The Academy’s Guide to Useless Students – Chapter 26

My name is Arthur Floyd.

Currently, I am infiltrating the Academy as a B-Class instructor. It has been two months since I began my role as an instructor. My primary mission is to observe the Demonification experiments and keep an eye on Chancellor Martin Lucia.

Martin Lucia is a remarkable figure who ascended to the position of Chancellor at the Imperial Academy at a young age, comparable to a hero of the continent.

Therefore, it was certain that her existence would pose quite a disturbance to the resurrection of the Demon Lord Dantalion. However, handling her interference was a complicated challenge that couldn’t be resolved immediately. More pressing issues were in line ahead.

The appearance of a “Single Swordsman” associated with the adventurer clan. She was an unpredictable variable.

Although not a threat at the moment…

Considering her potential growth, I had to cut off any future troubles before they sprouted. To do that, it seemed necessary to expedite the experiments.

—

Demonification

The process that entices human desires using the power of “Demon Stones.” The subjects for Demonification are not selected based on any discernible criteria.

As the Demon Stones are fragments of high-ranking demon nobles, they always awaken based on their sins.

“Pride,” “Greed,” “Envy,” “Wrath,” “Lust,” “Gluttony,” “Sloth.”

A type of seed of evil sprouts based primarily on the Seven Deadly Sins. In that sense, in order to unseal the sacred seals of the Seven Deadly Sins, the Demonification plan was an absolutely essential measure. However, as the process of enticing using the “Demon Stones” was still in the early stages of inadequate research, I intended to take matters into my own hands.

—

“What’s this…?”

Who is this woman?

I intended to select targets that were easily swayed by the Seven Deadly Sins for “enticing.” So, I provoked the anxiety and pride of “Enoch Phillips,” who ranked at the bottom of Class A.

True to my intentions, Enoch Phillips successfully approached the source of the rumors.

For some reason, “Laura Freeze” had been laying herself out as an easily chewable target, making my job a breeze.

And according to plan, I aimed to appear at a critical moment, mediate the battle between the two, and plant a wedge into Enoch Phillips’ emotions. But then, something unexpected happened.

—

“Laura Freeze.”

“This woman suits the vessel better?…”

The arrogance and self-consciousness that were incomparably greater than Enoch Phillips—

Laura Freeze’s soul had so many holes that it was perfect for manipulation.

What was astonishing was that it didn’t stop there.

—

“She’s quite skilled…”

It was certain that she had surpassed the standards of a mere student.

She was just a foolish young woman who didn’t know how to utilize her inherent power. Wasn’t she a perfect puppet for me to manipulate?

—

“It’s time to change the plan.”

I switched the target for Demonification to “Laura Freeze.” I aimed to provoke her into a frenzy to eliminate the “Single Swordsman.” I couldn’t let this opportunity slip away.

What remained was just a slight trigger to further unravel her mental state.

—

“It seems half of it was successful.”

I secretly unleashed the power of the “Demon Stones.” Once the enticing spell commenced, it would permeate the subject’s consciousness, eroding it through the holes. If I found that they weren’t suitable, the spell would naturally extinguish itself and cease to function. However, Laura Freeze was steadily falling deeper into the entrapment.

—

“Just one more step.”

I needed one final impetus.

More precisely, I needed the root cause of her collapsing consciousness.

Did I need to take a bit more time?

Just as I was pondering, Laura Freeze’s consciousness wavered again. I turned my head to follow her empty gaze. A young man with black hair had stopped and was looking this way.

—

What’s going on here?

Laura Freeze’s soul quivered intensely at the arrival of this young man.

—

“Could this be the catalyst?”

There was no time to waste thinking.

I called out to him.

—

“Are you a student acquainted with Laura Freeze? I am ‘Arthur Floyd,’ an instructor of Class A. It seems there’s been some trouble with her. Could you please take her with you? Would that be alright?”

—

I was testing the relationship between the young man and Laura Freeze.

As a student, he wouldn’t be able to ignore an instructor’s call. It was a situation from which he couldn’t escape.

—

“Yes. We are both students of Class B.”

I see. So, they’re in the same class?

But that wouldn’t be all, would it?

There must be something more significant connecting them.

