Vol 2. Chapter 98: Year-Level Battle

“Luckily, our injuries are already healed, with basically no aftereffects. Honestly, the situation was really dangerous at the time, but in the end we came out unscathed.” Vinny explained.

“I see.” Mirexia didn’t press further about what exactly they had encountered. But for Vinny and Aesphyra to have run into such trouble, it must have been something extraordinary—serious enough to draw the Academy’s attention, with Dean Morincate himself questioning them.

On matters like that, Mirexia naturally would not pry.

“Then, Vinny, why don’t you just take a few days to rest?” Mirexia said. “Aesphyra too—I’ll tell her myself.”

Outwardly, nothing seemed wrong, but she worried that after such life-threatening danger, some shadow might remain. It was better to give them a few days to recover.

“Huh? I’m fine, look, I’m perfectly healthy.” Vinny even flexed his nonexistent muscles to demonstrate, though he hardly had any to show off.

“Go rest. That’s an order.” Mirexia’s eyes were steady, serious.

“Uhh... alright, I get it.” Seeing her so firm, Vinny knew that once Mirexia made up her mind, she was impossible to budge.

“By the way, this time... did Aesphyra find out your secret?” Mirexia suddenly asked.

“Ah? No. For certain reasons, I couldn’t reveal my Facilis bloodline, so Aesphyra doesn’t know.” Vinny shook his head.

There were other reasons he didn’t mention. Letting Aesphyra find out he was also Wen Nisha? Absolutely impossible.

That damned Sea Empress had already been bewitched to the point of losing her mind by Wen Nisha. If she knew Wen Nisha and Vinny were the same person, wouldn’t that be his death sentence??

And besides—

Aesphyra absolutely hated being deceived. Even if he hadn’t meant to deceive her feelings, if that iron-willed violet-eyed girl found out the beautiful future “Crystal Palace” she admired was actually a man, even if it didn’t mean death, she would certainly make his life hell afterward.

Not to mention—

If it was exposed, wouldn’t their relationship just become unbearably awkward?

Vinny sighed to himself.

Humans all have emotions. Once you form feelings for someone, you can’t help but treasure them, thinking carefully about every step.

If one day he was forced to let Aesphyra know the truth—would their relationship grow distant out of awkwardness, until they became strangers?

Aesphyra had a deep mental cleanliness. If she learned that the lovely girl she liked was the same as this blue-haired bastard Vinny, what would happen then?

From spending time together, Vinny had gained some understanding of Aesphyra’s character. He no longer feared she’d smilingly grab a holy sword and cut him down like a watermelon. But now, he had new concerns.

What would become of their relationship then...?

No, this secret had to rot in his gut forever. Just imagining it was unbearably awkward and shameful.

Vinny had never once thought about living as Wen Nisha permanently.

“I see.” Mirexia nodded.

[Virtue +100]

[Current Virtue: 3644]

Huh? Even that gave him Virtue??

Vinny was puzzled. Was Mirexia worried that too many people knowing his secret would endanger him?

That must be it. What else could it be?

“That’s good. I mean—your secret’s importance is such that the fewer who know, the better. Whoever it may be, there’s always risk. You understand what I mean.” Mirexia’s voice carried serious weight.

“I understand, Mirexia.” Vinny nodded. “Then, in that case, I’ll go back to rest?”

“Wait.”

Just as Vinny turned to leave, Mirexia stopped him.

“? Mirexia, what else is there?” Vinny asked, puzzled.

“Vinny, about what I said before... I was misled by someone else’s subjective perspective, and misunderstood. Ahem... I’m sorry. You don’t mind, do you?” Mirexia coughed lightly. Her golden twin-tails swayed with the motion, her sapphire eyes darting aside, a trace of shyness in them.

“Oh, it’s fine. After all, hearing isn’t as reliable as seeing for yourself.” Of course, sometimes even seeing isn’t reliable either. As for her excuse about being “misled by someone else’s perspective”—

Vinny didn’t expose the fact that she had actually been there herself. Anyone with even a shred of tact wouldn’t.

“I don’t mind. Mirexia, it’s perfectly normal for you to think that way. If it were me, hearing something like that, I’d probably think the same.” Vinny added deliberately, so she wouldn’t brood afterward.

In a sense, Mirexia was rather awkward about such details—always hiding her real feelings, never stating them outright.

“Speaking of which, I haven’t seen you in a while. But you’re busy today, so never mind. Another time—I’ll treat you to dinner.” Vinny smiled.

Treat her... to dinner??

Mirexia’s thoughts jumped instantly to that last time—when Vinny had invited her to dinner, then afterward they’d returned to her office and worked side by side late into the night. A blush immediately crept across her cheeks.

Was Vinny hinting at something?

What should she do? Should she agree?

But if she agreed too easily, wouldn’t that seem improper? She couldn’t just blurt it out—it would be far too unreserved.

Mirexia turned her gaze aside, lowering her flushed face slightly, hands laced together where they rested before her stomach. Her mind raced to find the right words.

[Virtue +200]

[Current Virtue: 3844]

“I’ll... consider it. But after dinner, there can’t be... that sort of thing again, even though... it’s not good.” After a long pause, Mirexia spoke at last, her voice twisted in embarrassment.

???

Vinny frowned, not understanding.

Wait—what the hell was she talking about??

