Vol 2. Chapter 94: Return

Vinny was struck speechless. The more he thought about it, the more he realized he really had no way to refute her.

Maybe... maybe he really had been too pretentious. But could he really be blamed? He’d been poor all his life, and that kind of fear stuck deep.

After dinner, he was shown to a guest room prepared specifically for noble visitors—lavish beyond measure.

The Galathus family’s Huawo Chamber of Commerce practically had the words “extravagant wealth” written across its face. Vinny had no doubt that if there were a ranking of the richest noble houses, House Galathus would be on it without suspense—perhaps even at the very top.

It was true most noble families had industries of their own, and the great nobles’ businesses spanned the human kingdoms, with many lesser nobles dependent on them for work. But the Galathus family was different. Even as a “minor” noble house, their enterprises surpassed those of many great ones.

This directly tied back to the fall of the Old Tyrelis Empire. Even after its collapse, House Galathus had retained formidable influence and networks, owing to their service to the Imperial household. They had always kept a low profile.

And low profile was wise. Flaunt too much, and one might someday “mysteriously” end up dead.

Over the years since the Empire’s fall, every Galathus head had been practical, building quietly. By now, their roots ran so deep, their web so entangled, it was nearly impossible to uproot them. Who could say whether they had even developed private armies of their own, or how many of their people had infiltrated noble circles across nations?

Vinny changed into a clean, comfortable robe, waddling like a drunk penguin to the velvet bed, stretching wide before collapsing onto it.

Ah, to eat and drink his fill—pure bliss. He hadn’t eaten properly in days. To gorge himself like this was heaven.

He was asleep within minutes.

****

The next morning, he was woken by a maid who had come to clean. She informed him the Young Lady had been waiting for him in the parlor for some time.

“Eh? Oh.” Vinny blinked groggily, nodded, and went downstairs.

After enjoying breakfast prepared by the family’s private chef, he entered the parlor refreshed. There sat the silver-haired girl, already dressed to perfection, elegant on the white sofa with a teacup in hand.

“Did you sleep well last night, Vinny?” Aesphyra asked with a smile. Today she wore a black gothic Lolita dress, blue ribbon ornamenting her hair, the picture of a cold, aloof noble heiress who traveled with entourages.

Vinny stared for a moment.

This little silver nut—every day, a new flawless ensemble. Never repeating, always fresh.

“Not bad. Your family’s bed is comfortable.” For once, he didn’t bother with bravado. “And your food’s good too.”

“Really~?” She rested her cheek on one hand, stirring her tea with the other, smiling with a hint of intrigue. “If Vinny really likes it, after graduation you could always consider coming to work for my family.”

“Though Vinny still has flaws, if you worked hard enough, a life like this wouldn’t be out of reach.”

“You mean this young master should work for you? And what do you mean flaws? This young master is heaven’s chosen, you know?? ... But, uh, if I applied, what are my chances of success?” He rubbed his hands together sheepishly after the protest.

“One hundred percent~,” Aesphyra said with a narrow-eyed smile.

“For real?!” Vinny’s eyes lit up.

“Of course. If you graduate from Carillian Academy, the chances are guaranteed. Graduates are prized everywhere. But Vinny would still need to undergo a period of assessment before rising to a managerial position.”

“Sounds good. Remember what you said today.” Whether or not he actually wanted to work under her later, it was at least a backup plan. If one day he truly had nowhere else to go, he’d have this path.

For Vinny, that was something. This was the real benefit of entering Carillian Academy—his first safety net. At worst, he’d always have a place in Galathus business.

As for being Aesphyra’s subordinate, taking her orders?

Well... what choice did he have? He had no backing, no family, no patron. To climb even this high on his own was already incredible. He could be content for a lifetime.

Besides, apart from Senior Sister Selina, none of the old geezers ever helped him. That he’d made it this far on his own was something to be proud of.

Still, he thought he’d have better options. Perhaps some king of a small country might take a liking to him, grant him a minor lordship. He’d have a small house, a garden, plant vegetables, marry a simple village girl, and live out his days in peace.

Sometimes protecting the locals, taking up a spear to fight off bandits—that would be enough.

Yes, life should be that plain and simple.

Though he always bragged about being handsome and irresistible, after a semester at the Academy Vinny had realized the truth—he wasn’t popular with girls. All he wanted now was a completely ordinary girl: plain in height, looks, and family background. That would be enough.

Ordinary was good. Ordinary meant safe. No envy, no danger.

Sure, dazzling beauties like Aesphyra and Mirecia were amazing—but Vinny knew his reality. He was still a fallen noble, hated like a rat in the street. The gap was too great.

