Chapter 644: A Late-Night Visit
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 644: A Late-Night Visit
"I freaking won!"
In the academy’s infirmary.
As if a time-stop had suddenly been lifted, Ariel, who had been lying on the bed, suddenly performed a "salted fish flip" and bounced upright. With her hands on her hips, she let out the cheer she hadn't been able to finish earlier.
Unfortunately, there was no audience this time, and no one to applaud her. Only a few burly nurses happened to be passing by. Seeing Ariel bouncing around, they didn't say a word; they simply pushed the restless patient back onto the bed with annoyed expressions.
"Your injuries are serious. You need bed rest!"
"Oh..." Facing these nurses, whose arms were thicker than her waist, even Ariel felt a bit intimidated and nodded obediently.
"Sigh, young people these days just don't cherish their bodies. Injured like this and she’s still jumping on the bed, shouting weird things," Nurse A said, exasperated.
"I know, I know. This must be that legendary 'Chunibyo'..." Nurse B added, showing off her worldly knowledge.
"Poor thing. Not only is she injured, but she’s also got a mental illness. No wonder the doctor told us to keep a close eye on her." Nurse C shook her head, looking at the girl on the bed with deep pity.
"..."
Ariel was speechless. She waited until the nurses had left before stealthily reaching out a hand, clenching it into a fist, and whispering:
"Yes! I won."
The lingering glow of the setting sun fell across her face, and her eyes sparkled, making her look like a victorious general returning from war.
"It seems you really are happy about defeating Muen Campbell."
The light from the magic stones in the room flickered for a moment.
An ethereal figure drifted out from the ring on Ariel’s finger. She leaned against the wall and stretched, her translucent form tracing a graceful curve.
"I took a whole nap and you still haven't settled down."
"Of course I'm happy I won. Why wouldn't I be?" Ariel pouted.
"But I’ve never seen you this happy after beating anyone else."
"That’s probably because..."
Ariel looked down at her hands, opening and closing her fingers as if she were still savoring the sensation of that battle.
Every collision, every exchange, every drop of blood spilled... Though she had experienced many thrilling duels before—even life-and-death battles where a single mistake meant certain doom—rarely had she felt this kind of excitement, a thrill that made her shiver.
"That fight... it really exceeded my expectations."
"In what way?"
Ariel’s teacher asked curiously, "Is it because it’s the first time you’ve met someone of the same rank whose strength almost matches yours? Or is it because that person was Muen Campbell, the last person you expected?"
"Shoo, shoo! Is there even a difference? Why ask them as separate things?"
Ariel looked annoyed as she pushed away her teacher’s gossiping face.
"I’m talking about the battle itself."
"I was just curious."
Ariel’s teacher straightened up, resting her chin on a hand made of phantom green smoke.
"Still, even I didn't expect Muen Campbell to have become this strong. A year ago, he was just an academy bottom-feeder who only knew the Illumination Spell."
"He still only knows the Illumination Spell! Did you see him use any other magic?" Ariel grumbled indignantly.
But... after trashing Muen Campbell for a bit, Ariel hesitated before nodding seriously.
"However, he really is quite impressive now. He’s almost caught up to me. I have to admit that much."
"Oh? It’s not easy to hear such words of recognition from your mouth."
"That’s because those other losers weren't worth recognizing," Ariel said disdainfully. "They either relied on their age, their rank, or they’d call their elders after losing. And in the end, I always gave them a brutal lesson anyway. But Muen Campbell... same age, same rank, a fair duel. I can't find anything to nitpick about that."
Ariel let out a soft breath.
She knew Muen Campbell had been working hard to grow.
It was as if he had truly turned over a new leaf, packing away his pathetic past, organizing everything he had, and striving forward.
That was why, on that night when the carriage stopped, she had challenged him.
In truth, before this fight, she had still looked down on him slightly. She believed his "hard work" was built on the resources of being a "Duke’s son"—a fake, fragile effort that would crumble with a single poke.
That kind of effort was completely different from a "grassroots" person like her. Though she had a powerful teacher’s guidance, for the most part, she had to rely on herself, climbing up one step at a time.
How could a "King of Grinders" who ate black bread every day, fought in the underworld, raided ruins, and used any means necessary for resources respect a pampered young lord who spent money like water and had everything handed to him?
But after this battle, she understood.
Muen Campbell’s effort was not fake, fragile, or easily broken.
