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

"It's definitely one of two things. Either an elixir or magical contamination..."

If it was an elixir, it wasn't just a cheap one, nor just one or two. They all had to be top-grade, and it was hard to grasp how many he might have consumed.

The Ert family wasn't capable of affording such things.

'Magical contamination seems more likely. There's a high probability he's a malignant creature.'

But would malignant creatures, who aren't fools, try to stir up trouble when the headmaster is frantically trying to find them?

Damn it, this is giving me a headache.

"Tell Golden Pillar to dig deeper into Gismond. Family background, actions, where he might have obtained elixirs, even the most trivial habits or speech patterns."

"Yes."

Anyway, the cause must be the distortion that occurred while changing the future in the prophecy. There's no other explanation.

Gerhard rose from his seat.

"At least I made money."

Valia Inus was neither destined to reach the top 16 nor was he an outstanding individual worthy of Gerhard's particular interest.

For reasons he didn't fully understand, Gismond had defeated two people who should have reached the top 16, while Valia wouldn't have made it there anyway.

If Gismond's two victories weren't just luck, the outcome was predictable.

"Gismond's next opponent is..."

"Luina Berchef."

"Then it's over."

Gerhard was certain that no more unexpected variables would occur.

Although he had seen everything he needed to, Gerhard didn't leave his seat.

With the bracket itself having changed, he needed to watch all the duels overall to judge who would advance to the top 16.

'This is frustrating.'

Gerhard's gaze was not kind as he watched Gismond raising both arms in celebration.

==

Day 6 of the festival.

Day 5 of the Jousting Competition.

Having defeated three opponents and advanced to the top 32, Luina sat in the waiting room, calmly preparing for her next match.

'My next opponent is...'

"Are you preparing well?"

At that moment, someone wearing armor sat down next to her.

Though the visor was down, hiding the face, the voice was unmistakably familiar.

"...Gerhard? How?"

The waiting room was off-limits to everyone except contestants, at least as far as Luina knew.

"There are ways."

"Money is nice, isn't it?"

"It's connections. There's no need to waste money on something this trivial."

Gerhard smiled faintly.

"But why come all the way to the waiting room...?"

"Do you know who your opponent is this time?"

"Yes. Third-year senior Gismond Ert."

She gave her all in every match and avoided the folly of facing opponents without knowledge.

"I heard his skills have improved rapidly since last year. I thought it was just a late explosion of potential, but seeing him directly was a bit different."

"An elixir?"

"That's right."

"I was going to tell you just in case, but I'm glad you already know."

Gerhard nodded slightly.

"Tell me?"

"Be careful."

"Careful?"

Though his expression wasn't visible, Gerhard's voice was deadly serious.

"That guy Gismond, there are many aspects about him that don't add up."

"...Could he be a malignant creature?"

Luina's eyes instantly sharpened as she lowered her voice.

From Luina's perspective, knowing that malignant creatures were parasitizing within the academy, she couldn't help but think that way.

Especially having experienced her friend Bella's skills rapidly increasing after being contaminated by magical energy.

"I'm not certain. It's just a suspicion. But the possibility is high."

Quite high, in fact.

"I understand."

"You're not going to ask more?"

"Luina, please enter shortly."

At that moment, an attendant called for Luina.

Luina picked up the helmet she had set aside.

"Even though you're someone who cares only about money, you don't lie. Even if that weren't the case, I believe we've built this much trust."

And I also desperately want to win.

"I'll do my best and return..."

At that moment, something slipped into Luina's mouth as she was speaking.

"...What's this, chocolate?"

"It's a gift wishing for your victory."

"...Thank you."

Click. Luina lowered her visor and entered the passage.

"Trust..."

Gerhard returned to the spectator stands.

And he saw it.

"Victory, Luina Berchef!"

Luina's lance, charging as one with her horse.

With a single collision, it completely shattered Gismond's aura.

With a second collision, it sent his lance flying.

The outcome was decided in just two exchanges.

"Arghhhhhh...! I'm dying!"

Unable to withstand the impact transmitted through the lance, Gismond rolled on the ground, clutching what appeared to be a broken arm.

"He's quite dramatic. Making such a fuss over just a broken arm."

"Indeed."

As an academy student, it wouldn't be his first broken arm, yet he was making such a scene.

'If I were a malignant creature, I wouldn't turn such a pathetic person into one and use him.'

Maybe he really just took excessive elixirs? With what money?

Gerhard clicked his tongue.

Anyway, with Luina's victory, the situation was favorable.

'By the way, Luina seems stronger than she was in the prophecy book...'

He had expected Luina to win, but he hadn't anticipated such dominance.

Perhaps she really might win this time, he thought.

Is it because of the mandrake I gave her? Whatever the reason, there was no reason not to be pleased that an ally who would fight the demon together was getting stronger.

'...Ally? Since when did fighting demons become natural for me?'

Honestly, by this point, he could be certain that there would be no future where he falls out with Aint and faces ruin. Such a worst-case scenario wouldn't occur now even if he let go.

Nevertheless, Gerhard couldn't readily let go of the demon matter.

The butterfly effect.

He couldn't tell how the futures distorted by his desperate struggles to survive would unfold.

Just as the sea serpent that attacked the yacht wasn't just one but two.

Just like Andromalius, who was suddenly summoned, different from the content of the prophecy book.

Fearing that those changes might accidentally kill Aint.

And fearing that a world without Aint would perish.

Gerhard couldn't let go.

'Just wait. I will definitely control all the wealth in the world.'

If he saved the world, such a reward would be fitting.

Gerhard gritted his teeth.

At that moment, someone approached, handed a document envelope to Hyde, and disappeared.

The envelope was marked with a golden pillar symbol.

"What you wanted has arrived, young master."

"Let me see."

"Yes."

After confirming the contents, Gerhard's eyes narrowed.

"...Look at this?"

"What is it?"

"Found it. It's the Feyers Fortress in the Feyers territory."

A solid fortress at the southernmost point of the Pragia Kingdom.

'But this location...'

Gerhard recalled another prophecy.

[- This is black adamantite.

"The one known for its high magic resistance?"

<You're lucky. It can't compare to mithril, but it's quite a useful ore.>]

A prophecy about something valuable very close to Feyers.