How To Ruin The Original Work (16 Chapters Left to Complete) - Chapter 13
“You know how the Cromwell family chooses its heir, right?”
“Yeah, roughly. It’s not the usual primogeniture system—instead, they evaluate all of the head’s adult children and select one based on merit. That’s their family tradition, right?”
“Exactly, you know it well. Sid’s older brother, a graduate of here, was top of his class all three years at Siennia. So maybe Sid feels a bit uneasy about that? Rumor has it he doesn’t get along with his brother at all.”
“Oh.”
Nigel replied lifelessly.
Even if a rude person had a tragic backstory, they’d still just be a rude person with a tragic backstory.
After finishing their meal, Nigel and Allen decided to take a walk in the courtyard during the time left before class began.
But the moment Nigel appeared, the previously warm and cheerful atmosphere instantly turned frosty.
“Wow~ Allen. Guess I’m some kind of celebrity now. Everywhere I go, kids stare at me like I’m Sid Cromwell.”
Many students scattered around were glaring at him. Most of them bore emblems on their chests featuring a snake and a pen—the symbol of wisdom.
“Well… um, the Political Studies faculty takes a lot of pride in academic performance. Plus, most of the students here are nobles.”
Allen cautiously started the conversation, observing Nigel’s reaction.
“Oh, I see.”
‘Could it be because they’re young? They sure waste energy on pointless things.’
Nigel, who had never once been a true adult, replied without any change in expression.
“Don’t worry, Nigel. Once everyone realizes what a good person you are, they’ll stop right away!”
Allen patted Nigel’s back reassuringly.
“Right, just like you said, Allen. I should show them exactly how good a person I am.”
“Yes! That’s a great idea!”
Allen beamed brightly—completely unaware that his definition of a ‘good person’ and Nigel’s were poles apart, as far as Siennia had east and west.
“Oh, by the way, Allen—do you know Teller and Olend?”
“Huh?? How do you know the names of our masters?”
“Oh, I just took a wild guess.”
As expected. Even honor or power couldn’t triumph over wealth.
Nigel happily lifted the corners of his mouth and headed toward the classroom with light steps.
“Nigel, wait up!”
[This is the timeline separator]The first class at Siennia was the common first-year course: History of Arenium.
Siennia’s curriculum was broadly divided into common classes and departmental (or elective) classes.
Aside from the common classes—which all students of the same year took together regardless of department—students had to fill their schedules with classes from their chosen departments.
To emphasize Siennia’s most valued principle, ‘cooperation,’ common classes weren’t merely about acquiring necessary knowledge for the year; they were designed to encourage interaction among students from different departments, fostering diverse experiences and learning.
Because Siennia allowed students one chance to change departments during their first semester of freshman year, the entire first semester consisted solely of common classes.
Of course, the students paid no mind to the purpose behind common classes; without any formal division, they naturally clustered into three groups by department.
At the back of the classroom sat the Magic Department, in the middle the Political Studies Department, and by the entrance, the Swordsmanship Department.
“Oh, Noah, you’re here?”
“Yes.”
Just then, Noah Vessalion—the famous figure from the Swordsmanship Department—passed by his department’s seats and took a place among the Magic Department, causing several Swordsmanship students’ expressions to darken.
“How was your special meeting with the headmaster?”
“It was ordinary. He seemed like a good person.”
“He congratulated you on your enrollment and told you to study hard from now on, right?”
“Oh, and he also asked why I chose to enroll in the academy.”
“What did you tell him?”
At Nigel’s question, their eyes met midair. For a brief moment, Noah’s pupils trembled.
“Well….”
Ding. Ding.
Just then, the bell signaling the hour began to chime.
Swish.
When only one final chime remained, the classroom door opened, revealing a stern-looking man wearing glasses.
It was Cledian, the professor in charge of first-year Political Studies.
“He’s ‘Bell-Day’…”
At that moment, a whisper drifted from the middle seats of the Political Studies Department.
“Bell-Day?”
“Yeah. They call him that because he always arrives exactly when one last bell chime is left. My older sister, a graduate, said he’s never broken that rule—not once.”
The students who overheard this quietly snickered.
“And also… unless something extraordinary happens, he never ends class early or gives breaks—he teaches straight through the whole period, hence ‘Bell-Day.’”
“…Even on the first day?”
