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

Chapter 44, Eighty

“Who are you?”

Mu En frowned and asked.

Having been at the academy for so long, he shouldn’t have provoked any little girls.

Could it be a consequence of the original owner’s actions?

No, given the original owner’s taste, it was impossible for him to be interested in such a little girl.

“Mu… Mu En, don’t you remember me?”

The little girl stood up from the bushes, her head still covered in dry leaves. She pushed up her black-framed glasses, which were slightly askew from her excitement, and said weakly:

“I am Sally Fland, just like you, I’m also a second-year student. I was in the martial arts class before.”

“Sally Fland?”

Mu En rubbed his chin in thought; he had no impression of this name at all.

Moreover, during the martial arts class… he had scanned the students below multiple times to find the source of that inexplicable malice, yet it seemed he hadn’t noticed such a small girl in the audience.

Was she really that inconspicuous?

“My name, Mu En, you might not remember, but… but there’s something I can say that should make you know who I am.”

Sally lowered her head, not daring to meet Mu En’s gaze, stammering:

“Library… after school classes?”

Mu En was taken aback by her words.

What a troublesome keyword; it could lead to all sorts of strange associations!

And this girl, dressed like an honor student, saying such things to a guy like me, isn’t she afraid of causing trouble?

Mu En couldn’t help but silently complain.

But then, he seemed to catch a glimmer of realization.

Eh?

Wait a minute?

Those words…

Suddenly, Mu En remembered:

“Oh, you’re the little girl who misunderstood me in the library before?”

“Y-yes.” Sally nodded vigorously.

“So it was you.”

Mu En stroked his chin.

During the early days of entering the academy, he had found this little girl in the library while looking for someone to give him lessons. At that time, his image was terrible—he was a playboy, juggling multiple relationships, practically a womanizer—which led this innocent girl to think he had ill intentions, resulting in a misunderstanding, and she even kicked him.

“So… why were you following me?” Mu En asked, puzzled.

“B-because, I wanted to apologize to you, Mu En.” Lisa said softly.

“Apologize?” Mu En was taken aback.

“I’m very sorry, Mu En. Back then, I misunderstood you.”

Lisa clasped her hands tightly, bowing respectfully as she apologized:

“At that time, I was misled by those rumors, thinking you were a scumbag who deceives girls, that’s why I…

Later, after some recent events, I gradually realized that you’re not as bad as I imagined. Looking back, I realized… maybe you really just wanted my help with the class back then.”

“That’s what it was.”

Mu En smiled helplessly.

But now that he thought about it, he felt a bit fortunate for Lisa’s misunderstanding.

Because of that, he was able to encounter the senior.

“Usually, I don’t have the chance to meet you, Mu En, so I took this opportunity to hurry and…”

“So you skipped the martial arts class?” Mu En said in surprise.

“Well… anyway, Teacher Cade is gone, right?” Lisa’s cheeks flushed slightly.

As she spoke, she suddenly pulled out a bamboo basket covered with a red cloth from behind her, cradling it with both hands and handing it to Mu En.

“What is this?”

“This is a little token of my appreciation.”

Lisa seemed shy, her toes drawing circles on the ground as she said:

“I can’t just come empty-handed to apologize, so I prepared a gift.”

“Actually, you don’t have to do this.”

Mu En smiled and said:

“I’ve already forgotten about that matter; there’s no need to apologize.”

“But… but I would feel very uneasy that way.”

Lisa said loudly: “Please accept it, Mu En.”

“Oh, I see. What’s inside?”

“Some… pastries that I made myself.”

Lisa said a bit shyly:

“My family isn’t well-off, so I don’t have much money; this is the only way I can apologize.”

“Homemade pastries…”

Mu En lifted the cloth covering the basket, and immediately, a fragrant aroma of cake wafted out, making his fingers itch with desire.

It was clear that Lisa’s cooking skills were quite good.

“Since that’s the case, I’ll accept it.”

If it were something precious, he definitely couldn’t accept it, but since she had put in so much thought, Mu En felt that refusing would be inappropriate.

“Thank… thank you!”

“The one who should be thanking is me; the cake looks really delicious.”

“Then… I won’t disturb you any longer, Mu En. Goodbye!” Lisa bowed deeply: “I will bring you new pastries next time.”

“Eh? Next time?”

Before Mu En could respond, he saw Lisa turn and flee quickly, as if escaping.

—

It was evident from her slightly stiff steps, which almost tripped her, that she had been quite nervous in front of Mu En.

“Lisa Fland? Quite a nice girl.”

