Chapter 267: We’ll Be Adults at One Hundred.

With Ace's help, Shu Li regained his footing.

Feeling a strong arm around his waist, his entire body went rigid. Fortunately, Ace seemed to sense his embarrassment and released him naturally.

Shu Li pretended to straighten his mage robes, discreetly rubbing his sensitive waist.

How strange.

He hugged and cuddled with the other Little Fairies all the time without feeling anything unusual. So why did a simple hug or touch from Ace send an indescribable tingling sensation through the places where their bodies met?

Even his heartbeat had inexplicably quickened.

After letting go of Shu Li, Ace continued watching him intently, patiently waiting for an answer.

Shu Li broke into a nervous sweat.

He'd spent so long suspecting that Ace was the Elven King, constantly wavering between believing it and doubting it, that he'd completely overlooked the possibility that Ace harbored feelings for him beyond friendship.

Now that he'd suddenly realized the blond young man was trying to find out how he felt, the scales in his mind tipped decisively.

Ace definitely wasn't the Elven King.

After all, there was no way the Elven King would look at him with such unmistakable traces of affection in his eyes.

"What's wrong?" Ace asked with concern when he noticed the fine beads of sweat on Shu Li's forehead. "Did you twist your ankle?"

"N-no, nothing like that."

Shu Li shuffled two steps sideways, putting some distance between them.

His eyes darted around as he said, "Um... about that question you just asked. I can't really give you an answer."

Ace smiled.

"I was only asking out of curiosity. Don't worry about it."

Was this a tactical retreat? Backing off now to make another move later?

Shu Li steadied himself and decided that stalling was his best option.

"I've never really thought about that sort of thing. After all, I... we're still minors!"

He turned toward the other Little Fairies and flashed them a broad grin, revealing a row of pearly white teeth.

"Have any of you thought about it?"

This was a classic diversionary tactic. By dragging more people into the conversation, he could dilute its romantic implications.

"Nope."

The Little Fairies shook their heads in perfect unison.

"What about you, Amanda?" Shu Li asked the young dragon.

Amanda's cheeks reddened slightly.

With innocent sincerity, he replied, "Our race needs to reproduce, so most dragons are attracted to the opposite sex. Of course, if two male dragons... uh, insist on being together, nobody would object."

Shu Li took a step back and nudged Amanda's arm with his elbow, waggling his eyebrows.

"And what about you personally?"

Amanda answered with a guileless expression.

"I'm a minor, just like you!"

Minors didn't need to worry about such things.

Hector looked puzzled.

"How old do you have to be to become an adult?"

Humans held their coming-of-age ceremonies at fifteen. How was it that these Little Fairies and the young dragon were already over eighteen and still weren't considered adults?

"This many."

Shu Li raised one finger and traced three digits in the air.

Hector stared blankly.

"O-one hundred years old?"

Cindy and Nasha were equally stunned.

"A hundred years... that's an entire human lifetime."

"And that's only when you reach adulthood?"

At that moment, they finally understood just how different long-lived races were from humans.

Ace considered this for a moment.

"Mages and swordsmen live longer than ordinary people."

Hector clenched his fist, determination blazing in his eyes.

"That's right! As long as we keep advancing through the magical ranks, we can live past a hundred!"

Danlov was currently the longest-lived human alive, having already lived for more than three thousand years!

Now that he'd become a Mage Sovereign, he could live even longer.

"If you ever have questions about magic, you can always come to us," Shu Li declared, planting his hands on his hips. "Keep working hard to improve your abilities! Let's make the Light Squad the longest-lasting adventuring party in history!"

"Yeah!"

Hector, Cindy, and Nasha were instantly fired up, brimming with confidence about the future.

Ace gazed at Shu Li and said gently, "I'd gladly fight by your side forever."

Shu Li's heart nearly skipped a beat.

"—Me too."

He didn't dislike Ace. In fact, he liked him quite a lot.

As a friend, of course.

Compared with Hector and the others, his feelings for Ace ran a little deeper.

