An Apology Demanded

“Oh? So you weren’t actually in class?”

Ewan Campbell returned to the training grounds, only to find them shrouded in darkness, as if all light had been deliberately blocked.

Only in the very center, a magic artifact was projecting a scene of two martial artists locked in combat.

It was like watching a film.

It was obvious that Professor Cade had left them to watch this while he took Kellen’s ice sculpture to seek revenge on Pink Bear.

For Professor Cade, who usually valued classes immensely and even scolded students for lacking spirit, to let his students study on their own and leave the classroom early, it was clear he was incredibly furious.

However, this suited Ewan perfectly.

Ewan walked to the center of the training grounds, stepped on the magic artifact, and switched off the projection.

Instantly, the training grounds were bathed in light.

All the students, still disoriented by the sudden change in the display, stared blankly at the very center of the arena.

Or rather, at Ewan Campbell himself.

“Ewan Campbell?”

After a brief silence, someone finally snapped back to reality.

Their expression was grim. “Why are you back?”

“Hm? Can I not return?”

Ewan looked over, puzzled. “I believe I have the right to attend this class.”

“Attend class, fine, but why did you turn off the projection?”

Someone shouted indignantly.

“You’ve interrupted our studies!”

“Heh, I’ve never seen you so eager to learn before.”

Ewan quipped, then began to walk forward, one clear, deliberate step after another.

With each step he took, the complexions of some students grew a shade uglier.

Ewan leisurely scrutinized them, matching their faces to the memories in his mind.

Finally, he arrived at a spot very close to the spectator stands.

He pulled a chair from the stands, placed it behind him, and sat down.

Then, he faced everyone.

“I used to be a scumbag, you know.”

As Ewan’s words fell, everyone was momentarily stunned.

They hadn’t expected him to start by insulting himself.

What kind of tactic was this? Was he trying to showcase his ruthlessness by self-destructing?

Ewan ignored their reactions and continued, “But now, I don’t want to be a scumbag anymore.”

“Yet, there are always some people who still think I am.”

“I don’t blame them, because people are prone to stereotypes, and changing one’s image in the eyes of others is a very long process.”

“So I’m trying my best, although… well, the effect has been minimal, but I am indeed trying.”

“According to my original plan, I wasn’t going to come back. After all, what’s a few harsh words? It’s nothing to me; I could just endure it and it would pass, as I’m already used to it. Besides, that would even help me leave an impression of magnanimity in others’ eyes.”

“But, ultimately, it’s still quite irritating.”

“Just as a certain domineering guild leader said, this pathetic, slinking away look is disgusting, so I came back.”

“And since I’ve returned, I certainly can’t let things stand.”

“Before, when those people spoke ill of me, I couldn’t do anything about it. In a sense, they were speaking about the old me, speaking the truth. But—”

Ewan suddenly grinned, his expression one of pure delight. “Isn’t this just perfect? I couldn’t do anything about those people, but I can certainly do something about *you*.

After all—

Isn’t it *you* who said that those who do wrong should apologize?”

“What do you mean by that?”

Someone, upon hearing this, shouted harshly. “Are you trying to pick a fight with all of us?”

“That’s not quite right. What do you mean ‘all of us’? I counted, there are only thirty-five of you.”

Ewan’s expression turned cold. He raised a hand and pointed at them. “I know most of you were just following the crowd, jumping on the bandwagon, or perhaps seeking excitement, but—

Just as you demanded an apology from me when you thought I was the oppressor, now you have become the oppressors, and I have become the oppressed… Shouldn’t each and every one of you come forward and apologize?”

Ewan’s words hung in the air.

A profound silence fell over the training grounds.

It seemed everyone was stunned by the blond man’s imposing aura at that moment.

Apologize?

All of them?

Didn’t they know the law doesn’t punish the masses?

Even a teacher wouldn’t be able to punish everyone in such a situation!

“Ewan Campbell, you’re too arrogant!”

Apparently unable to bear the humiliation, one of the most active individuals earlier suddenly stood up and slammed a hand on a table. “Even if we are just thirty-five people, that’s thirty-five noble families! Even if you are the son of a duke, you cannot—”

“Tyke Rhode, correct.”

