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

At that moment, someone called her.

"Miss Ariadne."

"Teaching Assistant Aron."

"What brings you to the faculty building?"

"Professor Dominic called me and I helped him a little."

"Really? Professor Dominic asking a student for something, that's unusual."

Aron smiled slightly and pulled forward the book he was holding.

"Oh, by the way, can I ask you something too?"

"What is it?"

"This is a book on spirit studies, but I don't understand the content..."

He carefully opened the book.

"Nothing..."

At that moment, their eyes met.

Ariadne felt a subtle light emanating from Aron's pupils.

"Assistant, your eyes..."

"Eyes? What about my eyes?"

"No, nothing..."

Looking again, they were just ordinary eyes. Why am I suddenly like this? Ariadne shook her head.

"Where were you heading anyway?"

"Hmm, well..."

Where was I going?

Looking out the window, the sunset was approaching.

"To my dormitory. I feel tired, so I'm going to get some sleep."

"It is getting a bit late. Take care, see you next time."

"Yes."

Ariadne bowed slightly and disappeared.

***

That evening, after waiting for two hours at the meeting place, Veriana returned to Lavidus Hall, grinding her teeth.

"Damn Gerhard. He said it was a secret, but he's spreading it all over the neighborhood."

Some method was needed.

Definitely.

And the next day, Veriana, who was about to confront Ariadne, felt a strange sense of déjà vu.

"Ah, by the way, could you come to the forest later for a moment?"

The same place.

The same person.

And even the same conversation.

Even the beginning was identical to yesterday.

"The forest?"

"Yes, actually, a branch of Mother Tree is planted here, and I'm guarding it. But it seems there's a problem with it."

"Originally it's not allowed, but you want to ask me for help because of a problem?"

"Huh?"

Ariadne frowned slightly.

"Gerhard told you that I could be trusted to ask for help, and even told you that I had become a demon transformation?"

"...How do you know that?"

Her eyes widened.

Hey. What are you doing?

"Do I look like an idiot to you just because I lost to Aint?"

Veriana growled fiercely.

***

"...So I cursed at Ariadne, that stupid pointy-ear! Saying the same thing over and over, saying the same thing over and over! I thought she had dementia!"

Veriana proudly concluded her recollection.

"What happened next?"

"...Pardon?"

"I'm asking what happened after that."

"...Well."

She tilted her head.

"What did I do after that?"

"You probably didn't do anything."

"Right, that must be it. If I had done something, I would remember more."

"You're a genius, Veriana. So logical! As expected of the third-ranked in the Knight Department!"

"Not third, runner-up!"

"Are you an idiot? Aint is the runner-up!"

"Third place is good too!"

Gerhard let out a hollow laugh at the sight of the man and woman staring at each other and spouting nonsense.

It was a headache figuring out how to solve this. If only there was a method.

"How is it?"

"Brother is right. They're affected by magic energy."

"I suspected as much, but it's true."

"Yes. Judging by the brain being affected, it's a mental-type magic. Tracing the remnants, it's nothing impressive, just simple suggestion..."

The Saint, after examining the heads of the two, showed slight anger.

"The magic energy has accumulated bit by bit from frequent use, half-blocking the mana flow in the brain. That's why they're having memory problems. Those garbage demon species. They should all be exterminated."

"How many times would it take to get to this state?"

"At least more than ten times...?"

"What, these fools..."

They fell for the same trick not just once or twice, but more than ten times?

Was the demon species competent, or were Veriana and Ariadne just idiots?

"Is there a treatment method?"

"The magic energy itself is very minimal, so it's not that difficult. It's just that it's the brain, so even a small amount causes problems. So..."

"It costs money?"

"As expected, brother understands at a glance."

He was truly consistent. But somehow that was reassuring. At least this guy didn't seem to have been affected by demon species.

After all, a money ghost was scarier than a demon species.

"Using 'Holy Light' on a person's brain will definitely cause problems. You experienced it last time, didn't you?"

"Do we really need to try it to know that?"

It seems like we could know that well enough without trying.

"Magic is also a science of verification; until definite results are seen, it remains unknown. Anyway, since the brain is a more sensitive part, I want to work more gently using holy water."

"Exactly how?"

"By using purification magic while their heads are submerged in holy water."

He went on to explain that the holy water would be absorbed comprehensively through the submerged skin and pores, as well as through the mouth and nostrils as they struggled.

"Is the purification magic safe?"

"I can assure you it's much safer compared to 'Holy Light.' It's less effective, but with the help of holy water, we can somewhat cover for that."

"Then do it immediately."

There were many things to learn from these two idiots. Above all, what the state of the World Tree branch was.

"However, since it involves touching the brain and nerves, the pain will be quite substantial."

"It doesn't matter. It's not my body."

"Indeed, the soundproofing here is quite excellent. Then, how about the cost?"

"I'm not their guardian."

"The Fridien and Kalproten families should be able to pay sufficiently. I'll proceed that way. Could I borrow two basins?"

When the shop's clerk brought two small basins, Jayce poured holy water into each.

"...Huh? What are you—!"

"What is... this—!"

And he grabbed the back of the heads of the two dazed individuals and submerged them in the holy water.

"Guwaaaggglblrblp...!"

"Kyaaarrrlglblp...!"

Bubbles rose with their violent struggles.

"Everything is God's will. This too is a trial placed before you. If you endure with patience, evil will eventually be punished."

A seemingly sacred light seeped into their heads.

"S-save... mmblblb!"

"You will not die. Only demons die."

May the blessing of mana be upon you.

"I-it's going in through my nohlrrlrlr...!"

"Yes, it needs to enter through your mouth and ears as well."

"You crazlglglblp!"

"It seems the purification is not complete yet. Repent. You were seduced by magic energy and abandoned mana, but the great mana is generous."

Jayce reverently bowed his head, applying more force to his hands pressing down on their heads.