I Became A Third-Rate Villain In The Hero Academy

"You truly seem to have been chosen by the divine artifact. Various anecdotes about the divine artifact passed down through our family all match up with everything."

"I don't know why, but it seems that way."

"······I believe that the will of the divine artifact, the root of our family, represents the will of the entire family."

"Is that so."

"In simple terms, it's a teaching passed down through our family that we shall silently follow even decisions we cannot understand made by the divine artifact. In a way, I might be what the youngsters these days call a so-called 'old fogey.'"

"From the perspective of someone young like me, I don't think Lord Maximin is an old fogey."

"Hahaha, thank you. Anyway, these days there are those within the Chalon family who argue that such teachings are outdated as the world has changed, but my opinion remains unchanged."

Maximin said this, looking at Theo, who was quietly nodding.

"······And as of yesterday, the origin of the Chalon family has chosen you, an outsider, Theo. I'm not sure what the divine artifact was thinking when it chose you. But the unchanging fact is that it chose you."

Maximin no longer spoke, alternating his gaze calmly between Theo and the [Demon Sword].

'Surely, its energy itself has changed overnight.'

The [Demon Sword], having just revealed its true name, also seemed to be in communion with him, its shape different from what it had been before.

It resembled a longsword rather than a saber.

'Now, truly, a new era has begun. A force that cannot be stopped by the power of an individual.'

For the Chalon family, the [Demon Sword] holds a significance greater than the divine artifacts of other families.

Originally, the Chalon family was not a hero family like the Waldeurk family; they were a family of public servants.

Thus, the descendants of the Chalon family do not possess the [Descendant of a Hero] trait that the descendants of those who have been heroes, like the Waldeurk family, do.

However, the Chalon family became more focused on heroism rather than public service after an ancestor accidentally obtained the [Demon Sword] and succeeded in a demon subjugation.

Demon subjugation was, both then and now, one of the greatest feats a hero could achieve in reality.

The event shocked the continent at the time. The ancestor who succeeded in demon subjugation was not a hero, mercenary, knight, or mage but a public servant.

Since then, the Chalon family has revered the [Demon Sword] as a divine artifact, placing greater emphasis on heroism over public service.

Maximin recalled the efforts he made in his youth to be chosen by the [Demon Sword].

'It's only today that I've realized it can change into different forms.'

He had more talent for spears than sabers.

However, one of the many reasons he consistently stuck with the saber was to be chosen by the [Demon Sword].

Not just Maximin, but members of the Chalon family throughout history have all followed this path.

"······."

Yet, the [Demon Sword] chose an outsider, not himself or his ancestors who had made such efforts.

An outsider with not a single drop of the Chalon family's bloodline, not even a distant relative of the Chalon family.

For a moment, Maximin felt a heavy sadness, but soon he composed himself.

Feeling the heavy gaze of Maximin, Theo awkwardly smiled and opened his mouth.

"It seems like you have something to say, Lord Maximin. As I've mentioned, I'm extremely sleepy after being taught by Nay all night."

He was indeed very sleepy.

He had drunk the Chalon family's special beverage, but it was only a temporary measure.

He was barely keeping his eyelids open.

However, Maximin's next words were enough to completely chase away Theo's sleepiness.

"Marry Piel and become the head of the Chalon family."

"Excuse me...?"

Theo's eyes widened, a look that no one had ever seen on him before.

Regardless, Maximin continued.

"If the family's divine artifact, for whatever reason, passes to an outsider, I would have no face to show our ancestors. However, you're too direct a descendant of too great a family to merely enter ours as a son-in-law. There's the dignity of the Waldeurk family to consider."

"Please wait a moment."

But Maximin did not wait.

"I won't say to come in as a son-in-law. So, become the head of both the Waldeurk and Chalon families. It's unprecedented in the continent, but I believe you, Theo, can do it. Of course, my sons, direct descendants and the elders, will quite oppose it, but if the divine artifact pushes for it, they'll have to accept you."

"Please wait a moment."

Yet again, Maximin did not wait.

Once he started talking, words burst forth like a waterfall.

"Ah, you have a fiancée. I heard she's the eldest daughter of the noble knight family, Aslan. But, you know... between us, I too had a fiancée I was promised to at your age, but it never led to marriage. If Piel becomes a concubine, it will cause huge uproar within the family. It'd be making a difficult path even more so..."

With that, Maximin stared intently at Theo.

Waiting for Theo's response.

Theo spoke up.

"First of all, I didn't expect you to think so highly of me, Lord Maximin."

"Not at all. In a way, it's me asking a favor of you, Theo."

"But I find it difficult to give you an immediate answer."

Maximin nodded.

"I thought that might be the case. You've only been chosen by the divine artifact for less than a day. I suppose you never thought you'd be chosen by it."

"It's not about that."

"Then what is it?"

Maximin looked deeply into Theo's eyes.

Theo met Maximin's calm yet intense gaze without flinching.

"Right now, I want to focus solely on setting the Waldeurk family straight. I don't want to chase after too many rabbits and end up losing the one rabbit I initially aimed for, Lord Maximin."

"······I see."

After pondering for a moment with his chin propped on his hand, Maximin spoke up.

"How long do you expect it will take? Even a rough estimate would be fine."

Of course, the words that would come from Theo's mouth were predetermined.

"I will rectify it by the time of my academy graduation at the latest."

His gaze was firm, without a hint of wavering.

It was an arrogance of self-confidence, but Maximin was convinced.

After all, the Theo was an entity that was writing history, regardless of rankings.

"Understood, Theo. If you need my help, don't hesitate to ask. I'll assist even if it's beyond my capabilities."

Maximin nodded happily.

Late afternoon.

Clunk, clunk──

Theo and his group were riding in a carriage back to Elinia Academy.

"······."

The journey to Elinia Academy took quite a long time, so there was ample opportunity for the passengers to chat.

However, the carriage was silent.

"He's sleeping so well."

Because Theo was asleep while sitting.

No matter how luxurious the carriage was, the roughness of the road caused it to jolt, but Theo was sitting with his eyes closed, as if knocked out.

"Even after drinking that special beverage, I knew this would happen since he stayed awake until lunch after an all-nighter."

Irene responded.

Piel, including Irene and the other members, opened her mouth as she looked at them.

"······Anyway, you all went to Theo's room last night but were immediately turned away, right?"

"Yes, that's right. How many times do I have to tell you?"

Irene replied irritably.

After being turned away by Theo last night, many thoughts had passed through her mind.

Among them, Piel in front of her had been the most frequent thought.

The reason was her unusually dressed-up appearance, which had felt out of place.

'Come to think of it, Theo was particularly weak to Piel.'

Irene's gaze towards Piel was somewhat cold.

Then, Alphs, who had not said a word since boarding the carriage, suddenly spoke up.

"That... Why did Piel visit Theo late at night?"

"What...?"

Piel was at a loss for words at the unexpected innocent question.

Alice also expressed her curiosity.

"Um, I'm curious too~ Is there something rare to see within Chalon Castle at night?"

Piel hastily answered.

"Ye, yes! There are ghosts appearing in Chalon Castle at night. I wanted to show Theo too. It's fascinating, isn't it?"

Crossing her arms, Seria smirked.

"Hehe, how fascinating. I've never actually seen a ghost in the magic tower. If there's another chance, could I see it too?"

"Ye, yes! Let's all see it together when there's a chance!"

Piel responded like that and took a deep breath inwardly.

'That was a perfect excuse!'

······Thus, Chalon Castle, one of the continent's most beautiful architectural wonders, suddenly became known as a ghost castle.