Ace was, after all, the first human he'd truly grown close to after leaving the Faerie Forest. That made him someone special.

Even if Ace had feelings for him that went beyond friendship, Shu Li wouldn't avoid him.

Ace was a human he could trust, a teammate who fought beside him.

Just as the group was approaching the rail carriage station, a carriage pulled up and passengers began disembarking.

"Seriu!"

Shu Li waved excitedly.

He'd been planning to return to the academy to look for Seriu. He hadn't expected to run into him here.

Seriu wore ordinary casual clothes. His jet-black hair was tied into a single bundle that hung down his back, and he'd carefully concealed his aura. With his eyes lowered, he blended into the crowd so well that he was almost unnoticeable.

The only reason Shu Li spotted him was that he'd sensed the aura of the magical sword.

Hearing someone call his name, Seriu looked up in surprise.

He spotted Shu Li and the other members of the Light Squad and quickly approached.

"What are you doing here?"

Shu Li chuckled.

"We came to pick up an assignment!"

"An assignment?"

Seriu glanced toward the Adventurers' Guild building in the distance.

"Did you find one?"

"We sure did!" Budno exclaimed, gesturing animatedly. "And it's a super easy one!"

"Easy?" Seriu paused. "Like last time?"

"No, no, no! This time we're going to the Magical Beast Forest."

Dixio eagerly explained the assignment to him.

When Seriu heard the details, he was genuinely surprised.

They were going to the Magical Beast Forest to collect twenty feathers from Seke'en birds?

For a reward of fifteen thousand gold coins?

And there were no restrictions on the adventuring party's rank!

It really was an assignment tailor-made for the Light Squad.

Other adventuring parties might be helpless against Seke'en birds, but the Light Squad was different.

They had five Little Fairies and a young dragon. And now that Seriu himself had reached Sword Saint rank, an expedition into the Magical Beast Forest would be well within their capabilities.

Yes, ever since awakening as the Sword of Carlos, his swordsmanship had advanced by leaps and bounds.

He'd gone directly from Intermediate Great Swordsman to Sword Saint.

To test his newfound strength, he'd deliberately disguised himself, put on a mask, and registered under a false name.

Swordsmen were allowed to conceal their personal information when participating in arena competitions.

He'd challenged three Senior Grand Swordmasters in succession and defeated all of them without the slightest suspense.

Unfortunately, there were no other Sword Saints at the arena, so he'd had no choice but to leave disappointed.

In the past, he'd entered arena competitions for two reasons: to earn money and to sharpen his combat instincts and swordsmanship.

Now, however, he no longer had financial worries, and there were no opponents capable of challenging him.

The arena could no longer satisfy him.

"Do you want to come with us?" Shu Li asked expectantly.

Seriu had previously explained that he was wanted by the Black Knights. Leaving the Central Court could alert them to his whereabouts and put his life in danger.

Their previous trip to the Woba Grand Canyon had been brief, and they'd returned quickly enough that there was little risk of the Black Knights discovering them.

This expedition to the Magical Beast Forest was different.

They would have to pass through two small countries, and the round trip would take two days and two nights.

There was a real possibility that the Black Knights would receive word of his movements and intercept them along the way.

"I'm going," Seriu answered without hesitation.

With his current strength, the Black Knights were no longer a serious threat.

Besides, if he wanted to keep improving and refining his skills, he needed to challenge himself constantly.

Taking on adventuring assignments was an excellent way to do that.

As for the Black Knights...

They could serve as the first whetstone against which he sharpened his blade after leaving the Central Court!

Shu Li was surprised by Seriu's change in attitude, yet it also seemed perfectly natural.

Seriu was the Sword of Carlos, the foremost of the Five Swords.

If the Black Knights dared to intercept him, they would be the ones who needed to worry about their lives.

"Once we get back to the academy, I'll ask Ilio for permission to leave. We'll set off Thursday evening!" Shu Li announced excitedly.

Seriu nodded.

After a moment's hesitation, he asked, "May I bring Halis along?"

Halis had been his first magic teacher.

