2-97 - How Could the Villainous Young Master Be a Saintess?

Volume Two, Chapter 97: "We Won't Delay You, Right?" Wenny and Aesphyra had completed their practical report and submitted it. The good news was that both achieved excellent grades. Although the results weren't perfect, no one could have anticipated such an outcome. Who would have thought that a seemingly simple snake infestation issue would actually be linked to a demon lord? Not only was the administration of Carrellyman Academy unprepared for this, but even the involved party, Jiu Lixue, didn't expect to find herself in a nameless border village, executing a defiant right in front of two academy students. Subsequently, the Dean of Carrellyman Academy called upon the duo to recount their experiences in detail, as this practical assessment had involved a powerful demon lord—Jiu Lixue, the lord of the foxes and succubi. "You mean to say that Demon Lord Jiu Lixue appeared in the Empire's border village of Lake not to declare war, provoke, or act hostilely, but simply to deal with a disobedient traitor?" Dean Morinquet frowned. "Yes, at least on the surface, their interactions suggested as much. Jiu Lixue came to handle the one who violated the rules and challenged the delicate relations between fox-demons, succubi, and humans, potentially inciting war. Not that such an intention can be entirely ruled out, but it's quite unlikely. Jiu Lixue wouldn’t mobilize her entire entourage for something insignificant," Aesphyra explained. "I suspect there's internal conflict within Jiu Lixue's ranks, and this was a move to set an example, to warn her subordinates of the consequences of defiance." "It seems Jiu Lixue wasn't particularly interested in us, which allowed us to escape," Aesphyra glossed over the most critical part, summarizing it succinctly. Indeed, Jiu Lixue had little intent to harm them, especially Wenny, for he wasn't a threat. Had it not been for Aesphyra's 'Brave' soul, they wouldn’t have found themselves in this predicament. Both were let go. "...This incident, indeed, was an oversight on our part. We'll dispatch a faculty team to investigate the area, and your performance for this practical exam will be rated outstanding. Additionally, this lapse on the academy's part warrants compensation," Morinquet mused. "We're extremely sorry that the oversight during the assessment placed you in danger," Morinquet apologized sincerely. "Ah, it's not the instructors' fault. Who could have foreseen this outcome? Even Jiu Lixue likely didn't expect it," Wenny scratched his head. Given humans' current understanding of demons, it seemed implausible that demons would declare war now. The demon realms were embroiled in their own chaos, warring among themselves—attacking humans would be suicidal. In fact, the current infighting among demons was so severe that if not for the mutual distrust, they'd likely join forces with humans against their own kind, let alone start a war with humans. Yes, nobody expected the demons to act against humans now. Rationally, it was an impossibility. But reality is often more fantastical and illogical than reason. Learning about the incident, Emperor Tyrell might lead the Empire's elite knights to challenge Jiu Lixue. Whatever the outcome, that's their concern, not Wenny and Aesphyra’s. After the debrief, the two returned to prepare for the final practical battle assessment. However, before that, Wenny had to continue working with the Student Council. As a council member, even while others rest, he needed to catch up on the accumulated workload. Entering the Student Council Hall, he immediately saw a familiar figure directing the younger members. "Hey there! Hard at work, eh? I'm back. Anything for me to do?" Wenny cheerfully greeted the senior. Wenny always showed warmth to those who treated him kindly, without prejudice. "Oh, Wenny, you're finally back?" The senior spotted him, lifting her gaze. "I thought a wolf might have carried you off since you were so delayed." "Heh, we ran into some trouble, but who am I? I handled it!" Wenny bragged. "A dual practical task? You didn't burden them, did you? Did you thank them properly?" The senior didn't even need to ask to know who was dragging whom. "Is that really how you see me, always the burden? Can't I occasionally take charge?" The senior just stared at him silently, squinting. "Uh... okay, maybe I have a history of being unreliable at times, but that's just in the past!" "Who was with you this time? Another Student Council member?" "Huh? How did you know that, senior?" "I'll hazard a guess—it wouldn't be Aesphyra, would it?" She eyed him knowingly. "Senior, have you seen the assessment roster??" "No, but given the first-year students that were out, it could only be you and her. Only someone like Aesphyra could handle working with you," she sighed. "Well, it's good you returned safely. Just in time—I need someone to do some manual, I mean, simple menial tasks. Go get that stack of blue files from the president's desk." "Oh." Wenny nodded, selectively ignoring the term "manual labor." Come to think of it, he hadn't seen Mirexia in a while and hadn’t told her he was back. Approaching the Student Council President's office, he knocked. "Come in." Mirexia's calm voice called. "Hey, Mirexia, I'm back." Wenny entered with a grin, greeting her. "Oh." Mirexia’s response was unexpectedly indifferent, even bordering on cold. Wenny paused, wondering if he misheard. He had expected her to at least chat with him after so long apart. Perhaps he was too sensitive. Maybe Mirexia was just busy. Watching her work without looking up, Wenny thought so. Otherwise, surely