“Eh? So, Vinny, you’ve decided to go home after all?”

Back at the dormitory, Vinny informed Shicodale that he still had to return home. A faint gloom immediately crossed the latter’s face.

[Virtue +30.]

[Current Virtue: 4844.]

“Mm, there are some things I need to settle. I have to go back, and there are people I need to meet,” Vinny explained.

“Then… I won’t see you again until next semester?” Shicodale couldn’t help feeling a bit down, but he forced himself not to show it, not wanting Vinny to see his disappointment and feel troubled.

But, well, with Shicodale’s level of acting—anyone who knows, knows—his “disguise” was no disguise at all. This elf boy, who had only recently stepped out of his ivory tower, had no idea how to mask his emotions properly.

Not like that bad woman Aesphyra, a seasoned actress through and through—her performances vivid and flawless, more genuine than pearls. If one didn’t already know her true nature, they’d never catch a single trace of performance. Her rank was simply too high.

That made Vinny reluctant to leave Shicodale alone in the dormitory.

Sure, if he left him some money, Shicodale wouldn’t have to worry about food or lodging. Even during the long holiday there would be a few supervising instructors on duty, and the Academy’s upper staff never went on break. There was no need to worry about him being bullied.

But still… being alone would surely be lonely.

Looking at Shicodale, head lowered, forcing a smile, Vinny suddenly thought of his own childhood.

Back then, he had been just like Shicodale now—unable to see a future, without any direction, utterly alone, abandoned, isolated, without a single soul to rely on.

Although he wasn’t exactly doing much better now, at least he had lucked out, struck by the System, and found a direction forward.

Shicodale was different. He wasn’t free the way Vinny was. He bore the burden of his people’s survival, the task of saving them and rebuilding the Moon Elf nation. Every moment of his life was consumed by that agony. Unlike Vinny, who only had to think about feeding himself and his own future.

Sometimes, Vinny himself felt bleak about Shicodale’s prospects. Without a powerful benefactor, how could he possibly hope to defeat the mighty tribal clans, save his people, and restore his nation?

At that thought, Vinny suddenly realized he might have committed a fatal mistake.

He didn’t know much about the original story’s later arcs, but according to its logic, the plot should have gone: Aesphyra sets her eyes on Shicodale, seduces him, and later, after rebuilding the Tyrelis Empire, seizes Shicodale’s homeland, enabling him to restore his nation.

Which meant… without Aesphyra’s help, Shicodale would never have been able to rebuild his country.

But Aesphyra’s help required one condition: Shicodale had to join her crystal palace, didn’t he??

So here’s the problem—how far was Shicodale right now from entering Aesphyra’s crystal palace?

The answer: he hadn’t even found the road!

No, forget the road—the crystal palace itself hadn’t even been built yet! Not even the foundation! Even if Shicodale wanted to find the way, how could he?

Vinny didn’t know exactly how close the two of them were supposed to be at this point in the original story, but what he did know was that right now, Shicodale and Aesphyra had virtually no relationship at all.

At best, they barely knew each other’s names. They were classmates. At the entrance banquet, Aesphyra had helped him once, but that was it. Other than that, there had been no contact whatsoever.

If anything, Aesphyra had teased Shicodale before. Hmm… Vinny wasn’t sure whether to call it “teasing” or “provoking.” Either way, their relationship was delicate, but definitely not in a friendly, affectionate way. They hadn’t even spoken more than a handful of times.

So when Aesphyra later rebuilt the Tyrelis Empire… would she really step up for Shicodale?

Obviously, the answer was almost certainly no.

Who would stick their neck out for a mere acquaintance? Even if Shicodale was a beautiful youth, who would go to war with a nation for the sake of some stranger? Not even the green-eyed iron-blooded types would go that far. And Aesphyra was nothing if not rational.

Crap—could this be his fault??

Vinny suddenly remembered how many times he’d told Aesphyra that Shicodale was a boy, just one who looked like a girl, and warned her to keep her claws off him.

Looking back now… wasn’t that sabotaging his chances at restoration?

If that was the case, then the guilt was immense. We’re talking about the survival of an entire race. Vinny couldn’t possibly shoulder such responsibility.

But… maybe not.

