The Third-Rate Academy Villain Who Refuses to Become a Beggar

The test for "Research on Magic Beasts and Monsters" was simple: hunting large monsters using dummies.

The main evaluation score was based on how quickly and with what level of cooperation they could capture ten dummy monsters with different characteristics that appeared in sequence.

"But I think you know the characteristics of monsters better than anyone and how to utilize that knowledge."

"Well, anyone qualified to enter here would have memorized the characteristics of most magic beasts and monsters."

"But you know the most efficient ways to deal with them based on those characteristics, don't you?"

"Of course I do."

"That's enough."

It really was enough. When Gerhard recited the efficient methods for handling monsters, Luina executed them faster than anyone else.

"...Your skills?"

"I've been working hard not to be a burden. Thanks to that, I've had some small achievements recently."

With Luina's unexpected performance, they secured second place in "Research on Magic Beasts and Monsters."

"We've won again."

"I'm glad I can finally show my true abilities to His Majesty."

Rudger and Almon took first place, but it didn't significantly affect the overall trend.

After all the collaborative exams ended, individual exams followed.

[Academy 2nd Year 1st Semester Final Exam Magic Department Rankings]

[1st. Gerhard Goldenheim

2nd. Carlo Deneb

3rd. Rudger Schwaben

4th...]

[Academy 2nd Year 1st Semester Final Exam Knight Department Rankings]

[1st. Luina Berchef

2nd. Almon Donertz

3rd. Harold Volkan

4th...]

After the exams ended, the results everyone had been waiting for came out.

Gerhard and Luina, who had been causing upsets since the beginning of the semester, finally took first place.

[Academy 2nd Year 1st Semester Magic Department Rankings]

[Top. Gerhard Goldenheim

Runner-up. Carlo Deneb

3rd. Rudger Schwaben

4th. Daisy...]

And the year rankings, which evaluated the combination of practical sessions, the previous midterm exam, were announced.

[Academy 2nd Year 1st Semester Knight Department Rankings]

[Top. Luina Berchef

Runner-up. Almon Donertz

3rd. Allia...]

The rankings at the top, which had been half-fixed throughout the school year, had been reversed.

***

Almon, who hadn't lost the top position since admission, dropping to runner-up, and Gerhard, who was only ranked 10th, rising to the top in just one semester, were certainly big issues.

"...Gerhard is really the top student now?"

"From 10th to top in one semester. He must have been hiding his abilities. Why did he hide them until now and only reveal them now?"

"Luina has finally become the top student."

"Congratulations, Luina!"

"I can't believe I've dropped..."

"It's the first time I've lost the top position."

Many students gathered in front of the year ranking chart, which was announced along with the final exam results.

Some were just surprised at the upset, some congratulated, some were angry, and some burned with competitive spirit.

"...I'm the top student now."

But the very person who caused the upset didn't seem particularly happy.

"You don't look that pleased considering it's the top position you've been wanting."

"It's not that... It feels like I didn't achieve it entirely with my own hands. It would have been impossible without your help."

"You're thinking unnecessarily."

This straight-laced person even cares about such things? Thinking how different they were, Gerhard smiled slightly.

"We formed a pair, and a pair is a community. We achieved the grades together, so there's no need to worry about the supplementary aspects. I, too, wouldn't have gotten such results without you."

"Is that so?"

"It is."

"Was I ever a burden to you?"

"Not even once."

"I see."

Luina nodded slightly.

Still.

"I need to work harder next time."

"By all means. Anyway, congratulations on becoming the top student. With this, you've taken one step closer to your goal."

"Yes, congratulations to you too. I look forward to working with you next semester as well."

"Likewise."

Luina bowed her head slightly and went to her friends.

"You look good."

"Rudger."

"Honestly, it was unexpected. I never thought you would rise so rapidly as soon as the second semester started. It's fair to say I was completely off guard."

"You didn't seem that way during the final exams, though maybe during the midterms."

"The midterms were significant."

That was true. Because the midterm exams were all replaced with written tests, Gerhard benefited greatly from that.

Even though the final exam results were weighted more heavily than the midterm results in this comprehensive ranking due to its uniqueness.

"Anyway, congratulations. But remember, there won't be a second time."

"Wasn't it not your position to begin with?"

"Don't you feel the vicious glare of the original owner?"

Not far away, Carlo was seen biting his lips while looking at the ranking chart.

Honestly, he was the one who suffered the most loss due to Gerhard's rise.

'Originally, Luina and Carlo would have been a pair.'

If that had been the case, the results would have been quite different.

But that didn't mean he needed to care about Carlo. It was a bit unfortunate, but that was all.

"Do you have any plans for the vacation?"

"I'm thinking of returning to my family."

"What a boring vacation plan."

It wasn't particularly boring. When he thought about what he would do after returning to his family, he actually felt excited.

After exchanging a few more words, Rudger disappeared, and Gerhard moved a few steps to check another ranking chart.

[Academy 1st Year 1st Semester Knight Department Rankings]

[Top - Balrosi Viston

Runner-up - Aint Armian

3rd - Veriana Kalproten

4th - Barosu Drage...]

"Hmm."

Aint Armian was also showing impressive results, making his 38th place in the entrance exam seem unbelievable.

"Not bad."

It was a pity he wasn't the top student, but that wasn't because Aint was lacking; it meant Balrosi Viston was that exceptional.

It really wasn't bad at all.

***

Balrosi Viston, who showed friendliness without reason from the start.

Ariadne Florian, who was more desperate for connections than Balrosi.

Luina Berchef, whom Aint approached first after falling for her at first sight.

And Barosu Drage, who became close after working together as mercenaries during the vacation.

Aint Armian had a total of four companions.

While he didn't know who else might join later, these were all the people Gerhard had confirmed through the prophecy book for now.

'And among them, the one who would make contact with Aint the latest was the disciple of the Mercenary King, Barosu Drage.'

With the descent of Andromalius, Barosu would fight alongside Aint, and they would become close because of it.

But Gerhard intended to twist that future a bit.

"Barosu Drage. I'd like to make a request to you and your mercenary band."

"Senior Gerhard? I always welcome requests. Above all, if it's from Senior Gerhard, you'll pay handsomely."

Barosu smiled with greed all over his face.

"The request is..."

Through the prophecy book, he knew what requests Aint would accept.

Gerhard wanted to include Barosu and his mercenary band in that request.

Since the flow had been changed several times by him, there was a possibility that the danger to Aint would be greater than what was in the prophecy book.

'It would be most reassuring if I prepared and went myself, but I can't do that.'

Andromalius would descend just before the end of the vacation.

For that day not far away, shouldn't he have at least one secret weapon?

'Barosu Drage and his mercenary band should be sufficient.'

Barosu Drage was ranked 3rd, no, 4th in the Knight Department and had the talent to become Aint's companion, and his mercenary band was composed of outstanding individuals chosen by the Mercenary King.

It was enough for Aint's bodyguard.

Even if he made them companions a bit early, the future wouldn't change significantly.

Gerhard, who had just completed a contract with Barosu, stretched.

The long, long first semester of the second year had finally ended.