Vol 3. Chapter 83: Nothing Special

“No, n-no problem.”

Shicodale kept his little head lowered in silence for a long time before finally grinding those few words out through his clenched teeth.

“All right, look at you, all tied up in knots like that, Dale. How many times have I said this? For a man, the most important things are confidence, looseness, and being open-hearted. Do you get that or not? A confident man is the most attractive, the coolest.”

Vinny stood with his hands behind his back, putting on that lecturing-big-man act again.

“Seriously, look at how timid you are. What’s a man doing fussing over so much? Whatever. If you really can’t loosen up, then just sleep in your clothes, what’s the big deal?”

“All right, take the tent out. We should get it set up,” Vinny said.

“Ah, okay.” Shicodale hurriedly nodded, pulling the folded tent out of his bag along with the food and water he’d packed. He’d already prepared all of that before they set out.

The two of them found an empty patch of ground and worked together.

However, before they finished pitching the tent, Vinny quietly lifted his eyes and glanced into the distance beside them—then immediately straightened up and started pulling out the stakes anchoring the tent.

“Dale, pack the tent up. We’re not setting it up here.” Vinny suddenly stood and spoke.

“Eh—eh? Why?” Shicodale didn’t understand.

“The feng shui here is bad.” Vinny cut his eyes toward a spot not far away. “Places by the sea are prone to sprouting moldy white nuts. Not suitable for pitching tents.”

“Eh?”

Shicodale still hadn’t parsed what that meant, but he followed Vinny’s gaze—and saw a certain familiar silver-haired girl.

Mm, besides her, there were also a whole bunch of male students standing around her, pretending to be all casual about having come over here.

“That’s strange. Did this spot get that popular all of a sudden?”

Shicodale looked baffled. As far as he remembered, barely anyone had chosen this place to camp earlier—how come a bunch of people had suddenly appeared here? Was this place really that nice? Nice enough that so many people picked it at once??

Naturally, it wasn’t that this spot was especially good. They were all the same “sea-view villas”—what difference could there be??

The only difference was the people living here.

With one glance Vinny could read those male students’ eyes—they were all here for Aesphyra.

If even he could see right through these youngsters’ intentions, there was no way Aesphyra hadn’t noticed.

Also, Vinny wasn’t sure if that white-furred nutball was scheming to blow up his [Virtue] again.

Cherish your life. Stay away from terrifying nut-people.

Wherever she set up her tent, he was better off staying far, far away.

Back there, a lot of people had seen his conversation with Isatia and Aesphyra. If his strength weren’t what it was now, there was no guarantee some of those two’s fan-club types wouldn’t come looking to cause trouble for him.

“Come on, let’s go find somewhere else to set up.”

Since Vinny said so, Shicodale could only do as told.

However, once they’d changed locations, Vinny discovered that a certain white-furred nutball had, for no clear reason, once again appeared near their new campsite, casually putting up her own tent.

“You’re kidding me??”

Seeing that, Vinny couldn’t help walking over.

“Ah-leh? Isn’t this Vinny? What a coincidence. You’re putting your tent up here too~?”

When Aesphyra saw Vinny, she made a show of surprise; those starry eyes of hers were full of laughter and seductive charm.

“Cut the act. What are you trying to pull? This is already the second time. What’s that supposed to mean? You tailing this young master or what? Tsk tsk, what a per~vert of a woman, actually trying to stalk a beautiful young man. Planning to make a move on this beautiful young master??”

Since Aesphyra wasn’t even bothering to pretend anymore, Vinny simply went straight for the low-blow assault.

But clearly, the already-desensitized Aesphyra didn’t mind in the slightest. Nothing he said could stir even the tiniest emotional ripple in her.

“Second time? Second time doing what?” Aesphyra tilted her head.

“Don’t play dumb. Weren’t you just setting up over there? Why didn’t you stay? Why’d you suddenly move over here??” Vinny demanded.

“Mm-hmm? Is that very strange?” Aesphyra tilted her head again, as if genuinely perplexed. “I just felt that spot wasn’t very suitable, so I changed places. I just happened to move here. Is there a problem with that?”

“Not suitable? How is it not suitable?” Vinny raised a brow.

“Bad environment.”

“Bad environment? These are all open-air mansions, they all look the same, don’t they? That environment’s bad but this one’s good?” Vinny griped.

