Chapter 3: To grasp onto a thread of hope

“Manager, I’m really troubling you. Not only did I fail to complete my work, I even needed you to treat me. I’ll find time to make up for today’s absence.”

Simon bowed to Lila.

Unlike the timidity he showed on the surface, Simon was in fact a man upright to the point of being hopeless, this was Lila’s conclusion.

So in truth, Simon had never done anything wrong, yet he had to endure such bullying, and Lila could not help but feel a trace of reluctance.

But she was a villain.

Villains did not have compassion.

Healing Simon’s injuries was merely to prevent him from taking extreme actions.

This was also the reason Lila played the role of the manager.

No matter how despairing the world became, as long as someone was willing to cast down a thread of warmth, one could grasp it even in the abyss of darkness.

And in her previous life, she had lacked that very thread.

“Alright, Simon. But the shop is already closed, so what you need now is rest. Come back tomorrow with a refreshed spirit.”

Lila revealed a warm smile.

“Okay, Manager!”

Simon’s mood brightened instantly.

His mentality, constantly battered by that vicious noble lady, would always improve after speaking with the manager.

Perhaps without the manager, he might have already chosen to perish together with that red-haired villainess.

At the thought of that woman, flames of anger once again ignited in Simon’s eyes.

It was just that he was still too weak.

The instructors of the magic department had told Simon that there was an immense power within his body.

But since he could not sense it, he needed to work even harder.

Until the day he grew strong enough that Lila could no longer look down on him, he could only pretend to comply with that villainous girl.

After bidding farewell to the manager, he returned early to train his magic while he still had time.

As for Lila, still in her role as the manager, she let out a sigh of relief as she watched Simon leave.

After checking the accounts and understanding the restaurant’s situation, Lila left the office, locked the door, flipped the wooden “Open” sign hanging on the handle to “Closed,” and hurried away.

Returning to her apartment, Lila changed back into her villainous noble lady attire.

But it was not yet time to rest.

She left the apartment and headed to the academy’s training grounds.

She picked up a sword.

Countless images of flashing sword lights passed through her mind.

Gripping the wooden sword tightly, the sound of it slicing through the air rang out like a rapid melody.

She felt her body becoming lighter.

The sword in her hand seemed like an extension of her own body.

Like an elegant dancer, following nimble steps, she traced one beautiful arc after another with her blade.

At this moment, she felt incomparably delighted.

Her entire body and mind were immersed in the training of sword techniques.

She was born for this.

After reproducing all the sword techniques she had learned so far, beads of sweat formed on Lila’s forehead.

She then withdrew her wooden sword, only to hear an untimely round of applause.

“Not bad. Little girl, your swordsmanship is impressive, and beautiful.”

Lila looked up to see a scruffy middle-aged man with gray-white hair, carrying a greatsword on his back.

“Who are you? This is why Casser Academy shouldn’t have opened its doors so widely, so random people like you can’t just wander in.”

Without even sparing him a glance, Lila set down her sword and began complaining about the academy.

Black lines seemed to form on the man’s forehead.

“It seems your mouth is even sharper than your sword.”

“Which noble family do you belong to?” the man continued.

“Someone like you isn’t qualified to know my family.”

Lila snorted lightly.

“Though your personality is quite terrible, your swordsmanship is good. But… you still haven’t grasped Sword Intent, have you?”

The man paid no mind to Lila’s attitude and examined her carefully.

“What are you looking at? I’d like to see what those dog eyes of yours can figure out.”

The man did not get angry at her words.

Instead, he said calmly,

“Your sword techniques have already reached the limit that many people can only dream of. Logically speaking, Sword Intent should have long since condensed within you. As for why it hasn’t… I think it’s because you haven’t found a reason to swing your sword.”

“My reason for swinging a sword is to swing it. I was born for this!”

This was not part of Lila’s act.

She truly believed it.

Whenever she held a blade and swung it, she felt happiness, freedom.

In those fleeting moments, she belonged entirely to herself.

No longer did she feel the despair of her life slipping away, nor did she care about the countless restraints placed upon her.

“I’ll take that as your answer for now.”

The man was about to continue when his brows suddenly furrowed.

“I have something urgent to deal with. We’ll meet again, you spoiled little girl.”

In the next instant, the man’s figure vanished without a trace, leaving only still air behind.

Lila expressionlessly packed up her things and returned to her apartment.

Lying in her warm bed, she stared blankly at the ceiling.

This world was not safe.

Wars broke out everywhere, and unseen currents of power stirred beneath the surface.

Only within the academy were such terrifying incidents less likely to occur.

But less likely did not mean impossible.

In this world, only one’s own strength could be relied upon.

And yet, she was stuck in place.

Lila suddenly revealed a mocking smile.

Forget it.

What did any of this have to do with someone as short-lived as her?

If she could live one more day, then so be it.

The girl closed her eyes, feeling the warmth of her blanket, and drifted into sleep.

****

The next day, Lila arrived at the classroom as usual and sat in her exclusive seat.

The first class today was Principles of Alchemy and Basic Operations.

As always, Simon brought her books.

Lila could tell that Simon seemed distracted, subconsciously clutching his stomach.

She knew he was poor, but she hadn’t expected him to be so poor that missing a single day of work meant going hungry.

That wouldn’t do.

While she needed to bully him, she couldn’t let his body break down, this was called sustainable exploitation.

So just as Simon was about to leave, Lila called out to him.

“Sit beside me today, Simon. I happen to have many things I don’t understand, you can teach me.”

Lila issued the command in a disdainful tone.

Simon didn’t think much of it.

He simply assumed the little demon girl was acting up again, and sat down beside her.

Lila then took out a piece of honey toast from her shoulder bag.

This was actually her lunch, but she pretended it was breakfast and took a small bite.

Then her expression twisted into disgust as she angrily said,

“This tastes awful! How could someone as noble as me eat something like this!”

Lila pretended to think, glanced at Simon, and suddenly seemed to come up with an idea.

“In that case, Simon, you eat it. Something like this is probably only considered tasty by someone of your status.”

She spoke arrogantly.

Simon clenched his fist where no one could see.

But thinking of his lack of power to resist, he slowly loosened it.

“As you command, Miss.”

He responded in a low voice, taking the honey toast, already bitten, from Lila’s hand.

Unlike Simon’s simmering resentment, Lila felt much happier inside.

She had both earned his hatred and ensured he had something to eat.

Though, to make the act convincing, she really had taken a bite.

Did that count as… an indirect kiss?

No.

She couldn’t think like that.

This was merely a necessary sacrifice.

Despite the storm of thoughts within her, Lila maintained a look of utter disdain on the surface as she continued,

“Simon, eat all of it right here in front of me. Not a single bite left, or else…”

Lila once again revealed that inexplicable smile.

Threatened, Simon dared not disobey and quickly swallowed the honey toast in a few bites.

Including the part Lila had bitten.

This too was a necessary sacrifice for the sake of maintaining appearances.

Simon repeated silently to himself.

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