How Could the Villainous Young Master Be a Saintess?-Chapter 422 - 142 : Reuniting with childhood sweetheart

Winnie returned to his familiar dormitory. Everything was just as he remembered, like time had frozen the moment he and Dell carried their luggage and left.

Looking at the empty room, Winnie knew no one would answer even if he called. Yet, just like returning home, he instinctively called out, "Dell."

Only his own voice echoes back inside. As expected.

Winnie sat down on the sofa and let out a soft sigh.

Life was truly unpredictable. No one ever knew whether an accident or tomorrow would arrive first.

Leaning back on the sofa, Winnie closed his eyes, lost in thought.

Things stay the same, but people change. Human conditions were fluid, shifting every moment. Only inanimate objects remain unchanged, what they were when he left was what they were upon return.

Well, not exactly. Their luggage never made it back. Winnie remembered the expensive shampoos and skincare products he'd bought at great cost in the capital of Camella. That was probably the most valuable thing inside.

But now, none of that mattered.

It wasn't until the afternoon that Winnie finally woke up from a nap on the sofa, his eyes blurry, his expression dazed as he stared at the empty dorm.

Knock knock knock. Suddenly, three knocks echoed at the door.

Winnie's eyes lit up. He stood and walked to open it.

But the person before him wasn't someone familiar. It was an unfamiliar boy wearing the uniform of Carillian Academy.

"Sorry to bother you. Is this the dormitory of Winnie and Dell?" The boy held a form in hand. Judging by his appearance, he was an senior who hadn't joined the study trip.

"Yes. Who are you?" Winnie asked, concealing the flicker of disappointment in his eyes.

"Are you Winnie or Dell?" the boy asked.

"I'm Winnie."

"Winnie, you've been through a lot. Listen, the academy requires all returning students to undergo a full medical examination tomorrow. Also, if you feel any mental instability, please visit the psychological counseling office immediately. Counselors are available at all times. You can also submit this form, listing any lost items or money. The academy will fully compensate you." The boy handed Winnie the form.

"Okay, I understand." Winnie took the form from the senior.

"Rest well. Don't overthink it. The academy will take care of everything." The senior wasn't sure how else to comfort Winnie. He'd noticed the disappointment in Winnie's eyes when he saw it was him at the door. With only one person inside, it wasn't hard to guess what Winnie was worried about.

The door closed. The senior left. Winnie placed the form on the table without looking at it, silently staring toward the empty kitchen, lost in thought.

The next morning, Winnie woke early to undergo his check-up. But he was still a bit late, and went on an empty stomach. Unlike usual, no one had woken him up or prepared a lavish breakfast.

Carillian Academy moved quickly, after such an incident, the entire academy mobilized, using every resource to comfort and support the younger students who had survived the ordeal.

Although a line formed, it didn't take long before it was Winnie's turn.

Winnie quietly observed the mental state of the other students emerging from the Cube Space. Most looked utterly drained, as if they'd seen something unspeakable. Their mental stability nearly lost, now in the slow process of regaining sanity.

Winnie watched in silence.

This was just what he could see on the surface. How many unforgivable crimes had the Church of Radiance committed in secret?

Let alone anyone else, if Luna was telling the truth, the Church had colluded with the Pillar of the Demon God's followers, even aiding in the release of the Pillar itself. Whether intentional or not, direct or indirect, causing such suffering means those bastards were already unforgivable.

Holy War. The fixed image of the Saintess and the goddess. Everyone believed the Church of Radiance was the heart of humanity's nations, a sanctuary for good beings. Yet no one imagined it had become a den of demons.

And this time was no different.

Winnie felt he could no longer remain silent.

He didn't know what the Church of Radiance was planning, what they truly wanted. But the first time, they targeted Mirexia. The second, they tried to make his death look like an accident, hurting hundreds of innocents. To this day, most of the people he knew haven't returned.

To put it bluntly, it was fair to say they were missing, their fates unknown.

What need did such a Church have to remain in this world?

One day, it might truly come to that, until the very end. Even if he had to go to hell, he'd drag the Church and the Pope down with him.

The check-up ended. Winnie's body was fine. The nuns and priests only told him to rest well and gave him some alchemical potions to quickly save energy and vitality.

Winnie pretended to accept them. But as soon as he left the clinic, he turned a corner and tossed the potions into the trash.

Now, he didn't trust any clergy, not even the nuns and priests stationed at Carillian Academy.

His vigilance towards the Church rivals that towards the deadliest serpents in the world.

These days, first and second years were forced to suspend classes. Even if students returned, classes would likely pause for a while to allow emotional recovery and stabilization.

Under normal circumstances, Winnie would've been delighted, no matter the reason for the suspension, he'd be out the next day looking for card players.

But now, he had no interest. In fact, finding even one card-playing buddy was difficult.

The card players. The members of the Armor Class. And the fated heroines.

How were they now?

So this was what attachment felt like? He could never experience that carefree joy again.

With nothing else to do, Winnie thought about filling out the form. After all, he'd lost many things on Mount Kamov. But when he found a pen, he stared at the form for a long time, unsure where to begin.

He eventually managed to finish it. Winnie went to the student council and handed the form to the member on duty. Instinctively, he turned toward the third-floor student council president's office to look for Mirexia, then remembered she likely hadn't returned.

