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

Despite the randomly thrown odds and ends and the shattered mirror fragments rolling about the floor, his anger wasn't abated.

"This damn... why every time...!"

Gerhard irritably ran his fingers through his hair.

Again. Once again, Gerhard was connected to the prophecy. And in a very negative way.

"So this is how I get entangled again and again until I become Aint's enemy."

There was no reason for him to become Aint's enemy simply because he demanded rightful debt collection from Luina.

It meant there was insufficient justification to lead to the future of his downfall.

Gerhard knew his father well. He wouldn't cast him out of the family for such a trivial matter.

But now he understood.

'At first, I thought the incident at the yacht club was just a coincidence.'

But when coincidence happens twice, it's destiny. The pattern was too precise, too deliberate to be mere happenstance. The threads of fate were being manipulated by unseen hands, drawing him inexorably toward a predetermined end.

This was clearly a trap.

Aimed at Gerhard, at the Goldenheim.

Being associated with demons would endanger the family, leaving no choice but to cast out the son. Such an association was more than scandal—it was existential threat. The whispers alone would be enough to poison business relationships cultivated over generations. Trade partners would distance themselves, allies would reconsider their allegiances, and enemies would seize the opportunity to strike. His father, despite his love, would be forced to make the impossible choice between family and dynasty.

Even for a Margrave family, this was entirely possible since demons were absolutely incompatible enemies in the Empire. No amount of gold could wash away the stain of demonic collaboration. The Empire's foundation rested upon its unified stance against such supernatural threats. From the highest nobility to the lowliest peasant, that singular truth remained unquestioned—demons were the eternal enemy, and those who treated with them were traitors to humanity itself.

The blind spot was that all of it was a misunderstanding. The cruelest irony of his situation—he was innocent of the very crime for which he would be condemned. He had never sought demonic alliance, never desired their power. Yet the evidence would suggest otherwise, carefully arranged to paint him as willing conspirator rather than unwitting pawn.

Looking at his own reflection in the half-shattered full-length mirror, Gerhard laughed self-mockingly. The fractured glass showed a distorted image—pieces of himself scattered and broken, just like his future. The prestigious heir, the brilliant student, the calculating businessman—all these personas stared back at him from different fragments, none of them whole anymore.

"You look ridiculous, Gerhard Goldenheim."

Acting as if he could manipulate the entire world with money, only to be used by demons without even knowing it, leading to his downfall.

It was laughable. How could one not laugh?

He couldn't bear it, feeling so pathetic, with anger towards demons rising to the top of his head.

"...Alright, let's see."

Whether you win or I win.

A drop of blood flowed from his crushed lip.

***

Summoning a demon was by no means an easy task.

Breaking through the dimensional barrier meant a tremendous amount of energy was needed.

The more powerful the being, the more so.

Let alone summoning one of the 72 demons, there was no need to elaborate further.

Gerhard had originally thought they would infect students and use their life force and magic.

But that wasn't it.

"The branch of the World Tree. That was it."

Using the branch of the World Tree to summon a demon. It truly couldn't be more demonic.

"I must stop it."

Normally, there would be no reason to desperately prevent a demon summoning.

The descent of a demon was certainly a big deal, and it wouldn't be easy for him to stop it even if he tried.

And even if it were summoned, it would be fine.

Since it would be exterminated by Aint Armian, from Gerhard's perspective, the best approach would be to minimize damage while gaining what he could.

That's what he had thought.

If he was involved in it, the story changes 180 degrees. The entire premise was flawed.

"But how?"

This was different from the previous futures.

The prophecy book mostly proceeded from Aint Armian's perspective, and naturally, many futures he didn't know weren't mentioned.

This matter was the same. He knew the World Tree would be contaminated but couldn't know exactly how, in what way, or what had happened.

'So I must prepare for everything.'

Since he couldn't unilaterally break a contract made with a Margrave family.

He immediately called Hyde.

"You called... Why is the room...?"

"Never mind that. The Fridien Viscounty has requested the Golden Turtle Company for transportation."

"What are they transporting?"

"Magic stones, spirit stones, World Tree leaves..."

Hyde was surprised as Gerhard listed dozens of items.

"That's considerable."

"But they're all a facade. The real thing is a branch of the World Tree."

"...A branch? Is it what I think it is?"

"Yes. Father has accepted this. And among their requirements was that I either be in charge or join the party."

"Specifically you, young master?"

Hyde raised exactly the same question that Gerhard had harbored yesterday.

Gerhard briefly explained the conversation he had with Ariadne.

"This matter is extremely important. There must be no mistake, no problem."

"Indeed, the branch of the World Tree..."

"No, that's not what I mean."

Demons are involved. It was the crucial part that would provide the beginning of his downfall.

But that was a fact only Gerhard could know because he had the prophecy book. He couldn't just say it outright.

"Then what do you mean?"

"No, you're right. So we need to prepare first. The transport team leaves in two weeks. I'll join them with Ariadne using a teleportation magic circle."

"There's plenty of time."

Since his father was already handling all the transport team preparations, there wasn't much for Gerhard to do.

"Then without much preparation, I just need to join..."

"No."

If it weren't related to demons.

"Prepare as thoroughly as possible. As if going to war. Gather all the items and supplies and inform father to increase the guard."

"Is it necessary to go that far? Although the branch of the World Tree is precious, no one would have the guts to offend two Margrave families simultaneously. Moreover, didn't they keep its very existence secret externally, just in case?"

"Listen, Hyde. Accidents happen when you let your guard down."