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

If it was possible to prevent the demon's advent, should he prevent it? Or should he let things flow as they were?

Demons, by their very nature, were walking calamities—living disasters cloaked in flesh and malice. The advent of Andromalius would inevitably cause enormous damage to the academy's structures, its students, and its reputation. This devastation would, in turn, send shockwaves through the empire's future, weakening one of its foundational institutions at a critical time.

'If that were all, it would obviously be better to prevent it.'

But what if it was just a signal flare announcing the beginning?

If the demon's arrival was merely a prelude to a greater symphony of destruction, and more demons—far more terrible calamities—were waiting in the shadows beyond mortal perception? The thought sent a chill down his spine despite his usual composure.

Preventing Andromalius's advent would be like pouring a single low-grade healing potion on a catastrophic wound with intestines already spilling out—a futile gesture that merely delayed the inevitable while wasting valuable resources.

'The advent of demons is an inevitable future.'

But then another troubling thought emerged. What if Aint Armian, having never experienced the crucible of combat against demons firsthand and thus failing to grow into his potential, couldn't rise to prevent the future calamities that surely awaited? What if, by preventing this one disaster, Gerhard inadvertently caused a far greater one?

Such a future was unimaginable.

So the conclusion he reached was that "Andromalius's advent must definitely occur."

More precisely, "he must be summoned and then subjugated by Aint."

"...So, you're saying that the demons will reach for the Mother Tree's branch?"

Next to Ariadne was a small sapling planted, seemingly unremarkable among its peers yet containing power beyond mortal comprehension. The delicate green leaves shimmered with an almost imperceptible luminescence that only those attuned to natural magic could perceive.

To hide a tree, hide it in the forest; the academy had cleverly concealed the World Tree branch among other trees and plants of similar appearance. An elegant solution that relied on mundane camouflage rather than obvious magical protections that might draw unwanted attention. This unassuming garden corner was the place—the vulnerable point that Gerhard had identified from his prophecies.

"Yes. But there isn't the ironclad security I expected."

"There's no need to make a fuss. No, that's not the important part. Honestly, if it were any other time, I would have asked if you're crazy, but having experienced such events, I can't ask that."

Hmm, Ariadne tilted her head.

"But what you're saying sounds like demons are hiding within the academy? Otherwise, they couldn't reach for the Mother Tree's branch planted at the academy..."

"Precisely."

"...Goodness. Really?"

Ariadne opened her eyes wide.

"Then shouldn't we inform the academy and wait? Why are you taking this on yourself?"

"Because we don't know who the demons are."

"That's why we need to find them."

"If we make it official with the academy, they might go into hiding. Then we'd miss the opportunity to find them."

"Your logic isn't entirely wrong, but..."

Ariadne rested her chin on her hand and gazed intently at Gerhard.

"Why do I feel like you're hiding something?"

"Do you want to hear it?"

"Of course."

"Information is expensive."

"Stop. I don't want to hear it."

"Why not?"

"I just imagined a terrible future. One where what I was promised to receive gets canceled?"

Gerhard chuckled.

"You have good intuition."

"I've always been like that. So, what are you asking me to do?"

"You'll just help, just like that?"

Ariadne nodded.

"It's not just anything, but protecting the Mother Tree's branch from demons. Since I'll be managing it for a while, it would be quite troublesome if problems arise."

Having almost been caught unaware, if Gerhard would collaborate with her, it was actually a profitable deal for Ariadne.

"But before that, I'd like you to give me what you promised."

"You're impatient."

"After hearing all that, how could I not be impatient? Would that even be human?"

Ariadne extended her hand with a haughty expression. Gerhard handed over the invitation.

"Finally, I receive this. It's been such a long journey...! The yacht club invitation!"

"The name has changed. It's no longer the yacht club, but the mask club."

After such a disaster, no student wanted to go out on a yacht again carefree.

Naturally, the meeting place of the yacht club changed, and they decided to maintain the masquerade ball concept because it was well-received.

"Why does that matter! What's important is that it's in my hands now!"

With just this, just this...!

"I can become the queen of connections!"

"I think it's better to abandon the idea that you can turn everyone who attends into your connection."

"You're quite negative. Is it because you're a merchant?"

"I'm being cold-headed."

"You don't understand. Dreams should be big. That way, even if you fail, you get something substantial."

Ariadne grinned.

"So how exactly can I help you?"

"First, who knows that the branch is planted here, or rather, that it was brought into the academy?"

"The chancellor, vice-chancellor, spirit studies professor..."

Ariadne's fingers folded one by one.

"...and you and me."

All ten fingers were folded.

"Do you think there's a demon among those ten people? They're all key figures of the academy."

"Or around them. They might have leaked information by mistake or coincidence."

"So you're certain it's inside the academy."

Ariadne gently stroked the World Tree branch. Subtle mana and energy slowly seeped in.

"I asked for help, but you don't really need to do much. Just turn a blind eye."

"Turn a blind eye?"

"I'm thinking of setting up some operations around here."

Like surveillance.

He had no intention of preventing the contamination of the World Tree and the summoning of Andromalius, but he absolutely needed to know who would do it, when, and how.

The reason he asked for Ariadne's help was that he couldn't operate without the attention of the officially recognized—albeit secretly—manager.

"The Mother Tree doesn't like it when the surroundings are bustling."

"Are you refusing?"

"But it's probably better than being contaminated."

Perhaps because it involved the World Tree, her decision was surprisingly straightforward.