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

The first emperor truly had the qualities befitting a great figure who established the vast Armian Empire.

"Otherwise, there would be no reason to embed these expensive items so generously in every dungeon. Perhaps he anticipated the downfall of his descendants and made preparations for it."

It seemed plausible that the first emperor, who had prepared his successors for the future resurgence of demons, might have done something like this.

"Although unfortunately, all of these have now become mine."

Hehehe, Gerhard couldn't help but laugh.

"...I'm certain that at least it wasn't intended to fill your pockets, Young Master. If the first emperor knew, he would be deeply distressed."

"Whether he's distressed or spitting blood, it doesn't matter. What's important is that everything has fallen into my hands."

Material things were more valuable than the feelings of someone who died a thousand years ago.

"Will you put all of these up for auction too?"

"No, I won't sell them for a while."

It had been only a few months since he sold the magic lamps obtained from his first meeting with Aint and the encounter with the water dragon.

"But I don't think their value will decrease much anyway."

"However, I can make people thirst for them more. They'll drink more water to quench that thirst."

Permanent magic lamps were already establishing themselves as luxury items beyond mere convenience. The wealthy and powerful had taken to displaying them prominently in their estates, a silent but unmistakable declaration of their status and influence. Gerhard had played the market perfectly, establishing himself as the primary source of these coveted items.

Rather than putting them all up at once, releasing them one by one through auctions at appropriate times would be the way to earn more money. Gerhard had mastered the art of artificial scarcity, creating demand through careful control of supply. The more desperate the buyers became, the higher the prices would climb.

"It's fortunate that we got the magic lamps. Given how much your personal spending has increased since becoming a second-year, we would have been in trouble without them."

"It can't be helped. If a sparrow wants to follow a heron, it needs to borrow the power of medicine and equipment."

Plus the bribes he had been feeding quite frequently lately to keep up with Aint's schedule.

He couldn't deny that his expenses were enormous, but it was also unavoidable.

"Are you alright physically?"

"I've treated myself roughly with potions, so there's no major problem. I'm just a bit tired."

"That's good."

"Keep a close eye on all the high-ranking officials in the academy. See if anyone shows strange reactions."

The demon species that died this time was different from the previous ones. It was much stronger than before and seemed to know a lot.

If someone was behind it, they would surely show some reaction.

"Yes. I'll do that."

"You may go now."

Gerhard waved his hand dismissively.

"I need to get some sleep for now. I'm dying of fatigue."

"Have a good night."

Gerhard collapsed onto the bed and closed his eyes.

***

"...Phew."

In the training ground illuminated by the soft moonlight, Luina opened her eyes and slowly exhaled.

The mana absorbed through her skin and breath was refined into aura, and the aura entered her aura hole to become her power.

"First place..."

She reflected on the recent test.

The battle with Almon, and the combined magic centered around Carlo Deneb.

There were dangerous moments when it wouldn't have been strange to lose.

Although she had overcome everything and achieved victory in the end, she wasn't particularly happy about it.

"Gerhard."

It was undeniable that his help had been significant. No, was it merely significant?

Without him, she would have lost. That was clear.

What if she hadn't been able to catch the other teams off guard without Gerhard's strategy?

What if she hadn't been able to withstand the combined magic without the influence of Gerhard's magic and artifacts?

Luina took pride in her abilities, but she didn't overestimate herself either.

'I would have lost. Definitely.'

The moment she took the combined magic hit, the map would have burned.

Of course, if it had been a real battle, she could have withstood the impact without dying.

But the academy's safety measures would have activated before that to protect the students.

She couldn't blame that. After all, it was just education and under equal conditions.

"I've gotten one step closer to the top position, but..."

She didn't feel happy at all.

She wanted to be the top student. She wanted to become a person worthy of that position.

She wanted to be a knight who could only be the top student.

It wasn't simply about desiring the top position. She wanted to have overwhelming skill that would naturally make her the top student, and with that power, she wanted to become a Royal Knight.

The academy's top position was not her final goal but a passage she needed to traverse.

But if she was only receiving help from others from the very beginning of that passage, would it really be meaningful?

'I've digested the mandragora elixir quite well.'

Moreover, what Gerhard was looking at wasn't just the academy's top position, but demons.

She had agreed to help him, but what if she was becoming a burden instead?

With a soft sound, she slowly drew her sword.

'More.'

Her sword began to move according to her will.

'More.'

Smoothly cutting through the air.

Sharply slicing falling leaves.

Dancing elegantly while capturing the moonlight.

'Faster. Stronger. Sharper.'

Every swordsmanship has a core and a symbol.

If the Armian swordsmanship, known as the adversary of demons, is brilliant light.

Then the Berchef, which has protected the northern regions for ages, is a lion that devours even monsters.

"...White lion."

Aint, who had been watching from a distance, saw a lion in her sword dance.

A figure of an incredibly beautiful, elegant, yet restrained hunter hiding its ferocity and claws.

—!

Luina's sword stopped right in front of Aint's nose.

The sword wind that followed made Aint's hair flutter. Their eyes met.

"Ah, sorry. I didn't mean to."

"It's alright, Senior. I'm the one who approached without making any sound."