“So amazing?” Vinny exclaimed.
The enchantment on this cup is quite magical.
“This technology has been perfected over many generations, but it’s still not mature enough. It’s related to humanity’s level of development and understanding of alchemy,” Aesphyra explained, holding the teacup.
“After all, alchemy isn’t a skill created by humans. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say we’ve only grasped the basics. On the Terraria continent, or even beyond Terraria, there are creatures who understand alchemy and its principles far better than humans.”
“Like Erunes?” Vinny couldn’t help but ask.
“Vinny, you even know about the Blasphemous Demon God? That’s right. Alchemical power might very well be one of Erunes’ [Authorities]. The alchemy we use could just be a weakened projection of His [Authority], like crumbs from a lavish feast accidentally falling to the ground, which ants then treasure.”
With Aesphyra’s explanation, Vinny understood.
“In front of Erunes, humans dare not even claim to have grasped the basics of alchemy. So it’s normal that some alchemical substances can’t be detected by this cup. But on the Terraria continent, such a situation is almost impossible.”
So that’s how it is.
But does Mirexia really need this?
Vinny still remembered the original setting about Mirexia. The bloodline of the Wrathful Golden Dragon made her immune to all poisons. No matter how potent the toxin, her powerful bloodline would expel it.
This was the benefit of the Wrathful Golden Blood, but it also had its drawbacks.
For instance, Mirexia’s body was insensitive to alchemical poisons, but it was equally insensitive to beneficial alchemical medicines.
This insensitivity didn’t discriminate, unless it was a highly advanced healing alchemical medicine, it would be hard to have any effect on her.
Besides, this was Carillian Academy, one of the safest places on the Terraria continent. With countless powerful instructors and the academy’s principal overseeing everything, anyone who dared to harm a student here would be seeking death.
Moreover, Carillian Academy didn’t allow any outsiders who weren’t instructors or students. It was absolutely safe. This was Carillian Academy, a place of absolute safety. No one would dare poison the student council president, nor would they have the motive.
So Vinny felt that using such tea sets was mostly just to show off status, high-end, classy, and impressive.
Soon, the tea party ended.
Indeed, Aesphyra didn’t miss any opportunity to get closer to Mirexia during this tea party.
Afterward, Vinny and Aesphyra officially became members of the student council.
Following that, Vinny immediately threw himself into work. Honestly, the workload of the student council far exceeded his expectations.
He didn’t know what Aesphyra was doing, but he felt like, apart from learning from Mirexia, he was doing all the menial tasks, fetching tea, assisting seniors, conducting surveys, all of which were dumped on the newcomers.
As the weather turned cooler and autumn set in, the student council’s work became increasingly busy. As the lowest-ranking member, Vinny naturally became even busier. Besides keeping up with his studies, he had to complete student council tasks on weekends.
But there was a silver lining, he didn’t have to worry about his livelihood anymore. Carillian Academy didn’t make students work for free.
On the weekend, he was assigned to conduct a survey within the academy. Wearing the student council armband and autumn uniform, he stood on the bustling street.
“Hey, that guy over there, yes, you, stop.”
“Uh, y-yes, senior? What’s the matter?” The student, noticing the red student council armband on Vinny’s arm, shrank back, unsure if he’d done something wrong to be called out by a council member.
“Do you know what day it is today?” Vinny walked up to the male student, narrowing his eyes as he looked him up and down.
“N-no, is it a special day?” The student racked his brain but couldn’t figure out what day it was. It didn’t seem like any holiday. Or was it some special academy day where certain actions were prohibited?
“It’s the day the weather turned cold. Did you know that?” Vinny stared at the student for a long time before raising his head, pretending to be profound.
“Huh??” The student was stunned, not quite understanding.
“Young man, it’s already cold, and you’re still wearing your spring uniform. You must have a strong physique, huh? Be careful not to catch a cold. If you get sick and can’t attend classes, you’ll fall behind, understand?” Vinny poked the student’s sleeve.
“Uh, y-yes, I understand.”
