Chapter 196: Ace being tackled.

Shu Li was sweating internally.

Sweating buckets.

Sweating waterfalls.

No matter how well someone adapted to another world, their mother tongue would always come first.

All these years, he had continued writing his diary in his native language. Whenever he was alone, he would also talk to himself in it.

His principle was simple: never forget his roots.

Just now, he had been halfway through the book when he suddenly discovered information about the Wind Spirit, and instinctively began taking notes in Chinese characters.

Come to think of it, after living in this other world for eighteen years, he had gone from being hopeless at languages to practically a linguistic genius.

He could now automatically convert the Continental Common Language into Chinese without even thinking about it.

Unfortunately, faced with his human classmate’s question, Shu Li now had to come up with a reasonable explanation.

"These... aren’t the writing system of any particular people."

His mind raced as he organized his words. A shy expression appeared on his handsome face.

"When I first started learning magic, I had to learn Elven. But my memory was terrible, and I could never remember the vocabulary properly. I kept making mistakes. So, to help myself memorize things and learn Elven better, I... invented my own set of symbols for taking notes."

"You invented your own symbols?"

Ace looked at the neat "square characters" on the page and praised him sincerely.

"That’s impressive."

"No, no, I’m not impressive at all."

Shu Li closed the notebook and put it, along with the quill, into his storage pouch.

"I’m actually terrible at languages. No matter which people’s language I try to learn, I’m slow. If Kumandi hadn’t constantly tutored me, I probably wouldn’t even have learned Elven properly."

"Elven is actually the language of the gods. Most humans are incapable of learning it," Ace said. "You managed to learn it through a method you created yourself. That proves you have considerable talent for languages."

Shu Li had been looked down on as hopeless at languages ever since childhood.

This was the first time anyone had ever praised him for having linguistic talent.

The corners of his mouth rose uncontrollably, and his entire body practically radiated excitement. His gray-green eyes seemed as clear as crystalline lake water, filled with pure light.

"Really?"

Overcome with excitement, he grabbed Ace’s hand.

"Of course."

Ace clasped his hand in return, his green eyes meeting Shu Li’s steadily as he gave him an affirmative answer.

Shu Li could not stop himself from breaking into a huge grin.

Then, without warning, he tackled his human classmate onto the bed, wrapped both arms tightly around him, buried his face against Ace’s neck, and rubbed his cheek against him over and over.

"Thank you, Ace!"

Caught completely off guard, Ace froze.

Then Shu Li’s smooth, soft cheek began rubbing back and forth against his neck, leaving him with a strange combination of tingling and ticklish sensations.

After a moment, he raised a hand and gently patted the young man sprawled over him and nuzzling him like a small animal.

A faint, pleasant fragrance drifted beneath Shu Li’s nose.

Only then did he suddenly come back to his senses.

The person he was hugging and rubbing against was not one of the Little Fairies he had grown up with.

This was his human classmate, someone he had met only during this journey.

The Little Fairies were as close as brothers. Hugging and nuzzling one another was completely normal for them.

Ace was different.

Humans had human reservations. No matter how close teammates became, they generally were not this physically affectionate with one another.

Shu Li had become so carried away by the compliment that he had actually tackled the poor guy onto the bed.

"S-Sorry!"

He hurriedly released Ace, scrambled upright, and rapidly retreated.

"It’s fine."

Ace propped himself up, touched the spot on his neck Shu Li had been rubbing against, and smiled as he watched the young man turn crimson with embarrassment.

"Um... I’m used to doing that with Angel and the others. Haha. So I just... Please don’t mind it."

Shu Li edged backward another few inches.

Unfortunately, he had already retreated to the edge of the bed.

The moment he moved again, his butt slipped over empty air and his body tipped backward.

"Wah—!"

Startled, he windmilled his arms wildly.

"Careful!"

Ace reacted instantly.

He seized Shu Li by the wrist and pulled hard, dragging him straight into his arms.

"Mm!"

Shu Li’s nose slammed into Ace’s solid chest.

"Are you all right?"

Ace pushed him back slightly.

Seeing Shu Li covering his nose, he frowned faintly, cupped Shu Li’s face in both hands, and tilted it upward to inspect him.

"I-I’m fine."

Shu Li’s eyes were watery and his cheeks were burning hot.

He lowered his hand, revealing a slightly reddened nose.

Their faces were far too close.

So close that they could feel each other’s breath.

