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

**Chapter Three, Fifteen: "What Kind of Competition Is This?? How Could the Villainous Young Master Possibly Be the Saintess?"** "Learn from you? Did you get my permission to enter my dorm? What makes you think you can boss me around, you white-haired nutball?" Wenny snapped angrily. Can you imagine coming back from a hard day's work, looking forward to unwinding in your private space, only to find a white-haired nutball causing a stir at home? "Ah, Wenny, that's no way to treat a friend, is it? I don't need your permission to be here, do I? After all, you aren't the only one living here. Dale is quite understanding and welcomes me warmly," Aesphyra responded, unfazed, enjoying the sight of Wenny on the verge of rage. She found great amusement in provoking him. "Virtue +20." "Current Virtue: 10,794." Ah, that devious white-haired nutball—she's here just to mock him! "So, Dale let you in?" Wenny glanced towards the kitchen. Right then, an adorable little white mascot looked out from the kitchen, peeking its head out and glancing between Wenny and Aesphyra, confused about what was transpiring. "Dale, how could you let this white-haired nutball roll into the house?" Wenny queried. "Huh?" Shikondell responded, puzzled. "But aren't you and Aesphyra rather close?" "Who said we're close?" Wenny retorted. "Dale, you look adorable in that apron~" Aesphyra, ignoring Wenny's shouting, complimented Shikondell’s attire with a sweet smile. "Th-thank you. Wenny bought it for me," Shikondell replied, lowering her head slightly. "Wow, you're naturally beautiful, Dale, everything looks good on you," Aesphyra continued, batting her enchanting eyes in a bewitching manner. This white-haired nutball, seriously?? Wenny couldn't help but laugh in disbelief. Moments ago, she praised the outfit for its cuteness, but upon hearing Wenny bought it, she suddenly praised Shikondell's inherent beauty, subtly undermining Wenny's taste. Furthermore, she never quits with the flirting. Despite Wenny explaining multiple times that Shikondell is a boy, Aesphyra persists. What, does she have a thing for cute boys? "You're not welcome here. Out you go!" Wenny pointed towards the door, his expression stern. "Trying to freeload, huh? Have you paid for anything?" "Aww, Wenny, that's not adorable at all," Aesphyra said. "Adorable my foot! A man should be brave and bold! What's the point of being cute? Is that even a man?" Wenny retorted, frowning. "It's your loss that you don't appreciate my rugged charm." "Alright, enough talking. Out you go!" "Well then, Wenny, how about you carry me out? Otherwise, I can’t leave~" "Carry you out? Wishful thinking. Why can't you leave?" Wenny's gaze dropped, realizing what Aesphyra meant. Her dainty feet, wrapped in black silk, rested lightly on the chair's footrest, not touching the ground. Clearly, she wasn't wearing shoes. Indeed, only he and Shikondell lived in the dorm. All the slippers were worn by them, and given Aesphyra's severe cleanliness obsession, wearing someone else's shoes was out of the question—even if they were cleaned, especially those worn by a guy! "No wonder I smelled something off when I came in; it's you causing the stench," Wenny teased. Of course, that wasn't true. Once he snapped back to reality, he merely noticed a cool, floral fragrance of roses and lilacs, evoking the elegant silhouette of Aesphyra. "Wenny, you must be projecting. I don't have your sloppy habits," Aesphyra replied, unaffected by the teasing, revealing her robust mental fortitude. "Reversing roles, I see. Do you know where you are? So bold in someone else's house? You're a guest, right? What guest ignores the host like this?" Wenny replied. "Aww, so you're really insisting on making me leave? Not even offering dinner?" "Why would I offer you dinner? Sorry, there's nothing on the menu for you tonight," Wenny rolled his eyes at Aesphyra. "Um," Shikondell, watching them bicker, hesitated to speak. Weren't they just on good terms recently? Aesphyra even used pet names jokingly, so their relationship shouldn't be bad, right? But watching now, their relationship doesn't seem great either. Shikondell's mind was puzzled over this. Yet, if their relationship is poor, then why does it feel like their conversation leaves no room for him? "That's unfortunate. I came with useful information for you, Wenny, out of gratitude, yet you're trying to chase me out without dinner," Aesphyra lamented, brushing her hair back with an expressive sigh, a master of dramatics. "Useful information, for me? You, with your good intentions? What's the catch?" Wenny was rightfully skeptical. "Because I don't need it," Aesphyra replied calmly, elegantly. "Don't need it?" "The prize, well, it's valuable or not, depends on the person," Aesphyra explained softly. "What are you talking about?" Wenny's expression grew curious. "Tomorrow afternoon, there's no class, right? Calrimmen Academy is holding a competition. The winner gets a rare elemental elixir that enhances ice elemental affinity to 'commendable,' but not above excellent, for magi." "Elemental elixir?" Having taken alchemy classes for a semester, Wenny understood what it was. Simply put, it's a rare, high-difficulty, top-tier alchemical potion requiring scarce materials. Drinking it permanently boosts a magus's elemental affinity. Obtaining even one bottle is an extremely fortunate opportunity. "Ice elemental elixir?" Wenny considered. Indeed, elemental elixirs are useless