Vol 2. Chapter 8: Behave Cowardly Or Bravely

“You and Aesphyra seem to have a great relationship, discussing alchemy after class and even running errands for her to fetch medicinal ingredients,” Teacher Seve teased.

“Teacher, don’t say such things. My relationship with Aesphyra isn’t that great. If she hears this, she’ll definitely give me trouble.”

“Alright, alright, you better hurry. The alchemical process can’t wait too long.”

“Ah, right, I understand.” Hearing this, Vinny quickly headed to the medicinal herb room.

After watching Vinny leave, Seve glanced in the direction he came from and then turned to leave.

“Little student, if I’m not mistaken, it’s after school hours. What brings you here?” The guardian of the medicinal herb room was an old man, currently holding a newspaper.

“Old sir, could I trouble you for some Dragon Beard? Aesphyra is busy brewing a potion and asked me to fetch it for her.”

“Oh, little Aesphyra, always so diligent.” The old man stroked his beard, slowly walked into the herb room, and took out something resembling ginseng with long roots, but it was a dark earthy yellow color. He placed it in a leather pouch and handed it to Vinny.

“Alright, thank you, old sir.” With that, Vinny hurried back.

The old man sat down and recorded the herbs Vinny had requested, noting that they were under Aesphyra’s name.

“Aesphyra, I’ve brought the Dragon Beard.” Vinny handed the leather pouch containing the Dragon Beard through the door, where it was taken by a pair of delicate hands wearing disposable gloves.

“Alright, thank you, Vinny. Please wait outside for a moment, okay?” Aesphyra smiled, and soon the sound of a boiling cauldron came from inside, indicating that she was adding ingredients, controlling the heat, and guiding the neutralization of the potion’s effects.

Just by the sound, it was clear that this potion was not easy to brew, but with Aesphyra’s alchemical skills, there was no need to worry.

Vinny waited outside for about fifteen minutes until the boiling sound from the cauldron finally ceased.

After tidying up the brewed potion and the remaining liquid, Aesphyra threw the disposable gloves into the trash, washed her hands, and took out a new pair from her pocket to wear.

“Sorry for the wait, Vinny.” Soon, Aesphyra emerged from the alchemy room, smiling at Vinny. She seemed to have stored the potion she brewed, so Vinny didn’t get to see what it looked like.

“That fast? It’s only been fifteen minutes.” Vinny raised an eyebrow. Brewing alchemical potions, especially higher-level ones, usually took a lot of time, often more than an hour.

Vinny knew he would have to wait a long time for Aesphyra to finish, but so what? Opportunities to get Aesphyra to treat him were rare.

“Well, I couldn’t leave you standing outside for too long, so I sped things up a bit.” Aesphyra smiled with a hint of mischief.

“Ugh, since when did you start caring about me?” Vinny took a step back, looking disgusted. “Don’t act like this; it makes me uncomfortable.”

“Oh? Could it be that Vinny is the type with peculiar tastes?” Aesphyra tilted her head.

“Huh? What are you talking about? What peculiar tastes?”

“You know, the kind of person who enjoys being bullied and humiliated, who craves being insulted and oppressed, commonly known as a masochist~”

“Hey! Who would enjoy being bullied and humiliated? I’m not some kind of masochist!” Vinny retorted angrily.

“Then why is it,” Aesphyra took a step forward, leaning in close to Vinny, her stunning face wearing a captivating smile, “that whenever I show you a little kindness, you start pushing your luck?”

Vinny quickly took a step back.

“What do you mean, pushing my luck? What are you even talking about?” The cold fragrance of roses wafted into Vinny’s nose, stirring his heart. Her flawless smile seemed to pierce through his chest, melting his heart.

Even Vinny, who had developed some resistance to beautiful girls, couldn’t withstand her charm.

Tsk, this little temptress is just too alluring. Why is she so captivating even though she doesn’t have the most impressive figure?

It must be because she’s the main heroine of the story, with beauty and charm at the pinnacle of the continent, unmatched by anyone.

No wonder players jokingly call her the Terraria Succubus. Without such allure, how could she have turned so many beautiful girls?

