Chapter 220: Shu Shu’s Doubts.

"You did exceptionally well."

The Elven King praised him once more. Noticing that Shu Li's bangs were slightly disheveled, he reached out to straighten them. His fingertips brushed against the little flower crown, which had transformed into a circlet around Shu Li's forehead. A faint golden shimmer seemed to flicker across it.

He lowered his hand and said gently to the Little Fairy, "Go back and get some proper rest."

"Mm." Shu Li tilted his head back but made no move to leave. Instead, he stood there, staring intently at the Elven King's face.

"What is it?" the Elven King asked.

"Well..." Shu Li scratched his temple, looking a little embarrassed. "That roommate I mentioned to you yesterday... He..."

"Your roommate?" the Elven King asked. "The human named Estel?"

"Uh, yes." Shu Li nodded. "He's from the Izera Empire. Not only does he have an unusual name, but his appearance is also... rather extraordinary."

The Elven King smiled. "You admire him?"

Shu Li carefully studied the Elven King's expression but couldn't detect the slightest hint of anything unusual.

Perhaps he really was overthinking things.

Collecting himself, he answered, "Yes. He's a really good person. We're friends now. But... can Fairies be friends with humans?"

"Of course," the Elven King replied. "As long as you treat each other with sincerity, there's no reason you cannot be friends."

Shu Li frowned. "But if I don't reveal my true identity, I'm not exactly being sincere with him."

"What matters in friendship is understanding each other's hearts," the Elven King explained. "Who you are, and whether you choose to reveal your identity, should have no bearing on your friendship."

Shu Li lowered his head and considered this. The King had a point.

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

He bowed respectfully to the Elven King, said his farewells, and left the courtyard.

The Elven King remained where he was, watching Shu Li until he disappeared from sight. Only then did he withdraw his gaze.

"The little fellow seems to be getting suspicious," remarked the Wood Spirit, which had concealed itself earlier and now reappeared on the Elven King's shoulder.

The Elven King reached out and gently caressed a flower blooming on a nearby branch.

A faint smile touched his lips.

"I never deliberately tried to hide it."

The Wood Spirit shrugged and dissolved into countless specks of green light.

When Shu Li returned to the Mother Tree, the first thing he saw was Falm sprawled on the grass, thoroughly fed and content, rubbing his round belly with his short, chubby forelegs.

Shu Li walked over, crouched down, and poked the little magical beast's stomach.

"Just how much did you eat? Your belly looks ready to burst!"

Seeing that he'd returned, Falm gave a lazy yawn.

"Not much. Just four third-rank magical beasts."

"Four third-rank magical beasts?" Shu Li asked in surprise. "Didn't Tarik come looking for a fight?"

Tarik was a ninth-rank white ape that lived in the Amitai Mountains. He and Falm were practically sworn enemies, fighting whenever they encountered each other.

Every time Falm went hunting in the mountains, Tarik watched him like a hawk, as though guarding against a thief.

And with good reason.

Falm had an enormous appetite and absolutely no self-restraint when it came to hunting. To keep the food in his territory from being devoured, Tarik had no choice but to remain constantly vigilant.

Whenever Falm crossed the boundary, Tarik would charge over, roaring and driving him away.

Unfortunately, Falm was exactly the sort of obnoxious creature who would eat even more simply because someone told him not to.

Over the past three years, their grudge had grown so fierce that every encounter ended in an earthshaking battle.

As Falm's "guardian," Shu Li inevitably had to visit the Amitai Mountains afterward to repair the devastated forests.

"No, no! I was very careful today," Falm declared smugly. "I swallowed four magical beasts and ran straight off. I couldn't be bothered wasting my time on that fellow."

Shu Li grabbed one of his horns.

"Look at you, acting all proud!"

Falm grinned, flapped his wings, and escaped from Shu Li's clutches.

"Didn't you say we were going back?"

Shu Li held out the back of his hand, revealing the Fire God's Mark.

"We are."

Falm immediately transformed into a streak of red light and slipped inside the mark.

Shu Li withdrew his innate power and shrank back to his smaller form. Then he flew up among the branches to greet the fruits, rubbing affectionately against them.

When he'd returned earlier, he'd barely poked his head out of the trunk before spotting Islar beneath the tree. He'd completely forgotten to give the fruits their usual cuddles.

After making up for that oversight, Shu Li slipped into the Mother Tree's branches and traveled through the underground root network, teleporting back to St. Velia Magic Academy.

A branch of the Mother Tree extended all the way to his window, making it easy for him to come and go.

Shu Li cautiously poked his head out, keeping half his body concealed inside the branch. He looked around and extended his senses to check the surroundings. Only after confirming that nothing was amiss did he emerge completely.

It was nearly ten o'clock at night, and most of the students had already gone to bed.

Noticing that the light in Ace's room was still on, Shu Li fluttered his wings and stealthily flew over to his window.

Luckily, the curtains hadn't been drawn all the way.

