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“You—hey!”
Faced with Mu’en’s sudden firmness, Kaide appeared very angry and helpless.
In his view, Mu’en studying magic was simply a waste of time.
Not to mention how disastrous his previous magical grades were, looking up at the old Campbell family, had there ever been a famous magician?
Not at all, right? The so-called Campbell could only rely on that illustrious warrior lineage to produce several Crowned Ones in succession, maintaining their dukedom for hundreds of years, while only having one heir.
If he knew that this kid Mu’en Campbell had plunged into magic—even skipping martial arts classes—his grandfather would probably be so furious he would jump out of the coffin to curse this unfilial descendant.
But Kaide had no way to force him; Mu’en didn’t even care about credits, what other methods could he use to compel him?
After all, he was the duke’s son. As Mu’en said, if the Campbell family was willing to spend money to buy credits… that scoundrel Dean Pink Bear, who was recently struggling with the academy’s finances, would definitely wave his hand—
“Take a break, no problem! One martial arts course isn’t enough; you can take more breaks! As long as the money is in place, everything is negotiable!”
If they threw in even more money, perhaps that acting dean would personally hand over a diploma.
“Mu’en Campbell, you will regret this.”
Thinking of this, Kaide couldn’t help but sigh in disappointment:
“Although you say it’s only for a month, I’ve seen this situation many times. Often, they consider themselves exceptional and then dive headfirst into areas they are not good at. By the time they hit the wall and want to turn back, it’s already too late.”
“Then I’ll just wait until I hit my head and bleed.”
Mu’en smiled:
“If I don’t try, how can I know whether the wall is hard or my head is hard?”
“You…”
Kaide was momentarily speechless.
However, at that moment, he did see something different in Mu’en’s eyes.
So resolute.
What a pity.
Kaide sighed.
Determination and resolve are the most abundant things in the youthful blood of someone Mu’en’s age.
He had seen too much.
But often, such things blind people’s eyes and lead them down a wrong path.
“I hope your moment of enlightenment won’t be too late.”
Kaide patted Mu’en on the shoulder and didn’t say anything more.
“Thank you, Teacher.”
Seeing Teacher Kaide relenting, Mu’en thanked him and prepared to take his leave.
“Goodbye, Teacher.”
“Wait.”
Kaide suddenly thought of something and called out to Mu’en.
“This class still needs to be attended. We have a new teaching assistant, and you should get to know him.”
“A new teacher…”
Mu’en thought for a moment and nodded:
“Okay then.”
Although time was indeed tight, wishing there were forty-eight hours in a day, he still had time to attend one class.
Moreover, he needed to get acquainted with the new teacher; perhaps he would have to consult them in the future.
……
A few minutes before class, Mu’en arrived early at the previous training field.
On the stage, two classmates were sparring. Their moves were as flashy as ever but utterly useless, making one want to shout, “Stop it! This won’t kill anyone.”
However, it was evident that the two students were making an effort to simplify their moves, making them more practical.
“It seems they were affected by what happened earlier?”
After all, the invasion of the academy was a significant blow to the younger students.
Mu’en rubbed his chin and stopped paying attention to the two, heading toward the spectator area.
A few students were already scattered around; upon seeing Mu’en’s arrival, they stirred slightly.
Mu’en’s hearing as a second-tier warrior was pretty good, so he faintly heard them discussing “Is Mu’en Campbell a weirdo?” and “Is Mu’en Campbell a homosexual?” among other topics.
He twitched his mouth but ignored the students’ whispers. After all, such contentious topics were certainly much better than the recent “Does Mu’en Campbell have thirteen or fourteen lovers?”
At least, someone had started to refute those negative comments, hadn’t they?
Mu’en walked to the side, preparing to find a quieter spot to sit and wait for class to start.
Only, when he reached a corner of the spectator area, he found someone else sitting there.
Ariel.
To say she was sitting was an understatement; she looked more like a floppy salted fish, staring blankly, as if she’d lost all hope in life.
