Free Web NovelAislin’s written test results were not ideal.
Arcane fluctuations of magical law spread outward from several spired towers at the core palace complex of the Elven Royal Court, forming transparent links of magic that interwove like a spider’s web, covering the entire examination ground above.
【Cheating is prohibited here】
The written test venue was a spacious, rectangular open-air grand hall. Its overall layout was symmetrical along the central axis of the main entrance, orderly and aesthetically pleasing, with neat rows arranged on both sides. ƒreeωebnovel.ƈom
Classic white walls and blue tiles presented a harmony of blue sky and white clouds. The eaves of the hall roof were light as birds in flight. The beams and pillars were of a material like white jade, adorned with classic arboreal carved patterns. The large windows on both sides were all open, letting in ample light and fresh air.
Just sitting in this hall made one unconsciously enter a state of stillness of mind. This was not an effect bestowed by magic, but a comprehensive sensory experience created by the layout itself.
Among the ten elves taking the exam, Aislin was the last to hand in her paper—and also the one with the heaviest expression.
She had never liked reading much since childhood. She couldn’t sit still, so she preferred music and a free, unrestrained life. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have run away from home back then to wander the world as a bard.
If the next Elven Queen were to be decided by a written test, Aislin thought she would probably have to give up. Fortunately, the written score didn’t weigh very heavily.
Fortunately, her memory and intelligence weren’t low.
‘As long as I pass the written test. The final martial trial is what really matters.’
Leaving the examination hall, Aislin saw that the nine elves who had exited before her were all standing outside, whispering among themselves. But when Aislin came out, their whispers coincidentally stopped, and all of them looked toward her at once.
‘What’s going on?’
Aislin’s steps paused slightly as she prepared to go over and greet them.
Sul, however, raised her brows with a smile and took the initiative first.
“What, running into a group of childhood playmates and you don’t even come over to say hello?”
......
On the other side.
Vieya was walking along the stone-paved roads of the Elven Royal City. There weren’t many elves on the streets today—only a sparse few. Of the roadside shops, nine out of ten were closed.
Everyone had gone to pay attention to Aislin and the others’ written examination.
‘These elves are really idle. For a festival, they can celebrate for months before and after, take months of vacation... opening and closing shops, resting or doing business all depends on their mood. Sigh.’
Vieya let out a long sigh. Long-lived races really did have it good.
Why didn’t she ever have the chance to come in and take a look when she was a Hero? The elven race was full of beautiful, gentle elf ladies, and there was no threat from monsters. Maybe if she had come in back then, she wouldn’t have wanted to leave at all!
That aside, if the Elven Forest could always maintain this kind of peaceful, unhurried rhythm, that would be quite nice too.
Vieya withdrew her gaze from the surrounding streetscape. Ever since soaking in the bath with her daughter and having that heart-to-heart talk, she more or less understood some of her daughter’s inner thoughts and worries.
Because of that, she had also promised Jasmine that she would accompany her to bathe together again whenever there was a chance.
Though somewhat helpless, when faced with her daughter’s acting cute and requests, Vieya really had no resistance at all. Without much thought, she agreed.
‘If it’s just bathing together, it’s fine. Jasmine is my daughter, after all... I should spend more time with her, so she won’t overthink things again later.’
Passing through the quiet streets, Vieya continued unhurriedly toward Aislin’s examination site.
When things here were finished, maybe she could stay a few more days.
The area around the examination grounds was packed with elves of all kinds. Yet the air hadn’t grown turbid from the sheer number of them; instead, a faint fragrance of grass, wood, flowers, and fruit filled the nose.
Vieya stopped in her tracks, hesitating over whether to squeeze in, when suddenly, waves of commotion erupted from the elven crowd in the distance.
“See? I told you our Princess would be the last one out of the exam hall! You lost—pay up, pay up!”
“Tsk, you got lucky.”
“Shh, stop making noise. Look who’s here?”
“Who? Did Her Majesty the Queen come to check the Princess’s results in advance?”
“Pah, pah, pah! Don’t talk nonsense. Just turn around and look, won’t you?”
“Move aside... hm! It’s the companion the Princess brought back...”
“Don’t crowd so tightly, and don’t just stare—make some room for others!”
All around, more and more gazes—intentional or otherwise—fell on Vieya. At the same time, the crowded elven mass automatically parted, opening a small path for her to pass through.
Vieya was momentarily stunned, then spoke up to thank them.
“Thank you...”
“What are you thanking us for? Since you’re the Princess’s companion, we’re all family.”
“Right, right. The Princess isn’t good at written tests. Now that she’s come out last, she’s °• N 𝑜 v 𝑒 l i g h t •° probably feeling pretty down,” an elf sighed.
“Even though my vote went to Miss Shaniel, my heart belongs to the Princess,” another elf said.
An elf clicked their tongue. “Then you’re really double-standard.”
“That’s right, I’m double-standard!”
“Maybe the Princess did terribly and is waiting to be comforted,” another elf teased, even winking at the slime girl.
They seemed to be expecting some kind of melodramatic development.
Vieya remained silent, but the elves who had come to watch erupted with unprecedented enthusiasm.
Gossip was human nature—but for elves with long lifespans and scarce entertainment, indulging in all kinds of gossip was also a form of fun, one of the few pleasures left to them.
‘Want to eat my gossip? Keep dreaming.’
Vieya had seen plenty of big scenes. She wasn’t about to be carried along by a bit of attention like this.
Still, if she had known there would be such a crowd of chattering elves stationed here, she wouldn’t have come so openly to look for Aislin.
But now that things had come to this, there was no turning back.
At that moment—
The clamorous elves suddenly fell silent. The entire grounds became so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
“Her Majesty the Queen has arrived!” an elf whispered.
“According to the usual process, this is about the time Her Majesty would come out to say a few words...”
“What a pity. With Her Majesty here, we can’t eat any gossip.”
Hearing this, Vieya turned her head.
She saw a fiery-red, magnificent, and imposing phoenix hovering in the sky, its beautiful flaming tail feathers drifting across the open heavens like ears of wheat.
Dressed in formal attire and wearing a crown, the Elven Queen stood upon the phoenix’s back, scepter in hand. Her silver-gray eyes lingered on Vieya for a moment, then quietly shifted away.
“Let’s go first...”
In the elven crowd, Vieya’s shoulder was suddenly patted. Aislin stood behind her. After glancing at the Elven Queen, she explained,
“This afternoon we still have to go to the altar at Mirror Lake for the Heart Appraisal ceremony. Mother only came this time to go through the motions. Her speech will be very boring. But if you want to listen, I can stay with you for a while.” She paused, then said, “After all, the first time you see anything, it’s natural to feel curious.”
“Do you hear this kind of speech often?” Vieya asked.
Aislin shook her head, then nodded. “Not very often, but whenever there’s an event that requires Mother’s attendance, this always happens.”
While the two of them were talking, the other examinees also paid their respects to the Elven Queen in the sky and then left one after another.
Among them—
When Sul passed by the two of them, she deliberately stopped. In front of Aislin, she shot Vieya a flirtatious wink and smiled softly.
“Hehe, don’t be late again this afternoon.”
