Eighty

Volume Two

Title: Chapter 44: Eighty

“Who are you?”

Ewan asked, his brows furrowed in confusion.

He had been at the academy for quite some time, and he was certain he hadn’t provoked any young girls.

Could this be trouble caused by the original owner?

No, given the original owner’s discerning taste, he wouldn’t have been interested in such a young girl.

“E-Ewan… do you not remember me?”

The young girl rose from the bushes, dry leaves clinging to her head. She pushed up her crooked black-rimmed glasses, which had slipped due to her excitement, and spoke softly. “I’m Sally Friend. Like you, I’m a second-year student. I was also in the combat skills class before.”

“Sally Friend?”

Ewan stroked his chin, pondering. The name still didn’t ring any bells.

And the combat skills class… He had scanned the students below so many times then, searching for the source of that inexplicable malice. Yet, he recalled no sight of such a small girl in the arena.

Was she truly that unremarkable?

“Ewan, you might not remember my name, but… but there’s one thing. If I mention it, you should know.”

Sally lowered her head, not daring to meet Ewan’s gaze, and stammered, “The… the library… after-school lessons?”

Ewan froze at her words.

‘What ominous keywords! They invite all sorts of strange associations!’

‘And you, a prim and proper honor student, saying such things to me, a delinquent with bright hair? Are you truly not afraid of causing trouble?’

Ewan couldn’t help but complain inwardly.

Suddenly, a flicker of understanding seemed to spark within him.

‘Eh?’

‘Wait a minute?’

‘These words…’

Ewan instantly remembered. “Oh, you’re the young girl who misunderstood me in the library that day?”

“Y-Yes, that’s right.” Sally nodded vigorously.

“So it was you.”

Ewan rubbed his chin.

When he had first arrived at the academy, he had sought out a student to tutor him and found this young girl in the library. However, his terrible reputation back then—that of a playboy juggling a dozen relationships, a veritable ladies’ killer—had led this innocent girl to believe he harbored ill intentions. This had caused a misunderstanding, and she had even kicked him for it.

“So… why were you following me?” Ewan asked, puzzled.

“B-Because I wanted to apologize to you, Ewan.” Sally said in a low voice.

“Apologize?” Ewan was taken aback.

“I’m truly sorry, Ewan. I misunderstood you back then.”

Sally clasped her hands tightly, bowing her head respectfully as she apologized. “At the time, I was misled by the rumors and thought you were a scoundrel who deceived girls, which is why…”

“Later, after some recent events, I gradually realized that you weren’t as bad as I imagined. Thinking back, I now understand… perhaps you really just wanted help with lessons.”

“That’s exactly what it was.”

Ewan smiled helplessly.

Yet, thinking back now, he felt a small pang of gratitude for Sally’s misunderstanding.

Because of it, he had been able to meet Celicia.

“Normally, I never get a chance to see you, Ewan, so I took this opportunity to quickly…”

“Which means you skipped combat skills class?” Ewan asked, surprised.

“A-Anyway, Professor Cade left, didn’t he?” Sally’s cheeks flushed faintly.

As she spoke, she suddenly produced a bamboo basket covered with a red cloth from behind her back, holding it out to Ewan with both hands.

“What is this?”

“It’s a small token of my sincerity.”

Sally, seemingly shy, shuffled her feet on the ground, drawing circles. “I couldn’t possibly come to apologize empty-handed, so I prepared a gift.”

“You really didn’t have to.”

Ewan smiled at her words. “I’ve long forgotten about that incident. There’s no need for an apology.”

“But… but I would feel very uneasy if I didn’t.”

Sally exclaimed, “Please accept it, Ewan!”

“Is that so? What’s inside?”

“S-Some pastries I made myself.”

Sally said, a hint of embarrassment in her voice, “My family isn’t well-off, and we don’t have much money, so this is the only way I can apologize.”

“Handmade pastries…”

Ewan lifted the cloth from the bamboo basket, and immediately, a tempting aroma of cake wafted out, making his mouth water.

It was clear that Sally’s culinary skills were quite impressive.

“In that case, I’ll accept it.”

If it had been anything precious, he certainly couldn’t have taken it. But since she had poured her heart into it, Ewan felt that refusing would be impolite.

“Th-Thank you!”

“I should be the one thanking you. The cake looks delicious.”

“Th-Then I won’t bother you anymore, Ewan. Goodbye!” Sally bowed deeply. “I’ll bring you new pastries to eat in the future!”

“Huh? In the future?”

Before Ewan could react, Sally turned and fled as if escaping, departing swiftly.