Watching Lisa’s retreating figure, Mu En couldn’t help but smile.

He glanced at the cake in the bamboo basket in his hand. “Looks like I don’t need to go to the cafeteria after all.”

With that, he turned in another direction, preparing to head straight back to the dormitory.

With the bamboo basket in hand, his steps were light.

“Feels just like Little Red Riding Hood in the forest, doesn’t it?”

Mu En muttered to himself, making a joke only he understood.

The wind, he didn’t know when, began to rise again, causing the entire forest to start rustling.

As the gentle breeze swept through the woods, the chill of late autumn crept in, sneaking up his sleeves and pant legs, greedily licking at his skin.

Mu En shivered.

Just a moment ago, he had been thinking about rushing back to the dorm to put on an extra layer, but in the next moment, he suddenly stopped in his tracks.

His expression turned serious.

Because he felt it again, that gaze lurking in the autumn wind.

“Not Lisa?”

Mu En furrowed his brow, then realized.

Lisa was only following him to apologize, so how could that gaze be so cold, carrying a chilling aura that made the hairs on his body stand on end?

“Now that I think about it, it might… not be a pervert after all.”

Just as he was pondering this, Mu En suddenly noticed the bushes and leaves beside him shaking softly.

Something was approaching.

“Who’s there!”

Mu En called out in a low voice, his hand quietly moving to the back.

Then, the bushes parted, and the first thing that caught Mu En’s eye was… a pair of eyes glowing with a greenish hue, revealing coldness and cruelty.

This is…

“A wolf?”

Mu En froze for a moment, even thinking he had misseen, blinking hard.

But it was indeed a wolf, a blood-red wolf standing taller than a man.

Though its blood-red fur was so conspicuous, Mu En hadn’t noticed its presence until it stepped out from the bushes.

“What the hell?”

Mu En glanced at the bamboo basket covered with a red cloth in his hand, unable to suppress a twitch of his lips:

—

“Will Little Red Riding Hood definitely encounter the Big Bad Wolf?”

Complaints aside, facing the blood-red wolf in front of him, Mu En dared not let his guard down.

This was Saint Maria; who knew what kind of bizarre creature this wolf, which looked so abnormal in color, could be.

A pet taught by the teacher?

Or perhaps that notorious beast raised by the Monster Society had come out again?

But no matter what, intuition told Mu En that the current situation was somewhat dire.

The blood-colored giant wolf did not rush to attack; instead, it paced back and forth not far from Mu En.

It seemed to be searching for Mu En’s weakness, waiting for the right moment to strike.

Mu En also did not dare to relax, keeping his gaze fixed on the blood wolf as he slowly shifted his position.

Regardless of this wolf’s origins, the wise choice was not to tangle with it but to make a quick escape.

This was the academy; as long as he didn’t run into some cute first-year student, even if he encountered an old man sweeping the street, he could get help to deal with this wolf that had appeared out of nowhere.

Moreover, the road he was on was not too remote; he just needed to wait a bit for the students to finish class, and then…

In that moment, a chill swept over him.

Having experienced countless deaths in the Black Book, the sharpened sense of impending doom clutched at him like a mischievous relative’s child tugging at his hair.

Turn back!

Turn back!

Danger was behind him!

Without much hesitation, Mu En suddenly turned around and saw a blood-red shadow lunging at him from amidst the lush green.

The second one!

Was the first wolf feigning sleep to lure him in?

Damn! So clever?

There was no time to think further; Mu En swung the bamboo basket in his hand forcefully at the blood wolf.

Of course, the bamboo basket wouldn’t cause any real harm, but the red cloth covering it spread out in an instant, blocking the blood wolf’s line of sight.

The fragrant cake scattered everywhere.

No time to regret, Mu En used his free hand to press down on the blood wolf’s head, then, with the hand that had been hidden behind him, he thrust the tightly gripped dagger into the wolf’s neck.

Blood splattered, and the blood wolf let out a few mournful cries before convulsing and falling silent.

But Mu En had no time to breathe a sigh of relief.

Because he could already sense the foul, bloody wind surging from the other side.

The first blood wolf was not idle either; at the moment Mu En turned to fight the second one, it lunged forward without hesitation.

Extending its sharp claws and baring its fangs, it aimed for Mu En’s vital points, just like a predator targeting its prey.

Mu En did not look back, for he knew it was too late to do so; he simply followed his instincts and intuition, twisting his body.

Crack, crack, crack, crack.

A crisp sound like frying beans emanated from Mu En’s body, as if hundreds of bones were grinding together, joints dislocating in defiance of reason.