“Good, as long as you understand. By the way, there’s a student council survey report. Young man, could you cooperate and tell me if there’s anything you think the student council could improve on? Any suggestions?” With that, Vinny pulled out a form he’d been hiding behind his back. He thought his approach was quite modern and natural.
“N-no, I think everything’s fine as it is,” the student quickly shook his head.
“None at all? Young man, don’t be afraid to speak up. If you don’t give suggestions, how can we improve?” Vinny frowned. “You’re saying you have no opinions?”
“Y-yes, I have no opinions.”
“Hahaha, impossible! You must have opinions!” Vinny laughed a few times, then fixed the student with a sharp gaze.
“How could you not have opinions? I can tell at a glance that you have opinions, big ones!”
“Huh??” The student was utterly confused.
“The weather’s turned cold, and I’m still running around outside doing surveys, exhausted like a dog. I have plenty of opinions about the student council. How could you not have any at all??” Vinny narrowed his eyes.
“This?? But senior, I really don’t have any opinions,” the student’s eyes started spinning like mosquito coils.
“Oh, is that so? You really have no opinions at all?” Vinny raised an eyebrow.
“Really, really.”
“Alright then, you can go. I won’t bother you anymore,” Vinny waved his hand.
“Y-yes, okay,” the student quickly nodded and scurried away.
Vinny continued standing on the street, conducting his survey. By noon, his work was done, and he spotted a familiar figure in front of a cake and coffee shop.
At first, he thought he was mistaken. After all, the chance of seeing the busy princess on the street was lower than his odds of pulling a gold card.
Rubbing his eyes, Vinny confirmed he wasn’t mistaken. The familiar golden figure standing in front of the cake shop was indeed Mirexia.
What was she doing there?
Curious, Vinny approached and noticed Mirexia’s gaze was fixed on the cakes and pastries displayed in the shop, not saying a word.
Today, Mirexia was wearing her autumn uniform, white knee-high cotton socks paired with a black pleated skirt of moderate length, and a long-sleeved white student blouse.
Vinny noticed that Mirexia seemed to really like wearing these thick white knee-high socks.
The girl’s dazzling figure caught the attention of many passersby, so Vinny recognized her immediately.
Mirexia’s eyes lingered on the pastries in the shop, a glimmer of excitement in her eyes.
That glimmer felt familiar to Vinny, and he was momentarily lost in memories. It seemed that even as a child, Mirexia had loved sweets. Without thinking, he walked up to her.
A moment later, Mirexia turned and saw Vinny.
She froze on the spot.
“President Mirexia, what a coincidence. Are you here too?” Vinny greeted her with a smile.
“Yes,” Mirexia finally realized that her earlier actions had been observed by Vinny. A hint of embarrassment flashed in her blue eyes before she composed herself and explained seriously.
“Earlier, I thought I saw an acquaintance in this pastry shop, so I went over to take a look.”
“Oh, did you find that acquaintance, Princess?” Vinny didn’t expose her lie.
“No, I must have been mistaken,” Mirexia shook her head.
“I see,” Vinny rubbed his chin. “Then, Princess, are you free now?”
“My work is temporarily done,” Mirexia didn’t know what Vinny was planning but replied anyway.
“My morning work is also mostly finished. I suddenly feel like having some pastries. Would President Mirexia honor me by joining me?” Vinny pointed to the pastry shop, giving Mirexia a convenient excuse.
“Well, I’m not too busy right now,” Mirexia maintained her composure, but a glimmer of excitement flashed in her eyes as she nodded.
“Great, as long as it doesn’t interfere with your schedule. President Mirexia, after you,” Vinny gestured toward the entrance of the pastry and coffee shop.
The two walked side by side into the lavishly decorated café. The interior was warm-toned, with chestnut wood floors and walls, and a dedicated musician playing soothing music.
As they walked on the wooden floor, it /N_o_v_e_l_i_g_h_t/ creaked beneath their feet.
A waitress with shoulder-length hair and an apron greeted them with a smile. Behind her, the wall was decorated with a mosaic of cakes and forks made from different colored wood.
“Good afternoon, what can I get for you two?” The waitress smiled as they entered. Since Mirexia had never been to this café before, she didn’t recognize her. She only thought the girl was stunningly beautiful.
