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Chapter 5 : Role Playing
A single coin can stump countless heroes, indeed, this saying holds true.
Vanessa had come to understand it well.
She let out a light sigh, wanting to take a shower.
Although the alchemy chamber provided by Mirexia wasn't large, it did contain separate areas for resting, bathing, and disposing of waste alchemical liquids.
To prevent these alchemical solutions from affecting Vanessa, Mirexia had even prepared for her a top-tier alchemical robe and an enchanted mask, designed to shield her body and skin from the effects of potions.
Е̇nů m̊ ӓ
However, Vanessa was only making healing potions, ones safe enough to drink directly. They weren't elemental-damage or toxic alchemical solutions. Even the discarded liquid was mostly harmless. So such high-end protective gear wasn't strictly necessary. After all, high-rank alchemical robes and enchanted masks were extremely advanced enchanted items, crafted with sophisticated techniques, and thus incredibly expensive.
That's why alchemy is said to be nothing but burning money. From herbs to crucibles and various tools, everything consumed vast wealth. Herbs were one-time-use, tools wore down, and everything counted as consumables.
Dilarang mengopy novel dari Enuma.id.
Even the most gifted alchemists built their success and skill upon countless failures. The cost, how much herb was spent, how many crucibles exploded, how many sets of alchemical robes were replaced, when calculated, amounted to an astronomical sum.
Thus, only those with a gold mine at home dared dabble in alchemy. Without outstanding talent, practicing alchemy was simply squandering wealth, possibly leading to ruin and destitution.
Although enchanted alchemical robes lasted significantly longer than the other items, their complex manufacturing process ensures their price could never be affordable.
But Mirexia insisted on giving them to her, saying it was safer to wear them. When Mirexia became stubborn, Vanessa couldn't argue against her, and thus reluctantly accepted them.
Wе b nо̄ vêl̊ Еn̊ u̇ m̄ â
She removed the alchemical robe and took off the mask. Brushing back her hair, the cherry-colored long tresses, previously confined under the hood, were finally freed.
Even mentally exhausted, she didn't forget to reflect on her previous failures. Vanessa stepped into the bathroom with the grace of an elegant swan, thoroughly cleaning her body, shampooing her hair several times over.
Emerging from the suffocating alchemical robe, her smooth, snow-white legs stepped out from the bathroom. She let out a long breath, as if all the pressure in her body had been released at once.
But then, thinking of the difficulties ahead, she couldn't help slightly furrowing her delicate brows.
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The materials were exhausted. The alchemical boiler was nearly destroyed. Those were rare herbs, priceless and unobtainable on the market, some even unavailable in Carillian Academy's reserves. Even if they had stock, they would never allow someone without an official alchemist's certification to use them.
This troubled Vanessa deeply.
W ě b̂ ṅ оv e l Е̄ ṅ umа̀
If she didn't rely on Mirexia, where else could she possibly obtain these alchemical materials? And even if she asked Mirexia again, transporting the herbs to the academy would take considerable time, by then, the semester would have already begun.
Could she possibly go ask Aesphyra?
Asking Aesphyra wasn't unreasonable, but Vanessa didn't want to do it.
Her presence at the academy, along with her own private alchemy lab and the sheer amount of alchemical herbs consumed, if someone were to investigate thoroughly, they could trace back many facts.
Besides, wouldn't that directly confirm to Aesphyra that Vanessa was the one brewing the potions? And that Winnie and Vanessa definitely knew each other?
Even if Aesphyra already harbored suspicions, it was still better not to make things so obvious. Even if Aesphyra suspected Winnie and Vanessa knew each other, as long as that thin veil remained unbroken, it could ward off many other suspicions.
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Asking Aesphyra for materials was the worst possible option. Vanessa decided to think of another way.
These past few days, cooped up in this lightless alchemy lab, Vanessa felt like she was about to mold.
She needed to go out and get some fresh air.
After drying her hair, she put on her [Armoured Fortress], then stood before the full-length mirror, taking a deep breath.
She couldn't possibly leave dressed like this. This place was the main battlefield where she was overwhelmed by Selina's possessed form during the invasion of the Demon God Pillar Erunez. There were many witnesses. Walking around Carillian Academy without any disguise in this outfit would be suicide.
