I Became A Third-Rate Villain In The Hero Academy

As the students' cries of distress filled the air, I scanned our surroundings.

'The one nearby... it's a ghost-type dungeon.'

There were a number of dungeons in the Fosspatil Pass.

But, I was sure the one we are dealing with is a ghost-type dungeon.

Also, it's unlikely they'd drop us off too far from the entrance of the dungeon.

No matter how harsh the Academy is with the students, we are still first-years.

I quickly jotted down the dungeon's entrance location and its characteristics on a piece of paper.

Meanwhile, Travis was also checking the area.

"Umm, I think we should first light a fire... Does anyone have a match? I'll collect the firewood!"

His voice was upbeat, but a hint of worry snuck in.

"...No, we didn't bring any."

Heads shook all around.

Then Andrew spoke, his voice low.

"I can light a fire using magic. We just need to get some firewood. We might find some if we go a bit further..."

As he spoke, a small smile pulled at the corners of his mouth.

'Ah, how cute.'

I looked at Andrew, unimpressed.

He must feel proud, acting like the group leader.

It's a phase every teenager goes through.

Andrew is currently in that turbulent phase, puberty.

We all nodded in agreement.

'But there won't be any firewood, no matter how far we go.'

But I didn't voice this.

I don't want to lead from the start.

This will give the highest probability to rank first in this practical evaluation.

My rank in the grade is 181st, bottom tier.

On the other hand, we have 2nd rank Piel and 9th rank Andrew on our team.

Two top-tier students.

No one would listen to me as it is.

The best way to gain some authority was to provide a solution when Andrew and Piel mess up.

Above all, Andrew will make a mistake and panic sooner or later.

One way or another.

Travis, eyeing Andrew, spoke up, trying to keep his cheer.

"Then I'll quickly go and come back! After all, I'm fast. Ah, you guys can't move to another place without me, okay?"

"Of course, hurry back."

Andrew replied, a pleased look on his face.

An hour later, Travis came back, empty-handed.

"I couldn't find any trees nearby that we could use for firewood... I went quite far, but there was nothing. Looks like the other teams are in the same boat."

His voice was filled with disappointment.

We looked around.

Indeed, all the other teams seemed to be in the same spot, probably not finding any firewood either.

Of course, there wouldn't be any.

Fosspatil Pass is best described as 'barren land.'

There's no chance for trees to take root and grow in such a barren place.

"W-what now...?"

Monica, worry etched on her face, turned to Andrew.

"Um..."

Suddenly, Andrew seemed lost for words.

Even a genius mage like Andrew can't create a bonfire without anything to burn.

The anxious chatter of the other teams also reached our ears.

"Uh... it's cold. What do we do?"

"Hey, quit hogging the blanket! It barely covers half a body."

"Any ideas...?"

None of the teams were faring better than us.

'Hehe.'

I used [Amplification Orb] to enhance [Twisted Noble's Dignity].

Just to keep my grin in check.

Andrew turned to Piel, a rigid look on his face.

"...Piel. Any ideas?"

"...I can't think of anything."

Piel also shook her head.

Then, her gaze fell on me.

Although her expression was indifferent, there was a tinge of sadness in it.

'Perfect.'

Now was the right time.

I shrugged off the heavy bag I was carrying.

"If we don't have firewood, we'll have to use what I've brought."

I opened the bag and pulled out a black bundle.

The moment I unfolded it, all eyes were on me.

"This is... it looks like a bunch of fabric? What is it, Theo?"

"Ah...! This... I don't know its name, but I think I saw it at the alchemy shop!"

Travis and Monica stared at me, their eyes wide.

I responded calmly.

"It's a heat pack."

As I said this, I spread out the black bundle to reveal dozens of heat packs.

I had made sure to pack plenty.

Amy had picked up similar items from all the alchemy shops at the academy.

"Take one each for now."

I passed the heat packs around to my team.

Unlike the disposable heat packs of the modern era, this item can be used multiple times by infusing it with magic.

It's not unlimited, but they can stay warm for about 2-3 days.

"Ah, this is warm."

"Theo, how'd you think to bring these? I only packed clothes and toiletries..."

Travis and Monica looked at me with sparkling eyes.

"Uh... Thank you, Theo."

"...I'll use it well."

Andrew and Piel also warmed their bodies with the heat packs.

'Well, that solves our immediate problem.'

I looked around.

Perhaps it was my team's reaction, but the students from the other teams were eyeing me desperately.

'The timing is perfect.'

Help is most effective when it's needed.

That is, if you're spending the same amount of resources, it's best to do so at the most opportune time.

Feeding a hungry person is more effective than feeding someone who's full.

'I have about twenty-five heat packs left.'

There are a total of 200 people here.

I'm not a charity, and I can't possibly hand one out to everyone.

'A single heat pack won't be enough to keep someone warm.'

If they pour too much magic into it because they're cold, the heat pack might burst and become useless.

Each person would need at least two heat packs.

I swiftly did the math in my head.

'I can accommodate about 10 more people.'

That equates to precisely two teams.

Naturally, if I only have enough for 10 people...

[Team 5: Jang Woohee / Noctar / Peter / Samir / Gerbir]

[Team 9: Aisha / Siena / Aeron / Jegal Hyuk / Mike]

I should look out for them.

Those who can continue to be of use to me.

"I'll be right back."

Cradling the black bundle, I made my way toward one of the teams staring in my direction.

"Siena, can't you call upon your fire spirit?"

"No, I can't. Sallar says it's too cold and gloomy here, he refuses to come out. Even if I manage to summon him, he can't stay for more than 30 minutes."

"Ah."

Aisha cradled her aching head.

Unbeknownst to her, she had taken on the role of the team's leader.

'I didn't know this would happen.’

The rest of the team merely stared at her.

They had matches, but no firewood to light.

Their last hope, Siena's spirit, couldn't be summoned.

The team members huddled together, shivering under a small blanket.

It was a desperate situation.

Not to mention finding the entrance to the dungeon, the question was how to survive the night.

Instinctively, Aisha's gaze sought out Theo, who was some distance away.

Despite there being 200 people in Fosspatil Pass at the moment, it wasn't difficult to spot him.

She had been keeping an eye on his whereabouts ever since they disembarked from the carriage.

'He must have some sort of solution... wait, what?'

Aisha's eyes widened.

Theo was handing out heat packs to his team.

Not just for himself, but for every member.

"Wow."

Aisha couldn't help but admire him.

She knew he was different, but this level of preparedness...

Indeed... a man who knew how to lead a group.

He even waited for the most opportune moment.

'Theo, you truly live up to the great Waldeurk name.'

But her admiration was short-lived.

'Ah, it's so cold.'

The cold was unbearable.

She had to find a way to survive first.

But how?

While thinking about that, Aisha saw it.

Thump, thump──

Theo, now the center of attention, was walking with grace.

And he was heading her way.

Eventually, Theo stood in front of Aisha.

"Take these, Aisha."

From the black bundle, Theo pulled out 10 heat packs and offered them to Aisha.

She could hardly believe it.

"Can, can you really give me so many?"

"One is not enough to survive the cold night in this pass. Distribute two to each of your team members. And read this note tomorrow morning."

Theo handed Aisha a neatly folded note from his pocket.

Aisha nervously received the note.

Theo gave a solemn nod, then turned away.

"I'll go now."

"Um, um... Theo!"

"What is it."

Theo only slightly turned his head.

"Why, why are you helping me like this? I'm not on your team. We're in different teams right now..."

"...Well."

Theo paused, deliberating for a moment before replying in a steady tone.

"Do I really need a reason to help you?"