Chapter 70: The Love of the Mother Tree Spirits Who Disturbed My Sleep.

Shu Li was thoroughly familiar with that ethereal voice.

Every year when he came to the Elven Kingdom for the Midsummer Festival and stayed in the courtyard for Elven cubs, it would appear from time to time.

The first time he heard it, he had been taking an afternoon nap. The voice had lured him into floating out the window and into the courtyard. When he came to his senses, it gave him quite a fright.

After it happened several more times, however, he grew accustomed to it.

The ethereal voice that only he could hear came from the leafless Elven mother tree outside.

Sometimes Shu Li spoke with it. Other times, when he was too tired and wanted to sleep, he simply pretended he had not heard anything.

The mother tree’s ramblings were both boring and pointless. It endlessly repeated that he could save it, yet whenever he asked how, it refused to tell him. Instead, it would drone on about how it had been persecuted in the past.

At first, Shu Li had sympathized with it and offered a few words of comfort.

But it disturbed him every single time he was sleeping. He seriously could not take it anymore.

Right now, he was only a Little Fairy who could not even learn magic properly. Saving the mother tree was such an enormously difficult undertaking that, however willing he might be, he simply lacked the ability.

At the very least, it would have to wait until he came of age, mastered his abilities, and became qualified to play the hero!

Even then, Shu Li had no confidence that he could save the mother tree.

If even the powerful Elven King was helpless, what could a tiny Fairy like him possibly do?

He knew his own limitations very well.

As the old saying went, a journey had to be taken one step at a time, a meal eaten one bite at a time, and a task completed one piece at a time.

Only by keeping a low profile and building up his strength could he accomplish something great in the future.

He could not make the mother tree any promises now. All he could do was keep the matter firmly in mind and help solve its problem once he had achieved something someday.

The mother tree had not spoken to him while the other Little Fairies were here these past two days. The moment they left, however, it finally could not restrain itself any longer.

“Little Sperien... You came a little early this year... I’m so happy...”

Shu Li wriggled farther beneath the pillow. Even his exposed head disappeared, leaving only a tiny opening through which he could breathe.

He had not heard it. He had not heard it. He had not heard anything at all.

When the Little Fairy ignored it, the mother tree persisted. Once it began talking, it prattled on without pause.

“While you were gone... I counted the days every day...”

“When we first met... I grew a tiny green leaf... It’s still here!”

“You should come and visit me more often... The little green leaf has grown into a big green leaf now...”

“It’s the only green leaf I have left! Those hateful villains... They stole my offshoot...”

“Little Sperien, I heard the Elves say... you’re going to live here for a while...”

“I’m so happy... Now we can talk every day...”

“Why are you ignoring me? Are you asleep?”

“Little Sperien? Little Sperien?”

Shu Li crawled out painfully from beneath the pillow, rubbed his aching, swollen eyes, and knelt on the bed to glare out the window.

The mother tree’s voice echoed directly inside his head. Even plugging his ears did nothing.

“Go on, then. If you have something to say, hurry up and say it! Once you’re finished, I can go to sleep.” He gave an enormous yawn and responded listlessly.

Having successfully woken the Little Fairy, the mother tree sounded noticeably more excited.

“Do you want to come and see my leaf? It’s grown larger since last year.”

“I’ll look tomorrow!” If he went outside now, it would be pitch-black, and he would not be able to see anything.

That leaf was the mother tree’s one remaining treasure. No one knew when it had sprouted, but it grew from one of the bare branches and stood out conspicuously.

Every time he came to Crystal Castle, the mother tree reported on the little leaf’s growth and then asked him to water it.

What else could Shu Li do?

Since it required almost no effort, he could only indulge it.

“Then tomorrow... what time will you come and see me?”

Shu Li retreated beneath the pillow and settled into a sleeping position. “After class... Probably around dusk?”

He had come here to study magic under the Elven King, not to play.

His formal lessons would begin tomorrow, and he did not know what time they would end, so he could not give the mother tree an exact answer.

Still, class ought to be over by dusk, and the sky would not yet be dark. It was the most suitable time.

