The Yellow-Haired Villain in Soaring Phoenix's Novels Also Desires Happiness Chapter 288: Morning

The next day, early morning.

“Hoo...”

With a slow exhale, Ariel gradually opened her eyes.

She was sitting cross-legged inside a massive bathing tub. The tub had been filled with dicinal liquid condensed from many precious herbs, but at this point the liquid had turned crystal clear, looking no different from ordinary bathwater.

Sensing for a mont, she confird that all of the dicinal power had been absorbed completely, not a single trace wasted. Only then did Ariel nod in satisfaction and rise from the tub.

Crystal-like droplets rolled down her fair skin, like a curtain of pearls draped across her body.

Ariel looked toward the mirror. Her long hair hung loose, her gaze was sharp, her figure evenly proportioned. The delicate waist that could be held in one hand and the round, °• N 𝑜 v 𝑒 l i g h t •° taut long legs were a flawless creation almost no outsider could ever hope to admire.

Only the two little doves on her chest... still felt sowhat disappointing.

But through that skin like congealed fat, beneath the seemingly slender fra, one could faintly see the terrifying power hidden inside.

“Congratulations.”

From a ring lying on the nearby table, a wisp of green smoke drifted out, sketching the outline of a faint yet incomparably beautiful female figure.

She examined Ariel’s current state and praised:

“Your body-refining has already taken shape. Among those of your age, there is probably no one who can catch up with you in this regard anymore.”

“Really?”

Ariel clenched her fist, feeling the surging strength coursing through her limbs. The corner of her lips lifted into her signature unruly smile.

“Looks like these few days of working overti on cultivation really paid off!”

“Don’t get too happy yet.”

The beautiful phantom smiled as she poured cold water on her: “Your Warrior realm is indeed stabilized, but what about your magic realm? How long have you been stuck at the threshold of the Arcane Stage? Have you prepared the materials for the next stage?”

“Ugh...”

At the word “materials,” Ariel instantly wilted like an eggplant struck by frost.

“Not... not yet.”

Poor.

“...”

Watching Ariel lower her head with a bitter face, the beautiful phantom couldn’t help being speechless.

This disciple of hers excelled in every aspect. Whether temperant, willpower, or talent, she was among the rare few she had seen in many years.

No matter the trial or hardship, Ariel could easily overco it. Even facing opponents stronger than herself, she could remain fearless, respond calmly, and even win through weakness against strength.

But only... in recent tis, whether because of luck or sothing else, when it ca to the word “money,” she was utterly helpless.

She had even begun to suspect Ariel had been cursed by soone. Otherwise, with a teacher like herself—experienced, with countless ways to make money—why was Ariel still always ending up absurdly broke, for one reason or another?

“Forget it, there’s no need to dwell too much. Lacking money is only temporary.”

The beautiful phantom comforted her:

“This trip to the Holy City isn’t only important for that little girl Liya. For you, perhaps it will also be an opportunity.”

“Mm!”

Ariel nodded firmly. A sharp light burst from her eyes, and she quickly shook off her discouragent.

That’s right—this small difficulty wasn’t enough to defeat her.

Money was a minor matter. For now, the most important thing was helping Liya beco the Saintess.

In any case, one day she would beco rich, very rich. By then, she would bid black bread farewell forever, and for every al she’d eat a chicken leg... and toss another one away!

“Speaking of which, I haven’t seen Liya for several days now.”

As her little worries scattered, the joy of growing stronger once again filled Ariel’s heart. She quickly dressed and packed, eager to give her childhood friend a surprise.

“I’d better hurry and find her. Hmph, she’ll definitely be happy too.”

...

...

Early morning, Muen stepped out of the dormitory building.

Since he still had so preparations to make, he had gotten up deliberately early. So even though it was the day of departure, at this hour the campus remained silent.

In the still-dim light, he imdiately spotted a figure waiting in the snow.

Her hair was silver-white, purer than snow, but the red student council uniform she wore stood out like a flower blooming atop the snow.

“Celicia?”

Muen blinked in surprise and walked forward.

“What are you doing here?”

“Waiting for you.”

“Waiting for ?”

Muen blinked in astonishnt. He stared at the girl in front of him, her face still cold and expressionless, then suddenly smirked wickedly:

“Don’t tell ... you ca here just to see off?”

“...”

Celicia gave him a cold glance, said nothing, and turned to leave.

Muen, baffled, could only follow.

The path led out of the Academy, long and snow-covered despite many cleanings.

Originally, Muen had planned to trouble ntor ladomir to give him a kick again, but with Celicia here, that naturally beca impossible.

Still, watching the girl ahead, her silver hair and skirt swaying, Muen suddenly felt no need to hurry.

“That assassination attempt on you before...”

After passing through a wooded path, Celicia suddenly spoke:

“I followed the assassin you caught and investigated.”

“Hm?”

Muen quickened his pace to walk beside her.

“You investigated? Didn’t I leave that matter to Viscount Shaun?”

“At the ti, the Lower City had accumulated a mountain of affairs. He had just taken office, naturally overwheld. So when I was handing over state matters with him, I lent him a hand.”

Only to help Viscount Shaun?

Tilting his head, Muen studied Celicia’s cold, flawless profile, then suddenly laughed.

“So, what did you find?”

“Tracing the leads, I reached a certain viscount. But when I arrived, he had already committed suicide.”

“Suicide?”

“That’s right. He left behind a letter. The gist was that he had once suffered persecution from the Campbell family, and out of resentnt, planned the assassination. The letter also included evidence that he alone had hired the assassin.”

“Persecution?”

Muen scratched his head. “That’s a pretty broad range. I rember Father dealt harshly with quite a few nobles. What exactly did the letter say?”

“Not in detail. But coincidentally, just recently, that viscount’s only son went abroad as an exchange student to a neighboring country. His wife also went along to accompany him. So in the house, only he remained. By the ti we found him, he had been hanging from the beam for two full days.”

“I see... a scapegoat?”

“Most likely.”

“That’s a bit terrifying.”

Muen sighed.

Being able to casually push forward a viscount as a scapegoat not only revealed how frightening the mastermind was, but also how seriously they regarded the assassination against him. Chances were... this wouldn’t be the last ti sothing like this happened.

“So, I really don’t understand why Father would permit you to leave Belrand at a ti like this. I went to ask him, and all he told was nonsense about not being too obsessed with girls’ chests and thighs.”

Celicia stopped walking, turned, and said aningfully:

“Regarding this, do you know anything?”

“Ah... what?”

Muen’s gaze wavered. “You’re overthinking. His Majesty’s decisions—how could I possibly know anything?”

“Is that so?”

“Of course.”

Muen’s eyes drifted around, then landed once more on the girl in front of him.

“The truth is, for certain reasons, I have to go to the Holy City. So whatever deeper intentions His Majesty may have, they don’t matter to .”

“Oh? Then what does matter to you?”

“What matters is...”

As the morning light grew brighter, Muen suddenly stepped forward, drawing close to her. Feeling the breath and warmth of the silver-haired girl at arm’s reach, he chuckled:

“Celicia, don’t tell ... you’re worried about ?”