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Chapter 3
Violet’s Words
Brilliant sunlight shone through the corridors of the academy.
The youngest person in the history of the empire to become a Sword Master.
The only Sword Master among all currently enrolled academy students.
Ash was leaning against the corridor wall with a languid expression.
The sunlight made his silver hair shine dazzlingly.
Soon, the door opened, and a small girl approached Ash.
She had large eyes and thick orange hair tied into two pigtails on either side of her head.
“Ash! I checked the faculty office and confirmed that bastard Colbera is coming to work today. I even secretly peeked at the training room reservation schedule.”
“You’re going to lose your hearing. No matter how many times I teach you, that loud voice of yours never seems to learn.”
Ash began walking slowly.
Marin hurried after him with small steps, chattering away.
“Ugh, how am I supposed to not get excited? Just thinking about what that low-ranking professor named Colbera tried to do to me still makes me shudder! You remember, right, Ash?”
“I have already heard you insult Colbera several times.”
“I mean, I only met Colbera a few times because I was running errands for my assigned professor. But he smirked and said, ‘You’re interested in me too, aren’t you?’ like he had some ridiculous idea! Then he kept calling me out using any excuse he could think of, and guess what he did!”
Marin continued without noticing Ash’s expression.
“He forced me to sit across from him at a tea shop and asked, ‘You’re not like those women who only care about rich men just because they have pretty faces, are you?’ That kind of nonsense! Ha, the more I think about it, the angrier I get.”
“Because he looked at you in a disgusting way?”
“That too, but everything about it! I don’t even know who that woman he insulted was, but she must be someone who lives properly and righteously. That’s why someone like Professor Colbera, a piece of trash, probably insults her.”
“An excellent analysis.”
“Hehe, thank you.”
“You should realize I’m being sarcastic. You may stop talking now.”
Marin flinched.
“But…”
“Anyone who insults my subordinate will be punished by being hung, beaten, and humiliated two or three times over. If you continue moving your tongue any further, I will consider it an insult toward your master.”
“Yes, thank you. I’m honestly not very good at knowing when I should keep my mouth shut.”
“Tsk. Even after following me to this academy after begging and pleading, you still haven’t learned anything.”
“I’m learning fashion studies very well, at least. The academy may be a rotten breeding ground for corruption, but it’s the only place in the world where I can major in the history of clothing. If you had left me behind, I would have been so upset I might have died.”
“Fortunately, you are alive and have not died.”
“By the way, there are many rumors that Colbera is a distant relative of the dean. Meaning he got in through connections.”
“Is that so? Poor man. He looked like he was struggling financially.”
“Maybe he’s a poor relative. Anyway, I heard his skills are the worst too. If he gets crushed by Ash, he might be so embarrassed that he’ll faint and die.”
Ash opened the door to the training grounds. He looked down for a moment before speaking.
“At least it seems someone has already made him faint.”
The sight before him caused Ash’s handsome brows to slightly furrow.
The academy’s famous training grounds had an extremely high ceiling.
The structure had been created by removing two floors of the building, and balconies protruded from above so people could watch duels and training sessions.
Ash quietly stood on the railing and looked down.
“Pfft, what is that?”
Colbera lying sprawled across the training ground looked absolutely miserable. It looked as though a road had been carved through the middle of his head, leaving him with a bald strip.
Seeing Marin struggle to hold back her laughter, Ash put a finger to his lips.
“Shh.”
“Didn’t you call her a troublesome woman earlier?”
Ash whispered.
“Yes… the woman Colbera insulted.”
“I don’t know about troublesome, but she certainly looks like someone who lives properly.”
“Do you know who she is?”
Marin whispered.
“One of the few interesting things in this hopeless academy.”
“She looks familiar. Her name was…”
“Her name also suits her. Violet. Her surname is Everdeen.”
Fortunately, the two were used to communicating through lip movements and whispers. Because of that, Violet and Colbera had not yet noticed their presence.
Violet looked down at Colbera, who was sprawled on the floor as if unconscious, and pushed him lightly with the tip of her shoe.
Then, with a look of disappointment, she took something out from inside her clothes.
Violet threw a white envelope onto Colbera’s face with a sharp smack.
“As you have taught me so little as a teacher, I have nothing to give you in return except this withdrawal form.”
Naturally, Colbera gave no response.
“Of course, you’re unconscious, so you won’t be able to hear what I’m saying. I hope we never have to meet again.”
Violet straightened her clothes and turned around, leaving the training grounds with the clicking sound of her footsteps.
“Wow, she reminds me of Lady Rosennis. You know, the cool female protagonist who punishes bad people. It’s thrilling.”
Marin spoke absentmindedly.
“Lady Rosennis? Find another comparison besides the protagonist of such an insignificant work.”
“Oh come on, you like it. That novel isn’t ordinary to us.”
“Shh. Stop.”
Ash spoke.
As Violet turned around to leave, she seemed to sense 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 young lady is. Isn’t she the ugly Everdeen?”
“Who says that?”
Ash stepped away from the railing.
“The younger sister is so beautiful that she’s called the academy goddess, but they say the older sister is gloomy and always wears the same clothes. How can someone live wearing the same outfit every day?”
“Your tongue is too long.”
“But…”
“In my eyes, the older sister looks much better than the younger one.”
“I’ve never heard Ash say something like that before. Ash, where are you going?”
“If you make eye contact with someone, you should greet them.”
A faint smile appeared at the corner of Ash’s mouth.
He turned around and began walking toward the garden where Violet was probably passing through.
