Chapter 82
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Violet's First Words - Episode 82
"Already playing the senior, are we?"
Kyle said.
"Senior or not, they need to understand their place so things go smoothly for us. That way they'll cooperate with the provincial events, and we'll have less tedious work to deal with."
Juran tossed out the words carelessly. Soon the door opened, and the Knight Commander, Bella, entered. Behind her stood an exceptionally handsome man—so striking that even Juran, lounging casually in his seat, straightened his posture.
"Wow, this is no joke. He's far better in person than in photographs."
Juran murmured. This beautiful young man was none other than the Ravens Grand Duke.
"He's like a living jewel. What makes him shine like that?"
Kyle muttered in disbelief. They too had been selected as knights with their appearance carefully considered. Yet the Ravens Grand Duke was in an entirely different league.
"Good day to you both. As I mentioned beforehand, Violet Everdin will be taking her induction examination today. Once this test is complete, Violet Everdin will be registered on our Holy Knight Order's roster, and her title will become Knight Violet Everdin."
Bella addressed them.
"We understand she's joining through special recruitment," Kyle said with obvious sarcasm. Violet simply observed them with calm eyes.
"So where did you learn swordplay?"
Juran asked, looking at Violet.
"From the Knight Department at the Academy. However, my relationship with my assigned professor wasn't favorable, so I trained mostly on my own."
Violet answered honestly. The Academy's method of filtering talent was well-known. The most promising students were assigned to renowned professors. Conversely, those who entered through connections or were deemed hopeless—students branded as beyond salvation—were given incompetent instructors. In most cases, these incompetent professors were mediocre individuals who had gained their positions through connections. Juran and Kyle immediately understood. Violet was a student the Academy had classified as "hopeless." 'How did someone like this become our colleague...' Kyle and Juran exchanged meaningful glances. The incident between the Academy and Violet had already been widely reported. But they had been away exploring the Wilderness Ruins for some time and had only recently returned, so they weren't aware of those details. They only knew that there was a female knight who had risen to sudden prominence by preventing the seal of one of the Seven Sins from being broken—nothing more.
"I'm curious about one thing—is the induction examination only for this young lady?"
Juran spoke up.
"The Ravens Grand Duke here has been appointed as a special advisor. This is a position higher than my own as Knight Commander, so an induction examination is unnecessary for him."
Bella replied.
"Then why is our future superior present here?"
Kyle asked.
"Ah, she said she wanted to observe the entrance examination."
"The demeanor of a prepared superior."
Kyle spoke.
"Kyle, everyone in our Knight Order is family. That said, a superior is a superior. Please be careful with your words and actions toward the Ravens Grand Duke."
Bella's attitude was subtle. She let Violet's subtle insults pass without comment, but the moment Kyle tried to overstep with the Ravens Grand Duke, she responded immediately. 'So Violet or whatever—we can handle her however we want.' That was the conclusion Kyle and Juran had reached.
"So what will the entrance examination entail?"
Violet asked quietly.
"It's very simple. You just need to spar against a shadow construct. However, it will be somewhat different from what you normally know."
Juran answered. This Training Ground was equipped with a special apparatus—a device that created sparring dummies. When mana was injected into the device, a shadow dummy for sparring would appear. The difficulty level could be adjusted. If set to a lower level, it would only attack within limits that wouldn't injure the opponent.
"Juran, then."
Bella spoke.
"Understood. I'll activate it now."
Juran replied.
"The time it takes to defeat the sparring dummy is recorded. Ordinary attacks don't work on the sparring dummy—only attacks imbued with aura will cause damage."
Bella explained kindly.
"I see."
Violet nodded.
"Don't worry. I've set the sparring dummy's strength so you won't be seriously injured. Juran, you understand?"
Bella finished speaking. Juran let Bella's words go in one ear and out the other. At the far end of the Training Ground stood a stone box-like structure. When Juran infused it with aura, a shadow dummy would emerge.
【Lethal capability, maximum strength】
Juran adjusted the settings and summoned the puppet.
"It won't die, at least."
Kyle watched from the side and silently mouthed something before letting out a stifled laugh. I accepted the sword Bella handed to me. The silvery haze scattered across the floor gradually took on a human form. Yet it wasn't truly human-shaped. It had no facial features, no fingers. It was merely a silver shadow with limbs attached, vaguely resembling a person. As it moved its arm, the limb transformed into the shape of a sword and shot toward me. I raised the practice sword to block the attack. But the blade cracked instantly. My eyes widened. With a sharp crack, the sword split in half and flew away. Ash sprang to his feet. 'Will she collapse and cry, or will her boyfriend come to her rescue?' A smile played at the corners of Juran's lips. But in that moment, I spun around. Suddenly I looked at Juran. He flinched in surprise. My eyes were far more resolute and sharp than he had anticipated. I moved. Aura blades like daggers materialized around me, instantly surrounding the silver shadow puppet. And I attacked without hesitation. The puppet immediately stopped moving. Fast and precise. I had never seen anything like it.
"What?"
Juran gasped. Aura was typically channeled through weapons like swords or metallic instruments. But thin, elongated aura blades danced around her like a whirlwind.
"That's—" In that instant, Juran and Kyle froze. My aura blades had stopped right before their faces.
"Honestly, this is beneath my expectations. Such childish harassment is common even at the Academy. I never imagined that renowned knights would be below Academy standards."
I spoke quietly. Juran and Kyle stood in silence, their mouths shut. I was neither angry nor ashamed. I simply blinked calmly and smiled with composure. My demeanor was remarkably composed. Contrasting sharply with my delicate appearance, Juran felt a chill run through his chest.
"I look forward to my life as a knight. I hope to learn much from you, seniors."
Only then did the aura blades return to my side. The retrieved blades slowly dissipated. Kyle and Juran felt cold sweat soaking their backs.
"You two, that was too much. Have you forgotten the rules? This won't be overlooked!"
Bella belatedly grasped the situation.
"Commander, this was a mistake—" Juran spoke.
"You should be ashamed! Do you think I'm a fool?"
Bella said. The Ravens Grand Duke had only been startled at first; now he merely smiled faintly. Kyle and Juran fell silent, as though they had completely forgotten their brazen attitudes from moments before. It was becoming clear that this newcomer was far from ordinary.
Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org