“Yep. My sister says he’d keep teaching even if monsters stormed the academy.”
The students’ previously cheerful faces instantly fell.
As if to prove their words, Cledian immediately opened his textbook.
“The enrollment ceremony was sufficient, so I’ll skip introductions. But since it’s the first day, I won’t move ahead in the textbook—let’s just have a brief session for communication.”
‘Oh…!’
‘He seems like a nice guy.’
‘Guess rumors really are exaggerated.’
The students subtly exchanged glances.
“Of course, everything covered in today’s class will appear on the exam. Keep that in mind.”
‘…He really is Bell-Day.’
‘It’s Bell-Day.’
Hope completely faded from the students’ eyes as they hurriedly pulled out notebooks and writing tools, placing them on their desks.
“Then, let’s start with a simple question. What year did our empire sign a peace treaty with the Kingdom of Krena, and what was the motive?”
‘Simple? What’s simple about that.’
‘Ugh! Do we really have to listen to this for two whole hours on the first day?’
Just then—
“Oh, right. Two of you… this year’s freshmen seem promising. The one who raised their hand first, go ahead and answer.”
Cledian adjusted his glasses and spoke.
The student who had raised their hand—no, Nigel—lowered their arm and stood up, gladly accepting Sid Cromwell’s glaring gaze.
“The peace treaty with the Kingdom of Krena was signed in the year 1622, under the reign of Emperor Edwin, the great-great-grandfather of our current Emperor.”
“No need for further explanation. Then, what was the motive?”
Cledian asked.
“The invasion of monsters served as the catalyst. Because most of Krena’s territory consists of fertile plains, it’s ideal for farming but fatally vulnerable against monster attacks. Therefore, through the peace treaty, our empire provides military support, and in return, the Kingdom of Krena grants us most-favored-nation status—an arrangement that continues to this day.”
Cledian gently lifted the corners of his mouth.
“Very good. Your name?”
“Nigel As of the Magic Department.”
“Ah, the rumored perfect-scoring student. My department’s students made quite a fuss—but clearly, it wasn’t unfounded. Our new students will need to stay on their toes.”
“Thank you.”
Nigel gave a curt nod to Cledian and sat back down.
“Nigel, are you a walking encyclopedia? You sounded just like our masters just now.”
Noah also gave Nigel a round of applause.
“…And the Political Studies kids look like they’re about to burst into flames.”
Allen glanced around and whispered.
“What happened between you and the Political Studies Department? How could fellow freshmen already…”
“No, it’s fine. Let them be.”
Nigel let out a soft chuckle, thoroughly savoring the warm, attentive gazes from the Political Studies students on his right.
For the next two hours, Cledian’s questions and the scratching of pens on paper continued without pause. Among all the students, Nigel undoubtedly received the professor’s most attention.
Ding. Ding.
‘Finally…!’
‘The next class has to be better than this…’
The bell that signaled salvation for the students rang out.
Nigel and his group merged into the stream of students pouring out the door.
“Nigel. Can I talk to you for a moment?”
An unmistakable voice—dry yet oddly gentle—belonged to Cledian.
Nigel immediately stopped walking and stepped out of the crowd.
“Have you considered transferring to our Political Studies Department? It would be quite a pity to limit your eloquence and exceptional knowledge solely to magic.”
Cledian smiled warmly as he spoke.
“Thank you for the kind offer, but I have no intention of transferring.”
“Don’t dismiss it so firmly. Think it over carefully during this semester. Politics is a beautiful discipline.”
“Yes.”
Nigel bowed his head once and left the classroom.
“There he is.”
“Where? Oh, there he is!”
Among the crowd of students, a familiar head of black hair appeared. Allen and Noah raised their hands high and waved.
“What did the professor say?”
“Nothing important. We’ll be late for our next class—let’s go.”
“…Oh! Y-yeah… we should go.”
As if he hadn’t asked to hear the answer, Allen didn’t press further.
Instead, he awkwardly shuffled down the hallway, creaking like someone carefully avoiding landmines.
“…Why’s he acting like that? Is he sick or something?”
Nigel quickly stepped up beside Noah and whispered.
Nigel’s black hair came so close to brushing against Noah’s face that Noah subtly leaned his upper body back as he answered.
“…He’s just worried about our next class.”
“What? What do you mean—oh.”
