SAINTESS [Chapter 132: Did they knock on the wrong door?] (Patreon)

The island wasn't far from the main island. They arrived by dusk.

Only a few students showed up this time. The turnout was low for two reasons: many were still recovering from the unpleasant memories of the previous hot-spring trip, and the Chosen One Contest was just around the corner.

In a way, the small crowd was a blessing. The newly built hot-spring lodge wasn't very spacious, so a large number of guests would have made it unbearably crowded. There wouldn't have been enough private rooms, and even the mixed baths would have been packed, making the whole experience miserable.

“The air is so refreshing here, and it’s surprisingly close to the main island. How have we never discovered this place before?” Fred remarked admiringly. After crossing the connecting bridge, he stepped onto solid ground and gazed out at the beautiful scenery surrounding the island.

“It was only recently fully developed, Brother Fred,” Andre explained. “This island has always been planned as a leisure area for instructors and students to relax and relieve stress and fatigue, so it hasn't been opened to outsiders.”

“Hey, let's not talk about that, I'm starving. When do we eat? Don't tell me they're only letting us soak in hot springs and not feed us,” Fred complained, rubbing his belly.

“Brother Fred, you didn't even read the instructions before coming?” Winnie asked, looking at him in disbelief.

“Huh? What instructions? I have no idea. I just heard there were hot springs, so I came,” Fred replied, scratching his head with a completely absent-minded expression.

“Brother Fred, you're being way too careless. Don't tell me you heard ‘free hot springs’ and rushed over without bothering to find out anything else?” Winnie said, rolling his eyes.

“What's the big deal? We're here to relax and have some fun, so why make things complicated? There's no need to worry about so much,” Fred said, clearly unable to understand what the problem was.

“Exactly because we're going out to enjoy ourselves, shouldn't we make proper plans beforehand?” Winnie asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Winnie, when did you become so thoughtful and sensitive?” Fred couldn't help but comment. “You're usually pretty rough yourself. Isn't this a case of the pot calling the kettle black?” (1)

“A hot-spring event without food? How could that possibly make sense? Use your common sense, Brother Fred.” Winnie had no interest in arguing with him. “Everyone eats before getting into the hot springs. If you soak on an empty stomach, you'll end up feeling dizzy.”

As they spoke, under the instructors' lead, they could already see from afar a gorgeously decorated grand hall.

Looks like they'd reached the dining venue.

Everyone entered the building's main lobby, which was beautifully decorated in a resort-like style.

Judging by the interior, Winnie figured the building had been completed some time ago and was only now being opened to the public. However, those in the know were aware that a “little accident” had occurred recently, causing the opening to be postponed.

It couldn't have been completed recently. The construction crews will've been transferred long ago to repair the major damaged buildings on campus.

This hall was likely designed for banquets. Inside, it was divided into many side halls. Each one was laid out the same: a dining table covered with steaming hot food.

Winnie took one look and saw the first hall's table fill up fast. They'd have to go to another.

The crowd without seats continued deeper in. Fred and Winnie's group got separated, and Fred happened to snag the last chair.

“Bad luck, Winnie, looks like you and little Dell have to go to the next hall,” Fred said.

Winnie nodded and went with Shikondell to the next one.

The two sat next to each other. Winnie looked over the impressive spread of food. There was such a huge variety of dishes, all so lavishly prepared, that he had no idea where to begin.

The tender fried chicken legs were coated in a glossy layer of oil and rich sauce, looking so mouthwatering that they could make even the hungriest person drool. Each seat had a bowl of creamy corn chowder, topped with butter and pepper and filled with kernels that looked like little pearls. The steak sent waves of savory aroma through the room, instantly stirring everyone's appetite.

Coming here has definitely been the right choice. After all, everyone knew that nothing made Winnie happier than a free feast.

But even though he was practically drooling, he still observed table manners and didn't touch his knife and fork first.

Only when the meal bell rang did he begin eating along with the others.

The food was excellent.

Outsiders watched the spectacle; insiders watched the craft. Taking small bites of bread, Shikondell studied it thoughtfully. She had never realized bread could be made this way. Perhaps she could learn to make it herself. (2)

Winnie didn't think that much. He ate boldly, though compared to how he used to eat, he was already much more restrained.