"Excuse me, has President Mirexia returned?" Winnie asked the student council receptionist. Only third- and fourth-year upperclassmen remained at the front desk.

"No, Winnie." The Senior knew him well, he was a member of the student council too.

"Winnie? You're back?" A familiar voice called out.

Winnie turned. It was the senior girl who had always looked out for him.

"Senior." A bit of color returned to Winnie's eyes as he walked over.

"Mmm." The senior naturally noticed Winnie's current state and knew what had happened. She sobbed deeply. "It's good you're back. It's good you're safe."

"Mmm." Winnie nodded, unsure what else to say.

"If you need help or anything, just come to me." The senior placed a hand on Winnie's shoulder.

"Thank you, senior." Winnie thanked her, then turned as he was about to leave. "Senior, could you help me keep an eye on my roommate's return status? If he comes back, could you let me know?"

"Your roommate hasn't returned yet? Alright, I understand. You mean that delicate moon elf boy, right? I'll keep watching." The senior nodded, agreeing.

"Thanks, senior." Winnie left the student council. As he passed through the courtyard gate, he looked up, and froze.

A familiar, tall golden figure caught his attention. At the same moment he looked up, that golden gaze seemed to meet him with quiet synchronicity. Their eyes locked in midair.

"Winnie?"

"Mirexia?" Winnie stared at the girl standing by the student council entrance, her clothes slightly disheveled, her flowing golden twin-tails slightly frayed with stray strands, yet still radiating noble strength. A warm, familiar feeling instantly wrapped around half of Winnie's heart.

After everything they'd been through, nothing brought more comfort than seeing the childhood friend he knew so well.

'Virtue + 100.'

Current Virtue: 7124.

Both saw relief and joy in each other's eyes, happiness that the other was safe. Winnie, more proactive, quickly stepped forward and pulled Mirexia into a tight hug.

"Huh??" Mirexia stared in surprise as Winnie buried himself against her, feeling his warmth. A clear blush spread across her cheeks, but it was quickly overtaken by concern and lengthening.

'Virtue + 150.'

Current Virtue: 7274.

She hugged him back.

The familiar scent of citrus from Mirexia's hair helped Winnie restore his sanity. His eyes regained some sparkle.

"I'm so glad you're safe."

"I missed you so much." Winnie whispered softly into Mirexia's ear. The genuine emotion carried clearly to her, deepening the blush on her pale, flawless face.

'Virtue + 250.'

Current Virtue: 7524.

This series of emotional strikes left Mirexia flustered. Feeling the warmth of the person in her arms, her heart fluttered wildly.

"Y-you too... I'm glad you're safe." Mirexia's voice carries a faint warmth and tremor.

Then, Winnie loosened the embrace. "You just got back, right? Sorry, I was too hasty. Are you hurt?"

"A little, but the accompanying nun already healed me." Then, Mirexia's frosty eyes softened like melting ice, filled with concern for Winnie. "What about you? Are you hurt?"

"I'm completely healed. Don't worry about me." Winnie shook his head.

"So... after that day, what happened to you?"

"That day? I remember we were playing a board game, then a dark cube appeared. My consciousness gradually blurred. When I woke up, I was in a completely unfamiliar world." Mirexia explained.

Hearing this, Mirexia's experience was nearly identical to his, or perhaps everyone's was similar.

Still, while Mirexia's mental state wasn't perfect, it was clearly far better than his or other Carillian students'. At least she hadn't lost her sanity. She appeared mentally healthy, only now, after confirming he was safe, did her anxious heart finally settle.

No wonder the fated heroines were called fated heroines. In the examination room earlier, Winnie had seen other students. On a few, he couldn't detect any will or motivation to keep going.

After this incident, even Carillian students suffered mental breakdowns. Many developed psychological issues. A small number had severe trauma, though they survived, they couldn't continue studying, let alone graduate.

The fated heroines were different. Setting aside talent and fortune, their mentality and willpower surpass even ordinary geniuses.

"Did you meet any other students in the Cube Space?" Winnie asked.

"A few." Mirexia replied calmly.

But Winnie knew, given Mirexia's sense of responsibility, her unspoken meaning was clear: She had encountered several juniors, organized them, protected them, and brought them all back safely.

After all, the last time she was ambushed by [Bronze Blood], she'd been drugged with Dragonfall poison. At her peak, Mirexia's strength was formidable, especially with [Divine Favor] on her side.

"By the way, Mirexia, did you see Dell in there?" Winnie asked.

"Dell? No, hasn't he returned?" Mirexia shook her head, then hesitated as she looked at Winnie.

"No." Winnie shook his head.

Mirexia understood why Winnie looked so downcast. After a moment's hesitation, she reached out and gently ruffled Winnie's hair. "Don't worry too much. Dell will be fine."

"Mm."

After seeing Mirexia off, Winnie wandered around campus.

Mirexia had returned in a rush. The moment she stepped off the carriage, she didn't even go to her dorm, her first stop was the student council. As president, she had many tasks to oversee and responsibilities to handle.

Just as usual, still a workaholic.

Actually, Mirexia had another reason for rushing to the student council first: to check the return records and whether Winnie had made it back safely.

Now that he knew Mirexia was safe, Winnie's mood improved significantly. At least, it was much better than before.