Chapter 126: Human Joys and Sorrows are Not Shared
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 126: Human Joys and Sorrows are Not Shared
The next day brought the final Magic Basic Theory class before Open Day.
Since the teachers were efficient at grading, this class was essentially the moment the results would be released.
Muen arrived at the classroom early and took his usual seat by the window.
Resting his cheek in his hand, he gazed at the clouds drifting outside, trying his best to keep his heart calm.
They say the wait before the results is the most agonizing part, but Muen didn't feel that way.
He was certain he had given it his all. Whatever the outcome, his conscience was clear.
All that remained was to wait for the heavens to decide.
As time passed, students gradually trickled into the classroom.
Chatting and laughing in small groups, they appeared calm on the surface, yet many couldn't help but steal glances at the blond youth by the window.
Muen didn't mind; he had long since grown used to it.
Ariel, who stepped in just as the bell rang, shot a fierce glare at the guy who had once again taken her spot. She pulled Liya along to sit by the window on the opposite side of the room.
"That Muen Campbell doesn't look nervous at all," Liya whispered, blinking curiously at Muen after they sat down.
"Hmph, what's the use of him being nervous? He’s still going to fail," Ariel said, crossing her arms with a cold snort.
"Don't be so sure. What if he actually hits eighty?"
"Impossible."
Ariel spoke with absolute certainty.
During yesterday's exam, her seat hadn't been that far from Muen's.
Just to be safe, she had asked her Master—in her soul-body state—to sneak a peek at Muen's exam paper while Professor Prang wasn't looking.
Sure enough, it was just as she expected: only seventy-nine points!
Haha! Seventy-nine, not eighty!
I win this time!
Even if the money I win is only enough for an extra chicken leg, a win is a win!
When the time comes, I’ll definitely munch on a delicious chicken leg while mocking Muen Campbell mercilessly!
Ariel thought gleefully to herself.
Just then, Teacher Fran entered the classroom and announced to the assembly:
"I will now release the results of yesterday's exam."
As her voice fell, the noisy classroom instantly went silent.
Every eye was fixed on Teacher Fran, waiting for the next moment.
In truth, it was just a monthly test; its impact on their overall credits was minor, and normally, no one would care this much.
But this time was different. Rather than their own grades, they were more curious about whether a certain Duke’s son, who had made such a bold claim a month ago, could actually pull it off.
"Teke Rhode, fifty-three points..."
"Guqi Sloan, sixty-one points..."
"..."
"Ariel Bugard, one hundred points!"
"Whoa!"
"What?"
"A hundred?!"
As Ariel's score was read out, the crowd instantly erupted.
A hundred!
In a subject like Magic Basic Theory, was it even possible to get a hundred?
Or rather, had anyone ever gotten a hundred?
Everyone stared at Ariel in shock, sucking in sharp breaths and thinking to themselves that this girl was truly a terrifying talent.
Under the weight of everyone's gaze, the corner of Ariel’s mouth twitched upward into her signature cocky smirk. She walked up to the podium with her head held high and chest out to collect her paper.
Turning around, she shot a provocative look at Muen.
You aren't the only one who's been working hard!
Muen, however, didn't notice Ariel's look. He was staring intently at Teacher Fran, waiting for the moment to arrive.
"Next."
"Muen Campbell."
The crowd, which had been buzzing over Ariel's score, fell deathly silent.
Being stared at by so many eyes made Teacher Fran a bit nervous. She paused for a beat before continuing:
"Eighty!"
"WHOOOA—!"
An uproar far louder than the one for Ariel’s perfect score surged through the room, nearly blowing the roof off.
"He actually got an eighty?"
"No way, he really did it?"
"Right on the line? Could he have cheated?"
"Impossible, Professor Prang proctored that exam himself."
"Which means..."
"It's over. See you all on the rooftop."
After the initial shock came the wails of the gambling dogs.
Muen, however, seemed deaf to the surrounding chaos. Only the word "eighty" echoed repeatedly in his ears.
He did it.
He really did it.
He actually pulled it off!
Even though he had constantly told himself to stay calm and accept any result with grace...
When those two syllables hit his ears, he was still so overwhelmed with emotion that he could hardly contain himself.
What should he do now?
Cheer?
Cry?
Dance for joy?
Run a lap around the academy?
Or share the good news with Senior Sister immediately?
Ah, right, the exam paper. He had to get the paper first.
Muen walked toward the podium, but Teacher Fran gave a wry smile and shook her head.
"I'm sorry. Because Professor Glen accidentally spilled coffee on it, your exam paper... well, it died a hero's death."
"Huh?"
"That... well, don't worry about the score. I graded your paper in front of all the teachers, so there's absolutely no mistake," Teacher Fran added quickly, seeing Muen's confused expression.
"I see."
Muen shook his head helplessly, not caring much.
The paper itself wasn't important; the score on it was.
A month of hard work hadn't gone to waste. That was enough.
"Um... Student Muen," Teacher Fran suddenly called out to him.
"You are very impressive. It's not just me; all the teachers think you are very impressive."
"...Thank you."
Muen blinked, thanked her with a smile, and turned back with a light step.
But just then, a heart-wrenching scream erupted in his ear, making him jump.
"NOOOOOOO—!"
Ariel collapsed to her knees, her hands propping her up on the floor.
Despite holding the highest score in the class—perhaps even an unprecedented perfect score—she looked like the most pathetic person in the room.
Even some of the gambling dogs who had lost tens of thousands couldn't help but look over, wondering if this girl was so miserable because she had bet her own wife on the outcome.
"Why? Why did it turn out like this? How could I lose even like this?!"
Ariel pounded the floor, letting out a cry from the depths of her soul:
"My meal money! My chicken legs! I don't want to eat black bread! My chest is going to shrink!"
The crowd: "..."
Muen: "..."
*
"Yay! We won!"
As Muen's results spread rapidly through the school, another scene was unfolding—one of pure joy, the polar opposite of Ariel's despair.
The three cute little girls cheered excitedly, nearly jumping for joy. After being suppressed for so long, the moment of vindication had finally arrived.
"Hmph, I told you Student Muen could do it!"
Emma, with her twin tails, stood with her hands on her hips and her chest puffed out. "As his number one fan, my judgment is never wrong!"
"Exactly, exactly!"
"Those people who looked down on Student Muen must be dying of anger right now!"
The other two of the Three Little Ones chimed in, their cheeks flushed red as if they were drunk.
Beside them, however, Senior Sister Fanny wasn't listening to the three girls vent their frustrations. Instead, she was staring blankly, doing math in her head.
She had been pestered by these three until she finally caved and bet her spare five thousand Emiel on Muen Campbell.
And now, at twenty-to-one odds, that was... one hundred thousand!
One hundred thousand!
That was no small sum. With this money, the new clothes she wanted, the new brushes, and even the materials for her magic studies were all within reach.
But more importantly...
Fanny stole a glance at the three girls who were still celebrating and swallowed hard.
These three all came from wealthy families. The "one month's allowance" they had bet must have been at least several tens of thousands each.
Twenty times several tens of thousands...
Good heavens.
Thinking about it that way, hadn't these three little ones become... wealthy sugar mommies overnight?