—

“That’s great then. As a fellow student, please take care of her. She seems to be in a bad state, possibly shaken. As for Enoch, I’ll take care of him as his instructor, so I’ll leave her to you.”

—

Ask him.

The moment he acknowledges their bond.

I was planning to make things quite troublesome using this “trouble” as an excuse. If I managed to rope them in together for punishment, it would surely plunge Laura Freeze into self-reproach.

—

“Arthur Floyd, instructor.”

—

“What is it?”

—

“I apologize, but can I leave now?”

—

“What?”

—

“I’m currently not in a position to take care of someone I’m not close with.”

—

What?

Not close?

Laura Freeze’s soul was writhing in anguish?

—

“I will take my leave now.”

—

The young man departed.

At the same time, a crack appeared in Laura Freeze’s heart. The initial stage of the enticing process had no physical dominion. Nevertheless, Laura Freeze was kneeling down, hitting the floor.

This was her true sentiment.

She had received such a shock.

Was there no roommate, no connection?

—

“What on earth…?”

The plan had been completed,

Yet, Arthur Floyd felt nothing but discomfort.

—

—

Arthur Floyd was exactly like the antagonist from the original story—a dark figure with an unstoppable drive, eager to resurrect the Demon Lord. To directly act in finding a target for Demonification. I liked this.

Then I wanted to reward him as well.

Enoch Phillips?

I wouldn’t waste any Demon Stones on someone like that.

Typically, the stronger the villain, the greater the effect of the “growth stimulant.”

If there’s a favorable hand right before me, it’s only natural to utilize it.

Seeing him in trouble, I even offered assistance.

The protagonist gets demonified, huh?

If he overcomes this bizarre event, it goes without saying that it would have a significant impact on his character growth. I had already chosen a slave to shower with experience points. Excluding Ellie, who was nowhere to be seen, I planned to train my meaty shield who’s been working hard these days. He was the only one with potential to overcome hardships.

In short, even if Laura Freeze was a dead weight, she was still a protagonist and a returnee.

If her stats soared due to Demonification, she wouldn’t be an easy opponent. Cletta had to be fully prepared for this time.

Probably, Arthur Floyd would use the upcoming “midterm test” as an excuse to pull some schemes. Laura Freeze’s Demonification would awaken just in time.

I had to level up Cletta Barriet before then. Just enough to be neat and sensible.

If I overwhelmed her too much, it would lessen the dramatic appeal of growth.

—

“Looks like I’m going to be quite busy.”

—

I also had to meet Theodore.

I needed to train Cletta.

Thinking of it as an investment for the future, it was nothing.

But what was Ellie doing that I couldn’t see her? Was she off doing something foolish again?

I hope she’s just earning some money quietly.

Just don’t cause any trouble.

—

—

—

The Ingrid family of the Bitraise Empire, one of the four great duchies.

The renowned Ingrid family, famous for their swordsmanship, has produced countless heroes over generations. However, the brighter their glory, the more pronounced the shadows cast by the family’s internal matters. There was still an ignition point that would not easily extinguish within the Ingrid family—its youngest daughter, Ellie Ingrid.

—

“My daughter… no, Ellie. Did I misunderstand something just now?”

—

Raymond Ingrid, the current head of the Ingrid family, sighed deeply. Suddenly, his youngest daughter, who had returned to the family home, was spouting thunderous words, making his headache grow worse.

Ignoring her father’s plight, Ellie declared her intentions.

—

“No, Father. I’m serious.”

—

A one-sided announcement.

—

“Please disown me from the family!”

—

Unyielding obstinacy.

—

“Independence… no, isolation is just the first step to becoming stronger!”

—

Raymond finally realized his daughter had lost her mind.

—

“She’s always been a headache since she was little, but this is just…”

—

Raymond felt a vein pop on his forehead.

He called for the servants.

—

“Come here. Lock my daughter up in a solitary room.”

—

“Ah! Father! Hold on! Let me explain! Daddyy!—”

—

Ellie’s cries went unheard.

Raymond Ingrid remained in his study, only to sigh.

What to do with this troublesome child?

Having made a firm decision, Raymond Ingrid resolved to take drastic measures.