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

Chapter 53, The Path

The old man could still recall the scene from a year ago.

At that time, he stood in the office of the Great Clock Tower, just as he had at the beginning of this semester, gazing at the vibrant students entering through the main gate.

He held a glimmer of hope, for he knew the heir of the Campbell family would enter the academy from there. He wished to see a young man shining like that Lion King once again, illuminating this institution.

So.

When the golden-haired boy, surrounded by a throng of maids, stepped down from the Gryphon carriage, he felt a genuine disappointment wash over him.

For just one glance was enough to reveal what kind of person that boy was.

Just like the noble young masters that were never in short supply at this academy—arrogant, haughty, with their noses in the air, reeking of the stench of money and the pretentiousness unique to the aristocracy.

Yet, in his mind, there was nothing at all.

Later, the actions of that Campbell young master only confirmed his judgment.

If one were to describe him in four words, it would be: “a rotten mud cannot prop a wall, unworthy of cultivation.”

After attempts to correct him proved fruitless, he had nearly given up.

Only to find that…

Professor Plang cast a glance at the current Mu’en,

In the end, the one who misjudged was actually himself.

……

“Was my father really that impressive during his time at the academy?”

After listening to Professor Plang’s description of his father, Mu En was somewhat unexpectedly astonished.

He had thought that, just as the rumors said, the Campbells throughout the ages were nothing but complete brutes.

“A brute with strength is called bold and fearless; a brute lacking strength is merely reckless. Coincidentally, the Dukes of Campbell have never lacked strength.”

Seemingly seeing through Mu En’s thoughts, Professor Plang explained leisurely.

“I see.” Mu En scratched his head.

Indeed.

How could a man who could secure the dukedom, have the emperor arrange a marriage contract between his daughter and his son, and even command the army at the border, be merely a simple brute?

But…

Could such an exceptional man also be blinded by excessive love, leading him to raise his own son to be useless?

So, the word ‘parents’…

Mu En couldn’t help but sigh.

“So, Professor Plang, you dislike me not because I only learned one illumination spell last semester?”

Mu En then asked.

Crack.

As soon as Mu En’s words fell, he saw Professor Plang’s figure suddenly stiffen.

“Of course, how could I dislike you for such a trivial matter? After all, I have long been prepared for the Campbell family’s understanding and talent in magic.”

Professor Plang’s tone remained very calm, showing no signs of disturbance.

“Your excellent father has never passed a single subject in magic, and the only magic he properly learned was the spell to make flowers bloom, which he only learned to pursue your mother.”

“Really? It seems my father is also a magic idiot, hahaha…”

“But even he only took two weeks to learn the illumination spell back then.”

Professor Plang turned around, his expression unchanged, his tone deep.

Yet, as he slightly shifted his grip on the cane, clear fingerprints could be seen on it.

“By the way, I taught my cat to learn this spell in just three days.”

“……”

You say you don’t dislike me, but it feels like you could hit me with that cane at any moment!

Mu En felt a large ‘danger’ character might pop up above his head at any moment and began to think about what posture he should adopt to beg for mercy if Professor Plang really decided to take him out in such a place, something more befitting the identity of a duke’s son.

“However… I admit, you have indeed changed, Mu En Campbell.”

In the end, Professor Plang did nothing but let out a long sigh, then turned and continued walking deeper into the passage.

“Since you were able to raise your basic magic theory score to this level in just a month, I believe the curse of the Campbell family not being good at magic can also be easily broken for you.

You might really surpass your father and become the most outstanding Duke of Campbell in history.”

“This is a bit too much flattery, isn’t it?” Mu En felt a bit shy at Professor Plang’s sudden self-praise.

“Is it? I could have been certain before, but ever since witnessing your transformation, I’ve begun to doubt my own old eyes.

However…”

Professor Plang suddenly shifted his tone:

“I never expected you, Mu En Campbell, to make such a decision.”

“Hmm?”

A question mark appeared above Mu En’s head as he looked at Professor Plang’s back, puzzled.

Then it dawned on him—was Professor Plang referring to… Mentor Meila?

“I may not know the details of the path that Mentor Meila Domir is pursuing, but I understand clearly that it is not a bright and easy road.

At least for you, Mu En Campbell, the son of a duke with limitless prospects, it is not a path worth choosing.”

Professor Plang continued:

“You should have better, more stable options. If you seek power, the legacy of the Campbell family is not weak; you just need to take steady steps forward. Even if the basics of magic only score three points, your future achievements as a warrior, breaking through to the coronation level and becoming a crowned one, are all but guaranteed.

Even if you dislike the reputation of the Campbell brutes, as the son of a duke, your resources and starting point far exceed those of ordinary people. If you apply the same resilience and effort that allowed you to reach an excellent standard in just a month, your future accomplishments on other paths will surely not be low.

Yet you seem to be in a hurry, a hurry that piques curiosity…”

Professor Plang turned back again, his aged but still sharp eyes revealing a hint of inquiry:

“As the heir of the Campbell family, the absolute pillar of the future empire, and even a potential partner for that princess, Mu En Campbell, what exactly are you afraid of?”

“I…”

Faced with Professor Plang’s question, Mu En silently opened his mouth.

Afraid of what?

It was simply the word “fate.”

If he could, he wouldn’t want to push himself so hard; he too wanted to step toward a bright future, to marry the one he loved amidst the church bells and scattered rose petals.

He wanted to be an unremarkable duke’s son, waiting for his father to grow old or prepare for retirement, before taking over and inheriting the Campbell legacy, living out his life under the legendary surname of Campbell.

He wanted to live.

He wanted to be happy.

So simple.

But fate would not allow it.

Fate would not permit this blonde villain to exist within the original storyline.

He was meant to die, meant to die more than once.

And what he faced was not something that could be resolved by the three letters of “Campbell.”

That prophetic dream hung over him like a blade at his neck, urging him to move forward quickly.

—

So, he could only take the unconventional path.

Even if that road also led to a future shrouded in mist.

He had to try, to try with all his might,

— to fight against fate.

“It seems you have made your decision.”

Gazing at Mu En, watching the molten blood and flames flowing like lava in his eyes, Professor Plang withdrew his gaze.

“Since that’s the case, I won’t ask any more questions. Even as your teacher, the final choice is ultimately yours.”

Professor Plang raised his hand and placed it on the precision instrument.

Then, accompanied by the roar of steel, a massive door, as if leading straight to the heavens, slowly opened before Mu En.

Blinding light surged from the door into the darkness where Mu En stood, causing him to squint, struggling to see the path ahead.

“Go.”

Professor Plang said:

“Mentor Meladomir is waiting for you, Mu En Campbell.”