“Let’s go.” Her violet eyes, filled with charm and deeper meaning, glanced at Vinny.

Without any explanation, she walked ahead of him. The breeze carried her silver hair tied with a bow, bringing with it a faint, cool fragrance that made one’s heart flutter.

“Go? Go where?” Vinny was momentarily stunned, not reacting quickly.

“What, Vinny, don’t you want your reward?” Aesphyra turned around, her jewel-like eyes shimmering like a galaxy. She laughed like a silver bell, her laughter fleeting like a passing breeze.

“Of course I want it! Who wouldn’t? Only a fool would refuse.” Vinny hesitated for a moment, then quickly followed.

No way was he going to miss this chance to make Aesphyra spend some money.

“Hey, where are we going for dinner tonight?” Vinny asked as he followed behind Aesphyra. Since she was treating, it wouldn’t be right for him to have demands about the location.

Well, Vinny wasn’t exactly the most modest person, but he still had a basic sense of humility.

He always considered himself a humble and gentle person.

“By the way, Aesphyra, what were you brewing just now?” Vinny asked.

“Hmm? Why, are you interested?”

“Just curious about what kind of potion could make you so focused on brewing it yourself,” Vinny said casually.

“Curious? If you’re curious, you could try begging me. Maybe if I’m in a good mood, I’ll tell you?” Aesphyra smiled playfully.

“Beg? How should I beg?” Vinny raised an eyebrow.

“With sincerity, of course. For example, kneeling and kissing my feet.”

“Tsk, I knew you wouldn’t say anything decent.” Vinny clicked his tongue.

Though she acted so calm and composed now, it was only because she knew I wouldn’t dare.

If I actually did it, you’d be the one refusing.

Vinny thought disdainfully.

But still, just helping Aesphyra run an errand, and she’s treating me to dinner? Is she really that generous?

Although Aesphyra was indeed generous, it depended on who she was dealing with.

For those heroines, those beautiful girls, Aesphyra was patient and exceedingly generous, even giving away rare alchemical formulas for free.

But when it came to boys...

Take Vinny, for example. Even he didn’t get much better treatment. Since enrolling, Aesphyra had received over a hundred love letters from different boys, and without exception, she politely rejected them all, never to be seen again.

In the original story, she even handled those love letters with disposable gloves, as if they were something dirty.

Imagine how heartbroken those boys would be if they knew the girl they liked wouldn’t even touch their love letters with bare hands.

In conclusion, Aesphyra treating a boy to dinner was quite an unusual occurrence.

Suddenly realizing this, Vinny felt a bit more cautious and puzzled.

What exactly is Aesphyra up to?

“We’re here. Is it okay to have dinner here? I assume it’s your first time, Vinny?” Just as Vinny was pondering, Aesphyra stopped in front of a shop.

“Uh, this...” Vinny looked up and saw the familiar pink-themed decor.

Damn, why does it have to be here?

Vinny’s eye twitched as he looked at the maid café in front of him.

“Hmm? Could it be that Vinny isn’t here for the first time?” Seeing Vinny’s reaction, Aesphyra covered her mouth and chuckled. “I wouldn’t have guessed~?”

It wasn’t his first time here, but the first time he came, he wasn’t a customer.

“This is indeed my first time. I should be the one saying that.” Vinny glanced at Aesphyra. “Aesphyra, you’re quite the explorer, huh? You’ve checked out every corner of Carillian Academy.”

“Oh, I almost forgot your character traits. You’ve been here quite a few times, haven’t you? No wonder. So, have you hooked up with any new girls here?” Vinny raised an eyebrow.

“Hmm, why don’t you guess~?”

“I don’t like guessing the thoughts of people I’m not interested in, thanks.” Vinny crossed his arms.

“How cruel. After spending so much time together, you still haven’t developed even a little interest in me?”

“Nope.” Vinny looked away.

“How heartless. Then why aren’t you looking into my eyes when you speak?”

“Is that important? Are we eating or not? I’ve been waiting for you and I’m starving.” Vinny raised his eyebrows.

