Chapter 78: The Return of the Smirking Dragon King
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 78: The Return of the Smirking Dragon King
Volume 2
"St. Maria Academy... I'm back."
Inside an understatedly luxurious black carriage, Ariel Bugard lifted a corner of the curtain. Her gaze swept past the gates guarded by massive statues, settling on the solemn buildings hidden deep within the grounds.
St. Maria Academy.
One of the Empire’s top institutions, it boasted an immense faculty and unparalleled educational resources. It was a holy land of learning that countless students dreamed of entering.
There was a common saying about the school: Even a toad that crawls in here will have transformed into an elegant, noble white swan by graduation.
Of course, that was an exaggeration, but it highlighted the academy's prestige.
"Has it really been a whole year?"
A trace of melancholy flickered in Ariel’s eyes.
A year ago, after her mother passed away from illness, she had been taken in by her father, the Count. Overnight, she had transformed from a commoner into the third daughter of Count Bugard.
However, becoming the Count’s daughter hadn't made her life any easier. On the contrary, her status as an illegitimate child made her a target for the disdain and hostility of the "pure-blood" nobles who infested the academy.
Among them, Muen Campbell was the most loathsome of all!
He was constantly looking for trouble, always tripping her up. Almost every time they met, he would sneer and call her a "filthy servant with low-born blood."
And the most infuriating part? He was actually the fiancé of Her Highness, Princess Celicia!
How could he possibly be worthy of her?!
Celicia was so cold, so elegant, so peerless. Ariel had already reserved a spot for her as a primary consort in her "Crystal Palace."
How could a man like Muen Campbell ever deserve her?
He really deserved to die. If he didn't have that "all-powerful" aura of being a Duke’s son, she would have long since shaken his mush-filled brain until it was even, then kicked him into a permanent cripple so he’d stop hopping around and polluting the environment.
Fortunately, even without her intervention, Muen Campbell was a useless waste.
He was arrogant, domineering, unlearned, and looked down on everyone.
Word was that in an entire academic year, he had only managed to learn a single magic spell: the Illumination Spell. He had supposedly made Professor Prang of the Magic Department so angry the man couldn't sleep for three days.
Every time Ariel saw him using his status as a fiancé to desperately try and get close to Celicia, she found it hilarious.
Keep acting out, you fool. Can't you see the disgust in Celicia's eyes?
A woman as cold and aloof as her would naturally despise someone who didn't know their place and clung to her like sticky candy.
"To conquer Celicia, one must naturally work hard to improve themselves like I do, and then proceed step by step."
The corner of Ariel’s mouth curled up into her signature, unruly smirk.
"In this past year, my strength has improved at lightning speed. I went from a commoner who had never even seen magic to being the undisputed number one in my year.
"Even during the short two-month summer break, I defeated my two foolish brothers and truly secured my status as the heir to the Earldom.
"I imagine even Celicia won't be able to help but take notice of me now.
"The time is right. I can use the excuse of asking for swordsmanship advice to get close to her, engage in some 'accidental' skinship, and grind up her favorability.
"In the long run... hmph, Celicia will be mine sooner or later!"
Ariel pumped her fist, giving a small cheer for her perfect plan.
After adjusting the bow on her academy uniform, Ariel stepped down from the carriage. With a heart full of anticipation and excitement, she walked through the academy gates.
"Yo, isn't this that filthy servant with the low-born blood? I was wondering why the air in the academy suddenly turned foul. Turns out you've arrived."
Unfortunately, her pleasant mood didn't last long before it was shattered by a few sightless fools.
Ariel looked up at the young noblemen blocking her path, her gaze turning cold.
"Amon, are you here to bark on your master's orders again?"
As the son of a Duke, Muen Campbell was already infamous. Few people wanted anything to do with him, but there were always stray dogs hungry for power who were willing to be his lackeys and do his bidding.
The Amon standing before her was the loudest barking dog in Muen Campbell’s pack.
"Barking? I don't particularly like that word."
Amon stepped up to Ariel, using his height to look down on her with a cold laugh.
"Ariel Bugard, you were raised by commoners after all. You truly have no breeding. Is this how you speak to a senior?"
"I speak like a human to humans and like a dog to dogs. Being considerate, kind, and treating everyone equally has always been my life's creed."
Hearing the word "commoner," a chill flashed through Ariel’s eyes. She said, "Does the senior have anything else? If not, please move aside. I’m not as idle as you lot; I don't have time for such meaningless things."
"Hmph, since you’ve put it that way, I won't beat around the bush."
Amon pulled off one of his gloves and slapped it down in front of Ariel with a sharp thwack.
"I challenge you, Ariel Bugard!"
"Huh?"
Ariel was stunned.
Again?
How many times had this group challenged her already?
There were at least three times last semester.
Are they really just lining up one by one to get beaten?
"Hmph, we were careless last time when we sent that idiot Gru. We underestimated you; we didn't expect you to have a breakthrough mid-battle.
"But this time is different. This time, I will face you personally! I will make sure you taste the humiliation of defeat and let the entire academy laugh at you!" Amon said viciously.
No, you're a fourth-year fighting a second-year. Even if I lose, I won't be the one getting laughed at.
On the contrary, aren't you embarrassed to be the one initiating a challenge against me?
Ariel felt a wave of exhaustion.
She truly wondered if these people had spent so much time with Muen Campbell that their brains had turned to mush as well.
"Here we go again."
"Poor Ariel, she’s always being harassed by these people."
"Sigh, why hasn't anyone stepped up to punish that detestable Campbell yet?"
"Shh, keep it down. Don't let them hear you."
A crowd began to gather.
Most of them were commoners who didn't care about Ariel’s illegitimate status, so they watched with pity. Some were even secretly cheering for her.
"Good luck, Ariel! I believe you can do it!"
Of course, there were also those who offered "rational" counter-arguments:
"Sigh, Ariel is in trouble this time. Amon is a top student even among the fourth-years. He’s known as the 'Wolf of Campbell.' His Blood Wolf Summoning is masterful; even many professors have praised him. He’s the most brutal fighter under Muen Campbell.
"Even if Ariel defeated the third-year Gru last time, she seems outmatched against the much stronger Amon."
"..."
Listening to the analysis of these self-proclaimed rationalists, Ariel’s lip twitched slightly.
She felt like she had heard these exact words many times before—same old story, just a different name. Even the sentence structure was the same.
But every time before, she had slapped their faces hard.
This time... would naturally be no different.
A fighting spirit gradually ignited in Ariel’s eyes.
Her blood began to pump with excitement.
The Wolf of Campbell? Fine. This would be a good way to test the results of her training over the two-month break.
At the same time, if she could defeat a fourth-year right as she entered her second year, such a shocking result would surely make Celicia take more notice of her.
Ariel’s mouth curled into a smirk. "Fine, I acce—"
But just as she was about to agree, the crowd suddenly fell into a commotion. Someone whispered urgently:
"It's Muen Campbell!"