The Yellow-Haired Villain in Soaring Phoenix’s Novels Also Desires Happiness - Chapter 283



61. Challenge

“It seems that there’s no way to return leisurely today.”

Mu En, who was heading toward the dormitory, suddenly stopped, turning to look around.

Birds flew across the sky.

Bare branches swayed in the northern wind.

It was very quiet all around.

Yet, in this quiet atmosphere, it gradually became a bit lively without anyone realizing it.

Figures appeared in the corners of his vision, silently casting inexplicable glances this way.

“That was quick…”

Mu En caught a glimpse of those oddly shaped birds soaring in the winter sun:

“That senior Mingte from the news agency is really impatient.”

“Sorry.”

Beside them, Senior Fanny let out a helpless sigh:

“I can’t help but take you back to the dormitory, Mu En.”

“No, thank you, Senior Fanny.”

Mu En turned to smile at Senior Fanny, expressing his gratitude.

“Actually, it’s unnecessary.”

Mu En understood that Senior Fanny’s intention in accompanying him was to use her position as the top student in her third year to intimidate those who might want to challenge him.

Because if it was a challenge, there was a clear loophole to exploit.

— That is, as long as Mu En did not accept or chose to hide, the challenge simply would not stand.

So Fanny thought that by taking Mu En to the dormitory, he could hide there until the day of departure, and naturally, nothing would happen, since the academy would definitely not allow any fighting to occur in the dormitory.

However, it wasn’t just Fanny who thought of this.

“Mu En Campbell, I thought you went to the office to cry and beg Professor Plang to take back those words.”

Not far in front of Mu En, a man slowly stepped out from the shadows.

His physique was far more robust than that of an ordinary student, and through his tight uniform, one could clearly see how strong his muscles were.

Beneath his composed face was a very prominent beard, resembling the mane of a lion, making him appear more mature than his peers.

“Lion! Alzer!”

Fanny’s expression suddenly turned serious.

“You actually want to get involved too?”

“Of course, as a devout believer of the goddess, how could I miss this opportunity to pilgrimage to the Holy City?”

Alzer took out a small statue of the goddess, touched it to his forehead, muttered something, and then solemnly put the statue away.

His imposing gaze swept over Fanny, his expression darkening slightly before landing on Mu En:

“What’s wrong? Unable to persuade the professor, so you choose to hide behind a woman? You really haven’t disappointed me, Mu En Campbell.”

“Hmm?”

Mu En did not mind Alzer’s sarcastic remark, glancing at Alzer’s beard, unable to help but raise an eyebrow.

That title, along with that appearance.

It always gave a feeling of being taken advantage of, which was somewhat unpleasant.

“Alzer, what kind of skill is it to bully a second-year as a third-year? If you have the guts, come at me…”

Fanny was about to step in to stop Alzer for Mu En when she noticed Mu En suddenly take a step forward, positioning himself in front of her.

“It’s okay, Senior Fanny.”

Mu En turned back and smiled:

“Thank you for your help, but please believe me, I can handle this…”

“You…”

Fanny hesitated, wanting to say something but holding back.

To be honest, she was one of those who didn’t believe Mu En could get through this on his own; otherwise, she wouldn’t have come to help him.

But just thinking about the miracles he had created in the past…

“Alright.”

Fanny sighed lightly and took a few steps back.

“But you need to be careful. That lion, Alze, is no easy opponent. His strength ranks in the top five among the third years, and he’s known for his brutal attacks and vicious moves. I’ve suffered quite a bit at his hands, you absolutely cannot confront him head-on…”

“I understand.”

“Sigh, you…”

Seeing Mu En’s indifferent expression, Fanny couldn’t help but sigh again.

No matter what, he shouldn’t underestimate the situation.

“Finally not hiding behind a woman anymore?”

As Mu En stepped out, Alze flexed his strong muscles, revealing a cruel smile.

“Although facing the son of a duke excites me, I still advise you… it’s best if you voluntarily give up that position!”

“Oh?”

Mu En asked:

“Why?”

“Ha, I really can’t tell if you’re genuinely foolish or just pretending. Do you think you can leave so easily if you don’t step aside? I’m just at the first hurdle.”

Alze slightly turned to the side, showing him the figures behind him that were itching to move.

“Luns!”

“Blanqui!”

“Doranmus!”

Fanny’s increasingly grave exclamations rang in Mu En’s ears:

“You all came too?”

It was impossible for Fanny to remain heavy-hearted.

She was the top of the third years, but precisely because of that, she knew how troublesome these people could be.

They were all outstanding third years, and their backgrounds were no simple matter. Although they couldn’t compare to Mu En, they were backed by some renowned noble families.

A whole year’s gap; aside from the anomaly that was Ariel Bugard, how could it be so easily erased?

Not to mention Mu En Campbell, who was at the bottom of the grade last semester.

“Sure enough, it’s quite lively here.”

Mu En’s gaze swept over those who wore expressions like big bad wolves eyeing little lambs, his demeanor still very casual.

“And…”

Mu En looked around again, unable to help but click his tongue.

There are just too many onlookers, aren’t there?

Do they all want to see me make a fool of myself?

It’s just a bit of a pity; I’m really not good at showing off.

Otherwise, this would be a perfect place to flaunt and slap some faces.

With that thought, Mu En stepped forward, walking towards Orze, who had challenged him.

……

……

“Oh, oh, has it started?”

In the classroom of the news agency, Ming Ge was excitedly flailing his arms, seeing everything clearly through the eyes of the flying birds.

