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

Return Volume 3, Chapter 28: "Come, Let's Go Confess Our Crimes" (4600 words). How Could the Villainous Noble Be the Saintess? Volume 3, Chapter 28: "Come, Let's Go Confess Our Crimes" (4600 words) Author: Han Tang Returns Updated: 2025/9/10 20:30:01 Word Count: 4615 "Student, first-year student Wenny Ferris, registering to participate in tomorrow's Malse Secret Realm exploration." Wenny queued all afternoon and finally reached his turn, handing his student ID to a student council member at the registration desk. "Huh? Wenny, is that really you?" In the student council, there's always an advantage—chances are, you'll know the person handling the registration for an event hosted by the school. The person handling Wenny's registration happened to be a fellow student council member from the first year, but clearly more capable than Wenny. By the end of the semester, he had already gained recognition from several seniors, naturally leading to more work, as the seniors intended to mentor him. As for Wenny, let's just say his work skills could use some improvement. "Yes, it's me. I want to participate in tomorrow's secret realm exploration, is that okay?" Wenny asked. "Of course, of course, Wenny. You can join the secret realm exploration." The fellow nodded. Although they didn't have a deep connection, they were acquaintances, working under the same roof, seeing each other day in and day out. "Right on time to participate?" Wenny asked, surprised. From what he remembered, there were no prerequisites for this secret realm exploration. "Yes, the school added a rule later. First-year students can participate, but only those ranked in the top fifty of the current grade." "If I remember correctly, you are ranked twenty-third in the first year. This ranking hasn't changed due to last semester's practical exams and written assessments, which means your final scores were quite good, maintaining your rank. So, you're eligible for the Malse Secret Realm exploration this semester," the student council member said, flipping through Wenny's records. "Aha." Wenny felt his practical exam results likely played a big part in his satisfactory grades, while he was less confident about his written exam scores. Though he worked hard, achieving significant improvement seemed out of reach. Maintaining his rank was blessing enough. The student council member processed Wenny's registration, handing him a token marked with a number. "Take care of this, Wenny. This is your token; it's your only lifeline in the secret realm exploration. Do not lose it, understand?" The student council member handed the token to Wenny with caution. "Even if you forget your weapon, do not forget this token. Though the tokens will be checked before entering." Wenny glanced at the number on his token: 'Fifteen.' "This is your team number. The exploration is in teams of three. Tomorrow, you'll find out who your teammates are," explained the student council member. Despite the long queue, the member patiently explained everything to Wenny, given their acquaintance. "Got it, thanks a lot." Wenny thanked his peer, holding the token as he left. Others had their work to attend to, unlike Wenny, who often skated by in the student council. It wasn't his turn to work today, after all. Wenny intended to head back to the dormitory, but suddenly had a change in heart, mumbling to himself, "I'm tired of eating at home. Let's splurge a bit today." So, he headed to a diner popular among commoners. Perhaps due to the late hour, the diner was nearly empty. Wenny sat in a corner and ordered a bowl of tomato beef noodles, leaving his token on the chair, seemingly finding it inconvenient to carry. Given the secluded corner and the few customers, no one noticed his absence. Feeling secure, Wenny headed to the restroom. Meanwhile, someone entered the diner. Spotting nobody at the counter or inside, he sneakily approached Wenny’s corner, locating the token on the chair. After another careful glance around, he pocketed Wenny's token nonchalantly, replacing it with a seemingly flawless replica. His actions went unnoticed. As he stepped out, confident in his success and internally mocking Wenny's carelessness, a hand suddenly grasped his shoulder. "Hey, what you're doing is illegal. Come, let's go confess," Wenny said. "?!" The boy almost cried out in surprise, turning to find Wenny’s face very close. "Come on. Let's head to confess," Wenny said, dragging the boy toward the student council’s disciplinary office. "Wait, hold on!" The boy, naturally unwilling to sit still, struggled to break free from Wenny's grip. "What are you doing? What's with this talk of confession? What are you saying? Stop spouting nonsense; I could report you for assaulting a peer!" "Oh? Playing the victim, are we?" Wenny chuckled. "Wait, am I the bad guy? No, that's not quite right." "Hey, kiddo, which part of town are you from? With tracking skills as poor as yours, you dare follow someone? I knew you were following me since we left the registration desk, you know?" Wenny taunted. "Can't control your footsteps, eyes wandering aimlessly, pretending to act natural when you’re anything but. Ever hear of acting and the art of subtlety?" Hanging around Aesphyra and witnessing Vannesa's escapades had left its mark on Wenny. "What are you talking about?! I have no idea what you mean!" The boy was clearly panicked. "No idea? It's fine. Let's head to the disciplinary office; you’ll have time to figure it out." With that, Wenny dragged the boy along. "And here, take back your piece of wood and think long and hard about your actions and who put you up to this. Do you even know what you’re doing?" Wenny said, holding up the fake token. "You