"You—ugh!"

Faced with Muen’s sudden firmness, Kaide was clearly both angry and helpless.

From his perspective, Muen studying magic was a complete waste of time.

Forget how disastrous his magic grades had been—just look up at the Campbell bloodline. Had the Campbell family ever produced a single famous mage?

Absolutely not. Their so-called prestige was entirely built on that renowned warrior inheritance, which, despite being passed down by a single heir each generation, had still managed to produce multiple Crowned-tier warriors and secure the duke’s title for centuries.

If Muen Campbell actually dove headfirst into magic and even stopped attending Martial Arts classes, his grandfather would probably spring right out of his coffin and curse him for being a disgrace to the family.

But Kaide had no recourse. Muen didn’t even care about academic credits—what leverage did he have to stop him?

After all, he was the duke’s son. Like Muen had said himself: if the Campbell family was willing to spend money to buy credits... that scummy Pink Bear dean—who was currently pulling his hair out over the school budget—would absolutely wave his paw and go:

“Take leave? Sure, take all the leave you want. One Martial Arts class not enough? Skip a few more while you’re at it. As long as the money’s right, anything’s possible!”

If they gave enough money, that stand-in dean might even hand Muen his diploma with both hands right now.

“Muen Campbell, you’ll regret this.”

Kaide let out a disappointed sigh.

“You say it’s only for a month, but I’ve seen this too many times. People full of themselves throw themselves into a field they’re not suited for. By the time they slam into a wall and want to turn back, it’s already too late.”

“Then I’ll talk about regret once I hit the wall and start bleeding.”

Muen smiled.

“If I don’t try, how will I know whether the wall is harder—or my head?”

“You...”

Kaide was momentarily lost for words.

But in that instant, he did see something different in Muen’s eyes.

Such determination.

What a waste.

Kaide sighed again.

That light in the eyes, that resolve—those were never lacking in hot-blooded youths like Muen.

But those very things often blinded them, leading them down the wrong path.

“I just hope that by the time you wake up and turn back... it won’t be too late.”

Kaide patted Muen’s shoulder and said nothing more.

“Then thank you, Sensei.”

Seeing that Kaide had relented, Muen gave his thanks and prepared to take his leave.

“See you later, Sensei.”

“Hold on.”

But Kaide suddenly remembered something and stopped Muen.

“You’re still attending this class, right? We’ve got a new assistant instructor—you should at least meet them.”

“New instructor...”

Muen thought for a moment, then nodded.

“Alright.”

Even though his schedule was tight enough that he wished for forty-eight hours in a day, it wasn’t so bad that he couldn’t sit through a single class.

Besides, it was worth meeting the new instructor. He might need their help in the future.

...

There were still a few minutes left before class, but Muen arrived early at the familiar Martial Arts arena.

Two students were already sparring on the platform. Their moves were still flashy but completely useless—enough to make someone want to jump up there and shout, Stop it already, that’s not how you kill anyone.

Still, it was obvious the two of them were trying to refine their techniques into something more practical.

“Looks like they were affected by what happened recently.”

After all, the Academy getting invaded had left a serious impression on the lower-year students.

Muen rubbed his chin, then stopped paying attention to them and walked toward the seating area.

There were already a few students scattered about. When they saw Muen arrive, a low ripple of murmuring went through the crowd.

As a Second Rank warrior, Muen’s hearing was pretty good. He could vaguely make out that the topic was something like “Is Muen Campbell a pervert” or “Is Muen Campbell into guys.”

His mouth twitched slightly, but he didn’t respond.

Compared to the stuff from before—like whether “Muen Campbell is dating thirteen girls or fourteen”—these kinds of controversial conversations were honestly much better.

At least now, people were starting to dispute the negative rumors.

Muen moved toward a quieter corner to wait for class.

But when he got to the edge of the seating area, he realized someone else was already there.

Ariel.