Vanessa took out the blue disguise lenses Mirexia had given her last time, along with a female student uniform from Carillian Academy. Her fair, pink nails clenched slightly.
Ӗ_n u̇m̌ а̀..і̌ d
This uniform, too, was a gift from Mirexia, custom-made according to Vanessa's body measurements, and naturally, paid for by Mirexia.
Given Vanessa's proportions, even the largest standard female uniform would be a tight fit, so custom tailoring was necessary.
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This time, she would truly wear women's clothing other than [Armoured Fortress] and maid outfits.
Although she didn't feel much resistance inwardly, that was exactly the problem!
Why did she feel no resistance at all? Under normal circumstances, shouldn't she feel strong psychological resistance and reluctance to wear this female skirt?
What was happening to her?
Ẽṅ ǔ m̆ а.і̃d̈
Matter determines consciousness, and consciousness reacts upon matter. So had some of her habits been influenced by her female form?
Realizing this wasn't the time to dwell on such thoughts, she reined in her mind, took a long breath, as if making a firm decision, and picked up the pleated skirt and thigh-high white socks lying on the table.
First, her hair. To avoid suspicion, Vanessa needed a style completely different from her own. And to avoid seeming artificial, she needed a reference, someone she had actually observed in real life, whose every mannerism she had studied. Ideally, someone no one else had ever seen, or at least no one in this era.
Thus, the choice became obvious.
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Although doing this made Vanessa feel deeply embarrassed, awkward, and desperate to hide in a hole, she reasoned that if she thought of it as role-playing, that the person she was portraying wasn't herself, but a complete stranger with no connection to her, someone she didn't even know, and afterward, no one would associate that character with her, everyone would see them as two different people, then she will feel much better.
It was pure acting, after all. Something she excelled at. Just like performing in a stage play, with her as the leading actress at center stage.
En umǎ . і d
With this thought, Vanessa began to dress.
First, her hair, changing her usual long twin tails into flowing, water-like twin tails, then adding star-shaped hairpins to highlight her purity and vibrant energy.
Next, the outfit.
Having worn the extremely complex royal maid attire with ease, putting on a simple student uniform was even simpler. Her movements were swift and graceful, and in a rustling moment, everything was done.
Finally, she sat on a high stool, carefully pulling open the tops of the white thigh-high socks, sliding her toes in, and slowly pulling them up, smoothing out every wrinkle around her ankles.
Last, the pink-haired twin-tailed girl slipped her toes into brown loafers, bent one leg behind her, stood on one foot, and adjusted the heel properly.
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Perfect~
Looking at the pink-haired, blue-eyed twin-tailed girl in the mirror, Vanessa naturally curved her lips into a sweet, energetic, and youthful smile.
Although still embarrassed inside, as long as she reminded herself she wasn't playing herself, but a vibrant girl she didn't even know, her mental barriers disappeared instantly, and she slipped seamlessly into character.
“The pure and flawless beauty, Selina-chan, let's go!” Vanessa raised a tiny pink fist, lifting her heels, while the other hand made a peace sign near her eye, winning one beautiful eye.
“Hmm~” Then, Vanessa softly hummed a tune, stepping out of the alchemy lab door with lively energy.
The alchemy lab was an abandoned one, located in an inconspicuous corner. No one would witness her exit from here.
Е̃ n ûma .і̃ d̄
Vanessa quickly passed through a stretch of dense forest and arrived at the academy's busier streets.
Her appearance immediately drew many glances, some curious, others awestruck.
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Many boys and quite a few girls simultaneously asked their friends if they'd ever seen this pink-haired girl, what her name was, and why they'd never noticed this beautiful classmate despite being at the academy for so long.
“Um, excuse me, miss,” a boy finally mustered the courage, encouraged by Vanessa's approachable aura, and stepped forward. “Could I ask which grade you're in?”
“Me? You can guess~” Vanessa replied with a bright smile.
“Uh, judging by your age, you should be around my level... So, probably..." The boy stuttered, clearly flustered. It was obvious he'd never spoken to such a stunning beauty before, his cheeks flushed red, and he couldn't even meet her eyes.
Ë ṅ_ǔ m а. i̇ d̂.
“A beautiful girl's age is always a secret, you know?” Vanessa tilted her head, smiling sweetly.
The boy felt as if struck by an arrow, though not painful, it was Cupid's arrow, bringing a sudden fluttering in his heart.
