SAINTESS [Chapter 32: Two Worlds]

Why is it her again??

‘Seriously, why am I always getting paired up with this silver-haired nut ball?’

‘It was the same during the final practical exam, she and I were grouped together, and then we ran into the future Demon Queen, Julliana, who was supposed to be a late-game final boss.’

‘If I get paired with her again, what's going to happen this time??’

‘If the grouping at Carillian Academy wasn't done tentatively based on strength, I'd seriously suspect foul play. How come I keep getting matched with this terrifying dwarf?’

‘Every time I get paired with her, nothing good ever comes of it. If there's no accident, then an accident will definitely happen.’

“Not you again, you jinx?” Winnie said while rubbing his head because he was having a headache. “Damn it, who knows what kind of trouble we'll run into at this time??”

“Hmm? What does that have to do with you, Winnie? Anyway, problems will definitely be handled by me and Isatia, won't they?” Aesphyra tilted her head, amused by Winnie's reaction.

“What do you mean, what does it have to do with me? Hey, you've got some nerve saying that! Did you already forget who saved you last time? If I wasn't there, you'd have been turned into nut paste by that white-haired fox!”

“But Winnie, you were just loafing around the whole time last mission. In the end, it was me who got you both out of danger.”

“I was rushing back to save you! How is that the same?!”

Isatia stood silently beside them, observing the two bickering endlessly, saying nothing.

Whenever these two started arguing, it created an aura that screamed “stay away.” Maybe that wasn't quite the right way to put it, but it truly felt like no one else could intrude on their exchange.

“We're going to be late. Let's register,” Isatia finally spoke, forced to interrupt.

“Right, right! Isatia is always so reliable and responsible~” Without waiting for Winnie to respond, Aesphyra leaned in with a grin, praising Isatia.

Damn it, this harem queen’s old habits are back again, she's flirting already, huh??

Winnie stood nearby, arms crossed, glaring disdainfully at Aesphyra's actions.

The silver-haired nut ball really never changes.

Suddenly, Winnie thought of a possibility, wasn't it supposed to be Isatia and Aesphyra paired together this time, plus some random unlucky male outsider serving as a third-wheel chaperone?

And just by chance, had he been picked as that poor, unfortunate chaperone?

Why did he know it would be a male student? Wasn't it obvious? The series “Carillian Citrus” thrived on tormenting men.

Isn't it more fun to include some guy who thinks he's incredibly lucky to be paired with two powerful, prestigious top school beauties, hoping sparks will fly, only to realize in the end that the two beauties sparked with each other, leaving him as nothing but an outsider clown?

Winnie knew they were all too well. The production team behind “Carillian Citrus” absolutely had this kind of twisted sense of humor.

Could it be that in the original story, Isatia and Aesphyra's relationship was enhanced during this very event?

Could this be the story's correction force at work??

No, he couldn't be sure. He had no idea whether Isatia was actually paired with Aesphyra in the original, or even if this part of the plot exists at all.

“Tch, grinning like some lovesick fool,” Winnie mocked from the side, deliberately blocking Aesphyra's flirting attempt. “Like a few days ago when someone secretly went to watch the beauty pageant, chasing after one contestant, acting all deep and devoted.”

“Was there such a thing? And how do you know so much about it, Winnie?” Aesphyra tilted her head curiously.

“I was there! How wouldn't I know?” Winnie faltered at the mention of the topic, suddenly feeling nervous and unwilling to continue.

What if Aesphyra suddenly went crazy and exposed his cross-dressing incident??

Under Isatia's lead, the three of them headed toward the registration desk, though the entire way, Aesphyra and Winnie kept bickering.

Winnie felt satisfied, he'd successfully interrupted Aesphyra's flirting again, and couldn't help but feel a little smug.

But strangely, why hadn't her “misbehavior” triggered yet??

He found it odd.

It wasn't until they were nearly at the registration desk that Winnie remembered something.

