Chapter 90: Ilio’s guidance is so profound it makes your toes dig into the ground...

Shu Li threw himself heavily onto the soft bed with a muffled whimper.

So tired...

After Ilio had chased him around the pasture for more than ten minutes, Shu Li suddenly remembered that he had wings. He hurriedly flapped them and flew into the sky, finally gaining a little breathing room.

Who could have guessed that the crafty Ilio would use the flight spell from wind magic? With a leap, he soared into the air and continued chasing Shu Li, jabbing at him with the long staff.

This was intolerable!

Throwing caution to the wind, Shu Li fought back.

Even if he could not win, he still had to regain some dignity. Folding his wings, he dropped back to the ground, raised his staff, and charged at Ilio just as he landed with a spirited cry.

Ilio effortlessly neutralized every attack, wielding his staff with ease as he blocked Shu Li again and again, all while making infuriating remarks.

“Too slow. I’m about to fall asleep.”

“You ate so much at lunch. Where did it all go?”

“You’re too weak. Even a mosquito is stronger than you.”

“No technique whatsoever. You’re full of openings.”

“Faster. Faster still. I’m about to fight back—”

Ilio’s taunts ignited Shu Li’s fighting spirit. Determined to knock him down, he used every trick he knew and attacked wildly.

Once Little Fairies turned eight, they began taking combat and weapons classes, including close-quarters fighting, movement training, jumping, archery, swordsmanship, and shield techniques.

Shu Li had studied for two years and considered himself to have a decent foundation. Fighting another Little Fairy to a draw would not have been a problem.

But once his opponent became one of the Elven race’s finest warriors, he had no chance of winning and was toyed with like a helpless chick.

Even a helpless chick had a temper, though. Push it too far, and its feathers would stand on end.

Shu Li employed every combat technique his Fairy instructor had taught him, swinging the staff with tremendous force.

Gradually, Ilio stopped mocking him and began offering instruction instead.

“Attack from the left. Thrust, don’t swing.”

“If you lack strength, compensate with technique. Learn to play to your strengths and avoid your weaknesses.”

“Move faster. Drive your power all the way to the tip of the staff.”

“Pull it back sharply so your opponent can’t seize it.”

“Keep your body moving. Don’t stand there like a wooden post.”

Shu Li instinctively followed his instructions and corrected his mistakes. His movements went from chaotic and disorganized to methodical, crisp, and efficient, and his staff work gradually began to look convincing.

Although he ultimately failed to touch even the hem of Ilio’s robe, he was no longer irritable. Instead, he had grown calm.

Ilio had deliberately provoked his fighting spirit so he could teach him combat techniques. Once Shu Li understood his intentions, he began studying in earnest.

They traded blows for more than two hours and did not stop until the sun had set.

Shu Li collapsed facedown on the ground, exhausted beyond words.

Still brimming with energy, Ilio crouched beside him with a smile and poked his cheek, earning a glare from Shu Li.

Fortunately, the Elven King appeared, and Ilio restrained himself and moved aside.

When the Elven King asked whether Shu Li needed to be carried back to the Crystal Castle, Shu Li summoned his last bit of strength, rolled over, sat up, and cast a silent purification spell on himself to dispel his fatigue.

After returning to the Crystal Castle, he trudged into his room.

Although his body had been purified, he had expended far too much stamina and still did not want to move.

After dawdling for a long time, he finally crawled off the bed and went into the bathroom to bathe. One wonderful thing about knowing magic was that he could create a magical showerhead whenever he wished.

He drew water from the tank, gathered it into a sphere, and suspended it in midair. Then he transformed it into hundreds of slender streams that rained down from above and sprayed over his body.

To make the bath more comfortable, Shu Li added fire magic and heated the water.

The warm water felt wonderful against his skin, soothing his aching muscles.

At times like this, he had to be grateful that he could use Seven-Element Magic. It was unbelievably convenient!

Humming a song, he happily bathed and rinsed away the foam. When he noticed a bruise on his calf, inspiration struck, and he tried casting silent wood magic.

He took out his magic staff, pointed it at the bruise, and silently recited the incantation.

Great Wood God Oroman Pass, command the wood elements to gather around me, heal every wound upon my body, and restore my skin to its original state.

He stared at the tip of his magic staff and watched in delight as green light gathered into a cluster. It settled over the bruise on his calf like an ointment. A moment later, the bruise disappeared, leaving his skin fair and flawless.

Wow!

That was incredible!

He had succeeded on his first attempt!

Shu Li cried out excitedly and waved his arms and legs in elation. Earning the Wood Spirit’s recognition truly made a difference. He had released silent magic with ease.

