2-65 - How Could the Villainous Young Master Be a Saintess?

### Volume Two, Chapter 65: "You Want Me to Eat Horse Hooves??" As Venny emerged from the room, Cordelia poked her curious little head out and asked, "Venny, have you received your practical assessment task yet?" "Yes, I just got it. Is your task meant to be completed alone or with someone else, Cordelia?" Venny inquired, considering the possibility of task confidentiality. "No worries, Venny, it's fine if you want to know. I'm doing mine alone," Cordelia replied honestly. "Alone?" Venny furrowed his brows, overcome by a fatherly concern. Can this naive elf girl really handle this on her own? Venny thought. From his observations, Cordelia was straightforward and inexperienced, likely to get cheated and still help count the money. "Are you sure you'll be okay on your own?" Venny asked, worried she might get kidnapped outside. "It'll be fine, really. My task is quite simple," Cordelia reassured him, though she secretly felt happy about Venny's concern. "But Venny, is it possible to have a two-person practical task?" Cordelia asked, intrigued. "My task is a bit special, so it's to be done by two people." Venny explained. "Who’s your partner?" Cordelia inquired. "I’m not sure yet. Hopefully, someone reliable." Venny shrugged. He dreaded the idea of getting paired with someone like his card-playing buddies, who could easily derail the task into a poker session under the guise of relieving stress. Ideally, he would be paired with a competent and robust partner, someone he could rely on to coast through the task. But that's just a fantasy. Although Kareelman Academy has its share of prodigies, it also has its share of slackers. Venny began to feel nervous. His reputation at the academy was well-known, and if partnered with someone who disliked him, they might hinder rather than help. He thought that teaming up might not be such a good thing; the difficulty must be harder, and often, teamwork doesn't mean twice the effectiveness. "By the way, Cordelia, have you heard of a creature called the demon snake?" Venny asked. "Demon... snake?" Cordelia tilted her head in confusion, clearly unfamiliar with the term. Venny understood; how could a sheltered elf princess know about demonic creatures? Time was tight since Venny delayed receiving his task. He had to depart by tomorrow at the latest to reach Lake Village in the Tyrael Empire and wasn’t sure if he could complete his task in the allotted time. Many other students, including upperclassmen like Mireisia, had already set off for their locations. Mireisia had bid farewell two days prior, carrying her baggage and sword to her task, likely the same for other key figures. Venny should embark soon too, but first, he needed to find his partner. At the school gate, Venny set up a stand with a banner, reading "Seeking Partner: If you’re assigned to the Lake Village Snake Elimination task, contact me!" To establish a good team environment and make a good impression, Venny smiled warmly at anyone who noticed his banner, but he ended up scaring off numerous people throughout the morning. What’s going on here? Venny's frown deepened. If you’re not my partner, why look over here? It’s misleading—he felt like a sideshow exhibit. Sure, he was handsome enough to be the academy's heartthrob, but people didn't need to stare at him so blatantly. All morning, Venny failed to find his partner. He began to worry that his partner had already left for the task location, which would severely impact his progress. Lost in thought, Venny didn't notice a silver figure approaching him until a cool fragrance of roses and brambles snapped him back to reality. "Hey there, ever considered a future in guarding gates?" teased a familiar voice. "What guarding? With my talents? Who can afford me to guard their gates?" Venny retorted before recognizing the voice and scent. Turning around, he found himself face-to-face with a familiar, excessively beautiful face, his mood immediately dampening. "Actually, that’s exactly why you're perfect for it, Venny. Your smile frightens people off, perfect for keeping thieves away," taunted Aysefis playfully. Darn it. Venny’s mood darkened. He had hoped he wouldn’t see Aysefis until next semester. Yet here she was, right before his departure. Like two magnets drawn to each other. "It's none of your business if I'm wasting my talents, okay? What are you doing here, lingering like a ghost? Don't you have your own task to worry about?" Venny glared at Aysefis. "I just didn't expect you to switch careers to fortune-telling so quickly," Aysefis chuckled. "What does it matter if I become a charlatan? Go find a cool spot to hang out," Venny responded disdainfully, wishing she would leave. "Really? Switching careers? Didn't realize it was necessary?" Aysefis tilted her head in mock confusion. "I'm not playing along, Aysefis!" Venny scowled. "Are you trying to make up for lost time annoying me these past days?" "Who knows?" Aysefis teased, her mischievous tone nearly driving Venny to exasperation. "Get lost! Go back to wherever you came from. There's no business for white-haired little babies here," Venny snapped. "Have you been eavesdropping all morning? How do you know so much? You're either really bored or secretly in love with me, aren't you? I've told you many times before, you're not my type, and you don't stand a