However, her slightly stiff, almost stumbling steps revealed that she had been incredibly nervous in Ewan’s presence.

“Sally Friend, huh? A rather nice girl.”

Watching Sally’s retreating figure, Ewan couldn’t help but smile.

He glanced at the cake in the red-covered bamboo basket. “Looks like I won’t need to go to the cafeteria.”

With that, he changed direction, preparing to head straight back to his dorm.

He carried the bamboo basket, his steps light.

“I almost feel like Little Red Riding Hood in the forest, don’t I?”

Ewan murmured to himself, making a joke only he would understand.

****

The wind, at some unknown moment, began to stir again, causing the entire forest to rustle.

Along with the forest breeze, the chill of late autumn seeped through Ewan’s sleeves and trouser legs, greedily licking at his skin.

Ewan shivered.

Just a moment ago, he had been thinking of rushing back to the dorm to put on another layer of clothing. But in the next instant, he suddenly stopped.

His expression grew solemn.

He had once again felt that lurking gaze, hidden within the autumn wind.

“Not Sally?”

Ewan frowned, then realized. Sally had only been following him to apologize, so how could that gaze be so cold, carrying a chill that made his hair stand on end?

“Now that I feel it again, it might… not even be a pervert.”

Just as he was thinking this, Ewan suddenly noticed the rustling of the nearby bushes and leaves.

Something was approaching.

“Who’s there!”

Ewan uttered a low cry, his hand already discreetly moving behind his back.

Then, the bushes parted, and what first caught Ewan’s eye was… a pair of glowing green, cold, and cruel eyes.

This was…

“A wolf?”

Ewan was momentarily stunned, even thinking he had seen wrong, and blinked hard.

But it was indeed a wolf—a blood-red wolf, more than half the height of a man. Despite its strikingly crimson fur, Ewan hadn’t noticed its presence until it stepped out from the bushes.

“What the hell?”

Ewan glanced at the red-covered bamboo basket in his hand, a corner of his mouth twitching. “Does Little Red Riding Hood always have to meet the Big Bad Wolf?”

Despite his internal grumbling, Ewan dared not relax in the face of the blood-red wolf before him.

This was St. Mary’s Academy; who knew what strange creature this abnormally colored wolf might be?

Was it a professor’s pet?

Or had a magical beast from the infamous Magical Beast Club escaped again?

Regardless, his intuition told Ewan that the current situation was far from good.

The crimson giant wolf did not rush to attack. Instead, it paced back and forth a short distance from Ewan.

It seemed to be searching for Ewan’s weakness, biding its time.

Ewan also dared not relax, his gaze fixed on the blood wolf as he slowly shifted his position.

No matter the wolf’s origin, the wise choice was not to engage it, but to quickly make an escape.

This was the academy; as long as he didn’t encounter one of those adorable first-years, even bumping into an old man sweeping the streets would be enough to help Ewan easily deal with this wolf that had appeared out of nowhere.

Moreover, the path he was on wasn’t too secluded. He just needed to wait a bit for students to finish classes, and then…

At that very moment, a chill swept over him.

The premonition of death, honed by countless brushes with it in the Black Book, clamped onto his hair like a mischievous child from a relative’s house.

‘Turn around! Turn around!’

‘Danger is behind me!’

Without hesitation, Ewan spun around, only to see a blood-red shadow lunging at him from amidst the verdant green.

‘A second one!’

‘The first wolf feigned sleep to lure the enemy?’

‘Damn it! That smart?’

With no time to think, Ewan slammed the bamboo basket in his hand towards the blood wolf.

The basket, of course, caused no damage, but the red cloth covering it unfurled, momentarily obstructing the blood wolf’s vision.

The fragrant pastries scattered everywhere.

Without a moment to regret the loss, Ewan used his free hand to press down on the blood wolf’s head. Then, the hand he had kept hidden behind his back emerged, plunging his clenched short blade into the vital spot of the blood wolf’s neck.

Blood spurted, and the blood wolf whimpered a few times before convulsing and falling still.

But Ewan had no time to catch his breath.

He could already feel the stench of blood and fierce wind surging from the other side.

The first blood wolf hadn’t been idle; the moment Ewan turned to fight the second, it lunged without hesitation.

Its sharp claws extended, its fangs bared, aiming for Ewan’s vitals like a predator attacking its prey.

Ewan didn’t turn around, knowing there wasn’t enough time. He simply twisted his body, guided by premonition and instinct.

*Crack, crack, crack.*

A crisp sound, like popping beans, emanated from Ewan’s body. It was as if hundreds of bones rubbed together, and numerous joints shifted in defiance of all reason.