Wait, something felt off. Aesphyra was in the same class as him and several other main heroines, so why didn't he ever see her flirting with those heroines right after class?

He'd thought maybe she did it in secret, but today it seemed she and Isatia weren't close at all and rarely talked.

Winnie cautiously glanced at Aesphyra beside him. She sensed his gaze and turned, her amethyst gem-like eyes giving him a teasing look.

For some reason, he felt flustered. He forced himself to glare back with a 'What are you looking at?' expression before quickly looking away.

When the three finally reached the registration desk, Winnie noted numerous facilities and barracks had already been set up, surely completed within just a few days. It was impressive, a testament to Carillian Academy's vast resources and efficiency.

Their group drew attention from many onlookers, both upperclassmen and fellow classmates. After all, Isatia and Aesphyra's beauty was simply too captivating.

As for Winnie? Everyone was curious who he was and how he managed to stand beside these two stunning beauties. Upon seeing his ID tag, they exclaimed, “What a lucky fool.”

“Teacher, our team is complete,” Isatia announced. There were still others waiting for teammates. At the entrance to the dungeon, she presented her token and student ID, with Winnie and Aesphyra following suit.

Well, looks like he really was considered the weak link. Otherwise, why would they pair him with the first and second ranked students of the entire first year?

Although both were first-years, their strength far surpassed most upperclassmen.

The white-robed instructor carefully checked each of their tokens and student IDs against the records. After multiple verifications, he returned the items.

"Students, since your team has no upperclassmen, please avoid being overambitious. Do your best, but stay cautious," the white-robed instructor advised.

Anyway, as long as there were teleportation anchors, they could be evacuated instantly if danger arose. There was no need to worry too much, but proper warnings were still necessary.

“Understood,” Winnie nodded. The two girls beside him were far more reliable than any upperclassmen anyway.

After recording their information and departure time, the instructor gestured for them to proceed.

Winnie looked ahead and saw nothing but an open space enclosed by a circular barrier.

Huh? This is the entrance?

He glanced behind and to the sides. Nearby were Carillian Academy instructors, including many in gray and black robes discussing something among themselves.

All senior-level instructors of Carillian Academy.

Before Winnie could voice his confusion, the black-haired cold beauty beside him stepped forward first. An invisible wind lifted the strands of hair at his temples.

“Winnie, don't just stand there,” Aesphyra's voice snapped Winnie back. The petite, silver-haired girl passed him, then turned her head back, smoothing her bangs with a smile. “Don't fall behind in the dungeon.”

Is she actually concerned about me?

“Of course I know that,” Winnie said, catching up to the two beautiful girls.

Although he had no idea how the dungeon entrance worked, until the moment he stepped through the barrier,

Winnie stared in shock at the magnificent ruined city that suddenly appeared before him.

The wide, terracotta-colored steps were covered in moss and marks of time. The staircase was enormous, Winnie thought it was wider than several arenas combined. Walking on it, he felt incredibly small.

Unconsciously, Winnie stepped onto the first tier. He realized the air around him had changed and suddenly turned back, only to find the entrance had disappeared.

The open space surrounded by the barrier seemed like a completely different world. Once inside, ancient, history-laden buildings rose all around, and the soil here was distinctly different from that of Carillian Academy's island.

The moment he entered the dungeon, Aesphyra's eyes changed.

Something felt off... Why couldn't she feel...??

It seemed... there was no turning back?

Winnie glanced behind, seeing only endless sand and earth. Nothing else.

It felt as if he had accidentally stepped into another dimension.

This was the buried dungeon?

Indeed, this unprocessed dungeon was nothing like the prepared ones, cleared of danger and used as training grounds.

“Phew, Winnie, if you're so scared, why did you even join this dungeon expedition?” Aesphyra teased.

“Nonsense! Since when was I scared? Which of my eyes looks scared to you? I'm just curious, that's all!” Winnie fired back instantly.