Eighteen years ago, it was only because Halis had protected him throughout their escape that Seriu had survived unharmed.

And in order to look after Seriu, Halis had never once left the Central Court.

That wasn't good for a mage's development.

Halis had been stuck at Junior Magic Instructor rank for a long time. If he couldn't break through soon, his future prospects would be bleak.

Seriu had decided to give him a helping hand by bringing him along on adventuring assignments.

From now on, it would be his turn to protect Halis.

"As for the reward, Halis and I can share a single portion."

"Well..."

Shu Li hesitated.

Adding another person to the adventuring party wasn't a problem.

But how could they ask someone to contribute without giving him a proper share of the reward?

"If that's not possible, it's all right," Seriu said.

"No, no, it's not that!" Shu Li hurriedly explained. "It's just that if both of you contribute but only receive one person's share, I'd feel bad about it."

"Exactly!" Angel nodded. "Sperien's right."

Seriu smiled faintly.

"In a sense, Halis is my man. Everything concerning him is my responsibility, so one share is enough for us."

"Huh?"

A little question mark practically appeared above Shu Li's head.

Perhaps it was because of what had happened with Hector, but when Seriu said, "Halis is my man," Shu Li's mind immediately wandered in a questionable direction.

On second thought, though, that didn't make sense.

Halis had once been a royal mage of the Kingdom of Cecilia and was Seriu's retainer.

By "my man," Seriu obviously meant their relationship as prince and subject.

Shu Li mentally drew a giant X over his own inappropriate interpretation.

Since Seriu had made his position clear and nobody else objected, the matter was settled.

"Are you coming back to the magic academy with us?" Shu Li asked.

"I need to visit the Entlin Association," Seriu replied.

He and his elder sister, Cecil, exchanged messages through the Entlin Association, contacting each other once a week.

Shu Li thought for a moment and decided to accompany him.

Although he'd only received news about Chris yesterday and had already paid the Entlin Association to continue investigating, who knew?

Perhaps they'd found something new today.

Since they were already here, they might as well ask.

Nasha was desperate for news of her brother and eagerly agreed.

The Entlin Association wasn't far away.

They reached it after a ten-minute walk.

Once inside, Seriu went to meet his contact and collect his messages.

Shu Li and Nasha decided to try their luck with the staff member who had assisted them yesterday.

To their astonishment, the Entlin Association was astonishingly efficient.

There was actually new information!

Shu Li was stunned when he received the metal spindle.

"Wow! Sperien, hurry up and open it!" Dixio urged impatiently.

"Hopefully we'll get something definite this time," Angel said, rubbing his hands together.

"I hope he's safe," Budno murmured, clasping his hands in prayer.

With everyone watching expectantly, Shu Li unscrewed the metal spindle, pulled out the small slip of paper inside, and quickly unfolded it.

[Dear Customer,

The gentleman you are searching for, Mr. Chris, spent °• N ?? v ?? l i g h t •° one month causing disturbances in the Magical Beast Forest before entering the Kingdom of Snow. He has not been seen again in the eighteen years since.

The Kingdom of Snow is a frozen country that opens its borders once every five years. As the next opening is two years away, we ask for your patience.]

After reading the message, the Little Fairies all fell silent.

Chris had gone to the Kingdom of Snow!

And he'd been there for eighteen years!

The Kingdom of Snow opened its borders every five years. Chris had already had two opportunities to leave, yet he'd apparently passed up both.

Given his mischievous personality, there was no way he'd willingly remain in one place for so long.

Unless some irresistible force was keeping him there.

"Could he have...?"

Shu Li's expression turned grave.

He exchanged a glance with Kumandi.

"Entered the Snow Mountain Labyrinth," Kumandi said solemnly.

Shu Li nodded.

Only the Snow Mountain Labyrinth would have been interesting enough to attract Chris.

And only the Snow Mountain Labyrinth could have trapped him for eighteen years.

"This is terrible!"

Shu Li pressed a hand to his forehead.

He'd known Chris had a habit of courting disaster, but he hadn't realized the fellow was quite so determined to get himself killed!