Ewan abruptly cut him off.

The man named Tyke Rhode seemed surprised that Ewan suddenly knew his name, and his face involuntarily turned pale.

“I remember you. You’re the son of an earl, of noble birth. The House of Rhode isn’t a minor family; it holds considerable power throughout Baerland.”

“Since you know that…”

“However, you seem to have three older brothers.”

Ewan stated. “By my reckoning, you’re only the fourth in line of succession, aren’t you?”

Upon hearing this, Tyke’s face instantly went ashen. “What of it?”

Ewan didn’t answer, merely offering a faint smile.

Then,

“Brofen Ted, the sixth son of Marquis Ted.”

“Gucci Slone, the fifth son of Earl Slone.”

“And…”

Ewan called out name after name. Just as he was about to finish naming almost all thirty-five individuals, he suddenly clapped his hands and said, “Alright, now tell me, all of you whose names I’ve called…

Can you truly represent your families?”

Silence.

No one answered.

But everyone knew the answer.

Of course not.

Most noble families, to ensure an heir, produced no less than a dozen children in their lifetime.

Only the Campbell family was so peculiar, with a single heir per generation.

Therefore, most of the people here were even beyond the fifth in line of succession.

Represent their families?

Impossible.

Even if they died, their families behind them likely wouldn’t feel a pang of grief.

“Do you understand?”

Looking at the thirty-five individuals before him, Ewan rose, his expression stern, rarely displaying the arrogance and ruthlessness befitting a duke’s son.

“This is the difference between a duke’s son and a duke’s *only* son.

Well, though I might not be the duke’s only son for much longer, until then…”

Ewan clenched his fist, as if grasping an unattainable power and authority firmly within his palm.

“I, Ewan Campbell, represent Duke Campbell, and I represent the very name Campbell itself! If you insult me, you insult Campbell!”

Ewan’s words struck like a heavy hammer against the hearts of each of the thirty-five individuals, instantly draining all color from their faces, leaving them ashen as paper.

Just as Ewan Campbell stated, he could represent the Campbell family. But they, on the other hand, could not represent their own families.

Indeed, their own families would never offend a future duke because of them.

“So now… do you have anything else to say?”

Ewan surveyed the group again. Seeing no one respond, he nodded in satisfaction.

“It seems you all agree with my words. In that case…”

Ewan casually pointed to Tyke, who was closest to him, and said, “Let’s start with you. Come here.”

Tyke, under the sympathetic gaze of everyone present, was extremely reluctant but still shuffled, step by step, towards Ewan.

His body trembled like a sieve, his face paler than if his parents had died.

Finally, upon reaching Ewan, he seemed unable to bear the oppressive feeling and cried out with tears in his eyes, “Ewan Campbell, what exactly do you want from me? Money or land?”

“Money? Land?”

Ewan looked puzzled. “What do you mean?”

“Not money or land?”

Tyke’s eyes widened in terror. “Don’t tell me, you want my sister? You beast, she’s only eight!”

“While I don’t know why you’d have such strange ideas, didn’t I just say it? I want you to apologize.”

Ewan placed a hand on Tyke’s shoulder and pressed down firmly.

“Apologize, understand? Your attitude must be sincere, your tone humble, and… your back must be sufficiently bent.”

“Finally, remember this: in the future, refrain from lecturing others from your moral high ground. Otherwise… be careful you don’t slip and hurt your back, like this time.”

****

“He actually just wanted an apology?”

In a corner, watching everything unfold in the training grounds, Ariel curled her lips in disdain.

“How boring. I thought you were going to break their legs.”

“Hm?”

Lost in her thoughts, Ariel suddenly glanced aside.

She vaguely saw a slender, monkey-like face quickly slipping out through the back door.

“Is it something else related to Ewan Campbell?”

Ariel pondered for a moment, then withdrew her gaze.

“Never mind, I don’t care about his affairs.”

As she spoke, she smiled blissfully, caressing the communication stone in her hand.

“I still need to figure out what to say the next time I call my beauty.”