The things that can corrode one’s heart are always luxury and desire.
Ever since climbing up from a commoner to his current position, Mark had changed.
Although the change wasn’t sudden, there was no denying that anyone who knew him could clearly feel that the Mark from a few years ago was a completely different person from the Mark of today.
But in this vast world, for a commoner to live well, change was necessary.
Even if that change was once hated, despised.
Yet in the end, many people become the kind of person they once loathed.
Mark, originally a commoner, had also detested nobles who bullied others with their power and vast wealth.
At the same time, he deeply despised commoners who forgot their roots once they gained power.
But when he himself sat in this position, he realized that in this vast human world, most things were beyond one’s control.
Gradually, after the first compromise, there was a second.
With each compromise, he slid further down the abyss. Even when he suddenly snapped back to reality, he was already deeply trapped.
It wasn’t just the pleasure brought by power and status, but also the enormous benefits and freedoms that commoners could never understand.
What followed was an insatiable desire.
From power, to status, to reputation, to beauties.
The first time he flattered someone, gaining favor…
The first time he bowed his head, earning praise…
The first time he stole the achievements of students and other teachers…
The first time he used academic or other reasons to threaten or even force his own students to comply…
Even though he could still recall his youthful arrogance and lofty ambitions, now those memories only brought self-mockery.
Perhaps the bravest person in this world is the one who knows but possesses the least.
Once you experience and gain too much, even the bravest lose courage, and even the greatest ideals are shattered by reality.
All of these came with a hidden price tag.
Now, it was time for him to pay it back.
When the young girl left the office after leaving her address, Mark felt as if an invisible giant hand was pressing down on him.
His bulky body slowly bent over, and after gasping for breath for a long time, he finally calmed down.
He was no longer a commoner, nor the boy he once was.
Even his body had become much more bloated.
So bloated that he could no longer run freely, yet he refused to shed a single bit of flesh.
Because it was painful.
“Sigh~!”
He sighed, took a handkerchief from the drawer to wipe the sweat off his forehead, then stood up to pack his things.
Going out of the city to meet Veris?
No, no! Before that, he had to seize every opportunity he could…
Though he didn’t know where Veris had learned about his weakness, or whether those hateful women had actively sought him out?
Mark thought to himself that he should have killed them all back then, but in the end, he couldn’t bring himself to give up just one fleeting moment of pleasure…
But—
It didn’t matter anymore.
The price of greed had to be paid now.
However, before going to find Veris, Mark still had one last straw to grasp.
He hurriedly packed his things and left the Royal Academy, climbing into the carriage at the gate, tossing a silver dragon coin to the coachman.
“No need to return change, go straight outside the Imperial City, quickly!”
“Yes, sir, hold tight!”
The coachman waved his whip excitedly, not expecting to earn a whole silver dragon on this ride.
Indeed, waiting in a place teeming with talent and nobles like the Royal Academy was the right choice.
The horses seemed to sense their owner’s joy, running so fast that the coachman felt they were faster than usual.
But Mark, sitting inside, still felt the speed was too slow, constantly urging them on.
His hands trembled, clenching tightly then relaxing, repeatedly gripping his own thighs.
As the carriage left the main road outside the Royal Academy, the girl who had quietly entered Mark’s office earlier appeared at the gate.
Watching Mark’s carriage fade into the distance, she glanced back at the magnificent gates and the bustling groups of students inside.
“Hopefully, everything will go smoothly.” The girl turned and disappeared into the crowd.
Turning into a narrow alley, the girl’s body suddenly distorted, the light around her being eerily swallowed.
A few seconds later, she transformed into the stunning beauty—Annie Donald.
Light Magic of intermediate rank—Fuyazhi Light, when combined with magical and mental power, has the ability to confuse vision through a light magic array.
It can even create illusions, mirages, and alter the path of light, allowing it to interfere with and deceive opponents in combat.
Although it was only an intermediate-level spell, mastering it was no easy task.
It required extremely high magical talent and knowledge, as well as mental strength beyond that of ordinary people.
After over a year of day and night practice, Annie had finally managed to apply it on herself, achieving a kind of disguise effect.
But this was merely the stage of proficiency.
As the energy of the light magic gradually faded and then reappeared, the girl changed faces once more and vanished into the crowd.
After winding through several streets, Annie arrived at a fabric shop, one of the Meklay family’s businesses.
Holding the token from the Imperial Second Princess, Annie easily entered the inner room.
Inside was a middle-aged man, seemingly the owner of the fabric shop…
And several girls with haggard faces, full of sorrow and resentment.
They were only fifteen to seventeen years old, right in the prime of youth, yet none bore the vitality typical of their age.
Instead, they were lethargic and lifeless.
Seeing Annie return, the middle-aged man hurriedly asked, “Miss, is there any further instruction from Her Highness the Princess?”
Annie’s previous disguise, the one she used in front of Mark, was actually one of these girls.
Now she had changed to another unfamiliar face, and the slight fluctuations of light magic went unnoticed.
She parted her red lips softly.
“When the news arrives, you’ll act according to the plan… Monsell Castle Lord’s Mansion is over there; by then, the Meklay family will need to secretly assist them.”
Saying this, Annie pulled out a small pouch from her bosom. It clinked with the sound of gold dragons.
“This is the Princess’s payment to the Meklay family. After the mission is complete, there will be additional rewards.”
Hearing this, the middle-aged man took the pouch with a beaming smile.
“Haha, Your Highness is too kind. It is our honor to serve Her Highness.”
“Rest assured, the Meklay family will do its utmost!”
“Very well, make sure to take care of these girls…” Annie pointed to the girls inside.
Then she turned to them and said, “So, have you all decided? If anyone betrays or hesitates midway, the Princess will not spare you!”
While speaking, Annie once again pulled out several gold dragons from her hand, intending to distribute them to the girls.
The girl at the front immediately shook her head in refusal, and the others followed suit.
“We do not need the Princess’s money. If the Princess can truly help us punish that villain, it would be the greatest kindness to us!”
Killing intent, hatred, and gritted teeth poured out through her bloodshot eyes.
“That scoundrel ruined our lives, and he won’t get away with it!”
“Yes!”
The girls behind echoed in agreement.
Their faces were etched with deep, bitter hatred.
Seeing this, Annie relaxed somewhat but couldn’t help but worry about the girls’ futures.
Having lost their purity, even on the Vistoria Continent, where even ordinary commoners would hesitate, no one would easily accept them again.
Even if each girl was exceptionally beautiful.
Of course, there were those who liked that sort of thing.
Setting those thoughts aside for the moment, Annie nodded, “Good… I’m sure that vile man has already been scared out of his wits, on his way to the meeting place.”
Annie chuckled twice, unaware that Mark boarding the carriage was not to rush to the agreed location immediately.
At this moment, he was already outside the Imperial City.