Chapter 5-6: Gold and Silver Elves
Although the empire’s army does boast leaders like Gran here and there, who are both open-minded and skilled, they’re few and far between. From the days of the ancient empire before the Demon Race invaded the continent, the empire has lasted over a thousand two hundred years. During this time, countless dynasties and ruling families have risen and fallen, but it’s always been infighting within the noble ranks. For the common folk? It doesn’t really matter who’s in charge anyway. The question isn’t who the ruler is tomorrow—it’s whether there’ll be food on the table.
The old empire spread far and wide with dominion over all the seas, and there’s a good reason for that. On the flip side, today’s empire decaying into a corner of its former glory? Also got its reasons.
Throughout history, every feudal dynasty follows the same arc—rise, then fall. Nothing lasts forever, and when vast empires crumble, it usually starts from within. The empire? A prime example.
Tillysha highly doubts the competence of the imperial troops. If a horde of Demon Race soldiers suddenly poured out from the Ruglien Forest, these ragtag soldiers definitely wouldn’t stay loyal to their posts, fighting for a foreign land.
It’s logical to conclude that even if the Demon Race has changed its tactics and started infiltrating the Coleman Forest, it’s more likely just small, disorganized groups—not nearly enough to spark another war.
But what’s changing internally within Ruglien is still quite intriguing.
Tillysha is keen to take a look herself, but her team isn’t fully assembled yet. And truth be told, she’s not exactly the impatient type. After much deliberation, she decides to table the matter for now and focus on other things.
After dinner in the cafeteria, and grabbing extra meals for Yimi and Aistride, Tillysha heads back to Crown Manor with a small bag gifted by the cafeteria.
Since both recipients are elves, it’s easy: elves don’t need much variety in their meals. Vegetables and salad suffice for most. Some are so particular they even disdain the oil in salads, preferring plain vegetables and dew to quench their thirst. Living like fairies, you might say.
Tillysha? She doesn’t relate to that lifestyle. To her, there’s no point in depriving yourself of the finer things, like good food or sound sleep. Life’s enjoyment shouldn’t feel punitive—it’s the opposite of what truly matters, isn’t it?
Since elves rarely gain weight, there’s no need to worry about their diet. That gives Tillysha the freedom to indulge without remorse.
There are slight differences between elf and human taste, but nothing glaring. If humans think something is delicious, elves likely won’t find it disagreeable.
Thinking of desserts, Tillysha grabbed her friends some blueberry pastries they adore—one for Aistride and another for Yimi.
“Home sweet home!” Stepping inside and kicking off her shoes, Tillysha notices an unfamiliar pair of tiny sandals sitting by the door.
Considering the size, is it Wenfu? But she rarely wore sandals, even in the hottest days, sticking instead to her classic loafers paired with white thigh-high socks.
Fashions change, after all. And starting the new semester means new clothes and new shoes to match the fresh look. Wenfu’s early return is welcome. Tillysha’s tired of the cafeteria crowds every day.
Although Coleman Academy’s dining facilities aren’t as crowded as the massive lines from her past life’s memories, eating at home would simply be better. Plus, nothing beats having meals delivered to your study room by a certain cat-eared maid, who will wait quietly, hands folded, a blissful smile on her face as you enjoy your meal.
Do you even know the value of a cat-eared maid?!!
However, upon entering, no familiar figure greeted her in the hall with the customary “Tillysha sister is back, meow?”
Her arrival went unnoticed, as two tiny figures stared each other down in the living room.
She’d noticed earlier during her outing that an uninvited guest had slipped into the house.
On the couch sat two little elf girls, one with golden hair and the other silver. They glared at each other fiercely from across the room, their little feet dangling in the air since neither was tall enough to reach the ground. Each had crossed their tiny arms over nonexistent chest bumps, looking very much like pint-sized adults.
Faced with this scene, Tillysha chose not to disrupt their tense silence just yet. She instead headed upstairs quietly, bringing Aistride’s meal to her room, knocking gently to get her attention.
From inside, Tillysha heard some rustling. Sounds like someone rolling around on soft bedding—probably Aistride sprawled across her bed, rolling around like a happy cucumber.
It wasn’t a dignified image for a princess, but it painted a vivid picture in Tillysha’s mind nonetheless.
“I’m back, Yimi! Time for dinner!” She announced downstairs, finally breaking the silence.
“There’s an extra portion here too. If Miss Sophia hasn’t eaten dinner, she could come taste it,” she offered.
At the sound of her voice, the pair turned their gazes to her. Yimi remained calm, but Sophia looked noticeably startled, her eyes widening at the sight of Tillysha’s pointed ears—a clear elf trait.
“Extra? What extra? Don’t play innocent—it’s all for me!” Yimi snapped, unusually short-fused, clearly miffed. We only have three people in our dorm, after all.”
“Missing all first semester and then showing up in second, who’d expect a wood elf would be so cheeky,” Sophia muttered, rolling her lips.