“That spot’s environment is a bit noisy. Maybe there are too many bugs.” Aesphyra’s tone was playful. “I figured it would probably affect my rest, so I moved.”

“And the environment over here is just fine?”

“With Vinny around, how bad could the environment be? After all, Vinny comes with his own halo; he filters the bugs.”

“You treating this young master like a frog or something? ‘Filters the bugs’??”

The more Vinny listened, the more pissed he got. He was just about to tell Shicodale to move again when he turned his head and saw that Shicodale had already finished setting up the tent.

“Eh?”

Seeing Vinny looking over in silence, Shicodale tilted his head, confused. “Vinny, what’s wrong?”

“...Nothing.” Vinny could only let out a long sigh.

“Speaking of which, Aesphyra’s over here too.”

Seeing Aesphyra, Shicodale came trotting over.

“Yup, such a coincidence, Dale. Want some candy~?”

As she spoke, Aesphyra smiled with her eyes and opened her palm. Resting on it were a few still-wrapped fruit candies.

“Eh—eh?!”

The instant Shicodale saw those crystal-clear fruit candies, his big eyes lit right up with longing; he was one drool-thread short of literally drooling.

It was obvious he hadn’t had this kind of little snack in a long time—and he’d probably really loved them in the past.

“Dale, what are you doing? Isn’t this embarrassing? Haven’t you heard you can’t take things from bad people? Especially from bad women.” Vinny clicked his tongue.

“Hey now, Vinny, that’s not fair.” Aesphyra chuckled softly. “You’re not eating, fine—but you’re going to stop poor Dale too? Dale really has it tough, huh. He has to get your permission just to eat something?”

“......”

Vinny had no comeback for that.

Looking at Shicodale’s expression, wanting that candy but not daring to step forward, he remembered that once upon a time, this person had been a Moon Elf princess who had everything.

Before his family was destroyed and his home lost, he was the Moon Elf King’s most precious jewel. Now, even eating a piece of candy had become a luxury.

Thinking of that, Vinny had to admit Shicodale really was pitiful.

“Dale, what are you staring at me for? If you want to eat, then eat. Aesphyra’s offering you candy; if you don’t eat, it’s a waste, isn’t it? Eat this white-furred nutball broke!” Vinny gave Aesphyra a glare.

“No, if Vinny doesn’t let me, I won’t eat.”

Shicodale swallowed hard, his head shaking like a rattle-drum.

He knew Vinny treated him the best. If not for Vinny, he wouldn’t even have been able to afford food back at the start of the term.

Other people’s gifts—no matter how much gold and treasure they offered—couldn’t compare to even a scrap given by someone close. That was the most visceral realization Shicodale had come to after losing all of his family.

“I never said you couldn’t eat. What are you taking me for, some evil slave master? Hurry up and eat. If you want to eat, then eat. Do you really need my opinion just to put something in your mouth? And I fully support you eating this white-furred nutball into bankruptcy.” Vinny snorted.

Shicodale blinked his big eyes and pressed his lips together, saying nothing.

“Forget it, forget it~ it’s not like I was forcing anything.”

Seeing this, Aesphyra withdrew her hand with a bright smile, taking the candies back. “I just thought Dale was cute and couldn’t resist wanting to give him a little sweetness.”

“I’ll buy you candy when we get back.”

Seeing Shicodale like this, Vinny felt he looked so pitiful he could only say that.

“Mm!” Shicodale nodded quickly. “Thank you, Vinny!”

Very soon, night fell.

All the students gathered around their campfires, roasting their food.

Before they set out, the mentors had reminded everyone to bring their own food. Of course, to prevent total idiots from forgetting, they’d also brought some bread along. If you really forgot, you could make do with that—plus it would help those careless students learn their lesson.

Vinny finally figured out why Aesphyra had picked a spot near him to pitch her tent.

At mealtime, looking at the hotpot bubbling over the campfire outside Aesphyra’s tent next door, fragrance wafting everywhere, he suddenly felt that the bread and corn chowder in his and Shicodale’s hands had lost all flavor.

The smell drew in the other students camped nearby as well; they all swallowed audibly and sighed over Aesphyra’s “skillful, clever hands.”

Shouldn’t they be sighing over how filthy rich the Galathus Family was?

They’d even kitted Aesphyra out with collapsible enchanted cookware.

Enchantments were basically used on weapons. Using them on ordinary cookware... that was just sheer extravagance.