It was also forged through blood and fire on the brink of death, walking a path of thorns. Even with his skin torn and flesh flayed, he kept moving forward, earning his strength bit by bit through struggle.
He was equally unafraid of pain—he even seemed to enjoy it—and he felt the same heartfelt excitement for blood and battle.
While fighting Muen Campbell, she felt as if she were looking at a shadow that was completely different from her, yet exactly the same.
So...
"Just as you said, Teacher, I’ll temporarily acknowledge fifty percent of him."
"Fifty percent?" Ariel’s teacher looked at her strangely, wondering if "acknowledgment" could be measured in percentages. "Why only fifty percent?"
"Because obviously!"
Ariel bounced up again, fuming.
"I’m not going to forget what that bastard did just because of one fight! I still haven't settled the score for him poaching from me!"
"It might be a bit hard to settle that score right now..." Ariel’s teacher said blankly. "After all, you couldn't even do much to him on the arena stage."
"Don't worry. The reason I'm so happy isn't just because of a satisfying fight. The victory itself makes me very happy. Do you understand, Teacher?"
Ariel hummed excitedly and put her hands on her hips.
"Even though it wasn't an easy win, I still defeated Muen Campbell in front of everyone! Especially with Celicia watching! So, in her eyes, I must still be stronger than Muen Campbell!"
"But if you look at it that way, the gap in strength between you two isn't enough to erase the gap of him being her fiancé," the teacher mused.
"No, no, no. Status isn't important. Is Celicia the kind of person who cares about status? What matters is... a deep impression! Yes, a deep impression!"
Ariel grew more animated. "Teacher, do you remember what I’ve done to help Celicia?"
"Let me think. Clearing out the Inner Council, reporting the Bugard family, and this match..." Ariel’s teacher counted them off. "Quite a lot, actually."
"Exactly! I’ve done so much. My favorability with Celicia must be at least sixty, if not eighty. Plus, Celicia promised to have dinner with me earlier. Do you know what that means, Teacher?"
Ariel covered her flushed cheeks, looking bashful. "After stacking up favorability, we have a romantic candlelit dinner. In a romance novel, this is the part in the final chapters where the lovers finally end up together!"
"...Is, is that so?"
"Of course! Hmph, Muen Campbell poached from me before, causing Liya to leave me. Since I can't eliminate him physically, I’ll have to strike him mentally! I’m definitely swinging this hoe. I can't wait to see that guy’s face when Celicia throws herself into my arms!"
Ariel gave her slender waist a wiggle, already fantasizing about a beautiful future. "Besides, Celicia is totally my type. It would be great if she became the first mistress of my Crystal Palace. And later, I’ll snatch Liya back... Hehehehe!"
"..." Ariel’s teacher didn't know what to say, but she had a bad feeling.
While her disciple was reliable in almost everything else, when it came to romance... she seemed a bit "off."
"No time like the present! I need to strike while the iron is hot and go build favorability with Celicia, set the dinner time, and then tomorrow I’ll crush that Seventeenth Prince to win the championship as a gift for her... Perfect!"
"Hahaha! I, Ariel, am truly a genius of romance! With such a brilliant plan, how could I fail to woo a girl?"
Ariel ignored her teacher’s worried look. Smugly, she scrambled out of bed to take action, but just as she was about to bolt, she saw those burly nurses returning.
"Dammit, always ruining things."
She had no choice but to hide back under the covers and wait for her chance.
But even though her movements were halted, the fire in Ariel’s heart was burning bright and could not be extinguished. In fact, during this agonizing wait, it only burned hotter.
"I’ll come find you later. Just you wait, Celicia!"
*
"The weather is lovely."
"Yes, it is."
In the academy’s small woods.
Anna and Liya walked side-by-side under the plane trees, occasionally looking up at the clear, clean night sky of early summer.
The combination of a Sword Bearer from the Silence Bureau and the Saintess of the Life Church was incredibly rare. Given their two stunning, distinct faces, they should have caused quite a stir in the still-buzzing academy.
However, with deep shadows on one side and holy glimmer on the other, they were invisibly isolated from the world, preventing anyone from glimpsing their true forms.
"How was the match today?"
As if making small talk, Anna brushed a strand of hair from her forehead and took the initiative to start a conversation.
"The match? It was wonderful," Liya replied. "As expected of the elites of the Empire and the Kingdom. They were all very impressive... especially the match between Muen and Ariel."
"Is that so? I imagine you must be very happy."
"Happy?"
