Content locked, enable JavaScript and subscribe to access the content.
“Who are you?”
Mu’en frowned and asked.
He had been at the academy for so long; he shouldn’t have offended any young girl.
Could it be a sin caused by the original owner?
No, with the original owner’s perspective, it was impossible for him to take an interest in such a young girl.
“Mu… Mu’en, do you not remember me?”
The young girl got up from the bushes, with dried leaves still stuck in her hair. She adjusted her slightly crooked black frame glasses, looking weak as she said:
“I am Shali Fland, a second-year student like you. I was in martial arts class before.”
“Shali Fland?”
Mu’en rubbed his chin, thinking. He had no impression of this name at all.
And martial arts class… At that time, he had scanned the students below multiple times to find the source of that inexplicable malice, and it seemed he hadn’t noticed such a young girl among them.
Was she really so inconspicuous?
“My name, you may not remember, but… but there’s one thing that, when I mention it, you should know.”
Shali lowered her head, too shy to meet Mu’en’s gaze, stammering:
“Lib… library, after-school lessons?”
Mu’en paused at that.
What a bad keyword, it could lead to all kinds of strange associations!
And this girl, dressed like an honor student, dares to say such things to me, a blond, doesn’t she fear getting into trouble?
Mu’en couldn’t help but mock in secret.
But then, he seemed to catch a glimmer of insight.
Huh?
Wait a minute?
Those words…
Mu’en suddenly remembered:
“Oh, you’re the young girl who misunderstood me in the library before?”
“Y-yes.” Shali nodded vigorously.
“So it’s you.”
Mu’en was thoughtful and stroked his chin.
When he first entered the academy, he had found this young girl in the library while looking for classmates to teach him, but due to his terrible image at the time—a playboy, with many affairs—this innocent girl had mistaken him for having ulterior motives, resulting in a misunderstanding, and she had even kicked him.
“So… why are you following me?” Mu’en asked, puzzled.
“Be… because I want to apologize to you, Mu’en.” Shali said softly.
“Apologize?” Mu’en was taken aback.
“I’m very sorry, Mu’en. At that time, I misunderstood you.”
Shali held her hands tightly, bowing respectfully to apologize:
“Back then, I was misled by those rumors into thinking you were a scumbag who deceived girls, that’s why…
Later, through some recent events, I gradually realized that you are not as bad as I imagined. Reflecting on that time, I realized you may have just wanted my help in class.”
“That was the case.”
Mu’en smiled helplessly.
But now thinking about it, he was a bit grateful for Shali’s misunderstanding.
Because that was how he had the chance to meet the senior.
“I usually have no opportunity to meet you, Mu’en, so I took this chance to hurry…”
“So, you skipped martial arts class?” Mu’en said in surprise.
“Since… since Teacher Kaide was gone, right?” Shali’s cheeks turned slightly red.
Saying this, she suddenly pulled out a bamboo basket covered with a red cloth from behind her, holding it with both hands and handing it to Mu’en.
“What is this?”
“This is a small token from me.”
Shali seemed shy, her toes drawing circles on the ground as she said:
“I can’t come empty-handed to apologize, so I prepared a gift.”
“Actually, you don’t have to do this.”
Mu’en smiled and said:
“I forgot about that incident a long time ago, so there’s no need to apologize.”
“But… but I would feel very uneasy doing that.”
Shali said loudly: “Please, Mu’en, accept it.”
“I see. What’s inside?”
“Some pastries that I made myself.”
Shali said somewhat embarrassedly:
“My family doesn’t have much money, so I can only apologize like this.”
“Homemade pastries…”
Mu’en lifted the cloth covering the bamboo basket, and immediately a fragrance of cake wafted out, making his fingers itch.
It was clear that Shali’s culinary skills were very good.
“Since that’s the case, I’ll accept it.”
If it were something precious, he certainly wouldn’t take it, but since she was so sincere, Mu’en felt that refusing would be inappropriate.
“Th-thank you!”
“You should be thanking me; the cakes look really delicious.”
“Then… I won’t disturb you any longer, Mu’en. Goodbye!” Shali bowed deeply, “I’ll bring more pastries for you to eat in the future.”
“Eh? In the future?”
Mu’en hadn’t reacted yet when he saw Shali turn and dash away quickly.
Just from her somewhat stiff footsteps, which almost tripped her, it was evident that she had been very nervous facing Mu’en all along.
“Shali Fland, huh? Quite a nice young girl.”
