Chapter 16: Vivian, Don’t Lose Hope! (Please Keep Reading! Please Comment!)

Ron’s words were ambiguous and somewhat disingenuous.

The residual soul ability exhibited by Wigforth had historical precedent.

This meant that the residual soul was acquired from another person, not an original residual soul containment—only original residual souls required a containment ritual.

Nonetheless, this statement served as a comforting reassurance for Vivian.

The young girl was still unwilling to believe her teacher could be a villain.

Hmm… this kind of inner conflict might become a problematic point.

Ron silently resolved to trim some of Vivian’s excessive inner turmoil in the novel. However, he couldn’t remove it entirely, or the character development would be incomplete, and the portrayed Vivian would no longer align with the real one, which would be disastrous.

“Wigforth has not appeared since he left last time.”

“Vivian thus has no way to know if she can continue her studies.”

“Vivian is highly proactive in her actions.”

“After bringing the materials back to the Mage Tower, she packed up to set off for the place you mentioned.”

“‘Vivian, are you going out again?’” asked a girl named Lolly.

You felt a bit disdainful toward that name.

How could someone so grown-up be called ‘Lolly’!

“...”

Ron was momentarily stunned when he read this.

Then he took off his watch to check the time.

Hmm, his intuition was correct—she was indeed too grown-up to fit such a name.

Damn! What am I doing!

Ron thumped his head and put the watch back on so the text would display properly.

“Lolly is Vivian’s roommate and fellow villager, brought out of the village together by Wigforth.”

“‘You need to take care of your health too.’ Lolly looked at Vivian with concern. Vivian had been leaving early and returning late these past days, working rather hard.”

“‘Once the teacher returns, I’ll talk to him with everyone. You’re not even an ordinary mage yet; you shouldn’t graduate.’”

Vivian saw Lolly’s worried expression and knew she truly cared about her health. She smiled and said, “It’s okay. I actually want to go out and explore. Even if I don’t graduate early, I want to travel.”

Having witnessed the tragic consequences caused by the Demon King’s residual soul, Vivian had already conceived the idea of traveling to collect Demon King residual souls.

A sage once calculated that the residual souls of the Demon King held by various races accounted for less than 60% of the Demon King’s entire soul.

This meant that at least 40% of the Demon King’s residual souls remained in their original residual soul state.

Attempting to contain these souls could unleash untold bloodshed and chaos.

Since Ron Meow could calmly and clearly devour Demon King residual souls, perhaps she could use this trait to nip these potential disasters in the bud.

Ron admired Vivian’s kindness upon reading this.

Without any deliberate guidance, she had developed such thoughts on her own.

He wasn’t sure if this kind of saintly, selfless motivation would be popular with readers, but he didn’t intend to alter Vivian’s motives in the novel.

“Vivian also asked Lolly for some potions.”

“Lolly was the most skilled potion crafter among Wigforth’s apprentices.”

“‘Do you need mana recovery potions or healing potions?’ Lolly rummaged through her supplies.”

“‘Poison.’”

“‘Huh?’”

Vivian looked at the bewildered Lolly and emphasized, “Poison, the more potent, the better.”

Lolly suddenly understood, “You want to use poison for a sneak attack? If your strength isn’t enough, that’s a good tactic…”

“Oh no, I’m drinking it myself…” Vivian blurted out instinctively.

She immediately regretted saying it.

Vivian’s reasoning was actually quite simple.

Burning her body could use all her conditions as fuel, and poisoning was naturally included.

Curse magic required incantations and casting time, but poison took effect immediately.

Fast! Strong! Fierce!

Vivian admired her own cleverness.

Unfortunately, she had let the secret slip.

“Don’t do anything reckless, Vivian!” Lolly shouted in alarm.

Her voice attracted all the nearby girls.

“Vivian! I’m coming to save you!”

Vivian suddenly felt a figure flash before her eyes and was kicked to the ground.

Before she could react, the person was already straddling her.

“Graduating early? I can just have my dad get you a job!” Grella’s voice came from above.

This usually graceful and elegant noble girl was now sitting atop Vivian in a very unrefined posture.

Vivian silently pouted.

Just little Grella, trying to overpower me?

As she tried to struggle, the onlooking girls, thinking Vivian was still trying to hurt herself, immediately swarmed and pinned her down.

The students under Wigforth’s tutelage were truly close; none wished harm upon Vivian.

“Ah! Whose chest is that? You’re crushing me!”

“Whose butt is that? Don’t sit on my head!”

Although Vivian was physically strong, she was no match for a dozen girls and was temporarily subdued, unable to resist.

Damn! This scene!

Absolutely cannot be missed!

Ron quickly took off his watch.

He loved watching women fight the most!

At this moment, all the mental torment from resonance syndrome was completely forgotten.

If not for the risk of review sanctions, he might have even encouraged Vivian to use a self-binding spell on these girls. That would certainly make the scene even more...

“Vivian eventually broke free from the girls’ restraint.”

“The two sides faced off, panting.”

“Grella insisted, ‘Vivian! I will never let you harm yourself!’”

Vivian was taken aback, then delivered a critical blow, “Are you caring for me?”

“No!!!” Grella screamed, “Only the blood of lower people pollutes my eyes! I don’t care about you!”

Oh!

Too bad the tsundere act is out of season now.

Knowing Grella’s personality, Vivian smiled and explained, “I’m not reckless. Drinking poison is to strengthen my magic. I’ll be fine.”

Grella asked uncertainly, “Really?”

“Of course!” Vivian lifted her head, “I never lie!”

That was a lie!

You already lied to your teacher before!

Ron silently scoffed.

Then he saw Grella believe Vivian’s words.

“Really?” Grella genuinely felt happy that Vivian found magic suited to her.

“How many of these potions do you need? Will mildly toxic healing potions work?”

Vivian scratched her cheek, “That should be fine. I’m not picky.”

Grella nodded, “Then I’ll have the butler deliver you a ring.”

“How many potions does a ring represent?”

Grella said uncertainly, “About two or three thousand bottles, but you have to return the ring later. Dad doesn’t let me give away such things casually.”

Damn! Rich girl!

I really apologize for calling you a tsundere just now!