Chapter 343

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Chapter 343: The Black Rose Will Bloom Once Again

When the other person used the same technique, Michelle firmly insisted that claiming it was ‘completely self-created’ would not work.

It’s impossible to have two exactly identical original techniques, even if the effects are the same, there will inevitably be subtle differences.

Michelle, of course, couldn’t use this technique. She was still trying to understand it in front of everyone, and she didn’t even know how long it would take for her to master it.

On the other hand, Arivia effortlessly conjured it; she could even perform it using a simple twig. She had reached the level of being ‘skillful with just one’s hands.’

How could this be denied?

What is Black Rose? I’ve never heard of it before.

Mr. Devil didn’t tell me either, this spell belongs to someone else.

Michelle quietly stepped back.

"I suggest that you don’t move, because I have already set up a quiet area around here in advance. No sounds or vibrations can go out, and you don’t need to worry about any guards or anyone else disturbing. You have plenty of time to think about how to answer this question."

Michelle was caught in a dilemma.

Arivia added, "I’m not threatening you, after all, I am not a devil. It is not my interest to bully a young girl, but I need to ask the necessary questions."

Michelle clenched her fists tightly and remained silent.

The famous star said, "Miss Michelle, I treat people sincerely and don’t hide my identity too much. If you weren’t so cautious, I could have slowly probed, but your alertness was too strong. It immediately triggered your guard, so I had no choice but to ask directly."

Michelle said, "Was it still my fault?"

Arivia shook her head and said, "Your strong vigilance implies that you are indeed hiding a secret. I could have deceived you with falsehoods, but you didn’t do that. It shows that you are not very cunning, just like the information I found. You are a kind-hearted girl from humble origins, and personally, I am willing to believe that you are unaware of the origin of this spell, otherwise, it wouldn’t have come out so recklessly."

Michelle thought to herself, "The meaning behind your words is clearly saying – you really lack astuteness, country girl."

"Be more cunning," Mr. Devil’s advice lingered vividly in her mind.

Michelle regretted deeply, so deeply… Curse it, I should have listened to Mr. Devil’s advice.

However, how should she explain it? The more she thought about it, the more she felt unable to explain. Taking inspiration was one thing, but it couldn’t become original unless… she had a complete set of research notes on spiral archery techniques.

"I can’t give you an answer right now," Michelle wanted to buy some time.

"Why?" Arivia smiled mischievously, "Are you trying to postpone it for a few days? What’s the point in doing that? It’s better to just say it outright. Even if it’s a technique you learned secretly, it doesn’t really matter, you know."

"This is a reconstructed research note that I obtained," Michelle lied.

"Oh?" Arivia squinted her eyes.

"Since this magical technique has been passed down from generation to generation, it is not impossible for research notes to have been handed down as well. However, they are not complete. It took me a long time to restore them…"

"Lies," Arivia interrupted with a stern tone. "I don’t like children who tell lies. I have already mentioned that this magical technique has been passed down through generations, never once becoming known to the outside world. There has never been any research notes. None at all."

"There really is," Michelle said. "If you don’t believe me, give me a few days and I will hand it over to you."

"If you hand it over to me now, I can believe," Arivia’s eyes expressed disbelief.

"The original notebook had been destroyed, and I felt like there was no need to keep it. It would take a few days to rewrite it."

"Michelle, please don’t take adults for fools," Arivia said. "How can I believe you when you say things like that? What secret do you want to hide so badly? Now I’m even more curious."

"I…"

"Taking a step back, even if you can perfectly recreate this spell, how did you obtain the Golden Engraving and the Dragon Blood Secret Technique?" Arivia continued her questioning. "Both of them are long-lost mysteries."

"Of course it is…"

"Is it something you discovered on your own? If you were truly this clever, you wouldn’t have been beaten up all the time before," Arivia revealed. "I can only surmise… that you obtained the Dragon’s Blood Magic, the Golden Engraving, and even this spell from the same secret, the same origin."

Hit the nail on the head.

Michelle, however, showed no change in expression this time, or rather, she had become numb to it.

After carefully reflecting on it, she realized that she had exposed too many flaws. The more rapidly she rose, the more inexplicable the source of her power became.

Did no one else have any doubts?

It’s not that they didn’t have doubts, they simply chose not to dwell on them.

