Violet stared at her reflection in the mirror. She hoped yesterday's events were just a dream, but when she opened her eyes again, it was all real—reality. She remembered her father saying last night that Violet needed to rest first, but she had to figure out which country she had ended up in.
Ah, Violet felt so lazy to get out of that comfortable bed. She looked sadly at the soft blanket she should still be hugging if only that damn Edgar hadn't come. Rona's incessant calls outside the door made Violet furious.
"Come in!" Violet snapped.
"Miss, Young Master Novtiglass said that if you don't come down in ten minutes, he will—" Rona's words trailed off as Violet glared at her sharply, like an eagle scanning its prey.
Argh, what a terrible morning!
The rocks on the road seemed more appealing than the man beside Violet. Since leaving that morning, the girl hadn't once glanced at Edgar. She still couldn't believe that he was the one who had committed such a heinous act. But wasn't such a crime more likely to be committed by someone close to her?
The carriage they were riding in was navy blue with the Novtiglass family flag flying at the front. It was round, large, and luxurious, adorned with unique carvings on its body. Almost like Cinderella's pumpkin carriage. The difference was that this carriage had no wheels or driver, as it moved using Edgar's wind element. Impressive!
When the train stopped, Violet, who had already gotten off, could only stand frozen in place. There was a large gate in front of her, towering high with its top covered in gray mist. The gate seemed to be made of the finest iron because when it opened, there was no ear-piercing creaking sound.
There were two griffin statues on either side of the gate, each with a rider on its back. At the top of the fence, there was a curved sign with strange, line-like writing, and strangely enough... Violet could read the words: "Welcome to Equestria Academy."
Edgar couldn't help but sigh as he watched Violet staring silently at one of the griffin statues. He quickly pulled the slender girl close and wrapped his arms tightly around her waist, acting like a proper fiancé.
Violet's eyes were still feasting on the beautiful scenery. The academy building looked very aesthetic. The building's color was predominantly gray with a light brown roof. It resembled a historic building from the human world.
Then, the girl looked up, gazing at the elephant-shaped cloud covering her from the sun. She couldn't hide her surprise and admiration.
"You look like you're seeing it for the first time," Edgar scolded, puzzled. Violet turned away, not wanting to look at Edgar.
Violet's outfit was very simple: a light green long-sleeved shirt, a black knee-length skirt, and a dark green cloak on the outside. Earlier, Rona had also given her a pair of black shoes, similar to boots but with softer leather. Her hair was loose, and anyone would be envious of her shiny hair.
No one smiled at her as she and Edgar walked down the corridor. Almost everyone wore a cynical expression, while the rest looked indifferent. Wow! Violet cheered inwardly. She was sick of all the bullying drama. She had been tormented by her own aunt in the past, but now she would not let anyone treat her badly.
When Edgar brought Violet into the room filled with people, the girl froze for a moment when she locked eyes with Prince Roger. However, Roger quickly looked away when he saw Edgar wrap his arm around Violet's shoulder. At that moment, Violet's heart ached; she wanted to cry, but she didn't know why.
"Alright, everyone is gathered now," said a man with a tall crown on his head. Violet guessed he was a king because of his majestic appearance.
Then, the man on the king's left said, "Yesterday, some farmers saw a Nych enter the forbidden forest area. Although the Nych couldn't breach the barrier, this has caused a stir because it's the third time it's happened. We must be on high alert immediately."
Noah tapped his fingers on the table, "The students must be informed immediately. Those from the first to third levels should be sent home, but those with magical abilities should be detained and given training. What about the assassins?"
"We have coordinated with the assassins to provide security assistance to the Orcs," Edgar replied.
Violet stared at Edgar intently, wanting to ask what an assassin was, but decided against it. She looked ahead, where Nalina raised her eyebrows as if to say, I'm ready to answer all your questions.
After the meeting, which Violet herself didn't know the purpose of being there, she stood by the wall—waiting for Nalina. However, it was Prince Roger who emerged with his expressionless face—staring at Violet for a few seconds—before finally walking away. Violet's eyes fluttered as she watched his back disappear into the wall.
"He's handsome, isn't he?" Nalina whispered in Violet's ear.
Violet nodded quickly, biting her lower lip, still feeling the flutter in her heart slowly subsiding. Nalina chuckled softly at Violet's blushing face. She immediately took Violet's arm and led her friend to the women's restroom.
"It's soundproof in here. So, ask me anything you want to know."
Of course, Violet didn't want to beat around the bush. She asked, "What is Nych?"
"Well," Nalina, who had been leaning against the wall, now sat down beside the sink. "Nych is a mountain monster that lives in Dark Mountain. This creature was sealed by the second king of this realm—King Rakha de Tyrone—but in recent weeks, many residents have reported sightings of it. Its appearance is hideous: black and fanged."
Violet wasn't satisfied; Nalina's answer wasn't detailed enough. "Then, what is an assassin?"
Nalina smiled softly, her eyes sparkling with fiery enthusiasm. "Come on, I'll take you to their camp."