One couldn’t help but think of a certain Mr. Ge.
What’s going on with her…?
After hesitating for a moment, Mu’en approached her and cautiously asked:
“Ariel, are you… okay?”
“…”
Ariel’s lifeless eyes moved, and upon seeing that it was Mu’en, her gaze revealed no emotion.
“Don’t bother me…”
Ariel waved her hand as if swatting away mosquitoes.
“Let me be alone for a while; I want to be quiet.”
“The class is about to start; I don’t think your quiet time will be long.”
Mu’en kindly reminded her:
“Teacher Kaide’s temper isn’t too good.”
As a teacher of martial arts class who was always passionate, Kaide could not stand those sickly students attending his class. So even the once carefree Mu’en, who dared to sleep during Professor Plon’s class, only spaced out in Kaide’s class… he wouldn’t dare to lose focus.
“I said don’t bother me.”
Ariel rolled her eyes, giving off an intensified salted fish vibe.
Amid that salted fish aura, Mu’en faintly detected a scent of sadness, like how a seabird whose partner was lost had to fly alone over the vast sea…
Hmm?
Sadness?
What the heck? She, who dares to confront a villain boss two tiers above her, can feel sadness?
Could it be…
Did she discover that her chest had shrunk?
Glimpsing at Ariel’s unremarkable chest, Mu’en couldn’t help but think malicious thoughts.
But soon, that sense of malice turned into a chilling realization down his spine.
Because he saw that Ariel was tightly gripping a rule-like shaped stone.
The Communication Stone!
That Communication Stone was in a semi-activated state, faintly emitting a glow, and Ariel seemed to want to contact someone, but was hesitating for some reason.
“Oh, beautiful one, after I left the hospital, I have been looking for you, but everyone says you’re fake, that you don’t exist.”
Ariel gently stroked the Communication Stone, sighing nostalgically:
“But I deeply believe in your existence, because back then, you exchanged frequencies with me on the Communication Stone.
If you were a nonexistent person, how could there be a Communication Stone? How could you exchange frequencies with me?”
Damn it, this isn’t good!
Hearing Ariel’s words, Mu’en’s head buzzed.
He finally understood why this girl had suddenly turned into a poetic soul here.
This damned girl had not forgotten about him back then!
Couldn’t she learn from other protagonists to quickly shift her affections? Aren’t there enough beautiful women in the academy?
What does it mean to fixate on a nonexistent woman?
No, he had to make a quick escape.
Mu’en suddenly realized the predicament.
Staying here could potentially lead to…
“The world doubts your existence, but I don’t believe it, so I’ll prove to the world that you exist. Wait for me, beautiful one!”
After a long contemplation, Ariel finally stopped hesitating, her finger suddenly jabbed at the Communication Stone, activating the frequency.
Then—
She heard the ringing of a Communication Stone coming from not far away.
“Hmm?”
Ariel looked up in confusion and saw Mu’en, having just turned and taken two steps, awkwardly pulling out his own Communication Stone.
In his hand, the Communication Stone trembled, and the ringing sounded so clear.
Wait?
Ariel blinked, looking at the Communication Stone in Mu’en’s hand, then back at the one in hers. Her mind seemed to suddenly knot, revealing a hint of confusion on her pretty face.
Strange, she connected to the frequency of the beautiful one; why was Mu’en Campbell’s Communication Stone ringing?
Could it be…
“Hello, is that the senior?”
Caught in a developing situation that was headed in an unfavorable direction, Ariel snapped back to her senses, only to see Mu’en gently press the stone, silencing the ringing, then putting it to his ear, his expression serious:
“Yes, I’m in class.”
“Is there anything? Oh, do you want me to bring the textbooks to the library?”
“Mmhm, I got it; don’t worry, I’ll be there on time.”
While Mu’en was chatting on the Communication Stone, he walked away, disappearing into the crowd, out of Ariel’s line of sight.
“Coincidence?”
Watching Mu’en leave in somewhat of a hurry, Ariel scratched her head and didn’t think too much of it.