Mu En’s body contorted into a bizarre arc, and he truly managed to evade the blood wolf’s pounce at such a close distance.

However, the blood wolf’s sharp claws still grazed his shoulder fiercely, leaving behind several ghastly gashes!

Feeling the sting and heat in his shoulder, Mu En’s expression hardened as he reached out to grab the blood wolf’s maw.

The barbed tongue tore through skin, and the sharp fangs pierced flesh, the agony in his palm and shoulder stimulating his nerves.

Yet Mu En still clung tightly to the blood wolf’s jaw, as if gripping the handle of a wooden stick.

With a twist of his wrist, he exerted force, swung, and brought it down!

The blood wolf’s body traced a perfect semicircle in the air, flipping one hundred eighty degrees before crashing its back onto the ground, exposing its vulnerable abdomen.

Without any hesitation, Mu En pressed down and plunged the short knife into the blood wolf’s heart.

The blood wolf struggled for a moment before quickly falling silent.

Mu En withdrew the short knife, leaning against a nearby tree, breathing heavily.

At this moment, it was only a few breaths away from the second blood wolf launching an attack on him.

But the thrill of danger still left him with a lingering fear.

After all, he hadn’t expected that a second blood wolf could silently approach from behind and launch a sneak attack.

“No, I have to leave quickly.”

That blood wolf did not seem like a mere chance encounter; its method of attack felt specifically targeted at him.

Not to mention that gaze…

Glancing at the wounds on his shoulder and hand, Mu En’s expression darkened. After calming his breath for just a moment, he prepared to leave without any hesitation.

But he heard the sound of flowing water.

The gentle sound of flowing water.

Yet there was no water here; where could the sound be coming from?

Mu En looked down at the ground.

The two corpses of the blood wolves were melting away, as if they were honey under high temperatures.

Transforming into two pools of blood.

Soon, the blood pools began to bubble, as if being boiled by an invisible fire.

Then, from the boiling blood pools, new blood wolves emerged, shaking their heads, their claws and fangs menacing, stepping forth.

Divided into four.

Four newly born blood wolves exhaled a foul stench from their nostrils, their cold and cruel green eyes slowly surrounding Mu En.

Mu En felt a chill all over.

But it wasn’t because of the encirclement of the blood wolves.

In fact, the earlier setback was merely due to his uncertainty about the origins of these blood wolves, leading him to choose a cautious wait-and-see approach, which resulted in a surprise attack.

Now, having roughly gauged the individual strength of these blood wolves, he realized they were no more than low-level magical beasts. Even if surrounded, Mu En was absolutely confident in his ability to escape.

After all, running away had always been his strong suit.

But the problem was, at this moment, he recognized the origins of these blood wolves.

They were neither magical beasts nor pets.

Born from pools of blood, they lacked substance yet possessed the ferocity and brutality of real magical beasts.

As long as there was a sufficient supply of magical energy, they could continuously resurrect from the blood pools, and each time, there would be more of them, and they would be even stronger.

This was a special summoning-type magic, and in Mu En’s memory, there was only one person who used this magic.

A person he—no, it should be said, the original host—was extremely familiar with.

“Eimon?”

Mu En looked deep into the woods:

“Is that you?”

“……”

No one answered.

However, footsteps began to sound.

A thin shadow, stepping on the fallen leaves scattered throughout the forest, approached Mu En.

“Long time no see, Mu En Campbell.”

The face was hidden in the shadows, making it hard to see, but the half-visible corner of the mouth seemed to curve into a mocking smile:

“Didn’t expect you to remember me. What an honor.”

“You—”

Looking at Eimon, after a brief moment of daze, a surge of anger suddenly welled up in Mu En’s chest:

“Why are you doing this?”

In Mu En’s memory, Eimon Biandi had a very good relationship with him—or rather, with the original host. After all, he could be said to be the most loyal lackey of the original host, helping him carry out many nefarious deeds. He was known as the Wolf of Campbell, the original host’s most capable assistant. In fact, many times, the persecution against Ariel was also carried out by him.

For instance, at the beginning of the school year, he had challenged Ariel, but Mu En had intervened.

So Mu En never expected that he would suddenly turn against him, and judging by the current situation, it seemed he was not just playing around but was genuinely out for his life.

Thus, an anger akin to betrayal by a close person surged within Mu En.

“Answer me, Eimon, why are you doing this? Are you being controlled by someone? Or is it that…”

“Ha, why am I doing this?”