Just being able to talk to such a girl made him feel like he was swimming in honey, so sweet he couldn't even speak.
“Then, um, so, miss, could you at least tell me your name?” The boy swallowed hard, feeling more nervous than he ever had in his life.
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“Me? That's right, I'm the Holy Healing Maiden who sings of light and hope!” Vanessa closed one eye and made a peace sign.
“The H-Holy Healing Maiden??” The boy froze.
Ĕ ň ŭ ma . і̌ d̆.
“Yes~ So from now on, please pay close attention to me.” Vanessa tucked one hand into her sleeve, only five fingers peeking out, slightly gripping the cuff.
“Pay attention??”
“Yes, indeed. To be honest, my dream is to become a campus idol who brings laughter and joy to everyone!” Vanessa said, drawing a heart in front of her ample chest, then making a heart sign with her fingers.
“For that, I shall stand on a grand stage facing everyone, singing sacred songs that heal all hearts, spreading happiness, ta-da! That is the true essence of the Holy Healing Maiden who sings of light and hope, and blooms the flower of life!” Vanessa bounced slightly on the spot, miming strumming a guitar on stage, radiating energy.
"Ah, ah! I really feel happiness being passed to me! I'll follow, I definitely will follow!" Although the boy had no idea what was going on, the girl's stats were just too high. At this moment, he was utterly enchanted by the pink-haired girl, as if drugged, nodding dumbly.
“Mm, thank you, future potential fan~” Vanessa winked at him.
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The boy froze, his soul nearly drawn out by those captivating, mesmerizing eyes.
“Then, um, miss with pink hair, when will your performance begin?” More boys, hearing this, grew eager.
This pink-haired girl seemed to possess a strange energy, effortlessly and guiding everyone's emotions.
“Great, great! I can feel everyone's enthusiasm. But that, please stay tuned~” Vanessa flashed a sweet smile, waving her hand like an idol at a curtain call.
Of course, there was no real performance. It was just a made-up excuse to maintain her character.
As for whether she felt embarrassed? Oh my~ Why would she feel embarrassed? The one jumping around right now wasn't Vanessa at all.
Е̄ n ǔ m̂ а
If absolutely necessary, she could just say her name was Selina. Anyway, everyone would assume it was just a coincidence in names, and wouldn't link her to any past Holy Maidens.
Even in the worst case, if someone was embarrassed, it would be Selina.
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Hehe.
Just as she was about to smile and exit, suddenly a hand gently tapped her shoulder.
“Alright then. But Miss Holy Healing Maiden, if you're going to perform and sing, you'll definitely need a venue, a stage, and a crew of support staff, right?”
“I'm willing to sponsor all of that.”
Е n u_m̃а . i d
“???” Vanessa, deep in her Selina act, frozen mid-expression.
She recognized that voice, it was very familiar.
If she wasn't mistaken, it should be...
Her head turned mechanically. Her gaze met a pair of amused platinum-cross pupils.
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“Eh? Isn't this Miss Luna Hokane?”
Bystanders, seeing the newcomer, couldn't help whispering.
Ẇ е b̆ ǹo̊ vêl Е̄ṅ ů m а̂
Two peerless beauties appearing together naturally create a stunning, attention-grabbing scene.
“My apologies. May I ask for the lady's name?” Luna was slightly shorter than Vanessa, but that didn't diminish her strong presence. She lifted her skirt, placed one leg, stocked in sheer white tights, behind her, and elegantly performed a Church lady's curtsy.
“...” Vanessa momentarily froze, not expecting to meet her here.
Moreover, from Luna's meaningful expression, she felt something very off.
“Is it inconvenient to give your name? Then, may I directly address you as 'the Holy Healing Maiden who sings of light and hope, and blooms the flower of life'?” Luna's polite tone carries a hint of teasing.
"...No need. Too long." Vanessa replied dryly.
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“Oh, I suppose it is. Then, may I simply call you 'Holy Healing Maiden'? How about that?”
“...” Vanessa could play this act in front of strangers, because they didn't know her and couldn't possibly recognize her. But the honey-haired girl before her was clearly different.
Vanessa could read it in her eyes.
She most likely recognized her, recognized her as the maid who had worked at her shop last time.
No, wait, didn't she have disguise lenses on? How could she possibly recognize her?
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