Chapter 104: The pretense before setting out, the arduous journey over mountains and valleys.

Shu Li had been born into a wealthy family and pampered from childhood. Everything he ate, wore, and used had been the very best. After transmigrating to the other world, the Fairies cared for their cubs with even greater devotion. Far from declining, his standard of living had actually improved.

Take his clothes, for example. They were made by master weavers from cloth woven with the finest silk, then inscribed with magical patterns. Not only were they soft, comfortable, light, and flowing, but they also kept him warm in winter and cool in summer.

The higher the quality of the clothing, the more properties it possessed.

Now that he was a Senior Mage, his clothes were supplied by Rowling of the Elven Kingdom. They could change size and possessed defensive properties, so ordinary bumps and scrapes did not hurt him at all.

Having grown accustomed to wearing such fine clothing, it had never occurred to him that his skin might be this delicate.

The coarse fabric left red marks wherever it rubbed against him, and his entire body felt as though it were being pricked by needles.

He knew that disguises were essential when traveling, but wasn’t the quality of these clothes a little too poor?

Just how terrible were living conditions among the humans beyond the forest if they could not even obtain decent clothing?

“Mm, that was an oversight on my part.” Ilio took his arm and examined it, then raised an eyebrow. “I forgot that you haven’t begun physical training at your age.”

“What’s physical training?” Shu Li asked in confusion.

“Simply put, it teaches you to use vital energy to form a transparent film over your body. It adheres to your skin and protects you.” Ilio rolled up his sleeve, revealing a fair-skinned arm. “Stab me with your dagger.”

Shu Li stared at him. “Are you sure?”

The dagger was extremely sharp. It would be strange if it did not pierce his skin.

“I’m sure.” Ilio nodded.

Since Ilio had asked for it, Shu Li saw no reason to hold back. He took out his dagger, drew the gleaming blade, and cautiously placed its point against Ilio’s arm.

“I’m really going to stab you!” he warned.

“Do it,” Ilio said serenely.

Shu Li steeled himself and thrust down hard.

“Huh?”

It felt as though the dagger had struck an immensely elastic net. It failed to penetrate even the slightest bit, and Ilio’s skin remained flawless, without so much as a scratch.

Shu Li put the dagger away, utterly astonished.

So this is physical training? That’s amazing!

“Ilio, teach me! Hurry up and teach me!” His pointed ears twitched as he tipped back his head, bright stars sparkling in his pale green eyes.

Ilio reached out and ruffled his hair. “Vital energy is the source of a warrior’s strength. It can only be acquired through constant training and accumulated effort. I’ll teach you how to build it up, but not now.”

Disappointed, Shu Li tugged at his clothes. “These are uncomfortable.”

Ilio looked at the red marks the coarse fabric had rubbed into his skin, rummaged through his storage ring, and pulled out a shirt and a pair of underpants of slightly better quality.

“Wear these underneath.” His expression was rather stern. “When traveling, you must overcome every difficulty you encounter. It is an essential part of your Trial.”

Shu Li accepted the clothes and replied earnestly, “Yes, I understand.”

Since he had decided to take his first step as a brave adventurer, he could not be afraid of hardship.

He removed the coarse clothes and put on the shirt and underpants. Although they were a little too large, they were much softer, and his skin no longer stung.

Shu Li quietly breathed a sigh of relief before putting the drab outer shirt and trousers back on.

Ilio handed him a potion. “Drink this.”

Shu Li accepted it and asked hesitantly, “What kind of potion is it?”

Ilio did not answer. He took out another potion and drained it in one gulp. His appearance soon began to change.

His distinctive pointed Elven ears became ordinary human ears. His snow-white skin darkened by two shades, and his blue eyes turned black. Paired with his dark blue clothes of coarse fabric, the changes instantly transformed him from a noble Elf into an ordinary human.

Shu Li’s mouth fell open in amazement.

What an incredible potion!

No wonder Elves and Fairies could leave the forest for their Trials without worrying about exposing their identities. Disguise potions were unbelievably convenient.

Shu Li removed the stopper and gulped down the potion.

“Whoa! It’s so bitter!” He stuck out his tongue and gazed pitifully at Ilio.

Ilio blinked at him mischievously.

Shu Li pointed an accusing finger at him, unable to voice his grievances through the bitterness.

Ilio had drunk his so readily that Shu Li had assumed the potion would not be bitter. He had tossed it back without hesitation, only to discover that it tasted absolutely vile.

What a wicked, devious Elf!

Shu Li sniffled, swiftly took a kuku fruit from his storage ring, and stuffed it into his mouth. Its sweet-and-sour juice flooded his mouth, immediately washing away the bitter taste.

Saved!

He exhaled in relief.

Ilio looked down at the young Fairy as he ate the fruit and his appearance changed. The corners of Ilio’s lips lifted. He took out a mirror and held it in front of him. “Take a look.”