Watching Shali’s departing figure, Mu’en couldn’t help but smile.
He looked at the cake in the bamboo basket, “Looks like I won’t need to go to the cafeteria.”
Having said that, he turned around and prepared to head directly back to the dormitory.
Holding the bamboo basket, his steps were light.
“Feels like I’m just like Little Red Riding Hood in the forest?”
Mu’en murmured, making a joke only he understood.
The wind rose again at an unknown time, causing the entire forest to start rustling.
With the gentle breeze through the woods, the chilling air of late autumn crept in along Mu’en’s cuffs and pant legs, greedily licking at his skin.
Mu’en shivered.
Just a moment ago he was thinking about rushing back to the dormitory to grab a piece of clothing, but in the next moment, he suddenly stopped in his tracks.
His expression became serious.
Because he sensed once again that hidden gaze lurking in the autumn breeze.
“Not Shali?”
Mu’en frowned slightly and then realized.
Shali was only following him to apologize, so that cold gaze could not possibly come from her; it brought an unsettling chill that made his hair stand on end.
“It seems that it might… not just be a pervert.”
Just as he was thinking this, Mu’en suddenly noticed the bushes and leaves beside him shaking noisily.
Something was approaching.
“Who!”
Mu’en shouted, his hand quietly moving to his back.
Then, as the bushes parted, what first caught Mu’en’s eye was… a pair of glowing green eyes, revealing a cold and cruel gaze.
This is…
“A wolf?”
Mu’en was stunned for a moment, even doubting if he had seen it wrong, and blinked hard.
But that was indeed a wolf, a blood-red wolf that stood taller than a man.
Clearly, its blood-red fur was so conspicuous, yet Mu’en hadn’t noticed its presence until it came forth from the underbrush.
“What the hell?”
Mu’en glanced at the red cloth-covered bamboo basket in his hand, and couldn’t help but twitch his mouth:
“Does Little Red Riding Hood always have to encounter the Big Bad Wolf?”
Despite his complaints, facing the blood-red wolf in front of him, Mu’en dared not let his guard down.
This was Saint Maria; who knows what bizarre thing this wolf, looking so abnormal in color, could be.
Is it a pet taught by the teachers?
Or has that notorious monster society’s beast escaped again?
But regardless, instinct told Mu’en that the situation was becoming perilous.
The blood-red giant wolf didn’t rush to attack but paced back and forth not far away, seemingly searching for Mu’en’s weakness, ready to strike.
And Mu’en dared not slacken, his gaze firmly locked on the blood wolf, slowly shifting position.
No matter how this wolf came about, the wise choice was to avoid entanglement and make a quick escape.
This was an academy; as long as he didn’t run into any of those cute first-years, even if he bumped into an old man sweeping the streets, he could count on receiving help against this wolf that appeared out of nowhere.
Moreover, the path he was on wasn’t too remote; all he had to do was wait a while for the students to get out of class, and…
At that moment, a chill surged over him.
After experiencing countless deaths in the black book, the instinct for fatal danger honed within him clutched his hair like a troublesome child.
Turn back!
Turn back!
Danger is behind you!
Without a second thought, Mu’en suddenly turned around and saw, amid the verdant green, a blood-red shadow rushing toward him.
A second one!
The first wolf feigned sleep to bait him?
Damn! So smart?
There wasn’t time to think; Mu’en hurled the bamboo basket at the blood wolf.
The bamboo basket couldn’t inflict any real damage, but the red cloth spread instantly, blocking the blood wolf’s line of sight.
The fragrant cake exploded and scattered in the air.
Without time to regret, Mu’en used the vacated hand to press down on the blood wolf’s head, and then his other hand, which had been hidden behind him, drew out a dagger and suddenly thrust it into the wolf’s neck.
Blood splattered, and the blood wolf howled a few times before it spasmed and went still.
But Mu’en didn’t have time to breathe a sigh of relief.
Because he could already sense the stench of blood rushing toward him from the other side.
The first blood wolf wasn’t idle; the moment Mu’en turned to fight the second, it pounced without hesitation.
Extending its claws and baring its fangs, it aimed at Mu’en’s vital points, just like prey hunting.
Mu’en didn’t look back, for he knew it was too late for that; he just followed his instincts and intuition, twisting his body.
Crack, crack, crack.
A sound like frying beans echoed from within Mu’en’s body, as if a hundred bones were grinding against each other, numerous joints displacing in defiance of common sense.