“Dusk... That’s so far away...”

Shu Li rubbed his face against the soft pillow and mumbled, “Good night... And don’t try talking to me again.”

“...All right...”

The world finally became quiet. Shu Li released a long breath and peacefully drifted off to sleep.

He slept without dreaming until dawn. Without Sif, his living alarm clock, Shu Li nearly overslept.

Crawling out from beneath the pillow, he sat there with his hair in complete disarray and his eyes bleary with sleep.

The morning sunlight slipped through the narrow gap between the curtains, casting several soft, warm beams across the room.

Knock, knock, knock—

Someone knocked on the door. Shu Li instantly woke up completely. Remembering that today was his first day studying under the Elven King, he knew he could not be late. He hurriedly abandoned the comfortable bed, flew toward the door, and pressed down hard on the handle.

Click.

The door opened. He poked out his head and saw a red-haired Elf holding a box and smiling at him.

“Good morning, Sperien,” Sayah greeted warmly.

“G-Good morning.” Shu Li retreated and invited Sayah inside.

Sayah looked down at the adorable little fellow who had only just gotten out of bed. Suppressing the urge to pick him up and cuddle him, she placed the box on the table and opened the lid.

“Everyone made you some new clothes.”

She pinched one of the tiny garments between her fingers, shook it out, and held it up for Shu Li to see.

The little robe was made from some unknown fabric. It was smooth, soft, light, and flowing, with exquisite craftsmanship and a fashionable design. Clearly, a great deal of effort had gone into making it.

Shu Li asked in confusion, “But I already have clothes!” The adult Fairies made new clothes for the Little Fairies every year, and Shu Li had bought some himself in the commercial district. More than thirty outfits were stored in his storage ring, which was already more than enough.

So why had the Elves made him new clothes?

Seeing the little fellow tug lightly at his night robe, Sayah smiled. “Just think of it as everyone having too much time on their hands!”

It was rare for a Little Fairy to live in Crystal Castle for an extended period. The Elves were all beside themselves with excitement now that they finally had an opportunity to care for a cub, and each of them was eager to express their affection.

There were sixteen outfits in the box, four for each season. They came with matching shoes, hats, cloaks, and circlets, every piece exquisitely made.

Shu Li scratched his hair. He would feel guilty refusing them.

“Please thank everyone for me,” he said earnestly.

“All right.” Sayah returned the little robe to the box, left the room, and thoughtfully closed the door behind her.

Shu Li went to the bathroom to wash up first.

The room for Elven cubs was large, and the bathroom was no exception. However, after the Little Fairies began staying there, it had been remodeled and furnished with smaller fixtures for them.

Shu Li cleaned himself up, then chose one of the new outfits from the box and put it on.

He had to admit that the fabric was soft against his skin, delicate to the touch, and exceptionally comfortable to wear.

What left Shu Li feeling slightly embarrassed, however, was that they had even prepared tiny underwear.

Once he was fully dressed, he moved closer to the mirror and examined himself.

Sure enough, fine clothes made the man.

This outfit was far more elaborate than what he usually wore. Subtle patterns embroidered in gold thread gave it an unmistakably luxurious air. Combined with the golden circlet, armlets, belt, and anklets, the entire ensemble practically screamed extravagant wealth.

His little flower crown had been transformed into a hair clip fastened above his left ear, where it complemented the gem-studded circlet beautifully.

Shu Li turned around once before the mirror and grinned.

He might be a boy, but boys liked looking pretty too!

Like a tiny peacock showing off its plumage, he fluttered his gauzy wings and flew through Crystal Castle’s magnificent corridors. Every Elf he encountered along the way greeted him enthusiastically.

Shu Li remained nervous throughout the journey, terrified that the Elves might become too enthusiastic, reach out, hug him, and rub their faces against him.

There were no adult Fairies watching them at all times now, nor were there other Little Fairies to share the burden. He was like a lamb that had wandered into a pack of wolves. He had to remain constantly vigilant and maintain a safe distance from the Elves.

