The next morning , spectators flocking to the beach to watch the kayak event were greeted by glorious sunshine and a sea as smooth as a surfboard . Nicky , Violet and Colette arrived among the first to be sure of getting the best places .
Violet : From here , visibility is perfect !
Nicky : Now all we have to do is wait for the Confetti . Precisely , where are they ?
Most of the teams taking part in the regatta had already gathered at the water's edge . But there was no sign of Pamela , Paulina , Craig and Shen . As if in answer to Nicky's question , an exclamation of surprise rose from the audience .
Audience : Oooohh !
Everyone looked in the direction of the path leading to the beach , on which Craig , Paulina , Shen and Pamela had just appeared , carrying a brightly-colored kayak .
Colette/Nicky/Violet : Wow, guys ! Now that's a boat worthy of Confetti !
At that moment , coming out of the loudspeakers , Bruce's voice invited the competitors to take their places . The crews joined the starting line , and as soon as the signal was given , they paddled with all their might . Roni , Dina , Tanya and Vic immediately took the lead and proved to be the fastest , while Pamela and Paulina's team spared no effort . The Confettis didn't finish among the top three teams , but when they returned to shore , Nicky , Violet and Colette greeted them with praise and applause . During the medal ceremony , the Confettis were , to their great surprise , invited to approach the podium .
Paulina : There must be some mistake !
Bruce : Absolutely not ! The way you decorated your kayak and your enthusiasm so impressed the jury that they decided to proclaim you the brightest team of the whole championship !
As she celebrated this unexpected award with the rest of her team and friends , Paulina noticed that Violet was distracted and kept looking at her watch .
Paulina : ''Mmh...here we go again...I bet before long , she'll be making up an excuse to leave...''.
And indeed , a few seconds later .
Violet : Girls , this morning I broke a string on my violin . I'm off to the Zanzibazar to buy another one .
Nicky : You'll miss the fencing final !
Violet : Don't worry , I'll be there !
The mouselet hurried away from the beach . She was in such a hurry that she didn't notice that someone had followed her , Paulina . Violet's strange disappearance during the qualifying rounds had intrigued her friend , who had been watching her closely ever since . Having noticed other oddities in her behavior , Paulina became convinced that Violet was hiding something . Firstly , she kept disappearing at the most inopportune moments , using far-fetched pretexts . And when she came back , she was always dishevelled and tired , as if she'd just been working out . But the oddities didn't stop there . A few days earlier , while in her classmate's room , Paulina had noticed a sports bag hidden under her bed . That day , determined to unravel this little mystery , Paulina followed Violet to her room , then lurked at a corner of the corridor , waiting for what would happen next . After a few minutes , Violet opened her door slightly and peered out . After reassuring herself that no one was around , she stepped out in her fencing gear . But before leaving , the mouseling pulled her hair up and put on her mask. Then everything became clear to Paulina : the mysterious fencer was none other than Violet . A few minutes later , Paulina joined Colette , Pamela and Nicky on the gym bleachers .
Colette : Hey , Paulina , where have you been ?
Paulina : Uh...I just popped into my room to...check on something...
Paulina would have liked to reveal her discovery to the other Thea Sisters , but if Violet had kept the matter secret , perhaps she was planning to surprise them . In which case , she wouldn't want to spoil her effect .
Pamela : Here they are !
The two who were about to compete for the gold medal were none other than Connie and... the mysterious fencer . Both stood guard . Although their faces were hidden , the tension in their bodies betrayed the defiant glances they exchanged . Attacking first , Connie attempted a lunge , but her opponent parried it nimbly before counter-attacking . Connie's energetic , aggressive style and the mysterious fencer's precise , elegant movements were the basis of a tightly contested battle . But it was the unknown girl who struck the winning blow . Before shaking Connie's paw , she removed her mask and , before the astonished eyes of the spectators , revealed her face .
Pamela : Violet !?
Colette : We were convinced you didn't want to take part in any competition ! What finally made you change your mind ?
Violet looked at Connie , who was taking off her mask .
Connie: Tell them .
Violet : I wanted a certain someone to understand that you shouldn't judge people by appearances ! And that a lazy person like me can be passionate about sport !
Several days earlier , after being openly criticized by Vanilla for not wanting to take part in the championship , Violet had secretly asked Connie by text message if she could coach her in fencing . Connie herself hadn't appreciated Vanilla's insult that day , so she'd agreed to teach her fencing...but her service wasn't free that night , so if she really wanted revenge , Connie asked her to buy her an obsidian knife . What's it for ? The knife would come in handy later .