chance!" "Oh? But, are you sure you want to send me away, Venny?" Aysefis responded with a playful glint in her eyes. "Go on, off with you! I'm a mature, responsible adult; I don't have time to argue with childish little brats." Venny turned his back on her dismissively. Venny couldn't fathom why Aysefis was still lingering around the academy. Perhaps this overpowered protagonist had already completed her task, but that was none of his concern. "Well then, looks like you'll be heading to Lake Village solo, Venny," Aysefis said, shaking her head. "What?" Venny looked at Aysefis in shock and disbelief. "Wait a minute, you pocket-sized loaf of bread... could it be that you're..." "Indeed, Venny. It's a pity you said we wouldn't see each other until next semester. Yet here we are, about to spend some time together," Aysefis said with a sly smile, producing her task scroll. The numbers on it matched Venny's exactly. Venny double-checked the task details and numbers. Realizing they were identical, he fell silent. "I must admit, I was hoping for a partner like Ishathia or Millien. That would have been hitting the jackpot. But as long as it was a pretty lady, I'd be satisfied enough," Aysefis sighed, shaking her head in mock disappointment, the large black bow at the back of her head swaying with the motion. "Too bad, not only isn't this the jackpot or even a consolation prize, but it’s not even a decent draw," she continued, pretending to polish her sacred sword in a show of regret. Seriously? So I'm the lousy draw here?? Venny thought indignantly. "Hey, don't steal my lines! I should be the one saying that! I was expecting a swift and elegant partner, but instead, it's you, this white-haired midget! The one in for a disappointment is clearly me!" Venny retorted. "Oh? A pretty one?" Aysefis caught on to the keyword, her smile widening as she leaned closer to Venny. "Name one girl in the entire first year or even the whole school prettier than me." "There are plenty! Don't flatter yourself. If I list them, it'll just hurt your pride, so I'd rather not," Venny replied, conflicting emotions stirring within him. Honestly, although there were many girls with better figures than Aysefis, finding one with a more beautiful face was impossible. "Oh? Like who?" Aysefis challenged him. "Like who? That's not important. There are plenty, believe me. I won't mention any to avoid damaging your ego," Venny dismissed with a wave. "I see~" Aysefis stretched out her words with a teasing smile. "What's so funny? It's just my luck to be paired with you. Can't be helped, I suppose. I’ll reluctantly cooperate with you on this task, even though you wouldn’t manage without me," Venny said, feigning resignation. "How about we head out now?" Venny suggested, trying to assert some sense of urgency. "Ah, Venny, are you worried I'll complete the task by myself, leaving you with no marks for your semester practical?" Aysefis speculated, catching Venny's underlying concern. "Wh-what are you implying? I could handle it! Without my help, can you even complete the task?” Venny retorted, clearly flustered at having his thoughts exposed. "Enough with this. Let’s just get going. Even though I’m not thrilled about partnering with you, we need to cooperate to succeed." "Let's go then! The carriage is still waiting," Venny said, quickly packing up and pointing toward the unicorn-drawn carriage, ready for their departure. That was the academy's vehicle to transport students starting their tasks. They'd still need to travel some distance to reach their individual task locations afterward. Despite his mixed feelings towards Aysefis, Venny couldn’t deny her competence; there was no one more reliable. But having to endure her company meant he’d likely be teased endlessly. Venny boarded the carriage but noticed Aysefis lingered outside without any intent to climb aboard. "What are you doing? Planning to walk to Tyrael Empire?" Venny frowned. Without answering, Aysefis gracefully approached the unicorn, reaching out with her gloved hand to stroke its violet mane. The unicorn closed its eyes, letting out a contented huff, even nuzzling against her affectionately. Seeing this, Venny was astonished. Indeed, the protagonist aura; even the haughty unicorn was tamed by her touch. Anyone else would probably have been kicked away. Only pure, maidenly innocence could grant someone the privilege of touching unicorns. But even among pure maidens, recognition by the unicorn itself was necessary. "Good boy," Aysefis whispered, gently patting the unicorn and smoothly vaulting onto its back with a flourish, her silver hair cascading around her, showcasing her effortless grace. The unicorn offered no resistance, delighting in Aysefis' presence, much to the shock of its caretakers. While it might tolerate pulling a carriage, allowing a human to ride it was entirely different. Upon mounting, Aysefis turned and beckoned Venny with a finger, her smile playful. "Join me, sit behind me, won’t you, Venny?" "Are you kidding me? You want me to get kicked by horse hooves?!" Venny retorted grumpily. This cheeky white-haired loaf knew full well the unicorn would never allow him to climb up, teasing him deliberately. Even if this unicorn decided to act out of character and let him on, he wouldn’t dare. In mid-air, Aysefis would surely find a way to have him thrown off before the unicorn did.