At this moment, her heart was filled with overwhelming joy.
The frequency on her Communication Stone had undoubtedly connected; it was just that the other party hadn’t answered.
In other words, the beautiful one was real!
The scene where the two exchanged contact details under a romantic starry sky, amidst flowers in a hall, witnessed by a solemn priest, was not merely her delusion.
“Is the beautiful one just unable to answer?”
Ariel smiled, then hung up the Communication Stone.
She couldn’t rush this; she didn’t want to leave a bad impression on the beautiful one.
Knowing that the other party truly existed and still held the contact information, she could take her time.
Stepping back slowly, taking her time would always be the best way to win a girl over.
“Speaking of which…”
Reinvigorated, Ariel stroked her smooth chin thoughtfully:
“Back then, it seemed that an upperclassman was very close to the beautiful one. If I could find her, I might just get more clues about the beautiful one.”
……
……
“Damn, that scared me to death.”
Meanwhile, hiding among the students, Mu’en patted his chest, still having lingering fears.
He was almost about to be hilariously killed by the protagonist Ariel, all because he forgot to silence his Communication Stone over such a ridiculous reason, and end up becoming the most comically dead yellow-haired villain in history.
Fortunately.
The Communication Stone, as a special magical item, worked similarly to Mu’en’s mobile phone in his previous life; it could be silenced directly without needing to answer.
And he reacted quickly enough, performing convincingly, making it seem like he was speaking with a senior.
Otherwise, if Ariel figured it out and forced him to answer…
Then to discover that this guy she detested the most was actually the golden-haired beauty she had her heart set on…
That picture was too terrifying to imagine; dying would be the least of his worries.
“It seems I need to find an opportunity to change my Communication Stone’s frequency; I can’t let Ariel pursue me like this, or I’ll be in big trouble sooner or later.”
Mu’en made up his mind.
But unfortunately, he was at the academy right now; changing the Communication Stone frequency might have to wait until the next academy open day.
……
……
“Have you heard? That new teaching assistant seems to have been personally recommended by Dean Pink Bear.”
Due to Mu’en moving over, the topic of discussion among those students had shifted from how Mu’en Campbell was to the upcoming appearance of the new teacher.
And Mu’en listened with keen interest.
“Recommended by the dean, does he have a powerful background?”
“I don’t know, but I heard from other teachers that this new teacher played a significant role during the previous invasion.”
“What? Could it be a top-notch powerhouse?”
Some students became excited.
Who wouldn’t want a true powerhouse as their teacher?
“It shouldn’t be, if he were a powerhouse, he wouldn’t be an assistant.”
Some more rational students noticed the clues.
“If he isn’t strong but could contribute during the invasion, he must be a very brave person.”
“Just like Mu’en Campbell back then?”
Someone blurted this out, realizing Mu’en was right behind them, they cautiously stole a glance at Mu’en’s reaction, awkwardly shutting their mouths.
Mu’en smiled slightly at them, not minding.
However, listening to their words, Mu’en couldn’t help but feel a bit curious.
What kind of person would this new teacher be?
But no matter who it was, he couldn’t repeat the same mistakes as before with Teacher Fulan.
This time, he had to build a good relationship with the new teacher!
Mu’en secretly resolved in his heart.
……
……
“Okay, class is starting. Take your seats, you little rascals.”
As Teacher Kaide’s recognizable roar echoed, the previously noisy classroom fell silent.
Kaide scanned all the students and nodded in satisfaction.
“I’m sure you’ve all heard that we will have a new teaching assistant in our martial arts class. He will assist me in guiding your martial skills, and I hope you can get along well with him.”
“I want to say in advance that this new teacher is an excellent person. I hope you don’t look down on him just because he is an assistant; you should treat him with the same respect you show me. Otherwise…”
Kaide glanced coldly at all of them. Though he didn’t continue, all students felt a great pressure.
But they were even more curious: what kind of person could earn such high praise from Teacher Kaide?