“Vinny, did you need something from me?”

As she stirred the ingredients in the pot, Aesphyra suddenly spoke in a playful tone.

“I’m saying, can you not camp so close to us? The smell from your cooking is way too strong—it’s all drifting onto us, you know that?” Vinny pressed his lips together.

“Oh? Am I bothering you?”

“You are bothering me.”

“Vinny, are you hungry?”

“Of course I’m hungry.”

“Then why aren’t you eating? Do you have no appetite?”

“Tch!”

Vinny felt like this scene was weirdly familiar, like he’d seen it somewhere before. He took a bite of bread and said nothing.

“Vinny, do you want some?” Aesphyra propped her cheek in one hand and tilted her head.

“Who wants any? I don’t. Not at all!” Vinny insisted, mouth hard.

“Mm-hmm, really?” Aesphyra said with a laugh.

“Or what? Tch, it doesn’t even look good. This young master has zero interest in eating it.”

“Then what about Dale? Dale, what do you think of the smell~?”

Aesphyra sprinkled a handful of green leaves into the pot. The fragrance instantly gained a fresh herbal note.

“I—I, uh, mm... it’s pretty good.”

Shicodale didn’t want to embarrass Vinny, but he also didn’t want to lie, so he could only give that answer.

“See, Vinny? Dale seems like he really wants to eat,” Aesphyra said with a smile.

“Tch, you’re messing with us again!”

“How can that be called messing with you? I’m extending a very sincere invitation.”

“Oh, and you’re that kind-hearted?” Vinny sounded doubtful.

“In your eyes, Vinny, am I really that eager to tease you?”

“Well, well, you said it yourself. Ahem. For Dale’s sake, since he wants some, I’ll reluctantly help you taste-test it.”

As he spoke, Vinny dragged Shicodale over to Aesphyra’s pot.

“Eh—eh—eh?!”

Shicodale still hadn’t caught up to what was happening before Vinny had already planted him in front of the pot.

They fetched bowls and chopsticks, and the steaming-hot soup made their taste buds sing.

The same Vinny who’d just claimed he didn’t want any sat down and immediately started shoveling food in with zero table manners.

Aesphyra watched with a smile, then shifted her gaze to Shicodale, who was eating in small bites, taking little sips of soup.

“Dale, is it good?”

“Mm. It’s good. Really good. You’re amazing, Aesphyra.” Shicodale spoke from the heart.

“I added several herbs,” Aesphyra explained. “It’s a flavor elves usually like—and it’s good for humans too.”

“So that’s it. You really are incredible, Aesphyra.”

“An alchemist has to know pharmacology, obviously. That includes some dietary therapy knowledge as well.” Aesphyra laughed softly.

“You’re so good with details, Aesphyra.”

All of a sudden, Shicodale remembered what Aesphyra had said before.

She’d mentioned the pet names between her and Vinny. Vinny had explained that she was just teasing him.

On that thought, Shicodale suddenly wondered: if Aesphyra really did have feelings for Vinny, could he ever be a match for her?

Having tasted Aesphyra’s cooking today, Shicodale felt his own cooking couldn’t compare.

And in this kind of comparison, he didn’t seem to measure up to her in any aspect—from looks to every sort of ability, talent, and even temperament.

“Vinny, is it good?”

“Mm-mm!”

Just as Shicodale was sinking into dejection, Vinny was still busy destroying his bowl.

“Great. As long as you like it. Vinny, you’re doing the dishes later~” Aesphyra said with a sly smile.

“Ah—huh? Ah! I knew it. So you were just looking for a laborer?!”

Vinny gave her a sideways look, then set his bowl and chopsticks down once he was full. With his belly taken care of, his tone got a lot tougher.

“It’s... so-so. Nowhere near as good as Dale’s. At best, you’re only half as good as he is.”

Since he was definitely washing the dishes anyway, what was the point in holding back?

Vinny plopped down on the grass and started pointing and critiquing.

“Eh—eh?”

Hearing that, Shicodale looked at Vinny, his face full of surprise.

[Virtue +30]

[Current Virtue: 5424]

“Vinny, thank you.”

“Huh? What are you thanking me for?” Vinny looked at Shicodale, puzzled.

“Vinny, since you’re full, go wash the dishes.”

Watching the two of them interact, Aesphyra suddenly cut in.

“Tch, what’s the rush? I’m going, I’m going.”