“…”

Watching Winnie move in her direction, only to approach Isatia instead and greet her familiarly, Aesphyra maintained her elegant smile, yet remained silent.

‘Virtue + 80.’

‘Current Virtue: 1304.’

‘Virtue + 30.’

Current Virtue: 1334.

Hmm, virtue increased twice. Winnie had no idea which of these two virtue gains came from Isatia, which from Aesphyra, or whether both came from the same person, nor why they’d triggered.

“You came here just to wait for me?” Winnie asked, slightly surprised.

“Mmm.” Isatia nodded, she replied as concise and clear as ever.

“Did I keep you waiting long?” Winnie asked.

“No.” Isatia closed the book she’d been holding. She’d been in the neighboring exam hall and only came to Winnie’s exam room after hearing the commotion. How long she’d actually been waiting, Winnie couldn’t say.

“And anyway, waiting for you isn’t an ordeal.” Isatia pressed the book gently against her school uniform skirt, speaking softly.

“Ah, ah, is that so?” Hit by a straight confession from the long-haired, black-haired campus beauty, Winnie collapsed as usual, completely unsure how to respond, visibly flustered.

“…” Aesphyra silently observed their interaction from the side, her face still wearing that polite, pleasant smile. Just, though.~

‘Virtue + 80.’

‘Current Virtue: 1414.’

Huh? Who triggered this virtue gain??

Winnie glanced at Isatia, then shifted his gaze elsewhere.

Strange. Aside from himself and Isatia, there didn’t seem to be anyone else around. That’s weird, you know??

“Isatia, did you need something?” Redirecting his gaze back to Isatia, Winnie asked with a dry cough.

“If I don’t have a reason, can’t I still come see you?” Isatia replied, hugging her book. Her cool eyes resemble plum blossoms in the depths of winter.

“Ah, of course not! You can come see me anytime, Isatia.”

“You seem to have done quite well this time.” Isatia nodded, then added.

“Yeah, thanks to you, I performed pretty well this time.” Winnie said. “Though the exam was tough, compared to others, I think I did decently.”

Finishing over ten minutes early certainly indicated he’d had some leeway.

“Indeed. Significant improvement.” Isatia praised calmly. Her eyes, bright and sparkling like stars, studied Winnie intently. Although her tone remained flat, her nod conveyed immense affirmation, making it feel truly heartfelt.

The sensation of sincere, earnest praise was entirely different from casual, perfunctory responses. After all, everyone wanted genuine recognition from others. The emotional value these two types of responses provided were completely different.

If the Virtue System worked both ways, Winnie felt he’d be triggering Isatia’s Virtue gain right now.

“That’s also thanks to you, Isatia. Without you, my progress wouldn’t have been this rapid.”

“This is the result of your own effort and willingness to learn.” Isatia credited Winnie’s personal diligence instead. “No one can teach someone unwilling to learn or lacking ambition.”

“In any case, I’m truly grateful for your help these past days. Without you, my exam would’ve been a disaster.” Winnie expressed heartfelt gratitude. “Do you have time now? I’d like to treat you to a meal.”

Isatia had helped him immensely, he definitely needed to show his appreciation. After all, she’d taught him with genuine care. Just how dedicated she’d been, only Winnie knew.

Sometimes, when Winnie hits a wall in studying, his mind overloaded, unable to focus, bored and drowsy from mental fatigue, Isatia would find ways to help him regain concentration.

Hmm, suffice to say her methods were extremely effective, hitting the mark every single time.

Winnie felt he absolutely needed to reciprocate. Sure, the meal he’d treat her to probably meant nothing to her, but he couldn’t let himself lack the intention.

“If you’re free, I’m available anytime.” Naturally, Isatia accepted Winnie’s invitation.

‘Virtue + 30.’

‘Current Virtue: 1444.’

‘Virtue + 100.’

Current Virtue: 1544.

Alright, now Winnie was completely unable to distinguish.

