SAINTESS [Chapter 31: Angry?]

If Winnie remembered correctly, the Mara Civilization dungeon exploration was conducted in groups of three, with team compositions balanced according to combat strength rankings, similar in feel to an ELO matchmaking system. If he himself was the weakest horse in the team, then there would inevitably be at least one top-tier member assigned as an elder brother figure.

Perhaps in regular grade-level competitions, Winnie, who ranked within the top twenty-three of his year, might still have a chance to become that “big brother.”

But for this Mara Civilization dungeon expedition, the entry threshold was set at the top fifty students of the first year. When compared against those rankings and mixed in with upper-year students, Winnie's standing became completely unremarkable. Besides, not even all of the top fifty first-years necessarily participated. Considering all this, he was clearly the weakest member this time.

Well, that wasn't so bad. Even the weakest horse had its advantages, wasn't it exactly because of that he'd ended up grouped with a strong lady?

Surviving by clinging to powerful seniors at Carillian Academy, this was the art of academic loafing. Even with a low hidden rating, there were still ways to play it.

The first strong heroine was already confirmed, Isatia. Winnie was quite curious about who the second senior, whether brother or sister, might be. Although he probably wouldn't know them; most likely a second- or third-year student.

After leaving his dormitory, Winnie headed straight for the bridge connecting the islands. Carillian Academy was situated across an archipelago, with their main campus located on the central island, surrounded by numerous smaller ones. The island he was heading to was a lesser-developed islet to the northeast.

Crossing several sea-spanning bridges took some time, but eventually Winnie arrived at the unnamed island concealing the Mars Civilization dungeon.

As he stepped off the bridge, he found the place crowded with people, students and instructors alike. This location, usually nearly deserted aside from patrolling instructors, was now bustling.

Apparently, uncovering the Mars Civilization dungeon was truly a massive undertaking. Even for an institution as large as Carillian Academy, it would be difficult to thoroughly investigate without mobilizing the students.

Holding his identification token, Winnie scanned the crowd for someone whose number matched his own, his teammate, and quickly spotted Isatia. Of course, she was unable to miss. With her raven-black hair and cold beauty, she stood out like a crane among chickens, simply by standing there attracting attention from all around.

Actually, it was more accurate to say that Isatia had spotted him first.

“Good morning, Isatia. Did you have breakfast?” Winnie greeted her, immediately regretting his words. It felt awkward, like he was forcing conversation.

Who in their right mind would come to a dungeon expedition on an empty stomach??

“Mm, yes, I ate,” Isatia replied. Fortunately, she didn't seem to care whether his greeting was awkward or not, her focus lay elsewhere.

“If I'm not mistaken, teams are groups of three,” Isatia said, her amethyst-like eyes scanning the area.

“Ah, yes, that's right. Definitely three per team,” Winnie confirmed.

“Have you seen our third teammate yet?”

“Not yet. I just got here myself.” Winnie scratched his head and looked around, then waved toward the nearby crowd. “Hey, everyone! Stop staring at the beauty and pay attention! Who among you has token number fifteen? Step forward! Let's form our team!”

Caught red-handed gazing at Isatia, nearby the students quickly averted their eyes and casually.

“This is really something,” Winnie argued awkwardly. The attention Isatia received differed from that directed at other fated heroines, the gender ratio among her admirers was unusually balanced.

Winnie remembered that among all the fated heroines, Isatia received the most love letters from female students. After all, who wouldn't be drawn to a cool and beautiful senior sister?? Being attracted to beauty was a universal human trait.

He turned toward Isatia, who stood with arms crossed, completely indifferent to the attention.

She reminded him a bit of Mirexia, both seemed like the type who would never bloom emotionally, completely uninterested in such matters.

As Winnie fretted over how to find the last team member and speculated about their identity, he suddenly felt a light tap on his shoulder.

Surprised, Winnie turned around, only to find absolutely no one behind him.