“I didn’t expect the first challenge to be a boss-level hell difficulty! What should I name the news? Major Crisis! The Lion King’s Son Faces the New Era Lion?

No, no, let’s talk about the news later; the most important thing now is to set the stage, let’s see… how many moves can Mu En Campbell last against Orze!

Haha, this time I’m definitely going to make a fortune!”

……

“Wow, it’s so lively right after returning to the academy.”

By the window in the corridor, Weir gazed at the two people confronting each other not far away, gloating as she said:

“That lion Orze’s name, even I’ve heard of it. Mu En Campbell is going to suffer a big loss this time, don’t you think, president?”

“…”

Beside her, Celicia remained expressionless, her cold gaze locked on that figure, not uttering a word.

……

“Damn it, that guy Orze got ahead of me!”

Luns slammed his fist into the wall beside him, infuriated:

“That muscle-bound guy is only this clever at a time like this!”

“Get ready to intercept Orze. With that guy’s personality, he might just hide away after defeating Mu En Campbell, not giving us a chance to challenge.”

Blan quietly shifted his position, already trending towards blocking Orze’s escape route.

“No worries, a full seven days, he can’t hide for that long.”

Dolanmus appeared much steadier, yet he didn’t glance at Mu En at all, instead subtly directing his attention to the guys beside him, saying meaningfully.

“The mantis stalks the cicada, while the yellow sparrow waits behind. In this game, only those who can laugh until the end are the true winners.”

……

“Oh, so you’ve chosen to take the initiative and attack?”

Watching Mu En step by step approach him, Aozel instinctively curled the corners of his mouth.

This guy is even more overconfident than he imagined.

He is nothing compared to that legendary Lion King.

Aozel’s mind once again recalled the image of that Lion King when he first saw him; how magnificent, how imposing he was. In his gaze, there seemed to be a pride and authority capable of crushing everything into pieces.

Unlike the Mu En Campbell before him, who, aside from being handsome, is utterly worthless.

However, fortunately, Mu En Campbell is not like that Lion King.

As father once said, Belrand… no, it should be the Blood of Glory, absolutely will not allow a second Lion King to appear in this world!

A second Lion King who, merely by name, could make those dirty commoners with their vile bloodlines willingly follow him!

So…

Even if the rumors say you, Mu En Campbell, have turned over a new leaf, even if you, Mu En Campbell, have started to work hard again…

I will absolutely not allow it.

I want to utterly, completely, and mercilessly crush Mu En Campbell in front of everyone, make him cry, make him suffer, make him kneel before me and beg for mercy, and bring him to ruin once again.

I want to completely grind him into the mud in front of everyone!

Never to rise again!

As Mu En continued to approach step by step, Aozel’s smile grew increasingly sinister.

Alright, what kind of method should I use to achieve that effect?

Ah, right, let Mu En Campbell make the first move.

Only in this way can the true disparity in strength be demonstrated, can Mu En Campbell be driven to despair, and can everyone clearly see that he is still that useless waste.

Exactly like that!

Aozel’s body was tense, every muscle coiling with power.

The more it was like this, the less he would show mercy.

He would wait for Mu En Campbell to launch the attack first, and then with absolute strength, showcase Mu En Campbell’s weakness to everyone!

Come on, Mu En Campbell!

Aozel grew more excited, his gaze fixed on Mu En, on the steps he was taking closer, on the hands that hung naturally by his sides.

Come on, come on!

Let me see what kind of attack you will launch… huh?

Aozel suddenly froze.

Because Mu En did not launch an attack.

He simply walked closer, closer, and then… brushed past himself…

Hmm?

What the hell?

Is he not going to strike?

…

“Let’s go.”

Selisia suddenly lost interest in watching and turned to leave.

From noble mtl dot com

“Eh? Eh? Eh?”

Vi’er behind her exclaimed:

“Aren’t you going to watch it to the end, President?”

“To the end?”

Selisia’s gaze flickered for a moment as she said:

“It’s already over.”

…

“Wait, Mu En Campbell, are you trying to escape?”

O’erze looked at Mu En’s back and scolded:

“Do you really not care about the Campbell family’s name…”

“Escape?”

Mu En turned back with a puzzled expression, “When did I escape?”

“You don’t even dare to make a move; what else could that be but running away?”

“Make a move?”

Mu En curled the corner of his mouth, mockingly laughing:

“I already made a move; you didn’t even notice?”

Eh?

O’erze was stunned.

Already made a move?

How is that possible? I didn’t see anything…

In an instant, O’erze felt a chill.

Like being first scorched by the blazing sun, then thrown into a cold wasteland, O’erze shuddered violently.

He stiffly lowered his head, looking at his beautiful, handsome, proud, iconic… beard, each strand slowly drifting down like autumn leaves withering from the trees, with an expression of unimaginable terror and disbelief.

“I’m not targeting the beard, but I hate that you keep that scruffy beard, and I hate your title of lion.”

“You don’t deserve it.”

Mu En toyed with the pure white blade that had appeared in his hand at some unknown time, gently asking:

“From now on, I will call you Mr. Hairless Cat. Do you have any objections?”

“I…”

Feeling the terrifying chill emanating from his neck, capable of killing him a hundred times over, Orze slowly slumped down, a foul stench leaking from his lower body.

“Very well, it seems there are no objections.

In that case…”

Mu En turned again, looking at those yellow sparrows who were horrified by this incomprehensible scene, even unable to utter a sound, and revealed an impeccable noble smile, saying:

“Everyone, I’m in a hurry, so if you don’t mind, next… you can all join in.”