3-9 - How Could the Villainous Young Master Be a Saintess?

### Volume 3, Chapter 9 ~ As Expected, It's Not Just One Person "Thanks for the medicine, and for your honest confession, Wenny~?" Aesphyra tossed a charming yet mischievous glance in Wenny's direction. "What do you mean by honest!? This conniving, nutty little white-haired fiend is driving me nuts!" Wenny was almost rolling his eyes at Aesphyra's brazen, self-indulgent behavior. Argh, this is infuriating! Could this vexing white-haired elf truly be his natural nemesis?? "You devious, wicked little white-haired nut job! I save you out of the goodness of my heart, and you repay me by being sneaky? You're asking for a beating!" Wenny barked, on the verge of launching a mental assault, but he found himself lost for words. How could he possibly attack Aesphyra? Aesphyra's parents were gone, leaving her as the sole survivor of the Carylliman family. Even if Wenny wanted to attack her, he couldn't. Aesphyra's backstory was impenetrably tragic. This was bad; he had encountered someone who could dominate the internet with impunity in another life. "You shameless little roll, I regret saving you!" Wenny gestured animatedly with his hands, brandishing them as if armed, but words failed him. In the end, he could only mutter sullenly. "Hmm, thank you, Wenny, but of course, my deepest gratitude goes to Miss Vannesa. To go to such lengths for me... it seems Miss Vannesa harbors some affection for me too, doesn't it? Impressive, Wenny. You're faithfully fulfilling the agreement we made in the carriage." Aesphyra's smile was as sly as a thieving fox with a belly full of stolen eggs. Damn, not even Nine Frigid Snows was as fox-like as her! "What agreement? Agreement or not, I was just stating the facts! It's just me left from the house! And I don't even know a Vannesa!" Wenny retorted crossly. "Stop with the agreements and alliances; my family can't offer you any help because there's no one left!" "Alright, alright, I understand now," Aesphyra said, beaming a sly, enchanting smile at Wenny who found it infuriating. Seriously, if he weren't outmatched by this white-haired little bun, he would have acted by now. "Understand what? What exactly do you understand?? I pour my heart out, and you play mind games with me? Give me back the medicine, I regret giving it to you! Let the detestable little bun fend for herself!" Wenny lunged to snatch the vial, but Aesphyra effortlessly evaded him with a few graceful movements. In terms of agility, Wenny was no match for Aesphyra. No matter how much she dodged and he lunged, the two of them frolicked around the courtyard in a chaotic tussle without end. "Huff, puff, puff!" Soon enough, Wenny was exhausted, gasping for breath like a dog. He looked up to find Aesphyra standing there elegantly, her arms wrapped around the pink potion bottle as she gazed at him with an amused look. "That won't do, now will it? Since it was a gift from Miss Vannesa, filled with her love, 'Angel's Kiss' can't be returned to you, Wenny," Aesphyra looked at the angelically glowing pink potion with tender affection. "'Angel's Kiss,' now that you mention it, that name quite suits it~ The blessed angel's kiss, bestowed upon me. Isn't it romantic, Wenny~" "Romantic my foot!" Wenny, though exhausted, continued to retort. "You little white-haired bun, what's the matter with you? Why can't you act normal? Did you hit the romantic stage? Imagining non-existent scenarios, what's that supposed to accomplish?" Wenny cast a sidelong glance at Aesphyra. "I always thought you were quite rational. How did you suddenly become so love-struck?? Come on, this 'saved by a mysterious beauty in distress who gifts you a token of betrothal' kind of story only exists in novels, okay?? Can we stop with these outlandish fantasies?" "I'm sorry to burst your romantic bubble, but this potion wasn't from a mysterious beauty. It's just something I found in an old warehouse corner, filled in a new bottle." "Yes, it's been lying in the basement storeroom for ages. Who knows, it might even have some mice droppings and urine in it. If you don't mind, go ahead and drink it, you irritating little white nut!" Wenny grumbled. "Oh? Is that so?" Aesphyra tilted her head. "Indeed, feel free to drink it! Who knows, it might taste foul!" Wenny folded his arms and hummed. "Then, I shall not be polite." Aesphyra opened the bottle cap, tilting the bottle slightly as the pale pink potion began to flow out, bubbling with frothy white like angel feathers. "Geez! So eager, hope you choke on it," Wenny cursed from the side. After downing the potion, Aesphyra sealed the bottle, took out a silk scarf, and delicately wiped her lips before placing the bottle carefully back, discarding the gloves and napkin into a garbage bin by the door. As the potion took effect, Wenny could clearly see a faint pink glow emanating from Aesphyra’s skin, her entire being radiant with an almost celestial aura. Behind her, he could faintly make out the illusion of white wings, a protective angelic presence seemingly descending upon her. 'Morality +100.' 'Current Morality: 10304.' "So you've finished it, why keep the bottle? Aren’t you going to discard it?" Wenny assumed Aesphyra would throw the bottle away, but she just clutched it tightly as if unwilling to let it go. "This is the first gift Miss Vannesa gave me; it’s the most precious gift, so of course, I’ll keep it~" Aesphyra explained with a smile. "Damn it, I told you there's no Vannesa, don’t you understand language? Or is your nutty head incapable of grasping the issue here??" Wenny couldn't help but shout. "Where did this supposed family member come from?? I don’t even know I have other relatives, let alone a peer. Why didn't she come to Carylliman Academy?? If he could get in, she couldn't??" "Wenny, there's no need to explain anymore. You don't have to hide it from me. I'm on your side~" Aesphyra chuckled. "Forget it, I'm done talking to you, dense bowl." Wenny rolled his eyes. "Anyway, everything I said is true. I can't connect the dots because there's simply no such person." "Alright then, you've had your