Ewan’s body twisted into a bizarre arc, incredibly managing to dodge the blood wolf’s pounce at such close range.

However, the blood wolf’s sharp claws still scraped harshly across his shoulder, leaving several gruesome gashes!

Feeling the stinging and burning pain in his shoulder, Ewan’s expression hardened. He reached out and plunged his hand into the blood wolf’s maw.

The barbed tongue scraped his skin, and sharp canines pierced his flesh. The intense pain in his palm and shoulder simultaneously assaulted his nerves.

Yet, Ewan held the blood wolf’s lower jaw tightly, as if gripping the handle of a wooden club.

Then, with a twist of his wrist, he rotated, swung, and slammed it down!

The blood wolf’s body arced in a perfect semicircle through the air, flipping 180 degrees before its back smashed hard onto the ground, exposing its vulnerable belly.

Without hesitation, Ewan pressed down, then plunged the short blade in his hand into the blood wolf’s heart.

The blood wolf struggled for a moment, then quickly fell still.

Ewan pulled out the short blade, leaning against a nearby tree, panting in ragged breaths.

Only a few breaths had passed since the second blood wolf had attacked him.

Yet, the sheer danger of it still left him with a lingering fear.

After all, he hadn’t expected a second blood wolf to silently approach him from behind and launch a sneak attack.

“No, I need to leave quickly.”

The blood wolves didn’t seem to be a chance encounter; their attack method felt more like a targeted assault.

Not to mention, that gaze…

Ewan glanced at the wounds on his shoulder and hand, his eyes darkening. After only briefly steadying his breathing, he prepared to leave without hesitation.

But then he heard the sound of flowing water.

A gurgling sound.

Yet there was no water here; where could the sound be coming from?

Ewan lowered his gaze to the ground.

The two blood wolf corpses were melting, like honey under high heat.

They dissolved into two pools of blood.

Soon, the pools of blood churned, bubbling as if boiled by an invisible fire.

Then, from the bubbling blood, new blood wolves emerged, shaking their heads, fangs bared, and claws ferocious, stepping out.

Two had become four.

Four newly born blood wolves exhaled a putrid, bloody scent from their nostrils. Their glowing green eyes revealed coldness and cruelty as they slowly encircled Ewan.

Ewan felt a chill to his bones.

But it wasn’t because of the blood wolves’ encirclement.

In fact, his earlier setback was merely because he was uncertain of these blood wolves’ origins, choosing to observe cautiously, which led to the ambush.

Now that he had a rough idea of the individual strength of these blood wolves, they were only at the level of low-grade magical beasts. Even if surrounded, Ewan was absolutely confident he could escape.

After all, escaping had always been his strong suit.

But the problem was, at this moment, he recognized the origin of these blood wolves.

These were not magical beasts, nor were they pets.

Born from pools of blood, without physical form, yet possessing the ferocity and brutality of real magical beasts.

And with sufficient magical energy, they could endlessly revive from the blood pools, each time in greater numbers and stronger.

This was a special summoning magic, and in Ewan’s memory, only one person used this magic.

A person he, or rather, the original owner, was extremely familiar with.

“Aemon?”

Ewan looked towards the depths of the forest. “Is that you?”

“…” No one answered.

However, footsteps sounded.

A slender shadow, treading on the fallen leaves of the forest, approached Ewan.

“Long time no see, Ewan Campbell.”

The face was hidden in shadow, indiscernible, but the half-exposed corner of a mouth curved, seemingly in a sneering smile. “I didn’t expect you to still remember me. What an honor.”

“You—”

Staring at Aemon, after a brief moment of stunned silence, a sudden rage flared in Ewan’s chest. “Why are you doing this?”

In Ewan’s memories, Aemon Bianchi had an extremely good relationship with him, or rather, with the original owner. After all, he was arguably the original owner’s most loyal henchman, having helped him commit many misdeeds and earning the moniker ‘Wolf of Campbell’. He was once his most capable assistant. Many times, the harassment directed at Ariel was also carried out by him.

For instance, at the beginning of the semester, he had challenged Ariel, only to be stopped by Ewan.

So Ewan never imagined that it would be Aemon who suddenly attacked him, and judging by the situation, it seemed he wasn’t just playing around, but genuinely aiming for his life.

Consequently, a surge of anger, akin to being betrayed by a close loved one, rose involuntarily within Ewan’s heart.

“Answer me, Aemon, why are you doing this? Are you being controlled by someone? Or is it…”

“Ha, why am I doing this?”

