Chapter 289: Morning
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 289: Morning
The next morning, at dawn.
"Phew..."
With a soft exhale of stale breath, Ariel slowly opened her eyes.
She was currently sitting cross-legged in a massive tub filled with a medicinal solution brewed from many precious herbs. However, the liquid had now turned crystal clear, looking no different from ordinary bathwater.
After a brief moment of sensing her condition and confirming that every drop of medicinal power had been absorbed without a hint of waste, Ariel nodded in satisfaction and rose from the tub.
Glistening droplets of water trailed down her fair skin like a curtain of draped pearls.
Ariel looked at herself in the mirror. Her long hair was draped over her shoulders, her gaze was sharp, and her physique was perfectly balanced. Her slender waist and rounded, firm legs were masterpieces of creation that outsiders would almost certainly never have the chance to admire.
Only the two "little pigeons" on her chest... remained a bit of a letdown.
Yet, beneath that creamy skin and seemingly slight frame, one could faintly discern the terrifying, formidable power lurking within.
"Congratulations."
A plume of green smoke drifted from the ring on the nearby table, coalescing into the ethereal, breathtaking figure of a woman.
She appraised Ariel and praised her, "Your body tempering has reached a level of minor mastery. Among your peers, I doubt anyone can catch up to you in this regard now."
"Is that so?"
Ariel clenched her fist tightly, feeling the power surging through her limbs. Her lips curled into her signature unruly smile. "It seems these past few days of overtime cultivation were worth it after all!"
"Don't get ahead of yourself," the beautiful phantom said with a smile, pouring cold water on her excitement. "While your Martial Artist Realm is stable, what about your magic? How long have you been stuck at the edge of the Secret Rite Tier? Have you prepared the materials for the next stage?"
"Ugh..."
At the mention of the word "materials," Ariel immediately wilted like a frost-bitten leaf. "Not... not yet."
She was broke.
"..."
Looking at Ariel’s dejected face, the beautiful phantom was momentarily speechless.
This disciple of hers was exceptional in every way. Her temperament, perseverance, and talent were among the rarest she had seen in all her years. Ariel could easily overcome almost any hardship or predicament. Even when facing opponents stronger than herself, she remained fearless and calm, often managing to defeat the strong as the underdog.
Except... lately, whether due to luck or some other reason, she was utterly helpless against the word "money."
The teacher was starting to wonder if Ariel had been cursed. Otherwise, with an experienced mentor like herself who knew countless ways to make a fortune, why was the girl always so ridiculously poor for one reason or another?
"Forget it, don't let it trouble you too much. Being short on cash is only temporary," the beautiful phantom comforted her. "This trip to the Holy City isn't just important for little Liya; it might be an opportunity for you as well."
"Mm!"
Ariel nodded vigorously, a sharp glint returning to her eyes as she quickly shook off her despondency.
That’s right—a little hurdle like this wouldn't bring her down.
Money was a trivial matter. The most important thing right now was helping Liya become the Saintess.
Sooner or later, she would become very, very rich. When that day came, she would say goodbye to black bread forever. She’d buy two chicken drumsticks for every meal... and throw one away!
"Speaking of which, I haven't seen Liya for a few days."
With her minor worries dispelled, the joy of becoming stronger filled Ariel’s heart once more. She quickly sorted out her clothes and luggage, eager to give her childhood sweetheart a surprise.
"I have to go find her quickly. Heh heh, she’ll definitely be happy to see me."
*
Early morning. Muen walked out of the dormitory building.
Because he still had some preparations to make, he had made a point of waking up early. Even though it was departure day, the campus was still shrouded in silence.
In the dim, pre-dawn light, he immediately spotted a figure waiting in the snow.
Though her hair was silver-white and purer than the snow itself, her red student council uniform stood out like a vibrant flower blooming in a winter wasteland.
"Celicia?" Muen paused, then walked up to her. "What are you doing here?"
"Waiting for you."
"Waiting for me?" Muen blinked in surprise. He stared at the girl’s cold, expressionless face for a long moment before suddenly grinning mischievously. "Don't tell me... you came specifically to see me off?"
"..."
Celicia gave Muen a cold sidelong glance, said nothing, and turned to walk away.
Utterly confused, Muen could only follow her.
The path leading out of the Academy was long. Although it had been cleared many times, snow still piled up along the edges. Muen had originally planned to bother Teacher Mela to give him a "kick" out, but with Celicia here, that was obviously out of the question.
However, watching the girl's hair and skirt sway in front of him, Muen suddenly found himself in no particular hurry.
"About that assassination attempt on you..." Celicia spoke up suddenly after they crossed a path through the woods. "I followed the trail of the assassin you caught and did some investigating."
"Oh?" Muen quickened his pace to walk side-by-side with her. "You looked into it? Didn't I hand that matter over to Viscount Sean?"
"The Lower District was buried under a mountain of administrative tasks. As a new appointee, he was naturally stretched thin. When I was handing over government affairs to him, I gave him a hand."
Just to give Viscount Sean a hand?
Muen tilted his head, studying Celicia’s cold, exquisite profile, and suddenly smiled. "So, did you find anything?"
"Following the clues led to a certain Viscount. But by the time I found him, he had already committed suicide."
"Suicide?"
"Yes. He left a letter stating that he had once been persecuted by the Campbell family. Driven by resentment, he orchestrated the assassination. The letter even included evidence of him personally hiring the assassins."
"Persecuted?" Muen scratched his head. "That covers a lot of ground. I remember my father used to pressure quite a few nobles. Did the letter give specifics?"
"It didn't go into detail. But coincidentally, not long ago, that Viscount’s only son left for a neighboring country as an exchange student, and his wife went along to accompany him. He was the only one left at home. By the time we found him, he had been hanging from a ceiling beam for two full days."
"I see... a scapegoat?"
"Likely."
"That’s a bit terrifying." Muen sighed.
Being able to casually toss out a Viscount as a scapegoat not only proved the power of the mastermind but also showed how much importance they placed on killing him. Perhaps... this wouldn't be the last time.
"That is why I don't understand why the Emperor permitted you to leave Belland at a time like this. When I asked him, he only told me some nonsense about making sure you don't get too obsessed with the breasts and thighs of beautiful girls."
Celicia stopped in her tracks and turned to look at him meaningfully. "Do you know anything about that?"
"Ah... what?" Muen’s gaze flickered. "You're overthinking it. How could I know the reasons behind His Majesty's decisions?"
"Is that so?"
"Of course."
Muen’s eyes wandered for a moment before settling back on the girl in front of him. "Actually, for certain reasons, I have to go to the Holy City. So, whatever deep thoughts His Majesty might have aren't really important to me."
"Oh? Then what is important to you?"
"What's important is..."
In the brightening light of dawn, Muen suddenly took a step forward, closing the distance between them. Feeling the silver-haired girl’s breath and warmth just inches away, he chuckled.
"Celicia, you aren't... worried about me, are you?"