Chapter 114: The Instigator

“Die, you f***ing faggot!”

The massive fist, wrapped in a biting cold wind, collided with Koren’s disgusting face with a dull thud.

In the suddenly silent Martial Duel Arena, the sound rang out with striking clarity.

Everyone froze, including Instructor Kaide.

For a moment, countless eyes stared in shock at the unexpected incident unfolding in the middle of the arena—no one could even find the words to speak.

Only Muen felt a pure, unfiltered pleasure deep in his chest as he watched that repulsive, simpering bastard’s face contort beneath his fist, body flying backward, passing out before he could even scream.

“Phew... That felt good.”

He exhaled deeply, a sense of cathartic relief spreading through him.

To borrow a line from a cultivation novel: his mental demons were vanquished and clarity returned.

What did noble upbringing matter? What did image matter? None of that compared to knocking the disgusting f*** dead first.

If Instructor Kaide hadn’t been present—and if he hadn’t known there’d be no second chance—he would’ve dashed forward and thrown in another stab for good measure.

“Muen Campbell!!”

But while hitting someone brought momentary satisfaction, the next instant, a mountain-like pressure descended upon him, causing his body to instinctively lower from the weight.

Instructor Kaide let out an earth-shaking roar, his formidable aura rising off him in waves.

What had he just witnessed?

Someone dared—during his class, right before his eyes—to attack another teacher?

This was Saint Maria Academy, the Empire’s most prestigious institution. Here, even Her Highness the Princess was just a regular student. Everyone had to follow the rules of the academy.

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

Kaide reached out a massive hand toward Muen—no matter what, he had to restrain this lawless bastard first.

But just as his hand extended, he saw Muen raise both hands and give a perfectly textbook salute from a certain nation in his past life:

“Whoa whoa whoa, Instructor Kaide, I’m scared of pain. Don’t grab me—I’m not running.”

“You—!”

Kaide’s hand stiffened in midair.

He had never seen anyone this arrogant: punching someone and then not even bothering to flee—standing there so calmly.

“Muen Campbell, do you even realize what you’ve done? Attacking a teacher at Saint Maria Academy—even with your status—you must be severely punished!” Kaide’s expression darkened.

“Indeed, attacking a teacher should be punished.”

Muen nodded, then spread his hands and said,

“But I didn’t hit a teacher.”

He paused and added seriously,

“I hit a bandit. A disgusting bandit. I saw a bandit sneak into the academy and simply eliminated a threat for the good of the people.”

“You’re still spouting nonsense?!”

Kaide was so furious his head felt like it would explode.

“Again and again, you slander an upright and excellent instructor—what is your goal?!”

“I’m not slandering. I’m just telling the truth.”

“You—bastard!”

Kaide was about to lose it and personally teach Muen a lesson.

But this was still the academy, and as an instructor, he didn’t have the authority to dish out private punishment.

Especially not to someone of Muen’s status.

So he had to think about how to handle this properly.

Meanwhile, the students in the audience seats had finally started to process the situation after their initial shock.

What had just happened?

That Muen Campbell actually punched a teacher?

This was wild.

Most students were just eager onlookers, waiting for gossip.

So now, seeing such a rare event unfold, the entire arena practically exploded with excited chatter.

At this point, almost everyone watching was still stuck in the thrill of the unfolding drama. After all, even if they’d liked Koren before, they had no deep connection to him.

No one had started to think seriously yet about who was right or wrong.

Until—

“Muen Campbell, how could you do something like this?”

That sudden accusation cut through the noise with startling clarity.

The arena quieted once more.

Muen’s eyes narrowed slightly as he swept his gaze across the audience.

Nothing.

The voice’s location was clearly different from before.

“Yeah, Muen Campbell, how could you hit a teacher?”

“Hitting a teacher is wrong!”

“Instructor Koren is such a good person...”

“Muen Campbell, even if you’re a duke’s son, this isn’t a place where you can do whatever you want...”

“Apologize.”

“Yeah, apologize!”

Now that someone had taken the lead in condemning him, several students who’d previously held back because of Muen’s status suddenly felt emboldened.

The tall trees catch the most wind—but now that the first tree had fallen, why should they hold back?