Eamon interrupted Mu’en, his voice hoarse, dripping with unparalleled sarcasm:

“Isn’t this something you, Young Master Mu’en, know best?”

“Me?”

Mu’en frowned in confusion.

Had he done something wrong?

But clearly, during this time, in order to change himself, Mu’en had completely severed ties with his former circle of debauchery, not even contacting Eamon.

He certainly could no longer view Eamon as a mere lackey.

But why…

“Ha, hahaha…”

Seeing the bewildered look on Mu’en’s face, Eamon suddenly burst into laughter, a chilling, desolate laugh:

“So you really don’t understand, Mu’en Campbell, you really don’t understand!”

“You don’t know how much I hate you now!”

“I wish I could skin you alive, pull out your tendons, and crush your bones to suck out your marrow!”

As his voice fell, a murderous intent erupted.

Four blood wolves simultaneously transformed into indistinguishable shadows, lunging at Mu’en.

They were faster and stronger than before!

In an instant, they sealed off all of Mu’en’s escape routes.

It seemed that in the next moment, he would be torn to shreds by these crimson giants.

However.

Mu’en was all too familiar with Eamon’s blood wolf summoning; he had seen Eamon use this trick more than once, and thus knew its weaknesses well.

— Although these blood wolves could not be killed, their strength and speed, being top-tier even among second-tier creatures, made them incredibly troublesome. If entangled, even a third-tier warrior could be worn down to death.

As for mages, these agile giants were practically their nemeses.

Yet, after all, it was a special kind of summoning technique; all the moves were at the mercy of these blood wolves, with ample offense but insufficient defense!

Especially when these giant wolves initiated their attacks, they needed to expend their own magical energy!

In the moment the blood wolves lunged forward, Mu’en raised his hand, fingers curled like claws.

Thunder!

A tremendous roar erupted, and a violent shockwave surged toward the blood wolves before him under Mu’en’s control.

The shockwave rippled, and the blood wolves howled in distress.

Mu’en lunged forward, seizing the moment while the blood wolves were momentarily affected, plunging the short knife in his hand into the eye of the blood wolf.

No handle!

The blood wolf quickly fell silent.

—Although it was a summoned creature, it still adhered to the laws of living beings; once it hit a vital spot, it would die.

But Mu En understood that it could soon revive in the pool of blood.

No time to waste!

Mu En grabbed the wolf’s head, twisting his body like a professional hammer thrower, and hurled the blood wolf’s corpse away, smashing it into the three blood wolves behind him.

The blood wolves’ assault was delayed, giving Mu En a brief moment to catch his breath.

But this precious time was not for him to rest; instead—

Shadow Step!

Mu En vanished from his spot in an instant, leaving only the fallen leaves on the ground swirling as if caught in a violent wind.

The next moment, Mu En appeared in front of Aimon.

Aimon seemed taken aback that Mu En could escape the blood wolves so quickly, a hint of shock crossing his face.

Then, within his dazed eyes, a fist the size of a cooking pot closed in rapidly.

“Aimon!”

Mu En roared, swinging his fist.

The punch landed squarely on Aimon’s cheek, twisting the smirk off his face in an instant.

“Tell me, why?!”

Aimon’s already thin body was sent flying backward from the blow.

Just as he hit the ground.

Mu En used Shadow Step again to catch up, landing on top of him and throwing another punch down.

“Why? You attacked me!”

Mu En felt anger burning in his chest, making his eyes turn bloodshot.

It was like being betrayed by the closest person.

No, it wasn’t like; it was.

For the former Mu En Campbell, Aimon was his most capable subordinate, his closest companion, his most obedient dog.

The former Mu En Campbell had never anticipated the possibility of being betrayed by Aimon.

Thus, this pain, this incomprehension, coursed through this flesh, through the inseparable memories, igniting the current Mu En Campbell with fury.

“Why did you do this?”

“Who instigated you?!”

“What is your purpose?!”

“Why did you betray me?”

Mu En punched, punched again, until his fists were stained with warm blood. Yet, even so, Emon’s lips still curled into a mocking smile.

“Me betray you? Mu En Campbell, how ridiculous that sounds!”

Emon spat out a mouthful of blood and laughed, “Wasn’t it you who betrayed me first?”

“What? Me?”

Mu En paused, then roared, “When did I ever betray you?”

“You abandoned me!”

Emon’s eyes widened as he shouted:

“You abandoned me! Isn’t that betrayal?”

“What abandonment? I set you free, I didn’t make you a dog. Isn’t that…”

Mu En angrily grabbed Emon by the collar, as if he wanted to throw a few more punches.