It was just dinner. What did she mean, “after dinner there can’t be... again”?

He had no idea what “though... it’s not good” was supposed to mean.

And why was Virtue spiking again? What on earth was Mirexia imagining now??

After speaking, Mirexia raised her eyes—only to find Vinny staring blankly, utterly confused. She froze, then realized she was the only one who had taken it that way. Vinny hadn’t gotten it at all. Her face flushed crimson, shame burning through her.

[Virtue +300]

[Current Virtue: 4144]

“???” Vinny was dumbfounded. Why did his Virtue skyrocket like a fountain every time he got near Mirexia??

It was just bizarre.

“Alright, I need to keep working. Go get some rest.” Turning quickly, Mirexia faced away, hiding her expression and tone before he could notice anything.

“Ah, oh. Then I’ll go, Mirexia. Take care of yourself.” Though he couldn’t figure out her heart at all—it was only becoming more confusing—Vinny saw how busy she was and left the Council President’s office with the files.

“Senior-sis, I’ve brought the documents.”

“Mm. Good work.”

“By the way, Mirexia said Aesphyra and I should rest for a few days. Heh, you see?”

“Oh.” The senior sister seemed to understand Mirexia’s intent, nodding. “Fine, take a break then.”

“Heh, Senior-sis, since it’s the President’s order, my...” Vinny gave her a fawning look.

“Enough, enough. I know. You’ll still get your pay, alright?” She shot him a glance.

“Thank you, Senior-sis! I knew you were beautiful and kindhearted!” Vinny’s mouth was dripping honey.

“Don’t call me small-minded. I have a family to feed, old and young...” Vinny muttered. It wasn’t even exaggeration—though he had no elders above him, there was a certain white-haired elf kid relying on him.

“Alright, enough. You’ve got paid leave. Now get out of here—I’m sick of looking at you.” She waved him off like swatting a fly.

“Heh heh.” Vinny scurried off.

The practice task was over. Next up was the year-level practice battle.

But scores weren’t determined by victory or defeat alone. Performance mattered heavily too. After all, no one could guarantee they wouldn’t be matched against an opponent several dimensions stronger. If a bottom-ranked student ended up against Aesphyra, wouldn’t that be an instant zero?

Because Vinny and Aesphyra had been the last group to finish their task, they had barely rested before the battle began.

Other years had three or more rounds of practice battles. First-years had just one. Win or lose, that was it.

That day, Vinny went to his designated zone to draw lots. Even if he faced a far stronger opponent, he wouldn’t score zero. Combined with his practice task results, his grade wouldn’t be terrible. But who didn’t want a higher score, a better ranking?

So Vinny prayed silently—not to be placed in the same bracket as those fated heroines.

But when he arrived and saw that elegant figure with white hair standing among the crowd, all hope evaporated.

Sigh. A beautiful day ended the moment he saw that white-haired nut.

Vinny shook his head, sighing.

“Good morning, Vinny. It’s been a few days. Did you sleep well last night~?” Aesphyra had spotted the blue-haired boy at once, strolling lightly toward him, hands clasped behind her back, body leaning playfully forward, a smile in her violet eyes.

As usual, Aesphyra’s outfit was the same: short-skirted Academy uniform paired with sheer black stockings.

Yes—Aesphyra really loved her stockings. Perhaps it was her fashion sense. Silver hair and black silk made for striking contrast.

“I slept fine. Whether I sleep well tonight, though—that’s another story.” Vinny shot her a look. “I might be in for a nightmare.”

“Eh? Why would you say that?” Aesphyra tilted her head, feigning innocence.

“Aesphyra, did you install a magnet on me? How do I end up running into you everywhere? How many brackets are in our year? And I get lumped in the same one as you??” Vinny exhaled sharply.

“Oh my, Vinny doesn’t want to see me that badly? So cruel—it hurts my heart.” Aesphyra pressed her hand to her cheek in mock sorrow, not even pretending her act was real.

“Yo! Blue-haired ugly freak! Long time no see. You’re in this bracket too? What number??” A familiar loli voice piped up behind him.

Vinny didn’t need to look to know who it was.

“Ugly freak—who are you calling that?” Vinny turned to see the golden-haired bratty elf girl.

“Who else? Obviously you!” Milian jabbed her finger at him.

“Oh, so you meant me. Sorry, didn’t realize right away.” Vinny replied with unexpected politeness.

Milian blinked. She hadn’t expected him to take it so calmly.

Wait—that was suspicious.

Then she saw Aesphyra behind him covering her mouth, stifling a laugh.

[Virtue +30]

[Current Virtue: 4174]

Wait! When he asked, “Ugly freak—who are you calling that?”—wasn’t that implying it was her??

Milian finally realized, and fury blazed.

[Virtue +100]

[Current Virtue: 4274]

“Hah, ugly freak and stupid too. Stupidly cute.” Vinny sighed theatrically.

“Ahhh! You hateful blue-hair!” Milian grit her teeth, looking like she wanted to sink her little tiger fangs right into him.

But really—how could this naive little idiot ever be a match for Camella’s number one trash-talker, Vinny?

“You rude, detestable blue-hair, just wait! You’d better pray you’re not drawn against me!” Milian snarled.

“Oh? Or what? You’ll just lose to me in public again, like last time?” Vinny raised a brow.