Mu’en’s body twisted into a bizarre curve, and he miraculously dodged the blood wolf’s pounce at such close range.
However, the blood wolf’s claws scraped his shoulder hard, leaving several ghastly wounds!
Feeling the pain and heat in his shoulder, Mu’en’s expression turned fierce as he reached into the blood wolf’s mouth.
With barbs on its tongue, it tore through skin, sharp teeth punctured flesh, and the excruciating pain in his hand and shoulder stimulated his nerves.
Yet Mu’en still clung tightly to the blood wolf’s jaw as if he were firmly gripping a stick.
Thus, he leveraged his wrist, twisted, swung, and slammed down!
The blood wolf’s body traced a perfect arc in the air, flipping 180 degrees before its back crashed to the ground, exposing its vulnerable belly.
Without the slightest hesitation, Mu’en pressed down and plunged the dagger into the blood wolf’s heart.
The blood wolf struggled once, then quickly fell silent.
Mu’en pulled out the dagger and leaned against the nearby tree, breathing heavily.
Just moments had passed since the second blood wolf had launched its attack against him.
But the danger of it all still made him feel a surge of dread.
After all, he hadn’t anticipated that another blood wolf could creep up close to him and launch a surprise attack.
“I can’t stay here.”
That blood wolf didn’t seem to be a mere encounter; its mode of attack felt specifically aimed at him.
Not to mention that cold gaze…
Gazing at the injuries on his shoulder and hand, Mu’en’s expression darkened. After calming his breath for just a moment, he prepared to leave without hesitation.
But then he heard a sound of running water.
Gentle trickling…
But there wasn’t even water here; where did that sound come from?
Mu’en looked down at the ground.
The two blood wolf carcasses were beginning to melt as if turning into honey under high heat.
Transforming into two pools of blood.
Soon, the pools started surging, bubbling as if something invisible was boiling them.
Then, from that boiling blood, new blood wolves emerged, shaking their heads, their fangs bared, stepping forward.
Divided into four.
Four newly born blood wolves exhaled foul breath from their nostrils, with cold and cruel light in their emerald eyes, slowly surrounding Mu’en.
Mu’en felt a chill all over.
But it wasn’t because of the encirclement of these blood wolves.
In fact, that previous discomfort had simply been due to him not being sure about the origins of these blood wolves, so he chose to observe cautiously and ended up getting ambushed.
Now he had a rough understanding of the individual strength of these blood wolves; they were only on the level of low-level magical beasts. Even if surrounded, Mu’en had complete confidence in escaping.
After all, escaping had always been his forte.
But the problem was, at this moment, he recognized the origins of these blood wolves.
They weren’t magical beasts nor pets.
Born from blood pools, ethereal yet possessing the ferocity and brutality of real magical beasts.
As long as there was sufficient magical energy supply, they could continuously resurrect from the blood pools in greater numbers and strength than before.
This was a special summoning-type magic, and in Mu’en’s memory, only one person used this magic.
Someone he—no, rather the original owner—was very familiar with.
“Aemon?”
Mu’en looked deeper into the woods:
“Is it you?”
“…”
No one responded.
But footsteps could be heard.
A lean figure, stepping carefully through the fallen leaves, approached Mu’en.
“Long time no see, Mu’en Campbell.”
The face hidden in the shadows was unclear, but the smile on the half-exposed lips seemed to contain mockery:
“I didn’t expect you to remember me; I’m truly honored.”
“You—”
Looking at Aemon, after a moment of dazed shock, anger suddenly surged in Mu’en’s chest:
“Why are you doing this?”
In Mu’en’s memory, Aemon Biandi had a very good relationship with him, or rather, with the original owner. After all, he could be considered the original owner’s most loyal lackey, having helped him commit numerous misdeeds and was referred to as the “Wolf of Campbell.” Many times, it was Aemon who had harassed Ariel.
For example, at the beginning of the semester, he had challenged Ariel but was stopped by Mu’en.
So Mu’en never imagined he would suddenly launch an attack on him, and judging by the situation, it was likely more than just a game; it was genuinely aimed at his life.
Hence, Mu’en couldn’t help but feel an anger reminiscent of being betrayed by someone close.
“Answer me, Aemon, why are you doing this? Who is controlling you? Or is it…?”
“Ha, why am I doing this?”
Aemon interrupted Mu’en, his voice hoarse and dripping with sarcasm:
“Isn’t that what you, Young Master Mu’en, is most clear about?”