Even if Muen Campbell had power and influence, many among them came from noble lineages themselves. Could he really retaliate against them all?

So the chorus of righteous indignation grew louder.

Several students even flushed red with excitement, immersing themselves in the fantasy of being brave heroes confronting a dragon.

That’s right—Muen Campbell, the duke’s son abusing his status, was the evil dragon.

And they? They were the brave warriors standing tall with justice in hand.

Normally, they’d never dare challenge him—but now, standing on moral high ground, what was stopping them from pointing fingers?

—In that moment, what Muen had actually done didn’t matter anymore.

“You all...”

Instructor Kaide frowned, finally sensing something off in the students’ mood. He opened his mouth to interrupt—

“You all reminded me—I'd almost forgotten.”

A clear voice rang out. Muen stepped forward two paces, standing in front of the crowd.

He tidied his slightly wrinkled school uniform, then looked out at everyone with a smile so mild and impeccable, it left no room for criticism:

“I, Muen Campbell, am the famed son of a duke.”

“...”

The arena went completely silent.

Everyone stared at Muen with dumbfounded expressions.

What was he doing?

Was Muen Campbell seriously using his noble status to challenge the crowd?

“Even a duke’s son can’t do whatever he wants!”

Someone in the crowd shouted.

“That’s right—even a duke’s son isn’t above the rules.”

“Muen Campbell, you’re too arrogant!”

“Apologize to the instructor first!”

Voices echoed in support.

“No, I think you’ve misunderstood me.”

Despite the wave of criticism, Muen’s face didn’t change in the slightest.

His gaze swept the crowd as if searching for something, his tone unhurried:

“I have no intention of using my status to pressure anyone. I simply want to prove I’m right.”

“And how will you prove that?”

“Didn’t I just say? I’m a duke’s son.”

Muen looked at the crowd, still smiling, but his voice turned cold and sharp:

“How long do you think it would take the Campbell Ducal Estate to investigate someone’s identity?”

“...”

“One day should be enough.”

He turned to Kaide.

“Instructor Kaide, what do you think? If I can prove that Koren is actually a bandit, then was I wrong to hit him?”

“Well...”

Kaide frowned.

If Koren really was a bandit, then of course Muen’s actions would be justified.

In fact, if Muen had uncovered a dangerous infiltrator, the academy would be obligated to commend him.

But...

How could a regular teacher suddenly turn out to be a bandit?

That kind of identity shift was enormous.

Besides, Koren was rugged, charismatic, and talkative—just the type Kaide admired.

So when Pink Bear assigned him as Kaide’s assistant, he’d been pretty pleased.

But now that he thought about it... Muen Campbell might be infamous, but he wasn’t the type to target someone for no reason.

“Don’t tell me...”

Kaide recalled Pink Bear’s notoriously unreliable behavior, and an ominous feeling crept up his spine.

...

“But what if you forged the results?”

Just as some people were beginning to consider that Muen’s words might hold some truth, that elusive voice rang out again.

Like a skipping stone across a lake’s surface, it stirred the waters once more.

The “righteous” heroes seized upon this new bit of “evidence” against the evil dragon, shouting:

“That’s right! You’re a duke’s son—framing someone must be easy for you!”

“If we give you time, wouldn't that put Instructor Koren in even more danger?”

“Maybe the ducal estate would just kill him off! Gods, that’s terrifying!”

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

Muen’s face darkened.

This wasn’t good. If the public sentiment kept turning this way, his noble status might end up being seen as an obstacle to the truth.

After all, most people deeply distrust power they themselves can’t wield.

Maybe he should just reveal the facts later—or maybe...

“Yes, it’s easy to fake things afterward.”

At that moment, a cold, calm voice echoed across the vast Martial Duel Arena.

“In that case, why not prove it here and now?”

It wasn’t loud, but it carried a natural air of nobility and pride that instantly silenced the arena.

“The Student Council President?”

“Celicia?”

Everyone instinctively turned toward the silver-white figure at the arena entrance, confused expressions on their faces.

“P-President, are you taking Muen Campbell’s side?”

That ever-shifting voice tried once more to pin Celicia down with the accusation of favoritism.