After the meal, once Winnie was full, he used his student ID and received from the instructors a string of keys marked with numbers.

After eating, they could head to the hot-spring lodge behind the hall.

But for health reasons, Winnie didn't go soak right away. Instead, he took a half-hour walk around the island.

Shikondell followed at his side as always, like a little tail. For her, just being with the person she liked, even without saying anything, made her feel safe and happy.

“This autumn scenery… truly surpasses spring mornings.” Looking at the island's natural beauty, Winnie didn't know why, but a sigh escaped him.

“Does Winnie like autumn?” Shikondell asked.

“Mm, not really. I just didn't expect the view on this island to be so wonderful.” Winnie was putting on an air of autumn melancholy, but with his lack of culture, he could only force out a few lines without saying anything profound.

“Still, Dell, your hometown is much more beautiful than this place, right?”

“Hmm?” Shikondell froze for a moment. “My hometown is beautiful too.”

"I miss it a lot."

Hearing that, Winnie glanced at her and said nothing.

“Alright, it's about time.” After a while, Winnie stopped. “Dell, I'm going to soak now. If you want to keep enjoying the scenery, you can stay here a little longer.”

“I'll go with you,” Shikondell blurted out.

“You don't need to go with me. We're not soaking in the same place, look at the number on your key.” Winnie shook the key in his hand. “They're private rooms.”

As for the top five, those were luxury suites. For a moment, Winnie regretted not fighting for a top-five title, those facilities had to be ridiculously lavish.

In truth, after last time, when he'd gone to the Aesphyra family's business and enjoyed a full-package service, Winnie had started yearning for that kind of life.

That was living. That was life. Only being able to enjoy that kind of comfort makes it feel worth the ticket.

Wasn't that exactly the life he'd dreamed of, whether in his past life or this one?

“But…” Shikondell began, suddenly looking a little awkward.

“What is it?” Winnie asked.

“Just now… Winnie said to Brother Fred and the others that you were going to accompany me.” By the end, her voice was as soft as a mosquito, and her head dipped lower and lower.

Winnie, seeing that, felt a bit at a loss for words.

He'd only said that earlier to brush off the card players, just so he could have some peace tonight.

He hadn't expected Shikondell to take it to heart. That really caught Winnie off guard.

But how could that be possible?

Even if you soaked with towels wrapped around you, men and women were still different.

Even if Shikondell claimed to be a boy on the surface, she was still a girl.

“Ahem. Dell, I did say that, but don't you want this rare bit of quiet?” Winnie began to coax her gently.

“Huh? Rarely quiet?” Shikondell blinked her beautiful almond eyes, clearly not understanding what he meant.

“Exactly. Everyone needs some time to unwind. Even the most sociable people need moments by themselves to recharge after spending too much energy around others. You get what I mean? Being constantly surrounded by people can be exhausting.” Winnie spoke with an unusually serious expression, as though he were delivering some profound life lesson.

"Um... is that so?"

"Yes. That's how it is."

“But when I'm with Winnie, I don't lose energy?” Shikondell asked, utterly puzzled.

That left Winnie not quite sure how to respond. She wasn't taking the hint at all.

“Me, Dell. Me. I've been losing a lot of energy lately,” Winnie could only be more explicit.

“Oh… so Winnie doesn't really want to soak with me?”

“No, it's not that. I just need to adjust my condition lately.” Winnie said, “The Chosen One Contest is coming, right? I think we both need to get ourselves into shape, don't you?”

“And besides, I'm not even sure the academy allows more than one person in a private room. Not sure if it violates regulations. Better not cause trouble for the academy.”

“Alright…” Shikondell sounded a bit sullen, but since Winnie had put it that way, there was nothing she could do.

'Virtue + 80.'

Current Virtue: 13389.

They reached the entrance of the hot-spring lodge, where a beautiful courtyard lay behind a screen of bamboo. The plants had been carefully trimmed and arranged, while the gentle breeze carried the pleasant scent of flowers through the air.

Past the courtyard was a complex like a miniature palace.

Its style was quite peculiar, like the walls of a city. Four sides enclosed the central hot-spring area, forming a perfect square.

It wasn't tall, only two stories.

It was a place for soaking, after all. Building it high would be pointless. Winnie guessed the second floor was for resting, and the first floor for bathing.