“Huh?” Shu Li stared blankly ahead. In the mirror, his pointed ears were gone, replaced by rounded human ears. His skin had darkened by three shades, and his pale green eyes had turned grayish blue. Yet his hair remained a lustrous, brilliant gold, and his little flower crown had transformed into a circlet across his forehead, making him look so exquisitely beautiful that he immediately drew the eye.

Becoming human had not diminished his looks at all.

Ilio stroked his chin and took out a bottle of black hair dye. “Come on. I’ll dye your hair.”

Shu Li looked appalled. “It’ll...change back afterward, won’t it?”

“Of course,” Ilio said. “You have to trust the Elves’ master potion makers.”

Shu Li resigned himself to letting Ilio dye his hair. A little over ten minutes later, his beautiful golden hair had turned black. His little flower crown had become a plain ribbon that tied his black hair into a long ponytail.

Standing side by side, he and Ilio looked like brothers separated by more than a decade in age.

Once the disguise was complete, Ilio conducted a final inspection. His gaze fell on the obviously expensive storage ring on Shu Li’s finger.

“Find a sturdy cord and wear your storage ring around your neck.”

“Oh...” When Shu Li had changed clothes earlier, he had placed all his accessories inside the storage ring but forgotten about the ring itself.

If he was pretending to be an ordinary human child, there was no way he could wear such an expensive ring.

He threaded a cord through the storage ring to make a necklace, hung it around his neck, and tucked it securely beneath his collar.

“All right. We can leave now.” Ilio patted his slender shoulder, picked up an unremarkable, battered backpack, and left the little wooden cabin first.

Shu Li trotted after him.

The leather boots on his feet were terribly stiff, and every step chafed, but he said nothing.

Outside the cabin, Ilio stretched his limbs and smiled at Shu Li. “Remember, from this moment onward, your name is Amo, and mine is Al. We’re brothers wandering the continent together.”

“Yes,” Shu Li replied obediently.

“You’re supposed to call me your brother.” Ilio pressed a broad palm against his head.

Shu Li slapped his hand away, glared at him, and muttered, “I know, Brother Al.”

“Lower your voice and change your tone,” Ilio said. “You need to learn how to disguise it.”

Shu Li was surprised to discover that Ilio’s voice had become deep and hoarse, completely unlike its usual clear, magnificent timbre.

It seemed Ilio had truly perfected the art of disguise.

“Ahem.” Shu Li cleared his throat and tried his best to alter his voice. “Is this...all right?”

“Barely passable,” Ilio said. “Keep practicing, and maintain that tone whenever you speak.”

“All right, Brother Al,” Shu Li said.

“Put up your hood. The sun has only just risen, so let’s try to cross that mountain before evening.” Ilio pointed toward the mountain range ahead.

Shu Li looked up at the towering mountains stretching endlessly into the distance and asked in astonishment, “Il—Brother Al, you’re joking, right?”

With his wings and wind magic, he might be able to cross mountains that high in half a day. On foot, however, it would take at least two or three days!

Come to think of it, how many days would this Trial take altogether?

He had originally been due to travel to the Elven Kingdom in another week to study, purify the mother tree and Little Fruit Number One at midnight, and deliver the medicinal herbs to Effet while he was there.

Now that the curse had emerged, all his plans had been thrown into disarray.

They probably would not return for at least ten days, perhaps even half a month.

Shu Li frowned in consternation.

Assuming he was troubled by the climb, Ilio crooked a finger and lightly tapped his forehead. “This is the first step of your Trial.”

Shu Li covered the spot Ilio had tapped and asked in confusion, “How are we supposed to cross the entire mountain range in one day?”

“If you want vital energy, keep up with me.” Ilio suddenly pushed off the ground and shot forward like an arrow. In the blink of an eye, he was fifty meters away, leaving Shu Li staring after him in disbelief.

Ilio stopped, turned around, and beckoned to him.

Shu Li gritted his teeth and sprinted forward. Just as he was about to catch up, Ilio set off again and pulled far ahead.

A little over ten minutes later, Shu Li stood with both hands braced against his bent knees, drenched in sweat and gasping for breath.

He usually flew with his wings, so his leg muscles were not particularly developed. Running at high speed for so long had consumed an enormous amount of stamina. His toes ached, and his calves trembled.

He finally understood why Fairies only left the forest for their Trials after coming of age.

With his current underage body, he simply could not endure this without magic or his wings.

“Can’t run anymore?” Ilio stood before him without the slightest flush or shortness of breath. “If you can’t keep going, there’s still time to return to the forest.”

Shu Li wiped away his sweat with his sleeve, and pain immediately flared across his cheek.

The coarse fabric had rubbed his face raw.

“Let’s keep going.”

He would not give up that easily!

He had already come all this way. Wouldn’t turning back now be utterly humiliating?

Besides, he had chosen this path himself. Even if he had to crawl, he would see it through to the end.

Approval flashed through Ilio’s eyes. “Then let’s continue.”

Ilio led the way while Shu Li struggled after him. They stopped for a five-minute rest after every half hour of travel. Alternating between walking and resting, they eventually left the bounds of the Faerie Forest and approached the great mountain range.

