149 - How Could the Villainous Young Master Be a Saintess?

### Chapter 149: Light Element Affinity - Breaking Chains The midterm exam's monster purge had yet to conclude, but for Wenny and Mirexia it was already over. After the nuns repeatedly confirmed that their injuries had healed, the academy officials deemed it unnecessary for them to remain at the Resmir Fortress any longer. So, a small carriage was dispatched to send them back, with a few combat instructors assigned to escort them. Due to the attack by the demon cultists, Wenny and Mirexia had faced extraordinary circumstances, granting them special permission for a respite back at the academy. Although Aesphyra was also idle there, not having faced any special circumstances, she had to follow the main cohort. After tallying the purged monsters, she would return to the academy according to standard procedure. Nevertheless, the days spent in the carriage were not just solitude for the two of them. Accompanied by several combat instructors assigned to protect them, the journey, though comfortable, left Wenny extremely bored. This boredom was due to the absence of his usual card-playing companions during this trip. Mirexia was no card player. This workaholic princess had no knowledge of leisure activities like gaming—she might not even know the rules. Wenny certainly wouldn't gamble against the accompanying instructors. They might not appreciate that if he won. Furthermore, the busy Mirexia was occupied even while traveling, taking care of duties related to the kingdom of Carmela whenever not engaged with student council work. She worked diligently in her personal cabin, only meeting Wenny during meals from time to time. In contrast, Wenny felt like an idler with nothing to do, embarrassed to initiate a conversation. Thus, without any entertainment or companions, Wenny lay listlessly in the carriage for several days, feeling like nothing more than a salted fish. During dinner, Mirexia, who sat across from Wenny, unexpectedly asked, "Wenny, are you feeling unwell somewhere?" "Huh? No, I'm fine." Wenny raised his head, puzzled by her question. "It's just that you seem listless and quiet these past few days whenever I see you, not engaging in conversation." Mirexia clarified her observation with a swift addition. "Well," Wenny murmured, with the entire carriage engaged in tasks while only he wandered aimlessly. Naturally, he was hesitant to disturb Mirexia's work. He surmised that if Mirexia wished to converse, she would do so proactively, as had been customary in the past. Otherwise, it was not particularly urgent. He would merely greet her on sight, as starting a conversation uninvited could be intrusive. Engaging her while she was preoccupied with important duties was indeed inappropriate, so he refrained from visiting her room, choosing to converse only occasionally during meals. "By the way, Mirexia, there's something I'd like to ask of you." Wenny cautiously broached the subject, checking for prying ears and wearing a conspiratorial expression. "What is it?" Recognizing the demeanor, Mirexia guessed it was a private matter known only to them. "After returning to the academy, there'll be a few days with fewer people around. I am thinking…” Wenny leaned closer, whispering a few words to her. "You want that item? Are you planning…?" "Yes. If it's too troublesome later, never mind; it's not critical." Sensing her potential discomfort, Wenny added as a consideration. "It's fine, not a big issue. Come see me the day after we return," Mirexia assented, prompting Wenny to express his gratitude. "Thank you, Mirexia," he acknowledged. "...No need to thank me," Mirexia softly replied. "What? Sorry, I didn't catch that," Wenny queried, not hearing her quiet words. "Nothing," she shook her head, refocusing on her meal. Several days later, Wenny returned to the Carrelleman Academy with the instructors. After spending a few stifling days in the carriage, he took a relieving breath the moment he alighted and settled back into his dormitory for a night of rest. The following morning, he made his way to the student council room on the third floor. Mirexia had been waiting for some time. "You're here. Follow me," she directed, leading him onward as her golden twin tails danced with her steps. Descending to the student council's basement training area, she guided him through their exclusive facility, supported by various ancillary rooms including storage and testing chambers. Today, the student council hall was empty save for the two of them. In the vast solitude of the space, Mirexia unlocked a room, ushering him inside before securing the door to prevent any disturbances. Wenny took in the sparse furnishings of the room, noting a few scattered tables and chairs, and most prominently, the dimly glowing crystal ball centrally positioned atop a table. It was out of place amidst the room's simplicity, clearly brought in just for today. Indeed, during the carriage ride, Wenny had asked Mirexia to procure such a crystal, a luminary element affinity tester. Mirexia knew full well this crystal ball was not intended for Wenny in his current form. At the start of the school year, elemental affinity had been assessed, documenting his varying affinities. Mirexia had guessed at something more profound, watching Wenny and pondering briefly. "Shall I wait outside?" "No need," Wenny replied, trusting her more than to conceal the forthcoming result. Casting a brief glance back at Mirexia, he joined his hands in prayer-like fashion, enveloped in angelic, ethereal wings. As the wings spread gracefully, releasing him, a maiden with radiant, cherry blossom hair lifted her gaze, blooming like holy petals amidst feathers. Though not her first viewing, Mirexia was mesmerized anew, contemplating her scant understanding