But at that moment, a beam of sunlight shone through the gaps in the leaves.

It fell upon Emon’s face.

Mu En’s raised fist froze in mid-air, and the anger in his eyes gradually faded away.

“Emon, you…”

What kind of face was this in his line of sight?

Aside from the wound just inflicted by Mu En’s fist, this face was unshaven and full of weariness.

His eyes were bloodshot, as if he hadn’t slept well in a long time, with deep-set sockets and prominent cheekbones, looking as emaciated as a corpse.

But why was he so thin? Although he was merely the second son of a viscount, he was still a noble. In Mu En’s memory, he had always eaten and drunk the best alongside his former self. How could he be so thin?

Moreover…

At that moment, Mu En finally realized.

Emon seemed a bit too weak.

It should be noted that Emon was a fourth-year student, and not weak among them; otherwise, he wouldn’t have been taken in by his former self as a lackey.

Even if he knew the weaknesses of the Blood Wolves, it shouldn’t have been so easy to break through. The Blood Wolves in his memory should have been larger and more terrifying.

That’s why he hadn’t recognized him at first.

But why…

“Emon, what exactly happened?”

“Heh, what happened? The noble son of a duke, of course, cannot know.”

Emon’s eyes were bloodshot:

“Of course you wouldn’t know what I’ve been through during this time that you abandoned me.”

Emon lifted his clothing from his chest, revealing his upper body.

Then, the wounds that were clearly newly inflicted entered Mu En’s sight.

Dense and chaotic, flesh torn and blood oozing, it was utterly horrifying.

He had been gravely injured and his magic had depleted, which was why he was so weak.

“This is…”

“Haha, you are the son of a duke. You have washed your hands of the past, deciding to sever all ties, so you have thrown away everything from before.

Including the dog you once raised.

Of course, there’s nothing wrong with that; everyone raises their hands in celebration, for from now on there is one less bully in this world.

But have you ever thought about what happens when that dog, the one that has bitten countless people for its master and offended countless others, suddenly loses its master?”

What will happen?

Of course, it will seek revenge.

Those who hate Mu En Campbell.

Those who envy Mu En Campbell.

Those who despise Mu En Campbell.

Naturally, those people wouldn’t dare to actually do anything to Mu En Campbell, not even utter a harsh word.

Because he is the son of a duke, the only son of a duke.

Just like how the thirty-five noble children before didn’t dare to lift their heads in front of Mu En, his power is unmatched by few.

So this jealousy, hatred, and disgust would be mercilessly directed at that masterless dog.

Even if its fangs are sharp, without a master, what can this dog do?

When the dog falls into the water, it will naturally be beaten.

“So, is that how it is?”

Suddenly, Mu En recalled Selisia’s words:

[Mu En Campbell, you have severed ties with your past too cleanly.]

[Not everyone will be happy for your change.]

“So, is that how it is…”

Because he wanted to change himself so much, Mu En had not looked anywhere outside of himself since entering the academy.

Naturally, he hadn’t even cast a glance at his past.

So he didn’t know that in those dark corners where the light doesn’t reach, someone had borne so much for him.

“I’m sorry, Aemon…”

At this point, Mu En no longer knew what to do, so he could only offer a pale apology.

“Apology? Does an apology help? Does it? No!”

Eamon screamed hoarsely,

“Do you know how many times I’ve apologized to those people? It’s useless, not at all!”

“I…”

Muen’s expression turned bleak, his lips trembling:

“Then what do you want me to do, how can I make it up to you?”

“Make it up to me?”

Eamon suddenly froze.

As if he had heard an unexpected answer.

After a brief silence, Muen suddenly saw the corners of Eamon’s mouth twitching.

Not a sneer.

But a fawning smile.

So natural, as if it was a smile he had practiced countless times.

He tightly grasped Muen’s hand; at that moment, Muen seemed to see the tail wagging behind him.

“Then… Young Master Muen, let me go back to being your dog, just like before. Let me be your dog again, whatever you want me to do, I’ll do it; if you want me to bite someone, I’ll bite them, okay?

Let’s go back to how it was before! Okay!”

“Let you… be my dog again?”

Muen looked at Eamon’s fawning smile and suddenly felt a bit nauseous.

How could he let someone be his dog?

He was no longer the old Muen Campbell!

“That’s not right.”

“Eh?”

“That’s not right, Eamon, you are a human, you are not a dog.”

“But, but my reason for existence is to be your dog, Young Master!” Eamon’s eyes widened.