He didn’t really think Aesphyra was the type to give up just because someone told her to. And back then, he and Aesphyra didn’t even get along. If he said, “Don’t bother testing Shicodale,” would she really just listen and stop?

Impossible.

Vinny concluded that it probably had nothing to do with him insisting on Shicodale’s male identity.

Besides, Aesphyra always had her own judgment. She was perfectly capable of independent thought and wasn’t the type to blindly believe others.

And let’s not underestimate Shicodale’s green-eyed radar. With his natural talent for charming, he probably understood girls far better than a clueless guy like Vinny ever could. For all Vinny knew, he had already figured out that Aesphyra wasn’t a man long ago.

But if Aesphyra already knew Shicodale was a girl, why hadn’t she taken decisive action to woo him like in the previous timeline??

That part was inexplicable.

Ah… the butterfly effect—it was simply too strong. The worldline had shifted so much that Vinny was beginning to feel like this wasn’t even the same world as the game he had once played.

His mind tangled into a mess. If Shicodale never established a strong bond with Aesphyra, then would he never meet the destined benefactor who was supposed to help him restore his nation?

That seemed likely. Vinny couldn’t imagine anyone in this altered timeline who had the potential—future potential so vast that they could help Shicodale achieve his restoration—other than Aesphyra.

The thought gave him a headache.

How was this kid supposed to rebuild his nation now? Even Vinny felt his prospects were hopeless.

Since he himself bore at least some responsibility, Vinny resolved that he would try to help Shicodale in whatever ways he could.

As for this time, he really couldn’t bear to leave Shicodale alone at Carillian Academy.

“How about this, Dale? If you have nowhere else to go, you can come with me.” Vinny considered a moment before making the suggestion.

Though inviting a girl to come home with him was abrupt—well, in Vinny’s eyes, Shicodale was a boy anyway.

“Eh?” Shicodale blinked, then realized what Vinny had just said. His face flushed faintly. “Vinny… you mean, you’re inviting me… to your home?”

[Virtue +60.]

[Current Virtue: 4904.]

“Mm. Seeing you with nowhere to go, I thought it’d be pitiful to leave you here alone. Of course, if you’d rather stay, that’s fine too. It’s only a suggestion,” Vinny added.

“Is… that really okay?”

“Of course. But I should warn you, my place is rundown. Just a shabby old house, not even a servant to clean. I’ve been gone this long, so it’s probably thick with dust by now.”

“Don’t worry, I won’t sell you off or anything. If you don’t want to come, then forget it.” Vinny himself wasn’t sure how wise this decision was.

After all, Shicodale’s past made it hard for him to trust outsiders. And outside the Academy, there wouldn’t be Carillian’s protection anymore.

“That’s not what I meant! Of course I can trust you, Vinny! …Your home, is it in the Camella Kingdom?” Shicodale quickly shook his head.

“Mm. In the capital of Camella. Roughly the central region,” Vinny replied.

“The Camella Capital… the human royal capital… I wonder what it’s like?” Shicodale’s eyes sparkled with curiosity.

“Nothing special. Probably just bigger than elven architecture, more crowded, more prosperous.” Vinny mused. He had never been to the elves’ lands, so he couldn’t really compare.

“If I come, I won’t be a burden, will I?”

“Not at all. My house may be broken down, but it’s big enough. Lots of empty rooms. Just clean them up and they’ll be livable.”

“Then… I’d like to go with you, Vinny. Is that alright?” Shicodale asked shyly.

He too was curious about Vinny’s homeland.

“Fine. Pack your things. We’ll leave today.” Vinny nodded, not making a fuss, and went back to his own room to prepare.

By the time he was ready, Shicodale still hadn’t come out. Vinny understood. Even if he called him a boy, in truth Shicodale was still a proper girl. Packing carefully would naturally take longer.

It wasn’t until nearly dusk that Shicodale finally emerged, still wearing the standard male Academy uniform.

He hadn’t brought many clothes in the first place—who had time to pack wardrobes when fleeing one’s homeland?

Vinny wondered if he should buy Shicodale some more clothes. Naturally… men’s clothing.

“Let’s go.” Vinny pocketed the dormitory key, picked up his luggage, and stepped out. Shicodale put on his shoes and socks and followed behind.

Closing the door, the evening sun stretched their shadows long across the ground.

