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

Well, that could be resolved gradually. The problem was that they were all in the Knight Department.

Gerhard was in the Magic Department, but he was a second-year.

'Why aren't there any Grand Duke families in the first-year Magic Department?'

That wasn't entirely true. There was Jayce Biance, known as the Saint of the Order, but honestly, she was reluctant to approach him.

How to put it... Like a hatred for her own kind.

'He's definitely hiding something.'

There was something behind that mask of being an exceptionally benevolent saint. Her instincts told her so.

'Still, I can't be an outcast in the Magic Department, so should I force my way in somehow?'

Putting on a thick skin was what she did best.

'Daniel Alfrecen and Berdi Inua would be suitable.'

She didn't need those of low rank. What she wanted were useful connections that could help her.

While organizing her thoughts...

"How pathetic."

The buzzing lecture hall fell silent at Rosalia Wienderk's soft mutter.

"New semester, Founding Day, festival. I understand."

These three elements were enough to excite the students.

And the fact that those currently listening to her lecture were first-years was sufficient to add a fourth element.

But that didn't mean they could attend the lecture with excited and distracted minds.

"There's still a week until the festival. And this isn't festival preparation time, but 'Battle, War, and Magic' time."

"...We're sorry."

The students bowed their heads deeply at her cold rebuke.

"It's alright. It's not like this is the first time I've encountered such a situation."

The academy's festival was already so famously splendid that it was natural for students to be excited about participating in their first festival.

That's why professors knew the solution to this floating atmosphere well.

"Aron."

"Yes, Professor."

"Tell them to come in."

"Yes."

Ten Magic Department teaching assistants entered and stood at the front of the podium.

"Today's lecture is a magic duel with the teaching assistants. Stand in front of the assistant you prefer and wait."

The key was to work them until no distracting thoughts remained.

"Ariadne Florian."

"Yes, Professor!"

The red-haired elf responded brightly.

The only first-year Magic Department student among those who experienced the malignant creature incident that shook the academy.

From Rosalia's perspective, who hadn't yet seen Gerhard, she was quite curious about how Ariadne had changed and what influence the demon had had on her.

After all, a demon wouldn't have just come out for a casual stroll.

"You're first."

"...Me?"

"You seemed the least interested in my lecture. Is it because you're confident?"

"...Well."

"Come out."

Ariadne was dragged out like a fish caught on a hook.

"Also, Jayce Biance, Daniel Alfrecen, Berdi Inua..."

The top ten students came forward. Twenty people faced each other on their respective training grounds.

"Begin."

────!

The teaching assistants didn't yield the initiative.

Memorized spells began to burst like fireworks.

==

"Good work."

"...I'm tired."

Rosalia Wienderk, returning after hunting the last malignant creature, half-reclined on the sofa.

She put a cigarette in her mouth and lit a small spark with her fingertip. Whoosh, the cigarette smoke scattered beyond the window.

"...Now I feel a bit better. As expected, Golden Turtle products are good."

"Filling your stomach with such things will eventually corrupt your body."

"Then I should hold Golden Turtle accountable for providing defective products."

Appropriate satiety, fulfillment, and even a slight stimulating effect. What she was smoking wasn't just a simple cigarette, but a kind of consumable magical artifact.

"Why don't you rest for a while?"

"Aron."

Rosalia cut off Aron's words.

"Don't make me say it twice."

The academy wanted to resolve this malignant creature situation discreetly.

To prevent the disruption from affecting the festival and the academy's daily life.

Therefore, Rosalia had to balance her duties as a professor, teaching and researching, while also fulfilling her responsibilities as a guardian.

"Since the headmaster personally issued a warning, I must do my best."

Rosalia muttered impassively after completely burning one cigarette.

"But it's interesting."

She examined the documents. They were about the recent class.

Combat logs of each student, written by the teaching assistants.

On a broad scale, there were no issues. As if rankings weren't given without reason, the students' abilities followed their rankings.

But looking closely.

"Ariadne Florian's movements have become more fluid."

"Her mana flow has become more natural, and her casting speed has increased. She must have achieved something during the break."

"Probably."

'She might have gained insight while fighting the malignant creatures.'

She kept that thought to herself.

Information about the malignant creatures was still top secret and hadn't been spread to the teaching assistants yet.

The headmaster had judged that if malignant creatures were hiding in the academy, they were likely to be teaching assistants, students, or people from the city.

He reasoned that established warriors, knights, or wizards who were now professors had little reason to become malignant creatures now, and the possibility of them being replaced without significant disturbance was low.

Of course, there are no absolutes in this world, but the fact that the speaker was an Arch Mage gave it near-absolute credibility.

That's why it was even more intriguing.

The headmaster had not clarified exactly what these malignant creatures were.

However, considering the students' level, she thought they probably weren't high-level malignant creatures.

That's it. Having finished her thoughts on the malignant creatures, she called Aron.

"How is the research progressing?"

"It seems there's some progress."

"It seems?"

"I misspoke. There is progress, Professor. Though very slight."

At those words, a faint excitement appeared in Rosalia's eyes.

"Submit a detailed report. I'll check it right away."

"Isn't the headmaster's special mission more important?"

"It's not that significant. It's almost wrapped up anyway."

They were just malignant creatures, not demons. And they were malignant creatures caught by students at that.

It was important to be vigilant, but there was no need to be overly fixated.

They had already searched the entire academy and caught the malignant creatures and their bases.

That was enough. The remaining cleanup wasn't her responsibility anyway.

"Above all, this research is more important to me."

And what would be gained through the research.

"Actually, it's the same for me. Then I'll go to the lab."

Rosalia waved her hand, signaling him to leave. Aron left the office.

"...Of course. It's important. Very important."

Aron headed to the lab with a subtle smile.