The Yellow-Haired Villain in Soaring Phoenix’s Novels Also Desires Happiness

Chapter 40, Apology

“Oh? So you’re not in class?”

Mu En returned to the training ground, only to find it dim and shrouded in shadows, as if all the light had been blocked.

Only at the center of the training ground, magical devices were showcasing a duel between two warriors.

It was like watching a movie.

It was clear that Teacher Cade had instructed them to watch while he took Colin’s ice sculpture to seek revenge on the Pink Bear.

For someone like Teacher Cade, who usually placed great importance on attending class and would scold students for lacking spirit, to allow self-study and leave the classroom first, it was evident that he was quite upset this time.

However, this is just right.

Mu En walked to the center of the training ground, stepped on the magical device, and turned off the projection.

In an instant, the training ground was bright.

All the students had not yet adapted to the sudden change in the scene, their bewildered gazes gathering at the very center of the training ground.

Or rather, on Mu En.

“Mu En Campbell?”

After a brief silence, someone came to their senses.

Their expression was unpleasant:

“Why are you back?”

“Um? Can’t I come back?”

Mu En looked over in confusion:

“I believe I have the right to attend this class.”

“Attending class is one thing, but why turn off the projection?”

Someone shouted angrily.

“You’ve disturbed our studying!”

“Heh, I’ve never seen you all so eager to learn before.”

Mu En joked lightly, then stepped forward, one step at a time, his footsteps clear.

With each step he took, some students’ faces grew a little worse.

Mu En leisurely examined them, confirming each one with the memories in his mind.

Finally, he arrived at a position very close to the audience.

He picked up a chair from the audience and placed it behind him, sitting down.

Then he faced everyone.

“I was, in the past, a piece of trash.”

As Mu En’s words fell, everyone was taken aback.

They didn’t expect him to come up and insult himself.

What kind of tactic is this, directly self-destructing to highlight his ruthlessness?

Mu En ignored the others and continued:

“But now, I don’t want to be trash.”

“But there are always some people who still think I’m trash.”

“I don’t blame them, because people always have stereotypes, and changing how one is perceived by others is a very long process.”

“So I’m also trying hard, although… well, the effect is minimal, but I really am putting in the effort.”

“According to my original thoughts, I wasn’t planning to come back. After all, it’s just some people saying a few things. It’s nothing to me; if I endure it, it’ll pass. I’m used to it anyway, and in fact, that helps me leave a broad-minded impression in the eyes of others.”

“But, it’s still quite annoying.”

“Just like that domineering president said, looking all dejected is really disgusting, so I came back.”

“Since I’ve returned, I definitely can’t let it go like this.”

“Before, those people criticized me, and I couldn’t do anything about it because, in a sense, they were talking about the old me, and they were speaking the truth, but—”

Mu En suddenly grinned, his expression joyful:

“Isn’t it a coincidence? I couldn’t do anything about those people, but I can do something about you.

After all—

If you do something wrong, you should apologize, isn’t that what you all said?”

“What do you mean by that?”

Someone exclaimed sharply:

“Are you trying to take on all of us?”

“That’s not quite right. What do you mean by all of us? I counted, and there are only thirty-five people in total.”

Mu En’s expression turned cold as he raised his hand, pointing at those people:

“I know most of you are just going with the crowd, following trends, or seeking thrills,

but—

Just like when you felt I was the oppressor and demanded an apology from me, now you have become the oppressors, and I have become the oppressed… shouldn’t you all come up one by one and apologize?”

As Mu En’s words fell, the space fell into silence.

It seemed everyone was shocked by the imposing presence of this blonde man at that moment.

Apologize?

All of them?

Don’t they know that the law doesn’t punish the masses?

Even if a teacher encounters such a situation, they can’t punish everyone!

“Mu En Campbell, you’re too arrogant!”

Seemingly unable to tolerate this humiliation, one of the previously most active individuals suddenly stood up and slammed the table:

“Even if we are just thirty-five people, that’s still thirty-five noble families. Even if you are the son of a duke, you can’t—”

“Tyke Rod, right?”

