I Became a Cub in the Elven Kingdom

When had he ever formed a contract with the Mother Tree?

Why did he have no memory of it?

Shu Li tapped his head, struggling to recall the few encounters he had had with the Mother Tree.

The Midsummer Festival was held once a year, and he had visited the Elven Kingdom only a handful of times. Other than yesterday, all he had ever done was water the Mother Tree. He had barely interacted with her at all.

Could it have happened the first time she summoned him?

He had been taking a nap that day when the Mother Tree’s summons drew him into the courtyard in a daze. He had accidentally touched the bark, pricked his finger, and shed a little blood.

Was that all it took to form a contract?

Wasn’t that far too casual?

A whole row of question marks seemed to pop up over Shu Li’s head.

“No... Why did the Mother Tree form a contract with me? Couldn’t it have been an Elf? Or another Fairy?”

Any adult Elf or Fairy would have been more reliable than a cub like him.

The Mother Tree truly must have been so desperate that she would try anything.

“They tried. It didn’t work.” The Elven King turned his head to look at the Little Fairy, who had flown off his shoulder in agitation. “After all these years, you are the only one who has successfully formed a contract with the Mother Tree.”

Shu Li’s mouth fell slightly open in astonishment.

He was actually the chosen one!

What an unbelievable coincidence!

No wonder the Mother Tree had acted so mysterious from the moment she first approached him, insisting that he was the only one who could save her.

Shu Li had never taken her words seriously.

Anyone in their right mind should have known that a newborn cub had neither strength nor ability. What could someone like him possibly do to save the Mother Tree, upon whom the rise and fall of the entire Elven race depended?

Shu Li knew his own limitations very well.

Ever since he was young, his parents had taught him to take on only what his abilities allowed. If something lay beyond his capabilities, he should find a way to improve himself first, then reconsider it once he had grown strong enough.

That was why he had not become discouraged after arriving in the other world. He had continued steadfastly down the path toward becoming a hero, diligently studying languages and magic as he strove to grow stronger.

He had never imagined embarking on a quest to save the world right now.

He was still far too weak.

Heaven only knew how terrified he had been when the Mother Tree sent him into Dark Elf territory.

He had only one life. He had to cherish it.

He needed to stay alive so that he could return to his original world and reunite with his family.

Now that he knew he was the only one who had successfully formed a contract with the Mother Tree, Shu Li’s feelings were complicated.

Unless she had no other choice, the Mother Tree would never have forced such a one-sided deal upon him. She was like a drowning person who had managed to grasp a piece of driftwood and could not bear to let go.

But had the Mother Tree ever considered that this piece of driftwood was far too small to bear her enormous weight?

If Shu Li had been powerful enough to rival the Elven King, he would have felt duty-bound to answer the Mother Tree’s plea for help.

Fairies and Elves depended upon and supported one another. Neither could exist without the other.

They prospered together and suffered together.

But she could at least give him some time to grow!

Asking him to assume the position now and shoulder responsibility for the prosperity of an entire race terrified him!

The Little Fairy’s pointed ears drooped, and his expression turned pitiful. The sight softened the Elven King’s heart. He set down his harp and gathered Shu Li into his palm.

Shu Li promptly sat down, resting both hands on his knees like the very picture of obedience.

The Elven King gently brushed Shu Li’s hair with the pad of one finger. “You needn’t put pressure on yourself. Let everything proceed naturally. Eunomysis has been corrupted by darkness. Her memories are confused, and she cannot control her actions. Everything she does is driven by instinct.”

“Oh...” Shu Li hesitated.

“The contract will not bind you. If she approaches you again, simply refuse,” the Elven King said. “I have warned her not to place you in danger again.”

“Thank you, my king.” Shu Li’s expression brightened. Clenching his little fist, he declared resolutely, “I’ll work hard to become stronger.”

Although the Mother Tree’s actions had caught him completely unprepared, the adversity had also helped him grow.

For example—silent magic.

At the thought, Shu Li’s eyes began to sparkle. He took out his magic staff and excitedly flew into the air.

“My king, I can use silent magic now!” he announced eagerly.

“Silent magic?” Ilio’s voice suddenly sounded nearby. At some point, he had crossed over from the other side and now stood beside them, smiling at Shu Li. “Little Sperien is truly impressive.”

When Shu Li saw the way Ilio was looking at him, like a hungry wolf eyeing a little white rabbit, alarm bells immediately rang in his mind.

Ilio loved nothing more than cuddling and squishing Little Fairies. Every Midsummer Festival, chubby little Budeno suffered at his “wicked hands.” Shu Li had done his best to avoid Ilio these past few days, terrified that one careless moment would land him in the man’s clutches, where he would be squeezed and cuddled until his head spun.

His eyes darted about. Then Shu Li stared at Ilio’s meticulously combed black hair and magnificent robes and smiled with perfect innocence.

“Would you like me to demonstrate?”

“Of course!” Ilio clapped enthusiastically.

The Elven King raised his wineglass, smiling as he watched Shu Li.

The Elves seated nearby set down their food and turned to watch with interest.