But this time, no one echoed the sentiment.

Because the name “Celicia” held too much weight.

Everyone knew she was engaged to Muen Campbell—but no one believed she would stoop to something as petty as favoritism.

One of the more vocal “righteous” students, face pale, mustered up the courage to ask:

“P-President, what do you mean by proving it ‘here and now’?”

Celicia glanced toward a certain spot in the crowd, a hint of mockery in her eyes, but said nothing. Instead, she turned to Muen and asked:

“Muen Campbell, will you take responsibility for what you just said?”

Muen blinked, then nodded firmly.

“Of course.”

“Slandering and assaulting a teacher is no small crime at Saint Maria.”

“He’s not a teacher. He’s a bandit,” Muen said seriously.

Celicia stared into Muen’s eyes, and after a moment, nodded.

“Very well. I hope your words are true.”

Then she flipped her hand, revealing a uniquely shaped communication stone.

Soon, the stone connected—and a respectful voice came through.

“Your Highness.”

“Connect me to Bellrand’s Third Intelligence Division.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

After some static, an elderly voice answered:

“What does Your Highness require?”

“Search the past three years for wanted criminals in the Bellrand region. Keywords: bandit, Koren, scar, bald, male.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

The stone went quiet.

And the enormous Martial Duel Arena fell into absolute silence.

Everyone stared at the girl who had so casually exercised power beyond their wildest imagination—no one even dared breathe loudly.

Even Muen was internally screaming holy shit.

That’s Celicia for you. That domineering presence that could peel back your entire family tree on a whim... it made him want to clutch her black stocking-clad thighs and belt out a love song in worship.

But still, a bit of worry gnawed at him. What if Koren wasn’t actually on the wanted list...?

“Your Highness, we have results.”

The voice came again.

“Speak.”

“Koren Voso. Bandit. First appeared three years ago in the mountain regions around Lake Beipol. Facial feature: large knife scar. Cultivation level: peak Second Rank.”

“Peak Second Rank?”

Celicia raised an eyebrow. “Such a weak bandit managed to stay active for three years?”

The sound of pages flipping came through the stone, as if someone were checking records.

“According to the report, though Koren Voso’s level isn’t high, he possesses a strange evasion technique and is extremely slippery. He only robs money, never assaults or kills. After several failed attempts to apprehend him, his priority level was lowered—and his bounty is only five thousand Amiels.”

“I see.”

Celicia ended the call.

In short: the people down below thought he wasn’t worth the effort. After some halfhearted attempts, they just ignored him.

He was no real threat.

Which was how this guy had been walking around with the same name and face, even while wanted.

“But what I didn’t expect...”

Celicia’s gaze turned icy.

“...was that our Pink Bear Dean really managed to f*** up this badly.”

Regardless of how low the threat, he was still a bandit.

Normally, for a teacher to enter Saint Maria, they’d go through strict background checks. Even a whiff of dirt in their lineage would disqualify them from setting foot in this academy overflowing with nobles and prodigies.

And yet this place—where your dad sleeping with a prostitute could disqualify you—had let a bandit become an instructor?

If word got out, the whole Empire would laugh.

Even the Evil Gods hadn’t managed this—and Pink Bear had nearly pulled it off.

“So the biggest hole in the academy is actually the Dean?”

Celicia let out a cold chuckle.

No point getting mad. Someone else would handle that idiot later.

Right now...

Celicia looked down at Koren lying on the ground.

“Still going to play dead, Mr. Bandit?”

“...”

“Heh.”

Seeing Koren still unmoving, Celicia raised her hand. A longsword of crystalline ice formed in her grip.

“If you’re still unconscious, I guess I’ll test my sword on you.”

“W-Wait! I’m awake! I’m awake! Please put the sword away!”

Koren scrambled up in a panic, eyes glued to the icy blade in Celicia’s hand.

“My feigned-death technique even fooled Fourth Rank warriors—how did you see through it?”

“I didn’t.”

Celicia lowered the sword and said coldly,

“I «N.o.v.e.l.i.g.h.t» just figured that with Muen Campbell’s soft, weak little body, one punch wouldn’t have knocked you out that long. So I baited you.”