Mu En suddenly interrupted that person.

The man named Tyke Rod seemed taken aback when Mun called out his name suddenly, and his expression involuntarily darkened.

“You remember, you are the son of a count, of noble birth. The Rod family is not a small one; they hold considerable power throughout Belrand.”

“Since you know…”

“But it seems you have three older brothers.”

Mun said:

“By the count, you are merely the fourth in line for inheritance.”

At these words, Tyke’s face turned pale: “So what?”

Mun did not answer, only smiled slightly.

Then,

“Ibuprofen Ted, the sixth son of Marquis Ted.”

“Gucci Sloane, the fifth son of Count Sloane.”

“And also…”

Mun pointed out one name after another, and just as he was about to call out nearly all thirty-five, he suddenly clapped his hands and said:

“Alright, now those whose names I have called tell me…

Can you truly represent your family?”

“……”

Silence fell.

No one answered.

But everyone knew the answer.

Of course not.

Most nobles, to ensure their lineage, have at least a dozen offspring in their lifetime.

Only the Campbell family is so unique, with a single heir.

Thus, for most people here, their place in the line of succession is even beyond the fifth.

Representing the family?

How could that be possible?

If they died, their families would hardly mourn.

“Do you understand?”

Looking at the thirty-five individuals before him, Mun stood up, his expression stern, rarely displaying the pride… and coldness that belonged to a duke’s son.

“This is the difference between a duke’s son and the sole son of a duke.

Well, although I may not be the sole son of a duke for much longer, until then…”

Mu En clenched his fist, as if grasping the power and authority that others could hardly reach, tightly held in his palm.

“I, Mu En Campbell, represent the Duke of Campbell, I embody the very name Campbell itself. To insult me is to insult Campbell!”

Mu En’s words struck like a hammer, crashing into the hearts of the thirty-five individuals, draining the color from their faces in an instant, leaving them as pale as paper.

As Mu En Campbell stated, he could represent the Campbell family, but they, however, could not represent their own family.

In fact, their own family would never offend a future duke because of them.

“So now… do you have anything to say?”

Mu En scanned the room once more, and seeing no one respond, nodded in satisfaction.

“It seems you all acknowledge my words. Then…”

With a casual gesture, he pointed to the nearest Taike and said:

“Let’s start with you. Come here.”

“…”

Under the pitying gazes of everyone, Taike, though extremely reluctant, took a step forward, inching toward Mu En.

His body trembled like a leaf, his face more ghastly than one who had lost their parents.

Finally, as he reached Mu En, he seemed unable to bear the pressure any longer, tears welling in his eyes as he shouted:

“Mu En Campbell, what do you want me to do? Pay money or give up land?”

“Pay money? Give up land?”

Mu En looked puzzled. “What do you mean?”

“Isn’t it about paying money or giving up land?”

Taike’s eyes widened in terror:

“Are you saying you want my sister? You beast, she’s only eight years old!”

“Though I don’t know why you have such a strange idea, didn’t I just say? I want you to apologize.”

Mu En placed his hand on his shoulder, pressing down hard.

“Do you understand what an apology is? The attitude must be sincere, the tone must be humble, and… your back must be sufficiently bent.”

“Lastly, remember to refrain from pointing fingers from your moral high ground in the future, or else… be careful of slipping like this time and straining your back.”

……

……

“Is it really just an apology?”

In the corner, watching everything unfold in the training ground, Ariel scoffed, curling her lip.

“How boring. I thought you were going to break their legs.”

“Mm?”

—

Talking to herself, Ariel suddenly glanced to the side.

It seemed that a shadow had quickly slipped out through the back door, and she could vaguely see a gaunt monkey-like face.

“Is it again something to do with Mu En Campbell?”

Ariel thought for a moment and withdrew her gaze.

“Forget it, his matters are none of my concern.”

Saying this, she revealed a blissful smile, stroking the communication stone in her hand.

“I still need to think about what to say when I call the beauty next time.”