Shu Li dropped onto the grass, his limbs weak with exhaustion and his mouth parched.

A waterskin appeared before him. He seized it without hesitation, pulled out the stopper, and gulped down the water.

After drinking, his burning throat finally felt better. “Th...thank you, Brother Al.”

Ilio took the empty waterskin and gestured for Shu Li to fill it with magic.

Shu Li immediately pulled the storage ring from beneath his collar and was about to retrieve his magic staff when Ilio stopped him.

“You’re a Senior Mage now. You don’t need to rely on a magic staff to cast low-level spells.”

“Oh.” Shu Li raised a hand, sensed the water elements in the air, and softly recited an incantation. Sure enough, the water elements stirred and condensed into droplets above his palm. With a sweep of his hand, they poured steadily into the waterskin.

Once the waterskin was full, he lowered his hand, and the droplets dissipated.

Ilio attached the waterskin to his belt, looked up at the sun, and held out a hand to Shu Li. “This area is sparsely populated, so we can still use magic. Once we cross the mountains and enter the Human World, we won’t be able to use it anymore.”

Shu Li took his hand and let Ilio pull him to his feet. “Why don’t we disguise ourselves as mages?”

“On the Austin Continent, all mages must register with the Magic Tower in the Central Court and pass an examination to receive a mage’s badge. Otherwise—”

“What happens otherwise?” Shu Li asked.

Ilio shrugged. “Otherwise, you’ll find it nearly impossible to go anywhere, and you won’t be entitled to the conveniences and protection offered by the Mages’ Association.”

Shu Li clicked his tongue. “There are that many rules in the Human World?”

Even mages needed a license to practice. What a nuisance!

“Brother Al, do you have a mage’s badge?”

“Of course.” Ilio flipped his fingers, producing an exquisitely crafted badge that gleamed with golden light. “A highest-rank badge. Only a hundred have been issued across the entire continent in the past ten thousand years.”

“Wow...” Shu Li said with rare admiration. “Brother Al, you’re amazing.”

Ilio put away the badge, beaming. “Thank you for the compliment.”

The corner of Shu Li’s mouth twitched. “Um...if you have a highest-rank badge, why don’t we disguise ourselves as mages?”

Ilio pinched his ear. “You little fool. If I traveled across the continent wearing a highest-rank badge, you could forget about delivering all the letters within a week.”

“Huh?” Shu Li stared at him.

“A highest-rank badge signifies a Saint Mage. Wherever one goes, the local city lord is certain to receive and entertain them. It would take at least two or three days to get away each time.” Ilio pulled down his hood and pushed off the ground. “Our purpose on this journey is to deliver letters. We should keep as low a profile as possible.”

With that, he raced forward, as light as a swallow.

Shu Li drew a deep breath, adjusted his breathing, and pushed off the ground the way Ilio had taught him, surging forward at high speed.

After running for some time, he sensed a strange current circulating within his body. It was extremely faint, but its rudimentary form had already begun to emerge.

Is this...the vital energy Ilio mentioned?

The journey over the mountains was extraordinarily difficult.

Long hours of running and jumping drained Shu Li’s stamina, while the leather boots rubbed blisters onto his feet. Every time he collapsed from exhaustion, he desperately wanted to reveal his wings or use wind magic to ease his suffering.

“Oh? And you thought you were ready to leave home for a Trial?”

Ilio always chose the perfect moment to start taunting him.

Shu Li nursed his resentment, gritted his teeth, dragged himself back up, and continued climbing.

He finally understood why the Elven King had sent Ilio to accompany him. Only Ilio had mastered taunting to perfection. Every barb infuriated Shu Li enough to jump to his feet, stirred up his refusal to admit defeat, and made him persevere no matter how exhausted or miserable he became.

No other Elf or Fairy would have had the heart to let a Little Fairy suffer like this!

By the time the sun began to set and the sky filled with orange-red clouds, Shu Li and Ilio had successfully crossed the great mountain range and entered the territory of the Dalia Empire.

Thud!

Utterly exhausted, Shu Li pitched face-first onto the grass at the foot of the mountain and lay motionless.

Ilio crouched beside him, his gaze gentle as he stroked Shu Li’s hair. “Are you planning to lie here forever, or do you want me to carry you?”

“Carry me!” Shu Li abandoned every last shred of dignity. If Ilio made him walk any farther, he probably would not live to see tomorrow’s sunrise.

Ilio truly lived up to his reputation as the Elven Kingdom’s strongest warrior. His heart was made of stone!

Shu Li had tried to stop and rest several times along the way, only to be mercilessly refused.

Boohoo...

Once they returned, he absolutely, definitely had to complain to the Elven King!

“Come on. Climb onto my back yourself.” Ilio patted his back.

Shu Li whimpered twice, pushed himself upright, and sprawled across Ilio’s back.

Ilio effortlessly lifted the little fellow, adjusted his position, and smiled. “If you’re tired, go to sleep. Don’t force yourself to stay awake.”

Shu Li rested against his shoulder, closed his eyes, and fell asleep instantly.