2-19 - How Could the Villainous Young Master Be a Saintess?

Wenny rubbed his head, reflecting on how living with Shikondell for so long has possibly altered his thinking. His thoughts seemed to be taking a strange turn lately. Mirexia was his childhood friend, his closest ally. Accidentally discovering some unspeakable secrets about her, he only wanted to lend her a hand. Now, their relationship had not only been restored but had grown deeper, even surpassing the simplicity of their childhood bond. Wenny was determined not to let unwanted thoughts ruin this newfound harmony, lest all his hard work go to waste. Fully aware of the original storyline, Wenny knew that Mirexia’s affections were not directed at him. He, being a villain character gradually transitioning into a mere NPC, had neither the ambition nor the courage to woo a heroine destined by fate. As for Shikondell, it was out of the question. They were merely roommates. Although she was currently in a rough patch, she was still a fate-protected heroine destined to encounter her benefactor who would help her restore her kingdom. Wenny felt it unnecessary to worry about her prospects. Moreover, Shikondell was an elf, renowned for their exclusivity among the races. The elven royalty, in particular, prohibited any intermarriage with outsiders, a tradition they steadfastly upheld. This realization was precisely why Wenny never entertained romantic notions regarding his relationships with these heroines. Though seemingly close to these destined heroines, the reality was far from that. Status differences, fate’s disparities, and narrative obstacles created substantial divides between these blessed heroines and a villain in recovery like him—an insurmountable gulf. For Wenny, survival was paramount, and in a harsh world where men had no rights, survival was tough for an NPC male. Power was a necessity, making his primary mission clear: to grow stronger. However... Reflecting on his interactions with Mirexia, Wenny found it hard to believe them. Had he been in his male form, he wouldn’t have dared to ask or do what he had. But somehow, as Vannesa, propelled by whims and curiosity, everything unfolded naturally, fluidly, and without mental barriers. Hence, his emotions were mixed. Regardless of complexity, what happened has happened, unchanging. The question remained—how would he face Mirexia in the future? Pondering over it, Wenny decided to separate the two identities. That was something Vannesa had done, not Wenny; it wasn’t his responsibility. Feeling guilty, Wenny thought this over. "Ahem, uh, Shikondell, I’m back, could you get the door for me?" Wenny left Mirexia's home, secured the door and garden gate, and returned to his abode, cautiously knocking and clearing his throat. "….." "Click." After a brief silence, the door opened slightly. A strange feeling overcame Wenny. Normally, upon his return, Shikondell would gleefully hop over like a little bunny to greet him. What's so off today? How did the door open by itself? Curiously, Wenny gently opened the door to find the room dim. What’s happening here?? Wenny was bewildered. Could the room be empty? Did Shikondell leave? But why was the door open? How could she be so careless? Swapping into house slippers, Wenny tiptoed inside, feeling as though he were in a haunted house despite it being his dorm. Something was off, but he couldn't pinpoint where. "What a scatterbrain, leaving the door open?" Wenny murmured. Such a reckless elf. Why were the curtains drawn during the day, casting shadows as though they were vampires? The dorm resembled a cave more than a residence. As he moved toward the dining table, the dim light revealed dishes he hadn’t noticed upon entering. Hold on… Wenny frowned. Didn't Shikondell clear up after dinner last night before heading to bed? Definitely odd. Inspecting the table with a discerning eye, he noticed a startling detail. The dishes were untouched?! What on earth?? Stupefied, Wenny felt as though he’d wandered into a mystery scene, piecing together clues to find the missing Shikondell. What really happened last night?? If it were just left dishes, it might have been mere forgetfulness. But untouched food—it opened a major can of worms! Could Shikondell have skipped eating and just gone straight to bed? No, even the absent-minded have limits. What was going on? Did demons abduct Shikondell after he left? No, this was Carleyman Academy where no demon could infiltrate. Besides, shouldn't they be in chaos after their recent upheavals? After his plan backfired recently, leading to Jilingue Snow's return to the demon realm, she'd definitely be seeking vengeance on her assailants. With Wenny acquainted with her ways, she'd likely vent her frustration on her failed ambushers. Releasing Jilingue Snow had indeed been the right