The Yellow-Haired Villain in Soaring Phoenix’s Novels Also Desires Happiness - Chapter 280



58. The Final Choice

“Yay! Lia! You got it too!”

Ariel’s sudden excited exclamation jolted Lia from her brief moment of distraction. The inexplicable ripples from before dissipated, replaced by genuine joy from the bottom of her heart.

She was chosen!

This was just the first step.

But thankfully, she had finally managed to take this step.

Although Ariel had just comforted her, saying she could use other methods, if she had failed this step, she wouldn’t even know how to face returning to the Holy City.

That was close.

Lia let out a long sigh of relief, unable to help but pat her magnificent chest, causing waves to ripple instantly.

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

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The blond man still wore a clean smile, gently applauding to express his congratulations.

Mu En Campbell, you…

“Alright, just got chosen and you’re already getting carried away, showing off like the big cow you are!”

Ariel didn’t notice Lia’s small movements. With a wave of her claws, she revealed an evil smile, habitually preparing to pounce on Lia to playfully tussle, intending to take advantage of the opportunity she had held back from earlier that morning.

But just as her claws were about to succeed…

“Wait, wait a minute.”

Lia’s cheeks flushed slightly as she crossed her arms and quietly took a half step back,

“There are so many people watching.”

Ariel froze.

At that moment, her excitement faded as she felt the gazes directed at them from the surroundings.

Indeed, both candidates appearing in the same spot naturally drew the attention of half the auditorium.

“Sorry… I got too excited.”

Ariel scratched her head awkwardly, but then she tightly hugged Lia, lifting her head fiercely to glare at those watching:

“What are you staring at! What’s so interesting! Haven’t you seen a genius beauty before?”

Liya is hers; how could she be looked at by such a filthy, stinking man?

Not seeing the scene she wanted, a few small sighs of disappointment arose around her, but those gazes quickly shifted away.

This countess’s illegitimate daughter, once looked down upon by many, was now extremely famous throughout the academy. Moreover, she had recently jumped several grades, defeating a fifth-year senior and firmly slapping the faces of those who wanted to humiliate her. Naturally, few were willing to provoke her now.

Seeing the unpleasant gazes avert, Ariel held her head high like a victorious rooster, surveying her surroundings. Finally, as if sensing something, her gaze suddenly fell nearby.

“And you, Mu En Campbell, what are you looking at?”

Ariel raised her brows sharply:

“Quickly take your filthy gaze away!”

“Uh… did I?”

Mu En’s clapping hands froze, blinking his pure eyes:

“I was just offering my congratulations, nothing else.”

“No need for your congratulations. Are you very familiar with Liya?” Ariel huffed angrily.

In her memory, Mu En Campbell had no interaction with Liya at all, yet he always approached her to talk. If he had no ulterior motives, who would believe that?

“Alright, alright, Ariel, you’re too tense.”

Liya gently pushed Ariel, “It’s not that exaggerated; being looked at won’t cost you a piece of flesh.”

“Sigh, Liya, you’re just too kind.”

Ariel snorted a couple of times, shaking her head helplessly.

Kind, cute, pure—these are the captivating qualities that Liya possesses.

These qualities shine like jewels, always attracting the envy of others.

Because of this, she must work even harder to protect her own Liya!

Especially from that guy, Mu En Campbell!

Everyone else has been fooled by him, but only those who have truly seen his former self know what a vile person he is!

However… fortunately, Liya is going to the Holy City with me.

As for you, Mu En Campbell, the duke’s son who has nothing but family background and filthy money…

You’ll forever stay cooped up in Belrand, obediently playing your dandy…

“The last candidate…”

Suddenly, Professor Plang’s deep and serious voice echoed in Ariel’s ear.

“Second year, Mu En… Campbell!”

“What—”

Ariel gasped instinctively, her mind racing.

Not just him; after a brief silence, the entire hall erupted into a cacophony of noise.

Who?

Mu En Campbell?

Which Mu En Campbell?

After a brief daze, everyone came back to their senses.

There could only be one Mu En Campbell in the academy.

But why…

The first few candidates were all well-known elites throughout the academy, so when their names were announced, most people merely sighed and were not surprised.

But him, Mu En Campbell…

Although his reputation and behavior had changed significantly this semester, and raising his score in the Introduction to Magic Fundamentals class to eighty in just a month had been talked about for quite some time.

But for such a candidate evaluation, the primary consideration should be overall strength, right?

Even if Mu En Campbell was no longer that annoying playboy, what strength did he possess?

His achievements this semester were… defeating a second-year student in the martial arts class, and—

Running naked?

Alright, while running naked against a monster was quite impressive, and his physique was commendable, considering his performance last semester as the academy’s notorious bottom dweller, how much stronger could he have become in such a short time?

Moreover, he seemed to have mysteriously disappeared for a while…

Yet he was actually selected, could it be that…

“Mu En Campbell! Did you… pull some strings!”

Ariel suddenly glared at the detestable guy in front of her, furious.

“Isn’t that too shameful!”

What strength did Mu En Campbell have to be chosen?

Just to be safe, she even asked her master about it.

“Peak of the second stage of warrior realm.”

“Magic power… still pitifully low.”

See? He couldn’t use magic, and his warrior realm hadn’t even broken through to the third stage; in terms of realm, he was far behind others!

From any perspective, he shouldn’t have been selected!

Otherwise, what was the point of all her efforts during this time?

She had worked so hard, put in so much effort, and spent so much money…

But this guy, Mu En Campbell, she had caught him sleeping and slacking off several times!

“Damn it…”

Just thinking about having to travel to the Holy City with a guy like this made her…

“Did they really put me on the official list? I thought they would find some other reason to take me along.”

Hearing Professor Plang’s announcement, Mu En was momentarily stunned.

However, he quickly shrugged towards Ariel, who seemed unfazed.

“Believe it or not, I actually wanted to take the back door, I mean, in terms of not going.”

He also noticed the piercing gazes around him, but didn’t pay them much mind.

After all, those people could only glare at him; they couldn’t really do anything.

It was just a pity that the reputation he had worked so hard to regain might take a hit again…

“By the way, there’s one more thing.”

Professor Plang’s voice always sounded just right:

“Since the selection criteria for the list have not been made public, there are doubts regarding the eligibility of certain individuals, and our St. Maria Academy has always upheld the principle of fairness and impartiality, so…”

Hmm?

Mu En watched as the serious corners of Professor Plang’s mouth unexpectedly curled into a smile, and he suddenly had a bad premonition.

Wait a minute, you thick-browed, big-eyed Professor Plang, you wouldn’t…

“So, before the departure date in seven days, any student who meets the criteria can… challenge the selected candidates.”

“And…”

Professor Plang paused, his gaze fleetingly glancing at Mu En:

“By the name of the academy, I swear that these challenges in the next seven days will not involve any identity or status, nor will there be any subsequent retaliation.”

“Damn…”

As soon as Professor Plang said this, Mu En’s expression instantly stiffened.

Because he could clearly feel that the previously dissatisfied gazes around him had suddenly sharpened.

It was as if the once high and mighty lion had suddenly turned into a toothless lamb.

And someone was unabashedly clapping and laughing:

“Haha, Mu En Campbell, you’re done for!”