Even Mu’en couldn’t help but stretch his neck.
“Please introduce yourself, Teacher Kolen.”
Kaide stepped aside, unusually displaying a gentle smile:
“Remember to speak loudly.”
“I know!”
A man with a large scar on his face stepped forward, grinning widely, showing off a dazzling smile:
“It’s just announcing my name; I’ve done this often before, I’m quite familiar with it.”
At that moment, as the scar-faced man came into Mu’en’s view, the smile of anticipation on Mu’en’s face gradually froze.
He even thought he was seeing things, rubbing his eyes repeatedly.
But no matter how he rubbed them, the man onstage still looked infuriatingly familiar.
What the hell?
What’s wrong with this world?
Or is he dreaming?
Why would this guy appear in such a place?
Mu’en fell into extreme doubts about life as the new teacher Kolen began his self-introduction.
“Hello, everyone, I’m Kolen, currently a beginner third-tier warrior and a former adventurer. My specialty is occupying a hill and strategically waiting for prey…”
Just as Kolen himself stated, he indeed excelled at self-introduction. In just a few sentences, not only did he give everyone a clear understanding of himself, but he also left a vibrant and mild impression in their minds.
Except for Mu’en.
Because right now, his mind was filled with shock.
“Welcome Teacher Kolen.” After Kolen finished his introduction, many students excitedly applauded.
“Thank you, thank you, everyone.” Kolen shyly scratched his bald head.
Teacher Kaide allowed the students to cheer for a while, then said:
“Alright, if you have any questions, take this opportunity to ask quickly. Don’t let it affect the class later.”
After he finished, he saw someone unexpectedly raising their hand.
“Um? Mu’en Campbell, do you have a question?”
“I have no questions.”
Mu’en stood up, his expression serious as if he had discovered a cross-dressing pervert hiding in the crowd who just casually entered the women’s restroom:
“But I want to report.”
“Report? Report what?”
Teacher Kaide looked perplexed.
“There’s a bandit; a bandit has infiltrated the academy!”
Mu’en pointed at Kolen and shouted:
“Don’t you check the identities of your teachers when hiring? There’s a bandit here!”
“A bandit?”
Teacher Kaide looked at Kolen with confusion, “Is that true?”
“A bandit? What bandit? Are you talking about me?” Kolen looked innocent.
“Not just ‘are’, we’re talking about you, you jerk!”
Mu’en slammed the table:
“You can’t expect me to forget you in just a month! I’d recognize your face even if it turned to dust; pretending to be ignorant won’t work!”
“Mu’en, how can you say that about your teacher? He’ll be sad.”
Kolen responded earnestly but immediately his expression fell, his masculine features turned sorrowful.
“But I understand why you, Mu’en, might hold a bias against me.”
Saying this, he touched the very conspicuous scar on his face, revealing a pitiful look as if a small dog had its tail stepped on:
“After all, due to this scar, people often think I’m a bad person.
But—even if I’ve always been misunderstood because of this scar, I take pride in it. The reason is—”
Kolen proudly puffed out his chest, his words ringing firmly:
“This scar is the result of a three-day battle I fought against a group of bandits to rescue a poor girl who was being attacked!”
“Wow—”
The students below were in an uproar.
This new teacher, Kolen, was so brave?
To save a little girl, he had fought a group of bandits alone for three whole days and nights?
Just thinking about it made one realize how dangerous that was, how much courage it required, and how kind-hearted he must be!
No wonder he had only reached the beginner stage of a third-tier warrior yet had made the dean praise him for his great contributions during the academy crisis!
“Bullshit!”
Only Mu’en stared wide-eyed in disbelief, wondering how someone could be so thick-skinned, countering in vehement retort:
“What saving a poor girl who was under attack? Weren’t you the ones surrounding her back then?”
Not only did you attack the little girl, but you also had designs on me!
Fortunately, Eluka was more capable back then, or I would have lost something important!
“Enough, Mu’en Campbell!”
