Chapter 13
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Violet's First Words - Episode 13
'Even if I refuse to do this year's assignment, Marigold's record of consistently receiving excellent grades thanks to me until last year won't disappear. And at this point, even if I claim I completed all her past assignments, no one would believe me anyway.' I gazed slowly into Marigold's eyes, then opened my mouth with measured calm.
"Creating a mana circuit isn't difficult for me. But this is an important assignment, isn't it? Wouldn't there be problems if someone discovered I did your work for you?"
"No one will examine it that closely. Since mana users are so rare, it's not easy for someone to do it for you anyway."
"Hand over the mana circuit."
If that's what she wanted, then so be it. I extended my hand.
"Oh, you're really going to do it! Don't tease your sister like that! Make something beautiful like last time—a rose shimmering with five colors!"
Marigold laughed with her mouth wide open, tilting her head.
"This time... I'll make it something special."
"What do you mean?"
"A mana circuit that changes colors in two stages. It should take about a day."
"You're the absolute best! Everyone else says this assignment takes a month, and you'll finish it in a day. You're a genius in this field."
"I am a genius. That's amusing."
I spoke with composure. Marigold had already lost interest in me and rose from her seat.
"Well, I need to go pick out a dress to wear to the Festival tomorrow, so I'll be going. Please do this properly!"
Marigold hurried from the room as if afraid I might change my mind. 'First, I need to set this matter straight before I say anything to her.' I thought with narrowed eyes.
"This time, I'll need to put in some real effort."
I began embroidering a brilliant bird shape that shimmered with five colors, just as I had told Marigold. It didn't even take a day. It took only three hours. For me, playing with mana had always been this easy and enjoyable. Once the bird design was complete, I added a special auxiliary effect to it. As time passed, text would appear above it. Very special text. And that text would have enough impact to overturn Marigold's reputation entirely and strip away the excellent grades she had earned. 'My resolve to withdraw hasn't changed, but I do want to see how this unfolds.' The Academy's new semester would certainly be heated in many ways. I smiled. 'Thinking and acting like Ash... it's not so bad.' I decided to kindly deliver the mana circuit to Marigold's room. If this fact were revealed, it would likely mean expulsion. It wasn't a bad parting gift after my harsh words. After all, she would be paying the price for what she had done. 'Father is supposed to return tomorrow morning.' Merely thinking of that person caused my chest to tighten and my throat to constrict. Simultaneously, an overwhelming fury and hatred surged through me. Could I possibly capture this emotion in a single phrase? 'The more I contemplate it, the more profound Uncle Cyril's assignment becomes.' I hoped that with Cyril taking me under his wing, no complications would arise. Violet reflected. 'No, wait—isn't it naive to think I can simply lash out at my family and then go to Uncle Cyril? That's far too simplistic.' In that moment, Violet recalled something. 'In the novel, the young lady Rosenis secretly discovered the weaknesses of her family members who mistreated her. She threatened to expose them if they tried to drag her back home.' Geoffrey had always believed Violet to be a fool. He was accustomed to treating her as a nonentity, a ghost. Yet Violet had overheard enough to know that Geoffrey was embezzling from the Company. 'That's right—I was naive. I can't leave this house without any leverage. If only I could obtain evidence of Father's embezzlement....' That was the moment. Trrring, ching. Once more, a crystalline chime resonated in my ears.
Future Violet stood within the Dark Room. In her hands rested a small safe. As Violet raised her hand, magical circuits materialized above the safe. The layered magical circuits clicked and shifted at a single gesture from Violet. 【If it's a safe from the Ancient Craftsman series—particularly one made by Ruhan—it's simple to open. Beyond this, I can unlock countless ancient safes. In my previous life, author Avi hid a double ledger in a safe that looked exactly like this.】 A masked girl observed Violet's explanation with reverent eyes.
The future vision ended. 'What on earth am I in the future?' Violet fell into a moment of self-reproach. A master of safe-cracking, no less! 'It's a collection of talents far too wicked to live virtuously!' I resolved not to live that way. Violet made a serious decision. Except for this one moment. 'An ancient-style safe that recognizes only the owner's fingerprints and mana—absolutely impossible for anyone else to open. Yet I can unlock it. I'm certain I've seen one like it in Father's Study. They said a double ledger was hidden there?' Besides, Father said he wouldn't be home tonight.
When midnight arrived, Violet slipped into Father's Study. Fortunately, the study door was unlocked. I knew well where Father's safe was hidden beneath the desk. 'A small safe inscribed with "Ruhan."
This must be it.' Everything that followed was straightforward. Violet concentrated her mind and perceived the safe's magical circuits. Dozens of overlapping layers materialized before her, just as they had in her future visions. I grasped one of the glimmering circuits with my hand and twisted it. Ancient script reading "Locked" appeared. Violet carefully pressed the characters with her fingertips. Just as I had done in my future vision. A faint luminescence bloomed, and the ancient script transformed into the word "Unlocked."
Though Violet was not proficient in ancient languages, she had learned to haltingly read a few characters from the Academy's foundational curriculum. 'It's opening.' Violet suddenly acquired the talent of a master thief. Inside lay several thin ledgers. 'Father's secret books. A double ledger.' Violet let out a hollow laugh. That night, Violet quietly slipped out of the house. Fortunately, no one discovered her. Near the Academy stood a Copy Shop operated by a mage.
"Please copy these right away. I'll rent a locker under my name. You do offer monthly rental lockers, correct?"
The shop saw so many customers that they copied the materials without examining the contents. Besides, it was common for students studying accounting or statistics to copy books filled with numbers. Violet waited approximately three hours before receiving the copies. Then she returned the originals and made her way back to the Attic. 'Now I have Father's weakness in my grasp. I've secured insurance.' Dawn was already breaking.
Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org