An excellent lackey shouldn’t just follow the master’s orders mechanically—they have to learn to strike proactively.

Even if there’s nothing happening, they should know how to create opportunities themselves.

That’s why, before Muen even arrived at the Academy, Eamon had already planned this challenge.

In front of everyone, humiliating and bullying that Ariel girl—the one Young Master Muen hated so much—was the best gift Eamon could offer!

Young Master Muen would definitely be pleased! After all, he’d spent all of last year constantly being humiliated in counterattacks by Ariel.

As long as he could please the Duke’s son, Young Master Muen, what future glory wouldn’t be within reach?

“......”

Just looking at Eamon’s dumb, smug expression, Muen already guessed exactly what he was thinking.

If it were the old Muen Campbell, he probably really would’ve been happy about it.

—Provided Eamon could actually win against Ariel.

“I see. I think I understand.”

Muen spoke up:

“You did well, Eamon.”

Hmph.

See? Young Master Muen praised me after all.

Eamon held his head high, inwardly gloating.

“But—”

Muen continued:

“It’s unnecessary.”

“Eh?”

Eamon froze.

“Y-Young Master, what... do you mean by that?”

“I mean...”

Muen bent down, picked the glove up off the ground, dusted it off, and shoved it into the dumbstruck Eamon’s hand:

“From now on, there’s no need for you to do things like this.”

“No need... But this...”

“These things... you’re doing them all because of me, right?”

Muen patted Eamon on the shoulder:

“So I appreciate you guys, but from today on, there’s no need to waste your time on these stupid antics.”

“W-Why...?”

Eamon was confused. “Aren’t these the things you want to do, Young Master?”

“Because...”

Muen smiled, his blond hair reflecting the sunlight, dazzlingly bright.

“I’ve decided to turn over a new leaf.”

“...Huh?”

“What?”

“Did I hear that right...”

“The Muen Campbell?”

Muen hadn’t lowered his voice, so everyone around clearly heard him.

The whole place fell silent, everyone stunned.

Ariel looked like she’d just been struck by lightning.

She was already questioning internally whether someone—or some Evil God—had possessed this bastard in front of her.

Of course, the answer she got was a firm no.

“T-Turn over a new leaf... What does that even mean?”

Only Eamon still looked lost.

“Young Master, are you sick or something?”

“Of course not. Turning over a new leaf...”

Muen’s gaze swept over the crowd of rubberneckers like he was deliberately explaining for their benefit. 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

“In short, I won’t bully people with my status anymore. I won’t harass girls. I won’t act like scum. And most importantly...”

Muen turned his head, looking directly at Ariel, speaking with complete seriousness:

“Ariel Bugalde, from now on, I won’t cause you trouble anymore.”

“...Are you serious?” After a long stunned silence, Ariel squeezed out the words.

“Of course I’m serious.”

Muen tilted his head, puzzled:

“Do I not look serious enough right now?”

“But...” Ariel still wore a skeptical expression.

After everything you did to me before... You think saying you’ve turned over a new leaf makes it disappear? How could it be that easy?

“Guess it won’t be resolved so easily after all.”

As if seeing through Ariel’s thoughts, Muen gave a helpless, bitter smile.

Then, he took a step forward, closing the distance between them.

Roughly two steps away.

He stood straight.

Took a deep breath.

And then—

A ninety-degree bow.

“Compared to all the things I did to you before, this may seem insignificant, but still... Please allow me to apologize.”

Muen kept his head lowered, speaking earnestly.

“I’m truly sorry for the excessive things I did to you in the past, Ariel Bugalde.”

“...Ah... You...”

Ariel’s eyes widened even further, her jaw dropping to the point where you could practically fit a whole egg inside.

She started wondering if this really wasn’t a dream.

Maybe she’d overexerted herself during cultivation... and some strange, unknown force had cursed her.

The Muen Campbell, the arrogant, condescending Muen Campbell, actually apologized to her. Actually bowed his head and apologized!

“Don’t tell me... The world’s ending tomorrow?” Ariel thought with a trace of fear.

“I originally wanted to prepare a bit more and bring a proper gift when I came to apologize to you, but the situation came up so suddenly.”

Muen straightened up, patting himself down with an awkward smile:

“Right now, I only have the one million Emile pocket money I scammed off Anne... But giving money as a gift to someone like you would definitely be an insult, so I won’t do something that tacky.”

Muen glanced around, then shoved his half-eaten skewer into Ariel’s hand, speaking sincerely:

“The grilled skewers from the third stall to the left outside the school gates—they’re really tasty.”

“......”

Ariel stared at Muen, then down at the skewer in her hand, speechless.

“Well, if I get the chance later, I’ll make it up to you with a proper gift. I’ll be going now.”

Muen turned to leave, but just before walking away completely, he leaned in close to Ariel, lowering his voice:

“You don’t have to overthink whether to forgive me or not. Even if you don’t forgive me, that’s fine.

I apologized because I did something wrong before. That’s all.”

“See you, Ariel Bugalde.”

“I hope from now on... we can just be ordinary classmates, not enemies.”

“......”

Muen walked away without looking back.

Even after he’d been gone a long while, the place remained silent.

The crowd of onlookers dispersed quietly, their faces still frozen with shock.

Only when Ariel was left standing alone did her body suddenly shudder, snapping her back to reality.

“Eh? Wait—Muen Campbell, giving me that million as a gift is totally acceptable! I’m super tacky!”

......

Clocktower Office.

The Magic Department Head, Professor Prang—white beard, white hair, stern features—stood by the window, watching students come and go at ◆ Nоvеlіgһt ◆ (Only on Nоvеlіgһt) the Academy gates.

“So? Any promising seedlings this year?”

A soft chuckle came from behind him.

Professor Garan from the same department walked up beside him, standing shoulder to shoulder, also gazing into the distance.

“The freshmen enroll this afternoon.”

Professor Prang shot him a sidelong glance:

“As a professor, shouldn’t you show a bit more concern for your students?”

“Haha, I do care about my adorable students, you know.”

“Try saying that after you manage to raise the average grade for your class.”

“Can’t be helped. Alchemy’s such a dull subject, doesn’t directly boost combat power—nowadays, barely any kids want to study it.”

Garan shrugged helplessly.

“So, if the freshmen aren’t here yet, what are you staring at?”

“If I can’t observe the new ones, naturally, I’ll observe the old ones.”

Professor Prang’s expression didn’t change as he spoke:

“On the first day back, you can always tell a student’s mental state. Just by reading their expressions, I can more or less tell whether they wasted their vacation... or made something meaningful of it.”