“Here, I recommend our current special, the couple’s set. It’s very affordable and perfect for you two. The couple’s fruit tea comes with one large cup and two straws, so you can...”
“Ahem! Excuse me, miss, but we’re not a couple,” Vinny said awkwardly, stealing a glance at Mirexia, who didn’t seem to mind, though her expression was subtly complicated.
“Oh, oh, I see. My apologies,” the waitress quickly apologized. She didn’t know Vinny or Mirexia, but seeing them enter the shop together and looking so compatible, she assumed they were a couple.
Perhaps they were in that ambiguous stage, not officially together yet, so they were shy about admitting it?
But judging from their expressions, that didn’t seem to be the case.
The waitress thought to herself.
“President Mirexia... I mean, Mirexia, do you have any favorite pastries or fruit teas?” Vinny took the menu from the waitress and handed it to Mirexia.
“You can order for me,” Mirexia said, her expression implying, “I’m just here to accompany you, so it doesn’t matter what we eat.”
“President Mirexia doesn’t like sweets?” Vinny asked.
“I don’t particularly enjoy overly sweet things,” Mirexia averted her gaze.
Seeing Mirexia like this, Vinny almost laughed but managed to hold it in.
If Vinny weren’t her childhood friend and didn’t know her so well, he might have actually believed her.
Mirexia had a bit of a tsundere side. Was this fitting for the golden-haired, twin-tailed girl trope?
So, he ordered a chocolate cake, a strawberry cake, and two fruit teas, then led Mirexia to a table to enjoy the café’s soothing music.
Mirexia listened to the pleasant music and glanced at Vinny across the table. He wasn’t looking at her but instead gazed out the café’s glass window, watching the passersby outside, lost in thought.
At that moment, Mirexia realized that it had been many years since she and Vinny had spent time alone like this. Ever since she was announced as the future Queen of Camela, they had never dined together just the two of them.
In the blink of an eye, the blue-haired boy had grown into this handsome young man.
Soon, the two cakes and fruit teas were brought over by the waiter.
“Here, Mirexia, this is yours,” Vinny pushed the chocolate cake toward Mirexia, who seemed lost in thought.
“Yes,” Mirexia’s eyes sparkled like a shimmering blue lake as she looked at the chocolate on the cake.
“How is it? Do you like it?” Vinny asked, then added uncertainly, “I remember you loved chocolate as a child. Haha, but maybe I’m wrong.”
“As a child...” Mirexia’s eyes flickered.
Was that so?
She herself had almost forgotten about her childhood. It seemed this young man knew more about her past than she did.
The cake melted in her mouth, the crisp chocolate paired with the soft, fluffy cake. The sweet flavor exploded on her taste buds, and she couldn’t help but relax her brows and smile.
Yes, that seemed right.
She had loved sweets as a child, especially chocolate.
This young man remembered it better than she did.
“What’s wrong?” Mirexia asked, noticing Vinny staring at her face.
“Nothing, I just think your smile is as beautiful as ever,” Vinny found himself saying these words without thinking. “I wish you could smile like this more often, from the heart.”
Hearing this, Mirexia’s pupils contracted. These familiar words stirred up old memories, as if she were submerged in a tide of the past.
“Mirexia, are you really okay? You’re always so serious now, but you used to smile so much...”
“The smiling Mirexia is the most beautiful girl in the world! ...Why did it change?” The blue-haired boy looked at her with concern.
Had she smiled?
Coming back to her senses, Mirexia touched the corner of her mouth. Indeed, a faint, beautiful curve had formed without her realizing it.
So, this is what it feels like to be truly happy?
When had her smiles become mere symbols of politeness, devoid of genuine emotion?
As the tide of memories receded, the blue-haired boy had become this young man. He still looked at her with that familiar gaze, but now there was a distance between them.
Time changes everything.
Mirexia never considered herself sentimental, but at that moment, those four words, “time changes everything,” unconsciously surfaced in her mind.
As they grew older, a wall had risen between the boy and the girl, and they drifted further apart.