“I?”
Mu’en frowned in confusion.
Had he done something?
But clearly, during this time, to change himself, Mu’en had completely severed ties with his former circle of rich playboys; he hadn’t even contacted Aemon.
He certainly couldn’t view Aemon as a lackey anymore.
Then why…
“Ha, haha…”
Seeing the confusion on Mu’en’s face, Aemon suddenly burst into laughter, a chilling and desolate laugh:
“Ah, so you don’t understand, Mu’en Campbell, you really don’t understand!”
“You don’t understand how much I hate you now!”
“I want nothing more than to flay you alive and tear you to shreds!”
As the words fell, killing intent exploded.
The four blood wolves simultaneously became indistinguishable shadows, pouncing at Mu’en.
They were faster and stronger than before!
In just an instant, they sealed off all of Mu’en’s escape routes.
It looked like the next moment, he would be torn to pieces by these blood-red giants.
But.
Mu’en was too familiar with Aemon’s blood wolf summoning. He had seen Aemon use this move more than once, so he knew exactly its weaknesses.
—Although these blood wolves couldn’t be killed and were incredibly troublesome due to their strength and speed, even low-level martial artists could be completely exhausted if entangled by them.
Magicians were even more at a disadvantage; these agile giant wolves were practically their natural enemies.
However, after all, it was a special kind of summoning spell; all the moves were on these blood wolves. The offense was abundant, but defense was lacking!
Especially when these giant wolves initiated attacks, they required considerable amounts of magical energy from the main body!
In that moment when those blood wolves lunged at him, Mu’en raised his hand, curling his fingers as if they were claws.
Thunder!
A tremendous roar erupted, and the violent shockwave sent by Mu’en rushed toward the blood wolves in front of him.
The shockwave rippled, and the blood wolves howled in protest.
Mu’en lunged forward, seizing the moment the blood wolves were affected, and thrust his dagger into the eyes of one of the wolves.
It quickly went still!
—Although it was a summoned creature, it still adhered to the rules of the living; if one hit a vital spot, it would die.
But Mu’en understood it would soon revive in the blood pool.
He couldn’t wait!
Mu’en seized the wolf’s head like a professional hammer throw athlete, twisting his body one and a half times and flinging the corpse at the other three blood wolves behind him.
The wolves’ pounces were delayed, granting Mu’en a brief moment to breathe.
But this precious time wasn’t meant for him to rest; rather—
Shadow Step!
Mu’en instantaneously vanished from his original spot, leaving only the fallen leaves on the ground swirling in the chaotic wind.
The next moment, he reappeared before Aemon.
Aemon seemed to be caught off guard by Mu’en’s quick escape from the blood wolves. A flicker of surprise appeared on his face.
And then in his stunned eyes, a fist the size of a cooking pot approached instantaneously.
“Aemon!”
Mu’en shouted angrily, swinging his fist.
The punch landed on the cheek of Aemon, twisting his mouth, which still held a mocking smile.
“Tell me why?!”
Aemon’s already lean body was sent flying backward by this punch.
Just as he landed, Mu’en once more used Shadow Step to chase after him, mounting him and delivering another punch.
“Why are you attacking me?!”
Mu’en felt rage burning in his chest, causing his eyes to turn bloodshot.
It was as if he had been betrayed by someone closest to him.
No, it wasn’t like that; it was that.
For the original Mu’en Campbell, Aemon had been his most capable subordinate, his closest follower, his most obedient dog.
The former Mu’en Campbell had never imagined the possibility of betrayal from Aemon.
Thus, this sorrow and incomprehension, coursed through this flesh, through the inseparable memory, lit a flame of anger within the current Mu’en Campbell.
“Why are you doing this?”
“Who instigated you?!”
“What is your goal?!”
“Why did you betray me?!”
Mu’en punched and punched, until his fists were stained with warm blood, yet even in such a state, the corners of Aemon’s mouth still twisted in mockery.
“I betrayed you? Mu’en Campbell, isn’t that an absurd thing to say!”
Aemon spat a mouthful of blood at Mu’en, laughing maniacally: “Aren’t you the one who betrayed me first?”
“What? Me?”
Mu’en was taken aback, then roared, “When did I betray you?”
“You abandoned me!”
Aemon’s eyes were wide, shouting:
“You abandoned me! Isn’t that betrayal?!”
“What abandonment? I freed you, didn’t let you be a dog; does that mean for you…”
Mu’en gripped Aemon’s collar angrily, as if wanting to land a few more punches.
