The Academy’s Guide to Useless Students – Chapter 51

51.

As I opened the door and stepped inside, shelves came into view. A vast amount of books, with no end in sight, stretched along the corridor. I moved forward, savoring the dreamlike landscape.

If the demons I knew had unusual tastes, at least this one had a rather refined hobby from a human perspective.

“Oh? A calm demeanor for an intruder, are we?”

As I could tell from the authoritative tone, this guy was one of the 72 high-ranking demons, a big shot with the title of Duke. Even if he wasn’t the legendary ‘Great Demon’ from the history books, he was definitely a force to be reckoned with.

I waited until he fully emerged from the shadows before speaking.

“Gushion, is that you?”

“??”

The response didn’t come immediately. It seemed he was hesitating for a moment, and then the corners of Gushion’s eyes twisted in irritation.

“Excuse me… Do we perhaps know each other?”

“First time meeting you.”

“You seem to know me quite well, though?”

“I do. It’s hard to come here undetected after finding a hidden chamber.”

It was a blatant provocation. I wasn’t attempting to give him a friendly impression. I wanted to humiliate him and acted bold and nonchalant without fear.

From the perspective of a high-ranking demon, I could only imagine the blood boiling within him. Even now, he was getting more agitated as I casually discerned his identity.

“So you’re saying… you came here knowing who I am?”

I nodded without the need for a response. It seemed that the verbal blow had completely twisted Gushion’s mood, stretching his mouth into a grin that reached his ears. Meanwhile, a fierce murderous intent flickered in his elongated pupils.

“Fascinating. Among humans, there’s a saying: ‘Even if you enter a tiger’s den, just remain calm…’ what a truly lowborn remark, isn’t it?”

Gushion spun around in place, his light purple cloak fluttering as he approached me.

“I would’ve never dreamed such a foolish human would willingly seek death with such complacency.”

He enjoyed monologuing. It was likely his way of maintaining his mental composure. Inside, he must have been struggling to suppress the boiling anger.

High-ranking demons value ‘formality’. They are akin to nobles who don’t understand ‘survival of the fittest’. I had no reason to talk any further, so I drew my sword.

Swish.

The cold metallic sound echoed through the air. When I unsheathed my sword, Gushion burst into a sardonic laugh.

“Do you honestly think you stand a chance against me? Sadly, you won’t even be able to leave a scratch on my body with a blade wielded by a lowly being like you.”

When I didn’t respond, he cackled even more, clapping his hands.

“Alright then, I’ll give you one minute. I won’t even fight back, so feel free to cut me as much as you want.”

Gushion spread his arms wide. His gaze encouraged me to come at him without restraint. If that’s what he wanted, then maybe I should give him a taste. I struck his face with my unarmed arm.

Thwack!

Gushion’s monkey-like face caved in like a potato. He began flailing about like a broken water rocket from science class, scattering in every direction.

“Gah! What the hell!?!”

Gushion was so flustered, he coughed up his unprocessed core essence. The sight of him, drunk on his own high-ranking status, was quite amusing.

“Get up. I was being nice on purpose. My goal isn’t to kill you.”

“Hmph, I’ll acknowledge you’ve got the guts to be cocky. However, if I unleash my true power, you’ll realize you’re nothing but a mere insect.”

“I’ll accommodate however you wish.”

That way, I could achieve my purpose. Soon, a red aura swirled around Gushion as he charged up. It was an escalated transformation befitting of the showmanship. High-ranking demons can easily enhance their physical balance and magical power—they’re monsters.

But against me, it would amount to the same as a dolphin showing off its tricks in an aquarium.

“Heh heh heh. What do you think? Aren’t I beautiful?”

“Is that supposed to impress me?”

“W-What did you say?”

“You could’ve done better. I’ll give you more time to prepare.”

“D-Did you just say prepare?”

In the end, the gentleman’s face began to show an animalistic nature. His agitation was just as I’d hoped. If he got powered up like this, he might keep saying “It’s not over yet!” while pushing forward, so I kind of wished he’d come at me with full power from the start.

“Don’t get too full of yourself, human!”

It took Gushion three seconds to vanish and let out a murderous intent from behind me. Quite fast. If any of his companions had crossed paths with him, they’d have been butchered right then and there. The gap between demons and humans was that glaringly obvious.

[‘Insight’s Blade’ has manifested Ether of the ice attribute.]

Regardless, that gap didn’t concern me. Gushion struggled as his body was bound by icy vines. He might look like a weakling, but he was still a high-ranking demon. He surely possessed at least one noble ability.

And so did my plan.

“Do you think a human’s magic can bind me!?”

“Want to deny it?”

“Deny it or not… Are you even really human?”

“Judge for yourself.”

“Heh, I see… You’ve dabbled in dangerous powers. There’s no way a human could fight on equal grounds with a demon! To think you’d humiliate one favored by a Duke! How amusing.”

If it’s amusing, then great! But I needed to move on soon. To make the most of the opportunity that had rolled my way, I needed to act quickly and precisely. The ‘Compromise’ condition for Stage 2 of Obsession was complete; only ‘Depression’ and ‘Acceptance’ remained.

I couldn’t afford to miss out on the experience points, either.

“Gushion, the fun is over. A useless demon like you doesn’t deserve the title of Duke.”

“How absurd. What right do you have to say that? A demon’s status can only be granted by ‘Him’.”

“I know. So go hear it from Him yourself.”

“E-Excuse me?”

“Demons have tenacious lifespans. I’ll personally send you to His side.”

“W-Wait a moment!…”

As I approached him with my sword drawn, Gushion stepped back. The bravado he displayed earlier had vanished, and he was left looking pitiful as he lost all composure.

“P-Please just kill me. If I show up in that state before Him…”

“Why should I? You’re still of use to me. You’ll need to move for my purpose.”

“Purpose?”

Gushion was a demon with the ‘Eye of Wisdom’ which answers all questions. He held a unique ability based on vast knowledge, unlike foresight. What I desired was a way to defeat the Ice Dragon using the ‘Eye of Wisdom’.

“I’m going to hunt the Ice Dragon in the center of the castle.”

“I assume you’re here to steal my precious research material, but I don’t understand why you’d need me to hunt the Ice Dragon.”

“Quit dodging. You know that the Ice Dragon’s weaknesses change every time.”

“Ugh… You’re increasingly knowledgeable, aren’t you?”

“Still a mere human, though. That’s why I need Gushion’s wisdom.”

“Flattery won’t work. Do you think I’ll cooperate so easily?”

“No?”

“Of course not. I won’t submit that easily… Huh?”

“I know you won’t.”

A high-ranking demon is one that holds their noble pride above their lives. Naturally, they wouldn’t agree so willingly. That’s why I had a plan. Calling it a grand plan would be silly; it was simply classical conditioning training I performed earlier with Laura.

Crackle!

[‘Insight’s Blade’ has manifested Ether of the lightning attribute.]

“What are you trying to do to me!?”

Seeing the ferocious electricity coiling around my sword, Gushion dodged into the corner. His expression was something to behold. Soon enough, even that vibrant reaction would dull, and he’d collapse into a compliant beast.

“Gushion, it’s time for class.”

He hunched down, his gaze filled with desperation.

“N-Noo━━!”

Gushion’s scream pierced the air, fierce enough to sting my ears. The library had swiftly become a classroom.