Chapter 284: The Only Lesson People Learn from History is That They Learn Nothing at All
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 284: The Only Lesson People Learn from History is That They Learn Nothing at All
"Long time no see, Muen."
Just as Muen stepped out of the Great Clock Tower, he spotted a pretty young girl leaning against a tree not far away.
Her features looked familiar. Dressed in a third-year uniform, she seemed to be waiting specifically for him.
"Senior Fanny?"
Recognizing her, Muen asked curiously, "What are you doing here?"
"I came to congratulate you."
Fanny Sawyer smiled. "To be honest, your sudden inclusion in the selection list gave me quite a shock. It feels like only yesterday you were scoring an eighty on your Introduction to Magic Theory exam. I actually wanted to come by and ask if you had some secret to improving so quickly."
"No, I should be the one congratulating you, Senior," Muen said, clicking his tongue. "I didn't realize you were so formidable."
Fanny Sawyer.
A few months ago, this third-year senior had invited Muen to join the Magic Painting Club. Her name was the very first one on the selection list. Judging by how she could stand so openly in such a prominent spot, it was clear that almost no one disputed her right to a slot.
"So, do you regret it now?" Fanny winked playfully. "I heard that Anna Kabulin dropped out. How about reconsidering joining my club?"
"I'll pass, but thank you for the offer, Senior," Muen declined with a smile. "I don't really have time for clubs lately. Besides, I haven't officially resigned from the Ancient Potions Society yet."
"Oh? Does that mean you're the president of the Ancient Potions Society now? How interesting. I never heard that you were an expert in Potions, Muen."
"Give me a break. I still can't even manage the most basic task of identifying potions. I just..." Muen looked into the distance, a trace of tenderness appearing in his expression. "I just don't want that place to disappear."
"I see..."
Fanny looked at Muen, momentarily dazed.
Under the gentle winter sun, Muen Campbell’s handsome profile was bathed in a faint halo, outlining features that were sharp yet remarkably soft.
Though she considered herself immune to the charms of this Duke’s son, she had to admit that, in terms of looks, he truly deserved the adoration of all those first-year girls.
Crunch.
Hmm? What was that sound?
Hearing something sudden, Muen frowned and immediately turned his gaze toward Fanny.
However, her expression remained normal.
"Actually, I was just joking earlier. I couldn't invite you to the Magic Painting Club even if I wanted to, because I've already resigned from it myself," Fanny said with a laugh.
"Resigned? Why?"
"Because I joined another club."
"What kind of club could be so prestigious that it caught your eye, Senior?" Muen asked, slightly surprised.
"Well..." Fanny’s gaze suddenly turned evasive. "Strictly speaking, I’m one of the founders of that club, though I’m not the president... As for what club it is... it’s a bit inconvenient to tell you, Muen."
"Inconvenient?"
Muen was puzzled. Was there some kind of shady, underground club in the Academy? And given how talented Fanny was, why wouldn't she be the president if she founded it?
Crunch, crunch.
"...By the way, Senior Fanny."
Muen scanned the surroundings, his eyes lingering on the bare trees, the walls, the flowerbeds, and the thick shrubs that still held their leaves. He spoke with feigned nonchalance.
"Where are those three little girls who used to follow you around?"
"You mean Emma and the others?"
"Yes. I've actually been wanting to meet them."
A cold winter breeze blew past, and Muen heard the rustling of leaves.
"They were supporting me during the exams, so I wanted to thank them in person," Muen said, smiling.
The rustling of the leaves grew more frantic...
"That... well, those three are a bit shy. I'm afraid they wouldn't dare meet you."
"Oh? Am I that scary?"
"No, I think it's for other reasons..." For some reason, Fanny was acting hesitant.
"Is that so?"
Muen acted as if he hadn't noticed her strange behavior. He strolled forward, passing her and casually wandering toward the dense, snow-covered bushes behind the tree she had been leaning on.
"Then there's no helping it. Since they don't want to show themselves, I'll just have to... take the initiative!"
Muen’s movements suddenly accelerated, his body becoming a near-blur. Before Fanny could react, he thrust his hand into the bushes and pulled out...
A rabbit.
Huh?
Muen stared at the adorable little white rabbit in his hand, which was still busy munching on a leaf. He was dumbfounded.
It wasn't what I thought? It's just a rabbit?
His eyes swept over the name tag on the rabbit's neck. Listening to the crunch, crunch sound it made as it chewed, Muen’s lips twitched violently.
Dammit, who the hell keeps such a normal rabbit in this Academy?
Hadn't he heard that the top two most popular pets in the Academy were the Curse Magic Snake and the Tals Three-Headed Dog?
"Um... Muen, what are you doing?" Fanny asked curiously from the side, blinking.
"Sorry, I must have seen wrong." Muen set the rabbit down and awkwardly changed the subject. "It's getting late. I'll head back to the dormitory first."
"I'm heading that way too. Shall we?"
"Sure."
The two left together.
Silence returned to the area.
