#1264 The Undead King’s Trial 

A god?! 
Turn Sensei into a god?! 

What are you even saying? Is that really possible?! 

“Verily, ’tis unheard of,” Hermes says, sipping green tea as he explains. 

Since the conversation has dragged on, the three of us, me, Sensei, and Hermes, have gathered around a low tea table indoors. 

“Sensei is already a mighty Lifeless King, unmatched in magic, his knowledge akin to the Akashic Records, and on top of that, hast great discernment. Thinkest thou not he is most worthy to be welcomed into the realm of the gods?” 

Oh! 
...Oh. 

“If Sensei be received as a new deity, then mortals will no longer summon gods so lightly. ’Tis like locking the key away in the vault itself. A most excellent notion, dost thou not agree?” 

Well, sure...  
It’s still way better than the reckless ideas of just killing or exiling him. 

“And in sooth, Sensei’s influence doth already verge upon godhood. ’Tis ill to leave such a one upon the earth, even if he holdeth no wicked intent.” 
“...” 

Hey!  
You made Sensei droop! 
Even if it’s the truth, could you please sugarcoat it a little?! 

“Such a one art better off watching humanity from afar as a god. The distance is fitting. Sensei, what sayest thou?” 
“I...” 

Sensei grows quiet, carefully choosing his words. 

“For so long, I lived in solitude. Meeting no one, speaking to no one, with nothing but endless empty days, as though time itself had ceased. Yet one day, change came. A virtuous being appeared before me.” 

Hermes’s eyes turn to me. 
...What? 
If you’ve got something to say, then say it! Don’t just stare! 

“It was a shock akin to the birth of the universe itself. From that day forth, my world changed utterly. I have known much more joy and purpose than ever before. If the gods acknowledge me, then surely it is thanks to Lord Saint before me.” 

Oh no, that’s too much praise...! 
Really, it’s all because you’re such a good person, Sensei. 

“Truth be told, I would rather stay close to people, to guide them and watch their growth. Yet just as a parent who clings too long can hinder a child’s growth, so too must I step back in time.” 

Sensei... 

“And as one who urges his pupils to grow, I cannot balk at my own next step. Wise god of knowledge, I would accept thy offer.” 
“Well said!!!” 

Sensei accepts the proposal. 
I know this is for the best, but I can’t help the pang of sadness at the thought of losing him. 

“Hold it right there, meoooowww!!!” 

A cat bursts into the room. 
For anyone confused: yes, it’s a talking cat. But in reality, it’s not really a cat. 
It’s the Professor, another Lifeless King. He’s so ancient that even his undead body has worn down from age. To minimize the strain, he projects his consciousness into a cat instead. 

“If Sensei can become a god, then what about me, meow? I’ve lived way longer than him, meow!” 
“Oh? Dost thou too seek divinity?” 
“If I can, then of course I do, meow!” 

Professor...was that really your wish? 
Like some kid with a cursed notebook that can kill people? 

“Well, my true body’s falling apart, meow. It might last another thousand years, but if becoming a god means I can last longer, then why not, meow?” 

That’s surprisingly reasonable. 
Still, he really doesn’t plan on dying, huh? 

Hermes looks at the tail-thumping cat and calmly says, “Alas, thou art not virtuous enough to be a god.” 
“MEOWWWWWWW?!” 

The cat gets flattened by the divine logic. 

“We do not recruit every Lifeless King into godhood. Only those mighty and virtuous, like Sensei. Besides, the matter of summoning is key. Canst thou be summoned, cat?” 
“Mreow?!” 

Apparently not. 

“Sensei is far more skilled in summoning. And heaven cannot so easily open new seats. ’Twas not thy fate this time.” 
“Curses, meowww! I’ve earned so much cat karma, meow!” 
“I doubt that.” 

And so, the Professor is left behind in the beastly realm. 
But right now, Sensei is the one who matters. 

“Now that we hast confirmed thy resolve, the matter cannot end there. Wilt thou become a god?” 
“....” 
“Wilt thou become a god?!” 

Hermes tries to whip it into a festival mood, but with this group, it’s not happening. 
Even I and the Sensei are deadpan. 

Also, could you please not yell so loud? The kids are napping. 

“Then thou must take a test.” 

A test? 

“Aye, a trial to measure thy heart as a god. We know thy qualities well, Sensei, so think of it as final confirmation. Take it lightly.” 

Ah, so that’s the “test” Sensei mentioned earlier. 
A test to become a god. 

I’ve got to see how this turns out. 

“First question.” 

A pop quiz format?! 

“A woman boasted she was greater at weaving than the gods themselves. As a god, what dost thou do?” 
“Such skill is the fruit of her labor. Yet arrogance will cloud her craft. I would strive to gently admonish her.” 
“Marvelous!” 

That’s so like Sensei. 

“By the way, the model answer is, ‘Challenge her to a weaving duel and then slay her.’” 

Excuse me, what? 
That’s way worse! 

“Second question: Humanity turns immoral. What is thy divine response?” 
“Times may sway men’s hearts astray. Yet believing man’s nature is good, I would patiently watch over them.” 
“Wonderful again! The model answer is, ‘Unleash a great flood and reset the world.’” 

Again with the absurd model answers! 
How are those acceptable?! 

“Hmm... These are drawn from the deeds of old gods. But thy answers are no less splendid.” 

So basically, the gods were worse than Sensei. 

“Third question: A god found mortals who denied him, so he robbed them of their senses and incited slaughter. In this case...” 
“That’s enough! Stop already!!!” 

These so-called model answers are insane! 
Please, Sensei, join them and teach them common sense! 

“Even a cat has more sense than these gods, meow.” 

For once, the Professor’s right. 

“Thus Sensei passeth with full marks! From now on, thou art a god!” 
“I shall humbly accept your guidance.” 

Sensei and Hermes shake hands firmly. 
I clap along with the flow of things, but deep down, I can’t shake the sadness. 

Parting with Sensei, after all this time together, watching over the farm... it hurts. 
But if he’s taking his next step, I must send him off with blessings. 

“So then, when shall thou ascend to heaven?” 
“Perhaps in a hundred years?” 

...Huh? 
That’s later than I thought. 

“I must see my pupils through to graduation, and there are many bonds I cannot cut at once. I’ll take a century to prepare myself for the parting.” 
“Ah, a funeral preparation of sorts!” Hermes says, smiling. 

But really, who spends a hundred years on that? 

“For a Lifeless King thousands of years old, a century is nothing, meow.” 

The Professor chimes in. 

“Oh, and Saint,” Hermes adds, turning to me, “I shall extend this promotion to thee one day as well. When the time cometh, do accept it readily.” 

“One day”? 
And is it really right to call becoming a god a “promotion”? 

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so sorry i didn't realize i haven't posted this chapter! in fact i too was wondering what happened to sensei becoming a god because the gap felt so sudden even for this author, lol

turns out it was my files bugging out. thank you to one of my patrons, oliver, for reaching out to me in dms about it! if this happens again in the future please dont hesitate to let me know via dms/email (comments get drowned out)