As Shu Li stared at his human classmate’s long eyelashes, that earlier dream suddenly surfaced in his mind.

In the dream, the Elven King had also held his face like this before slowly leaning closer.

Ace lightly touched the tip of Shu Li’s nose with a fingertip.

His voice was gentle.

"Good."

Shu Li could not take it anymore.

He hurriedly pulled free, retreated half a foot, covered his blazing face, and stammered, "Sorry! I can be pretty reckless sometimes. Please forgive me."

If there had been a hole in the ground, he would have crawled straight into it.

This was unbearably embarrassing, seriously!

Ace laughed softly.

He glanced at the mortified young man, straightened the blankets, leaned back against the headboard again, and picked up the biography that had been tossed into the corner.

"You’re fine. There’s nothing to apologize for."

He opened the book and found the page they had been reading.

"Want to keep going?"

"Yes!"

Shu Li immediately sat back down.

This biography contained a tremendous amount of information. There might even be more clues about the Wind Spirit later in the book.

His thirst for knowledge defeated his embarrassment.

Shu Li voluntarily scooted closer to Ace, leaned his head in, and resumed reading together with him.

An hour later, Shu Li began yawning.

Ace closed the book.

"It’s late. We should sleep."

Shu Li rubbed his eyes and nodded.

"Mm. We have to get up early and travel again tomorrow!"

They took turns using the washroom, cleaned themselves up, then lay side by side on the bed.

Shu Li was an excellent sleeper.

His head had barely touched the pillow before he fell asleep. Soon, soft, contented breathing filled the room.

The curtains were slightly parted.

Moonlight flowed into the room like water, light and gentle, spilling across half the head of the bed.

The Elven King, having removed his disguise, lay on his side with his head propped on one hand as he gazed at the sleeping Little Fairy.

His golden hair shimmered beneath the silver moonlight, surrounded by a faint halo.

Time seemed to have stopped.

Everything was quiet and peaceful.

One of the Elven King’s pale fingers lightly touched the tip of Shu Li’s nose.

A soft glow flashed.

The faint redness disappeared.

Shu Li remained deeply asleep and instinctively reached out for the blanket.

He failed to grab it.

Instead, he wrapped his arms around the Elven King lying beside him.

Finding something warm in his embrace, Shu Li nuzzled closer, threw one leg over him, and hugged him even tighter.

The Elven King gazed indulgently at the Little Fairy who had practically sprawled across his body.

He pulled the blanket over Shu Li properly, adjusted their position, and made sure he could sleep more comfortably.

That night, Shu Li slept wonderfully.

Whenever he shared a room with Ace, he always seemed to sleep exceptionally well.

The next morning, Ace woke before him.

By the time Shu Li opened his eyes, Ace had already washed, dressed neatly, and begun packing their luggage.

With his hair sticking up in every direction, Shu Li mumbled, "Morning," then shuffled into the washroom to clean himself up.

The inn’s facilities were limited, so there was no proper place to bathe.

He could only cast a cleansing spell on himself to keep his body clean.

Once everyone had gathered, they resumed their journey.

Although Prunse was a small country, it still took them three or four days to cross.

Along the way, the song-and-dance troupe was invited by locals to give several performances.

Xi Mu was a troupe leader who firmly believed in making full use of every resource available to her.

With seven handsome young men traveling alongside her troupe, there was no way she would let such an opportunity go to waste.

After being sweet-talked by her, the members of the Team of Light somehow found themselves joining the performances before they even realized what was happening.

The Little Fairies were all highly talented.

They could play instruments, sing, and dance.

Xi Mu looked as though she had discovered treasure, her eyes practically shining.

Ace was more reserved and only agreed to remain backstage playing the flute.

Amanda, meanwhile, could not do any of those things. With nothing but his handsome face to contribute, he became part of the scenery.

Whenever the Team of Light participated in a performance, the audience filled the venue to bursting.

Reward money rained onto the stage.

Xi Mu smiled so broadly that she could barely close her mouth.

Nasha watched her happily count the money and rubbed her forehead with a sigh.

Fortunately, Xi Mu was generous.

She paid the Team of Light a considerable share as compensation.

Shu Li and his companions had never expected to earn spending money while traveling.

After that, whenever Xi Mu asked them to perform again, they gladly agreed.

Why wouldn’t they earn money with their own talents?

No one ever complained about having too much money.