Then, a moment later, the tree Fanny had been leaning against began to twist strangely.
A realistic camouflage prop faded away, and the "tree" collapsed limply, revealing three young girls stacked on top of each other like a human pyramid.
"Phew, that was close."
The girl at the top put a small hand over her eyes, peering into the distance at Muen’s disappearing back. She let out a long sigh of relief. "We almost got caught."
"Ugh..."
The two girls at the bottom groaned and wobbled. "He's gone, can you get off now? Emma, you're heavy."
"Heavy? You guys just don't exercise enough! I told you, if we want to promote our great club and organization, physical stamina is essential!"
The twin-tailed girl, Emma, jumped down. With a wave of her hand, the cute little white rabbit scurried into her arms, intelligently nuzzling against her chest.
"Good girl, Mumu. Thanks to you this time." Emma stroked the rabbit's ears.
"So, did it work?"
At that moment, the other two girls huddled around her anxiously.
"Don't worry. With me on the job, it's a guaranteed success."
Emma opened her hand, and a clear image bloomed from her palm.
Image-Recording Magic.
And the person in the image was, naturally, Muen.
"Heh heh, after my relentless training, my Image-Recording Magic can now capture a hundred frames per second! In this entire Academy, no one has faster hands than me!" Emma declared proudly.
And it wasn't just about speed. The images she captured—whether in terms of lighting or composition—could be called perfect. They brought out the golden-haired man's handsome features to the fullest. It almost felt as if his aura in the photos surpassed his real-life self.
"That's great!" Alva pumped her fist excitedly. "With these photos, we can go swindle—I mean, attract new members again!"
"Exactly. It's just a bit of a shame..." Amy sighed regretfully. "If Senior Fanny hadn't been providing cover, we definitely would have been caught. Otherwise, how could we ever be short on photos?"
"About that..." Alva turned and looked at Emma in confusion. "Since Muen actually wanted to meet us, why didn't we just get his permission and take photos openly?"
"Idiot!" Emma smacked Alva on the head, looking at her with disappointment. "Where's the thri—I mean, the quality in doing it openly? Some shots have to be candid to be perfect! Besides, as die-hard fans, shouldn't we be supporting him silently from the shadows? If we stood in front of him, how would we be any different from those seductive vixens who only want to flatter him because of his status?"
"I see..." The two looked at Emma with admiration. "That level of resolve... as expected of our President."
"Heh heh, put those small matters aside. Speaking of which, we have something even more important to do!" A sharp glint flashed in Emma's eyes. "Are the betting odds out yet?"
"They are!"
"What are they?"
"Twenty to one."
"Twenty to one again?" Emma grit her teeth. "Those people look down on others way too much."
Even though they had lost so badly last time that they all wanted to jump off the rooftop, they still hadn't learned their lesson!
"Bet! We're betting too!"
"How much?"
"Everything! Allowance! Living expenses! Savings! Including the membership fees we were going to use to expand the club!"
"But Senior Fanny's contribution is in there too..."
"Bet that too!" Emma puffed out her chest and said imperiously, "In the Muen Campbell True Fan Underground Support Club, I am the President!"
*
"Hmm? The newspaper is out already."
Ariel, who was heading back to her dorm to begin her daily cultivation, suddenly stopped. She reached out and caught a newspaper that had fallen from the sky after a flying bird passed by.
"That green-haired guy from the News Club is certainly efficient. But he's giving out the paper for free this time? Has he had a change of heart?"
Ariel opened the paper. The most prominent section was, unsurprisingly, about the selection for the Holy City that had taken place in the auditorium today.
However, the paper only briefly mentioned the first six candidates. Most of the space was dedicated to analyzing why Muen Campbell had been selected and speculating on whether he could survive the subsequent challenges.
Ariel scanned it quickly and curled her lip. "Looks like most people think the same as me—that Muen Campbell is finished this time."
This wasn't a conclusion she reached because she subjectively disliked the guy; it was a perfectly logical analysis.
After all, if a bottom-tier student suddenly got a good grade, it might be surprising. But if the skinniest weakling in class suddenly punched out the most famous bullies in the Academy—and a whole group of them at that—it was simply impossible.
You can study in secret, but becoming stronger requires a process. Even she, Ariel, had fought her way to the position of Year First Seat step by step.
You, Muen Campbell, sleep every single day. It's not like you can cultivate in your dreams.
"Oh? They opened the betting pool again? On whether Muen Campbell can successfully hold his spot until the end... the odds are twenty to one?"
Ariel’s breathing suddenly grew heavy.
"No, no. I'm spending Liya's money right now. How could I use it for something like this?"
Ariel shook her head, snuffing out the improper thought. She tossed the paper aside and walked toward the dorms.
But as she walked, her footsteps slowed. She bit her lip, her expression struggling.
"But... I want to pay Liya back as soon as possible."
"The result is so certain this time, surely there won't be a problem?"
"I'll just bet a little bit. Just a tiny bit..."