Aemon cut Ewan off, his voice hoarse and filled with immense sarcasm. “Isn’t young master Ewan the one who knows best?”

“Me?”

Ewan frowned in confusion.

‘Did I do something?’

But during this time, in order to change himself, Ewan had completely cut ties with his old circle of hedonistic friends. He hadn’t even contacted Aemon.

He certainly wouldn’t regard Aemon as a mere henchman anymore.

‘But why…’

“Ha, hahahaha…”

Seeing Ewan’s bewildered face, Aemon suddenly began to laugh—a loud, chilling, and utterly desolate laugh. “So you don’t understand, Ewan Campbell, you truly don’t understand!”

“You don’t understand how much I hate you now!”

“I wish I could flay you alive, strip your bones, and suck your marrow!”

As his words fell, murderous intent erupted.

Four blood wolves simultaneously transformed into indistinct afterimages, lunging at Ewan.

They were all faster and stronger than before!

In an instant, they sealed off all of Ewan’s escape routes.

It seemed that in the next moment, he would be torn to shreds by these crimson giant wolves.

However.

Ewan was too familiar with Aemon’s Blood Wolf Summoning. He had seen Aemon use this technique more than once, so he knew its weakness intimately.

These blood wolves, though seemingly unkillable, were incredibly troublesome due to their strength and speed, which were exceptional even among Second-Tier creatures. If entangled by them, even a Third-Tier martial artist in the early stages could be exhausted to death.

As for mages, there was no need to mention it; these agile giant wolves were simply the bane of such spellcasters.

However, it was, after all, a special type of summoning spell. All its power lay in offense, and its defense was lacking!

Especially when these giant wolves launched an attack, which required a significant expenditure of the summoner’s magic!

As the blood wolves lunged, Ewan raised his hand, his five fingers curled like claws.

Thunderclap!

A tremendous roar suddenly erupted, and a violent shockwave, controlled by Ewan, surged towards the blood wolf in front of him.

The shockwave pulsed, and the blood wolf whimpered.

Ewan darted forward, seizing the moment the blood wolf was affected, and plunged the short blade in his hand into the wolf’s eye.

It sank in to the hilt!

The blood wolf quickly fell still.

Although it was a summoned creature, it still adhered to the laws of living beings; once a vital spot was hit, it would perish.

However, Ewan knew it would soon revive from the blood pool.

He couldn’t afford to delay!

Ewan grabbed the wolf’s head, and like a professional hammer thrower, he twisted his body one and a half times, flinging the wolf’s corpse away. It smashed into the three blood wolves behind him.

The blood wolves’ pounce was delayed, granting Ewan a brief moment to breathe.

But this precious time was not for him to rest; it was for—

Shadow Step!

Ewan instantly vanished from his spot, only the fallen leaves on the ground, swept up by a gale, swirling everywhere, remained.

In the next moment, Ewan appeared directly in front of Aemon.

Aemon seemed not to have anticipated Ewan’s ability to so quickly break through the blood wolves’ close-range assault, a flicker of surprise appearing on his face.

Then, in his dazed eyes, a fist the size of a cooking pot rapidly approached.

“Aemon!”

Ewan roared, swinging his fist.

The punch landed squarely on Aemon’s cheek, instantly twisting his still-sneering lips.

“Tell me, why?!”

Aemon’s already gaunt body was sent flying backward by the force of that single punch.

He had barely landed.

Ewan, using Shadow Step once more, caught up, straddled him, and brought down another punch.

“Why? Why did you attack me!”

Ewan felt fury burning in his chest, tinging his eyes crimson.

It was like being betrayed by the most intimate person.

No, it wasn’t ‘like’; it *was* betrayal.

For the former Ewan Campbell, Aemon had been his most capable subordinate, his closest minion, his most obedient dog.

Never had the old Ewan Campbell anticipated the possibility of Aemon betraying him.

Thus, this grief, this incomprehension, channeled through this body and the inseparable memories, now ignited the current Ewan Campbell with raging fury.

“Why are you doing this?”

“Who ordered you?!”

“What is your purpose?!”

“Why would you betray me?”

Ewan punched again and again, until his knuckles were stained with warm blood. Yet, even then, Aemon’s lips still curved into a sneering smile.

“I betrayed you? Ewan Campbell, your words are truly laughable!”

Aemon spat a mouthful of blood at Ewan, laughing loudly. “Didn’t you betray me first?”

“What? Me?”

Ewan froze, then roared, “When did I ever betray you?”

“You abandoned me!”

Aemon’s eyes widened, and he shouted, “You abandoned me! Is that not betrayal?”