call; it secured the demon realm's present turmoil. Perhaps tribesmen sought her, forcibly taking her away?? Unlikely. The last misstep taught those shepherds this wasn’t their playground. They've since behaved, and Carleyman Academy is no place for troublemakers to thrive or risk their hard-earned privileges. So then... While pondering, Wenny raised his eyes, rubbed them, and noted a blurry dark outline across the table from him, as if someone sat there, unmoving. “???” What is that?? Wenny rubbed his eyes again, sure he’d seen wrong, but upon confirming the presence of a shadowy figure, he nearly jumped from his seat in shock. “What in the world?! What manner of trickery is this? Reveal yourself at once!” Wenny backed away quickly, instinctively assuming a defensive stance. The shadowy figure didn’t respond. Could it be? Wenny wondered suspiciously if someone had played a prank, turning off the lights, drawing the curtains, leaving the table unset, and placing something on the table just to scare him? Who would do such a thing? As far as he remembered, not even Aesphyra would find this amusing, let alone Shikondell. Feeling a eerie strangeness enveloping the room, Wenny didn’t hesitate any longer and switched on the crystal light. Soft light filled the living room, and Wenny finally saw who sat across the table. “Shikondell??” Wenny widened his eyes at the sight of the silver-haired elf in a male student's uniform, staring blankly at the table with dark circles under her eyes, looking lifeless. It was as if she were an oversized life-size doll. What’s going on? Is this some sort of performance art?? Wenny was astounded, unable to comprehend what had happened to make Shikondell seem as though her brain had shut down. Shikondell hadn’t left after all. She’d been sitting at the table the whole time! Looking at her, Wenny felt as if she’d been sitting there since last night without moving an inch. No way. It couldn’t be that extreme, could it? “Shikondell, what’s up? What are you doing? Say something, will you?” Wenny approached her and waved a hand before her face. Eventually, Shikondell came to life like an old appliance slowly booting up, her vacant gaze fixating on Wenny. Why did this situation feel unnerving? Was this really the same harmless elf girl he knew? “Wenny, you're back?” Shikondell’s eyes hadn’t regained much life even upon recognizing Wenny. “Yeah, I’m back. Didn’t I mention last night that I had to work late at the student council office? I told you not to wait for me for dinner.” Wenny was unexpectedly nervous, even though he shouldn’t be, since every word he’d spoken had been the truth. What was there to feel guilty about? Working at the student council president’s place was still working, right? Everything he did was work-related, albeit at a different location. Mainly, he was explaining things to his roommate. “Were you working until now, Wenny?” Shikondell tilted her cute head, her eyes lacking any twinkle. “Yeah, it’s just been so busy lately with St. Cure’s Day approaching. The student council's workload is off the charts, so pulling all-nighters is quite usual.” Wenny explained. “But as far as I know, Wenny, the student council mandates that regular members return to dorms after five unless they’re senior staff or on duty.” Shikondell pressed on. “Well, desperate times call for desperate measures.” Wenny felt puzzled over Shikondell’s unexpected insistence and sensed something off about her demeanor. “So, Wenny, were you really working at the student council after five yesterday?” Shikondell maintained her focus on him. Wenny remained silent. Something's not right. Why did he feel like a husband caught cheating by his wife? What was this strange déjà vu?? And why did Shikondell, who he thought easy to pacify, suddenly become so perceptive, especially in such instances? “Indeed, I wasn't at the student council post-five, but that doesn't mean work can't happen elsewhere. To accommodate the regulations, we transported the documents and continued working offsite.” Wenny answered, still at ease, as his statement held truth, albeit incomplete. “Where was this work then, Wenny? And why didn’t you return all night?” Shikondell tilted her head. “Since I stayed up waiting for you, couldn’t you share a little detail? Were you working alone?” “No, I was collaborating with colleagues.” “Was it just work?” Shikondell inquired further. “Of course, what else could it be?” “Who were these colleagues, Wenny? Were they all girls?” “There were both genders.” “Is that so? But it’s odd—Wenny, you carry only a feminine scent.” Shikondell’s gaze trailed over Wenny, her lips twitching slightly. “Two distinct scents, unfamiliar and citrus, along with white camellia, a scent I last encountered in our bathroom.” “Neither perfume type is commonly used by men.”