Well—“sitting” wasn’t quite the right word. She looked more like a salted fish tossed on a bench, eyes void of light, as if she’d lost all hope in life.

It was hard not to think of that old man Ge-something.

What’s this about...

After hesitating a moment, Muen still walked over and cautiously asked:

“Ariel... you okay?”

“......”

Her dull eyes shifted. When she saw it was Muen, her gaze didn’t even flicker.

“Don’t bother me...”

Ariel waved her hand like she was shooing away mosquitoes.

“Let me be. I want to be alone.”

“Class is starting soon. I don’t think ‘Alone’ wants you thinking about her either.”

Muen gently reminded her:

“Kaide-sensei’s temper’s no joke.”

As someone who ran hot-blooded 24/7, Kaide absolutely hated sickly students showing up in his class. So even someone like Muen, who once dared to nap through Professor Prang’s class, had to zone out standing up in Kaide’s.

“I said don’t bother me.”

Ariel rolled her eyes, the aura of salted fish thickening even further.

And in the middle of that aura, Muen faintly picked up on something else—a kind of sadness, like a seabird that had lost its mate, now flying alone across a vast ocean.

Wait.

Sadness?

What was there to be sad about?

She was a boss-tier overpowered protagonist who dared to cross two cultivation ranks to duel a villain boss—what the hell did she have to be sad about?

...Unless...

She realized her boobs got smaller?

Muen glanced at Ariel’s utterly flat chest and thought, a little maliciously.

But that moment of malice was quickly replaced by an icy chill crawling up his spine.

Because he saw that Ariel was clutching a neatly shaped stone in her hand.

A Transmission Stone!

It was currently half-activated, glowing faintly. Ariel seemed to be on the verge of contacting someone—but was hesitating for some reason.

“Beauty... I’ve been looking for you ever since I got out of the infirmary... but they all said you were fake, that you didn’t exist.”

Ariel gently stroked the Transmission Stone, sighing melancholically.

“But I... I’ve always believed you were real. Because back then, you shared your frequency with me.

“If you didn’t exist, then how could you have a Transmission Stone? How could you have given me your number?”

Shit—this is bad!

Muen’s brain buzzed like a struck gong.

He finally understood why she was sitting here acting like some tragic poet.

This damn lesbian was still hung up on that moment she met him!

Couldn’t she be like other harem novel leads and just fall in love with someone else already? It’s not like there aren’t enough pretty girls at this school!

Why was she so obsessed with a person who didn’t even exist?

Nope. Gotta get out. Fast.

Muen’s instincts screamed danger.

If he stayed here—

“Everyone may doubt you, but I don’t. That’s why, right now, I’m going to prove to the world that you’re real. Wait for me... my Beauty!”

After much inner struggle, Ariel finally stopped hesitating. Her finger pressed hard on the Transmission Stone.

And then—

She heard the familiar ring of a Transmission Stone... coming from nearby.

“Huh?”

Ariel looked up, puzzled—only to see Muen, who had just turned and taken two steps, now stiffly pulling out his own Transmission Stone.

In his hand, the Stone was glowing and vibrating, ringing loud and clear.

Huh?

Ariel blinked.

She looked at Muen’s Stone... then at her own. Her mind seemed to tie itself into a knot, and a hint of confusion crept over her pretty face.

Weird. I dialed the Beauty’s number—so why is Muen Campbell’s Transmission Stone ringing?

Could it be...

“Hello, is that you, Upperclassman?”

Ariel’s spiraling thoughts were cut off as she heard Muen answer the Stone. He pressed a button, silencing the ringing, and then held it to his ear, putting on a serious expression.

“Yes, I’m in class right now.”

“What is it? Oh, you want me to bring the textbook to the library later?”

“Mm, got it. Don’t worry—I’ll be there on time.”

Muen chatted away as he walked, blending into the crowd until he disappeared from Ariel’s view.

A coincidence?

Watching his hasty retreat, Ariel scratched her head, but didn’t dwell on it.