“Huh?!” His eyes widened.

Could it have been his imagination? Was there really no one behind him?

Just as that thought crossed his mind, he felt his shoulder tapped again.

This time, Winnie was certain, it wasn't a hallucination. Someone was truly poking him with their finger.

Who on earth was it??

He turned back once more, yet again saw no one. Only Isatia, silently observing him with an unreadable expression.

Then, another tap, this time on his back.

Seriously, did he run into a ghost today? Or was this some kind of haunted maze?

Winnie gave Isatia a questioned look. She remained expressionless, though her beautiful eyes now held a faint, barely noticeable glint.

Okay.

Judging by this, Winnie had already figured out what was happening.

He crossed his arms, glanced behind himself, and upon spotting a tuft of silver hair, became even more certain of his suspicion.

Confirmed. It was the damn dwarf Demon.

So, Winnie acted as if nothing had happened, ignoring the poking on his back, and walked over to Isatia. “Isatia, let's go. We should head to the line to enter the dungeon. As for our last teammates... don't worry about it. I'm sure we'll meet up eventually. Everyone's supposed to gather at the dungeon entrance anyway.”

Before Isatia could respond, a familiar, melodious voice came from behind.

“Oh? Winnie, you're participating in the Mars Civilization dungeon exploration too? I thought I saw you earlier but wasn't sure.”

Winnie turned emotionlessly toward the voice, silently staring at the smiling Aesphyra.

He could already imagine the scene: Aesphyra had poked him from behind, then instantly moved away, perfectly synchronized with his movements, darting behind him every time he turned.

The two had probably played this back-and-forth game for a while. Due to differences in stats and agility, Winnie hadn't been able to detect her, while Aesphyra clearly found it endlessly amusing. Meanwhile, Isatia had silently watched the entire spectacle, unsure whether she should speak up or not.

“Heh, heh,” Winnie suddenly gasped dryly. “Yiu were poking my shoulders and waist just now, wasn't it?”

“Eh? No, not at all?” Aesphyra replied with an innocent, bewildered expression.

“Enough, stop pretending. There's no way it could be anyone but you,” Winnie huffed.

“Eh? Why are you so sure, Winnie? I just got here. I haven't done anything,” Aesphyra tilted her head.

“Oh? Why am I so sure? Fine, I'll tell you. It's because only you are short enough that I wouldn't see someone standing behind me when I turn around!” Winnie laughed. “No wonder I never saw anyone no matter how many times I turned, turns out it was you, that little silver-haired nut. That explains everything.”

“...” Aesphyra whispered silently, saying nothing.

'Virtue + 10.'

'Current Virtue: 2624.'

Hmph. Try to mess with him, will she?

As for why Aesphyra had given him Virtue points this time when she usually didn't react to his height jabs, Winnie quickly realized the reason.

This dungeon expedition had no mandatory uniform requirement, so everyone's attire was quite varied. Aesphyra, for example.

She was wearing the same elegant, luxurious outfit she'd worn when presenting awards at the beauty pageant, her dazzling silver hair completing the image of a graceful, noble white swan.

Right, through sheer overwhelming beauty and charisma, she completely erased attention to her height disadvantages, making others overlook any flaws.

Probably only Aesphyra possessed such an unfair advantage and talent.

That's what you call a stat monster??

And why did she have an emotional reaction this time? Because, just like then, she had worn black high-heeled boots to conceal her height.

Dressed in high heels and such a stunning outfit, she probably thought she'd perfectly masked her height issue, yet he still mocked her. Of course she'd be a little angry.

“Winnie, you really are as annoying as ever,” Aesphyra said, her flawless face forming a perfect smile, yet her tone was anything but sweet.

Perhaps because he'd spent too much time with her, even with the same smile, Winnie could now detect the subtle emotional fluctuations beneath it.

“Me? I'm pretty average. Not nearly as annoying as you,” Winnie shot back, glaring at Aesphyra.

