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

It looked like the infiltration was complete.

And that wasn't all.

Crack-

"Ouch...!"

When Ariadne reached out her hand, demonic energy burst out, causing a violent rebound. She screamed and took a step back.

"...This is serious."

The funny thing was that despite being in such a state, almost no demonic energy could be felt from the outside. Whether it was due to the excellent concealment magic of the demonic species or the special nature of the World Tree branch, he wasn't sure.

"Ariadne, can you purify it?"

"I really hate to say this, but it's impossible."

Ariadne explained that not a bit of forest energy remained.

"That's no longer the incarnation of the Mother Tree, but something else wearing its guise."

It was similar to an undead. Just because you raise an undead from a dead corpse doesn't mean the undead is the same person as the owner of the corpse.

Although it might inherit some of the abilities that the original body had.

"So it's already too late."

"...It's my fault. If only I hadn't stupidly fallen for mind magic...! There must have been several chances to reverse it!"

Ariadne muttered with bloodshot eyes.

The importance of the World Tree to elves could be guessed from the name they called it.

Gerhard couldn't even begin to imagine how an elf would feel seeing an incarnation of such a World Tree contaminated by demonic species.

'Would it be similar if I were to completely fall from grace?'

Imagining it was truly horrifying. Crunch, Gerhard ground his teeth, cursing the demonic species.

"I'll definitely catch whoever did this and tear them limb from limb! I swear on my name! I'll make them feel to the bone what the price is for daring to touch the Mother Tree!"

So first!

Ariadne pulled out her staff. The surrounding mana began to gather around her like a storm.

"Let me put the incarnation of the Mother Tree at ease."

"...What?"

At her sudden impulsive action, Gerhard rushed between the contaminated incarnation and Ariadne.

"Wait, stop, Ariadne. No matter what, it's still an incarnation of the World Tree. Are you saying you'll just destroy it? As an elf?"

"It's a hundred times better for me to destroy it with my own hands than to let it be used by those demonic creatures. My father would praise me for it."

No, maybe the Mother Tree would be angry that her incarnation had been completely corrupted by demonic species. Ariadne looked dejected.

"Anyway, destroying it is the right thing to do!"

"But won't that completely void the contract with the Academy? Are you okay with that?"

"...Well."

The World Tree's incarnation was by no means solely the property of the elves.

It was the result of a deal between the Academy and Fridien, and it would be hasty to completely smash it based solely on Ariadne's judgment just because it had gone a bit (?) wrong.

"...Then what do you suggest? Do you have a way?"

"What were you planning to do?"

"I was going to ease the Mother Tree's final journey and report to my father. After all, this is a problem I can't solve on my own."

"I have a better method."

"What is it?"

"First, we get help from Jayce. And we also get help from the holy water that healed your mind."

Ariadne wore an unconvinced expression.

"Pouring a top-grade potion on a corpse won't bring it back to life."

"This case is different. It's the World Tree branch."

"Hmmmm."

"I'm also thinking of getting help from Aint. If the legitimate successor of Armian, known as the natural enemy of demons, might have at least one method. Isn't it better to place some hope rather than giving up like this?"

"Well, that's true..."

Hearing her halfway convinced tone, Gerhard nodded.

Contrary to his words, he had no intention of healing the World Tree branch. His purpose was merely to buy time with all sorts of excuses.

To leave the World Tree as it was so that Andromalius could be summoned.

There would be some damage to the Academy, but Aint's growth was ultimately for the benefit of all humanity, so it was a beneficial direction for everyone.

In the process, the World Tree branch would become the medium for summoning, but why should he care? If the demon destroyed the World Tree branch, no one could say anything.

It wasn't even the real World Tree, and there was no way a mere young incarnation could stand against a demon.

"Trust me. Have you ever lost out by believing my words?"

"I haven't particularly gained anything either? We don't have that kind of history between us."

That was true. He had habitually spoken to her as he would to Luina Berchef.

Certainly, the approach should be different for Ariadne compared to Luina, with whom trust had been built throughout the first semester.

"Is going through the battlefield together not enough?"

"It's a business trip."

"To a merchant, those who go on business trips together are comrades."

"Not to elves."

Then for Ariadne Florian, a method befitting her should be used.

"Fine. Emond Altriark, the Knight Faculty professor in charge of third-year students."

"What?"

"I'll introduce you."

"...Oh."

After a momentarily blank expression, she instinctively nodded.

"Okay!"

He was of the Altriark Frontier Count family lineage, another pillar supporting the Empire.

Although far from succession, being a direct descendant with the Altriark name was what mattered.

"I'll trust you, senior. We are comrades who fought together after all."

"Not because of connections?"

"I can't say that doesn't have an influence. But still..."

Ariadne's eyes momentarily lowered heavily.

"Even if it's just a corpse, I can't bear to see the Mother Tree's branch being used by those demon bastards. When I said I would destroy it with my own hands rather than that, I meant it."

Her will to smash it immediately if things went even slightly wrong was palpable.

"I'll keep that in mind."

Ah, and this is the main point.

"By the way, are you good at spirit magic?"

"Is that like asking a monkey if it knows how to climb trees?"

"If you help me, I'll introduce you to one more person."

"Who is it?"

Ariadne's eyes sparkled brightly.