drink, how do you feel? Is there a ratty taste?" Wenny curiously asked, though he suddenly realized the question seemed a bit inappropriate. After all, the potion was brewed with his own essence. Accusing it of tasting like a rat would be an insult to himself, wouldn’t it? "No odd taste at all." "? So, what does it taste like?" Wenny was quite curious about the taste of an alchemical potion brewed with his blood. Was it suffused with a tang of iron, perhaps? He hadn't tasted it himself yet; maybe he should have tried it to get a sense of its flavor. "It's like the fragrance of white camellias, plus the feel of downy, fragrant feather-like bird plumage. There's also a hint of sunshine and dew," Aesphyra described. "? Did you drink a potion or a rainbow?" Wenny remarked, utterly baffled. He had no idea his own essence could produce such a uniquely flavored potion. And white camellia scent? Really? He had removed Vannesa's scent from the bottle. Could it have still lingered in the potion? No way, right?? He hadn't added a single flavor to the concoction! Moreover, last time he drank something similar, it didn’t leave any memorable taste… then again, he had passed out back then, so it wasn’t as if he’d remember. "The taste is quite pleasant. Rather than stimulating the palate, it's more of a sensory experience. Perhaps the sensation was so overwhelming that when you ask about the taste, I can't really describe it," Aesphyra said, gently touching her cheek as she shared her impressions. "Were you able to discern so many flavors with the 'Angel's Kiss' last time you drank it?" Wenny asked. "If I recall correctly, Wenny, last time you were the one who fed me the potion, and I was already unconscious, right?" Aesphyra tilted her head in thought. Ah, that does indeed seem to be the case. Aesphyra touched her chest, thoughtfully reflecting on her current state. Previously, it felt as if there were several gaping wounds in her heart, where any inhalation would transform into sharp, icy shards, impaling her heart with every breath. Even during her conversation with Wenny earlier, this was true, though she managed her expressions with expert control. She was never one to whimper and sob in the face of adversity. After consuming the 'Angel's Kiss', she distinctly felt the warm power closing up the cracks and crevices in her heart, making breathing no longer a torturous experience. Although it was just a two-winged 'Angel's Kiss', the potency and quality of the consecrated angel's essence was so high that with every drop, her wounds healed progressively, a testament to its might. The 'Divine Favor' is a blessing of godly essence, something inherently beyond the reach of humans. For a human to wield it, a considerable price must be paid. Using this divine power improperly can threaten one's life, and such irreversible wounds were, in her case, soothed by an angel's favor and grace. Aesphyra, who had been running out of solutions, didn't expect much. She had always been a self-reliant individual, and if she couldn't help herself, others were certainly incapable. Besides, she never liked asking for help. Except for family, she had never depended on anyone. After mastering her abilities, her family barely relied on her, oftentimes needing her advice for strategies and commerce instead. This time, she unexpectedly experienced the sensation of being aided by someone else, thereby extricating her from a crisis. An overwhelming sense of peace washed over her heart. Perhaps, accepting help from others isn't so bad after all? "Thank you, Wenny, and also to Miss Vannesa," Aesphyra expressed her heartfelt gratitude. "Tsk, save your thanks. It's just my bad luck having to return the favor I owe you," Wenny grumbled, pursing his lips. "Ugh, it's one thing to owe just anyone, but owing you is a whole different mess! With your luck, these complications always arise every single time I try to repay you!" Wenny complained. "Anyhow, as long as you're okay. I informed Mirexia about your health issues and got you some time off. Rest up before the term starts and stay away from student council work," Wenny advised as he headed for the door. "Wenny, you're surprisingly considerate. Thank you, and please thank Mirexia for me too," Aesphyra replied with a bright smile. 'Morality +10.' 'Current Morality: 10314.' "Ha, don't thank me just yet. I didn’t tell Mirexia what exactly was wrong with you, so do you want to know how I managed to secure your leave?" Wenny asked with a mysterious grin, thinking of a way to turn the tables. "I suppose... it's a medical leave?" "Of course, it's a medical leave. But do you know the exact condition I wrote on your leave form?" Wenny chuckled mischievously. "Oh? Do share, Wenny." "It's menstrual cramps, you see?" Wenny enunciated each word with a wicked smile. "..." Aesphyra's smile was strained as she eyed Wenny. "Sorry, Wenny, could you repeat that? I didn't quite catch it." 'Morality +70.' 'Current Morality: 10384.' "The leave request states it's for menstrual cramps! Ha ha ha!" "You menstrual cramp afflicted dwarf, there's no way you can catch up with me! Haha, I'm always one step ahead of disaster! I'm out of here!" Wenny laughed arrogantly, running out of the courtyard gate ahead of Aesphyra, fearing she would chase after him. Ah, sweet satisfaction! Though Aesphyra got the better of him earlier, he had won in the end! And he even racked up quite a bit of morality from Aesphyra. Today was a triumph for the notorious rascal of the Carmela kingdom! Aesphyra stood silently, watching the now-empty courtyard gate for a long while until Wenny's laughing, sprinting figure was out of sight. After a considerable pause, she exhaled deeply, shaking her head. "Really, how could I have entertained such an absurd thought?" "How could those two possibly be the same person?" she mused, clutching the potion bottle as she turned back towards her villa. Not to mention the entire notion was unbelievably absurd—even if she were to believe in such an incredible transformation from male to female, it did nothing to explain the vast differences in their personalities.