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

"Still, if you ever feel unwell, come to me anytime. Don't feel burdened."

"Yes, thank you."

"Ah, by the way, are you going to participate in the mounted spear competition?"

"I plan to."

"I see. Understood."

Aint, who was about to stand up, hesitated for a moment.

"Ah, if I may ask, Senior. That golem."

"You mean Wooden?"

"Yes. Could I know what that golem Wooden is made of? Ah, if it's a rude question, you don't have to answer."

"No, it's fine. I mixed multiple adamant and mithril I bought from you."

"Thank you for telling me."

Aint left the private room.

<I was right! Nothing but an alloy of mithril and adamant could do that!>

<Both withstanding a demon like that and being able to be made into an ego golem by putting a spirit in it!>

Gardner burst into laughter, confirming that his prediction was correct.

"Yes, Gardner's words were right."

<But it's strange. How did he know that mithril could contain souls?>

<There shouldn't be anyone who knows.>

As far as he knew, the idea of containing souls in mithril didn't exist outside of the first Emperor.

"Perhaps he's wanted to make an ego golem for a long time? So he did his own research."

<Well, a thousand years have passed since then, and it would rather be strange if not a single human had the idea of containing souls in mithril.>

Gardner thought that perhaps such a human had made research findings that were found through money.

<Nevertheless, to make most of that golem with adamant and mithril alloy. Indeed, only upstarts could afford such extravagance.>

Anyway, it was a positive thing that such a being was an ally for now, and that as long as demons were trying to lead the world to destruction, he would continue to not be an enemy.

<In any case, it seems things will be resolved quite quietly, apart from the demon being summoned.>

"That's true. Despite it being a demon."

<They probably think it's premature to announce it now. I understand.>

Yet it wasn't completely trustworthy. Weren't they incompetent enough to not even notice that demonic species were hiding in the Academy?

<There's a limit to incompetence. Not knowing that something was parasitizing right under their noses.>

<If the first Emperor knew, he would have risen from his grave and thrown them all to the demons as food.>

<If they like demons so much, they should offer their own bodies as food first.>

"The more I hear, the more curious I become about what kind of person the first Emperor was."

<He was a hero. Though not a saint.>

Rather, it would be more accurate to say he was somewhat crazy.

<When fighting demons, it's harder to remain sane.>

Anyway.

<Whether the Academy people are incompetent or not, the best thing for you to do right now is what you can do.>

Building a reputation at the Academy.

And cultivating strength.

Aint, who had arrived at the individual training room prepared for Academy students, sat cross-legged in the center.

<So what you need to do right now is.>

Placing the sword on his knees.

<To make Andromalius's demonic energy completely yours.>

<The fact that Andromalius was summoned means this is just the beginning.>

He closed his eyes.

<Winning the mounted spear competition is also important. For the armor!>

"Yes!"

Black demonic energy and pure white light energy intertwined, enveloping Aint.

==

Crack-

The bonsai shears completely broke the trunk of the bonsai.

But the man's hand didn't stop.

Crack, crack. With each movement of the shears, a bonsai inevitably lost its form.

"The seventh has died. He attempted to escape but was powerless, and eventually chose suicide."

"..."

"The third hideout has been discovered by Grad Xant and the guard unit he leads."

The guard unit was an armed group directly under the Academy's control.

Some of the professors led them, and a few assistants were also affiliated.

"It was expected."

It was expected from the moment Andromalius was vanquished without achieving his purpose, no, from the moment Andromalius was summoned.

Yet it was still not very pleasant.

Despite anticipating everything and preparing.

Even considering what to give up, like a lizard cutting off its tail.

"Aint Armian..."

The one they had tried to eliminate at all costs, even at the expense of some sacrifices and reducing their exposure, was still alive and well.

"How interesting."

He had never imagined such a result. He had never thought such a result would occur.

"Andromalius. How incompetent can a so-called demon be?"

It was laughable.

For a great demon to be defeated by just five 'students'.

Even if most of his original power was sealed due to a rushed summoning.

Even after withdrawing the demonic energy that had been spread throughout the Academy to ensure no failure and adding it to the summoning circle.

"With this incident, the entire continent will know about the activity of demons. Yet we have gained nothing."

And that wasn't all.

"Aint Armian has that cursed sword."

The first Emperor's sword, which hunts demons and absorbs their power.

Most of its power would have been lost over the long years, but with this incident, it would have absorbed Andromalius's power.

Far from killing him, they had only strengthened his power.

"As planned, three bases and twelve demonic species will soon fall. But they will certainly not find any more."

"Of course not."

Except for the fact that Andromalius was more incompetent than expected, everything was in the palm of the man's hand.

The Chancellor gathering all the Academy's leaders, the secretly conducted searches, all of it.

They would never find more than what the man had arranged.

But that didn't make up for the failure.

"Given the Chancellor's personality, there's a high possibility he will talk about the demonic species during this founding anniversary."

But he could never allow that to happen as planned.

"We will make the first move."

Divert all attention heading toward the Academy elsewhere.

"Your Excellency."

At that moment, another shadow arose.

"Speak."

"Word has come from the north."

The man's face subtly distorted.

"That's quick."

He opened the warehouse door with reluctant steps. Just then.

"..."

The man's eyes sank coldly.

Ding-

The door opened.

"Today the shop is closed due to personal circumstances."

A woman with long black-blue hair that reached her waist approached slowly, step by step.

"I had placed a sign on the door, but perhaps you didn't see it?"

"I saw it."

"Then why?"

"We're both busy, so I won't talk long."

A snow-white hand brushed the displayed bookshelf. Crack, the books froze in the cold air.

"Will you go easily, or will it be difficult?"

"...Sigh."

The man sighed.

"How did you know?"

"You say interesting things. There is only one reason you parasites have been able to exist until now: we haven't been mindful of you. You filthy demonic species who sold your souls to demons."

"It seems there's a misunderstanding."

The man smiled brightly.

"I enjoy bathing every day. So I'm very clean. Though I can't match Professor Rosalia Wienderk, who has a cleanliness obsession."

He opened a book placed nearby. The engravings inside began to react upon meeting mana.

Crackle-

Blue lightning was discharged in a straight line.

But it was easily blocked by a pure white ice wall.

"You are also wrong."

Crack, the cold air spreading along the floor bound the man's feet.

"I don't have anything like a cleanliness obsession. I just can't stand seeing dirty things."

Crack-

Dozens of ice spears pierced through the man's entire body.

"Dirty demonic species like you."

The frozen blood droplets did not flow to the floor.