Chapter 127: The Visit
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 127: The Visit
"Congratulations, Muen Campbell."
In the student council room, Wei'er had scurried off to attend to some unknown business, leaving Celicia to personally brew coffee for Muen once again.
"Going from three points to eighty in a single month is unheard of in the history of this academy. You could say you've made history."
"Thank you."
Muen took the coffee from Celicia’s hand. He watched as she dropped sugar cubes into her own cup one by one until the liquid became almost viscous. Only then did she take a small sip, a look of faint pleasure crossing her face.
She still loves her coffee with an absurd amount of sugar.
Muen smiled slightly and took a sip of his own. It was bitter, yet the aroma was pleasant and refreshing.
"Calling it 'making history' is a bit much, though. Compared to that, Ariel’s perfect score is the real history-maker."
Getting a perfect score in Basic Theory of Magic was likely as difficult as getting a perfect score in a literature exam in Muen’s previous life. Therefore, Ariel’s hundred should have been a score that left everyone’s jaws on the floor.
In the original novel, that was exactly what happened. Teachers, students, and even Celicia herself were stunned by that perfect score. It was a classic "protagonist showing off" plot point.
Yet, for some reason, Muen felt like there wasn't much buzz about that hundred-point score in reality.
Instead, the hot topic among the students was "which rooftop has the best breeze."
However, after the academy teachers lightning-fast installation of ten-meter-high wire fences on every rooftop, that topic vanished.
—It was replaced by "which river in the academy is the clearest."
Fortunately, the people capable of entering this academy weren't the type to drown in the meter-deep creeks or the artificial lakes. So far, the only result was a few more sharp commentaries in the News Club’s newspaper about how "gambling dogs never give up."
"Ariel got a hundred?"
Celicia looked as if she were hearing this for the first time. She lightly brushed aside a strand of her silver hair, a hint of admiration appearing in the depths of her eyes.
"That is quite impressive."
"...That’s it?"
"Hmm?"
"I thought you’d praise her more."
Muen was somewhat puzzled. After all, in the original story, Celicia had been full of nothing but praise for such an achievement.
"Ariel’s hundred is indeed surprising." Celicia’s cool gaze swept over Muen. "But since even you managed an eighty, I feel like no matter how high anyone else scores, it won't be that shocking anymore."
"Are you... praising me?" Muen’s lip twitched.
"Take it as a compliment if you wish."
Celicia flipped open a document in front of her and began processing it.
"You didn't come to visit me just to brag about your grades, did you?"
"Haha, of course not." Muen gave a slightly nervous laugh. "I came to..."
Before Muen could finish, a card was tossed in front of him.
Celicia held her pen, scribbling away at the document without looking up, as if she had long since guessed Muen’s intentions.
"Go to the school hospital and show them this. Someone will naturally take you to see Student Amon."
"Thank you."
Muen took the card with a look of gratitude. Just as he was about to take his leave, Celicia called out to him.
"Remember, don't stay too long," Celicia warned. "He is still very weak."
"Weak?" Muen frowned. "But it’s been a month. Even with severe injuries, he should have recovered by now given the academy’s medical standards."
"His wounds healed long ago. However, the potion he drank was designed to stimulate the bloodline and potential within the body. Normally, an ordinary person would only need a week or two of rest to recover. But his body was far too depleted beforehand. The potion forcibly dragged out his potential, nearly damaging his very foundation. He is still in recuperation."
"I see..."
Muen recalled the moment Amon had transformed from a withered figure—looking as though he might blow away in the wind—into such a terrifying werewolf. If the potion hadn't been supplying him with energy, the toll on his body would indeed be unimaginable.
But the potion was merely the trigger. The root cause...
A flash of anger crossed Muen’s eyes. "Celicia, those people..."
"A few days ago, three seniors were expelled," Celicia said. "The reason was using improper means to harm a fellow student. The notice has already been posted on the academy bulletin board. Didn't you see it?"
"Ah... thank you." Muen blinked. He had been so focused on his exams lately that he hadn't had the time to check any bulletin boards.
"You don't need to thank me for this. Didn't I say it before? Disciplining bad students is the duty of the student council."
Celicia continued flipping through her files, seemingly indifferent to such a minor matter.
"Besides, those fellows were indeed quite vile. After all, committing violence against someone who has no power to resist is something even the 'scumbag' version of you from the past wouldn't have done."
"Are you praising me again?" Muen’s lip twitched once more.
"Take it as you will."
"..."
"So, about the person who gave Amon the potion... have they been found?" Muen asked, remembering the detail.
Amon had mentioned back then that he had been enticed into drinking the potion by a mysterious woman. Although Muen didn't know what her motives were, he had nearly lost his life because of that potion's effects. He couldn't just let it go.
"Regarding that..."
Celicia looked up. Her cool, clear eyes were like two deep, ancient wells, staring at Muen until he felt a chill run down his spine.
"I'm sorry, but I cannot disclose that for the time being."
"Cannot disclose?" Muen couldn't help but frown.
If this matter only involved a dispute between students, Celicia would never use the phrase "cannot disclose." There was likely some deep-seated secret involved.
But Muen gave up on pressing further. Knowing Celicia’s personality, if she said she couldn't tell him, no amount of questioning would yield an answer. He could only trust her.
*
After Muen left, Celicia finally set down her pen.
Looking at the documents and data before her, filled with red circles and highlighted points, she couldn't help but rub her temples. A rare trace of exhaustion appeared on her cold face.
"Evolution Potion... it really brings back unpleasant memories."
She turned to look out the window. Dark clouds filled the sky, casting a shadow over her heart as well.
"I hope nothing unexpected happens during this upcoming Open Day."
*
In a warm hospital room, Amon was in a state of profound shock after hearing the news the nurse had just brought back.
"He succeeded..."
"Young Master Muen... he actually succeeded?"
No.
That wasn't right.
Success was only natural.
Because of the look in Young Master Muen’s eyes back then—that gaze as hot as a burning flame—anyone who saw it would believe he possessed the power to turn the impossible into the possible.
"But..."
"How am I supposed to face him?"
"I... I almost killed the Young Master..."
His memories of transforming into a werewolf were hazy, but Amon still vaguely remembered. At that moment, he had truly... wanted to kill Young Master Muen.
Looking at his still-withered hands, the image of those same hands clutching the Young Master’s throat flashed before his eyes. Amon was instantly consumed by immense self-loathing and guilt.
The Young Master must hate me now.
He’ll definitely abandon me again, just like before.
After all...
Creak.
Right then, the sound of the door opening rang out.
A familiar, mellow voice drifted into the room like a gentle breeze.
"Good afternoon, Amon. Have you eaten yet?"