Ch. 129
Volume 2
Chapter 53 : The Path
The old man could still remember the scene from a year ago.
At that time, just as he had at the start of this semester, he had stood in the office within the great clock tower, gazing out at the spirited young students entering through the academy gates one by one.
He had carried a trace of anticipation in his heart, because he knew that the heir of the Campbell family would be among those passing through those gates.
What he had hoped to see was another young man as dazzling as that Lion King, shining brilliantly once more within this academy.
And so—
When that blond youth appeared in his field of vision, stepping down from a griffin-drawn carriage while surrounded by a cluster of maids, what he felt was nothing but heartfelt disappointment.
Because with a single glance, he had already seen exactly what sort of person that boy was.
Just like so many noble sons this academy had never lacked, he was conceited, arrogant, and haughty to the core, reeking of money and that peculiar affectation so common to the aristocracy.
Only his head was empty.
What that young master of the Campbell family did afterward merely proved that his judgment had been correct.
If he had to sum him up in a few words, then he had been utterly hopeless—beyond correction, beyond saving.
After trying in vain to set him right, he had already given up.
He simply had not expected…
Professor Prang glanced at the present Muen.
In the end, the one who had misjudged things had been himself.
…
“So Father was really that impressive during his academy days?”
After hearing Professor Prang’s description of his father, Muen exclaimed in surprise.
He had thought that the rumors were true, that every generation of the Campbells had been nothing more than thoroughgoing, ultimate muscle-brained brutes.
“When recklessness is backed by strength, it is called bravery and decisiveness. Only when strength is lacking does it become rash and as it happens, none of the Dukes of Campbell throughout history have ever lacked strength.”
As though he had seen straight through Muen’s thoughts, Professor Prang explained leisurely.
“I see.” Muen scratched his head.
That was true.
How could a man who had firmly held the rank of Duke, persuaded the Emperor to arrange a betrothal between his own son and the Emperor’s daughter, and who even now still commanded the armies on the frontier, possibly be nothing more than a simple brute?
And yet…
Could such an outstanding man really have been so blinded by excessive love that he had raised his own son into uselessness?
Parents really were a complicated thing.
Muen could not help sighing inwardly.
“So, Professor Prang, the reason you disliked me so much was not because last semester the only spell I learned was the Light spell?”
Muen asked another question.
Click.
The instant his words fell, Professor Prang’s body visibly stiffened.
“Of course not. How could I possibly dislike you over something so trivial? After all, I had long been prepared for the Campbell family’s talent—or lack thereof—when it came to magic.”
Professor Prang’s tone remained perfectly calm, without the slightest ripple.
“Even your excellent father only ever failed one subject, and that was magic. The only proper spell he ever learned was a spell that could make flowers bloom at any moment, which he learned in order to pursue your mother.”
“Really? Then it seems Father was also hopeless at magic, hahaha…”
“Even so, he only needed two weeks to learn the Light spell.”
Professor Prang turned back, expressionless and speaking in that deep, quiet tone of his.
Yet if one looked closely, one could see the clear finger marks on the cane where his grip had shifted ever so slightly.
“By the way, it only took me three days to teach my cat that spell.”
“…”
And you still say you did not dislike me?
At this rate it feels like you could beat me to death with that cane at any moment!
Muen felt as though a huge danger sign might pop up over his head at any second.
He even began wondering that if Professor Prang really did decide to beat him to death in a place like this, what posture he ought to use to beg for mercy while still preserving the dignity of a Duke’s son.
“However… I admit that you truly have changed, Muen Campbell.”
In the end, Professor Prang did nothing. He merely let out a long sigh, then turned and continued walking deeper into the passage.
“Since you were able to raise your score in Fundamentals of Magic to this extent within a single month, then I believe that for you, even the Campbell family’s curse of being poor at magic can be broken with ease. You may truly surpass your father and become the finest Duke of Campbell in history.”
“That praise is a little too much.”
Muen had not expected Professor Prang to praise him so suddenly, and he felt a little embarrassed.
“Is it? In the past, I could have said so with certainty. But ever since witnessing your change, I have begun to lose faith in these old eyes of mine as well. However…”
Professor Prang’s tone suddenly shifted.
“What I did not expect was that you, Muen Campbell, would make such a choice.”
“Hmm?”
A question mark practically appeared over Muen’s head as he looked in confusion at Professor Prang’s back.
Then he reacted. Was Professor Prang talking about… Teacher Mera?
“The road pursued by Mentor Meradomir—even I do not know it in full detail, but I do know that it is not a bright and level road. At the very least, for someone like you, Muen Campbell—for a Duke’s son with limitless prospects ahead of him—it is not a road worth choosing.”
Professor Prang continued:
“You should have had better, steadier options before you. If all you wanted was strength, then the inheritance of the Campbell family is by no means weak. You need only walk forward one step at a time, steadily and firmly. Even if you still scored only three points in Fundamentals of Magic, your future attainments as a warrior would still inevitably break into the Crowned rank and make you a Crowned One and even if you dislike the Campbell family’s reputation for being brutes, as the Duke’s son, your resources and starting point far surpass those of ordinary people. If you brought the same tenacity and effort that let you climb to excellence in a single month to some other path, then your future accomplishments would certainly not be low and yet, you seem strangely urgent—so urgent that one cannot help but wonder…”
Professor Prang turned back once more. In his aged yet still sharp eyes there was a trace of searching inquiry.
“As the heir of the Campbell family, a future pillar of the Empire, perhaps even the future consort of Her Highness the Princess, Muen Campbell… what exactly is it that you are afraid of?”
“I…”
Faced with Professor Prang’s question, Muen opened his mouth soundlessly.
Afraid of what?
Naturally, it was nothing other than Fate.
If he could, he would not want to struggle this desperately either.
He too wanted to walk forward step by step toward a bright future, and beneath the ringing of church bells and falling rose petals, marry the person he loved.
He too wanted to be nothing more than an ordinary Duke’s son, to wait until his father grew old—or decided to retire—and then succeed him, inherit the legacy of the Campbell family, and live out his life beneath that legendary surname.
He wanted to live.
He wanted to be happy.
It was that simple.
But Fate would not allow it.
Fate would not allow a blond villain like him to exist within the original course of the story.
He was supposed to die. Supposed to die more than once.
And what he was facing was not something the name “Campbell” alone could solve.
That prophetic dream hung at his throat like a blade, urging him onward.
And so he could only take the risk of walking an unorthodox road.
Even if that road also led into a future shrouded in mist.
He still had to try.
He had to try with everything he had—
to resist Fate.
“It seems you have already made your decision.”
Professor Prang looked at Muen, at the molten fire and blood blazing in his eyes, then withdrew his gaze.
“In that case, I will ask no more. Even as your teacher, the one who ultimately makes the choice is still you.”
Professor Prang raised a hand and pressed it against a precise instrument.
Then, accompanied by the roar of steel, an enormous gate like a doorway leading straight into the heavens slowly opened before Muen.
A blinding light flooded out through the doorway into the darkness where Muen stood, forcing him to narrow his eyes, unable for a moment to see the road ahead clearly.
“Go.”
Professor Prang said:
“Mentor Meradomir is waiting for you, Muen Campbell.”