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

If Aint was the eye of the storm among the first-years, then among the second-years, it was definitely Gerhard Goldenheim.

Rumors had it that he had been hiding his true abilities, as he was only ranked 10th during his first year, but had been rapidly climbing since becoming a second-year.

'He must have been hiding his true abilities?'

<It wouldn't make sense otherwise. You're receiving my help, but he doesn't have that.>

'Why would he hide such abilities? If it were me, I would have revealed them immediately.'

As Aint was thinking differently about Gerhard, Gerhard slowly approached the fallen demon species.

"The sight of you crawling on the ground like a worm truly suits you."

"Y-you...!"

"I have a gift for you."

A glass bottle was forced into the demon species' mouth. The holy water inside began to forcibly go down, causing the creature to scream as if it were being torn apart.

"Argghhh!"

"It's good for your body, so drink plenty."

The demon species' mouth and throat contorted as if burned by fire. Gerhard put his hand inside.

"What are you doing?"

"I've been tricked once... No, I haven't."

Is it a vow or a magical restraint? Well, that would make more sense for demons.

"I don't suppose you'll tell me where your master is if I ask nicely?"

"Don't talk nonsense...! Although I've failed due to my inadequacy, you will never achieve what you want! Today, in this place, you will join me and...!"

That was the moment.

Crack—

The demon species' chest collapsed, and Gerhard's hand went inside. The creature vomited blood.

Gerhard poured holy water into the punctured chest.

"Arggghhhhhh!"

A scream that was incomparably louder than before assaulted their eardrums.

It was natural for there to be a violent reaction when holy water met the magic heart, the place called the mana heart by wizards, where magic energy was concentrated.

"Trying to self-destruct? Do I look easy enough to fall for the same trick twice?"

A demon species' self-destruction wasn't particularly impressive. It was just causing the magic energy in the mana heart to run wild. Of course, it was impossible if the magic energy itself was erased.

"I've thought of an interesting method. One that might purify you."

Demons and magic beasts summoned from magic energy were pure 'magic' itself. Using holy water to the limit to extinguish the magic energy would likely cause them to disappear.

But what about demon species?

They were creatures of this middle world. Worms who betrayed humanity by worshipping demons and receiving their power.

Since their original form wasn't a demon, if the magic energy was erased again and again, wouldn't their original form eventually remain?

"Will you still be able to remain loyal to demons and keep your mouth shut then?"

This would require a large amount of holy water, but that wasn't a problem.

"You can look forward to it. I recently acquired a large quantity."

Unfortunately, the demon species, foaming at the mouth and with its eyes rolled back, couldn't hear those words.

<That's an innovative method. I think it was a divine move to make that guy an ally from the beginning.>

<If you can actually purify a demon species with that holy water, this could be quite useful.>

<Perhaps adding the Armian's power of light might yield even more meaningful results.>

<Hmm? Aint, why is your face so pale?>

"...No, it's just..."

He couldn't bring himself to answer that it felt more demonic than the demons themselves.

<Nonsense. To have such thoughts about someone who seems more reliable than anyone.>

<You still have a long way to go.>

Of course, Gardner, who could read each other's thoughts, noticed this.

But today, Aint felt distant from Gardner.

***

Creak—

When he spilled his blood, the tightly locked door smoothly opened. Soon, stairs leading downward appeared.

The stairs were quite long. About 100 meters.

Going from underground to even deeper underground, it was hard to grasp just how deep this place was.

"But is it okay for me to enter here?"

"Yes, it's fine. You saved my life, Senior."

"Well, if that's the case."

At the end of the stairs, there was a door, and a short corridor stretched ahead. Various murals were painted on both sides of the corridor.

"This is..."

<Demons.>

"Demons indeed."

What was depicted in the murals were ten figures, but they weren't human. Despite being simple paintings, they were so vivid that they evoked eeriness and disgust.

Aint stood in front of a demon with a human-like appearance, with a snake coiled around one arm.

"This is the 72nd demon, Andromalius. Next to it is the 71st, Dantalion."

Dantalion had a human form with multiple heads and was holding a book in one hand.

"But they're glaring at each other?"

"So they are. Perhaps they don't get along?"

It wasn't just those two. The demons, paired in twos, were staring at each other with distinctly unfriendly gazes.

<He's right. Not all demons get along.>

<Just as humans have numerous kingdoms and organizations, demons also have factions and compete with each other.>

<If the previous emperor hadn't used that, he might not have been able to defeat King Colomo.>

After passing through the corridor, they drew blood again to open another door. Inside was what Aint had been seeking.

A small, white fragment-shaped artifact.

"Is this the first emperor's artifact? A fragment?"

"It's an ornament. For this sword."

"I see. Take it quickly."

Nodding, Aint slowly approached.

<There's a high-level barrier set up around it. Extend the sword. It will react to this sword and be released.>

When he extended the sword, a small wave occurred. The invisible barrier disappeared like mist.

Click, the fragment naturally fit into a small groove in the handle.

Aint exhaled excitedly at the subtle energy seeping in.

"It's done."

"But somehow I feel sorry. You saved my life, and it feels like I'm the only one getting something... I wish I could give you something in return."

As a poor descendant of the former imperial family, he had nothing to give. Or more accurately, he had nothing that would satisfy Gerhard.

"No, you have something that can satisfy me."

But Gerhard firmly shook his head.

"What?"

"Can you really give me anything?"

"...Yes. As long as it's not this sword..."

"It's not the sword, so don't worry. That."

Gerhard's finger pointed upward. Aint's head followed.

The ceiling. There was nothing there. Except for the magic lamps embedded here and there.

"...There's nothing except the magic lamps..."

"Yes, exactly those."

"What?"

"Give me all the magic lamps installed in this dungeon. That's enough for me."

With exactly 100 of them installed from the entrance, this dungeon was a veritable goldmine.