The Third-Rate Academy Villain Who Refuses to Become a Beggar-Chapter 125: Too Exquisite a Coincidence [1]

"Good work. Thank you for answering diligently."

"Not at all. I’ll be going then."

Bowing her head, Luina left the Chancellor’s office.

"Hmm."

The Chancellor flipped through the reports one after another.

"They’re all saying the same thing."

"Indeed. A demon, a demon... Honestly, it doesn’t feel real. Do you think this is the truth?"

"No, sir."

"At least pretend to consider it."

"Of all things, a demon? If demons had really descended, would it be possible for mere students to vanquish one?"

That made sense. Demons were humanity’s archenemies, walking disasters.

If students could vanquish them, would they really be called humanity’s archenemies?

Would the first Emperor, who defeated demons and King Colomo to establish the Empire, have been so revered?

No. It was like how knights aren’t praised for killing orcs.

Nevertheless, what was unsettling was that all the students interviewed so far were saying the same thing.

"They must have colluded to align their stories."

"But why would they?"

"For their own reputation? Isn’t catching a demon more impressive than catching a demonic species?"

"Would they tell a lie that would be exposed so quickly? Consider their backgrounds. The risk of their reputation falling if the lie is exposed is even greater."

That was true too.

"We’ll get an answer after talking with the next student. Have him come in."

And if someone had a purpose in doing this, it was most likely Gerhard Goldenheim.

"Welcome."

Shortly after, Gerhard entered. His complexion was somewhat pale, but there was no particular change in his eyes.

’He must still not be feeling well.’

"Sit down."

"Yes."

"Bring some tea. What do you prefer?"

"Coffee, please."

"Sweet?"

"No sugar needed."

The secretary brought tea and coffee.

"Student Gerhard. First, I would like to thank you for protecting the Academy that could have faced a major problem while I was away on an external schedule."

"I just did what needed to be done."

"Whatever the reason, the contributions of you and the other students are still contributions. I will reward you separately."

"Thank you."

Refusing material compensation didn’t align with Gerhard’s nature.

"Now, to get to the main point... I think you’ll roughly know what I’m going to ask."

"Indeed, I do."

It was too obvious. What else would there be to ask about besides the demon after all that commotion?

"Before that, would you read this?"

The Chancellor handed over documents containing the interview contents of the other students.

"Suddenly a barrier isolated the surroundings. An enemy appeared, we fought, and barely won."

The Chancellor poured milk into his tea and stirred it with a teaspoon.

"The testimonies of the four students interviewed all match. Normally, I would have just believed it and seen no need to discuss further."

"But there’s something strange, isn’t there?"

"I’ll ask."

He brought the hazy tea to his lips.

"Will you also say you fought a demon?"

Wrinkled but sharp eyes stared at Gerhard.

"Or will you tell the truth?"

"I will tell the truth."

"Good."

"I fought a demon."

The corners of the Chancellor’s eyes wrinkled slightly.

"To be precise, it was the 72nd-ranked demon, Andromalius."

"And the reason you think so?"

"It looked exactly like what I’ve seen in literature."

"Is that all?"

"It introduced itself as a legion commander of Hell, Andromalius, and its power was certainly not that of a mere demonic species."

"I see."

Stroking his long beard that extended to his chest, the Chancellor turned to the next page.

"So, to summarize, demonic species infiltrated the Academy and caused trouble, and you all were trapped in the barrier they created. You agree with the content that there was a desperate battle with a demon inside it?"

Is that right? The Chancellor put down the report.

"Yes, that’s correct."

"I think it’s possible."

"What do you mean by ’possible’?"

"The unfamiliar demonic species must have been strong, of course. Since they were targeting Aint Armian, they would have done their best too."

"Are you saying I’m lying?"

"Of course not. I believe you and the other students too. However, I also think you could have been mistaken. You might think that a mere servant of demons was a demon itself. Because you were all flustered."

The Chancellor spoke calmly.

Demonic species and demons are different. In words, it’s just a simple one-letter difference, but the presence is as different as heaven and earth.

Despite the air of disbelief, Gerhard wasn’t particularly upset.

He had already confirmed it through the prophecy book, and if the positions were reversed, Gerhard would have done the same.

What kind of being is a demon? Humanity’s archenemies, of which there are only 72.

If someone said that a few mere Academy students had defeated such beings, each one a disaster, who would believe it?

"You might think so. I understand too, Chancellor."

That’s why Gerhard nodded readily. But the Chancellor didn’t miss the sharp thorn contained within.

"You’re repeating exactly what I said. You don’t seem particularly flustered or resentful."

The Chancellor’s hand, which had been stroking his beard, stopped.

"Do you have something to prove that your words are correct?"

"What do you think?" 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

"Demons and demonic species are by no means simple matters. Depending on the testimony of you all, who are the first witnesses and victims, how the Academy and the Empire should respond in the future will be different."

It was clearly a different matter whether demonic species were simply acting up by evoking the past or whether a demon had descended.

"I know."

"Can you take responsibility for what you’ve said?"

The Chancellor’s eyes sank heavily. The atmosphere changed. There was no pressure from any aura, but that alone made the office air heavy.

"No."

Amid this, Gerhard calmly shook his head.

"I don’t particularly want to take responsibility, nor do I have a reason to. I’m just telling the truth."

"The truth as Goldenheim tells it. It sounds like you have evidence."

Gerhard took out a crystal from his subspace and placed it on the table.

"A recording crystal?"

"Let’s check it."

"Excuse me for a moment."

The Chancellor injected mana into the recording crystal. With a soft light, the events that had occurred within the barrier began to emerge.

A demon ripping through space and coming out.

The ensuing battle.

Battle, and more battle.

"...Really."

Having checked all the recordings, the Chancellor ran his hand over his face.

"...So it was a demon."

His eyes changed.

"Hehe, it seems I’ve been too relaxed lately."

Because otherwise, no one would dare summon a demon within the Academy.

"Kugh...!"

"Ah, I apologize. I got too excited."

Gerhard swallowed a groan at the aura that was unconsciously emitted. The Chancellor then realized his mistake and withdrew his energy.

"With this, I have no choice but to believe. It’s certainly a hundred times better than fancy words."

"I’m glad you like it."

"But, if I’m not mistaken, this doesn’t seem to be the original. It seems like there are many parts missing."