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

Returning to his quarters, Gerhard began writing down everything he had seen, trying to recall as much as possible.

"I can roughly estimate which castle it is."

There were quite a few clues. The height of the castle walls, the people present, and even the vast plain ahead.

"Iron Cross Knights. Castle walls about 20 meters high. A wide plain stretching out in front. It was turning black due to magical contamination, but until then, it had been a very fertile land."

The Iron Cross Knights were one of the knightly orders of the Pragia Kingdom.

And among the castles in the Pragia Kingdom, only seven had walls exceeding 20 meters.

'Among them, I need to find the one with a plain stretching out in front.'

If there were several candidates, he could visit them directly to verify their appearance.

He could also send someone to bring back recording crystals or drawings of those castles.

'The issue is timing.'

Even if he found out what and where, if the when was wrong, everything would fall apart.

'It wasn't raining or snowing.'

Perhaps due to the intense magical contamination, or maybe because prophetic visions were naturally like this, he couldn't feel the ambient temperature.

But he could make some inferences from people's clothing.

'At least it's not summer.'

Pragia's summers are extremely humid. But no one on the castle walls was sweating.

'And not winter either.'

No one was wearing winter gear.

'Spring, or fall.'

No, it's spring.

If it were fall, there would be golden crops bowing their heads in the plains as harvest season approached, but there were none.

'Surely it's not next spring...?'

That would mean only about half a year remained.

Gerhard tried to push down the ominous feeling creeping up on him.

'The Black Spear Mercenary Band and Barosu Drage were there.'

Looking quite intact.

The fact that Barosu Drage, who had been seriously injured and bedridden, was standing on the battlefield meant quite some time had passed...

'Isn't six months enough? No, wait.'

In the original history, Barosu Drage wasn't injured. That was a future changed by Gerhard's intervention.

'Even excluding Barosu...'

Aint's appearance was a bit different from now.

He looked more mature, and his hair was a bit longer.

But even that could change within six months.

'Damn it. If you're going to show me, show me the result too. Why cut it off so ambiguously?'

If there had been a clear prophecy of Aint's victory, like with Andromalius, he wouldn't be this anxious.

'No, of course he'll win.'

In that final scene he saw on the day he was struck by lightning, Aint clearly fought against demons until the end.

Originally.

Andromalius was even stronger than Gerhard had anticipated. The summoning method and timing were also different.

Why wouldn't it be the same for another demon? Could Aint really win?

It was something to constantly worry about, having already altered the future.

'For now, I should make as many preparations as possible while subtly mentioning it to Aint.'

That was the best he could do at this point.

'Above all, if the Pragia Kingdom falls, the Empire is next.'

And in the Imperial territory of the Pandrein continent.

The Goldenheim Ducal family was there.

Of course, there was a considerable distance between Pragia and the Goldenheim dukedom, greater than most kingdoms, but there was still a possibility.

"That absolutely cannot happen...!"

No matter what, this demon must not escape from Pragia. That must be ensured.

"...What can't happen?"

"Hyde, what's the matter all of a sudden?"

Ahem, Gerhard cleared his throat and smoothed out his wrinkled clothes.

"...Didn't you call me? Saying you had something for me to do?"

"Ah."

Right, he did.

"Are you feeling unwell?"

"I'm fine. Contact the Golden Pillar branch in the Pragia Kingdom's Golden Column."

Golden Pillar was Gerhard's independent intelligence organization. The one he had used to persuade his father regarding Luina's case.

"Why Pragia all of a sudden?"

"Find castles with walls over 20 meters high and a plain in front."

"Castles?"

Hyde tilted his head at the unexpected order.

Since he couldn't tell anyone about seeing a prophecy about demons, he had to improvise appropriately.

"Yes. I found a clue about the malignant creatures."

"...!"

"The headmaster shared some clues about the malignant creatures, and among them was a drawing of a castle."

"I'll send a communication immediately."

"Thank you."

"Yes!"

Hyde disappeared. Gerhard ran his hand through his hair. He took a deep breath to calm his startled heart.

For now, there wasn't much he could do immediately. Just wait.

So for now.

"I need to make money. We'll need even more to prepare for war."

It was time to return to his main job.

Getting dressed and heading to the company, Gerhard's eyes were filled with determination to clean out the pockets of every visitor coming to the academy this time.

"...Ah, I had a lecture."

Damn it.

His steps, which had reached the entrance of the company, turned back towards the academy.

==

"...With this, I declare the Founding Day festival open."

Bam bam bam bam-

After the headmaster's declaration, which ended with seven drawn-out "finally"s that had made several students stifle their laughter, the waiting orchestra erupted into magnificent music. The symphony of strings, brass, and percussion reverberated across the academy grounds, marking the official commencement of the long-awaited celebrations.

Magic fireworks shot upward in vibrant competition, each trying to outshine the others as they bloomed across the twilight sky. Bursts of crimson, azure, emerald, and gold flowered in intricate patterns—some taking the shapes of mythical beasts, others forming the academy's crest before dissolving into cascades of sparkling light that slowly drifted toward the earth.

Waaaaaah!

"It's the festival!"

"No lectures for ten days!"

Some went to their families, some to their friends, some to the street attractions.

Students scattered into the streets like fish finding water after a drought, their black academy uniforms soon disappearing among the colorful festival attire of visitors and locals alike. Their laughter and excited chatter filled the air, mingling with the music and the occasional crackling boom of more elaborate magical displays.

The festival had begun.

The academy's festival was characterized by complete non-interference. They provided guidelines for students to do things autonomously, but enjoyment was entirely up to the students.

"The academy spent quite a bit this time."

Much more splendid than last year's rather modest affair, this festival was a feast for the senses. Floating lanterns enchanted with ever-changing colors drifted lazily above the pathways. Archways of twisted silver and gold filigree marked the entrances to densely packed stages where performers from across the empire would showcase their talents. Gardens had been temporarily transformed with illusion magic to display exotic flora that shimmered and swayed to unseen breezes, while crystal fountains sprayed water in intricate patterns that defied gravity.