Chapter 88: He grew bigger! The Elf King’s gratitude.

In the morning, the rising sun cast golden light across the mountains, rivers, lakes, forests, and plains of the Elven Kingdom, filling the land with vibrant life.

Inside the Crystal Castle, the early-rising Elves greeted one another elegantly. Whenever they passed through the cubs’ courtyard, their gazes invariably lingered for a moment on the door of a particular room.

“Has little Sperien still not awakened?” Ilio asked.

“No, he’s still asleep! The little fellow missed dinner last night. Surely hunger should wake him soon.” Sayah held a tray bearing a set of exquisite clothes and jewelry.

She was about to deliver Sperien’s new clothes.

“I never expected him to act so quickly.” Ilio rubbed his brow with a headache.

The afternoon before last, he had casually mentioned the elemental essences to the little fellow. Never in his wildest dreams had he expected Sperien to follow the scant clues and travel alone to the ancient battlefield in the north the very next day.

What shocked the Elves even more was that the little fellow had not only been fortunate enough to summon the Wood Spirit but had also gained her recognition and received an immense amount of power. He had advanced directly to Senior Mage and recovered his original power.

Although Elves and Fairies were extraordinarily gifted, none had ever become a Senior Mage at the age of ten.

Sperien was special—so special that even the Elves regarded him with profound respect.

Just as the mother tree had said, he was the Clan of Light’s only hope.

While the Elves were worrying about him, Shu Li was sleeping soundly in bed. He stretched his limbs comfortably and habitually sprawled out like a starfish, only for one leg to suddenly dangle in midair.

Hmm?

Still half asleep, he swung his leg several times, searching for something to rest it on. After failing to find anything for quite a while, the rest of his body began slipping downward as well.

Shu Li’s eyes flew open. When he saw the familiar ceiling, he relaxed and closed them again. He pulled his dangling leg back onto the bed, rolled from his back onto his side, and casually tugged at the blanket.

The blanket came up easily. He rubbed his face against the soft pillow and went back to sleep.

But as he slept, something gradually began to feel wrong.

Had the bed... become smaller? His entire head was resting on the pillow, and the blanket seemed lighter too.

Shu Li abruptly sat up and looked around in confusion.

It was not his imagination!

The bed really had become smaller!

Normally, he occupied only a tiny portion of it and could roll around however he pleased without reaching the edge. Now, when he stretched out his legs, his feet actually touched the foot of the bed.

Moreover, all the furniture in the room had become smaller.

Completely bewildered, Shu Li threw off the blanket and prepared to get out of bed. The moment his bare feet touched the floor, two smooth, naked legs came into view.

He looked down and was shocked to discover that he was not wearing any clothes!

Huh?

He did not have a habit of sleeping naked. Every night, he changed into loose, comfortable sleepwear. Why had he awakened today completely nude?

Shu Li quickly took some clothes from his storage ring. Then he stared blankly at the miniature garments in his palm.

The next instant, he rushed into the bathroom and stood before the mirror.

His face was still the same. The only things that had changed were his height and the pair of translucent wings on his back.

When he had entered the bathroom just now, his wings had nearly gotten stuck in the doorway because they were too large.

Shu Li stared at the mirror and confirmed beyond any possible doubt that he had grown bigger!

Yes, just like the Fairies who had recovered their original power, he had grown to the same size as an Elf.

He cupped his cheeks in disbelief. At the same time, his newly awakened mind finally began working.

If he remembered correctly, he should have been at the ancient battlefield in the northern part of the Elven Kingdom.

Yesterday afternoon, he had ridden Dorei north. After a series of miraculous events, he had seen the Wood Spirit. She had touched the center of his forehead, sending an immense force surging into his body, and then he had lost consciousness.

Now he had awakened in his own bed, and his body had inexplicably grown.

Still dazed, Shu Li rubbed his head, left the bathroom, and sat back down on the bed. He pulled the blanket around his naked body.

A Fairy could recover his original power and grow from a tiny figure into his full-sized form only after advancing to Senior Mage.

This should have been something worth celebrating, but he had no memory of the transformation itself, so it did not feel real at all.

What confused him even more was how he had returned.

Knock, knock, knock—

Someone knocked on the door.

