The Instigator

“Go die, you faggot!”

A massive fist, carrying a biting cold wind, connected with Kellen’s repulsive face, producing a dull thud.

In the suddenly silent training ground, the sound was exceptionally clear.

Everyone froze, including Teacher Kade.

For a moment, numerous shocked gazes fixated on the unexpected incident that had just unfolded, leaving them speechless.

Only Ewan watched as the effeminate, disgusting man’s face twisted under his fist. He was sent flying backward, unconscious before he could even scream, and Ewan felt an immediate surge of satisfaction.

“Hmph… that was satisfying.”

He let out a long breath, his mood feeling unburdened.

As a saying in cultivation novels goes, his thoughts were now clear and unobstructed.

What did noble upbringing matter? What did outward appearance signify? None of it compared to getting rid of this disgusting faggot first.

Were it not for Teacher Kade’s presence, knowing he wouldn’t have another chance to strike, Ewan would have surely rushed over to deliver another blow.

“Ewan Campbell!”

But the momentary satisfaction of striking someone quickly gave way to immense pressure. It descended like a mountain, causing Ewan’s body to instinctively tense.

Teacher Kade let out a thunderous roar of anger, a powerful aura surging around him.

What had he just witnessed?

Someone, in his class, right before his eyes, had dared to attack another teacher?

This was St. Mary’s Academy, the Empire’s premier institution! Here, even the Princess herself was merely an ordinary student, bound by the academy’s rules!

“Ewan Campbell! What exactly do you think you’re doing?!”

Teacher Kade extended a large hand toward Ewan. Regardless of the situation, he had to first subdue this lawless individual.

Yet, as his hand reached out, he saw Ewan raise both hands, saluting in a familiar military style from his previous life. “No, no, no, Teacher Kade, I’m afraid of pain. Don’t grab me; I won’t run.”

“You!”

Kade’s hand stiffened.

Attacking someone and then not running, even acting so calmly—this was the first time he had encountered such an arrogant student!

“Ewan Campbell, do you even realize what you’ve done? Striking a teacher at St. Mary’s Academy, even with your special status, demands severe punishment!” Teacher Kade’s eyes darkened.

“Indeed, attacking a teacher should be punished.”

Ewan nodded, then spread his hands. “But I didn’t hit a teacher.”

He paused, speaking earnestly. “I hit a bandit—a disgusting bandit. I merely saw a bandit infiltrate the academy and simply eliminated a public menace.”

“You’re still spouting nonsense!”

Teacher Kade was almost dizzy with rage. “What is your true intention, repeatedly slandering an upright and excellent teacher?”

“I’m not slandering anyone; I’m speaking the truth.”

“You—scoundrel!”

Teacher Kade was furious, wishing he could personally teach Ewan a lesson. However, this was the academy, and as a teacher, he lacked the authority to mete out private punishment.

This was especially true for someone of Ewan’s standing.

Thus, he began to ponder the best way to handle the situation.

Meanwhile, the students in the audience, after a brief moment of shock, gradually came to their senses.

What had just happened?

That Ewan Campbell had actually struck a teacher?

How thrilling!

Most students were merely onlookers eager for gossip. So, upon witnessing such a rare spectacle, they erupted into excited discussions, like a boiling pot.

At this point, nearly all the onlookers were still caught up in the excitement and clamor of having juicy gossip. After all, no matter how good their prior impression of Kellen had been, they didn’t actually have any close relationship with him.

Therefore, few had yet considered who was right or wrong.

Until—

“Ewan Campbell, how could you do such a thing?”

A sudden accusation, piercing through the clamor, resonated with startling clarity.

The training ground fell silent once more.

Ewan’s gaze narrowed as he swiftly scanned the audience seats.

He found nothing. The voice’s location was clearly different from the first time.

“That’s right, Ewan Campbell, how could you hit a teacher?”

“Hitting a teacher is wrong!”

“Teacher Kellen is such a good person…”

“Ewan Campbell, even if you are a Duke’s son, you shouldn’t act like this. The academy is not a place for you to do as you please…”

“Apologize quickly.”

“Yes, apologize!”

Seeing someone take the lead, some students, brimming with a sense of justice but hesitant to speak due to Ewan’s status, instantly lost their reservations.

The early bird might get shot, but since there was already a lead bird, what was there to fear? Moreover, even if Ewan Campbell possessed power and influence, among their large numbers, there were many noble scions. He couldn’t possibly retaliate against all of them.

Thus, a chorus of righteous accusations erupted.