Through the glass, he saw Ace wearing loose pajamas, his golden hair falling freely around his shoulders. He was reclining comfortably against the headboard, reading a book.

Still studying this late? He's so hardworking!

Shu Li withdrew his head and flew back to his own bedroom window, squeezing through a narrow gap into the room.

The magic-stone lamp in his bedroom was still lit.

He wasn't in any hurry to return to his larger form. Instead, he went to the bathroom to wash up, then returned to bed, took out his notebook and quill, and lay on his stomach to write in his diary.

He'd always kept a diary in his little notebook, and even after learning to assume a larger form, he'd never changed the habit.

So much had happened recently that he could spend half a month writing about it and still not finish.

Today, however, Shu Li decided to record the battle from that afternoon first. After all, the events were still fresh in his mind, which made them much more exciting to write about.

He had barely put quill to paper when the Fire God's Mark on the back of his hand lit up.

Falm shot out and promptly plopped his enormous backside onto the open diary.

Shu Li glared at him.

He tried pushing him away with his hands, but the creature wouldn't budge. Left with no choice, he kicked him with his little feet.

"Move your fat butt!"

Falm lazily rolled aside, spread his batlike wings, and began circling the room.

"So this is St. Velia Magic Academy?"

He'd spent the past few days sleeping inside the Fire God's Mark and had no idea what had been happening outside.

"That's right. This is the student dormitory." Shu Li continued writing.

"Not bad at all!"

Falm landed on the soft blanket and began trampling back and forth across it with his short, plump legs.

Shu Li noticed and frowned.

"You. Go wash yourself in the bathroom."

Who knew how dirty he'd gotten while hunting in the Amitai Mountains?

Offended by the rejection, Falm stuck out his forked tongue and stubbornly refused to move from the foot of the bed.

Shu Li fixed him with a piercing stare.

Unable to endure that look, Falm finally gave in and flew toward the bathroom.

Only after watching the little magical beast disappear through the doorway did Shu Li return his attention to his diary and resume writing furiously.

Falm gave himself a cursory wash and flew back out, water dripping from his body.

He was just sneaking toward the bed when—

Whoosh!

A "hidden weapon" came flying at him.

With lightning-fast reflexes, Falm caught it.

Upon discovering that his mysterious projectile was a fresh, juicy little fruit, his beastly pupils instantly narrowed into vertical slits.

"You're soaking wet. No getting on the bed," Shu Li said without even looking up.

Clutching the fruit, Falm landed on a nearby table and happily began munching away.

By the time he'd finished eating, his body was more or less dry.

He crept back onto the foot of the bed, and this time Shu Li didn't chase him away.

At eleven o'clock that night, Shu Li closed his diary, tucked it into his storage ring, and yawned before burrowing beneath the blanket.

"Falm, turn off the light."

He casually put the little magical beast to work.

Falm lifted his eyelids and saw that the Little Fairy had already snuggled comfortably into bed.

With no other choice, he flew over to the table and pressed the switch on the magic-stone lamp.

At five o'clock the next morning, Shu Li was awakened by the sound of the Mother Tree's roots tapping against his window.

"Who's outside?" Falm asked, raising his head alertly.

Shu Li rubbed his eyes, threw back the blanket, and stretched.

"It's the Mother Tree."

Falm was surprised. "You're going to Vanaku?"

Reluctantly abandoning his warm, comfortable bed, Shu Li rubbed his face to wake himself up.

"That's right. I can't interrupt the purification work. If you're still sleepy, you can keep sleeping."

Falm's eyes shifted thoughtfully.

"I'm coming with you."

With that, he transformed into a wisp of red light and slipped into the Fire God's Mark on the back of Shu Li's hand.

Five minutes later, Shu Li poked his head out of the Mother Tree's branch in Vanaku.

The sun was shining brilliantly outside, and although it wasn't even noon yet, the heat was already becoming oppressive.

Shu Li was just about to begin purifying the tree when he suddenly sensed a Dark Elf entering the courtyard.

No, not just one.

He could hear two sets of footsteps.

Shu Li immediately flattened himself beneath a leaf, concealed his presence, and cautiously observed the approaching figures.

Closer.

Closer still.

When the two Dark Elves finally stopped beneath the Mother Tree, Shu Li could clearly make out their appearances.

One was Efit.

The other was a Dark Elf he'd never seen before.

And this unfamiliar Dark Elf was powerful.

Even from his hiding place on a branch more than ten meters above the ground, Shu Li could distinctly sense the dense dark power emanating from the stranger.

The Dark Elf was stronger than he was.

Shu Li quietly merged himself into the Mother Tree's branch, leaving only his little head exposed as he watched from concealment.

Eunomisis, who is he?

He directed the question to the Mother Tree through his mind.

The Mother Tree's roots spread throughout Vanaku. Surely she would know this Dark Elf.

