Chapter 281: The Final Candidate

"Yay! Liya! You got in too!"

Ariel’s sudden excited cry pulled Liya out of her brief daze. The inexplicable ripples from moments ago faded, turning into joy from the heart.

She’d been chosen!

This was only the first step.

But fortunately, she had managed to take it in the end.

Although Ariel had just comforted her saying there were other ways, if she had failed even this step, she wouldn’t have known how she’d have the face to return to the Holy City.

That was close.

Liya let out a long breath, couldn’t help patting her own majestic chest, setting those waves rippling at once.

At the same time, she couldn’t help sneaking another glance to the side.

The blond man still wore a clean smile, applauding softly in congratulations.

Muen Campbell, you...

"Well, well—just got picked and you’re already getting cocky, showing off, you big milk cow!"

Ariel «N.o.v.e.l.i.g.h.t» didn’t notice Liya’s little movement. She spread her demonic claws with an evil grin, habitually about to pounce and horse around with Liya, and by the way cop a feel she’d suppressed that morning.

But just as her devil claws were about to succeed...

"W-wait."

Liya’s cheeks flushed; she crossed her arms over her chest and quietly took half a step back.

"There are so many people watching."

Ariel blinked.

Only then did her excitement ebb, and she felt all those gazes cast their way.

Of course—the two candidates were in the same spot, so naturally half the hall’s eyes were focused here.

"S-sorry, I got too excited."

Ariel scratched her head in embarrassment, but then she yanked Liya tightly into her arms, lifted her head, and glared ferociously back at those looking over:

"What are you looking at! What’s there to see! Never seen a genius pretty girl before?"

Liya was hers—how could she let these filthy, stinking men ogle her?

Not getting the spectacle they wanted, a few small sighs of disappointment sounded around them, but those gazes soon moved away.

This count’s illegitimate daughter, once looked down on by many, was now famous across the Academy. On top of that, she had recently leapt multiple levels and defeated a Fifth-Year senior, fiercely slapping the faces of those who wanted to humiliate her again. Naturally, few were willing to provoke her now.

Seeing those displeasing looks recede, Ariel raised her head like a victorious rooster and swept her gaze around. Finally, as if sensing something, her eyes landed nearby.

"And you, Muen Campbell—what are you looking at?"

Ariel arched her willow brows:

"Take your filthy gaze off her!"

"Uh... was I?"

Muen’s clapping hands froze. He blinked his pure blue eyes.

"I was only offering congratulations. Nothing else."

"We don’t need your congratulations. Are you very close with Liya?" Ariel huffed.

In her memory, Muen Campbell and Liya had basically no dealings, yet he always came over to strike up a conversation with Liya. If there weren’t some fickle-minded scheme, who would believe it?

"Alright, alright, Ariel, you’re too wound up."

Liya gently pushed Ariel. "Don’t be so dramatic. Being looked at won’t make me lose a chunk of flesh."

"Sigh, Liya, you’re just too kind."

Ariel snorted twice and shook her head helplessly.

Kind, cute, pure—those were the dazzling points that made Liya so captivating.

Like gems, those points would always draw covetous eyes.

Precisely because of this, she had to work even harder to protect the Liya who belonged only to her!

Especially from this guy, Muen Campbell!

Everyone else had been fooled by him, but only she, who had truly seen his former true face, knew what a vile person he was!

However... fortunately, Liya would be going to the Holy City with her.

As for you, Muen Campbell—this duke’s son who has nothing but family background and filthy money...

Just huddle forever in Belrand and obediently be your wastrel...

"The final candidate..."

Suddenly, Professor Prang’s low, solemn voice sounded by Ariel’s ear.

"Second Year, Muen... Campbell!"

"Wha—"

Ariel stiffened, blurting an exclamation.

Not only her—the entire hall, after a brief silence, erupted into a clamor rising and falling.

Who?

Muen Campbell?

Which Muen Campbell?

After a momentary stupor, everyone came back to themselves.

There was, of course, only one Muen Campbell in the Academy.

But why...

The previous candidates were all renowned standouts across the Academy, so when their names were announced, most people merely sighed without surprise.

But Muen Campbell...

Although his reputation and behavior had changed greatly this term, and the way he raised his score in Magic Fundamentals to eighty within a month had been the talk of the town for a long while...

For a selection like this, the foremost criterion should be comprehensive strength.

Even if Muen Campbell really was no longer that detestable wastrel young master—what strength did he have?

His record this term was... defeating one Second-Year student in Martial Techniques class, and—

streaking?

Fine, streaking in the face of a monster was rather dashing, and his physique was great, but looking at his last-term grades—bottom of the Academy—within just one short term, how strong could he have gotten?

And he’d even mysteriously disappeared for a while...

Yet he’d actually been put on the list—could it be...

"Muen Campbell! Did you... get in through the back door?!"

Ariel suddenly fixed her gaze on the hateful guy before her and thundered.

"How shameless can you be!"

What qualifications did Muen Campbell have to be chosen?

To be safe, she had even gone and asked her master on purpose.

"Warrior Realm, Second Rank—peak."

"Mana... still pathetically low."

See? He couldn’t do magic; as for the Warrior Realm, he hadn’t even broken into Third Rank. In terms of realm alone, he lagged far behind the others!

From any angle, there was no way he would be chosen!

Otherwise—what would all her effort during this period be worth?

Working so hard, so diligently, spending so much money...

Yet this guy Muen Campbell—several times when she’d run into him—he’d been napping, slacking off!

"Damn it..."

Just thinking that she’d have to travel to the Holy City with this kind of guy behind her made her...

"They really put me on the official list? I thought they’d find some other reason to have me tag along."

Hearing Professor Prang’s reading, Muen also froze.

But then he casually shrugged at Ariel.

"Believe it or not, I actually wanted to use the back door—on the not going side, I mean."

He also noticed those piercing gazes around him, but didn’t care much.

Anyway, those people could only glare; they couldn’t do anything to him.

It was just a bit of a pity—the reputation he’d worked so hard to claw back might get worse again...

"Right, one more thing."

Professor Prang’s voice always came in right on cue:

"Because the selection criteria were not public, everyone has doubts about certain people’s qualifications. And since our Saint Maria Academy has always upheld the principle of equal treatment, fairness, and justice, therefore..."

Hm?

Muen saw the corners of Professor Prang’s stern mouth suddenly curl into a smile, and he felt a bad premonition.

Wait—you thick-browed, big-eyed Professor Prang, don’t tell me...

"Therefore, before the departure day in seven days, any student who meets the standards may issue a challenge... to a selected candidate."

"And moreover..."

Professor Prang paused, his gaze glancing at Muen, seemingly by accident:

"In the name of the Academy, we swear that during these seven days of challenges there will be no involvement of status or rank, and there will be absolutely no subsequent retaliation."

"Damn..."

At those words, Muen’s expression froze at once.

Because he could clearly feel how the surrounding gazes, which had merely held dissatisfaction a moment ago, suddenly turned sharp.

Like they had seen a lion once high above turn into a clawless, fangless sheep.

And a certain someone, without the least attempt to hide it, clapped her hands and laughed:

"Haha—Muen Campbell, you’re finished!"