—I don't read minds.
That's not possible.
"No, I have no plans for that, not even in the future," Violet answered.
"Too bad, but I understand," said Ash, who was a little stranger than Violet had imagined.
—Why are you suddenly asking me about a murder?
—Colbert fainted, right?
-That's how it is.
—It's a case of aura collision.
Aura collision was a phenomenon where a lower level swordsman's entire body would temporarily harden upon being exposed to an aura of a higher level than his own.
It was something that could be cured quickly, but if he was unlucky, the body could be left immobile for up to two weeks.
So now it's vacation and if Colbert is unlucky, he could stay in that state for a long time.
Could I die?
—It's unlikely, but if no one finds Colbert in that state, he could die, right?
-Exact.
And you expect me to be an indirect accomplice to this murder, Violet Everdeen?
—Ash said it in such a kind way that Violet thought she had misunderstood.
—No, even if Colbert is someone I really hate, I don't want to kill him.
—Violet responded belatedly.
"Then I'll take care of Colbert."
—Will you call a doctor?
—Something similar.
Ash smiled with his eyes.
In all eras, beautiful men are always a little strange.
They said that.
Violet remembered that line from her favorite novel, The Story of the Lady Roseanne.
—I appreciate your favor.
I will return it to you one day, if our paths cross again.
—Pay it as soon as school returns.
Violet looked at Ash and said impulsively:
—That's going to be difficult.
As you can see, I just threw my resignation letter at Colbert.
Whether Colbert accepts it or not, I might as well be expelled for what just happened.
—Unfortunately, Colbert, in his current state, does not have the authority to accept your resignation or expel you.
—But I just…
—Also, if I were him, I wouldn't go around saying that I was defeated by a student who couldn't even defend herself.
Don't you think?
When she heard it, Violet realized that Ash was right.
If he's so good at talking, why did he walk around school pretending to be so quiet?
Violet's doubts only increased.
—Resign on the first day of the new semester, when the holidays are over.
—…Well, it is true that it is better to present the resignation letter officially.
Ash nodded slightly and turned around.
I should have said goodbye in a more normal way.
Violet realized too late.
I was very clumsy at these things.
"Ash," Violet called, and Ash turned his head.
What do friends say to each other?
Ash and I are not friends, but still...
Sunlight fell on Ash's shiny silver hair.
Today was unusually warm.
Perhaps because of the sunlight, Violet's cheeks turned redder and redder.
Talk about the weather.
People used to talk about it.
-The weather today is good.
—Oh, yes?
—I wanted to say, goodbye.
Ash turned his head to look at her and laughed with a small smile on his lips, as if he was having fun.
—I saw a terrible sight just now, Violet Everdeen.
—It's true, Colbert, spread out like a frog, looked horrible.
-Exact.
So today, go see something nice and eat something nice.
──── ∗ ⋅◈⋅ ∗ ────
What was that conversation with Ash today?
Suddenly, he stood up straight and looked around.
The day was very bright and beautiful.
It would be nice to have a friend to have tea with on a day like this.
At this moment, Violet remembered something.
He ran into his house.
He took the little money he had and a book and headed to a coffee shop on the main avenue.
She sat at a table by the window, guided by the waitress, feeling a little nervous.
My family always said that I, the illegitimate daughter, had no right to spend money or be happy...
Now that didn't mean anything.
Her life could become that of a great villain.
His family seemed like an illusion to him.
Have a cup of tea in a nice place and read your favorite book.
Violet's dreams were mostly modest.
Violet opened the book she had brought from home and very carefully turned the pages so as not to damage it.
The Story of Lady Roseanne.
It was Violet's favorite romance novel.
It was about a young woman named Roseanne who was mistreated by her family, became the best gentleman, and fell in love with a gorgeous man.
The romantic part was good, but what Violet liked most were the words of the lady Roseanne.
When taking revenge, Lady Roseanne didn't just use her fists.
First, he used his tongue to deal with his opponent and then moved on to punches.
It is not a very famous novel, but this book was my only friend.
From time to time, his stepsister, Marigold, would give him some of her old toys as a 'gift'.
One of them was this book.
Violet read it over and over again until the pages were worn out.
It was in this book that he also found information about the talent of geniuses.
Now that I think about it, since I'm going to become a big villain, what's stopping me from living like Lady Roseanne?
If he had lived the worst life, he could also live the opposite.
When Lady Roseanne left home, what had she done?
She traveled to a distant relative and boldly proposed that he take her in, promising to return it.
Suddenly, Violet felt a void in her neck.
He had given the ring, his mother's only relic, to an old beggar woman.
When I had it, I used to wear it on a necklace, hidden.
The person who gave me that ring was Uncle Cyril.
Cyril was the younger brother of Violet's father, Godfrey.
But they had drifted apart a long time ago.
Furthermore, Godfrey hated Cyril with all his being.
Godfrey said that Cyril was a scoundrel who got into fights for money.
My uncle Cyril was a mercenary, an eccentric, according to what they told me.
It had been a long time ago, when I was about twelve years old, but I remembered it clearly.
One day, Cyril came to the house unannounced and gave her a ring, telling her that it was the heirloom of my biological mother.
—Carry this ring with you every day.
You understand?
Don't take it off even for a single day.
And he had said something meaningless.
Before Violet could ask anything, Godfrey arrived, yelled at Cyril to leave, and threatened to call the security knights.
—From now on, if you talk to him, you will stop being my daughter.
You understand?
Fortunately, Violet had managed to hide the ring in her pocket.
When she turned fifteen, Cyril visited her again.
—I'm sorry, man.
Talking to you would go against my father's order.
Violet ignored him.
After that, until Violet turned eighteen, she never saw Cyril again.
Now that I think about it, why did I listen to my father?
It would be right to go now and thank your uncle for giving you the relic.
My father complained about the place where my uncle Cyril lived.
He said it was an area of courtesans and scammers.
And he was outraged because he had a sign that said Everdeen.
Bycolin Street, where Uncle Cyril lived, was about a 25-minute walk from there.
Violet left the cafeteria without hesitation and began walking towards Cyril's house.
…To be continued