Shu Li came back to his senses and released the blanket, intending to spread his wings and fly over to open the door. He suddenly remembered that his body had grown and that he was completely naked, so he hastily wrapped himself in the blanket again. After checking repeatedly to make sure every part of him was securely covered, he hopped down from the bed and shuffled toward the door in tiny steps before turning the handle.

“Good morning, Sperien.” Sayah stood outside with the tray of clothes in her hands, smiling brightly. Her golden eyes roamed up and down as she examined the young boy before her.

He had always been tiny, adorable, and delicate, making it difficult to see the details of his appearance clearly. Now that he had grown, his beautiful features were fully displayed before her.

His golden hair fell around him in a disheveled curtain, and a dazzling flower crown set with emeralds rested atop his head. He had a smooth forehead, finely shaped brows, a straight nose, fair and delicate skin, rosy lips, and a pair of pure, flawless, pale green eyes.

He resembled a freshly blossomed flower covered in dew and facing the morning light, fresh and lovely.

The boy wrapped himself shyly in the blanket, the tips of his ears turning red. His bare feet nervously stepped on each other without him even realizing it.

Sayah’s gaze softened as maternal affection overflowed within her. She wanted nothing more than to put down the tray, pull the little fellow into her arms, vigorously rub his head, and nuzzle his cheeks.

“Good morning, Sayah.” Shu Li felt uneasy beneath her undisguised scrutiny. He instinctively backed up two steps and invited the red-haired female Elf inside.

After entering the room, Sayah placed the tray on the table. She picked up a set of robes suitable for a ten-year-old child, unfolded them, and gave them a shake.

“Lorian stayed up all night making these new clothes for you. Do you like them?”

Lorian was a renowned textile master among the Elves. Most of their clothing was made by her, including the Elven King’s.

The clothes she created were made from comfortable materials, beautifully designed, and inscribed with defensive magical arrays. In the outside world, they were rare and highly coveted high-rank magic robes.

Shu Li’s mouth fell slightly open in surprise.

Anything made by a master was bound to be exceptional. How could he possibly dislike them?

She had even hurried to finish them for him overnight. He was unbelievably touched!

“Please thank Lorian for me.”

Sayah winked at him. “You can thank her yourself when you go to the dining hall later.”

Shu Li paused, then nodded. “All right.”

Not only did he need to thank her personally, but he also had to offer her a valuable gift to demonstrate his sincerity.

“And thank you too, Sayah.” Throughout his time in the Elven Kingdom, Sayah had always taken care of him, yet he had never properly thanked her.

Sayah bent down slightly and could not resist stroking the child’s hair. “You’re welcome. Taking care of you is my duty. I’m your nursery caretaker, after all!”

She still remembered when the final flower bud had blossomed. A soft, fair-skinned baby had lain sprawled across the flower’s center, sleeping soundly. The moment the other Fairy cubs’ flower cradles opened, they had spread their wings and flown out to explore their surroundings with curiosity. He alone had remained asleep.

Worried that the little fellow had not developed properly, she had cautiously poked him with one finger—only to be caught in the act by the Elven King.

Watching the Fairy cub she had personally “delivered” grow a little more each day had filled her with a profound sense of accomplishment.

Ten years had passed in the blink of an eye. The tiny cub from back then had grown into a young boy upon whom the Elven mother tree had placed immense hopes. The thought filled her with emotion.

Last night, he had summoned the Wood Spirit, who had been missing for ten thousand years, shocking the entire Elven Kingdom.

Twice as many Elves as usual had passed by Sperien’s door this morning.

Shu Li said bashfully, “No matter what, I still have to thank you. By the way... um... how did I get back yesterday?”

“The king carried you back, of course!” Sayah replied as though it were obvious.

Under Shu Li’s stunned gaze, she poked his forehead and began lecturing him. “Honestly, you! You went to the ancient battlefield in the north alone without telling any of us. You were fortunate enough to summon the Wood Spirit this time, but what about next time?”

“I-I’m sorry.” Shu Li’s pointed ears drooped as he readily admitted his mistake. “I won’t do it again.”

Sayah patted his head and laughed. “Hurry and put on your new clothes! Everyone is waiting for you in the dining hall so they can have breakfast!”

“Hmm?” Shu Li tilted his head.

What did she mean, everyone was waiting for him?

