Chapter 81: Him? Muen Campbell?
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 81: Him? Muen Campbell?
"My, as expected of Professor Prang. Always so stern," Professor Glen remarked with a note of admiration. Then, as if spotting something, he let out a soft exclamation of surprise.
"Oh? Look over there. Isn't that the girl who was talked about so much in the first year—well, I suppose she’s a second-year now. They say she’s the illegitimate child of some noble family?"
"Our academy does not concern itself with a student's origins. Besides, she must have attended your classes; I can't believe you haven't even memorized her name!" Professor Prang barked.
"Heh, with so many students, who can remember them all?" Glen scratched his head, playing dumb.
"Her name is Ariel, and she is indeed an exceptionally talented student."
Professor Prang had naturally spotted Ariel as she stepped down from the carriage. His gaze swept over her face, and his mood instantly settled. A faint smile touched his lips. "Not bad. It seems she had a productive holiday."
"You really do think highly of her," Glen noted.
"Of course. To raise one's magic level to the Second-Tier Gold rank within a single year is a rare feat in my decades of teaching. To describe her as a genius would be no exaggeration," Prang said, his voice tinged with pride.
If it weren't for the fact that Ariel’s spellcasting techniques clearly bore the marks of other elite instructors, he would have been tempted to take her on as his personal disciple.
"I see."
Glen offered a polite nod of admiration, but his interest quickly waned. He had seen too many geniuses; most of them were quite dull.
"Speaking of which, there’s another student in the second year who’s been the subject of quite a bit of gossip, isn't there? What was his name... the son of a Duke, I believe?"
Glen asked on a whim, "Professor Prang, do you know—wait?"
"Muen! Campbell!"
Professor Prang ground his teeth, looking like a volcano on the verge of eruption.
Of course he knew that name. That name was practically etched into his very bones!
It was unforgettable. Not because of the boy's status as a Duke’s son, nor because of the ridiculous antics he pulled.
It was because of the shame!
Yes, Muen was the greatest stain on Prang Ronir’s fifty-year career as an educator!
One year!
An entire year!
Three hundred and sixty-five days!
Eight thousand, seven hundred and sixty hours!
That girl Ariel had already stepped into the Gold Tier, becoming a mage capable of holding her own. Even the most mediocre students had at least mastered the basics and could cast a few offensive spells without issue.
But Muen Campbell? In an entire year, that brat had only learned a single Illumination Spell!
An Illumination Spell!
A spell his cat could learn in three days!
And he took a year!
Because of this, during the holiday, Prang had attended the usual gatherings of top-tier educators. The moment he walked through the door, someone had pointed at him and laughed.
"Professor Prang, I heard you’ve produced another eccentric. One year for one spell. Truly remarkable."
And he, a titan of the magical education world, could only flush crimson and stammer in response:
"N-nonsense! How can you call the Illumination Spell just one spell? It’s... it’s practical and efficient! It should count as at least one and a half!"
The room had instantly filled with a "jovial atmosphere."
Jovial, my foot! He had wanted to bash his head against a wall right then and there!
In the past, he attended those gatherings to bask in the reverent gazes of his peers, put on airs, and offer guidance to the younger generation. But ever since Muen Campbell burst onto the scene with his "stellar" record of one spell per year, Prang felt like people were whispering and pointing behind his back wherever he went!
For an educator who prided himself on perfection, this was intolerable!
Yet, he was utterly powerless against Muen Campbell. After all, having poor grades wasn't a violation of school rules. Furthermore, the Campbell family was one of the academy's major shareholders; he couldn't exactly go out of his way to pick a fight with the boy.
"It seems you really don't like this Muen Campbell," Glen said, shrinking back slightly. He had rarely seen Professor Prang this angry. Just standing near him gave Glen the illusion that he was about to be flayed alive.
He quickly changed the subject. "Oh, look. It seems your star pupil has been stopped by someone."
Glen pointed toward the academy gates.
"Hmm? That looks like Amon from the fourth year. I have some impression of him; he has decent talent."
Professor Prang’s attention was successfully diverted, and his temper cooled significantly.
"What are they doing? Starting a brawl?"
"It looks like... a challenge?"
Prang narrowed his eyes. Though they were far away, he could vaguely see Amon throwing a glove at Ariel’s feet. Among the nobility, that gesture meant a formal challenge.
"Ho! A fourth-year challenging a second-year in front of all these people? Now that’s something you don't see every day." Professor Glen let out a whistle, clearly enjoying the drama.
"Strange. Why would Amon challenge Ariel out of the blue? Did they have some prior conflict?" Prang wondered.
He pondered for a moment.
Then he remembered: the friction between Muen Campbell and Ariel was common knowledge throughout the entire second year. And Amon... seemed to be quite close with Muen Campbell...
Muen Campbell, you again!
Is it not enough to ruin my reputation? Now you’re coming for my star pupil?
"Doesn't look like they're going to fight," Professor Glen continued watching the show, then suddenly gasped. "Wait, is that him? Muen-something-or-other?"
"Muen! Camp! Bell!"
Professor Prang also spotted Muen in the crowd. His eyes bulged as he let out a low growl. "He actually has the nerve to show his face at this academy!"
Prang gripped his cane tightly, wishing he could charge down there and give Muen Campbell a good thwack. You got lucky and ran off quickly at the end of last term, otherwise I would have given you a piece of my mind!
"Don't be so angry, don't be so angry. He's just a student, after all. Why get so worked up over a child?" Glen consoled him. "Isn't it normal for students to have varying grades?"
"Normal?"
Professor Prang looked at Glen and sneered. "If a student in your Potions class still couldn't tell the difference between a knockout potion and an aphrodisiac after a year—or worse, if they managed to get themselves drugged by one or the other—how would you feel?"
"..."
Oh no. The mental image is too vivid. My blood pressure is spiking.
"Ahem, let's not talk about that. Let's see what's happening over there. Oh? Muen Campbell seems to be saying something. Looking at the others' expressions, it must be something significant."
Glen stroked his chin and smiled. "Fortunately, I know a bit of lip-reading. Let's see what you're saying... 'I... have... already... turned over a new leaf'... Hmm? 'I've turned over a new leaf'?"
After deciphering the words, Glen blinked in surprise and turned to Professor Prang. "That Muen Campbell says he's turned over a new leaf."
"Turned over a new leaf?"
Upon hearing this, Professor Prang let out a cold, mocking laugh. "You actually believe a lie as transparent as a toad claiming it's become a swan? If Muen Campbell truly turned over a new leaf and started studying hard every day from now on, I... I would..."
Prang looked around, then suddenly slammed his hand down on his office desk.
"I would eat this entire desk!"