But at that moment, a ray of sunlight shone through the gaps in the leaves, falling on Aemon’s face.
Mu’en’s half-raised fist froze in mid-air, and along with the rage in his eyes, it slowly faded.
“Aemon, you…”
What kind of face was this in his vision?
Apart from the wound inflicted by Mu’en’s fist just now, the face was unshaven, full of fatigue.
His eyes were bloodshot, as if he hadn’t had a good night’s sleep for a long time, and his sunken eye sockets and prominent cheekbones made him look as emaciated as a corpse.
But why was he so thin? Although he was only the second son of a viscount, he was still a nobleman, and in Mu’en’s memory, he had enjoyed all the best food and drink along with the original owner; how could he be thin?
And then…
At this moment, Mu’en finally realized.
Aemon seemed to be too weak.
After all, Aemon was a fourth-year student, and wasn’t considered weak among them; otherwise, he wouldn’t have been taken in by the original owner as a lackey.
Even if Mu’en knew the weaknesses of the blood wolf summoning, it shouldn’t have been so easy to break through; the memory of those blood wolves should have been larger and more fearsome.
So he hadn’t recognized it at first.
But why…
“Aemon, what happened?”
“Heh, what happened? The noble son of the duke naturally wouldn’t know.”
Aemon’s eyes were blood-red:
“Of course you can’t know what I’ve been through during the time you abandoned me.”
Aemon pulled open his shirt, revealing his upper body.
Then, several fresh wounds recently inflicted were presented before Mu’en’s eyes.
Dense and crisscrossed, with exposed flesh, it was chilling to behold.
He had been seriously injured for so long, and with depleted magical energy, that was why he was so weak.
“This is…”
“Haha, you are the son of a duke; you decided to wash your hands of your past, so you abandoned everything from before.
Including the dog you raised.
Naturally, that’s nothing to be ashamed of; everyone would celebrate because, from then on, this world is rid of a tyrant.
But did you ever think about what would happen when that dog, who had bitten countless people for its master and offended many, suddenly lost its master?”
What would happen?
Of course it would be retaliated against.
The people who hated Mu’en Campbell.
Those who envied Mu’en Campbell.
Those who despised Mu’en Campbell.
These people wouldn’t dare to actually do anything to Mu’en Campbell, not even daring to speak harshly against him.
Because he was the duke’s son, the only son of the duke.
Just as the thirty-five noble children hadn’t dared to lift their heads in front of Mu’en before, his power was unparalleled.
So this jealousy, hatred, and disgust would consequently fall relentlessly onto that masterless dog.
No matter how sharp its teeth, without a master, what could that dog do?
If the dog fell into the water, it would naturally be beaten.
“Ah, so it is like this?”
Mu’en suddenly recalled Celicia’s words:
“Mu’en Campbell, you’ve severed ties with your past too cleanly.”
“Not everyone will be happy about your change.”
“So it is like this…”
In his eagerness to change, Mu’en had not looked at any place other than himself since entering the academy.
Naturally, he hadn’t even spared a glance at those past events.
So he was completely unaware that in those untouched shadows, someone had endured so much for him.
“I’m sorry, Aemon…”
At this point, Mu’en didn’t know what else to do, so he could only offer a pale apology.
“Sorry? Is that useful? Is it? No!”
Aemon roared hoarsely, “Do you know how many times I’ve apologized to those people? It doesn’t work; not even a little!”
“I…”
Mu’en’s expression turned desolate, his lips quivering:
“What do you want me to do? How can I compensate you?”
“Compensate me?”
Aemon was suddenly taken aback.
As if he had heard an unexpected response.
After a brief silence, Mu’en suddenly saw the corners of Aemon’s mouth twitch.
It wasn’t a mocking smile.
It was a flattering grin.
So naturally, as if he had done so countless times before.
He grasped Mu’en’s hands tightly, and in that moment, Mu’en seemed to see the tail wagging behind him.
“Then… Young Master Mu’en, let me go back to being your dog, just like before. Let me be your dog again; whatever you ask me to do, I will do it. If you tell me to bite someone, I will bite them. Okay?
Let’s return to how it used to be! Okay?!”
“Let you… be my dog again?”
Mu’en looked at Aemon’s face full of a flattering smile and suddenly felt a wave of disgust.
How could he let someone be his dog?
He wasn’t the former Mu’en Campbell anymore!
“That is wrong.”