Her heart was too full of joy.

Her Transmission Stone had clearly connected. The other party just hadn’t picked up until now.

Which meant—Beauty was real!

That scene under the romantic starlight, in the flower-strewn hall, with the priest solemnly witnessing their exchange of contact info—it hadn’t been a dream.

“Was she just... unable to answer?”

Ariel smiled softly and ended the call.

She couldn’t appear too eager. Didn’t want to leave a bad impression.

Now that she knew the other person existed—and she had her contact info—she could take it slow.

Boil the frog in warm water. That was always the best way to win a girl’s heart.

“Come to think of it...”

Revived, Ariel tapped her smooth chin thoughtfully.

“There was that one upperclassman who seemed really close to Beauty... If I can find her, maybe I can get more clues.”

...

...

“Shit, that scared the crap out of me.”

Elsewhere, hiding among the students, Muen clutched his chest in lingering fear.

He’d nearly become the first yellow-haired villain in history to get stabbed to death by the female lead for something as stupid as... forgetting to mute his Transmission Stone.

Thankfully, the Stone worked like a phone from his past life—he didn’t have to pick up to silence the ringtone.

And luckily, he reacted fast enough, and his acting was good enough, to fake a call from the upperclassman on the spot.

If Ariel had put two and two together and made him answer it in front of her...

And realized that he, the guy she hated most, was actually the golden-haired “Beauty” she was obsessed with...

He didn’t even want to imagine that scene. Getting stabbed would’ve been the least of his worries.

“I’ve gotta change the Transmission Stone’s frequency soon. If Ariel keeps chasing this fantasy, I’m doomed.”

Muen made up his mind.

Unfortunately, since they were at the Academy, he’d probably have to wait until the next Open Campus Day to do it.

...

...

“Hey, did you hear? The new assistant instructor was personally recommended by Dean Pink Bear!”

Thanks to Muen sitting nearby, the students had stopped gossiping about “Muen Campbell this” and “Muen Campbell that,” and switched to talking about the new instructor who’d be arriving shortly.

Muen perked up and listened in with interest.

“Personally recommended by the dean? Must have a big background?”

“Not sure, but I heard some other teachers say they played a huge role during the invasion.”

“What?! Then they must be a top-tier powerhouse!”

Some students got excited.

Who didn’t want a real powerhouse as their instructor?

“Can’t be, right? If they were that strong, they wouldn’t just be an assistant.”

The more rational students saw the flaw.

“Well then, if they’re not strong but still contributed, maybe they’re really brave.”

“Like Muen Campbell?”

One student blurted it out, then realized Muen was sitting right behind him. He glanced over nervously and shut his mouth.

Muen gave him a small smile and didn’t take offense.

Still, listening to their conversation, Muen found himself getting a little curious too.

What kind of person would this new instructor be?

Whoever they were, he had to avoid repeating what happened with Professor Fulan.

This time, he was definitely going to build a good relationship with them.

Muen clenched his fist with determination.

...

...

“Alright, class is starting. Pipe down, you little bastards.”

With that unmistakable lion’s roar from Kaide, the noisy scene below instantly fell into silence.

Kaide swept his gaze across the students and nodded with satisfaction.

“I’m sure you’ve all heard—we’re getting a new assistant instructor for Martial Arts class this term. He’ll be helping me guide you all in combat, so I hope you’ll treat him with respect and work well together.”

“Let me say this up front. This new instructor is an excellent individual. Don’t look down on him just because he’s an assistant. Treat him with the same respect you’d show me. If not...”

Kaide’s cold gaze swept over the students. Though he didn’t finish his sentence, the pressure that settled over them made it perfectly clear.

At the same time, everyone ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) became even more curious. Who was this new teacher that even Instructor Kaide—who normally treated everyone like dirt—would praise this highly?

Even Muen craned his neck a little.

“Come on up and introduce yourself, Instructor Koren.”