Sayah gazed at the Little Fairy with heartache in her eyes.

To avoid placing any pressure on Sperien, none of the Elves had mentioned what happened before dawn. They all pretended to know nothing.

Although his conversation with the king had been quiet, it could not escape the keen hearing of the Elves.

They might have appeared to be eating, drinking, chatting, and laughing, but every one of them had been listening intently and following the conversation.

When they heard the little fellow claim that he had learned silent magic, they were all astonished.

Silent magic was an ability only a Saint Mage could use. Wasn’t the little fellow making a rather grand claim for someone so young?

Once Ilio spoke up, the Elves could openly enjoy the spectacle.

Noticing the many bright, attentive eyes focused upon him, Shu Li tightened his grip on his magic staff and proudly raised his head and puffed out his chest.

Though the Mother Tree had exploited him for half the night, he had gained a great deal from the experience.

After all, success was found in the smallest details, and great rewards required great risks.

Taking a deep breath, Shu Li raised his magic staff and aimed it at Ilio.

Ilio arched an eyebrow and folded his arms, standing his ground without the slightest intention of dodging.

Shu Li pictured Ilio, dressed so impeccably, with his ornate robes and carefully styled hair blown into complete disarray by wind magic. He could not help grinning at him.

“I’m starting!”

“I look forward to it.”

Ilio calmly watched the Little Fairy.

Shu Li’s expression turned solemn. Concentrating intently, he silently recited the incantation in his mind.

“Great Wind God Wendis Inor, I am Sperien of the Faerie Forest. I beseech you to command the wind elements to gather around me and grant me a mighty gale that can overturn all things!”

Silence—

The natural evening breeze drifted past, gently lifting the hem of Ilio’s robes.

Shu Li pursed his lips.

It was fine. One failure meant nothing.

Hadn’t he also failed dozens of times while casting purification spells for the Mother Tree?

He would try again.

“Great Wind God Wendis Inor...”

After failing four times in a row, Shu Li began to panic.

Why was his magic failing him at the crucial moment?

He really had learned silent magic!

The Mother Tree could testify on his behalf!

To the other Elves, the Little Fairy merely hovered motionless in midair with his magic staff raised, his expression gradually changing from confidence to anxiety.

Had he failed?

What an adorable little fellow.

The Elves regarded him with affectionate smiles.

The corner of Ilio’s mouth curved upward as he deliberately teased the Little Fairy. “Have you started yet?”

Shu Li broke into an embarrassed sweat.

Started? He had already finished several times!

Darn it! The Mother Tree had tricked him!

Glaring at Ilio, he stammered, “I... I really did learn silent magic! If you don’t believe me, watch—”

“Great Light God Laiente Freys, I am Sperien of the Faerie Forest. I beseech you to command the light elements to gather around me and grant me the radiant power to cleanse impurity, banish darkness, and oppose evil—”

The incantation flashed through his mind so swiftly that he did not even need to think about it. It came to him instinctively.

In the space of a heartbeat, the light elements drifting through the night heard his summons. They gathered from every direction at the tip of his magic staff, merging into an orb of light the size of a ping-pong ball.

Under the astonished gazes of the surrounding Elves, the Little Fairy swung his magic staff with all his might. The orb shot forward like lightning and struck Ilio.

Holy light instantly enveloped him.

Success!

Shu Li planted his hands on his hips and laughed triumphantly. “Mwahaha! Ilio, you felt my purification spell, didn’t you?”

A purification spell could not only dispel darkness and evil power, but also clear the mind and relieve fatigue.

Once Ilio was enveloped in the light, he looked more radiant and invigorated than ever.

The Elves who had merely been watching the show all sat up straight at once. Their bright eyes burned with intensity as they stared at the golden-haired Little Fairy, who was practically dancing with delight.

“My king, wasn’t I amazing?” After enjoying his moment of triumph, Shu Li flew over ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) to the Elven King. His pointed ears twitched as he waited eagerly for praise.

The Elven King reached out and lightly touched his little forehead. “Little Sperien is the most remarkable Little Fairy of all.”

“Hehehe!” Shu Li rubbed himself against the pad of the Elven King’s finger, beside himself with joy.

Over the next several days, he flourished in the Elven Kingdom.

He rose early each morning and read books on magic with the Elven King in the library, deepening his understanding of magical incantations. In the afternoons, he practiced by using magic to perform all sorts of farm work.

He picked fruit, cleared weeds, fertilized and watered plants, transported goods, herded animals... He even learned how to milk deer-cattle with magic.

He truly was such a capable Little Fairy!

Perhaps the Elven King’s warning had worked, because the Mother Tree never approached him again.

Shu Li happily enjoyed the peace and slept soundly every night. Occasionally, he would look through the window at the barren Mother Tree outside and feel a faint twinge of guilt.

Half a month passed in the blink of an eye. It was time for him to return to the divine tree in the Faerie Forest.

On the night before his departure, Shu Li went into the courtyard and flew up to the Elven Mother Tree, gazing at the second leaf that had grown on her branches.

“Eunomysis...” He softly called the Mother Tree’s name. “I’m returning to the Faerie Forest tomorrow. Before I leave, I’ll purify your main trunk for you!”