"The Miss Ariel you support won the final duel, didn't she?" Anna turned and gave a charming smile. "Shouldn't you be very happy that your best friend won?"
"..."
Liya’s beautiful brow twitched, but she maintained a perfect smile. "Yes, I am very happy."
"I’m so jealous. The Muen I support lost, so I’m quite sad." Anna wiped away a fake tear.
"..."
Liya gripped her skirt tightly; one could almost hear the fabric let out a groan of protest.
"Indeed, Miss Anna is quite sad and pitiful. After all, the Muen you support was injured, yet because Her Majesty the Empress locked down the hospital, you can't even go to visit him."
"..."
Anna’s movements paused. She glanced at the seemingly fragile girl beside her with a hint of surprise, a trace of coldness seeping into her eyes.
Liya didn't back down, staring back with her large, watery eyes like a snarling wild rabbit.
The two looked at each other, followed by another silence.
Finally, Anna looked away.
"I have things to do tonight, so I’ll be leaving first. What about you, Saintess?"
"Eh? Me?"
"Is there a reason for Your Highness to stay at the academy? I don't recall the position of Saintess being so leisurely."
"...Then, then I... I’m leaving too."
And so, the two parted ways at the end of the woods, abruptly ending their brief and unpleasant encounter.
*
A few minutes later.
A figure reappeared in the same spot.
"They really left?"
She first confirmed their departure, then a smirk played on her lips as she looked toward the academy hospital. "Then I won't stand on ceremony."
*
"You should rest now."
"Mm. Are you leaving already?"
Muen was somewhat reluctant to let go of the Empress’s slender waist, but after Celicia gave him an elbow strike that made him feel the true meaning of "heart-wrenching pain," he obediently released her.
"Do you think I’m a leisurely playboy like you? I have government affairs to handle. I’ve already delayed too much today."
"I see... You’ve worked hard, Thea."
Muen took Celicia’s hand and gave it a playful, affectionate shake.
Celicia’s expression softened, but she still gave Muen a cold-looking tap on the head.
"Behave yourself. Don't cause any more trouble."
"Do you think I’m that kind of person?" Muen was shocked. "I’ve always been very well-behaved!"
"Heh, you might be, but I’m afraid certain people attracted to you—this 'delicate flower'—might not be so well-behaved."
"Huh? What did you say?"
"Nothing. Just lie there."
Celicia gave a few more instructions before getting up to leave the room.
*
"Guard this place well."
Celicia stepped out of the room and gave an order to the female knight standing guard.
"Yes, Your Majesty!" the knight answered loudly.
Unlike Ariel’s "top-tier treatment" of being surrounded by nurses, Muen’s side was much more austere. Not only were there no nurses, but the guard outside was a Royal Knight specifically sent by Celicia.
Serious, rigid, and immune to male charms.
"Mm... good."
Celicia looked left and right, and after confirming there were no oversights, she turned and left with peace of mind.
However, after she left...
The female knight, who had just looked as solemn and rigid as a statue, suddenly cupped her face, her cheeks flushing.
"So sweet, so sweet! Is this the legendary 'Pure Love'?"
Diaka was deeply moved.
She came from a family of knights; her father was the captain of the Royal Knight Order’s Third Squad. Thus, even though she was a woman, she had received the strictest knightly training since childhood.
Because of this, she had never experienced the sweetness of romance in all her years.
She had thought it didn't matter, but after she was lucky enough to be chosen for the Empress’s personal guard and saw the interactions between Her Majesty and Young Master Campbell with her own eyes... she finally understood what "love" was.
"It’s too beautiful."
Those stories about Muen Campbell being a womanizer who played with a dozen girls at once were clearly just malicious rumors spread by people with agendas! From what she had seen over the past few days with the Empress, Young Master Campbell was clearly very devoted! There were no other women around him! And he was obviously obsessed with his training—otherwise, how could he be so strong at such a young age?
In her eyes, the Empress and Young Master Campbell—the cold-on-the-outside, warm-on-the-inside Empress and the handsome, considerate golden-haired noble—were a match made in heaven!
"No, I can't be a fangirl right now."
Diaka quickly slapped her cheeks to wake herself up.
Her duty now was to protect this beautiful romance. As a newly minted "Pure Love Warrior," she would absolutely not let anyone interfere with this beauty!
Absolutely!
"Um... hello."
But just then, a gentle voice suddenly sounded not far from her.
"Excuse me... is Muen Campbell in this room?"