Kaide stepped aside, uncharacteristically flashing a kind smile.

“Make sure to speak up.”

“I got it!”

The man who stepped out had a huge scar running down his face. He grinned broadly, flashing a row of blindingly white teeth.

“What, just saying my name? I used to do that all the time—old habit by now!”

In that moment, as the scarred man’s face became clearer in Muen’s line of sight...

The expectant smile on Muen’s face froze, bit by bit.

He thought he was seeing things. He rubbed his eyes over and over again.

But no matter how hard he rubbed, the man onstage still looked horribly familiar.

What the hell?

Did something go wrong with this world?

Was he dreaming?

Why the hell was that guy here?

Muen was plunged into a full-on existential crisis while the new instructor, Koren, began his self-introduction.

“Hello, students! My name’s Koren. I’m currently a beginner-stage Third Rank Warrior and a former adventurer. My specialty? Taking over a mountaintop and waiting patiently to ambush prey...”

Just like he claimed, Koren was damn good at introducing himself. In just a few lines, he gave everyone a clear image of who he was and left a bright, easygoing impression in their minds.

Everyone except Muen.

Because his mind was still reeling in pure shock.

“Welcome, Instructor Koren!” After the introduction, quite a few students even started clapping enthusiastically.

“Thank you! Thank you, everyone!” Koren scratched his bald head bashfully.

Kaide allowed the students to make noise for a bit, then added:

“Alright, if you’ve got any questions, now’s your chance. Don’t interrupt once class begins.”

As soon as he said that, someone raised a hand—someone unexpected.

“Hm? Muen Campbell, you have a question?”

“I don’t have a question.”

Muen stood up, his expression deadly serious, like he’d just spotted a crossdressing pervert slipping into the girls’ bathroom.

“But I do have a report.”

“A report? About what?”

Kaide looked baffled.

“A bandit!”

Muen jabbed a finger at Koren and barked,

“There’s a bandit on campus!”

“You’re saying... a bandit?”

Kaide turned to Koren, confused. “Is this true?”

“A bandit? What bandit? Are you talking about me?” Koren looked hurt.

“Damn right I’m talking about you, you bastard!”

Muen slammed the table.

“You think I’d forget your face after just one month? I’d recognize that mug even if it were turned to ash! Don’t bother playing dumb!”

“Muen, how can you say that about a teacher? You’ll hurt my feelings.”

Koren replied solemnly, but the next moment, his expression crumpled. That tough, masculine face turned puppy-eyed, brows sagging in exaggerated sorrow.

“But... I understand why you’d have that prejudice against me.”

He touched the massive scar on his face and made the most pitiful expression imaginable—like a dog that’d just been kicked.

“After all, because of this scar, people always assume I’m a bad guy.”

“But—! Even if I keep getting misunderstood, I’m proud of this scar! You wanna know why?”

Koren puffed out his chest and declared boldly:

“Because I got this scar fighting a bloody three-day battle against a group of bandits to save a poor little girl surrounded by them!”

“Wooooah—”

Gasps echoed throughout the class.

Instructor Koren was that brave?

To save a girl, he fought a whole gang of bandits alone for three days and three nights? 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

Just imagining it was enough to make your blood boil. That must have taken incredible courage—and what kind of kind-hearted man would do something like that?

No wonder he’d earned the dean’s public praise during the Academy crisis, even though he was only at beginner Third Rank!

“Bullshit!”

Only Muen stared in disbelief, eyes wide. He couldn’t believe there was someone on earth with skin this thick. He shot back sharply:

“What poor little girl surrounded by bandits?! You guys were the ones surrounding her!”

Not only had they cornered her—they’d tried to take him too!

If Ailuka hadn’t been strong enough back then, he might’ve lost something very important!

“That’s enough, Muen Campbell!”

Kaide finally couldn’t watch anymore and roared.

“How could you slander such an excellent, upstanding instructor?!”

“Excellent? Upstanding? Him?!”

“Muen! Campbell!”