It would be even better if he could shorten the incantation.

In the illusion, for example, he had heard the Elven King utter only a few words before releasing immensely powerful magic.

If Shu Li could shorten his silent incantations to only a few words, wouldn’t that be practically the same as casting magic instantaneously?

Delighted, Shu Li put away his magic staff and resumed washing himself. Suddenly, he sensed an eerie gaze upon him. He whipped his head around and was horrified to discover a tiny green figure sitting atop the mirror.

“Aaaah! Y-you—you—”

He covered his chest with both hands, then realized that was wrong and covered himself below instead. Deciding that still was not enough, he hurriedly folded his wings around the front of his body and stared at the miniature Wood Spirit in panic.

“W-why are you here?” he asked, his face scarlet.

The Wood Spirit tilted her head. “Didn’t you summon me?”

“I... I didn’t...” Shu Li was on the verge of tears.

“Didn’t you just cast a wood recovery spell?” The Wood Spirit elegantly crossed one leg over the other, her willow-like hair swaying as though it were alive.

At her words, Shu Li was overcome with regret.

Why had he lost his mind and cast wood magic while taking a bath?

Apparently, even obtaining an incredible advantage came at a price!

Boohoo...

“Um... I’m sorry... I promise I’ll use magic more carefully from now on! So... could I please ask you to... leave for a moment?”

He stammered, his eyes so moist they seemed ready to drip and his cheeks as red as a monkey’s backside.

Watching his embarrassment, the Wood Spirit covered her mouth and laughed, deliberately sweeping her beautiful eyes up and down his body. “Don’t be nervous. I won’t tell anyone what you look like with your bottom bare.”

“...Thank you.”

Oh, thank you so much!

Under Shu Li’s mortified gaze, the Wood Spirit transformed into countless motes of green light and dispersed.

Shu Li heaved a long sigh of relief and unfolded his wings. His head drooped, and he wilted like an eggplant struck by frost.

After finishing his bath, he dried his hair with wind magic, changed into fresh clothes, and headed listlessly toward the dining hall.

“Little Sperien, what’s wrong?”

A passing Elf stopped to ask in concern.

Shu Li shook his head. “N-nothing. I’m just hungry.”

“You poor little thing. Hurry along and eat!”

“Mm-hmm.”

Shu Li rubbed his empty stomach and temporarily pushed the bathroom mishap out of his mind.

The moment he entered the dining hall and smelled the food, he licked the corner of his lips hungrily.

“Well, if it isn’t our little warrior.” Seeing the freshly bathed and sweet-smelling Little Fairy, Ilio could not resist reaching out to ruffle him.

Shu Li nimbly dodged. His sharp eyes spotted the Elven King, and he [N O V E L I G H T] bounded over like a startled rabbit, hid behind him, then poked out his head and made a face at Ilio.

Ilio spread his hands and took a seat at one of the tables. With the threat gone, Shu Li emerged from behind the Elven King and respectfully saluted him.

The Elven King reached out and stroked his silky hair. “What’s wrong?”

Shu Li froze for a moment before instinctively answering, “N-nothing.”

Had the Elven King noticed that he was upset?

The Elven King led him to the table and sat down. “If something is troubling you, you may tell me.”

After hesitating, Shu Li asked, “Your Majesty, um... after receiving an elemental spirit’s recognition, will she appear every time I cast magic?”

The Elven King carefully wiped his fingers. Seeing the worry written across the young Fairy’s brow, he smiled. “In theory, no.”

Shu Li blinked. “In theory?”

The Elven King said, “Elemental spirits are unbound and free to come and go as they please. Wherever she wishes to go is entirely up to her.”

Shu Li’s pointed ears immediately drooped.

In other words, the Wood Spirit might continue appearing and disappearing unpredictably.

The Elven King more or less guessed that the Wood Spirit had caused the little fellow some distress and offered him reassurance. “We are surrounded by natural elements at all times. Does that trouble you?”

Shu Li thought for a moment, then shook his head.

Natural elements were like air. Why would their presence trouble him?

The Elven King continued, “An elemental spirit is fundamentally no different from any ordinary element. There is no need to concern yourself with it.”

Convinced, Shu Li felt some of his embarrassment fade. He picked up a fruit and took a large bite.

After dinner, the Elves went to the great hall to relax and enjoy themselves. Music began to play, and some danced while others sang, filling the hall with merriment.

Now that Shu Li was bigger, he finally no longer had to stand on a table to dance.

The Elves eagerly competed to invite him to dance as a pair. While Shu Li was still wondering whom to choose, Sayah squeezed past the others and beat them to it.