“Eh?”
“That is wrong, Aemon. You are a person, not a dog.”
“But, but my purpose of existence is to be your dog, Young Master!” Aemon widened his eyes.
“No one’s purpose of existence can be something so absurd!”
Mu’en shook off Aemon’s grasp firmly, then extended his hand again:
“Don’t speak such disgusting words about being someone’s dog anymore, Aemon. Let’s be friends instead. As long as we are friends, no one will dare to do anything to you. Those who bullied you before, I will make them pay.”
“Friends…”
Aemon stared blankly at Mu’en’s outstretched palm.
“Yes, friends.”
“I…”
Aemon’s eyes flickered, as if he were slightly touched, but the next moment, his expression turned angry and fierce again:
“I won’t believe it!”
“What?”
“I won’t believe in such an empty term as friends!”
“This isn’t an empty term; it’s my heartfelt words, Aemon! I want to be your friend!” Mu’en said earnestly.
He didn’t know how to define the word “friend,” but in his memories, Aemon had been such an important person to the former Mu’en Campbell.
Otherwise, he wouldn’t have been so angry moments ago.
“But I know you, Mu’en Campbell!”
Aemon shouted angrily:
“As your former dog, I know very well what kind of person you are! You don’t have friends at all, nor do you need friends; all you need are dogs you can command and toys for your amusement!”
“…”
Mu’en opened his mouth, momentarily at a loss for words.
Because the original Mu’en Campbell indeed was that kind of scoundrel.
Or rather, in the eyes of others, he was.
But…
“That was in the past.”
Mu’en spoke with a firm expression:
“You just said it earlier, right? I’ve washed my hands clean of my past; I’m not the same as I used to be. I’m not a scoundrel anymore!”
“But you’ve changed your actions; actions can change easily, but what about your nature? Isn’t nature what determines everything?”
“My nature has changed as well!”
“What proof do you have?”
“I…”
What can he use to prove a change in someone’s nature?
To prove anything, one must use a much stronger deed.
“Aemon, you know, last semester, I scored only three points on the magic fundamentals exam.”
“Hm?”
Aemon was momentarily stunned.
Of course, he knew this; everyone at the academy knew. He just didn’t know why Mu’en was suddenly bringing it up.
“Do you also know? In fact, the Campbell family is a real rough family; none of them are good at magic. Even in the library, apart from books related to martial arts, there are only some nonsensical miscellaneous books. My ancestors would rather stuff books about post-natal care of pigs than include a single book on magic.”
“…”
“It can be said that it is imprinted in our Campbell bloodline that we are not good at magic.” Mu’en said:
“But, a few days ago, someone suddenly challenged me to pass the next magic fundamentals exam.”
“A first-year?”
“A second-year!”
Mu’en said with a tremble in his voice:
“Second-year exam!”
“That’s impossible?” Aemon said instinctively.
From three points to passing, it was quite a leap.
“Right, that’s impossible.”
Mu’en smiled, feeling somewhat self-deprecating, then his expression became serious:
“But I want to do it.
I want to score sixty on that exam, to pass, to achieve a score that will shock everyone!
Under the name of Mu’en Campbell! To make all those who think I can’t do it, be astonished!”
Mu’en reached out his hand to Aemon again:
“Aemon, shall we make a bet? If one month from now, I can manage to pass, to successfully break the Campbell family’s ‘curse’, wouldn’t that prove that I have the determination and the ability to change my very nature?
So when that time comes, you promise to be my friend, okay?”
Aemon stared blankly at Mu’en; he seemed to see an unwavering determination burning deep in the blue-eyed man’s soul.
“…But, just sixty points…”
“Sixty isn’t enough; then let’s say eighty!”
Mu’en gritted his teeth and shouted.
“If you think merely passing isn’t enough, then I’ll strive for a higher level of excellence!”
“Eighty…”
Aemon’s eyes widened suddenly:
“Are you insane?”
For any exam, if sixty points is a baseline, then eighty points is another benchmark.
One represents entry-level, requiring just focused study, while the latter represents thorough mastery and requires not only effort but also method and a bit of luck.
Especially for the fundamentals of magic course, its tedious knowledge points often leave diligent students lingering around the seventy to seventy-five point mark.
The excellence rate for this subject in the entire second year is only around twenty percent.
If Mu’en were to increase his score from zero to passing in a month, it would be akin to capturing Paris before the French surrender; such difficulty was inconceivable.
