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

Early in the morning, Gerhard was reviewing reports over coffee.

"I thought I knew everything about the young master, but I cannot understand your recent actions at all."

Among them was a report on how far the search for malignant creatures at the academy had progressed.

'They were hiding in quite a number.'

Three bases, and twelve malignant creatures either captured or killed there.

"It was a demon, a demon! Not anything else, but a demon! Did you never once consider the possibility that a real demon could be summoned while fighting malignant creatures?"

How long they had been nesting in the academy was unknown, but there were surprisingly many of them.

'If this many have been exposed, I can't even imagine how many more there might be.'

Gerhard didn't believe these were all the ones hiding in the academy.

"If it weren't for Aint Armian and the others, you would have died for certain. No, you did die."

Based on everything he had experienced so far, the power and secrecy of the malignant creatures were beyond imagination.

"What are you doing when you're so far removed from anything like a sense of justice? Please come to your senses!"

What they had shown so far was too extensive to be completely eradicated by just one incident.

'The Moon Rising Bookstore? This is where Bella Hoenne was infected with magical contamination...'

He remembered that at the time, he hadn't found anything suspicious.

He shuddered at the malignant creatures' ability to conceal themselves perfectly.

"From now on, don't assign me any other tasks. Even if you order me, I won't do it."

Especially to the academy that discovered them.

'As expected of an Arch Mage, indeed.'

To find at once what couldn't be found despite desperate searching.

Of course, it wasn't just the headmaster's ability alone. There was also a clear difference between openly mobilizing the entire academy and searching secretly.

"I am strictly your bodyguard. Do you have any idea how my heart sank when I heard you fought a demon without me?"

Still, it was reassuring.

"How long are you going to keep this up?"

Gerhard, who had been ignoring him, finally responded.

"Even months wouldn't be enough. You have far too little sense of danger."

"I know I was in danger. But that was just bad luck. Who could have predicted a demon would be summoned at the academy?"

"So why did you leave me behind?"

"From now on, wherever I go, I won't leave you behind. Satisfied?"

"...Insufficient, but I'll accept it for now."

Hyde nodded with a displeased look.

Honestly, from Gerhard's perspective, it felt somewhat unfair.

He wasn't someone overflowing with a sense of justice like Aint. Above all, he was a petty man who knew how to value money and his life.

This incident was truly just terrible misfortune. If he had known a demon would be summoned at that time, he would have definitely brought Hyde along.

Just as he had done when transporting the World Tree branch.

"A letter has arrived from the Duke."

"Let me see."

Gerhard opened the letter.

[I received the recording crystal you sent.

It really was a demon. Andromalius, the 72nd demon.

Its aura was so terrifying it could be felt even through the recording crystal.

And seeing Aint Armian and Luina Berchef stand against it, I'm beginning to understand your choices one by one.]

When Gerhard had presented evidence of malignant creatures, the Duke had wanted to stand with him against evil, but that didn't mean he understood everything.

Luina Berchef.

The Duke had overlooked Gerhard's overstepping of authority in exchange for the sweet fruit of a magic stone mine, but he still thought Gerhard had made a wrong choice.

But not anymore, after checking the recording crystal.

The phrase "talent or human resource worth the value" that he had used to save face at the time now resonated deeply.

[Lord Amod said that she seems more outstanding than he was at that age. In some ways, your eye for people is better than mine.]

After acknowledging Gerhard's choices, the letter contained what he had so desperately wanted.

[As you wish, regarding matters concerning demons, you may act first and report later.

With proper justification, it will not be considered overstepping your authority in any case.]

But it wasn't all good news.

[However, the recording crystal seems to have some gaps in it. According to Duke Dwarleo, there were no signs of tampering with the crystal.

That means you recorded it that way from the beginning.

I can guess what you're hiding, so I won't ask about it specifically.]

[But I'll ask about another doubt that won't go away. When the break started, you came home and immediately focused all your efforts on creating a golem. Desperately, like someone being chased by something.]

The Duke was getting closer to the truth by piecing together the past.

[Gerhard Goldenheim, you knew the demon would manifest, didn't you?]

"..."

[Using my dependents, my craftsmen, my facilities without paying the price—what an utterly shameless act.]

[I look forward to the next break. We have much to discuss.]

Gerhard swallowed dryly.

...How should he explain this?

He felt an inexplicable chill.

***

The second semester at the academy is much busier than the first.

This was because the Empire's greatest national holiday, the Founding Day, was in early October.

During the ten-day festival period, most areas were opened, and numerous visitors came.

There were also plenty of events, and the main participants were, of course, the academy students.

Since there were no classes during the festival period, students could run stalls or participate in competitions and events.

Among these competitions, two were by far the most famous.

The "Jousting Competition," open to any student in the Knight Department.

And the "Magic Tournament," open to any student in the Magic Department.

It would be no exaggeration to say that most visitors to the academy came to see these competitions.

As there were no restrictions by grade level, it provided a more intuitive understanding of the students' abilities.

In fact, many had made a name for themselves through these competitions.

Some for fame.

Some for family prestige.

Some for advancement.

It was known as a path to success unhindered by social status, where one could advance by demonstrating the most intuitive form of power.

Perhaps that's why. Winning the Jousting Competition or the Magic Tournament was a glorious position that every student dreamed of.