Kaide, finding it intolerable, shouted angrily:
“How can you slander an excellent and upright teacher like that?”
“What excellent uprightness? He doesn’t deserve it!”
“Mu’en, Campbell!”
“It’s alright, it’s alright, Teacher Kaide.”
Kolen smiled, blocking Kaide, who hadn’t moved forward, shaking his head:
“I don’tmind; even though I battled fiercely for three days and nights to save that girl from the vicious bandits, I even found time to have tea and comfort the girl gently, and during this academy crisis, I also made significant contributions, saving the academy from peril in crucial moments, but for me, these are just trivial matters.
No matter what others say, I don’t care; I really don’t.”
“But you—ugh.” Teacher Kaide was temporarily at a loss for words, thinking how could there be such a righteous and magnanimous man in the world.
In contrast…
“Mu’en Campbell, can’t you learn from him?”
Kaide reprimanded with exasperation:
“As a man, how can you determine someone’s character just from their appearance? You must remember that what matters is not looks, but the nobility of the soul!”
“What noble soul? That guy’s soul is completely dark!
Like a demon even hell wouldn’t take!”
“Mu’en Campbell, that’s enough; is slandering not enough for you? Are you resorting to personal attacks now?” Kaide’s face had turned as dark as a pot bottom.
“But…”
Just as Mu’en wanted to continue arguing, he heard someone say softly:
“Mu’en, how can you act this way?”
“Huh?”
Mu’en frowned and looked towards the source of the voice.
The voice was quiet, but in the brief silence, it sounded particularly clear.
Yet the speaker seemed to deliberately hide among the crowd, making it difficult for him to find.
Normally, Mu’en wouldn’t pay attention to such remarks.
However, as soon as that line was spoken, the students, who previously wouldn’t dare say anything because of his status, suddenly found courage and started chiming in.
“Exactly, Mu’en, how can you act this way?”
“Even if you don’t like the teacher, you shouldn’t slander him like that.”
“Teacher Kolen is obviously so excellent.”
“Before, your jump made me think you were really cool; alas…”
“…”
Mu’en narrowed his eyes, glancing at the group.
Aside from the first clear provoking comment, the others seemed to genuinely be standing up for the teacher.
Thinking about it, the presence of the “dean’s recommendation” and “significant contributions” were both major buffs. Plus, Kolen’s words had been so convincing; it was indeed very easy to gain the favor of these fiery youth.
In comparison, Mu’en’s own reputation wasn’t good, and coming out with such sharp accusations right away made it hard not to think he was just looking for trouble.
Was I too extreme?
Mu’en took a deep breath and slowly sat back down.
“Whatever, since Pink Bear sent him to be a teacher, he must have his reasons. I don’t need to worry about it.
This is the academy, and with that guy’s beginner third-tier skills, he probably wouldn’t even be able to beat Ariel; it’s very unlikely he could stir any trouble.”
Moreover, perhaps it was just that he had judged someone too quickly. What if he really had turned over a new leaf?
Thus, Mu’en Campbell needed to remain calm.
He couldn’t get angry over such small matters.
After all, he was the duke’s son, and he needed to maintain his noble demeanor and refinement.
……
……
“Teacher Kolen, is there a special reason for you to become a teacher at the academy?”
With Mu’en’s small interruption over, the atmosphere returned to a lively questioning time.
One of the few girls in the martial arts class raised her hand, curious to ask.
“Reason? Of course, there’s a reason.”
“Oh, what is it?”
Hearing such gossip, all students’ curiosity was quickly piqued.
“It’s…” Kolen held his burning cheeks, frequently glancing towards a particular direction, shyly saying:
“To find my true—”
“Shut up!”
But before he could finish his words, Kolen heard a deafening roar.
And—
A fist gradually enlarged in his vision.
In the shocked gazes of everyone, including Teacher Kaide, Mu’en had rushed up from somewhere.
His gaze was icy, throwing a heavy punch.
Forget being calm, I can’t take it anymore.
“Die, you faggot.”