he hadn't upset Mirexia somehow? That'd be absurd—he only just returned, hadn't even seen her. How could he have angered her? "Sorry to disrupt, Mirexia. The senior sent me for the files." He lifted the blue stack from her desk. "I'll be back when I’ve finished. If you need help, just say the word, like always." "No need," Mirexia kept her head down. "I'm not particularly busy here." "Uh? Okay then, but take it easy. Let me know if you need anything," Wenny replied awkwardly, sensing a bit of tension but deciding to leave her be. As he turned to leave, he heard a gentle voice behind him. "This won't interfere with your dates with Aesphyra, will it?" "Eh?" Wenny hesitated, confused, looking at Mirexia still engrossed in her work. Indeed, she was focused on her duties, but... Wenny couldn't help but question his vision. He felt like Mirexia's gaze was slightly diverted, as though her eyes weren't really on the document in front of her despite her posture suggesting she was. Considering her previous phrase, tinged with a subtle bitterness, Wenny felt that leaving without addressing it would surely lead to an uncontrollable outcome later. Though unsure where this thought stemmed from, the instinct was unmistakably there. "Uh, Mirexia, what did you just say?" Wenny asked again. "If Aesphyra knew you were here, wouldn’t she misunderstand?" Mirexia's sapphire eyes seemed to stare at the papers on her desk, yet upon closer inspection, it was clear her gaze was unfocused and not on any of the documents. "Misunderstand?… Why? Why would she misunderstand? What is there to misunderstand?" Wenny was baffled by this out-of-the-blue remark. It felt surreal—he hadn't the slightest idea what Aesphyra might misinterpret, yet Mirexia seemed so certain of her own assumptions. Who's got the problem here, really?? "This matter isn't anything shady," Mirexia finally set down her pen, but her eyes still didn't meet Wenny's. "Yesterday, a Student Council member saw you and Aesphyra at a café. I overheard during their conversation." …Overheard? Given Mirexia's lack of eye contact as she spoke, coupled with the familiar emotional shift from last night, Wenny suddenly realized something. No way? Yesterday, during his time at the café with Aesphyra for their practical task, could Mirexia have been there too? But, he remembered checking—the café had very few guests at the time… Could Mirexia have been seated at a table next to theirs, just out of his sight? The more Wenny contemplated, the more plausible it seemed. As for the story of a Student Council member witnessing and her overhearing—it was likely made up. "But, we were there for our practical task. Aesphyra and I were grouped together, and I didn't have a chance to tell you since you’d already left," Wenny couldn't help defending. "…Is that so." Mirexia fell silent for a long pause, squeezing out just those few words. Uh-oh. The recurring familiar feeling made Wenny sense he was opening another complex chapter with Mirexia. What's worse, after saying those two words, Mirexia wouldn't engage further, nor did she indicate whether he should stay or leave. Mirexia's nature was to be reserved, often not straightforward with her feelings. Such situations were the most challenging—dumping all the issues onto Wenny to work out independently. There’s no reward for guessing correctly, but consequences for getting it wrong. Wenny pursed his lips. While his brain usually remained underutilized, it always seemed to overclock in critical situations like this. If Mirexia overheard everything at the café yesterday, then… Wenny quickly recalled his entire conversation with Aesphyra from the café scene. "Ah, Mirexia, I think that Student Council member either misheard or didn’t understand correctly." Wenny attempted to clarify. "Oh?" Mirexia, seemingly back in action, finally lifted her gaze toward Wenny. "First, Aesphyra and I weren't on a date—it was for our practical assignment, which you were aware of. Secondly, Aesphyra’s remarks might have been misleading, but she didn’t mean it that way. Earlier, she joked with me about ‘terms of endearment meaning she liked being called that’." "Oh, right, you might not believe this, but I saved her life recently, and as a token of gratitude, she gave me something." Wenny added this piece nonchalantly. "...You saved her?" Mirexia appeared surprised—not doubting Wenny’s capability, but skeptical about a first-year’s task being perilous enough to endanger both Aesphyra and Wenny. "Yep, you can verify with Dean Morinquet. Our mission’s nature was unusual, so much so that Dean Morinquet even consulted us afterward. We just returned from that," Wenny explained, spreading his hands. "You two are alright? No injuries?" Mirexia's demeanor shifted with newfound concern. At this juncture, Mirexia fully accepted his explanation. The thought of reacting judgmentally based only on partial information eventuated a wave of self-reproach over her earlier sulking. ‘Morale +300.’ ‘Current Morale: 3544.’ It wasn't Mirexia’s intention to behave this way. She knew it wasn't rational yet couldn't help it. Since witnessing Aesphyra and Wenny’s ‘date,’ she had been plagued by a blend of emotions, a concoction of inexplicable turmoil. She wasn't sure what afflicted her—she and Wenny were childhood friends, good companions. Aesphyra, too, was a friend. If her friends got along, shouldn't that make her happy? What right did she have to interfere with their interactions? Indeed. Rationally, it should be that way. Yet, emotionally, Mirexia found it impossible to persuade herself. The sourness lingered, preventing her from sleeping peacefully.