“Then... Why did you come?” Winnie regretted asking the moment the words left his mouth.

Wasn't it obvious? Other than seeking opportunities, what else could she possibly be here for?

With the protagonist's divine fortune, wherever Aesphyra went, opportunities followed. Even in danger, she'd always meet a destined benefactor to save her. Of course she was fearless, she'd rush straight into the most dangerous places.

“Hmm~ Can you guess, Winnie?”

“Guess nothing. I don't have time for that. Not guessing,” Winnie snapped.

But thanks to this banter with Aesphyra, the earlier fear and tension from the unknown had significantly faded.

Could it be... Aesphyra noticed he was nervous and did this on purpose??

Seeing Aesphyra smile and turn forward after saying a few words, Winnie couldn't help but wonder.

Come to think of it, was this the entrance to the Mars civilization?

Winnie looked up at the stacked terracotta steps. At the very top seemed to be a towering city gate, though it was in ruins, abandoned for over a thousand years.

Isatia's attention was entirely on the surrounding entrance structures. Given her knowledge of Mars civilization, she was likely able to discern many useful details.

Winnie also noticed Isatia carried several potions he'd sold her, though it seemed she'd already consumed quite a few.

“Don't worry, Winnie. This is a safe zone. The instructors study this area. We haven't entered the unexplored dangerous zones yet,” Aesphyra said.

“Come to think of it, why haven't any other teams arrived yet?” Winnie asked, puzzled.

“Winnie, did you not read any information about this dungeon?” Aesphyra exclaimed. “This isn't just a buried dungeon, its entrance is also randomized. According to the instructors' survey, there are sixty-four entrances to this Mars civilization's ruins. We've been teleported to one of those sixty-four.”

“That many?!” Winnie blurted. “How much manpower and time must it have taken to build this?”

“To them, perhaps it was trivial,” Isatia suddenly spoke from the front, gazing at the reliefs on the wall, depictions unlike any human civilization. “To those who worship [Continuance] as their deity.”

“What are these things?” Winnie argued, staring at the reliefs on the terracotta wall. “The Mars people's carving style is so abstract. I can't even tell if they're supposed to be humans. Did they really look like this??”

“Winnie, Winnie, look look, doesn't this relief kind of look like you?” Aesphyra giggled, pointing at a carving on the wall. “Could it be that you traveled back in time?”

“It looks more like you!” Winnie shot back, rolling his eyes.

This brat never missed a chance to mock him.

Isatia ignored them, fully focused on the series of reliefs on the wall, lost in thought.

“Establishing civilization, conquering the lands, prosperity and glory, praying to the gods, seeking eternity and continuity... and then...” Isatia murmured, tracing the story in the reliefs.

“Speaking of which, what's that?” Winnie pointed at the central mural. “It looks like a diaper. Why are they kneeling before a diaper??”

“Winnie, could you show something a little more serious?” True to form, Aesphyra mocked him again.

“Tch! I'm just being honest. It looks like a diaper, okay? You don't think so?” Winnie clicked his tongue.

"That is the Divine Totem, the spiritual belief of Mars civilization. Legend says the Mars people believe everything in the world has an end, rivers eventually dry up, time eventually runs out. The only thing eternal is the celestial bodies beyond the world's sky. They believe that was the dwelling place of their deity," Isatia explained.

“They seem to have an intense obsession with [Continuance] and [Eternity].”

Ah, when the experts speak, everything becomes clear.

They walked for who knows how long under the scorching sun. Even Winnie's stamina was nearly depleted by the time they reached the foot of the wall.

Winnie felt like his back and legs were about to fall apart. How many damn steps had they climbed?

Yet the two girls ahead of him walked as if nothing, as if this journey was nothing to them.

He, a grown man, was the one looking pathetic.

Peering through the gateless city gate ahead, all he saw was endless yellow sand and various low, earthen structures of unclear purpose.