Which virtue gain came from Isatia? Which from Aesphyra? Or were both triggered by the same person??

Did Isatia trigger virtue because he invited her? Then why did Aesphyra trigger virtue? Was it because he invited Isatia before she could make her move??

But neither seems likely. At least, judging from their expressions, both girls looked exactly the same as before, no visible emotional shifts, not even a flicker in their eyes.

Damn, the women of the Carillian just keep getting more calculating. Were they all this scheming??

If not for his Virtue System, he’d have been completely fooled.

“Oh my~ Isatia, who would’ve thought? Although you never said it outright, it seems you really enjoy spending time with Winnie, don’t you?” However, before the two could leave the classroom building for the back streets, a voice dripping with false cheer and loaded with implication rang out from behind.

Generally speaking, most teenage girls, upon hearing someone comment about their relationship with a boy, would instinctively deny it, even if they had no feelings, or at least offer some token explanation.

Yet Isatia clearly didn’t fall into that category. Upon hearing Aesphyra’s words, she gave only a brief reply.

“Hmm. What about it?”

Without turning around, Isatia calmly affirmed it, then casually added ‘What about it?’, a response so confusing and irritating it could leave the questioned person red-faced and utterly speechless.

Huh??

Whether Aesphyra was stunned by Isatia’s reply, Winnie didn’t know, but he himself was definitely shocked.

Was Isatia challenging Aesphyra, or did she truly think that way??

Regardless, Winnie had once again been blindsided by Isatia’s straight talk.

This was probably meant to be a tricky remark from Aesphyra, yet Isatia had gone with the flow and directly admitted she enjoyed being with him??

This was practically an outright declaration.

“Oh my, so it’s really true?” Aesphyra feigned surprise, her deep purple eyes revealed nothing of her true thoughts.

“If I like something, I like it. If I don’t, I don’t.” Isatia showed no concern for her blunt approach, her gaze unchanged.

“I’ve never concealed my feelings or intentions. People who can’t express their true feelings, or haven’t even realized them yet, strike me as strange. Their behavior only complicates things that should be simple.”

Oh.

Winnie froze instantly upon hearing this.

Wait, wasn’t Isatia’s directness a bit too extreme??

Seriously, this wasn’t much different from a confession, was it??

Going this hard right from the start? This wasn’t right, was it?

Where the hell did this come from? The game wasn’t supposed to work like this?? Wasn’t she supposed to gradually intertwine her fate line with Aesphyra’s through subtle interactions, eventually being won over by Aesphyra’s various seduction techniques and shared hardships, their feelings slowly deepening until Isatia willingly entered the harem Aesphyra, that damn pervert, had constructed??

Alright, even if he was playing the game, even if Isatia truly had feelings for him, shouldn’t there at least be some formalities? A friendship phase, a period of ambiguity, feelings gradually intensifying until both sides tacitly understood, followed by some chance incident finally bringing them together??

Who knew Isatia completely disregarded all that, ready to flip the board, declaring she wouldn’t play these indirect games, preferring to go straight for the win.

Right now, Winnie felt like a heroine from the game had jumped out and started pursuing him instead.

“Oh? So Isatia, does that mean you’re no longer accepting advances from others?” Aesphyra arched her delicate brows.

Tch!

Hearing this, all of Winnie’s previous flustered emotions from Isatia’s directness disappeared instantly, replaced by utter disdain towards Aesphyra.

Dogs can’t stop eating poop, so nuts just keep spinning, huh??

This perverted girl otter clearly had intentions for Isatia. Seeing Winnie easily invite Isatia to dinner and enjoy her tutoring, she’d become jealous and broken down.

Geez! I thought you’d changed!

At this thought, Winnie pursed his lips, inexplicably feeling angry.

Previously, Winnie might’ve felt only disdain for Aesphyra, but now, for some reason, a strange churning sensation stirred within, leaving a bitter aftertaste.

This damn idiot!