Many even flushed crimson, immersed in the thrill of a ‘hero battling a dragon’ scenario. Indeed, Ewan Campbell, who acted with impunity due to being a Duke’s son, was the evil dragon.

And they were the brave heroes, unafraid of power, wielding justice and righteousness. Normally, they would be submissive and dare not confront him. But now, standing on the moral high ground, couldn’t they at least point fingers?

At this moment, what Ewan had done was no longer important.

“You all…”

Teacher Kade frowned, finally noticing that the students’ emotions seemed a little off. He was about to speak and intervene—

“If you hadn’t said anything, I would have almost forgotten.”

A clear voice echoed. Ewan suddenly took two steps forward, positioning himself before the crowd.

He straightened his student uniform, which had become a little disheveled from his actions, and looked at everyone, revealing a warm smile that showed no hint of fault. “I, Ewan Campbell, am indeed the renowned Duke’s son.”

****

The training ground immediately fell silent. Everyone stared at Ewan with astonished eyes.

What was happening? Was Ewan Campbell truly going to use his status as a Duke’s son to oppose so many people?

“Even a Duke’s son cannot do as he pleases!”

A voice from the crowd declared.

“Exactly, a Duke’s son cannot act with impunity.”

“Ewan Campbell, you are too arrogant and overbearing!”

“Apologize to the teacher first.”

More voices chimed in, echoing the sentiment.

“No, I think you’ve misunderstood my meaning.”

Facing the numerous accusations, Ewan’s expression remained unchanged. While his gaze searched through the crowd, he spoke unhurriedly, “I have no intention of using my status to oppress anyone. I merely wish to prove to you all that I am correct.”

“How will you prove it?”

“Haven’t I already said? I am the Duke’s son.”

Ewan looked at everyone, smiling, but his tone was uncharacteristically cold and resolute. “How long do you think it would take for me, with the Duke’s Estate’s resources, to ascertain someone’s identity?”

“…”

“A day should be enough, shouldn’t it?”

Ewan turned to Kade. “Teacher Kade, what do you say? If I prove that Kellen is indeed a bandit, would my previous actions still be considered wrong?”

“This…”

Kade frowned. If Kellen truly were a bandit, then Ewan’s actions would naturally be justified. In fact, for Ewan exposing a dangerous individual hidden within the academy, the academy would have to commend him publicly.

But… how could a perfectly respectable teacher inexplicably turn into a bandit? The shift in identity was too drastic. Moreover, Teacher Kellen was so masculine, formidable, and articulate. In every aspect, he perfectly embodied the qualities Kade admired.

That was why Kade had been quite pleased when Pink Bear suggested Kellen become his assistant. However, upon calming down and considering it carefully, Ewan Campbell, though his reputation had always been poor, truly had no reason to suddenly target a teacher.

‘Could it be…’

Kade recalled Principal Pink Bear’s habitually unreliable demeanor, and a bad premonition suddenly arose in his mind.

****

“But what if you falsify the results?”

Just as some began to consider Ewan’s words to have a degree of credibility, the elusive voice spoke again, like a stone skipping repeatedly across a calm lake, stirring up new ripples.

Thus, the ‘righteous’ heroes once more found ‘evidence’ of the evil dragon’s wickedness, eagerly continuing, “That’s right, you are the Duke’s son; framing someone should be easy for you.”

“If given time, wouldn’t you instead put Teacher Kellen in danger?”

“Perhaps the Duke’s Estate would even directly silence him—oh my, that’s terrifying!”

“Ewan Campbell, we don’t believe you!”

Ewan’s expression subtly darkened. He immediately felt a sense of unease. If public opinion were swayed in this direction, his status would ironically become an obstacle to the truth.

After all, most people harbor extreme distrust toward power beyond their reach. Should he ignore them for now and present the facts later, or…

“Indeed, proving something after the fact is easily faked.”

Just then, a clear, cold voice suddenly resonated throughout the vast training ground.

“If that’s the case, then why not prove it directly, face-to-face?”

The voice wasn’t particularly loud, yet it carried an inherent nobility and arrogance that instantly quieted the noisy training ground.

“Student President?”

“Celicia?”

Everyone instinctively turned their heads, looking at the silver-clad figure who had appeared at the entrance of the training ground, their expressions filled with confusion.

“Stu… Student President, are you going to favor Ewan Campbell?”

That uncertain voice spoke again, attempting to immediately brand Celicia as biased toward Ewan. However, this time, no one echoed the sentiment.