“Abandoned? I gave you freedom, I stopped you from being a dog. Is that really…”

Ewan angrily grabbed Aemon’s collar, seemingly wanting to land a few more punches.

But at that moment, a ray of sunlight pierced through a gap in the leaves.

It shone directly on Aemon’s face.

Ewan’s raised fist froze in mid-air, and the anger in his eyes slowly receded.

“Aemon, you…”

What a face he saw in his vision.

Aside from the fresh wounds left by Ewan’s punches, this face was unshaven and utterly haggard.

His eyes were bloodshot, as if he hadn’t slept well in a long time, deeply sunken, his cheekbones protruding, as gaunt as a dried corpse.

But why was he so thin? Though he was only a viscount’s second son, he was still a noble. And in Ewan’s memory, when he followed the old Ewan, he had the best food and drink. How could he be this thin?

And…

Only then did Ewan realize.

Aemon seemed… too weak.

Aemon was a fourth-year student, and not a weak one at that. Otherwise, the old Ewan wouldn’t have taken him on as a henchman. Even with Ewan knowing the blood wolves’ weakness, he shouldn’t have broken through so easily. The blood wolves in his memory should have been larger and more terrifying.

That was why he hadn’t recognized them immediately.

But why…

“Aemon, what exactly happened?”

“Heh, what happened? A noble duke’s son, of course, wouldn’t know.”

Aemon’s eyes were bloodshot. “Of course, you wouldn’t know what I’ve been through since you abandoned me.”

Aemon tore open the front of his clothes, exposing his upper body.

Then, the numerous fresh wounds, clearly recent additions, seared into Ewan’s vision.

They were dense, flesh torn open, crisscrossing, utterly horrifying.

He had been severely wounded and his magic was depleted, which was why he was so weak.

“This is…”

“Haha, you’re the Duke’s son. You’ve washed your hands of the past, decided to sever all ties, and so, you abandoned everything from before.

Including the dog you once kept.

That’s perfectly fine, everyone cheers and celebrates. Because from now on, there’s one less bully in the world.

But have you ever considered what happens when that dog, that dog who bit countless people and offended countless others for its master, suddenly loses its master?”

What would happen?

Of course, it would face retaliation.

Those who hated Ewan Campbell.

Those who envied Ewan Campbell.

Those who loathed Ewan Campbell.

Those people naturally wouldn’t dare to do anything to Ewan Campbell, not even utter a harsh word.

Because he was the Duke’s son, the Duke’s only son.

Just as the thirty-five noble children before wouldn’t dare to raise their heads in front of Ewan, his power was unmatched by few.

So this envy, hatred, and loathing would be inflicted with redoubled force upon that masterless dog.

No matter how sharp its fangs and claws, what could that dog do once it lost its master?

When a dog falls into the water, it is naturally beaten.

“So, that’s how it is?”

In Ewan’s mind, Celicia’s words suddenly echoed:

[Ewan Campbell, you’ve cut ties with your past too cleanly.]

[Not everyone will be happy about your change.]

“So, that’s how it is…”

Driven by a strong desire to change himself, Ewan had not looked beyond himself since entering the academy.

He had naturally not spared a glance at his past.

So, he naturally didn’t know that in the shadows where the light didn’t reach, someone had endured so much for him.

“I’m sorry, Aemon…”

At this point, Ewan didn’t know what else to do, so he could only offer a pale apology.

“Apology? Is an apology useful? Is it? No!”

Aemon shrieked, “Do you know how many times I’ve apologized to those people? It’s useless, utterly useless!”

“I…”

Ewan’s expression was ashen, his lips trembling. “Then what do you want me to do? How can I compensate you?”

“Compensate me?”

Aemon suddenly froze.

It was as if he had heard an unexpected answer.

After a brief silence, Ewan suddenly saw Aemon’s lips twitch.

Not a sneer. But a fawning smile.

It was so natural, as if he had done it countless times.

He gripped Ewan’s hand tightly. At that moment, Ewan could almost see a tail wagging behind him.

“Then… Young Master Ewan, let me be your dog again. Just like before, let me be your dog again. I’ll do whatever you want, I’ll bite whoever you tell me to, alright?

Let’s go back to how it was! Alright!”

“Let you… be my dog again?”

Ewan looked at Aemon’s fawning smile and suddenly felt a wave of disgust.

How could he let someone be his dog?

He wasn’t the old Ewan Campbell anymore!

“That’s wrong.”

“Eh?”

“That’s wrong, Aemon. You are a person, not a dog.”