“Hmph,” Yimi shot back, her tone dripping with derision. “And how would you know what a wood elf is?”
“How dare you call me a wood elf?” The golden-haired elf finally cracked a slight smile, but it was more scornful than amused.
“Says who?”
“Only a backwater elf would mistake me for a wood elf,” Yimi said mockingly, shaking her head pitilessly. “So ignorant of the world.”
“Are you calling me backwater?!”
“It stands right before your eyes!” Yimi tilted her head, face expressionless but with a gleam of mischief in her eyes.
“Ugh… that annoying blond elf!”
“Can’t even differentiate between yellow and gold, proving your ignorance. Were I you, I’d refrain from speaking to keep from exposing my own inadequacy,” she teased.
“Less worrying about filling your stomach and more about enlightening your mind,” Yimi said snarkily, crossing her delicate legs, her cruel wit gleaming.
Proving that an education can come in handy during verbal sparring, Sophia was speechless.
“You’re no gold, are you?” Sophia finally broke her silence, looking over at the golden-haired girl and her elegant white elven ears.
“I see you’ve caught on now,” Yimi taunted, her foot lightly kicking her slippers while resting her chin on her hand.
“Miss Tillysha… are you a… gold elf?” Sophia asked carefully.
“Yes,” Tillysha confirmed. “And I apologize for not telling you sooner. But I am a gold elf, no doubt.”
“Then the one who saved me from the orcs at the start of the last semester… that was you before your awakening?”
“Yes. No denying it.”
“Why… why the secrecy?” Sophia asked, lowering her head. She’d suspected but hadn’t been ready for this revelation, especially coming from Tillysha, her fellow elf.
“It’s a long story, and it involves some personal matters,” Tillysha deflected tactfully.
“Did your sister know?”
“She did. Quite early on.”
“Why didn’t she tell me?!” Sophia demanded.
“Because I asked her not to speak to anyone about it. She’s kept her word well.”
“Why could she be told, but not me? It wasn’t easy tracking down my mysterious benefactor!”
“You knew it was me later. And you acted like you didn’t, teasing me for fun?” Sophia’s tone was accusing.
“Such childishness,” Yimi interjected, rolling her eyes.
“Blah!” Sophia turned her glare. “You talk about being childish, but you’re just another unawakened elf!”
“I’m not an unawakened elf!” Yimi snapped, her voice biting.
“If you’re not unawakened, what are you?”
“Only someone hopelessly clueless could mistake me for an average elf. Typical of an inexperienced country bumpkin.”
“You country bumpkin—”
“Now you see what I mean? Close enough.”
“Why tell her and not me?” Sophia pouted sulkily, still annoyed. “It took me ages to find my rescuer!”
“Because I felt like it,” Yimi answered dismissively.
“You’re only annoyed because she can call on her sister, while you got nothing,” Sophia shot back.
“Respect the elders!” Yimi scolded haughtily.
“Who’s the elder here? Aren’t we both kids?” Sophia retorted.
“And don’t you know about spirit magic? Not all of us are cut out for awakenings!”
“Born in the Sage’s Forest? I was still a baby back when we lived in the Elders’ Forest. You’re younger than you think.”
“Shut up! Who are you to talk age when you’re practically the same size as me?” Sophia shot back.
At that remark, Yimi tensed visibly. A vein popped in her forehead.
Tillysha noted this and tried not to laugh.
At over four hundred years old, Yimi was technically still young by elf standards, but by human ones quite an adult. And yet her behavior? Pure child.
Maybe all those books were the only evidence of her four hundred years. Or maybe she’d lost parts of her memory and acted accordingly.
“Do you have any idea what respect is, you moon elf upstart?”
“You’re in no position to lecture anyone on manners, fellow kid.”
“At least I’ll grow taller. You’ll forever be a munchkin!”
That comment lit the powder keg.
“Cheeky moon elves! What do you know about leadership? If the tiger leaves the forest, the monkeys come out to play!”
“You monkeys don’t know anything! If you’d listened back then and followed us, we wouldn’t have claimed the throne!”
“Daughter of a usurper, aren’t you?” Yimi scoffed.
“Take that back about my father and sister!”
“Just stating facts.”
Tillysha watched the pair, amused despite herself. Sophia was excused for her tantrums, but Yimi?
“Enough! I’ll make you eat those words today!” Sophia shouted, lunging across the couch and tackling Yimi. Tiny fists began flying, Yimi struggling under the assault.
Four hundred years of life and she still couldn’t handle a younger, unawakened opponent. Embarrassing.
Tillysha watched the scuffle with a smirk, refraining from intervening.
“Apologize to my elder sister!”
“Never! Child, you’ll apologize to me first!”
“Take that back! I’ll teach you some manners!” Sophia’s hands dove for Yimi’s ticklish spots, eliciting shrieks of laughter.
These two were utterly ridiculous.
Unable to contain it any longer, Tillysha chuckled, watching the spectacle before her.