Although he was only four and a half feet tall, he firmly insisted on dancing the man’s part.

Sayah cooperated with him throughout the dance. When it ended, she praised him. “Sperien, you danced wonderfully.”

Shu Li breathed a sigh of relief and said bashfully, “Thank you.”

Ilio cut in, took Shu Li’s hand, and asked like a gentleman, “Adorable Little Sperien, may I invite you to dance with me?”

Shu Li pulled his hand away, stuck out his tongue, and refused. “Sorry, but I just finished a dance. I’m a little tired!”

If he danced with Ilio, he would undoubtedly be forced to dance the woman’s part. Absolutely not. Hmph!

Shu Li left the dance floor and sat in a nearby chair. From his storage ring, he took out a miniature silver-white harp.

The harp was a gift from the Elven King. Once its seal was released, it would return to its normal size.

Shu Li softly recited an incantation. The next moment, the miniature harp transformed into a full-sized instrument. It was quite heavy, and he had to cradle half of it in his arms.

A new dance began. He listened to the notes, plucked a string, caught the rhythm, and joined the other musicians.

During his five years in the Elven Kingdom, he had learned many songs and could often play one after hearing it only once. His musical talent was truly exceptional and had earned him great praise from the Elves.

The song was the Song of the Earth, commonly sung during the Midsummer Festival, and Shu Li played it effortlessly.

“When the morning star rises,

The stars of night vanish beyond the horizon.

The darkness retreats,

And the earth welcomes the long-awaited light.

The God of Spring brings gentle winds and fine rain

To nourish the parched earth.

All creation awakens...”

Hearing a voice as beautiful as heavenly music, Shu Li could not help turning his head toward the Elven King, who was singing the poem while playing his harp.

The next line should have praised the great Earth God Hedfis Lofnier.

Shu Li opened his mouth to sing along. He had barely uttered the word “great” when, to his astonishment, the Elven King changed the lyrics.

“Brave Sperien

Rode a Sekern bird into the north,

Summoned the Wood Spirit,

Purified the barren earth,

And saved countless souls who fought for the light.

Brave Sperien,

You are the Child of Light, our hero...”

Shu Li stopped playing and stared dumbfounded, his small face flushing scarlet.

No, no, no, no—

Why did he suddenly change the lyrics?

Aaaaaah!

This was so embarrassing!

He could not spring something like this on him without warning! Boohoo—

So this is what kind of Elven King you really are!

Shu Li wanted the ground to swallow him whole.

But the Elves evidently decided that he was not embarrassed enough. After hearing the Elven King’s new lyrics only once, they had all memorized them. When the second verse began, they joined in with one voice. In an instant, the entire magnificent hall echoed with the words “brave Sperien.”

Utterly despondent, Shu Li raised his head and stared at the exquisitely decorated ceiling.

Just destroy everything. I’m tired—

The moment the song ended, Shu Li put away his harp and fled the hall like a whirlwind. He rushed back to his room, slammed the door shut, jumped onto the bed, pulled the covers over himself, and curled into a ball.

Waaaaah! This was so, so, so, so embarrassing!

He cupped his burning face, mortified beyond belief.

A long time later, once his embarrassment had subsided, he threw back the covers and gulped down lungfuls of fresh air.

After calming his breathing, he patted his cheeks and tried to console himself.

It’s all right. This is perfectly normal for Elves and Fairies. I’ll get used to it. I’ll get used to it.

—As if I ever could!

Shu Li buried his face in the soft pillow and rubbed against it fiercely.

After agonizing for more than half an hour, he wiped his face and told himself it was time to get down to business.

He had fallen unconscious the previous night and had not purified the Mother Tree. Today, he needed to make up for yesterday’s missed session.

Clumsily drawing in his core power, he emitted a flash of light and instantly returned to his tiny Fairy form, only a few inches tall.

His clothes and accessories shrank with him. He flapped his wings, flew into the air, and spun around once, deciding that being small was still more comfortable.

No wonder the Fairies maintained their tiny forms while living in the divine tree.

Shu Li landed on the table, took out his little desk, chair, and notebook, and began writing rapidly in his diary.

Something so important had happened yesterday that he naturally had to record it in detail. In the future, he could show his family the extraordinary adventures he had experienced in the other world.

He filled three or four pages in one sitting before reluctantly putting down his quill. After admiring his entry from beginning to end, he put away his writing supplies with satisfaction.

Next, it was time to find the Mother Tree and purify both her branch and the hidden fruit.

If everything went smoothly, he would be able to smuggle the fruit back in ten days.