Eighteen years ago, Chris had only just reached adulthood.

He'd been no stronger than a Senior Grand Mage.

And yet he'd dared to venture into the Snow Mountain Labyrinth alone, without making any preparations whatsoever!

"When we finally find him, we should tie him up and drag him before Dagmon so Dagmon can give his bottom a proper beating!" Angel declared, his amber eyes gleaming.

Dagmon might be an Elf, but he never went easy on Little Fairies when it came to spanking them.

Amanda clicked his tongue.

"He's really brave."

Even braver than a dragon!

"Reckless, more like," Shu Li retorted.

"Perhaps he had a reason he absolutely had to go," Ace offered reassuringly.

Shu Li's brows knitted together.

He sighed.

"Whether he had a good reason or not, we won't know until we find him."

Kumandi took out his notebook and began writing.

"The Kingdom of Snow opens once every five years. We'll have to wait another two years before we can act."

Dixio scratched his head anxiously and began pacing in circles.

"Can't we get in earlier?"

Ace took out a map and pointed to the Kingdom of Snow.

"The Kingdom of Snow lies in the far north of the Austin Continent. It's situated on a plateau at an elevation of four to six thousand meters. There's only one route up, and its entrance is a hundred-meter-tall gate of ice and snow. The gate can only be opened by activating a unique magical formation."

Hector sighed.

"Ace is right. The Kingdom of Snow is extremely isolationist."

The Pross Empire bordered the Kingdom of Snow, yet the two countries rarely interacted.

Countless merchants had attempted to establish trade routes into the Kingdom of Snow, but every attempt had ended in failure.

The kings of the Dalia Empire and the Pedam Kingdom had been extraordinarily fortunate to marry princesses from the Kingdom of Snow.

Thinking of the Pedam Kingdom, Hector turned toward Nasha.

She was standing alone, leaning against a pillar.

For a long time, she'd been staring at the slip of paper she'd taken from her own metal spindle.

Was it bad news?

Growing concerned, Hector caught Cindy's eye and gave her a meaningful look.

Cindy understood immediately.

She walked over to the pillar and asked Nasha gently, "What did you find out?"

Nasha bit her lip and handed over the note.

Cindy accepted it, unfolded it, and read.

Her eyes widened in surprise.

"Your brother... went into the Kingdom of Snow too?"

"Yes," Nasha replied sorrowfully. "But eight years ago wasn't one of the years when the Kingdom of Snow opened its borders."

The note explained everything clearly.

Unable to wait for the next official opening, her brother had joined a group of adventurers attempting to enter the country illegally.

Together, they'd climbed the snowy mountains, choosing to force their way in.

It was a route from which few returned.

The chances of survival were vanishingly small, and nobody knew whether he'd made it through alive.

Nasha was horrified. ℯℓ.

Tears gathered in her eyes, and her legs went weak.

She leaned helplessly against the pillar.

Cindy wrapped her arms around her and patted her back soothingly.

"Don't worry. You have to believe in your brother."

Nasha leaned into her embrace, drawing comfort from her warmth as she forced herself to calm down.

When the others learned what had happened to Nasha's brother, they gathered around.

Shu Li waved the note in his hand.

"Chris is in the Kingdom of Snow too, Nasha. We can look for both of them together."

Kumandi said seriously, "Rather than sitting around worrying, we should focus on improving our strength as quickly as possible."

The Kingdom of Snow had a harsh environment and unforgiving living conditions.

Without sufficient strength, they would struggle to take even a single step there.

Hector nodded in agreement.

"Of everyone in the Light Squad, we're the weakest. If we don't want to hold the others back, we have to get stronger."

Ace said, "Let's aim to become Mages within two years."

"Uh... two years?"

Hector froze.

"Isn't that a little too difficult?"

With the Fairies' natural talent, perhaps such a feat was possible.

But they were humans!

For a human to advance to Initiate Mage within two years would already be considered extraordinary talent.

To leap all the way from Mage Apprentice to Mage in just two years?

That was ridiculous!

Impossible! Absolutely impossible!!