Once they entered the main hall, they saw a straight corridor ahead, likely leading to the large communal springs.

Winnie glanced at the number on the tag attached to his key: 32.

“Winnie, mine is 37.” Shikondell shook her key.

“Mm, that's pretty close.” Winnie nodded.

Not adjacent, though.

He looked at the plaques lining both sides. Rooms in the thirties should be down the left corridor.

Walking left with Shikondell, Winnie stopped at the door marked 32.

Room 32 sat in a recessed corner. In that nook, there were only two rooms: 32 and 33.

“Then I'll go in first, yeah? See you later, Dell.” Winnie used the key to open the door and went inside.

“Oh, okay.” Shikondell watched him go in, then looked around and located her own room.

Inside the private suite, Winnie found that it was more compact than he had expected. Apart from a small changing and shower area, there was only a modest sitting space furnished with a little sofa and table. A plate of fresh, appetizing fruit had been placed on the table.

The courtyard outside featured a small hot-spring pool, its surface shrouded in clouds of white steam. Bamboo walls stood on either side, giving the area a secluded feel.

A private hot spring in an open-air courtyard? Not bad, not bad at all. Winnie couldn't help but feel pleased. Soaking in the warm water while gazing at the moon... what could be more relaxing?

Winnie could hardly wait. He quickly stripped off his clothes, took a shower, and cleaned himself up before wrapping a towel around his waist. Carrying the plate of fruit with him, he stepped into the courtyard, slowly lowered himself into the hot spring, and settled against the edge.

It was only proper to wash yourself thoroughly before entering the spring. Winnie was already a fairly clean person, but there was no harm in washing up first.

“Ooooh!”

The moment the hot water surrounded him, Winnie let out a long, exaggerated howl, almost like a wolf howling at the moon.

Ahh, this is wonderful. Absolutely wonderful! It felt as though all the exhaustion that had accumulated over the past few days had instantly melted away.

“Huff.” Sitting in the spring, gazing at the moon, Winnie took a bite out of an apple from the plate beside him.

Shame. If it were watermelon, it'd be even better. Somehow, watermelon just went best with hot springs.

But an apple was an apple.

Winnie thought so.

Refreshing.

Wasn't this the life he'd dreamed of, this kind of carefree comfort?

If things had gone normally, after graduation he could've worked hard for a few years. With a graduation from the Carillian Academy, a future like this would've been easy to come by.

Too bad it wasn't possible anymore.

Plans never kept up with change. No one would've thought that he, who once avoided the identity of the Radiance Saintess like the plague, would inevitably end up walking this road anyway.

This time he had to soak properly. The last Mount Kamov trip had ended before it even began, forcibly turning what should've been a relaxing study tour into a bloody nightmare.

This time, he could finally get some real rest.

“Knock, knock, knock.” Just as Winnie chewed his apple, savoring the leisurely life, a bout of knocking sounded, piercingly loud at this moment.

What the hell? Everyone had their own rooms, who would come knocking on his door? Who was it?

Don't tell him someone knocked on the wrong door.

It had to be. Who else could it be if not?

Seriously annoying. He was soaking so comfortably, and some idiot who knocked wrong had to force him out of the spring just to open the door, only to scratch his head and say, 'Sorry, wrong room.' Just imagining it makes Winnie feel speechless.

Winnie was helpless, so he pretended he hadn't heard.

After the knocking sounded a few more times, it stopped.

Winnie let out a breath.

Looks like that idiot finally realized he'd knocked on the wrong door and left.

Not having to get up to open it, thank goodness. His bones were practically softened from soaking.

However, just as Winnie casually tossed the apple core aside and reached for another piece of fruit from the plate, the knocking sounded again.

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1 - Pot calling the kettle black = 大哥不说二哥 = dà gē bù shuō èr gē

Its meaning is “someone shouldn't criticize another person for a fault when they have the same or a similar fault themselves.”

It is a Chinese colloquial expression

2 - Outsiders watched the spectacle; insiders watched the craft = 外行看热闹，内行看门道 = wàiháng kàn rènao, nèiháng kàn méndào

Its meaning is “ordinary people tend to notice only the surface or spectacle of something, while an expert can recognize the skill, technique, or deeper details behind it.”

It's a Chinese saying.

Well I was planning to update in morning but plan changed