to those already at an 'excellent' level. Aesphyra was born on a plane unreachable by many. "Correct, and there's more good news. This competition is for first-year students only. Ice elemental affinity is already rare, so you can benefit," Aesphyra enticingly continued. "Why haven't I heard of this?" Wenny frowned. "You lead a messy life, Wenny, never deeply learning anything. Naturally, you miss many academy activities," Aesphyra replied with her charming eyebrows raised. "This is a chance to permanently increase your limit, Wenny. It's up to you to seize it." "Where is it? Can I still sign up now?" Wenny asked promptly. "Don't rush. There are no classes tomorrow afternoon, right? You can register after morning classes," Aesphyra reassured with a smile. For some reason, Wenny felt uneasy about the white-haired nutball’s smile. "You're not tricking me, are you?" Wenny questioned Aesphyra, feeling suspicious. "Wenny, this is an internal school competition. What could I possibly trick you into?" Aesphyra chuckled. "Are you suffering from paranoia? That's troubling, you know. There's no cure for inner ailments." "Paranoia? I don't have that, but as for nutball-induced paranoia, I do have that, and technically, it isn't called paranoia," Wenny scoffed. "So, what's the competition about? Is it a martial arts battle, or unlimited fighting?" Wenny asked. "I'm not sure, but from what I know, it might not be about pure combat," Aesphyra replied cryptically. "Then what is it about?" Wenny asked, puzzled. "Well, I'm not entirely sure myself. You'll just have to find out tomorrow," Aesphyra said with a smile, seeing that Wenny was genuinely intrigued. "But..." "But what?" Wenny asked, noticing Aesphyra's attempt to keep him in suspense. "But, despite informing you, given your qualifications, Wenny, I'm afraid you probably won't win," Aesphyra teased, resting her gloved hand on her chin, playfully shifting her legs. "Oh, really? Don't underestimate me! What if I win?" Wenny retorted, unwilling to be outdone. Aesphyra's provocation had worked. How could he back down in front of her? "In that case, if Wenny wins, I'll meow like a cat and admit defeat. How about that?" Aesphyra said with a playful smile. "Hmph, you said it! Don't go back on your word when I win!" Wenny declared. "I can't wait to see you admit your defeat in front of me!" "Of course, no problem. But you know, there's no such thing as a one-sided bet, right, Wenny?" Aesphyra's tone took a cunning turn. "Huh? What do you mean?" "If you lose, Wenny, what will you do?" Aesphyra's captivating eyes fixed on him. "Ugh! Who do you think I am? I won't back down. Fine, if I lose, I'll meow and admit defeat too!" Wenny declared, accepting the challenge on the spot. "Great! Your courage is commendable, Wenny. I admire you," Aesphyra praised, clapping lightly as if she were encouraging a child. "So, with Dale here as our witness, neither of us can back out," Aesphyra smiled, her grin like that of a sly fox. "Who would back out?... Wait a minute. There isn't some restriction on the competition, is there? Like I might be ineligible to participate?" Wenny suddenly questioned, remembering the top twenty first-years didn't have high ice affinity. It was because stronger students weren't participating that Wenny felt confident. But considering he hadn't learned the rules yet, what if this crafty nutball set him up? "Of course not. The event tomorrow is open to everyone," Aesphyra's smile was bright and cheerful. "Hmph, fine. Just you wait. When I win, don't cry!" Wenny exclaimed. "Then it's a deal," Aesphyra added, her smile meaningful. "Sure thing, since you..." But when Wenny looked up to respond, he realized Aesphyra was already at the door. Damn, when did she...? "Alright, see you, Wenny. Awaiting your good news," Aesphyra gracefully slipped on her loafers at the entrance, tossed her hair, winked at Wenny, and left. Jeez, when it comes to the agility of a nut... "Alright, Dale, let's eat and forget about her," Wenny said, sitting back down. "Huh? Aesphyra's not staying for dinner?" Shikondell asked. "No, she's not hungry, don’t worry. Nutballs have a high tolerance for hunger," Wenny replied nonchalantly. The next day, after classes in the morning, Wenny arrived at the location Aesphyra had mentioned. Just as Aesphyra said, there was indeed a competition being held, with a stage set up and a decent crowd. Wenny approached the registration desk to enter the competition. "Hey, there's a competition starting here, right?" Wenny inquired. "Yes. Are you here to purchase a ticket for entry?" the student at the registration desk asked calmly. "No, I'm here to compete!" "Poof!" The student spat out their tea at his declaration. "Seriously? What's wrong with you? Why is it so funny that I want to compete?" Wenny grumbled. "No, no, you misunderstood. Are you really here to compete?" the student asked repeatedly. "But you... seem to be a guy?" "What else would I be? Are you mocking me?" Wenny huffed. "What's wrong with men competing? Are you saying this event doesn't allow men? I'll report you!" "No, nothing like that. Of course, men can compete. This event has no gender restrictions, but I must inform you that this beauty contest isn't about how well you fight. It's about how good you look doing it, and dressed like that, you clearly can't enter." the student explained. "What?" Wenny’s mind couldn't quite process this. "What kind of competition did you say this was?" "A beauty contest," the student clarified.