immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead, after a moment, she said softly,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Then let’s not think about that.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A pause.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Tell me something else.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ron frowned slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...How many years has it been... since we met?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ron’s tone sharpened a little.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Why are you asking that now?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lia gave a faint, unseen smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...If we’re going to die...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I just want to remember...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...how it all started.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ron went silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then his expression softened slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Nine years.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s been nine years since we met.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lia’s voice grew quieter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Do you remember how different things were back then?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A faint pause.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Our siblings...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They were different too.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Back then...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I could feel love from my sister.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another pause.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You must have felt the same from your brother... right?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ron didn’t answer immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Yeah.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I did.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silence filled the space again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then Lia spoke, her voice carrying something heavy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...What happened to them?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>--\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Years ago—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seven years after Lia’s birth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The palace corridors of Thesmeris were quiet, polished, and filled with soft echoes of footsteps. Maya, now thirteen, walked forward with calm, composed steps. Her posture carried the dignity of a princess, but her eyes had changed—sharper, more aware.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Behind her followed Hans, still young at around eighteen, already carrying that same foxy smile he never seemed to lose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maya spoke without looking back. \"Hans, what’s today’s schedule? We were supposed to handle the Lucan merchants’ trade dispute, right?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hans smiled lightly. \"No, Your Highness. The matter has already been resolved... by the Second Princess.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maya’s steps paused for just a fraction of a second.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...I see.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She resumed walking, voice steady. \"Then what about the seafolk kingdom? They had issues with their delivery routes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hans hesitated slightly this time. \"That has also been handled.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"By who?\" Maya asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Her Majesty...\" Hans answered, then added carefully, \"...with the help of the Second Princess.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, Maya didn’t respond. She simply continued walking, her expression unchanged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ahead, two maids were talking quietly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Did you hear? The Second Princess reached two-star warrior just three days ago.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Really? That’s incredible... she’s so young, and already that strong. And her intelligence is just as frightening...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They noticed Maya approaching and immediately bowed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maya passed them without a word.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>---\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside her room, the moment the doors closed, the silence felt heavier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maya sat down slowly, leaning back against the chair. For a few seconds, she said nothing... then let out a quiet breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Princess Lia did this... Princess Lia did that...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A faint smile appeared, but it didn’t reach her eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I get it. She’s amazing. She’s my sister... and I am proud of her.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her fingers tapped lightly on the armrest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But this is getting a little irritating.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her gaze lowered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’m doing my best too. I’m already a two-star warrior... a second-circle mage.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She let out a soft scoff.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Just because she’s progressing faster doesn’t mean she’s better. Only a fool would think that.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hans, standing nearby, spoke calmly. \"There are rumors... that some people believe Princess Lia might become queen.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maya blinked, then laughed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That’s ridiculous.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"She’s half commoner. Not fully royal.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She leaned slightly forward, voice calm but firm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And besides... she wants to become my knight when she grows up.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a moment, she looked thoughtful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then her expression slowly shifted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But Lia is still a blank page.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her tone dropped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If someone puts the idea into her head that she could become queen...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...she becomes my enemy.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A quiet pause.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I don’t want that.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She tapped her fingers again, slower this time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If possible... I want to sideline her.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...without harming her.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maya turned her head slightly toward Hans.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Any suggestions?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hans’s smile deepened just a little.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"At her age... giving her a friend might be effective.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maya repeated softly, \"A friend...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then her eyes brightened faintly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That could work.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A small, calculated smile formed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I have an even better idea.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She stood up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hans, you remember our allied kingdom... the floating kingdom, Glimmereach?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hans nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maya continued, \"Their second prince would be perfect.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Ron Volkov,\" Hans said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maya nodded again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"There are rumors about him. That he burned and killed the queen at birth because of his extreme flame element.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She walked slowly toward the window.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He’s isolated. No children talk to him... except his elder brother.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her voice softened slightly—but only slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Lia is kind. She has empathy.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"She’ll become his friend.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then her tone sharpened again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That benefits Lia... benefits Ron...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And benefits me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She turned back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let’s go. I need to speak with Mother.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hans followed behind her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That same foxy smile still on his face.\u003C\u002Fp>",1027,"2026-06-06T15:36:01.016Z",1,"novelbin.me","18ee3568c1c22923ead56a74f8c604f0223da519b11b790f52031ae23aec98ab","strongest-existence-becomes-teacher-chapter-261","strongest-existence-becomes-teacher-chapter-259",275,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fstrongest-existence-becomes-teacher-cover.jpg"]