“Vanessa?” Aesphyra smiled coyly, her amethyst eyes as intoxicating as fine wine. “So I finally know your name, Miss Vanessa~”
“Miss Vanessa, the Soul Armament you use is Saint Envoy, isn’t it? But why haven’t I seen you cast any healing spells?” Aesphyra inquired.
Here it comes.
Vanessa knew the other girl was trying to extract more information about her, so even if the name she gave wasn’t real, Aesphyra could still track her down more easily in the future.
In situations like this, the more one says, the more mistakes one makes.
With Aesphyra’s two lifetimes of experience as a cunning old fox, even a single word from Vanessa might provide valuable clues.
“No need for that,” Vanessa deflected, refusing to answer directly.
“In the end, everything turned out fine despite the dangers.”
“Besides, I only had enough mana left for one [Strong Light] spell.”
“Oh, is that so? Then how do you explain those feathers that flew out from the smoke earlier, Miss Vanessa~?” Aesphyra gazed at Vanessa with a knowing smile, as if she had already seen through everything but chose not to say it outright.
“Feathers?” Vanessa frowned. “What feathers?”
Even if Aesphyra had witnessed the entire battle, she might not have clearly seen Vanessa casting Holy King’s Baptism, as Vanessa had concealed it well.
This was likely just Aesphyra trying to fish for information.
“Saint Envoy plus feathers... Hmm, Miss Vanessa, do you know what that makes me think of?”
“I’m not quite sure what you’re implying.” Though cold sweat formed on her back, Vanessa’s expression remained perfectly puzzled, showing no cracks.
“Also, Miss Aesphyra, I don’t believe we’re familiar enough to have such... private conversations.”
“Whatever you think you saw, whether it was a trick of the eye or something else, has nothing to do with me.”
“I have no interest in uncovering your secrets, and I’d appreciate it if you stopped prying into mine. It’s rather impolite, you know.” Vanessa lifted her gaze, her tone meaningful.
Her words made it clear, everyone had secrets, but some carried more explosive ones that must never be revealed.
On this matter, the two of them were birds of a feather.
“I see. So Miss Vanessa dislikes impolite people, is that it?” Aesphyra smoothly changed the subject, as if her earlier question had been nothing more than casual curiosity.
“I doubt anyone enjoys those who lack manners and boundaries.” Vanessa arched an eyebrow.
“Then does that mean if I become such a person, I might have a chance to get closer to you?”
“No, Miss Aesphyra. You’ve already missed your chance.”
“Oh? Come on, give a girl a chance~ You see, I didn’t know you well enough earlier, which is why I upset you. But how can I learn what kind of interactions you prefer if you don’t let me get to know you better?” Aesphyra argued logically.
“Speaking of which, may I ask what type Miss Vanessa prefers?”
Didn’t that sound familiar?
Vanessa frowned slightly. Hadn’t Aesphyra brought up this topic on the carriage before? Though she probably didn’t realize it.
“Miss Aesphyra, your question is rather presumptuous now.”
“Is it? I don’t think so. It’s all part of getting to know you better. If you don’t let me understand you, how can we ever become good friends?” Aesphyra smiled brightly.
“Apologies, Miss Aesphyra, but I must clarify, I’m not... that kind of person.” Vanessa suddenly took a step back, as if putting distance between them.
“Whatever do you mean, Miss Vanessa? I simply admire you as a person, your character is outstanding, and you seem like someone worth befriending.” Aesphyra took a step forward, closing the gap between them as she whispered.
“Why such a strong reaction, Miss Vanessa? I haven’t even said anything yet. And how can you be so sure? Haven’t you heard the saying...”
“‘Homophobia is just repressed homosexuality’?” Aesphyra’s violet eyes gleamed with an almost hypnotic allure as she inhaled deeply, as if committing Vanessa’s scent to memory.
Vanessa retreated another step. This silver-haired enchantress was dangerously alluring, making it hard to meet her gaze.
Seeing Vanessa’s flustered demeanor only delighted Aesphyra further.
Hehe~ This lovely lady clearly had inclinations in that direction, and quite obviously so, yet hesitated due to societal expectations.
It seemed she would have to guide her gently, helping her recognize her true orientation~
Aesphyra plotted how to draw Vanessa into her world, unaware that Vanessa needed no such guidance.
Did Vanessa not already know which gender she preferred?
She was merely pretending to be straight to avoid being entangled with this troublesome woman.
“Why do you keep avoiding me, Miss Vanessa?”
“Didn’t I mention I dislike people who lack boundaries?”
“Really? Is that all?” Aesphyra pressed on. “Because you look rather flustered to me.”
“Is it just about boundaries? Or are you... perhaps shy?”
“Please refrain from saying such strange things.”
“Pfft, Miss Vanessa, this won’t do. You’re so obviously inexperienced, you’ve never even been in love, have you?”
Vanessa fell silent, giving Aesphyra a strange look.
At this point in time, hadn’t Aesphyra also never been in a relationship?
Whether in her past life or this one, Aesphyra had only ever flirted with others, she had no actual romantic experience either.
A fledgling trying to play the love expert, who did she think she was fooling?
“So adorable~” Aesphyra clasped her hands behind her back, leaning forward slightly. Her silvery hair cascaded like satin over her shoulders as her bright eyes gleamed with mischief.
Any man would have been helpless against such teasing from a top-tier beauty.
Vanessa averted her gaze slightly, pretending to adjust her hair, but the moment she remembered Aesphyra was a notorious flirt, she regained her composure.