“No one’s reason for existence could be something so ridiculous!”

Muen shook off Eamon’s hand that was tightly gripping him, then extended his hand again:

“Don’t say such disgusting things as becoming someone’s dog, Eamon. Let’s be friends instead; as long as we are friends, no one will dare to do anything to you. Those who bullied you, I will make them pay.”

“Friends…”

Eamon stared blankly at Muen’s outstretched palm.

“Yes, friends.”

“I…”

Eamon’s eyes flickered for a moment, as if stirred by something, but the next instant, his expression turned once more to anger and ferocity:

“I won’t believe it!”

“What?”

“I won’t believe in such empty words as ‘friends’!”

“These aren’t empty words; this is my heartfelt truth, Eamon. I want to be your friend!” Mu En said earnestly.

He didn’t know how to define the word “friend,” but in his memories, Eamon had been such an important person to the former Mu En Campbell.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t have been so furious just now.

“But I know you, Mu En Campbell!”

Eamon shouted in rage:

“As your former dog, I know exactly what kind of person you are! You have no friends, and you don’t need friends; all you need are dogs to command and toys to amuse you!”

“…”

Mu En opened his mouth in blank astonishment.

He had no words to counter that.

Because the original Mu En Campbell was indeed that kind of scoundrel.

Or rather, in the eyes of others, he was that kind of scoundrel.

But…

“That was in the past.”

Mu En said firmly:

“Weren’t you just saying that? I’ve turned over a new leaf; I’m not the person I used to be. I am not a scoundrel now!”

“But what you’ve changed is your behavior. Behavior can change easily, but what about your nature? Isn’t nature what determines everything?”

“My nature has changed too!”

“What do you have to prove it?”

“I…”

What could he use to prove it?

What could possibly demonstrate a change in a person’s nature?

To prove something, one naturally needs a more compelling deed.

“Eamon, you know, I only scored three points on my Magic Fundamentals exam last semester.”

“Mm?”

Eamon was taken aback.

Of course, he knew; the whole academy knew. He just didn’t understand why Mu En suddenly brought this up.

“Do you know? Actually, my Campbell family is a true brute family; from top to bottom, not a single one of us is skilled in magic. Even in the library, apart from books on martial arts, there are only some inexplicable miscellaneous books. My ancestors would rather stuff books on postpartum care for sows than include a single magic book.”

“……”

“It can be said that our Campbell bloodline bears the mark of being inept at magic.” Mu En said:

“But, a few days ago, someone suddenly told me that I must pass the next basic magic concepts exam.”

“First year?”

“Second year!”

Mu En exclaimed:

“The second-year exam!”

“How is that possible?” Aimon said instinctively.

From a score of three to passing, the gap is quite large.

“Right, how is that possible.”

Mu En chuckled, a bit self-deprecatingly, but then his expression became serious:

“But I must do it.

I want to score sixty on that exam, pass, and achieve a score that will astonish everyone!

In the name of Mu En Campbell! I want to shock everyone who thinks I can’t do it!”

Mu En reached out his hand to Aimon again:

“Aimon, shall we make a bet? If a month from now, I can successfully pass, I can break the ‘curse’ of the Campbell family, wouldn’t that show you that I have the determination and the ability to change my nature?

So by that time, you promise to be my friend, okay?”

Aimon stared blankly at Mu En; he seemed to see an unwavering determination in the eyes of this blond man.

“……But, just sixty points, I can also…”

“Sixty won’t do, then let’s aim for eighty!”

Mu En gritted his teeth and shouted.

“If you think just passing isn’t enough, then I’ll strive for a higher level of excellence!”

“Eighty…”

Aimon’s eyes widened suddenly:

“Are you crazy?”

For any exam, if sixty points is the threshold for passing, then eighty points represents excellence, another threshold.

One signifies entry-level, a score that can surely be achieved with earnest study, while the other signifies a complete mastery of the subject, requiring not only hard work but also method and a bit of luck.

Especially for the subject of basic magic concepts, the intricate knowledge points often leave many diligent students lingering around the seventy-point mark.

In the entire second year, the rate of excellence in this subject is only about twenty percent.

If Mu En’s journey from nothing to passing in a month was akin to the difficulty of occupying Paris before France’s surrender, then achieving excellence in that same timeframe would be like leading the Gambian army, furiously cursing the heavens, and winning at the ultimate hellish difficulty.

Even someone as dim-witted as Aimon instantly realized that this was an impossible feat.

“I’m crazy, I know it’s impossible, but didn’t you say that changing my nature was also an impossible task?”

