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

After the final exams, the academy enters a long vacation.

The atmosphere at the academy was quite excited with the upcoming break. Students gathered in small groups in the courtyards, their faces bright with anticipation, sharing plans and exchanging contact details with promises to write. The scent of early summer blossoms wafted through the open windows, mingling with the distinctive magical residue that perpetually hung in the air.

Some prepared to return to their homes, while others planned to stay at the academy to make up for lacking studies. The library would remain open, though with reduced hours, its towering bookshelves offering solace to those dedicated few who chose knowledge over leisure. The practice fields, too, would be available for those determined to hone their combat skills during the quiet months.

"What are your plans, Luina?"

"I'm thinking of returning home. Although the situation at home is improving, I should lend a hand, even if briefly."

Indeed, even though the Berchef family was gradually improving, the monsters coming from the north hadn't completely disappeared.

"What about you?"

"I also plan to return to my family. I have things to do. When do you plan to come back?"

"Why do you ask?"

Why? Because "you need to return before Andromalius is summoned."

"Just asking."

"I plan to come back about two weeks early to prepare for the next semester."

"I see. Understood."

So Luina's participation in the battle against Andromalius was already foreseen, without any need for intervention.

"If you ever need my help later, feel free to contact me anytime."

"I'll be fine."

"Take this. It's a direct communication orb. Though the range is only about 3 kilometers."

"Isn't that pointless then?"

The distance between Berchef and Goldenheim was easily thousands of kilometers.

"Just take it. This is..."

A preparation not for the vacation but for what comes after at the academy.

Gerhard swallowed his words.

"This is?"

"Nothing. Have a good journey, top student."

"Top student... It feels unfamiliar, but not bad. Yes, I hope you have a pleasant vacation too."

After parting with Luina, Gerhard returned to the company's office.

Since he would be away from the academy for quite some time, there were many matters to handle beforehand.

"Haven't you already handled everything?"

Hyde looked questioningly at the busy Gerhard and asked.

"This isn't company business, it's something else."

"Materials, I presume."

"Correct. I need to make sure they're properly arriving at the family, loaded onto ships, and check the status of the remaining materials."

Of course, it was unlikely anything would go wrong, but there are no absolutes.

"Prepare a magic circle heading to the family."

"Not by ship?"

"Time is money. And don't miss anything about Aint Armian's movements."

Gerhard checked the documents related to the water dragon.

***

<So, are you planning to go home?>

"No."

A salty sea breeze blew past. Aint stood at the stern, gazing at the vast ocean.

"My father would genuinely be happy with my achievements now. So would the family retainers."

The Armian family had fallen, and many people had left. But conversely, those who remained became even closer.

"That's why if I go once, I won't be able to leave easily. I'd better stick to the original plan before I get weak-hearted. Besides, I've already sent a letter to the domain."

The ship steadily progressed southeast.

Their destination wasn't Luthar, where the Armian Kingdom began, but the southern Pandrein continent.

<Pandrein has more untouched areas compared to Luthar. Because of that, there are more monsters, and naturally, stronger ones too.>

<It's the most optimized place for you to gain real battle experience.>

"I see."

Aint nodded.

"But isn't that information from a thousand years ago?"

<...Huh?>

For the first time, Gardner's surprised voice was heard.

"But you're probably not wrong. Even after a thousand years, I've heard that Pandrein is still underdeveloped."

Although it had developed incomparably from then, everything was relative.

<That's what I meant.>

Several days later, the ship arrived at Lamons, a port city in the Kingdom of Pragia.

"Outwardly, there's not much difference."

<While Pandrein had less population compared to Luthar, they weren't isolated from each other.>

<By the way, Pragia. It's a name I hadn't heard during my lifetime.>

"It's a country established about 500 years ago."

It was a nation that supported and encouraged mercenaries based on its vast territory and abundant resources to survive against strong monsters.

The most powerful country in the Pandrein continent, except for the Empire.

<Let's first register as a mercenary and look for a suitable request.>

"Yes."

Lamons was the largest trading city in the Kingdom of Pragia, and its scale was considerable. Naturally, people flocked there, and the mercenary guild was no exception.

The ten-story mercenary guild was bustling with people.

The first floor had a tavern-like layout, similar to other mercenary guild branches.

There were dozens of tables and a bar, and on the large pillar-cum-bulletin board in the center hung dozens of request papers.

To one side were counters and guides.

Aint went straight to the counter.

"Welcome. How can I help you?"

"I'd like to take the mercenary test."

"Could you give me your name and identification tag?"

"My name is Aint, and I don't have an identification tag, but I have this."

Aint held out his academy student ID. While it didn't have detailed information, it was engraved with the seven stars symbolizing the academy.

"Are you an academy student?"

The clerk's gaze changed at the sight of the student ID, which was almost impossible to forge or impersonate due to complex magical engravings and the Empire's severe punishment system.

"Yes."

"If it's not rude, may I ask what year you're in?"

"First year."

"Academy first-year students are automatically given a Level 4 tag. You can raise your rank through additional tests, so please let me know if you'd like to take them."

Following Gardner's advice that a Level 4 wouldn't allow him to take the desired level of requests, Aint was about to answer.

"I'd like to take the test..."

"Huh? Aint?"

At that moment, a shadow fell behind him. It was a man with short brown hair, black eyes, and a muscular body covered with small scars.

"Barosu? What brings you here?"

"I should be asking you that. For me, this place is as comfortable as my home."

Come to think of it, Barosu Drage was the disciple of the Mercenary King, who could be considered the spiritual pillar of the mercenary guild.

It wasn't particularly special for him to come to the mercenary guild during vacation.