“I can’t help but wonder, Miss Aesphyra, do you say the same things to every pretty girl you meet?”
“How cruel, Miss Vanessa! How could you doubt me?” Aesphyra pouted, her expression pitiful and heart-wrenching. “My feelings for you are genuine.”
Genuine, yes, just like her “genuine” feelings for countless others.
“Don’t you believe me?”
“Oh, I believe you.” Vanessa nodded. “Though perhaps Miss Aesphyra and I have different definitions of ‘genuine.’”
“After all, a ‘genuine’ heart that’s spread too thin is hardly genuine at all.”
“And what if it isn’t spread thin~?”
Vanessa gave Aesphyra a sidelong glance.
This playgirl, devoted to one person? Impossible.
She could practically envision Aesphyra licking her lips and declaring, “I won’t give up the entire forest for just one tree.”
Choosing not to respond further, Vanessa glanced outside the ruins. Sunlight streamed into the dim interior, as if trying to ignite the long-shadowed corners.
Seeing this, a faint smile touched Vanessa’s lips. “It’s about time.”
“About time?” Aesphyra looked puzzled.
“Miss Aesphyra, it’s time to say goodbye.” Vanessa smiled.
Aesphyra finally understood. Following Vanessa’s gaze outside, she realized it was already afternoon, the sun had risen long ago.
At that moment, a deep, resonant bell tolled. Both Vanessa and Aesphyra looked up as their tokens floated out, transforming into glowing rings that immobilized them.
Vanessa understood, this was like an exam proctor calling time, forcing all examinees to stop writing. Here, it halted any ongoing battles and protected the participants.
“The Carillian Academy entrance examination has concluded. Congratulations to all examinees still within the trial grounds, or rather, I should now call you students. Welcome to Carillian Academy.” The instructor’s voice echoed through every token in the ruins.
“You will now be transported out of the trial grounds. Please await your results.”
“Congratulations, Miss Vanessa.” Aesphyra beamed at her.
“Though I still have much to say to you, there’s no rush, we have plenty of time ahead, don’t we?”
“In the future, we’ll have countless opportunities to meet. No need to hurry now.”
“I’m afraid that won’t be necessary.” Vanessa chuckled softly.
“Unless something unexpected happens, Miss Aesphyra, we likely won’t cross paths again.”
“Oh? Is that so?”
“We’ll see about that.” Lifting her skirt slightly, Vanessa stepped back and curtsied gracefully.
“Farewell, and may all go well for you.”
“And one more thing...”
“Don’t miss me too much.”
Before Aesphyra could respond, Vanessa’s vision was engulfed in white.
Or perhaps Aesphyra did say something, but Vanessa didn’t hear it.
She felt herself plummeting downward.
The teleportation would send them to the entrance of the kingdom’s trial grounds.
After the exam, participants would be returned to locations corresponding to their nationalities.
However, the destinations were randomized, no one knew which entrance they’d appear at.
Given that the exam had eliminated most participants, leaving fewer than one in ten, if Vanessa and Aesphyra ended up at the same spot, her fabricated “empire country girl” identity would be exposed. Not that Aesphyra had likely believed it anyway, it was just a smokescreen.
Would she slip up?
Of course not.
Why had she timed her transformation back to Vanessa for the second day?
Precisely for this moment.
From yesterday afternoon until now, exactly twenty-four hours!
Everything had gone exactly as planned, without a single deviation.
Now was the time!
Vanessa clasped her hands in prayer as the angelic glow gradually faded from her body, replaced by a soft cherry-blossom radiance.
Hahaha, kids, Daddy’s back!
The moment the transformation completed, the teleportation ended. As Vinny opened his eyes, he ran a hand through his hair.
“Hohoho! The young master returns in triumph!”
Cue the MVP victory fanfare!
Music played in Vinny’s mind as he swayed to the beat.
Woo-hoo! Doo-doo-doo-doo!
Through fire and water, through fire and water!
Just as he struck a pose to celebrate passing the exam,
Pain shot through him, twisting his expression.
Damn it! His injuries had returned when he transformed back!
Vinny’s triumphant pose froze mid-motion, his face contorted in agony.
Other examinees nearby frowned, mentally cursing this idiot.
Wait... why did he look so familiar?
Upon recognizing the blue-haired youth who’d passed the exam alongside them, their disbelief was palpable.
Vinny??
Initially, those who’d fought tooth and nail to «N.o.v.e.l.i.g.h.t» the end had been proud, not only had they secured admission to Carillian Academy (a lifelong bragging right), but it also validated their talent and effort.
But seeing Vinny among them shattered their morale.
Many sighed, lamenting how low the exam’s standards must have been this year, no wonder they’d passed. Relief mingled with disappointment.
“Oof, ow! Ow!” After a few more pained noises, Vinny finally recovered, glancing around to see his fellow “elites.”
Unbeknownst to him, his presence had shaken their confidence, making them question their own abilities.
Were they happy? Of course, they’d crossed Carillian’s narrow bridge. But was Vinny really on their level??
The cognitive dissonance left them bewildered.
Another figure materialized at the kingdom’s entrance.
Vinny noticed her immediately.
Well, well, if it isn’t Aesphyra! Meeting again so soon?
Aesphyra didn’t notice him, or rather, paid him no attention.
Her violet eyes scanned the crowd, searching for someone. Disappointment flickered across her face when that person failed to appear among the kingdom’s successful examinees.
Tsk, tsk. This harem protagonist was probably already scouting for new girls to add to her collection.