Mu En gazed into Aimon’s eyes, where a burning flame flickered deep within his pupils, as if it could ignite everything around them.

“Then I will accomplish another impossible task to prove the possibility of this one!”

Mu En’s words echoed through the silent forest, like thunder crashing down, deafening in its intensity.

For some reason, as he looked at this seemingly unfamiliar Mu En Campbell, all the hatred and anger that had been building up in Aimon’s heart vanished completely.

Like ice and snow melting under the sun, gradually dissolving away.

Instinctively, Aimon reached out his hand, grasping that hand which appeared so warm, so reassuring.

Mu En couldn’t help but smile.

Wonderful.

This matter.

Finally, it can be…

Huh?

Mu En’s expression suddenly froze.

Because as their hands clasped, he did not feel the anticipated sense of reassurance.

Instead, he felt… pain.

A terrifying force emanated from the other’s palm, nearly crushing his own.

“Aimon, you?”

“Huh?”

Mu En was about to question him, but he found Aimon wearing a look of confusion as well.

Then, pain flickered across his face.

Veins bulged on his forehead, as if he were enduring some unbearable torment.

“Aimon? Aimon, what’s wrong with you?”

Noticing something was off, Mu En, disregarding the pain in his hand, asked with concern.

Aimon clutched his chest, dark veins like a venomous snake writhing beneath his skin.

“Medicine.”

“What medicine?”

“That woman… gave me a potion… my magic had actually run dry before… it was that potion that replenished a bit of magic, but…”

“Woman? What woman?”

“I don’t know… ah!”

Eamon suddenly let out a painful howl, his originally thin body swelling up like an inflated balloon, his stature rising sharply, tearing through the fabric of his student uniform. And from the surface of his skin, strands of black hair, as hard as steel, began to grow!

In Mu En’s dazed gaze, in just a few breaths, Eamon had transformed into a fearsome… werewolf!

“What the hell, what dark fairy tale is this?”

Not only could Little Red Riding Hood encounter the Big Bad Wolf, but a werewolf too?

Where’s Old Fan? Come and save me!

Unfortunately, there was no Old Fan here, not even a third person.

Thus, Eamon’s blood-red eyes, seemingly devoid of all reason, instantly locked onto the only other living being here besides him.

With a chilling aura that made it hard to breathe.

Mu En’s face stiffened, instinctively wanting to create distance from this intimidating figure.

But this action, which should have been extremely simple for him, failed miserably.

Because Eamon was still gripping his hand!

Mu En’s expression changed slightly as he tried to break free, but Eamon’s grip felt like a vice, rendering him unable to move.

Damn it, what should I do? Should I just abandon this arm?

Just a moment of hesitation seemed to seal his fate.

Before Mu En could react, he suddenly felt his breath catch.

Eamon’s other hand—no, it should be another claw—suddenly grasped his neck!

That claw tightened gradually, immense force compressing the flesh, and Mu En could even feel the mournful groan of his cervical vertebrae.

Due to the size difference, Mu En’s feet were now off the ground, leaving him with no strength to fight back.

As he lifted the only hand that could move and swung another dagger fiercely toward Eamon’s arm, the blade made contact with the black fur, producing a sound like metal clashing.

What the hell?

Is that fur really made of steel?

Wasn’t that just a metaphor earlier?

In an instant, Mu En felt a profound sense of despair.

Because he knew his strengths and advantages, and understood that this was the worst possible situation for him.

Eamon looked at him with a fierce expression, his blood-red eyes revealing a bloodthirsty delight, as if he could already envision Mu En’s blood splattering before him.

What to do?

What should I do now?

Feeling the suffocation intensify, his mind grew heavy, and Mu En urgently pondered a way to escape.

The Black Book?

—

But it seemed the black book had no way to directly enhance power.

Then there was only…

The crimson flames of the Withered King?

But…

This is the academy, and if that kind of flame that burns everything to ashes is used, Classmate Aemon will definitely…

What other methods…

There are no other methods.

Damn it.

Is there really no way for me?

Am I still this powerless?

Am I…

“Sigh.”

On the brink of losing consciousness, Mu En suddenly heard a sigh.

Not from the black book.

But from…

“Freeze.”

The cold words spread through the forest.

And along with it, a terrifying chill.

Like a blizzard that could engulf the world, the lush green woods quickly became cloaked in pure white.

Mu En saw the werewolf before him display a hint of terror, and then, it could no longer move.