“But, but my purpose in life is to be your dog, Young Master!” Aemon’s eyes widened.

“No one’s purpose in life should be something so ridiculous!”

Ewan shook off Aemon’s tightly gripping hand, then extended his own anew:

“Stop saying disgusting things like being someone’s dog, Aemon. Be my friend. As friends, no one will dare to do anything to you, and I’ll make those who bullied you pay the price.”

“Friend…”

Aemon stared blankly at Ewan’s outstretched hand.

“That’s right, friend.”

“I…”

Aemon’s eyes flickered, as if he was tempted. But in the next moment, his expression turned furious and ferocious again. “I won’t believe it!”

“What?”

“I won’t believe in such an empty word as ‘friend’!”

“It’s not an empty word. These are my sincere feelings, Aemon. I want to be your friend!” Ewan said earnestly.

He didn’t know how to define the word ‘friend,’ but in his memories, Aemon was such an important person to the old Ewan Campbell.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t have been so angry just now.

“But I know you, Ewan Campbell!”

Aemon roared angrily, “As your former dog, I know exactly what kind of person you are! You have no friends, and you don’t need any friends. You only need dogs to command and toys for your amusement!”

“…” Ewan opened his mouth, speechless.

On that point, he had nothing to say.

Because the original Ewan Campbell was indeed such a scumbag.

Or rather, in the eyes of others, he was such a scumbag.

But…

“That was in the past.”

Ewan said with a determined expression, “Didn’t you just say it? I’ve washed my hands of it all. I’m not the same person I used to be. I am not a scumbag now!”

“But you’ve only changed your actions. Actions are easy to change, but what about your nature? Isn’t nature what determines everything?”

“My nature has changed too!”

“What proof do you have!”

“I…”

What proof? What could prove a person’s fundamental change?

To prove something, one naturally needed a more powerful deed.

“Aemon, you know, right? I only scored three points on my Magical Fundamentals Theory exam last semester.”

“Hm?”

Aemon was taken aback. He knew, of course; the whole academy knew. He just didn’t understand why Ewan was suddenly bringing it up.

“Do you also know that my Campbell family is a true family of brutes? From top to bottom, not a single one is skilled in magic. Even our library, apart from combat technique books, only contains some inexplicable miscellaneous texts. My ancestors would rather fill it with books like *Postpartum Care for Sows* than a single magic book.”

“…”

“You could say that the mark of being unskilled in magic is etched into the very bloodline of our Campbell family,” Ewan stated. “But you know, a few days ago, someone suddenly told me to pass the next Magical Fundamentals Theory exam.”

“First-year?”

“Second-year!”

Ewan declared with force, “A second-year exam!”

“How is that possible?” Aemon said instinctively.

From three points to a passing grade, no matter how one looked at it, the leap was quite significant.

“Yes, how could it be possible?”

Ewan smiled, a hint of self-mockery, then his expression suddenly turned serious. “But I’m going to do it.

I will score sixty points on that exam, I will pass, I will achieve a score that will astound everyone!

In the name of Ewan Campbell! I will shock everyone who thinks I can’t do it!”

Ewan extended his hand to Aemon once more. “Aemon, how about we make a bet? If, one month from now, I can successfully pass the exam, if I can successfully break the Campbell family’s ‘curse,’ then wouldn’t that prove to you that I have the determination and the ability to change my true nature?

So, when that time comes, you’ll agree to be my friend, alright?”

Aemon stared blankly at Ewan; he seemed to discern an unshakeable resolve in the golden-haired man’s eyes.

“…But, merely sixty points, I could also…”

“If sixty isn’t enough, then eighty!”

Ewan gritted his teeth and roared.

“If you think merely passing isn’t enough, then I’ll strive for an even higher level of excellence!”

“Eighty…”

Aemon’s eyes suddenly widened. “Are you crazy?”

For any exam, if sixty points for passing was a watershed, then eighty points for excellence was another. One represented merely getting started, an achievement attainable with diligent study, while the other represented a thorough mastery of the subject. It required not only effort but also method, and a touch of luck.

Especially for Magical Fundamentals Theory, with its intricate knowledge points, many who had diligently studied throughout still hovered around the seventy-point mark. The excellence rate for this subject in the entire second year was only about twenty percent.

If Ewan going from zero to passing in a month was as difficult as occupying Paris before France surrendered, then achieving excellence in a month was akin to leading the Gambian army to utterly crush the five permanent members of the UN Security Council and winning—an ultimate hellish difficulty.

Even someone as not-so-bright as Aemon instantly realized this was an impossible feat.