Let alone Aemon, who wasn’t particularly clever, in an instant realized this was impossible.
“I must be insane; I know this is not possible, but didn’t you say that changing my nature is also impossible?”
Mu’en gazed into Aemon’s eyes, where a burning flame twinkled as if it was going to ignite everything.
“In that case, I will accomplish another impossible task to prove the possibility of that impossible task!”
Mu’en’s words reverberated in the silent woods, like thunder crashing, deafening beyond measure.
For some reason, as he looked at this Mu’en Campbell who seemed entirely unfamiliar, all the hatred and anger that built up within Aemon began to dissipate.
Like snow melting under sunlight.
Involuntarily, Aemon reached out his hand, clasping it around that warm and reassuring hand that exuded a sense of security.
Mu’en couldn’t help but smile.
Great.
This matter.
It could finally…
Huh?
Mu’en’s expression suddenly froze.
Because hand meeting hand resulted in a feeling, but instead of the anticipated security, it was… pain.
A horrifying force transmitted from the other person’s palm, almost crushing his hand.
“Aemon, you?”
“Eh?”
Mu’en was about to ask, but he noticed that Aemon also wore a puzzled expression.
Then pain began to reflect in his face.
Veins bulged on his forehead like he was suffering through unbearable torment.
“Aemon? Aemon, what’s wrong?”
Noticing something was off, and ignoring the pain in his own hand, Mu’en asked in worry.
Aemon clutched his chest, dark veins like those of a poisonous snake writhing under the skin.
“Medicine.”
“What medicine?”
“That woman… gave me a magic potion… My magical energy actually depleted already… but because of that potion, I stored some energy. But…”
“The woman, what woman?”
“I don’t know… Ah!”
Aemon suddenly screamed in agony; his once gaunt body swelled like a balloon, towering suddenly, ripping through his original student uniform, and from the surface of his skin, coarse, steel-like black fur began to grow!
To Mu’en’s astonished gaze, in just a few breaths, Aemon transformed into a grotesque… werewolf!
“What the hell, what kind of dark fairy tale is this?”
Did Little Red Riding Hood not only meet the Big Bad Wolf but also come across a werewolf?
Where’s Woodcutter? Come help here!
Unfortunately, there was no Woodcutter; not even a third person around.
So Aemon, looking like he had lost all of his reason with his eyes burning crimson, immediately locked onto the only living person here besides himself.
With an oppressive, murderous aura.
Mu’en’s face turned stiff as he instinctively tried to back away from the menacing creature.
But this action, which should have been extremely simple for him, failed.
Because Aemon’s grasp was like an iron clamp, holding his hand firmly.
Damn, what should he do? Was he supposed to sacrifice this arm outright?
That brief moment of hesitation seemed to seal his fate.
Mu’en’s vision blurred, and before he could react, he felt his breath catch sharply.
Aemon’s other hand—not, it should be said, claw—suddenly grabbed at his neck!
That claw proceeded to tighten, the enormous force compressing his flesh, causing Mu’en to hear his cervical vertebrae creak.
Due to their size difference, Mu’en’s feet dangled above the ground, unable to muster any strength.
And just when he raised one of his only movable arms to strike at Aemon’s arm with the other short dagger, the blade clashed against his black fur, producing a resonant clang like metal against metal.
What the hell?
Were those hairs really made of steel?
Was that not just a metaphor?!
In that instant, Mu’en found himself engulfed in profound despair.
He deeply understood his advantages and strengths and knew this was the most dire situation for him.
Aemon glared at him with a twisted expression, blood-red eyes exuding a delight in slaughter, as if already witnessing Mu’en’s blood splattering before him.
What should he do now?
Feeling the suffocating sensation growing stronger, his mind sank into a haze. Mu’en was frantically thinking of ways to escape.
The black book?
But the black book seemed to provide no immediate boost in power.
Then what?
There are no other options.
Damn it.
Could it be that I still have no way out?
Could I still be this powerless?
Could it be that I…
“Sigh.”
On the verge of losing consciousness, Mu’en suddenly heard a deep sigh.
Not from the black book.
But…
“Freeze.”
The chilling words spread through the woods.
Along with it, a terrifying coldness swept in.
Like a snowstorm that could darken the world, the lush forest quickly donned a layer of pure white.
Mu’en saw the werewolf in front of him display a trace of fear, then stood frozen.
A layer of azure ice encased him; although he had been so menacing just moments ago, now he appeared as comically frozen as a caveman enshrined in a glass cabinet.