Looking at Aesphyra’s pleasant smile toward Isatia, Winnie didn’t know why, but he just felt irritated.

Ah, was it because he looked down on her actions?

Indeed, this silver-haired nut ball was truly the most detestable person in the world!

“I believe my meaning is already clear enough.” Isatia’s gaze flickered, studying the subtle emotions and colors dancing in Aesphyra’s eyes.

Others might interpret Aesphyra’s words as indicating interest in her, but as one of the rare individuals on Aesphyra’s level, Isatia sees things others couldn’t see.

This was an extremely sophisticated disguise.

No, perhaps not even a disguise, there was another possibility.

Maybe even she herself hadn’t realized it.

A clash between masters, every move is deadly. From the nuances in Aesphyra’s tone and the subtle cues in her eyes, Isatia could reduce much.

“Well then, I see. It seems Isatia really means it.” After a brief exchange of glances, Aesphyra teased, then suddenly shifted gears. “But isn’t this a bit too hasty?”

“You two might not know each other at all. You haven’t even grasped the outline of each other’s personalities yet.” Aesphyra adopted a lecturing tone.

“Such things can be learned gradually. And,” Isatia tilted her head slightly. She was considerably taller than Aesphyra, tilting her head like this meant she was practically looking down on her. “I believe I understand Winnie, and certain matters related to him, far better than certain people.”

“U-uh.” Winnie immediately grasped what specific matters Isatia was referring to.

“Related matters, including some secrets unknown to others?” Even so, Aesphyra showed no sign of being overpowered. She narrowed her cat-like eyes, smiling confidently as she met Isatia’s gaze.

“Miss Aesphyra’s interpretations are always unique. It’s just that sometimes, they still fall short.” Isatia’s tone remained as calm as before, as if debating Aesphyra was effortless and stress-free.

“Oh? In what way do they fall short?” Aesphyra asked.

“Lack of confidence.” Isatia replied without hesitation.

Whoa! When did the atmosphere turn so tense??

Even Winnie, sitting safely on the sidelines, was startled. The aggressive intensity radiating from Isatia was palpable, even an outsider like him could smell the gunpowder.

Was this the aura of the Crown Princess of the Tyrell Empire??

To find an analogy, it feels like, ‘What I want, or who I want, no one has the right to compete with me, and certainly can’t defeat me.’

“……Pfft.” In response to Isatia’s relentless assault, Aesphyra suddenly burst into laughter, then said meaningfully, “Really? Isatia, are you truly so certain you know so much?”

“Everyone has their own secrets, but that’s a matter of personal privacy, isn’t it?” Isatia commented casually.

“Indeed, indeed. Isatia isn’t wrong at all. After all, secrets are meant to be known only by specific people, keeping others completely in the dark.” Aesphyra smirked, then modified at Winnie. “Right, Winnie~?”

The look in Aesphyra’s eyes instantly made Winnie understand what she was referring to, causing his heart to skip a beat, cold sweat breaking across his back.

What secret did he have that only Aesphyra knew?

Did it need to be said?!

Keywords like ‘Beauty Pageant Champion’ instantly popped into Winnie’s mind. Aside from the harmless Shikondell, only Aesphyra knew about that incident.

Although subtle, his expression change was perfectly captured by Isatia.

‘Virtue + 40.’

‘Current Virtue: 1584.’

“Hehe, that’s right. These things are just between Winnie and me. We must absolutely keep them from any third party, right?” Aesphyra giggled, then shot Isatia a mocking look.

“My, my, it seems Isatia doesn’t know everything after all?” Aesphyra crossed her arms, then playfully scolded Winnie with a slightly teasing tone. “Winnie, really now, after Isatia has been so sincere with you, you still can’t bring yourself to share such a little secret~?”

Like hell anyone would willingly talk about pure dark history!

“Indeed, some things truly can’t be known by anyone besides me, can they~?” Before Winnie could respond, Aesphyra chuckled, then cast another meaningful smile toward Isatia.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep