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

The dozens, hundreds of engravings carved on its surface were so high-dimensional that Ariadne couldn't fully understand them.

"What is this? Who made it, and what are the materials? I've never seen anything like this...! I can even feel the energy of the Mother Tree. Don't tell me, the fragment you took! You used it for this?"

"That's right."

"Goodness, what exactly are you planning to do with this?"

Being a magician herself, her curiosity about the unknown was bubbling up.

Though she lacked the ability to fully understand the core, she could glimpse a part of its greatness.

"It's a golem's core."

"...A golem? You're putting this high-dimensional core in just a golem? What kind of money-wasting madness is that...?"

"What did you say?"

"Am I wrong? Using something like this merely as a golem's core is incredibly inefficient."

This was a natural perception, as golems still had many deficiencies.

But Gerhard's golem was distinctly different.

"That's why I need you to make it efficient."

"...Me? How?"

Ariadne had a dumbfounded expression.

"A spirit."

Beings that exist as souls.

"I'm thinking of putting a spirit in here to create an ego golem."

"Are you insane?"

Ariadne shouted without a moment's hesitation.

"Insane?"

"Is it normal to ask an elf to imprison a spirit? There's even a submission engraving! The kind used to subjugate familiars!"

"I guess it is a bit strange."

"Of course it is. Spirits are free beings. They never stay tied down anywhere. It's impossible. Wait, is it even possible to contain a soul in the first place?"

"That's possible. Because it's made of mithril. Mithril can hold not just mana but also souls."

With Gardner as living proof, there was no need to doubt that part.

"...Mithril? That precious material?"

To the dazed Ariadne who was muttering, Gerhard made an offer.

"Would you still refuse even if I introduced you to a member of the Grand Duke family that you so desire?"

"...Well."

"Even one who is in the direct line and has a high possibility of becoming a successor."

"...This is just mediation."

Ariadne reluctantly began drawing a magic circle.

"Mediation?"

"Yes. It means persuading the spirits is your job. I absolutely cannot agree to forcibly imprisoning a spirit that doesn't willingly enter."

"Of course."

And one more thing. Ariadne added an extra comment.

"The five major elements belonging to the spirit realm are out of the question. The kings won't stand for it."

"Then?"

"Let's go with a spirit of the middle realm. Since they're not under the kings, it would be better for you. But only if it's possible."

"Are other spirits under the kings?"

"Think of them as the king's retainers."

If that was the case, Ariadne was certainly right.

Gerhard wanted a golem that would completely follow his words, not a piece of trash whose control might be handed over in a pinch.

"And fortunately, there are suitable spirits. Normally, it would be impossible with your spirit affinity, but thanks to mixing in the World Tree branch..."

The World Tree was the mother of all trees. And that meant.

<Kooing?>

The forest spirits would go crazy for it.

A small, green spirit appeared. Its bright eyes were full of curiosity.

"Now, the rest is up to you, Senior."

"Good."

Gerhard didn't say anything else. Instead, he opened a subspace.

"...Is that a golem?"

Ariadne's mouth fell open at the magnificent appearance of the golem that suddenly emerged in the forest.

Not just Ariadne. The forest spirit also flew around the golem, fascinated by the giant form it had never seen before.

"If you enter this, that golem's body will become yours."

<Wing?>

The curious forest spirit slowly approached and made eye contact.

"Being a spirit, you've probably never had a proper physical body. But if you make a contract with me, it's possible."

"Do you think it will agree? After engraving a submission mark."

"Be quiet. Forest spirit, imagine it. That massive body becoming yours, and the scene of you moving it freely."

<Kooing! Koong....>

"It says just imagining it is overwhelming. But it doesn't like being confined, and it dislikes being someone else's subordinate even more. I knew it."

That was somewhat expected. Gerhard didn't mind.

"Think about it, spirit. Yes, this has a submission engraving. But that's just a fleeting moment."

<Koong?>

"How long do humans live? At most, a hundred years. Even if aging is delayed by mana, two hundred years. That's just a fleeting moment compared to the eternal life of spirits."

Just endure that short period.

"When I die, you'll be free from then on. You can own that body completely as your own without having to listen to anyone's commands."

<Kooiiing?!>

The spirit's eyes widened.

"Moreover, that can adjust its size. It means you can be in a small form whenever you want."

That was the clincher.

The forest spirit threw itself at the golem's core. But it couldn't enter.

"Ariadne!"

"...Why isn't this..."

"Arrange a contract with me."

"...No, think again. This is a prison!"

<Kooing!>

"You're saying two hundred years is nothing? No, still..."

"Don't interfere with a fair deal, Ariadne."

"Haah, fine."

With Ariadne's help, Gerhard made a contract with the forest spirit. Soon after, the spirit entered the golem's core.

Gerhard opened the golem's breastplate and installed the core.

Woooong-

Red pupils flickered in its face.

Kruggg-

The giant golem raised its body with its own will.

Once, twice. After clenching and unclenching its fists, the golem began moving various parts of its body.

"Congratulations on gaining a real body. Wooden."

<Kooing?>

Perhaps because they had made a contract, translation was no longer necessary.

"What's Wooden? It's your name from today."

There was no special meaning. It was just named that because it was a forest spirit.

That's how the massive ego golem, Wooden, was born.

==

"...So you're saying there's a forest spirit inside it."

"So Ariadne, you were so obsessed with connections that you sold out a spirit?"

<That's how it is.>

<Is this what pointy-ears do?>

Aint made a disgusted expression.

"...Are you really an elf?"

"I only mediated! It was clearly the spirit's will!"

Ariadne expressed her grievance, but no one believed her.

After the brief commotion subsided.

"By the way, where's Veriana?"

Shortly after, they found Veriana unconscious in a corner of the battlefield.

And not long after, the barrier completely disappeared.