“Alright, let’s go in. I’m sure Vinny is eager.”

“If anyone’s eager, it’s you.” Vinny followed Aesphyra into the maid café.

“Welcome back, dear Master Meow!” As soon as they entered, they were greeted by Mioka’s enthusiastic smile.

“Oh, it’s Master Aesphyra! Meow, Master, you still have three private room sessions left this month. Would you like to use one?”

“No, we’ll just dine in the main hall.”

“Alright Meow, no problem Meow. Master Aesphyra and this blue-haired Master, please come in and take a seat.” Mioka cheerfully headed to the kitchen.

Vinny glanced around the maid café. There weren’t many people today, or perhaps they had arrived late, so it was less crowded.

He noticed that besides Mioka, there were two other maids, likely hired by the owner, Luna, after he had worked there once.

He hadn’t been back since his brief stint as a maid.

“Vinny, what are you looking for?”

“Nothing.” Vinny shook his head, then gave Aesphyra a look of disdain. “You’re quite the regular here, huh?”

“Just a bit. I only topped up a little here. It’d be a waste not to use it.”

“Two Masters, here’s your black tea.” A green-haired maid approached and placed a tea tray on the table.

“Thank you~ Miss Ferris, you look especially beautiful today, truly eye-catching.” Aesphyra smiled at the green-haired maid, giving her a flirtatious glance.

“Thank you for the compliment, Master.” The innocent little maid blushed slightly.

This scum harem protagonist... has she extended her charm even to the background characters??

Vinny watched Aesphyra flirt with the maid, his lips twitching.

Damn, I’m so jealous. Why is it that when she flirts, girls blush, but when I flirt, they just look annoyed and disgusted??

Why?? She’s a girl too, how is she so good at this??

“Jealous, Vinny?” After Ferris left with the menu, Aesphyra propped her chin on her hand, smiling teasingly at Vinny, her lips curving with mischief.

“Jealous of you? Not a chance!” Vinny was starting to regret his decision to make Aesphyra treat him.

I should’ve known this woman was up to no good. She tricked me into coming to this maid café just to rub it in my face.

“If you’re jealous, Vinny, you’ll need to do better than that. Anyone could find love, but only the cowardly never will~” Aesphyra smiled as she gazed at Vinny.

“...” Vinny’s lips twitched.

Damn it, not only am I being shown up by this purple-eyed girl and the maids, but now she’s giving me a lecture.

Damn it, I’m the infamous playboy of the capital, yet here I am being schooled on flirting by a purple-eyed girl.

And besides, don’t you already have a harem of heroines? Why are you still eyeing the background girls? If the main heroine is like this, what’s left for us side characters like me??

Sigh, the world of yuri game, sigh, men have no rights.

“Then do you think I’m the cowardly type?” Vinny snorted.

“Well, how should I put it?”

“What do you mean?”

“Every time I think Vinny is the bold and daring type, he always disappoints me. But every time I think he’s a coward who can’t stir up any trouble, he surprises me with something unexpected.”

“So, now I can’t quite tell if Vinny is bold or cowardly.” Aesphyra’s words were filled with deeper meaning.

Vinny gradually lost the expression on his face.

“Being bold means you won’t miss many opportunities, but you might also stray down the wrong path. Being cautious means you’ll miss out on a lot, but at least you’ll stay safe. What do you think~?”

“...”

“So, Vinny, do you want to be the bold type or the cautious type?”

“And what do you think is the best choice?” Vinny asked.

“Me? I think either is fine, but one shouldn’t be bold when they should be cautious, or cautious when they should be bold. Such a person, on a small scale, will always miss opportunities, and on a larger scale, might even risk their life.” Aesphyra smiled brightly.

“So, Aesphyra, you invited me to dinner just to tell me this?”

“Pfft, just teasing~ Why are you taking it so seriously, Vinny?” Just as Vinny thought Aesphyra was hinting at something, she revealed a look of Gotcha!, her lips curling with mockery.

“See? Just saying something cryptic and meaningless, and Vinny takes it seriously. How adorably naive, just like the little puppy at my doorstep~”