“I am crazy. I know this is impossible, but didn’t you say that my changing my nature was also impossible?”

Ewan gazed into Aemon’s eyes, the burning fire deep within his pupils seeming to ignite everything.

“If that’s the case, then I will accomplish another impossible feat to prove the possibility of this impossible one!”

Ewan’s words echoed through the silent forest, like a thunderbolt striking, so deafening.

For some reason, looking at this Ewan Campbell, who seemed utterly unfamiliar, all the hatred and anger accumulated in Aemon’s heart vanished.

It was as if ice and snow had been hit by sunlight, gradually melting away.

Unconsciously, Aemon reached out his hand, grasping the one that looked so warm and reassuring.

Ewan couldn’t help but smile.

‘Excellent.’

‘This matter…’

‘Can finally…’

‘Hm?’

Ewan’s expression suddenly froze.

Because as their hands clasped, Ewan did not feel the expected sense of reassurance.

Instead, he felt… pain.

A terrifying force emanated from the other’s palm, almost crushing his hand.

“Aemon, you?”

“Eh?”

Ewan was about to question him, but he saw that Aemon also wore a bewildered expression.

Then, a look of agony crossed his face.

The veins on his forehead pulsed violently, as if he were enduring unbearable torment.

“Aemon? Aemon, what’s wrong?”

Noticing something amiss, Ewan, disregarding the pain in his hand, asked worriedly.

Aemon clutched his chest, and dark, snake-like veins writhed beneath his skin.

“Medicine.”

“What medicine?”

“That woman… the magic potion she gave me… my magic was actually depleted before… I only accumulated a little magic because of that potion, but…”

“Woman, what woman?”

“I don’t know… Ah!”

Aemon suddenly shrieked in pain. His already gaunt body swelled like a balloon, rapidly increasing in size, tearing through his student uniform. On the surface of his skin, strands of black hair, like tempered steel, began to grow!

In Ewan’s stunned gaze, in just a few breaths, Aemon suddenly transformed into a grotesque… werewolf!

“Holy crap, what kind of dark fairy tale is this?”

‘Little Red Riding Hood can not only meet the Big Bad Wolf, but even a werewolf?’

‘Where’s Old Fan? Come save me!’

Unfortunately, Old Fan wasn’t here, nor was there even a third person.

Thus, Aemon’s crimson eyes, seemingly devoid of all reason, immediately locked onto the only living person besides himself.

He exuded a ferocious aura that made one’s breath catch.

Ewan’s face stiffened, instinctively wanting to put distance between himself and this formidable-looking creature.

But this action, which should have been incredibly simple for him, failed.

Because Aemon was still gripping his hand!

Ewan’s expression shifted slightly. He tried to break free, but Aemon’s hand was like an iron clamp, rendering him immobile.

‘Damn it, what should I do? Should I just abandon this arm?’

Just a brief moment of hesitation seemed to seal his fate.

Ewan’s vision blurred. Before he could react, he felt his breath suddenly catch.

Aemon’s other hand—no, it should be his other claw—suddenly seized his neck!

The claw tightened gradually, immense force compressing his flesh. Ewan could even feel his cervical vertebrae groaning.

Due to the disparity in size, Ewan’s feet were now dangling in the air, rendering him powerless.

When he raised his one movable hand and fiercely struck Aemon’s arm with the other short blade, the blade’s contact with the black fur produced a sound like metal clashing against metal.

‘What the hell?’

‘Was that fur really made of steel? Was that not just a figure of speech?’

In an instant, Ewan felt genuine despair.

He knew his advantages and strengths, and he understood that this was simply the worst possible situation for him.

Aemon stared at him ferociously, his bloodshot eyes filled with bloodthirsty joy. It was as if he could already see Ewan’s blood splattering before him.

‘What to do? What now?’

Feeling the suffocating sensation grow stronger, his mind instantly becoming hazy, Ewan rapidly searched for a way to escape.

‘The Black Book?’

But the Black Book didn’t seem to have a way to directly enhance strength.

‘Then there’s only…’

‘The Crimson Flame of the Withering King?’

‘But…’

‘This is the academy, and if I use that flame that burns everything to ashes, Aemon will definitely…’

‘What other methods…’

‘There are no other methods.’

‘Damn it.’

‘Am I still helpless?’

‘Am I still so weak?’

‘Am I…’

“Sigh.”

On the verge of losing consciousness, Ewan suddenly heard a sigh.

Not from the Black Book.

But from…

“Freeze.”

A crisp voice spread through the forest.

And with it, a terrifying chill.