He was encased in a layer of deep blue ice, which, just moments ago, had seemed so menacing, but now, as Mu En looked at it, he found it comical, like the frozen cavemen in glass display cases at a museum.

A hand suddenly grabbed Mu En by the neck, pulling him down.

“Cough, cough…”

Mu En clutched his throat, coughing violently, gasping for air, then looked up to see the familiar silver figure beside him.

“Celicia, what are you doing here?”

As he spoke, Mu En couldn’t help but chuckle.

It felt like he was always asking this question.

Celicia gazed at the werewolf encased in ice, seemingly deep in thought.

Hearing Mu En’s question, she turned her head and said coolly:

“If I said I had been here all along, watching you foolishly follow that idiot and say all those silly things, would you be angry?”

—

“Hey?”

Mu En didn’t seem to react for a moment, perhaps due to the lack of oxygen.

Celesia didn’t pay him any mind, turning her head as if speaking to herself:

“I was originally thinking about whether I could fish out the big fish hidden behind the scenes, but it seems the other party is more cautious than I imagined. What a pity.”

As her words fell, students in red uniforms quickly entered the scene, skillfully beginning to impose various restrictions on Emon, who was trapped in the ice.

“Wait?”

Mu En suddenly called out to them:

“What are they trying to do?”

“Don’t be nervous, they’re just temporarily sealing off Emon and then treating him, while also asking a few questions,” said the student council secretary, Wei Er, who appeared out of nowhere with her round cheeks.

“Emon is probably just being coaxed by someone; we won’t impose any severe punishment on her, but of course, a little lesson is necessary.”

“I see.”

Mu En nodded, then suddenly seemed to remember something and hesitantly asked Celesia:

“Um, Celesia, could you…”

“Are you asking for the list of those who bullied Emon?” Celesia said directly, as if seeing through Mu En.

“Yes.”

“…”

Celesia silently looked at Mu En, then suddenly approached and lifted her foot wrapped in black stockings.

With a sudden kick, she struck Mu En’s calf.

“That hurts! Celesia, what are you doing?”

“Since you’ve chosen this path, don’t look back; otherwise, I’ll really want to hit you.”

“But…”

“No buts.”

Celesia leaned down, her cold gaze seriously fixed on Mu En:

“Teaching bad students a lesson is the responsibility of the student council; you don’t need to worry about it.”

“…”

Mu En fell silent.

“You’ve understood now.”

The student council elites had nearly finished their work, and Celesia stood up, preparing to leave.

“By the way, do you need me to take you to the hospital?” Celesia asked.

“……”

Mu En glanced at his shoulder and palm; his recovery speed seemed to surpass that of ordinary people, as those wounds had already formed scabs.

So he nodded:

“Thank you, no need.”

“I see. Then, goodbye.”

“Goodbye.”

“Ah, by the way.”

Selisia suddenly turned back, looking at Mu En, and said seriously:

“Although with your brain and your level, it’s almost impossible to score eighty points in next month’s exam, but… good luck.”

“……”

Mu En was taken aback for a moment, then forced out a smile that was more painful than crying:

“I will, thank you.”

……

After Selisia left.

A silence enveloped the area.

Mu En lay in the still-persistent pure white, blankly staring through the gaps in the leaves, gazing at the distant sun.

Suddenly, it felt as if the sun had flashed into his eyes; he covered them with his arm, muttering softly:

“Damn it—”

Footsteps echoed in the forest, light as a cat.

A girl in a tightly fitted uniform, though unable to conceal her graceful figure, approached and slowly knelt beside Mu En.

“It seems I still came late.”

Anna looked at the disarrayed forest, seemingly sighing.

After a moment of thought, she suddenly shifted her body, gently lifting Mu En’s head and placing it on her lap.

A lap pillow.

Mu En’s arm, which was covering his eyes, trembled slightly.

“Alright, alright, junior, stop crying.” Anna gently stroked Mu En’s head, as if petting a small cat.

“I’m not crying,” Mu En replied.

“Hmm, the junior isn’t crying; the junior is very strong.”

The leaves swayed, sunlight flickered, a bit chilly.

“Senior.”

“Hmm?”

“I want to score eighty.”

“Ah.”

Anna caressed her cheek, a hint of distress in her expression:

“Earlier, you said you’d aim for sixty, and that scared me. No matter how you look at it, eighty is a bit too difficult, isn’t it?”

“But I want to.”

“…Well, okay then.”

Anna lowered her head, smiling gently.

Her brows and eyes curved gracefully, and the tear mole at the corner of her eye added a touch of allure.

“Who told you to be my adorable junior?”