A splendid sun was shining in the academy hallway.
Ash, the youngest sword master in the history of the empire and the only one in the academy, was leaning against the wall with a languid expression on his face.
The sunlight made his silver hair shine brightly.
Suddenly, the door opened and a small young woman approached Ash.
She was a big-eyed girl with orange hair tied in two ponytails.
—Ash!
I just confirmed with the academic affairs office that this Colbert will be coming to the academy today.
I took a look at the training room schedule!
—You're going to make me deaf.
No matter how many times I tell you, that tone of voice doesn't improve.
Ash began to walk slowly.
Marin followed him with small steps and chattered.
—Oh, don't say that!
Can't help but get excited!
It gives me chills just thinking about what that low-level teacher, Colbert, tried to do to me.
Do you remember that, Ash?
—I've already heard your complaints about Colbert several times.
—It's just that I only saw him a few times, when I went to run errands for my teacher.
And he, on his own, smiled and said, 'You're interested in me too'!
And not only that!
He forcibly made me sit across from him in a coffee shop and asked me, 'Are you not like that girl who only has a pretty face and only goes for rich men,' or something like that!
Ha, I get angry just thinking about it.
—For the part where he looked at you pervertedly?
—No, for everything, even for that!
I don't know who that woman you are talking about is, but I'm sure she is a person who lives correctly and well.
That's why a trash teacher like Colbert criticizes her.
—An outstanding analysis.
—Hehe, thanks!
—You should realize that I'm sarcastic.
You can shut up now.
Marin flinched at the words.
—But…
—Whoever insults my subordinate will be hanged, beaten and humiliated two or three more times.
If you move your tongue again, I will consider it a mockery of your teacher.
-Yes, thanks.
Sometimes I don't know when it's time to shut up.
—Tsk, you didn't learn anything at the academy, which you insisted so much on to follow me.
—Well, even if it's just clothing.
Academia is a nest of corruption, but it is the only place in the world where the history of clothing can be studied.
If he had left me behind, I would have died of grief.
—I'm glad you didn't die and you're still alive.
—By the way, there is a rumor that Colbert is a distant relative of the director.
That is, he entered through his connections.
—Oh, yes?
He looked very poor.
"Must be a poor relation, I suppose." Anyway, I also heard that his skills are terrible.
If Ash defeats him, he might faint from embarrassment.
Ash opened the door to the training ground.
He looked down for a moment and then spoke.
—Looks like someone already passed out.
Ash's handsome brow wrinkled slightly at the scene before him.
The academy training ground, of which they were so proud, had very high ceilings.
The field, which had been built by joining two floors, had balconies so that people could watch the duels and training sessions.
Ash stood calmly on the balcony and looked down.
—Puff, what is that?
Colbert's condition, lying on the training field, was a disaster.
His head was partially bald, as if a road had crossed it.
Ash put a finger to his lips to silence Marin, who couldn't contain her laughter.
—Didn't you say she was a perverse woman?
—Ash asked in a whisper.
—Yes… the woman Colbert criticized.
—I don't know if she's perverse, but she does seem like a correct woman.
—Do you know who that girl is?
Marin asked in a whisper.
—One of the only interesting elements in this useless academy.
—I think I've seen her somewhere, her name is...
—His name is also correct.
Violet, last name Everdeen.
Fortunately, they were used to communicating by whispering and with the shape of their lips.
Thanks to that, Violet and Colbert had not yet noticed their presence.
Violet, who was looking at Colbert, lying on the ground as if he had fainted, pushed him with the toe of her shoe.
And with a look of pity, he took something out of his pocket.
Violet threw a white envelope in Colbert's face with a sharp sound.
—Since you didn't teach me anything as a teacher, I have no other way to pay you than with this letter of resignation.
Of course, Colbert didn't respond.
—Of course, you're not listening to me because you're passed out.
I hope I never see him again.
Violet adjusted the collar of her clothes and turned around, leaving the training ground with firm steps.
—Wow, reminds me of the 'lady Roseanne'.
I am referring to the protagonist of the novel who punishes the bad guys.
How exciting.
Marin said, stunned.
"The Lady Roseanne?" Why don't you compare her to the protagonist of a larger work?
—Oh, please, if you love it.
That novel is very important to us.
"Silence, that's enough," Ash said.
Violet, who had turned to leave, sensed someone's presence and looked up at Ash.
When their eyes met, Violet's face turned red and she lowered her head.
—I remember who that girl is.
Isn't the Everdeen ugly?
—Who says it?
—Ash turned away from the balcony.
—Your sister is so pretty that they call her the goddess of the academy, but they say she is dark and always wears the same clothes.
How can he live like this?
—Your tongue is too long.
—But…
—In my eyes, this sister is much better than the younger one.
—I've never heard him say something like that, Ash.
Ash, where are you going?
—If you meet someone, you should greet them.
A thin smile appeared on Ash's mouth.
He turned around and headed toward the garden, where Violet was probably crossing.
──── ∗ ⋅◈⋅ ∗ ────
Violet was walking through the academy garden, leaving the training field behind.
My whole body hurts.
He had used the aura shaping technique for the first time, and his legs felt so weak that he dropped onto a bench near the fountain.
The person who was watching me from the second floor of the training ground was surely Ash Defendale.
In this place, where the children of high-ranking nobles abounded, Ash was a commoner.
However, he was a genius who had reached the level of 'Sword Master', the great dream of every swordsman, at the young age of 19.
Now he is famous here because he is a student at the academy, but he will surely become much more famous once he graduates…
Ash could join the Royal Guard, the best corps of knights in the empire, if he wanted.
There were many rumors about why he was still in the academy.
The most popular one was that the academy had begged him to stay so they could record his graduation, and he had reluctantly just left his name there.
Why did Ash have to be there?
The Ash Violet knew was arrogant and quiet, as if to say, 'I'm different from you.' Despite that, many female students adored him.
The truth is that, in addition to his skill with the sword, Ash had another incredible talent...
—What are you doing?
—Ah!
Violet was startled.
Someone had spoken to him behind his back.
When Violet turned her head, Ash was already standing very close to her.
What a scare.
It's not the first time I've seen it, but I'm not used to it...
Ash's talent, even better than his swordsmanship, was his face.
His silver hair, as if it were pure silver forged with steel, and his eyes, a deep and unusual dark ruby color.
Isn't being so handsome a dangerous thing?
Anyone who saw Ash would stop thinking for a moment and could only think: 'He's very handsome.' A power that left you stunned for a short period.
He was a somewhat threatening talent.
—Do you need something from me?
Violet asked, trying to calm her heart.
"There's something I want to ask you," Ash said quietly.
Violet's heart contracted.
Has Ash come to scold me for what I did?
I practically assaulted a professor, and he has the sense of duty of a Sword Master...
Besides, if he asked her about her sudden strength, what could she tell him?
I can't explain to him that my future self could be a villain who has killed more than 700 people...
Violet cautiously opened her mouth.
—…What do you want to ask me?
—Are you thinking of committing murder?
Violet almost salivated.
Did you read my mind?
…To be continued