Like a blizzard that could engulf the world, the verdant forest quickly became covered in a layer of pure white.

Ewan saw a look of terror appear on the werewolf’s face before him, and then, it could no longer move.

It was encased in a layer of azure ice, which moments ago had been so terrifyingly ferocious. But now, as Ewan looked at it, he found it as comical as a Neanderthal frozen in a glass display case at a museum.

A hand suddenly grabbed Ewan’s neck, pulling him down.

“Cough, cough…”

Ewan clutched his throat, coughing dryly, fiercely gulping air. Then he looked up at the familiar silver-haired figure beside him.

“Celicia, what are you doing here?”

As he spoke, Ewan suddenly chuckled. He felt like he was always asking her that question.

Celicia gazed at the werewolf in the ice, seemingly lost in thought.

Hearing Ewan’s question, she turned, her voice cool. “If I told you I was here from the beginning, watching you foolishly say foolish things to that fool the whole time, would you be angry?”

“Eh?”

Perhaps due to a lack of oxygen, Ewan’s mind was momentarily slow to react.

Celicia ignored him, turning back as if talking to herself. “I was hoping to bait out the big fish hiding behind the scenes. But the other party seems more cautious than I imagined. What a pity.”

As her words fell, elite student council members in red uniforms swiftly entered, efficiently applying various restraints to Aemon in the ice.

“Wait?”

Ewan suddenly called out to them. “What are they planning to do?”

“Don’t worry, we’re just temporarily sealing Aemon to treat him and ask a few questions.”

Wei’er, the student council secretary with her hair in buns, appeared from seemingly nowhere, puffing out her cheeks. “Aemon was likely just misled by someone. We won’t impose any severe punishment on him, though a small lesson will still be in order.”

“I see.”

Ewan nodded, then suddenly, as if remembering something, he stammered to Celicia, “Um, Celicia, could you…”

“You want a list of those who bullied Aemon, don’t you?” As if seeing through Ewan, Celicia spoke directly.

“Yes.”

“…” Celicia looked silently at Ewan, then suddenly stepped closer and lifted her black-stockinged foot.

She abruptly kicked Ewan in the shin.

“Ow! Celicia, what was that for?”

“Since you’ve chosen this path, don’t look back, or I’ll really want to hit you.”

“But…”

“No ‘buts’.”

Celicia leaned down, her cool gaze sternly fixed on Ewan. “Disciplining unruly students is the student council’s duty; you don’t need to worry about it.”

“…” Ewan fell silent.

“It seems you understand.”

The student council elites had almost finished their work. Celicia stood up, preparing to leave with them.

“By the way, do you need me to take you to the infirmary?” Celicia asked.

“…” Ewan glanced at his shoulder and palm. His recovery speed seemed to be faster than average; the wounds had already scabbed over. So he nodded. “Thank you, no need.”

“Alright then, goodbye.”

“Goodbye.”

“Oh, right.”

Celicia suddenly turned back to Ewan, saying earnestly, “Although it’s almost impossible for someone with your brain and your skill level to score eighty on next month’s exam, still… good luck.”

“…” Ewan was momentarily stunned, then forced a smile uglier than a cry. “I will, thank you.”

****

After Celicia left.

Silence descended.

Ewan lay amidst the lingering pure white, staring blankly at the distant sun through the gaps in the leaves.

Suddenly, as if blinded by the sun, he covered his eyes with his arm, muttering, “Son of a b*tch—”

Footsteps, light as a cat’s, echoed through the forest.

A young woman in a strict uniform, though it did little to conceal her graceful figure, approached and slowly knelt beside Ewan.

“It seems I still arrived too late.” Anna said, sighing as she surveyed the messy forest.

After a thought, she suddenly shifted, gently lifting Ewan’s head and placing it on her lap.

‘A lap pillow.’

Ewan’s arm, covering his eyes, trembled slightly.

“There, there, junior, don’t cry anymore.” Anna gently stroked Ewan’s head, as if caressing a kitten.

“I’m not crying,” Ewan said.

“Mm, junior isn’t crying, junior is very strong.”

The leaves rustled, the sunlight flickered, and it was somewhat cold.

“Senior.”

“Hm?”

“I’m going to score eighty.”

“Ah.”

Anna stroked her cheek, a hint of distress in her expression. “When you said sixty points before, junior, you already scared me. No matter what, eighty is a bit too difficult.”

“But I’m going to do it.”

“…Alright then.”

Anna lowered her head, smiling softly.

Her eyes curved, and the tear mole at the corner of her eye was quite charming.

“Who told you you’re my adorable junior?”