Celicia’s name carried too much deterrent power. Even though everyone knew she had an engagement with Ewan Campbell, when she stood there, no one believed she would engage in something as trivial as ‘favoring Ewan Campbell.’

Therefore, only one of the most vociferous individuals from earlier, his face pale, mustered the courage to ask, “P-President, what do you mean by proving it face-to-face?”

Celicia glanced at a spot in the crowd, a hint of amusement flashing in her eyes. But she didn’t speak, instead turning to Ewan and asking, “Ewan Campbell, will you take responsibility for what you just said?”

Ewan was momentarily stunned, then nodded vigorously. “Of course.”

“Slandering and attacking a teacher is no small crime at St. Mary’s.”

“He’s not a teacher; he’s a bandit,” Ewan stated seriously.

Celicia gazed into Ewan’s eyes for a moment, then suddenly nodded. “Very well. I hope your words are true.”

With that, she flipped her hand, producing an unusually shaped transmission stone. Soon, the transmission stone connected, and a respectful voice came from the other end.

“Your Highness.”

“Connect me to Berland’s Third Intelligence Office.”

“Yes.”

The transmission stone emitted a series of static noises, then another aged voice spoke.

“How may Your Highness command?”

“Search for wanted individuals in Berland and its surrounding areas over the past three years. Keywords: bandit, Kellen, scar, bald, male.”

“Yes.”

The transmission stone fell silent. The entire vast training ground also became eerily quiet. Everyone stared with incredulous eyes at the young woman who had so casually wielded power unimaginable to ordinary people, not daring to breathe too loudly.

Even Ewan felt a string of ‘holy sh*t’s in his mind. She truly was Celicia. This domineering manner of instantly digging up someone’s entire family tree made one want to tightly embrace her black-stockinged thighs and sing a song of conquest.

But Ewan still felt a little apprehensive. What if Kellen wasn’t wanted?

“Your Highness, the results are in.” Soon, the transmission stone stirred again.

“Speak.”

“Kellen Warso, a bandit who has been active in the mountains around Lake Beibole for the past three years. His distinguishing feature is a large scar on his face, and his cultivation realm is around the peak of the Second Stage.”

“Peak of the Second Stage?”

Celicia raised an eyebrow. “Such a weak bandit has been active for three years?”

Sounds of rustling pages came from the transmission stone, as if someone was looking something up.

“According to reports, Kellen Warso, despite his low cultivation, possesses a peculiar escape technique and is extremely cunning. Furthermore, for the past three years, he has only stolen money, never committed sexual assault, and has never taken a life. Therefore, after several failed attempts to apprehend him, his priority was lowered to the absolute minimum, and his bounty is only five thousand Emils.”

“Alright, I understand.”

Celicia directly disconnected the transmission stone. In simple terms, the people below thought this guy was too difficult to catch, and the effort versus reward was completely disproportionate. So, after a few perfunctory attempts, they completely gave up.

He posed no real threat anyway. That’s how this guy, despite being wanted, could wander around without changing his name or appearance.

“But what I didn’t expect was…”

Celicia’s eyes grew slightly cold. “Our Principal Pink Bear has truly given me quite a show.”

No matter how low the threat, he was still a bandit. According to normal procedures, ordinary teachers entering St. Mary’s for employment required layers of review; even a slight blemish within three generations would disqualify them from entering this top academy, where nobles were plentiful and geniuses abounded.

Yet, this academy—where even if your father had visited a brothel, you couldn’t get in—had allowed a bandit to become a teacher? The academy would be the laughingstock of the entire Empire!

What an evil god couldn’t achieve, Pink Bear almost effortlessly accomplished.

“The academy’s biggest flaw is actually its principal?”

Celicia let out an amused, exasperated laugh. But never mind, there was no need to be angry for him; someone would deal with him later. For now…

Celicia looked down at Kellen, who lay on the ground. “Are you still playing dead, Mr. Bandit?”

“…”

“Heh.”

Seeing Kellen remain motionless, Celicia extended her hand, and a long sword of condensed ice crystals appeared in her grasp. “Since you’re not awake, let me try out my sword.”

“Wait—wait, I’m awake, I’m awake! Please put that sword away!”

Kellen scrambled to his feet, looking in terror at the chilling long sword in Celicia’s hand. “My playing-dead martial art can even fool a Fourth Stage martial artist. How did you see through it?”

“Of course, I couldn’t see through it.”

Celicia lowered her sword, stating coldly, “I just thought Ewan Campbell’s soft, weak physique couldn’t possibly knock you out for so long with one punch. I was just testing you.”