Chapter 2

In my past life, I worked hard through grad school and became a pharmaceutical researcher. All that suffering is finally helping me now.

The first power I awakened was the ability to control energy. I had some talent before, but after awakening during puberty, my power grew a lot.

The second power awakened a bit later. Thanks to that, I can now see a status window and have my own storage space.

I even gave my storage space a name—“Farm.”

“If I had these powers in my past life, my research notes would’ve been perfect. I wouldn’t have been scolded for messy notes!”

I always wished for perfect notes that never got damaged and sorted themselves. That wish came true in this life.

Awakening two powers is very rare. And in this kingdom, rare cases like me are feared because of an old legend.

The story goes that the first king defeated a witch who tried to take over the world after awakening her powers three times.

How silly. Ruling a kingdom is okay, but ruling the world isn’t?

People blindly believe this nonsense. That’s why I kept my second power a secret—from everyone, even my so-called friends like Regreto. And thank goodness I did.

I looked at the status window and smiled.

Effect: ???

“What effect do you have? Come on, just tell me already.”

Until I figure out a material’s use, the effect won’t show in the status window.

That’s why I’ve been researching “pieces of the mad dragon” ever since I came here.

“Inventory.”

This world has magic and divine power. Everything in nature has some kind of energy. When processed, it becomes something called ether.

I’m really talented at handling energy and ether. People say I’m a genius.

I’m good at making potions, but I can also put energy into weapons or extract it from objects. Anything I touch becomes more powerful.

Because of that, people call me an alchemist, not just a potion maker.

I became the world’s first alchemist and thought I’d get rich.

Well, that didn’t happen.

It doesn’t matter now anyway. I’m stuck in this cabin for the rest of my life, so money means nothing.

After being exiled, I gave up on being rich and decided to become a crazy alchemist.

“Let’s mix it with some Dalia today… If I mess this up, it could go really bad.”

I put on all my protective gear, then added a piece of the mad dragon’s claw and two roots of Dalia into boiling water.

Bubble bubble…

“Oh, this doesn’t feel right.”

Grrrk… grrk…

“Should a potion make sounds like this?”

Grkkk!

Yeah, this is really bad.

“Crap.”

BOOM!

The mixture exploded and shot through the roof, landing in the yard with a big splat.

Rain started pouring through the giant hole.

“…Damn it.”

How was I supposed to fix that?

Then…

Bang!

“Violeta.”

“What the—? Who are you!?”

“You’re not even trying to hide your true self now, huh?”

A surprise guest.

A huge guy, about 190cm tall, with tanned skin and big muscles.

He was one of the four warriors chosen to fight the mad dragon and the second son of Count Scarlett.

Also, my childhood friend—Calix Scarlett—came carrying supplies.

“Get lost.”

“It’s just supplies.”

“Leave them and get out.”

He just barged into my house like it was his and laughed like an idiot.

His black eyes narrowed at me.

“Today was supposed to be Regreto’s turn.”

“So what.”

“But Regreto’s about to get engaged. So I came instead. I couldn’t let him meet someone like you before such an important moment. He hasn’t even shown up for his turn anyway.”

“And?”

“He’s a way better person than you. He and Regreto are perfect together.”

My head started to throb.

Why him, of all people?

Unlike Banetta and Leonhardt, who at least dropped off supplies and left quietly, Calix always came to argue and blame me.

Just like now.

I answered back, used to his annoying attitude.

“Want me to congratulate you? Should I send a gift? Too bad, I’m broke. Want a potion instead?”

“Violeta, what gives you the confidence to act like this?”

“I believe in my innocence.”

BANG!

Suddenly I couldn’t breathe.

Calix grabbed my collar and slammed me into the wall.

Looking into his sharp eyes, I gasped for air.

“You betrayed us.”

“I… didn’t…”

“We almost died from the potion you gave us.”

I tried to shake him off, but I’m just a normal person, not strong at all.

Calix didn’t care. He kept pressing on me.

“Even when you acted like a brat, when no one was on your side, we were the ones who stood by you.”

What a joke.

When no one was on my side, I only had myself.

“I thought you finally changed.”

“Let… go… of me.”

“Oh, does it hurt? Is it hard to breathe? My friends almost died because of you—and this is what hurts?”

He laughed in my face.

“You think Leonhardt or Banetta forgave you? They didn’t.”

“What…?”

“If it wasn’t for ‘that,’ they would’ve killed you already…”

‘That’?

His hateful words echoed in my ears.

My heart dropped.

For two years, Leonhardt and Banetta acted like nothing happened.

I guess I hoped, deep down, they had forgiven me.

But no—they just had a reason to keep me alive.

“Why don’t you finally confess and regret it—”

Thud!

The pressure disappeared.

I could breathe again. Gasping, I shook a special potion in front of Calix.

My mind was racing, but my heart felt calm.

Now I understood everything.

“You dumb brute. Listen carefully, I’ll only say this once.”

“Violeta Sicklein!”

“First of all, I’m not Sicklein anymore. Just Violeta. It’s been two years. Guess your brain’s too small to remember that.”

I held up two fingers. Calix clenched his teeth.

“Second, if I really wanted them dead, they’d be dead. My potions are perfect.”

“How dare you say that—!”

“The proof is right here, Calix. Look at you. You can’t even move in front of someone half your size.”

The paralyzing potion worked perfectly.

I poured a little more on his foot, just to be safe.

It wasn’t because I hated him flailing—I just needed to make sure he couldn’t hurt me.

The pain was a bonus. I added that on purpose.

“Aaagh! Violeta!”

“Shh. I’m sensitive to noise. Want me to shut your mouth, too?”

“You—!”

“You’re dumb. You think I tried to poison you, but then walk into my house unguarded? That’s why you’re like this.”

He twitched on the floor. Pathetic.

“Now listen carefully. This is important.”

“I’ll never forgive you.”

“Suit yourself.”

I twirled, and my tattered skirt flared like a flower.

“Third and last: I never mess around with the potions I make. I never lie about them or hide anything. It’s the only thing I still believe in.”