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

Chapter 1: The Return of the Crooked-Mouthed Dragon King

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In the low-key black carriage, Ariel Bougald lifted a corner of the curtain, her gaze crossing over the grand entrance guarded by the enormous statue, peering at the solemn building hidden in the depths not far away.

St. Maria Academy.

One of the empire’s top educational institutions, boasting an immense faculty and teaching resources, it is a place of learning that countless students dream of.

There is a saying about St. Maria Academy: even if a toad were to walk in here, by the time of graduation, it would transform into an elegant and noble swan.

Of course, this is merely an exaggeration, but it does highlight the strength of this academy from a different angle.

“Has it really been a whole year?”

A hint of nostalgia flickered in Ariel’s eyes.

A year ago, after her mother fell ill and passed away, she was taken back by her father, who was a count, and transformed from a commoner into the third daughter of the Bougald Count.

However, becoming the count’s third daughter did not improve her situation; on the contrary, her status as an illegitimate child subjected her to disdain and targeting from those self-proclaimed “pure-blood” nobles at the academy.

Among them was that hateful Mu En Campbell!

Constantly picking on her, always setting her up, nearly every time they met, he would mock her with a quip about being a “dirty servant with lowly blood.”

And the most detestable part was that he was actually the fiancé of Princess Celicia!

How could he be worthy!

Celicia was so coldly beautiful, so exceptional, and she had long set aside her position as the ruler of the Crystal Palace for her.

How could Mu En Campbell be worthy!

It was infuriating; if it weren’t for his universal halo as a duke’s son, she would have long since shaken that brain of his filled with nonsense and kicked him into a useless state to prevent him from polluting the environment with his antics.

But fortunately, even without her intervention, that Mu En Campbell was also a waste.

Arrogant and overbearing, uneducated, and with an inflated sense of self-importance.

It was said that throughout an entire academic year, he had only learned one spell, the illumination spell, which drove Professor Prang of the magic department to lose sleep for three days straight.

Every time she saw him desperately trying to get close to Celicia, relying on his status as her fiancé, Ariel found it amusing.

Go ahead, keep trying; can’t you see the disdain in Celicia’s eyes?

Someone as aloof as her most despises those who cling on like a stubborn piece of gum.

“To win over Celicia, one must naturally work hard to improve oneself like I have, then approach her gradually.”

Ariel’s lips curled into a smirk, unable to suppress her signature rebellious smile.

“In this past year, not only have I rapidly improved my abilities, going from an ordinary person who had never seen magic to now holding the top position in my entire grade.

But in just two short months during the break, I defeated my two foolish brothers and truly earned the title of heir to the count.

I believe, even Celicia cannot help but take notice of me.

It’s time; I can approach her under the pretense of seeking her guidance in swordsmanship, getting close to her casually, and then boosting my favorability.

Over time, heh heh, Celicia will surely be mine!”

Ariel clenched her fist, unable to hold back a small cheer for her perfect plan.

Adjusting the collar of her academy uniform, Ariel stepped down from the carriage, her heart filled with anticipation and excitement as she walked through the academy gates.

“Well, well, isn’t this the filthy servant with lowly blood? No wonder the air in the academy has turned foul; it must be because you’ve arrived.”

Unfortunately, her joyful mood didn’t last long, as it was shattered by some ignorant fools.

Ariel raised her eyes to the group of noble young men blocking her path, her gaze turning slightly cold:

“Emon, are you here again at your master’s behest to bark mindlessly?”

As the son of the Duke, Mu’en Campbell had long been infamous, and few were willing to associate with him. Yet there were always power-hungry mongrels eager to be his followers, allowing him to command them.

The Emon before her was the loudest of those under Mu’en Campbell’s command.

“Bark mindlessly? I don’t like that term.”

Emon stepped in front of Ariel, looking down at her from his height, sneering:

“Ariel Bugalde, you were raised by commoners after all; you really have no manners. Is this how you speak to your seniors?”

“I speak human language to humans and dog language to dogs. Being kind and treating everyone equally has always been my life motto.”

Hearing the term “commoners,” a glint of coldness flashed in Ariel’s eyes as she said, “Is there anything else, Senior? If not, please step aside, alright? I’m not as idle as you all, with time to waste on such meaningless things.”

“Hmph, since you’ve said that, I won’t hold back any longer.”

Emon removed one of his gloves and slapped it down in front of Ariel with a loud sound.

“I challenge you, Ariel Bugalde!”

“Huh?”

Ariel was taken aback.

Here we go again?

How many times have you people challenged me?

Wasn’t it three times last semester?

Are you all just lining up to offer yourselves?

“Hmph, last time we sent that fool Gru was our mistake; we underestimated you, not expecting you to break through at the last moment.

But this time is different; I will personally meet you! I will absolutely make you taste the humiliation of defeat and be ridiculed by the entire academy!” Emon said fiercely.

No, you, a fourth-year, challenging me, a second-year? Even if I lost, I wouldn’t be laughed at, alright?

On the contrary, you’re the one who came to challenge me; don’t you feel embarrassed?

Ariel felt utterly exasperated.

She truly thought these people must have been hanging around Mu’en Campbell for too long, their heads filled with nonsense.

“Here we go again.”

“Ariel seems so pitiful, always being harassed by these people.”

“Sigh, why hasn’t anyone dealt with that despicable Campbell yet?”

“Shh, keep it down, don’t let those people hear you.”

The crowd gradually began to swell.

Most of them were ordinary folks who didn’t care about Ariel’s status as an illegitimate child, so they mostly harbored a sense of pity, and quite a few were secretly cheering Ariel on.

“Ariel, you can do it! I believe in you!”

Of course, there were also dissenting voices:

“Ah, this time Ariel is in trouble. That Eamon was a standout in fourth grade, known as the Wolf of Campbell. His Blood Wolf Summoning is nothing short of extraordinary, and even many professors praise him as the most ruthless enforcer under Mu En Campbell.

Even though Ariel defeated Gru from third grade last time, facing the even stronger Eamon seems a bit daunting.”

“…”

Listening to these rational analyses, a slight twitch appeared at the corner of Ariel’s mouth.

She felt like she had heard the same words many times before; the same old story, just with different names, and the phrasing seemed identical.

But she had slapped those doubts back hard in the past.

This time… it would be no different.

A spark of battle intent gradually ignited in Ariel’s eyes.

Her blood surged with excitement.

The Wolf of Campbell? Fine, it would be a good test of the results of her training over the past two months.

Moreover, if she could defeat a fourth grader right after advancing to second grade, such an astonishing outcome would surely catch Celicia’s attention even more.

Ariel smirked, “Alright, I’ll—”

But just as she was about to agree, the crowd suddenly stirred, and someone whispered:

“It’s Mu En Campbell!”