Sayah offered no explanation. She left his room and thoughtfully closed the door behind her.

Shu Li breathed a sigh of relief and unwrapped the blanket from his body.

It was warm, and after being bundled up for so long, his back was covered in sweat.

He rummaged through the tray and was delighted to find several pairs of underwear.

Thank goodness. He would not have to leave his butt exposed.

Since he had previously been only an Intermediate Mage, he had not prepared any clothes capable of changing size. Naturally, his underwear was miniature as well.

Although he could transform back into his tiny Fairy form, growing larger was a rare occurrence. He wanted to experience what it felt like first.

Shu Li went into the bathroom, cleaned himself up, and put on his new clothes.

As expected of high-rank magic robes, they were incredibly comfortable.

He transformed the flower crown into a silver forehead ornament, then found the dagger that had previously been strapped to his leg lying beside the head of the bed.

The dagger had grown larger, snapping its metal loop.

Shu Li found a new metal loop on the tray and fastened it around his thigh. The dagger fit perfectly into the side of it.

He also spotted the insignia the enormous lizard had given him beside the head of the bed.

Picking it up, he examined it in puzzlement.

What exactly had triggered that illusion?

Before entering it, he had recited a purification incantation over the basin. His storage ring had then grown hot, so he had immediately taken out the lump of iron.

The lump of iron had rolled to the bottom of the basin and emitted green light. Then Shu Li had been pulled into the illusion.

Therefore, this insignia was the key.

Shu Li returned the insignia bearing the Elven King’s seal to his storage ring, put on his new shoes, and left the room.

“Good morning, Sperien—”

Along the way, he encountered many Elves, all of whom greeted him enthusiastically.

Confused but polite, Shu Li returned each greeting.

When he entered the dining hall, he abruptly stopped, startled by the room full of Elves.

Elves liked rising early, but at this hour, half the tables were usually still empty. Had the sun risen in the west today? Why was the dining hall packed?

Even more surprising was the presence of the Elven King.

During his five years of studying in the Elven Kingdom, Shu Li had rarely encountered the Elven King at breakfast. Whenever Shu Li hurried to the library, the king was already seated behind his desk reading.

Shu Li could not remember there being any special festival today.

When the Elves in the dining hall saw the beautiful young Fairy in his new clothes, they all directed fervent gazes toward him.

Shu Li felt increasingly uneasy. Remaining vigilant, he passed several tables and hurried toward the Elven King.

“Good morning, Your Majesty.” He placed one hand over his chest and bowed. “I’m sorry for causing you trouble again.”

Sayah had told him that the king had carried him back to the Crystal Castle. Clearly, Shu Li had caused trouble at the ancient battlefield, and the king had once again been forced to clean up his mess.

“Good morning,” the Elven King replied gently. “Sit down and have breakfast first.”

“Yes...” Shu Li obediently sat in the chair beside the Elven King.

The table was laden with a lavish assortment of untouched food, as though everyone had been waiting for him to arrive before beginning the meal.

The Elven King selected a fruit and placed it on the plate before him.

After thanking him, Shu Li picked up the fruit with one hand and took a refined bite.

Once he began eating, the other Elves followed suit. As they ate, they kept their ears pricked, constantly monitoring the Elven King’s table.

Shu Li was already ravenous. After eating two fruits and drinking half a glass of deer-cow milk, he finally managed to ease his hunger.

He slowed down and could not resist stealing glances at the Elven King as he ate.

The Elven King put down his cup and turned toward him. “What is it?”

Caught staring, Shu Li nearly choked on the deer-cow milk. He covered his mouth and coughed violently.

Seeing this, the Elven King handed him a handkerchief.

“Thank you...” Shu Li’s voice was as faint as a mosquito’s. He accepted the handkerchief, wiped the milk from the corner of his mouth, and cleared his throat. His pale green eyes rested on the Elven King, but he hesitated to speak.

The Elven King smiled. “You may say whatever is on your mind.”

Clutching the milk-stained handkerchief, Shu Li hesitated before asking, “Aren’t you... going to ask what happened to me at the ancient battlefield yesterday?”

“You summoned the Wood Spirit.” The Elven King gazed deeply at him. “On behalf of all the comrades who perished on that battlefield, I thank you for purifying them.”

“Huh?” Shu Li froze.