don't have proof! You're slandering me!" "Proof? The real token in your pocket is proof enough. Do you really think the disciplinary office can’t tell which is real or fake?" Wenny smirked. "You must’ve shoved it on me to frame me!" The boy retorted, feigning righteous indignation. "Oh, really? Did you not notice the recording stone I left on the other chair earlier?" Wenny coldly laughed, producing the recording stone. "I recorded your little swap in action." The boy's face went even paler. "I... I…!" He stuttered, clearly out of his depth. "Let me go. I didn’t do anything…" "Did nothing?" Wenny repeated expressionlessly, after a brief silence, pushing the boy against the wall. "Do you even understand what you’re saying?" "Did nothing. But if I hadn’t caught you, swapping the token could have cost someone their life." "Whether intentional or not, it’s the same crime. Does that not bother you even slightly?" Wenny’s icy blue eyes were cold and sharp. "Who gave you the right to endanger someone else’s life? A complete stranger’s life?" "I-I was just joking with you," the boy stammered, frightened by Wenny's aura, trying weakly to defend himself. "Joke? Do you really think this is just a joke? As a student of Carey-Leeman Academy, you should know how dangerous exploring a secret realm can be, especially one from an unknown civilization. You're not just stupid; you're downright malicious." "Come on, surrender yourself," Wenny stopped wasting words, yanking at the boy’s sleeve. "W-wait, please! Give me a chance! I was just momentarily confused…." The boy pleaded, realizing he was in deep trouble. "Momentarily confused? It seems to me you were just tempted by evil." Wenny replied coldly, "I only know that leaving people like you unchecked will only endanger the good ones." "Stop wasting time. I still have some patience left for you, but don’t test its limits. If you keep prattling, I won’t be so kind!" Wenny's aura, hardened by past trials, silenced the boy. Terrified and trembling, the student was led to the disciplinary office by Wenny. "What happened here?" asked a bespectacled member of the disciplinary board coming upon the scene. Wenny seemed firm, while his captive was hesitant, unsure of what occurred. "Dear disciplinary senior, here's what happened," Wenny recounted the events. His account turned the disciplinary member’s expression grave. "Is that true?" the disciplinarian queried the boy, voice icy with accusation. "I-I didn't! He’s making this up!" Of course, the boy denied everything. "Looks like you're not owning up even at the final hour. Then why do you have my token in your pocket?" Wenny probed. "You... you planted it on me!" the boy vehemently denied, knowing confessing would at least lead to expulsion. "You're at it again. Try explaining to my evidence stone," Wenny countered, pulling out the recording device. "What's going on here?" a familiar voice interjected. Wenny and the board members turned to the voice. "Ishtiya?" Wenny recognized the black-haired beauty on duty. "Chief?" The disciplinary members echoed. Chief? Wenny mused, impressed by Ishtiya’s swift rise to lead a group in just one semester, living up to her protagonist status. "Wenny?" Ishtiya approached, recognizing him immediately. "What’s the issue?" she looked between Wenny and the boy he held. "The situation is like this," Wenny explained, handing Ishtiya the evidence. After watching, Ishtiya filled out a form. "Chief, should we investigate?" Seeing indisputable evidence, the members still sensibly sought her direction. "Investigate? No need to follow procedure. Caught with evidence; deal with him directly," Ishtiya stated impassively. "What?! No!" The boy collapsed to the floor in terror. "What's your name?" Ishtiya asked, sitting gracefully, legs crossed, exuding authority. In this moment, Wenny felt like Ishtiya had assumed her destined throne, gazing at him as if he were a mere insect. Other than Ishtiya, none of the protagonists could match such imperial charisma—she was unrivalled. Her simple words terrified the boy as if he stood before a sovereign ruler condemning him. "I-I..." "We’ll find out soon enough. Would you rather face additional charges by obstructing justice?" she posed, arms crossed, in a chilling tone. "W-Wood! I’m Wood!" The boy rushed to confess. "Which class? Entrance rank, current rank, student number, all of it," Ishtiya ordered with commanding authority. Overwhelmed, Wood divulged everything. "Now, why frame Wenny? What's your motive? You shouldn’t even know each other," she pressed, oozing regality and scorn. "I… I..." Wood's eyes flickered with indecision before solidifying his resolve. "I just don't like him; it would be best if this scoundrel perished in the secret realm!" "Ridiculous, your deception won’t work on me," Ishtiya dismissed with penetrating violets eyes that stripped away all pretense. "Your eyes, subtle expressions, and logic clearly state a directed motive beyond personal grudge. Someone put you up to this, yes?" she asked pointedly. "I-I… No such thing!" Wood stammered as if caught. "Wood, choose your words wisely," Ishtiya leaned back, emanating only condescension, full of intimidation. "If you think you’ll just face expulsion, you're sorely mistaken." "Let me clarify; anywhere, manslaughter is punishable by death unless exempted," she leaned closer. "What you attempted falls under attempted manslaughter." "If you're from the Camerilla Kingdom, Mirexia would deal with you harshly, without bias. If Tyrealian, even easier." "No need for legal intervention. Stripping you of your academy status, I'll personally ensure you're jailed upon returning," she decreed with sovereign authority. "Thud!" Wood collapsed, utterly speechless, overwhelmed by her gaze.