Vinny glanced at Shicodale, fidgeting nervously, and knew he was tense.

After all, Shicodale wasn’t worldly. A girl who had spent his whole life inside an ivory tower, now following an outsider into a foreign kingdom—of course he’d be nervous.

“Just stick close to me. Nothing will happen to you.” Vinny strode ahead, calm and steady, not looking back.

“Mm.” Shicodale paused at his words, then hurried after him in small steps.

Vinny didn’t have much luggage. A grown man only needed clothes and essentials. But it wasn’t as though his bag was empty otherwise.

Honestly, if it weren’t for Wen Nisha’s bundle of skincare products and shampoo, his bag would have been much lighter.

Shicodale, on the other hand, had far more baggage. Seeing this, Vinny told him to stack it atop ❖ Nоvеl𝚒ght ❖ (Exclusive on Nоvеl𝚒ght) his own and let him carry it.

Thanks to training, his strength and constitution had improved immensely since enrollment. Carrying the extra weight wasn’t much trouble.

The two walked one after the other down the path away from the Academy. Before long, they reached the main gates, listening to the sea wind and the sound of waves, watching gulls fly across the dusk sky.

Shicodale looked around, reluctant to leave the place he had grown accustomed to.

Just yesterday, Milian had asked him to return to the Golden Elf Forest for the break. But Shicodale had refused. Milian, unable to persuade him, had left in frustration.

As Shicodale was wondering what this journey alone with Vinny would be like… Vinny, carrying their luggage, suddenly stepped ahead to greet a tall blonde girl standing at the gate, carrying several large bags.

“Sorry to keep you waiting, Mirexia. We were a bit slow packing.” Vinny said.

“It’s fine. I haven’t been waiting long,” Mirexia answered tersely, though her eyes lingered on the “elf boy” behind him.

“This is Dale, my roommate—you remember, right? When he was being bullied by the tribal students, I brought him to you.” Vinny introduced.

“Of course I remember.”

“His situation at home, well… you know it. He had nowhere to go for the holiday, so I asked if he wanted to come with me. He agreed.”

“I see. Dale, how have you been? Those tribal students haven’t harassed you again, have they?” Mirexia asked gently.

Bringing home a boy was no problem in Mirexia’s eyes. In fact, she thought it praiseworthy that Vinny would go out of his way to take care of a friend.

Toward the weak, the knightly Mirexia was always kind and gentle.

“Eh? N-no, they haven’t.” Shicodale answered softly.

Ah… so it wasn’t just the two of them after all.

“President… you’re coming with us too?”

“Yes. Mirexia is also returning to the Camella Capital. We’re headed to the same place,” Vinny explained naturally.

“Eh—eh?” Shicodale wondered if it was just her imagination, but the relationship between the two seemed much closer than the last time she saw them together.

Back then, Vinny had even addressed the President with honorifics.

“You didn’t know? Mirexia and I are childhood friends,” Vinny said when he noticed Shicodale’s dazed expression.

Come to think of it, he had never mentioned it before.

“Eh?? You two are childhood friends??” Shicodale’s eyes widened. “Like… grew up together?”

[Virtue +30.]

[Current Virtue: 4934.]

[Virtue +50.]

[Current Virtue: 4984.]

Hm? Why twice??

Vinny looked at Shicodale, then at Mirexia behind him.

Could it be… that when he said that, Mirexia heard it too—and triggered [Virtue] as well?

“Yes. Kind of like the relationship you have with Milian,” Vinny replied.

Just then, the unicorn-drawn carriage descended. The three of them boarded together.

Compared to Vinny and Shicodale’s luggage, Mirexia’s was far greater—several huge bags. Yet she handled them like they weighed nothing, tossing them aboard as easily as chicks.

After all, if she could swing a Dragonsfang Greatsword as if it were weightless, what were a few bags?

Once everything was loaded, Shicodale sat inside the carriage, watching Mirexia and Vinny chatting across from her. She felt like she couldn’t get a word in edgewise.

She had thought this trip would just be the two of them. But in the end…

Of course, she was grateful to Mirexia for her past help, sparing her from the bullying and humiliation of the tribal students.

But… how should she put it?

She couldn’t help but feel a little… regret.

[Virtue +50.]

[Current Virtue: 5034.]

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep