Chapter 80: The Apology
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 80: The Apology
A truly excellent lackey cannot simply follow orders like a mindless drone; they must learn to take the initiative.
Even when there is nothing to do, they must find something to do.
That was why Amon had planned this challenge long before Muen even arrived at the Academy.
To humiliate and bully Ariel—the girl Young Master Muen detested so much—in front of everyone... it was the best gift he could possibly offer!
The Young Master would surely be delighted. After all, Muen had spent the entirety of the previous year in a state of constant frustration, repeatedly suffering "counter-kills" at Ariel’s hands.
As long as he pleased Muen Campbell, the son of a Duke, why would he ever have to worry about his future prospects?
“...”
Looking at the idiotic smirk on Amon’s face, Muen had already guessed exactly what the boy was thinking.
If this were the old Muen Campbell, he might have actually been happy about this.
—Provided, of course, that Amon could actually beat Ariel in a fight.
“I see. I think I understand now,” Muen said. “You’ve done well, Amon.”
Heh heh.
See? Young Master Muen really is praising me.
Amon’s nose practically touched the sky with pride.
“However—” Muen continued, “there was no need for this.”
“Eh?” Amon froze. “Young Master... what do you mean by that?”
“I mean...” Muen picked up the glove from the ground, brushed off the dust, and stuffed it back into the palm of the dazed Amon. “There is no need for you to do things like this anymore.”
“No need to do these things... but these things...”
“These things were all done for my sake, weren't they?” Muen patted Amon on the shoulder. “So, I appreciate the sentiment. But from now on, you don't need to waste your time on such foolishness.”
“Wh—Why?” Amon was bewildered. “Aren't these the things you always wanted to do, Young Master?”
“Because...” Muen smiled. His blonde hair caught the sunlight, looking exceptionally dazzling. “I’ve turned over a new leaf.”
“...Huh?”
“What?”
“Did I hear that right...?”
“That Muen Campbell?”
Muen hadn't lowered his voice, so everyone present heard him.
The crowd stood frozen in shock.
Ariel, in particular, looked as if she had been struck by lightning. She was even internally asking a certain someone if the guy in front of her had been possessed by an Evil God or something.
The answer she received, of course, was a firm no.
“Turned... turned over a new leaf? What does that even mean?” Amon was the only one still lost in a fog of confusion. “Young Master, are you sick?”
“Of course not. As for what I mean by turning over a new leaf...” Muen’s gaze swept over the surrounding onlookers, as if he were intentionally speaking for their benefit. “In short, it means I won't use my family's power to bully others anymore. I won't harass girls, I won't be a scumbag, and more importantly...”
Muen turned his head to look at Ariel and said seriously, “Ariel Bugard, I won't be looking for trouble with you ever again.”
“...Are you serious?” It took Ariel a long time to squeeze those words out.
“Dead serious.” Muen tilted his head, looking puzzled. “Do I not look solemn enough right now?”
“But...” Ariel remained skeptical.
Besides, after all the terrible things he had done to her, did he really think he could just say he’d "turned over a new leaf" and act like none of it happened? How was that possible?
“I suppose it won't be settled that easily, will it?”
As if reading Ariel’s mind, Muen gave a helpless, bitter smile.
Then, he stepped toward her again.
He stopped about two paces away.
He stood up straight.
He took a deep breath.
And then...
He bowed at a perfect ninety-degree angle.
“Though it is insignificant compared to what I’ve done to you in the past, please... allow me to apologize.”
Muen kept his head lowered and spoke with total sincerity.
“I am truly sorry for the terrible things I did to you, Ariel Bugard.”
“...Ah... You...”
Ariel’s eyes went wide, and her mouth fell open. She could have easily fit an entire egg in there.
She began to suspect that she wasn't dreaming, but rather that she had been too reckless during her training and had been hit by a curse from some bizarre entity.
The Muen Campbell—the arrogant, haughty, look-down-his-nose-at-everyone Muen Campbell—was actually apologizing to her? He was bowing his head and apologizing!
Is the world going to end tomorrow? Ariel thought with a hint of genuine fear.
“I originally wanted to prepare more and bring a proper gift before coming to apologize to you seriously, but this situation was a bit sudden.”
Muen looked up, patted his pockets, and gave a bashful smile. “Right now, I don't have anything on me except for a million Emiel in pocket money I swiped from An. But for someone like you, giving money as a gift would surely be an insult. I won't do something so tacky.”
Muen looked left and right, and finally, he stuffed the half-eaten skewer he was holding into Ariel’s hand.
“The skewer stand to the left of the school gate, third one down—it’s delicious,” he said earnestly.
“...”
Ariel looked at Muen, then down at the skewer in her hand. She was speechless.
“Well then, when I have time in the future, I’ll make up for the gift. I’ll be going now.”
Muen prepared to leave, but before he did, he leaned closer to Ariel and whispered, “You don't have to worry about whether or not to forgive me. It’s fine even if you don't. I’m apologizing because I was wrong in the past. That’s all.”
“Goodbye, Ariel Bugard.”
“I hope our relationship can become that of ordinary classmates, rather than enemies.”
“...”
Muen walked away without looking back.
Even long after he had disappeared from sight, the area remained deathly silent.
The onlookers were stunned into silence, and they eventually dispersed in silence.
It wasn't until Ariel was left standing there alone that her body suddenly gave a violent shudder as she finally snapped out of it.
“Eh? Wait! Muen Campbell! You can totally give me a million as a gift! I’m a very tacky person!”
*
The Great Clock Tower, Office.
Professor Prang, the Head of the Magic Department—a man with a white beard, white hair, and a majestic countenance—stood by the window, gazing out at the students coming and going through the school gates.
“What is it? Are there any promising prospects this year?”
A light chuckle came from behind him.
Professor Glen, also of the Magic Department, walked up to Prang’s side and stood with him, looking out into the distance.
“The freshmen enrollment is in the afternoon,” Professor Prang said, glancing at him. “As a professor, shouldn't you show a bit more concern for your own students?”
“Haha, I care very much about my lovely students.”
“Save those words for when you manage to raise the average grade in your subject.”
“It can't be helped. Potions is such a dry subject, and it doesn't directly increase combat power. Kids these days just aren't willing to learn it,” Glen said, shrugging helplessly. “So, since the freshmen don't arrive until the afternoon, what are you looking at?”
“If I can't look at the new students, I’ll look at the returning ones,” Professor Prang said expressionlessly. “The first day of school is when a student’s mental state is most apparent. Just by looking at their expressions, I can tell whether they wasted their break or if they spent it doing something meaningful.”