of Wenny's secret bloodline. "Your generous assistance is precious to me, Mirexia," Vanessa, placing a hand over her heart, expressed her gratitude once more. "Wenny, may I still refer to you so?" Mirexia asked, grappling with calling the vigorous young girl before her by a masculine name. "It's not a big deal either way, but Vanessa is preferable." Noting Verona’s warning on potential misunderstandings, Vanessa recommended the feminine alias. The notion of a man becoming a woman was baffling enough. "Vanessa," Mirexia enunciated softly. "Is that your true name?" "What do you think, Mirexia?" Vanessa queried, her hands behind her back, her gaze steady. "In truth, there's no façade, is there?" Mirexia ventured her hypothesis. Initially convinced one of Wenny or Vanessa's personas was feigned, her perception shifted after recognizing distinct elemental affinities. Neither could convincingly feign being the other. Human nature is multifaceted, Mirexia mused; so might the dichotomy between Wenny and Vanessa be similarly genuine, two faces of one being, each distinct yet equally valid. "You're quite right. The change likely results from the potent corrective effect of the goddess's blood." "So Wenny's body isn't an illusion but truly existent?" "Precisely." Vanessa confided in Mirexia fully, noting the futility of evasion. "The Wenny of your childhood memories existed genuinely; there's no deception." --- Vanessa approached the light element affinity testing crystal ball. The way the light elements within reflected the dim light added gravity to her expression. Vanessa was confident that her light element affinity was exceptional, but the exact level remained unknown. She hoped it wouldn't be too overwhelming. She placed her pale hand upon the crystal ball, which instantly lit up like a bulb, as if the vast light elements within her were igniting it. "What is this...?!" Mirexia shielded her eyes from the glaring light, unable to gaze at the miraculous sight. If she remembered correctly, Wenny had no light element affinity at all—an exception. After witnessing Vanessa use light element magic in the mystical realm, Mirexia suspected her affinity was very high, but the reality exceeded her expectations. Bathed in the radiance, Vanessa felt no discomfort and was not blinded by the light. As she watched the crystal ball glow under her touch, her eyes narrowed slightly, and her cherry-colored hair billowed as if caught in an ethereal wind. Within the brilliance of the room, the outline of a six-winged angel with folded hands appeared above the crystal ball. "Is that the Goddess of Radiance?!" Mirexia was filled with awe and relief; the room was closed and underground, or the spectacle would have caused a commotion. In her astonishment, an unmistakable sound of shattering glass resonated loudly in the room. The image of the six-winged angel faded; it wasn’t Vanessa’s affinity reaching its limit but the crystal ball meeting its own. The light element testing crystal ball was incapable of manifesting Vanessa's immense and concentrated light elements. Burdened beyond capacity, it shattered explosively, and the image of the radiant goddess dissipated. Silence descended, leaving only the crystal shards on the floor, glowing faintly in the aftermath. Vanessa withdrew her hand, unscathed by the flying debris that seemed to deliberately avoid her, scattering harmlessly to the ground. "Light element affinity: Beyond Measure," Mirexia murmured as she stepped forward. Unbelievable, yet considering the person was a rightful descendant of the goddess and an inheritor of the Fasyris bloodline, it seemed almost fitting. Vanessa fell silent. Her level of light element affinity was "beyond measure," and she should have been astonished; yet, in truth, she wasn't. She felt no emotional upheaval, as if she had known this outcome all along. "It seems we have some cleanup to do," Vanessa sighed, surveying the disarray. "This crystal ball is likely ruined. Will it cause trouble for you, Princess Mirexia?" "It’s no trouble. It’s just a testing crystal; not valuable to the academy. I'll cover the cost and say it broke during transit," Mirexia reassured with a shake of her head. Truly incredible. Including Vanessa, the academy now housed two individuals with affinity "beyond measure.” Aesphyra’s fire element was one, Vanessa's light element the other. However, this fact was destined to remain unknown to the academy authorities. The two took time to meticulously clean up the scattered crystal shards. Unlike Aesphyra's test, which merely cracked the crystal ball, Vanessa’s had exploded as if it were a bomb. Vanessa did not understand the discrepancy, nor was she aware if it was due to elemental differences—after all, she wasn’t an expert in such matters. "It’s always been impossible to test affinity in this form. Thank you, Mirexia, for satiating my curiosity," Vanessa smiled after clearing the shards. "Vanessa, is your soul arte ‘Holy Messenger’?” Mirexia recalled Vanessa's healing with holy light within the demon domain. "Yes.” "But shouldn't your arte be that armor?" "Perhaps it relates to my unique constitution. 'Holy Messenger' awoke alongside my bloodline," Vanessa explained. "With your talent, a return to the Radiance Church would greatly aid Tyrellis Continent’s peace," Mirexia remarked reflectively. "Princess Mirexia, you know that's impossible. I have no desire, nor does the church, and there’s no reconciliation for us," Vanessa shook her head. "Besides, I hold no interest in the church or the title of saintess. It’s merely a shackle." "You might find it hard to believe, but if the Radiance Church discovered my bloodline secret, even my current haven could be lost." Vanessa concluded quietly as they tidied up, knowing the gravity and secrecy of her existence.