“It’s fine, Kaide-sensei. It’s fine.”

Koren stepped forward—though in truth he hadn’t taken a single step—and stopped Kaide with a casual wave of his hand. He smiled, gently shaking his head.

“I don’t mind. Really. Sure, I once fought a gang of vicious bandits for three days and three nights to save a helpless girl. Sure, I still made time in the middle of that fight to sip tea, eat a bun, and gently comfort her. Sure, I even risked my life to help save the Academy during the recent invasion. But honestly—these are just minor details.”

“No matter what people say, I don’t mind. Really, I don’t.”

“But you—ugh...” Kaide clenched his teeth. How could a man be so righteous and selfless?

Compared to that...

“Muen Campbell! Why can’t you be more like him?!”

Kaide scolded, filled with disappointment.

“As a man, how could you judge someone’s character just by their appearance? Don’t you know? What matters isn’t the face—it’s the noble soul!”

“The hell do you mean noble soul? This guy’s soul is pitch black! Even Hell wouldn’t take him!”

“Muen Campbell! Enough! You’ve done nothing but insult him—now you’re making it personal?!”

Kaide’s face had gone dark as the bottom of a pot.

“But—”

Muen tried to argue again, but then he heard someone mutter softly:

“Muen, how could you say something like that...”

“Hm?”

He frowned and looked in the direction the voice came from.

It had been quiet, but in that brief moment of silence, it sounded incredibly clear.

The speaker had hidden themselves among the crowd, so he couldn’t pinpoint who it was right away.

Normally, Muen wouldn’t care about a comment like that.

But once that first voice was heard, the other students—who had been too afraid of his status to speak—suddenly found their courage.

“That’s right. Muen, how could you?”

“Even if you don’t like the teacher, you can’t just accuse him like that.”

“Instructor Koren seems like such a great guy.”

“I actually thought that jump you made back then was really cool... but now...”

“......”

Muen narrowed his eyes and glanced over the crowd.

Aside from the first one—which definitely had a provocative tone—the rest sounded like typical sympathy for the teacher.

And honestly, it made sense. With “personally recommended by the dean” and “major contributor during the invasion” buffing his image, plus the way Koren had just spouted all that crap with a straight face, it wasn’t surprising these hormone-charged youths bought it.

Compared to him, Muen’s own reputation wasn’t exactly pristine—and the fact that he opened with such an aggressive accusation made it hard not to think he was just picking a fight.

Was I too emotional?

Muen drew a deep breath and slowly sat back down.

“Forget it. If Pink Bear approved him as a teacher, there must’ve been some sort of consideration. No need for me to stress over it.”

This was still the Academy. With that guy’s early-stage Third Rank strength, he probably couldn’t even beat Ariel. It’d be hard for him to stir up any real trouble.

And maybe he really had turned over a new leaf. Maybe Muen was the one being too prejudiced.

So—Muen Campbell. Stay calm.

Don’t get mad over petty things.

You’re the Duke’s son. Maintain your nobility and composure.

...

...

“Instructor Koren, was there a special reason why you decided to become a teacher at the Academy?”

After the earlier disruption ended, the classroom entered a cheerful Q&A session once more.

One of the rare girls in Martial Arts class raised her hand curiously.

“A reason? Of course there was.”

“Oh? What was it?”

As soon as the word “gossip” came into play, all the students perked up instantly, their curiosity piqued.

“It was...” Koren cupped his flushed cheeks in both hands, his eyes darting shyly in one specific direction.

“To search for my one true—”

“SHUT UP!!”

He didn’t even finish the sentence before an earsplitting roar shook the air.

And—

A fist filled his entire field of vision.

Before anyone—including Instructor Kaide—could react, Muen had already lunged forward from his seat.

His eyes were ice-cold. His fist flew with full force.

To hell with staying calm. Fuck this shit—I’ve had enough.

“DIE, YOU GODDAMN PERVERT.”

...