As long as Michelle Hope remains a student at the Tulip Academy and avoids causing trouble, what does it matter if she encounters some peculiar situations? The professors and headmaster of the academy will always protect her…but not everyone else may do the same.

The Blood Noble grew suspicious, and even the Knights Templar conducted an investigation. Now, a mysterious organization, of which she had never heard, has come knocking at her door. Among its members is none other than the famous actress Arivia Huaiert. Michelle felt overwhelmed and helpless, realizing that she had unwittingly become the center of a whirlpool, surrounded by a swarm of sharks.

It wasn’t really about coveting, but rather mostly out of caution.

No one knew what would be revealed when she opened the hidden box, whether it would be Pandora’s magical chest.

Thinking about it, Michelle also decided to just go for it.

"What does it matter?"

"As you said, I acquired these through certain means: the Golden Engraving, the Dragon Blood Secret Technique, and this magical spell."

"But, so what? I have already obtained them, in my own way."

"Why do I need to tell you where it comes from?"

"You can threaten me or try to force a confession out of me here, but I promise I won’t say a single word."

"If you want to eliminate all risks of disclosure, just kill me. However, I can assure you that I will release a massive firework before dying, and then the Tulip Academy won’t let you off the hook, neither will the Blood Noble nor the Knights Order."

The village girl raised her head high and spoke confidently, saying, "What can you do to me?" with a strong and imposing statement.

All things considered, she performed poorly.

No matter how you guess, no matter what you say, I always replied with versatile phrases like, "Ah, yes, yes," "I’m not sure," and "What happened?"

Michelle is not very clever, and this is her biggest weakness. But, little did she know…

As long as she accepted her weaknesses, then she would become…invincible.

Arivia was slightly surprised for a few moments. "Oh, this is quite unexpected! You’ve learned how to act naughty at such a young age?" she exclaimed.

"Wouldn’t it be better if I didn’t resort to being tricky in front of everyone?" Michelle huffed, "In any case, no matter what happens, I will never tell."

Arivia, "…"

She couldn’t actually kill her or drag her away for interrogation. Witches don’t harm other witches, and allies don’t harm each other. Besides, she was a fellow villager from a familiar village. Although they weren’t from the same generation of village girls, they both hailed from the same village.

"It’s okay if you don’t answer," Arivia let out a sigh and changed her tone, "I won’t give you a hard time either. Just answer me three questions, and I’ll let you go, alright?"

"Two," Michelle cleverly negotiated.

"Alright," Arivia agreed decisively, then proceeded to ask directly, "For the first question, did you learn the Golden Engraving, Dragon’s Blood Secret Technique, and this spell from the teachings of heroic spirits?"

Michelle complained, "Do you think I look like someone who has seen heroic spirits?"

Mr. Devil also mentioned that he is not a heroic spirit, and he has never heard of heroic spirits possessing others.

"Not a heroic spirit?" Arivia’s voice grew urgent, unable to conceal her emotional shift, she pressed on, "Are you sure? Really sure?"

"I have never seen heroic spirits, not even once. As for how these stories came about, I cannot say." Michelle raised a finger, indicating that she wouldn’t be fooled. "Don’t try to trick me with your words. I have become wiser and more cautious."

Arivia remained silent for a long while. She pressed down on her duck-billed cap before casting a rather deep and icy gaze, her voice low.

"Have you thought well? Never lie to me, or else…"

Michelle, still shaking her head, directly denied it.

"…and let’s just consider it that way," Arivia seemed to believe it, but also appeared a bit disappointed.

Afterward, they remained silent, as if lost in deep thoughts. A long silence enveloped them, with red moonlight cascading between the two. Golden and red particles floated from her shoulders, occasionally illuminating her delicate features and furrowed brows.

"There is still one more question," Michelle broke the silence.

Arivia snapped back to attention. "The second question is, would you be willing to join the Black Rose?"

Michelle pressed on with her questions. "What is the Black Rose?" she inquired.

"An organization made up entirely of witches, currently with few members, joining it brings many benefits, but requires passing an assessment."

Michelle asked cautiously, "What is the organization’s goal?" If it was an organization aligned with the Axis powers, she would refuse immediately.

"Find the divine embodiments of our witch’s faith, and…" Arivia exclaimed dramatically.

"Find the lost treasure and break this dreadful curse of the red moon!"