He would leave the severed branch alone. Dark Elf territory was far too dangerous, and he had no desire to go there and never return.

As for whether purifying the main trunk would help, he would try it first and worry about the results later.

He raised his magic staff and began casting silent magic.

Before long, an orb of light gathered at its tip. With a deft flick, he sent it shooting into the base of the enormous tree, where it melted into the wood.

Shu Li cast the purification spell five times in succession, succeeding every time.

When he began to feel mentally drained, he wisely stopped while he was ahead.

During this period, he had experimented many times, but every form of silent magic other than the purification spell had ended in failure.

He was not discouraged.

Nothing could be achieved in a single step. As long as he advanced a little every day, he would eventually make a tremendous breakthrough.

He still needed constant training on his path to growth.

“Good night.”

Putting away his magic staff, Shu Li flapped his wings and flew toward his bedroom window, squeezing inside through a narrow gap.

A little while later, the magic stone lamp in the room went dark, leaving the courtyard illuminated only by the brilliant moonlight.

The two leaves atop the Mother Tree began to sway despite the absence of wind, while a gentle murmur seemed to echo through the night.

The Elven King personally escorted Shu Li back to the divine tree.

When they saw the king approaching through the sky on his unicorn, numerous Fairies came out to welcome him, making the occasion exceptionally grand.

As one of the guests of honor, Shu Li felt immense pressure.

“Sperien, you’re back! We missed you so much!”

The little Fairies cheered and rushed toward Shu Li, surrounding him and rubbing affectionately against him.

Shu Li hugged one, then another, keeping himself exceedingly busy. By the time he had finished greeting all his friends and turned around, the Elven King had already left.

“Sperien, hurry! Come on, let’s go see the eggs!” Angiel grabbed Shu Li’s hand and pulled him toward the plump birds’ nests.

“The eggs?” Shu Li exclaimed in delight. “Are the Sekern bird eggs about to hatch?”

“Aisha said bird eggs hatch after a little more than half a month,” Budeno said.

“These next few days are critical. We can’t be careless,” Disio agreed solemnly.

“Come on, come on! Let’s go watch the chicks hatch!” Shu Li could no longer wait. After calling out a quick greeting to their teachers and elders, he led his friends toward the plump birds’ nests in a great rush.

Once the children had flown noisily into the distance, Siet, Aisha, and the other teachers exchanged looks.

Had the little fellows forgotten that they still had lessons soon?

After flying for a while, Shu Li grew dissatisfied with their speed and casually cast a wind spell to accelerate them.

The wind swept all the Little Fairies along even faster, startling them into excited shrieks.

“Ahhh! Sperien, you’re amazing—”

“What a wonderful spell! I want to learn it too!”

“Wow! We’re flying so fast!”

Twenty-five Little Fairies flew chattering past branch after branch, filling the divine tree with endless liveliness.

Every adult Fairy who saw them smiled indulgently.

When they finally reached the plump birds’ nests, Shu Li’s eyes lit up. He threw himself at Doris, buried himself in the feathers on her breast, and rubbed against her vigorously.

“Doris, you’ve all worked so hard!” he said apologetically. “I’ve been studying in the Elven Kingdom lately, so I haven’t taken proper care of you.”

“Coo, coo!” Doris spread her wings and gathered the Little Fairy against her, not minding in the least. The adult Fairies had brought them food and water, so there had been almost nothing for the children to do.

After cuddling the plump bird, Shu Li went to rub against her four sons, each of whom had already grown as large as their mother. Then he took five mango-sized fruits from his storage ring.

“I picked these in the Elven orchard. They’re for you.”

“Chirp!”

The plump birds cried out happily.

Shu Li placed one fruit into each of their nests.

“Oh, this fruit... looks delicious...” Budeno stared longingly and swallowed.

“I still have plenty. We can share them with everyone when we get back.” Shu Li patted his storage ring.

After serving as a “laborer” in the Elven Kingdom for half a month, he had accumulated a great many rewards.

“Thank you, Sperien.”

“You’re so nice!”

The Little Fairies were delighted.

“Coo, coo, coo—”

Doris suddenly called out urgently and raised her body, revealing the enormous bird egg in her nest.

The Little Fairies froze, then crowded around it.

“Is... is it about to hatch?” Shu Li clutched the edge of the nest, unbearably nervous.

“Coo, coo.” Experienced Doris answered with certainty.

Every Little Fairy held their breath and stared fixedly at the enormous egg.

After an unknown length of time, a tapping sound came from within. The chick was pecking at the shell with its beak. The sound grew louder and the strikes increasingly forceful.

Crack—

The eggshell split.

When Shu Li saw the chick, still slick with fluid, tenaciously break free from its shell, tears filled his eyes.

So this was how moving it felt to witness the birth of a new life.

Before he realized it, he thought of the Mother Tree.

As the “mother” of all Elves, did she feel the same way he did now, filled with anticipation for the arrival of every new life?

“Chirp, chirp, chirp!”

The newborn chick’s tender cries announced its arrival to the world.