“Eh, worthy of Professor Prang. So strict.”

Professor Garan praised casually, then suddenly let out a curious hum, like he’d noticed something.

“Huh? Look over there—isn’t that the girl who had everyone talking back in first year? Oh wait, technically, she’s a second year now. You know, the rumored illegitimate child of some noble house?”

“Our Academy doesn’t judge students by their background. Besides, she should’ve taken your class already. You seriously don’t even remember her name?” Professor Prang scolded sternly.

“Heh, there’s so many students. Who can remember them all?” Garan scratched his head, playing dumb.

“Her name is Ariel. A truly outstanding student.”

Naturally, Professor Prang had also noticed Ariel stepping down from the carriage. His eyes instinctively swept across her face, and his mood eased noticeably. He couldn’t help but smile.

“Not bad. Looks like she had a fulfilling vacation.”

“You really value her, huh?” Garan remarked.

“Of course I do. To advance her magic to Tier 2 Gold within a year—accomplishments like that are rare even in my decades of teaching. Calling her a genius wouldn’t be an exaggeration.” A trace of gratification colored Prang’s tone.

If it weren’t for the obvious influence of other excellent instructors visible in her spellwork, he might’ve already tried to take her on as a formal disciple.

“I see.”

Garan nodded in admiration, then immediately lost interest.

He’d seen too many geniuses in his time. Most of them weren’t worth the hype.

“Speaking of second years, wasn’t there another student who stirred up a lot of talk? What’s his name again... supposedly the Duke’s son?” 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

Garan asked as the thought struck him:

“Professor Prang, you know—eh?”

“Muen! Campbell!”

Professor Prang practically ground his teeth, like a volcano on the verge of eruption.

Of course he knew that name. That name was practically carved into his bones!

It couldn’t be deeper.

But not because of his status as the Duke’s son, or the ridiculous things he’d done.

It was because of humiliation.

That’s right, humiliation so great it marred the fifty-year legacy of Prang Ronir, a titan of magical education!

A whole year.

Three hundred sixty-five days.

Eight thousand seven hundred sixty hours.

Ariel had already stepped into Tier 2 Gold, perfectly capable of holding her own.

Even the average students could at least grasp the basics, throw out a few combat spells without issue.

But Muen Campbell? That bastard spent an entire year...

And only mastered one spell.

Illumination Spell.

Illumination Spell!

The kind of basic magic a housecat could learn in three days!

And he, Muen Campbell, took a whole damn year!

Because of that disgrace, during this vacation when Prang attended those top-level educator gatherings—

The moment he stepped through the door, someone pointed and laughed:

“Professor Prang, I heard you’ve raised another wonder of the magical world. A student who mastered a single spell after a whole year!”

And him? A revered pillar of magical education? He could only stand there, face flushed red, voice trembling as he stammered back:

“N-Nonsense! How could Illumination Spell count as just one spell?

Illumination... Illumination is practical, energy-efficient, easily worth... one point five spells, at least.”

Immediately, the room burst into joyous laughter.

Joyous, my ass. He practically wanted to slam his head against the wall and die right then and there!

Back in the old days, attending those gatherings meant basking in the admiration of his peers.

He’d posture with pride, mentor the younger generation.

But ever since Muen Campbell came along with his record-breaking achievement of learning one spell in a year, Prang felt like there were people pointing and whispering behind his back no matter where he went.

For someone who fancied himself a perfect educator, it was utterly intolerable!

And yet... there was nothing he could do about Muen Campbell.

His grades were terrible, but technically, he hadn’t violated any school rules.

And the Campbell family was one of the Academy’s major shareholders. He couldn’t just pick on a student without reason.

“Seems like you really hate that Muen Campbell, huh?”

Garan shrank back slightly. He’d rarely seen Professor Prang this angry. Just standing nearby gave him the illusion he might get devoured alive.

Quick to change the subject, he pointed toward the school gates:

“Oh? Look, your prized student seems to be getting stopped by someone.”

“Hmm? That looks like Eamon from fourth year. I remember him—pretty decent talent.”

Sure enough, Professor Prang’s attention shifted, his mood stabilizing a little.

“What are they doing? Planning a group fight?”

“Looks more like... a challenge?”

Professor Prang narrowed his eyes. Though the distance was considerable, he could vaguely make out Eamon tossing his glove at Ariel’s feet.

That gesture, among nobles, was a formal challenge.

“Oh ho, a fourth year publicly challenging a second year? You don’t see that every day.” Professor Garan let out a low whistle, clearly relishing the drama.

“Strange. Why would Eamon randomly challenge Ariel? Did they have some conflict?”

Professor Prang frowned, thinking it over.

Then he remembered—the whole Academy knew Muen Campbell and Ariel were at odds.

And Eamon... seemed to be pretty close with Muen Campbell...

Muen Campbell, it’s you again!

It’s not enough for you to tarnish my reputation—you want to mess with my star student too?

“Doesn’t look like they’re actually fighting.”

Garan kept watching the show, but suddenly exclaimed:

“Huh? Isn’t that... that guy... Muen something-or-other?”

“Muen! Campbell!”

Professor Prang spotted Muen in the crowd, his eyes narrowing, growling low:

“He’s actually shameless enough to show his face at the Academy!”

Prang gripped his cane so tightly his knuckles turned white, practically ready to storm down there and beat Muen Campbell with it.

If you hadn’t bolted so fast at the end of last term, you’d be drinking hospital juice right now!

“Easy, easy... He’s just a student. Why get so worked up over a student?” Garan tried to placate him.

“Some students have good grades, some bad—it’s normal, right?”

“Normal?”

Professor Prang turned a cold smile on him:

“If one of your alchemy students couldn’t tell the difference between a love potion and a mind-control drug after a whole year... and even got dosed with one of them... how would you feel?”

“......”

Shit. That scenario hit a little too close to home. His blood pressure spiked on the spot.

“Ahem, let’s drop the subject. Let’s just see what’s happening over there. Hmm, looks like Muen Campbell’s saying something... Judging by everyone’s faces, it’s something shocking.”

Garan rubbed his chin with a grin:

“Good thing I’m fluent in lip-reading.

Let’s see now...

I... have... turned over... a new leaf... Hmm? I have turned over a new leaf?”

After deciphering the words, Garan blinked in surprise, turning to Prang:

“That Muen Campbell said he’s turned over a new leaf.”

“Turned over a new leaf?”

Professor Prang snorted coldly, sneering:

“That toad turning into a swan-level lie, and you actually believe it?

If Muen Campbell can really change his ways, study hard, strive for self-improvement from now on, then I... I’ll...”

Prang’s eyes darted around, then he slammed his palm onto the desk ~Nоvеl𝕚ght~ with a resounding thud:

“I’ll eat this desk!”