Was there anyone in the world more detestable than this silver-haired little nut ball in front of him??

If it wasn't for feeling that saying this now would be a bit strange, back when the beauty pageant had just ended, Winnie would've definitely scrunched his face and told her, “You're the person I hate most in the world!”

“Isatia is way more likable~” Then, Winnie blinked, and suddenly Aesphyra was gone. He turned his head and saw she'd somehow already darted in front of Isatia.

Wait, was she just jumping around behind his back the entire time?

Winnie suddenly pictured the scene.

Hmm. Dwarf jumps. Truly, the agility of a dwarf.

“Good day, Isatia,” Aesphyra said, lifting her hem skirt and performing a noble lady's curtsy.

Tch!

Seriously? She gives a formal curtsy to others, but when it's the great lord here, she doesn't even greet me, just plays tricks instead?!

Winnie crossed his arms, clicking his tongue repeatedly at the sight.

Looks like he'd been too soft with this silver-haired nut ball all along.

“Mm, good morning, Aesphyra,” Isatia returned the gesture, though she really didn't seem like the type to say “good day.”

Compared to a lady, Isatia resembled more of an empress surveying her domain.

Now, those two nearly identical violet eyes locked onto each other.

Winnie tilted his head, watching from the side, feeling that this scene was utterly ridiculous.

"Ah! Look, look! That's Isatia and Aesphyra!"

“Whoa, the top two students of the first year! They're participating in the dungeon exploration too?!”

“What are they doing? Wow, they're staring at each other?!”

“Wait, don't you think their eye colors are super similar??”

“Seriously, they look exactly the same! Oh no, my shipper instincts are suddenly awakening!”

"Actually, these two really do go well together. Both are absolute beauties, ranked first and second in their year. They're supposed to be everyone's rivals on the surface, and think they're just being polite in public but secretly... Ahhh! My brain can't handle this! They're the perfect pair! This is so juicy!"

“One with silver hair, one with black, both with purple eyes. Ugh, you're right! I can't even...”

Can you not start shipping right here??

Winnie stood with a dark cloud over his head, watching a group of strange CP fans babbling nonsense, their eyes completely glued to Isatia and Aesphyra. As for the guy standing right next to them? Yeah, he'd long been reduced to background scenery.

Well now, in the eyes of the crowd, the notorious delinquent of the capital had upgraded from “villain” to mere “extra.” How delightful. Truly, a cause for celebration.

Their words were weird, but not entirely incomprehensible, after all, in the original story, Aesphyra and Isatia were actually a pair.

As for how Isatia was won over by Aesphyra? That question should be directed to the original Aesphyra.

“Alright, Isatia, let's go. No need to talk to random people, we don't have much time,” Winnie said, shooting a glance at Aesphyra.

Damn it, this iron blooded girl must've relapsed, seeing a pretty girl and can't move, automatically triggered her flirt mode.

“Eh? Winnie, I'm not a random person, you know?” Aesphyra tilted her head.

“Not you? Then what are you? We're waiting for our teammates, and you're holding us up, don't you think that's wasting time? Where's your teammates? If you don't find them soon, you'll end up entering the dungeon alone and get smashed into nut paste!” Winnie snapped.

“Oh? So Winnie's upset because I'm talking to someone else and ignoring you~?” Aesphyra grinned.

“I'm not upset with a little nut like you!” Winnie laughed in exasperation.

This damn silver-haired nut ball, still as narcissistic as ever, thinking she's so charming??

“Isatia, let's go. Don't pay her any mind, she's mentally ill, I'm telling you!” Winnie urged, beckoning Isatia to leave.

“Eh, sure you won't wait for me?” Aesphyra said, pulling out her token.

“Wait for what? You—” Winnie looked at the number on the token, 15, and fell silent. After a long pause, he finally blurted out, “Wait, why is it you again??”