“St. Maria Academy, I’m back.”
In the low-cost black carriage, Ariel Bugarde lifted a corner of the curtain, her gaze crossing the large statue-guarded gate, gazing at the majestic buildings hidden in the depths not far away.
St. Maria Academy.
One of the Empire’s top educational institutions, it boasts an enormous faculty and teaching resources, making it a dream place for countless students.
There’s a saying about St. Maria Academy: even a toad that enters here will transform into a graceful noble swan by graduation.
Of course, this is an exaggeration, but it highlights the power of this academy.
“Has it really been a whole year?”
A hint of nostalgia appeared in Ariel’s eyes.
A year ago, after her mother’s illness and passing, she was brought back by her father, who was a count, transforming from an ordinary person into the third daughter of Count Bugarde.
However, becoming the third daughter of a count did not improve her situation. On the contrary, her status as an illegitimate child made her a target of disdain and scorn from the so-called “pure-blood” nobles at the academy.
Among them, Mu’en Campbell was the most contemptible!
Always picking on her, always setting traps for her, almost every time they met, he would mock her with a sneer, calling her a “dirty servant with lowly blood.”
And what was most infuriating was that he was engaged to Princess Celicia!
How could he be worthy!
Celicia was so cold and noble, so enchanting; her position as the mistress of the Crystal Palace had been reserved for her long ago.
How could Mu’en Campbell be worthy!
It’s truly damned—if not for his title as a duke’s son, she would have long since shaken him up like a sack of beans and kicked him into a pit until he became useless, so he wouldn’t pollute the environment with his presence.
But thankfully, even without her interference, that Mu’en Campbell was also a waste.
Arrogant, ignorant, and with eyes set too high.
It was said that for an entire academic year, he had only learned the spell for lighting a candle, which drove Professor Plon of the magic department to lose sleep for three days.
Every time she saw him trying desperately to get close to Celicia, relying on his identity as her fiancé, Ariel couldn’t help but find it amusing.
“Go ahead and act; don’t you see the disgust in Celicia’s eyes?”
People like her, who were so cool and aloof, utterly despised those who were clueless, sticking to them like gum.
“If you want to pursue Celicia, you naturally need to strive to improve yourself like I have, and then take it slow.”
Ariel smirked, unable to contain her trademark rebellious smile.
“In this past year, I’ve not only made rapid progress in strength, going from an ordinary person who had never seen magic to having the top power in my entire grade.
But also, in the mere two months of vacation, I defeated my two foolish brothers and truly attained the identity of the count’s heir.
I think, even Celicia will inevitably take notice of me.
It’s time to get close to her by asking to learn swordsmanship in the name of seeking her guidance and slowly building rapport.
In the long run, heh, Celicia will eventually be mine!”
Ariel clenched her fist, quietly cheering for her perfect plan.
Adjusting the bow tie of her academy uniform, Ariel stepped down from the carriage with a hopeful and excited heart, walking through the academy’s main gate.
“Hey, isn’t that the dirty servant with lowly blood? No wonder the air around the academy stinks; it turned out you have arrived.”
Unfortunately, her joyful mood was short-lived, shattered by some blind fools.
Ariel raised her eyes and glanced at the group of noble young men blocking her path, her gaze turning slightly cold:
“Aemon, have you come again at your master’s command to bark?”
As the son of a duke, Mu’en Campbell’s infamous reputation preceded him, and few wanted to associate with him, but there were always power-hungry mongrels willing to follow him and be controlled.
The Aemon before her was the one who barked the loudest among them.
“Barking? I don’t like that term.”
Aemon stepped in front of Ariel, looking down at her from his height with a sneer:
“Ariel Bugarde, after all, you were raised by peasants; you really have no manners. Is this how you talk to a senior?”
“When talking to people, I speak like a person, and when talking to dogs, I speak dog talk. Treat others affectionately and equally has always been my life motto.”
Hearing the word “peasants,” a cold glint flashed in Ariel’s eyes as she said, “Is there anything else, Senior? If not, please step aside. I don’t have the time to waste on such meaningless matters like you do.”
“Hmph, since you’ve said that, then I won’t hold back.”
Aemon took off one of his gloves and slapped it down at Ariel’s feet.
“I challenge you, Ariel Bugarde!”
“Huh?”
Ariel was taken aback.
Here we go again?
How many times have you all challenged me?
Wasn’t it three times last semester?
Are you all just lining up to offer yourselves?
“Hmph, last time we underestimated you by sending that fool Gru; we didn’t expect you would break through at the last moment.
But this time is different; this time, I will personally face you! I will make sure you taste the humiliation of defeat and be laughed at by the whole academy!” Aemon said viciously.
No, even if you, a fourth-year, were to fight me, a second-year student, I wouldn’t be ridiculed if I lost!
On the contrary, aren’t you the one who should feel embarrassed for challenging me?
Ariel couldn’t help but roll her eyes.
She genuinely believed these people had been hanging around Mu’en Campbell for too long, filling their heads with nonsense.
“Here they come again.”
“Ariel’s so pitiful, always being harassed by these people.”
“Sigh, why hasn’t anyone punished that despicable Campbell yet?”
“Shh, keep your voice down, don’t let them hear.”
The crowd gradually thickened.
Most of them were ordinary people who didn’t mind Ariel’s status as an illegitimate child, so they held a sympathetic attitude, with many secretly cheering her on.
“Ariel, keep it up! I believe you can do it.”
Of course, there were also some dissenting opinions:
“Sigh, this time Ariel is in trouble. Aemon is a standout in the fourth year, known as Campbell’s Wolf. His blood wolf summoning is astonishing, and even many professors praise him; he is the most ruthless henchman of Mu’en Campbell.
Even if Ariel defeated Gru from the third year last time, facing Aemon, who is even tougher, seems a bit lacking.”
“…”
Listening to these logical analyses, Ariel’s lips twitched slightly.
She felt like she had heard the same words countless times before. Same story, different name; even the phrasing seemed identical.
But she had smacked them down hard in the past.
This time… it would surely be the same.
Ariel’s eyes gradually ignited with fighting spirit.
Her blood boiled with excitement.
Campbell’s Wolf? Fine, this will test the results of her training during these two months of vacation.
Moreover, being able to defeat a fourth-year student right after advancing to the second year will surely make Celicia take more notice of her.
Ariel smirked, “Alright, I agree—”
But just as she was about to respond, the crowd suddenly stirred, with someone whispering:
“It’s Mu’en Campbell!”