'His name is Etandin. He is one of the ten great elders of the Dark Elf Clan and a devoted follower of Ang Orachiri. Ten thousand years ago, when Ang Orachiri betrayed the Elven King, Etandin was the first to support him.'

The Mother Tree's voice suddenly turned icy.

'It was he who suggested that Ang Orachiri cut off one of my branches and plant it in Vanaku.'

Shu Li's eyes widened in astonishment.

So this was one of the traitors who had betrayed the Elven King!

What was he doing here with Efit?

Shu Li soon learned the answer.

"Efit, the Mother Tree has been producing fewer fruits in recent years."

Etandin stood with his hands clasped behind his back, looking up at the fruits hanging from the branches.

Efit stood respectfully behind him.

"Yes, Elder."

Etandin asked, "You're responsible for counting the fruits. Why didn't you report the decrease in their numbers to me?"

He was clearly here to demand an explanation.

Shu Li couldn't help breaking into a cold sweat on Efit's behalf.

At the same time, he worried that the Dark Elves might have discovered his fruit-stealing activities.

Efit answered calmly, neither servile nor defiant.

"I record the figures every day and submit them to Lord Manas."

In other words, he was merely a low-ranking record keeper. He had no authority to bypass his superior and report directly to an elder.

Etandin turned toward him, his sharp gaze boring into Efit as a murderous aura radiated from his body.

Efit straightened his back, lowered his eyes, and remained silent, enduring the terrifying pressure without flinching.

Shu Li nervously bit his lip.

Efit isn't going to get into trouble, is he?

If this Elder Etandin suddenly lost his temper and dismissed Efit from his position, stealing fruits in the future would become much more difficult.

Efit was steadfast in his convictions, cared deeply for the cubs, and harbored the noble ambition of changing the Dark Elves' current circumstances.

He absolutely couldn't be allowed to suffer punishment!

After a long moment, Etandin finally withdrew his murderous aura.

"The King thinks highly of you. Do not disappoint him."

Efit raised both hands to his chest and bowed calmly to Etandin.

"I will do everything in my power to educate every cub, help them develop their individual strengths, and prepare them to serve the King."

Etandin's tone softened.

"I've seen those children. You've done well."

Efit modestly lowered his head.

"Thank you, Elder. There is still much I need to improve."

"Find out why the number of fruits is decreasing," Etandin instructed.

"Yes, Elder," Efit replied.

Etandin looked up at the branches one last time before turning to leave.

Efit followed him, but after a few steps, he suddenly stopped.

"What is it?" Etandin asked, looking back.

Efit bowed.

"Please forgive me, Elder. I... would like to stay and count the fruits. I haven't finished today's records yet."

The corner of Etandin's mouth twitched slightly, but he granted permission.

Efit remained bowed as he respectfully saw the elder out of the courtyard.

Only when Etandin's figure had completely disappeared did he straighten up.

Frowning, he returned to the Mother Tree and looked up into its branches.

Hidden beneath a leaf, Shu Li held a tiny wind chime in his hand.

It was the "wireless telephone" he'd invented earlier.

When he'd seen Efit preparing to leave, he'd taken out the wind chime and softly called to him.

Efit wore the corresponding "receiver" on his ear. Hearing the Little Fairy's voice was what had made him stop so abruptly.

"Why are you here?" Efit asked.

Not only had the Little Fairy arrived earlier than usual, but he'd also chosen a particularly unfortunate time.

Fortunately, Elder Etandin hadn't discovered him. Otherwise, the Little Fairy might never have made it home.

"I came to purify the Mother Tree and the little fruits!" Shu Li whispered. "I arrived at the magic academy in the Central Court the day before yesterday. From now on, I'll be coming here to work at this time every day."

Efit glanced at the blazing sun and roughly understood why the Little Fairy had changed his schedule.

There was a two-hour time difference between Vanaku and Igya City, where the magic academy was located.

If the Little Fairy wanted to come here to perform his purification work without attracting anyone else's attention, he had little choice but to use this time of day.

"Did you hear my conversation with the elder?" Efit asked.

"Mm, I heard." Shu Li sounded deeply worried. "Do you think... they've discovered us?"

He knew their theft of the fruits would eventually come to light.

But it couldn't happen now.

Not until he'd transferred more fruits to safety and the Mother Tree had developed the ability to purify herself independently.

Efit could easily imagine the Little Fairy's worried expression.

A hint of amusement flickered through his blood-red eyes as he reassured him.

"Not yet. Don't worry."

Shu Li wrinkled his nose.

"Looks like I'll have to speed up the purification process."

Whether Elder Etandin had discovered anything or not, Shu Li was determined to do everything he could to steal even more fruits.

Efit fell silent.

Looking through the dense branches, he located the Little Fairy emerging from beneath a leaf.

Shu Li held a tiny magic staff in his hand and was already casting light magic to purify the Mother Tree's main branch.

That was incredibly fast! And without an incantation? Wasn't that practically instantaneous casting?!