Traveling and stopping along the way, five more days passed before the song-and-dance troupe and the Team of Light finally arrived at the border between Prunse and the Central Court.

Compared with Prunse’s border with the Dalia Empire, the border facing the Central Court was far more prosperous.

The towering city gate was magnificent and imposing.

Beautiful stone pillars rose high into the air, covered everywhere in elaborate carvings and designs infused with magical elements, giving the entire structure an atmosphere that was both ancient and solemn.

The guards at the gate wore high-ranking magic robes.

They dutifully inspected every traveler entering the city and carefully checked their information.

Shu Li paid the carriage driver, then got out with his companions.

Nasha had changed into a magic robe in the previous town and temporarily joined the Team of Light so that she could enter the city with them.

The song-and-dance troupe’s destination was the Pross Empire.

Nasha was heading elsewhere. ℯℯ𝑙.

Because of that, once they reached the Central Court, Xi Mu entrusted Nasha to Shu Li.

Shu Li solemnly promised that he would take good care of her.

Nasha hugged Xi Mu reluctantly, tears gathering in her eyes.

Xi Mu stroked her hair and smiled.

"Young ladies need to be strong. You still have a long road ahead of you."

Nasha sniffled and lifted her face, determination shining in her eyes.

"I’ll definitely become a powerful mage."

Xi Mu pinched her soft cheek.

"That’s more like it."

Nasha finally left her embrace.

She looked back every few steps as she returned to Shu Li’s group.

Xi Mu waved casually, walked to the front of the song-and-dance troupe, and led the convoy toward the city gate.

The troupe had no nationality and belonged to the traveling population.

Like wandering bards, they possessed special travel permits that allowed them to enter any country or region.

After examining their permits, the mage guarding the gate quickly let them through.

Watching the troupe’s carriages enter the city one after another, Nasha unconsciously bit her lip.

Shu Li patted her shoulder reassuringly.

"You’ll see them again someday."

Nasha withdrew her gaze and slowly nodded.

Dio pumped his fist excitedly.

"Let’s get in line already! I can’t wait to see the Central Court!"

"Go, go, go!"

Budno bounced eagerly.

"I heard the Central Court has tons of restaurants. Once we’re through that gate, let’s find somewhere and have a huge meal!"

Amanda rubbed his empty stomach.

"I’m hungry."

It was almost noon.

Breakfast had already been completely digested.

Shu Li looked at the two bottomless pits and felt the corner of his mouth twitch.

Then he led everyone toward the line.

Influenced by the cheerful atmosphere, Nasha’s mood gradually improved, and she too began looking forward to the Central Court.

Eight young, attractive Mage Apprentices arriving together immediately drew the attention of the mage guarding the gate.

After checking their magic badges, he smiled warmly and asked, "Are you heading to Saint Vilia Magic Academy?"

Shu Li replied, "Yes."

Angel asked curiously, "How did you know we were going to the magic academy?"

The gatekeeper explained, "It’s enrollment season. Mage Apprentices coming to the Central Court at this time are almost always here to register at the academy."

Most Mage Apprentices, however, were personally escorted by powerful magic instructors.

Very few traveled here on their own.

Eight Mage Apprentices journeying together without an instructor accompanying them was practically unheard of.

Shu Li politely asked, "Is there anything we should [N O V E L I G H T] pay attention to after entering the Central Court?"

Every country and every region had its own laws and regulations.

It was better to understand them beforehand than accidentally break one.

The gatekeeper gave him an approving look.

"Within the Central Court, using magic to injure or kill others is forbidden. Fighting and armed brawls are also prohibited. Anyone who violates those rules will be punished by the Magic Tower. In serious cases, your magic badge can be revoked."

Shu Li and the others stared at him in surprise.

"That strict?"

Amanda asked, "What if people get into a serious dispute?"

He was a little dragon who absolutely refused to swallow his anger.

If someone bullied him, he wanted to retaliate immediately.

If he was not even allowed to fight back, he would suffocate from frustration.

"There are designated arenas specifically for settling disputes," the gatekeeper replied. "Go there, sign a life-and-death agreement, and you can fight however you like. If someone dies, the other person bears no responsibility."

Understanding dawned on Shu Li’s face, and he raised an eyebrow.

The people waiting behind them began urging them to move along.

They could not keep occupying the entrance while asking questions, so they thanked the gatekeeper, said goodbye, and entered the city in high spirits.