***
Violet's eyes were truly spoiled at that moment. She and Nalina were watching the assassins—or more accurately, a group of handsome men—training their strength. There, Edgar was at the forefront, leading the group, which made Violet snort in annoyance.
"The Equastria Academy has four houses, Violet. Fighter, Healer, Assassin, and Mage. All four have outstanding strengths and depend on each other. I am a Healer, Noah is a Fighter, and you... I don't know because the old Violet had no powers at all," Nalina explained.
Violet didn't respond, but she now understood why people looked at her with disdain. It was because she had no powers. Seeing Violet silent, Nalina stood up from her seat. The fair-skinned girl gazed briefly toward the sun.
"Wait here; I'll go to the library first," Nalina said as she left.
Not even five minutes had passed since Nalina left Violet at the edge of the field when five girls she didn't know approached her. One of them roughly pushed Violet's shoulder and said, "Where's the money for us today?"
Violet's brows furrowed. Money? "Why should I give you money?"
"If you don't give us money, we won't be friends with you anymore!" replied the girl with two braids.
Violet stared at the five girls, trying to hold back her laughter. She was being extorted for such a ridiculous reason. Even an ant would know that since she entered this world, Nalina was her only friend. Violet chuckled until her shoulders shook.
"Are you all so poor that you have to ask me for money?" Violet asked.
The five of them stared in shock at Violet's words. What had happened during the three days she hadn't been to the academy? Usually, Violet would just give them money and make a silly face, but now... Then, the girl in front pushed Violet with both hands, causing her to fall onto the grass. One of them came with a bucket and immediately poured water over Violet.
Violet's fists clenched, her blood boiling, and she felt like she wanted to strangle them. Violet, who was still looking down, quickly raised her head when the five girls screamed and hung in the air. Vines were wrapped around their necks.
The assassins who heard the screams of pain immediately turned their heads and almost all of them approached—curious. One assassin with eyes as blue as the ocean approached Violet and helped the girl to her feet. Several others immediately cut the vines, but failed, and were even thrown by new vines that had just sprouted.
Edgar glared at Violet angrily. "Stop this, Violet!"
Violet looked at Edgar with furrowed brows and eyebrows almost touching, as if to say, "Did I make them like this?" Receiving such a response, he was even more puzzled by Violet. Where had the obedient Violet gone?
The vines around their necks tightened further, their faces turning pale. Violet's hands trembled; she wanted to cry now because she didn't know how to stop it all and didn't want anyone to die because of her.
A black circle appeared, and Prince Roger emerged, causing everyone to bow in respect. As he walked, one of his hands swept through the air, causing the vines to retreat back into the ground. He looked at Violet, embraced the girl, and brought her into the black circle.
The field fell silent. Edgar's jaw tightened as he watched his rival take Violet. He looked at the five girls who were sitting weakly on the ground.
"Zuar, report this incident to their homeroom teacher!" Edgar ordered.
All five shook their heads quickly, their faces filled with fear. However, one of the girls pulled on Edgar's cloak.
"Edgar!" The girl with light green hair called out to him. Her round face looked pleading, like a dog in need of attention. "Why have you changed, Ed?"
Edgar smiled crookedly, "I haven't changed, Mar. You're just expecting too much."
Meanwhile, Roger was pouring a liquid from a bottle into a bowl. Violet watched every move the man made. It was quite impressive to see a prince using kitchen utensils.
Violet's tongue, which had been itching for a while, could no longer hold back the question that had been lingering in her mind. "Prince, are you a Healer?"
Roger brought the prepared potion to Violet. He immediately sat down on the chair next to the girl who had caught his attention. When the girl with the purple eyes met his lava-gray eyes, Roger gestured for her to drink the potion he had made.
"The descendants of de Tyrone have more than one ability, Violet. I can heal and make potions like healers. I can also eliminate enemies quickly like an assassin, and I can control magic like a mage," he explained.
"Wow, that's awesome!" Violet exclaimed. Then, she drank the potion and placed the empty bowl in front of Roger. Violet looked at Roger again and smiled softly, making his heart race once more.
"Thank you, Prince," she added.
Both fell silent. Roger stared at Violet intensely, while she felt weak and on the verge of fainting. Violet's cheeks had been flushed since earlier, something she had never felt before.
"I think I should leave soon," Violet said.
Roger smiled faintly, "Let's go!"
The two walked side by side out of the palace kitchen. The servants immediately bowed as their prince passed by, occasionally glancing at the girl beside Roger.
Upon reaching the palace gates, Nalina was waiting, hugging a thick book and looking at Violet with concern. Earlier, she had been informed by one of the assassins that her friend had been taken by the prince. So, she had rushed to the palace and waited patiently outside. Nalina hurried over and bowed respectfully to Roger. The man merely nodded in response.
"Thank you, Prince," said Nalina. The fair-skinned girl quickly took Violet's hand, and Nalina bowed respectfully again. "I'm sorry for the trouble."
"If it's Violet, I don't feel troubled at all."