Fortunately, the Elves all exercised remarkable restraint. Aside from greeting him, they did nothing strange.

Shu Li secretly breathed a sigh of relief and reached the dining hall without incident.

Inside, the Elves sat at tables enjoying a lavish breakfast. When they spotted the adorable Little Fairy, they invited him to join them.

Shu Li looked around and eventually chose a table occupied by only one Elf.

If he wanted to preserve his beautiful appearance today, he could not squeeze into a crowd of Elves.

He spoke from experience.

Every Midsummer Festival, any lone Little Fairy who fell into the Elves’ “clutches” would have their face rubbed bright red before an adult Fairy finally came to the rescue.

The Elves today maintained elegant, dignified manners and appeared perfectly harmless.

Still, Shu Li could not lower his guard. He would secretly observe them for a few days first.

“Good morning, Sperien.” The silver-haired male Elf wore an innocent smile as he regarded the Little Fairy warmly.

“Good morning... Kolot,” Shu Li said uncertainly. It was Kolot, right? He had not gotten the name wrong, had he?

The silver-haired Elf set down his cup, interlaced his slender fingers, and blinked his pale golden eyes as he corrected the Little Fairy’s pronunciation.

“My name is Galot.”

“Ah! I-I’m sorry.”

Shu Li’s face instantly flushed.

His inability to remember names had not improved in the slightest.

Fairy names were not so bad. If he saw someone frequently, he would eventually remember after enough repetition.

Elven names were another matter. He saw them only once a year and had too little contact with them. Remembering even ten names was already impressive.

“It’s all right.” Galot did not mind. He asked considerately, “Would you like me to bring over some food for you?”

The dining hall had special tableware and food for Little Fairies. In the past, the adult Fairies had taken care of them. Now that Shu Li was the only Little Fairy here, that responsibility fell to the Elves.

“Yes, thank you.” Shu Li sat obediently on the table and waited.

A glint passed through Galot’s golden eyes. He coughed lightly twice, then rose from the table.

Shu Li tilted his head. For some reason, he felt that the silver-haired Elf’s expression had been a little strange.

As he walked away, Galot pinched the bridge of his nose.

This was unbearable. Sperien was dressed so beautifully today that he looked impossibly adorable. If the king had not ordered them not to frighten him, the Elves would have lost control and cuddled him long ago.

After waiting for a while, Shu Li saw Galot return with a plate of food suitable for a Little Fairy and gave him a radiant smile.

Galot placed the food in front of him. His fingers twitched, and he swiftly pulled his hand back.

Completely unaware that he had narrowly escaped disaster, Shu Li picked up a tiny cup and drank a mouthful of sweet nectar, his face filled with contentment.

Galot finished his last piece of bread in two or three bites, took out a handkerchief, and elegantly wiped the corner of his mouth. “I’m finished. Take your time.”

“Oh, all right.” After finishing his nectar, Shu Li picked up a juicy fruit and opened his mouth wide to take a bite. His cheeks immediately puffed out.

He looked like an adorable little hamster.

Galot decisively left the table.

He feared that if he remained any longer, he would be unable to stop himself from disobeying the king’s command.

Fairy cubs were the most adorable little creatures in the world, yet the Elves were only allowed to look and forbidden from touching. It was far too cruel.

The other Elves watching from nearby let out knowing chuckles.

Shu Li pretended not to hear them. He had an enormous table entirely to himself and was perfectly happy that way.

He finished his breakfast with great relish, then patted his little belly in satisfaction.

After leaving the dining hall, he beat his wings and flew swiftly toward the library.

During dinner yesterday, the Elven King had specifically told him that today’s lesson would be held in the library.

Crystal Castle was enormous. Flying from the dining hall to the library took more than twenty minutes. Shu Li turned left and right, flew up one staircase and down another, and passed through several courtyards. He nearly became lost, but with directions from some helpful Elves, he finally reached his destination.

The library doors stood slightly ajar, and it was completely silent inside. °• N 𝑜 v 𝑒 l i g h t •° Shu Li poked his head through the gap, seriously suspecting that the Elven King was not there.