A hand suddenly seized Mu’en’s neck, pulling him down.
“Cough, cough…”
Mu’en clutched his throat, coughing violently as he gasped for air, then lifted his head to see that familiar silver figure beside him.
“Celicia, what are you doing here?”
Saying this, Mu’en suddenly found it amusing.
It seemed he was always asking this question.
Celicia gazed at the frozen werewolf, seemingly lost in thought.
Upon hearing Mu’en’s query, she turned, her voice frosty as she spoke:
“If I say I’ve been here the whole time, watching you foolishly talk to that fool from start to finish, would you be angry?”
“Eh?”
Perhaps because of a lack of oxygen, Mu’en momentarily felt confused.
Celicia didn’t mind him; she turned back, seemingly talking to herself:
“I actually hoped to lure out the big fish hiding behind this, but the other party appears to be more cautious than I imagined—a real pity.”
As her words finished, a group of student council elites dressed in red uniforms quickly arrived, efficiently starting to place various restraints on the ice-encased Aemon.
“Wait a minute?”
Mu’en suddenly called out to those people:
“What do they intend to do?”
“Don’t worry; we’re just temporarily sealing Aemon for treatment and to ask some questions,” said Wei Er, the student council secretary with a bun, appearing from nowhere, her cheeks puffed up.
“Aemon should have just been misled by someone; we won’t impose any severe penalties, of course, a bit of a small lesson is required.”
“I see.”
Mu’en nodded, then suddenly seemed to remember something, looking at Celicia awkwardly:
“By the way, Celicia, could you…”
“Are you asking for the list of those who bullied Aemon?” As if reading Mu’en’s mind, Celicia spoke directly.
“Um.”
“…”
Celicia fell silent, looking at Mu’en for a moment, before suddenly moving closer and raising her foot, wrapped in black silk.
She stomped down on Mu’en’s calf.
“Ouch! Celicia, what are you doing?”
“Once you choose this path, don’t look back, or I’ll want to hit you.”
“But…”
“No buts.”
Celicia leaned down, her cold gaze locking firmly onto Mu’en:
“Teaching bad students is the student council’s duty; you don’t need to worry about it.”
“…”
Mu’en fell silent.
“Looks like you’ve already understood.”
The elite students from the student council had nearly finished dealing with Aemon.
Celicia stood up, preparing to leave.
“By the way, do you need me to take you to the hospital?” Celicia asked.
“…”
Mu’en glanced at his shoulder and palm; his recovery speed seemed to surpass that of ordinary people, as those wounds had already scabbed over.
So he nodded:
“Thank you, but no need.”
“I see, then goodbye.”
“Goodbye.”
“Ah, right.”
Celicia suddenly turned back, looking at Mu’en seriously:
“Although with your brains and level, scoring eighty on next month’s exam is almost impossible, but… good luck.”
“…”
Mu’en was taken aback, then forced a smile that looked worse than crying:
“I will, thank you.”
…
After Celicia left.
A profound silence enveloped.
Mu’en lay amidst the lingering whiteness, staring blankly through the gaps in the leaves at the distant sun.
Suddenly, as if blinded by the sun, he shielded his eyes with his arm and muttered lowly:
“Damnit—”
Footsteps echoed through the woods, light as a cat.
A girl clad in a tightly fitting uniform, her enchanting figure barely concealed, approached, slowly kneeling down beside Mu’en.
“Looks like I still came late.”
Anna gazed at the disarrayed woods, seemingly expressing a sentiment of regret.
After a moment of thought, she gently moved, lifting Mu’en’s head and resting it on her lap.
A lap pillow.
Mu’en’s arm, shielding his eyes, trembled slightly.
“Alright, alright, junior, don’t cry anymore.” Anna gently stroked Mu’en’s head, as if caressing a little kitten.
“I’m not crying.” Mu’en replied.
“Mm, the junior isn’t crying; the junior is very strong.”
Leaves swayed, light flickered, and the air turned somewhat cold.
“Senior.”
“Mm?”
“I want to score eighty.”
“Ah.”
Anna, touching her cheeks, looked slightly troubled:
“You scared me when you mentioned aiming for sixty; anyway, aiming for eighty is pushing it a bit, isn’t it?”
“But I want to score.”
“… If that’s the case.”
Anna lowered her head, gently smiling.
Her eyes curved, and the tear mole at the corner of her eye added a touch of charm.
“Who told you that you are my adorable junior?”
