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

Sharp eyes gazed steadily at Gerhard.

Of course, he had removed parts.

The scenes of the traps he had set going off would only be a confession that Gerhard had known about the demon from the beginning.

He had excluded Wooden to avoid making the mistake of standing at the forefront instead of Aint.

"It is the original."

But it was also the original. He hadn't erased data from the recording crystal; he had deliberately not activated it during unnecessary parts.

"It's true that there was more originally, but some engravings were damaged during the fight with the demon."

"I see, understood."

The Chancellor nodded.

"Then may I ask one more thing?"

"By all means."

"Why were you there at that time?"

It was an expected question.

"As you know, I brought the World Tree branch myself. So I had some attachment to it and wanted to check if it had taken root well during the vacation period."

"I understand. It's not just any ordinary item, and since you personally went through the trouble of transporting it, it's natural to have an attachment."

"Thank you for understanding."

That went well. Just as he was feeling relieved.

"But why did you call the other students?"

A sharp question suddenly thrust in.

The Chancellor's hand leisurely stroked his beard.

"You must know that the location where the World Tree branch was planted is top secret. All the other students testified that they went together because you called them."

But since this was something he already knew, it wasn't difficult to raise the shield he had prepared in advance.

"Is that really so? That's strange. I never called them. From the beginning, they told me they were out for training and just got caught up in it."

The range of the barrier was quite wide.

They hadn't followed Gerhard; they had been training and hunting monsters on the outskirts of the forest when they were swept in.

That's how the story went.

"Ah, is that what they said? I apologize. These days, as I age, my memory becomes fuzzy."

The Chancellor let out an awkward laugh.

"It's alright."

"Thank you for understanding."

He poured a bit more milk into his tea.

"Ah, come to think of it, there was such an incident recently."

He moistened his dry lips with tea.

"A certain trading company suddenly asked for priority in shipping business. Actually, it wasn't a particularly important point, so I just accepted it."

His tone was gentle.

"With impeccable timing, problems arose, and a new subject was established. The demand for ships increased rapidly as a result."

But the meaning contained in it pierced through to the core.

"I heard the name of that company is Golden Turtle, and the leader is you."

Gerhard paused for a moment. But that change passed very briefly, like a fleeting touch.

"Is that related to this incident?"

"I don't think it's completely unrelated. Records of demons and demonic species controlling monsters are occasionally mentioned in literature."

A calm tone, as if discussing daily matters.

"Perhaps the maritime incident was a sign of the demon summoning."

But its blade was pointed at Gerhard.

The Chancellor clearly thought there was something strange about Gerhard.

"I see. But even so, what does that have to do with our company? We just built and sold ships."

"That's right. But isn't it too exquisite a coincidence?"

"It's just a coincidence, as you said."

"Well, that's true too. Who would have known that monsters would suddenly overflow?"

The Chancellor burst into laughter.

"It seems you have heavenly luck. Perhaps the god of money is attached to you."

"Thank you for the compliment."

"This old man has been keeping you for too long. You can go now. I will gratefully use this recording crystal."

"Yes, I'll be going then."

"The reward I mentioned earlier will be delivered to your dormitory soon."

"Thank you."

Gerhard stood up. Tap, as the door closed, the secretary cautiously asked.

"Do you suspect Gerhard is a demonic species?"

"How could that be? This recording crystal is real. A demonic species wouldn't lend a hand in killing a demon."

It was impossible for a demonic species, whose soul was mortgaged, to rebel against a demon from the beginning.

"Just a small suspicion."

Whether he might have known about the demon in advance but kept quiet to make a big profit.

"Goldenheims are certainly talents capable of such things."

History had proven that.

"But I'm concerned that you might have believed him too readily. Is there a possibility that the recording crystal was manipulated...?"

"It seems I've been too quiet for too long. To think I would hear such words even from you."

Tap, tap. The Chancellor repeatedly tossed and caught the recording crystal lightly.

"There's no problem with this recording crystal."

"...Ah, I apologize."

The secretary, whose complexion had turned pale, bowed his head.

"I overstepped..."

Yes, that was it. If the Chancellor said so, then that's how it was.

"It's not necessarily overstepping. I understand. Even I find it hard to believe that a demon fell at the hands of mere students."

The number of magicians more excellent than the Chancellor in this world certainly didn't exceed five.

A great magician, one of only ten in the world, recognized by the Pope of the Dragon Faith Order.

An Arch Mage.

No matter what Gerhard did, he could not possibly deceive the Chancellor with magic.

"The recording crystal is real. That's why it's even more surprising. It was a real demon."

Aint Armian.

The one who shone more brilliantly than anyone in the recording crystal and beheaded the demon.

"The greatness of Armian has not yet set."

They were rulers who had governed the Empire for nearly nine hundred years.

Though they stumbled and their power collapsed with surprising speed, the foundation they had built up didn't just disappear.

"No wonder they're the bloodline of the first Emperor. Now I understand why people kept saying Armian, Armian."

"That's right. They're not just Armian for nothing."

Though they had lost the throne and their mystic swordsmanship was thought to have been lost in the turmoil, it turned out that wasn't the case.

"Schwaben will make a fuss over this incident. They're the ones who are most wary of Armian's revival."

Yet they won't be able to stop it.

It was one thing if it was just a demonic species, but the fact that a demon had been summoned was an indication that a calamity was about to come.

The darker the darkness, the more brilliantly the light will shine.

"Keep a closer eye on student Aint Armian from now on."

"Yes."

"And also the students who brought down the demon together. Above all, especially Gerhard Goldenheim."

"Is there a special reason?"

"There's one thing that even the most seasoned person can't easily hide. It's the look in their eyes."

Goodwill, trust, and admiration.

The cunning raccoon felt those three emotions in everyone's eyes whenever Gerhard's name came up.

"Goldenheim, who gained trust and admiration, and together with Armian, defeated a demon."

Pulling Luina Berchef to his side, suddenly becoming the top student.

"It's not just one or two things that are strange..."

The Chancellor leaned back in his chair. He took a sip of the now cold tea.

"It seems he will show a different path from the Goldenheims so far."

It was quite interesting. But what was unfortunate was that there was no luxury to maintain that interest now.

"I've enjoyed spending time with the young sprouts, but now it's time to work."

The Chancellor straightened his back.

"Summon all the executives."

It was time to exterminate the cockroaches that had snuck into the Academy.