Phoenix Rising: From Heartache to Heroism
Chapter 138 Violeta Can Fight

"Can you write?"

"A bit."

Cyril thought of how Violeta had wielded the wooden plank earlier, which gave him quite a surprise.

"Alright. Get her some ink and pens," he said.

The assistant nodded quickly and hurried behind the screen to fetch the tools.

The paper and ink were brought out.

They set up a small table that had survived the shop's raid.

The assistant was busy grounding the ink on the side.

Violeta picked up a scattered brush from the floor, cleaned it, and dipped it in ink.

With swift, fluid strokes, Violeta began writing. Her hand moved effortlessly, and she wrote a poem.

'I sleep in the clouds and dream of the sky. I'll keep dreaming as life passes me by. I think my dreams keep me sane.'

After finishing the last stroke, she handed the paper to Cyril.

Cyril took the paper and examined it with a serious expression. "Your strokes are bold and powerful. Quite impressive," he remarked.

"How long have you been practicing?"

Violeta's eyes lowered and said, "I've lost count."

If she were to calculate, it would span for two lifetimes.

She began practicing calligraphy at the age of seven in the Blakes household, even winning a calligraphy award in high school. Adding the years of this life to the previous one made it an incredibly long time. "How old are you?"

"Eighteen this year."

Cyril turned to his assistant and said, "Fetch me more paper."

Then he looked at Violeta and said, "I'd like to see you complete the poem."

"Alright."

The boy returned with a fine paper. Violeta dipped her pen in ink and began to write. Slowly, the full poem emerged on the paper.

Cyril watched intently. When she finished, he nodded.

"Strong, confident strokes. Well done."

Violeta smiled and asked, "Does that mean I can get a free pen now? I want the one you showed me this morning."

Cyril went behind the screen to retrieve the pen. He asked, "Do you know the story behind this Umber pen?"

Violeta remained silent.

Before Cyril picked up the pen, a voice came from outside the shop.

"This is the place! Mr. Wally, she's still inside!"

Violeta turned to see the Houles she had fought earlier, returning with reinforcements.

Wally had been humiliated earlier. This time, he brought in many fighters to reclaim his reputation.

He pushed through the crowd and glared at Violeta, who was inside the shop. Wally barked, "So, you're still here! I thought you'd run off. Saves me the trouble of replaceing you. You dare to cross me? Today, you'l pay!

"You think you're tough? Let's see how tough you really are!" Wally spat.

Violeta scanned those men, and she asked with a smile, "Here for revenge? Fine, let's play."

She stepped outside, not wanting to further wreck the already damaged shop.

People on the street hurriedly stepped back.

Wally's men soon surrounded Violeta as soon as she left the shop.

At Wally's request, ten burly wrestlers charged at her.

Their physical disparity was stark.

Violeta nimbly dodged their punches, using their force against them, and fought them with Harmony Flow. She deftly redirected their blows, sending them crashing into each other.

At the other end of the street,

Hayden and his friends were walking by.

"Hade, are you searching for Vio?"

Zoren chattered incessantly.

"Vio left shortly after lunch. Not sure-Hey! What's going on up there? Is that a fight?"

Zoren's sharp eyes immediately caught sight of the commotion ahead. Everyone's gaze followed his direction, seeing a large crowd gathered around.

"Let's check it out," Hayden said.

As they approached, they heard the sounds of some men falling to the ground.

Thud-

"Ouch, my back... "

"Fight, you idiots! Where are you aiming your punches?"

Violeta said nothing.

She was having a good time, making the hefty wrestlers look like clumsy puppets.

When Hayden and the others pushed through the crowd, they saw Violeta at the center of the action.

A hefty man was being toyed with like a fool in front of her.

"Vio!?" Zoren called out.

Violeta had just finished off the last big guy when she heard Zoren's voice. She turned and smiled. "You guys, what are you doing here?" Jasper laughed and said, "We were planning to watch a wrestling match this afternoon. I should've come here instead."

Liam added, "Yeah, this is better; there is no charge for the ticket fee."

Violeta knocked down all the men Wally brought, infuriating him.

Zoren asked, "Vio, have you left right after lunch to fight?"

"Not exactly. I came to get a pen. They just happened to show up, so I entertained them," Violeta explained.

Hayden glanced at the men scattered on the ground, then at the shop beside them.