Their next class was Introduction to Basic Swordsmanship.
Allen’s slender limbs seemed even more wobbly and weak than usual today.
“He was fretting over swordsmanship class last night in the dormitory until he finally fell asleep.”
Noah tilted his head slightly toward Nigel and spoke in a low voice.
“He didn’t say a word to me yesterday. Why didn’t he tell me?”
“He said he wanted to make a good impression on his first friend.”
“Heh…”
An incredulous laugh escaped Nigel’s lips at such a ridiculous reason.
“Oh, he asked me to keep this a secret from you, so I’d appreciate it if you honored that.”
Nigel gave a vague nod and spoke again.
“Does he usually… exercise at all?”
“He said yesterday he’s only ever done breathing exercises.”
Right. Of course he wouldn’t. That body didn’t look like it had ever exercised a day in its life.
Unaware of Allen’s anxious heart, time cruelly marched on.
Male lead is a clingy little husband
One-line summary: The male lead is initially an arrogant, noble, love-deprived brat, later a cute, clingy, scheming little jealous one.
Introduction:
One day, Lu Yuner’s soul transmigrates into a female-dominant world. She enters the Imperial Academy and takes up the position of a doctoral instructor, teaching classes and grading schoolwork.
One day, she encounters the young prince Su Qingwan secretly skipping class from the male academy.
As a result, Su Qingwan is punished.
From then on, Su Qingwan sees Lu Yuner as a “thorn in his side”.
But before long, this “thorn” becomes the person he cherishes most, and he goes to great lengths to win Lu Yuner’s affection.
Mini scene 1:
One day, the sun is high in the sky but Su Qingwan still hasn’t gotten up for class.
Servant Xiaoyuan: “Young prince, it’s time for class. You’ll be late otherwise.”
Su Qingwan says arrogantly: “I’m not going. I am the esteemed prince, my status is so noble, why should I suffer this hardship? Besides, isn’t learning all this just to please women? Hmph, they’re not worthy!”
Mini scene 2:
After Su Qingwan falls for someone, he completely changes. He no longer skips class and diligently learns how to be a good husband and father. But he discovers that Sister Yuner is always surrounded by admirers.
Drunk and overcome with jealousy one day, he clings to Lu Yuner, crying beautifully like a pear blossom in the rain.
Su Qingwan: “Qingwan likes Sister Yuner.”
Lu Yuner: “Young prince, you’re drunk.”
Su Qingwan: “Qingwan isn’t drunk. Qingwan likes Sister Yuner, likes you so much, likes you to bits…” Before he can finish, Lu Yuner’s eyes flash with emotion and she leans in closer.
[Reading Guide]
1. The female lead is gentle, gracious, humble and polite but not weak. The male lead is initially an arrogant, noble, love-deprived brat, later a cute, clingy, scheming little jealous one.
2. 1v1, a bit torturous in the beginning but definitely sweet later on.
_____
Please help me, I want to bring you the best possible things.
If you find any chapter or novel with poor translation and editing quality, let me know by commenting directly under that novel or chapter. I will retranslate it as soon as possible.
[Touch the gear icon in the bottom right corner of the screen to move to the next chapter if you want.]
Chapter Comments (1)
The praise for Nigel is growing at the academy; let’s see how this highly talented girl fares there and develops a good relationship with Noah.
YOUR COMMENT
2. Inline comments are now available. Tap the end of any line in a chapter to share your thoughts instantly.
Log in to comment.
Most Commented This Week
The Villain Has Gone Mad For Me (Completed Main Story)
I’m The Lowest-Ranking Daughter Of A Martial Arts Villain (2 Chapters Left to Complete)
I Became the Assassin Family’s Foster Daughter (Completed Main Story)
The Duke Only Needs My Child (Completed Main Story)
Men of the Harem (137 Chapters Left to Complete)
At the End of Ruin, There You Are (56 Chapters Left to Complete)
She’s a Villainess but her Husband is Handsome (Completed Main Story)
People Aren’t Meant to Be Fixed! (4 Chapters Left to Complete)
My Discarded Fiancé Returned (Completed Main Story)
Summer Must Die (16 Chapters Left to Complete)
I Received The First Time Of My Extraordinary Superior (9 Chapters Left to Complete)
Regret With All Your Might (Completed Main Story)