Even if they weren’t destined heroines, he still couldn’t get too close. One had rejected his confession, the other was a green-eyed iron-blood. To be friends with them at all was already more than enough. Beyond that, even friendship would collapse.

In the end, their brilliance was simply too blinding. Better for him to live in the ordinary world.

“Of course, Vinny. After graduation, if you ever decide, there will always be a place waiting for you with me.” Aesphyra’s tone was firm.

“Excellent! I like that attitude. Just for that, you’re my brother for life!” Vinny thumped his chest grandly.

“Brother? Vinny, I’m not a man, you know?” Aesphyra tilted her head.

“Who says a brother has to be a man? Ever heard of a ‘sister-brother’? Broaden your view a little. Female brothers can be brothers too!” Vinny smirked.

She laughed softly, saying nothing for a while before adding, “Though... there is actually a shortcut.”

“Oh? What shortcut?”

“So Vinny wants a shortcut, does he?”

“Eh, eh, look at you! Do you think a man of my stature would stoop to shortcuts? ... So, what is it?” One second noble and righteous, the next all shifty-eyed.

“Simple. Do you remember our promise, Vinny~?”

“Promise? What promise?” He frowned, blank.

Did he and Aesphyra ever make one?

Then he saw her smiling face all but sprout a giant question mark.

“Vinny, on the carriage—you swore to me, remember?”

“Oh! Right. I remember now.” He slapped his forehead.

Why was it so faint in his memory? Easy—because the person she spoke of didn’t exist. Which meant the promise didn’t either. Forgotten like the wind.

“If a member of Vinny’s family rose in status, wouldn’t Vinny rise with them? If your blood relative whispered in my ear every night, you’d soar whether you wanted to or not.” Her lips curved slyly.

“...That’s it? That’s your shortcut?” Vinny looked unimpressed. “You can’t expect me to pull someone out of thin air! That shortcut doesn’t exist for me.”

“Really~?” Aesphyra leaned in closer.

“Really. I told you, I didn’t lie.”

“Then, Vinny—those healing scrolls and potions you used. Who gave them to you?” she asked slowly.

“...What healing scrolls? What potions?” He blinked, feigning confusion.

“Your wounds healed quickly. Too quickly.” She toyed with her pale fingers, gaze meaningful.

“...”

Damn. She noticed after all.

Hiding something from Aesphyra really was nearly impossible.

It made him long for his cute little roommate, Skodal. She was suspicious too, but her suspicion was clear-eyed and simple. Any illogical lie could fool her easily—she’d even patch the gaps herself.

Aesphyra and Skodal were polar opposites. Deceiving Aesphyra was almost impossible. Deceiving Skodal was child’s play.

But Vinny had already prepared an answer.

“So you just assume I used scrolls or potions? What kind of logic is that? I didn’t think so either—but your elixir’s effect was amazing! We each drank half a bottle and both recovered fully, right?” he argued.

It was true. The Saintess of Dawn elixir, infused with saintess blood, not only brought one back from the brink of death but eventually healed fully. Still, the speed of recovery was abnormal, enough to make her suspicious.

But without comparison, and with this being her first time using such an elixir, it was easy to credit the miraculous recovery to the potion alone.

“Really? That’s all?” she gazed at him intently.

“Swear on my life! How many times do I have to say it? I don’t even have the money for scrolls or potions. If I did, wouldn’t you have to supply me yourself?” Vinny snapped.

At that, Aesphyra fell silent.

Vinny guessed rightly—this was just another of her traps, her layered tricks of words and observation.

Ahh, being around this scheming little white bun was exhausting. Every day he had to be on guard, never knowing when she’d spring some test or dig out some slip of information.

****

After tea, the manager himself escorted them out like core staff would, sending them off in Huawo’s exclusive enchanted carriage. They traveled north through the Empire, then transferred to a unicorn carriage already waiting.

Two weeks later, they finally returned to Carillian Academy.

Back on campus, Vinny felt like he’d lived a lifetime on the road. So much had happened. To be back again after so long brought a flood of emotions.

“Oi, hey, White Bun! How are we supposed to write our field report?” he asked as they prepared to part ways, each returning to their own dorm to write.

“How else? Just as it happened—write it truthfully.” Aesphyra smiled. “You worked hard, Vinny. Until next time.”

She turned away, silver hair lifting in the breeze.

“...Truthfully?” Vinny frowned, remembering they had that bastard priest sign their practice report earlier.

Ah, almost forgot about that scum—Farkas. They hadn’t dealt with him yet.

But then he shrugged. No need to worry—Jiu Lixue was still there. She’d handle him.

Living among succubi and fox-demon beauties? For him, that was paradise.

Vinny returned to his dorm, mulling over how to word his report to highlight his own role—when suddenly, a small white head peeked in through the door.

“Vinny, you’re finally back?”