129~ Crown Team Enrollment Application
On the third day of staying in the grand villa, it was finally a day when no one came to bother her.
After finishing her book, during the leisure time at noon, Tillysha played with the crown gem in her hand, her eyes gleaming with mysterious light.
She initiated a self-inspection.
Since awakening her realm and going through the Crown Cup battle, Tillysha discovered that apart from the Divine Authority “Emerald Heavenly Fragrance,” none of her other Divine Authorities or realms showed any signs of upgrading.
Her realm “Sacred Tree Shelter” was still at LV1, “Holy Oblivion – Blade of Destruction and Creation” was similarly stagnant. As for the “Realm of the Collective Forest Authority,” this Divine Authority couldn’t be upgraded, and Tillysha couldn’t even figure out how to improve it further.
She stared at her delicate hands, attempting to call forth light elements to form a knight’s light sword but received no response whatsoever.
After materializing “Holy Oblivion,” all its functions were sealed off with a cooldown of five days. Even today, Tillysha wasn’t back to normal.
As for “Realm of the Collective Forest Authority,” its release conditions were harsh, and the consumption was significant, but not to the extreme where it took days to recover after use.
During these days of leisure, Tillysha didn’t slack off. She spent ample time studying and realized she hadn’t thoroughly comprehended her realms and Divine Authorities.
For instance, why had only “Emerald Heavenly Fragrance” upgraded while the others stagnated?
The greatest advantage of staying in the Crown Villa was its built-in library, filled with numerous books related to Divine Authorities and realms.
Tillysha learned from the Divine Maid textbook that the levels of Divine Maid realms and Divine Authorities were independent yet interdependent.
In simple terms, the level of Divine Authority couldn’t exceed the realm level by too much, generally hovering around the realm level. If the realm stopped growing, the Divine Authority would soon follow suit. So far, although “Emerald Heavenly Fragrance” had exceeded the realm level, it wouldn’t exceed by much and would soon face the inability to upgrade.
To hone Divine Authority, one must first elevate the realm level. According to the books, the realm level required proficiency; the more you use it, the more proficiency you gain, leading to an upgrade. Once you reached the limit of a level, you must “Break Shackles” to continue upgrading, and the same principle applied to Divine Authorities.
The lower the level of realms and Divine Authorities, the easier it was to upgrade. Tillysha found it hard to believe that her realm’s stagnation was simply due to the high proficiency required.
As she anticipated, there were indeed other reasons for the inability to further upgrade her realm and Divine Authority levels, and the key lay in the gemstone in her hand.
This gemstone, a bonus for winning the Crown Cup, was purportedly found in a mountain range, though Tillysha remained uncertain how it ended up in the treasure vault of Coleman Academy.
Ever since obtaining the gemstone, Tillysha had felt an inexplicable sense of affinity with it, as if the gemstone inherently belonged to her.
Upon touching it, she felt a strange yet familiar force flowing into her body, like drying rivers being revitalized.
The energy slowly diminished, and Tillysha couldn’t help but feel that the gemstone’s color and luster had dimmed significantly.
She didn’t understand the reason, but she sensed that it might be related to her realm.
When the energy finally faded, the gemstone’s luster was noticeably dimmer.
Tillysha, feeling differently, reopened her internal inspection panel and discovered a purple gemstone similar to the crown gemstone embedded within her realm. Moreover, the level number after the realm section had changed from LV1 to LV10.
This discovery shocked her and confirmed her speculation. The stagnation of her realm and Divine Authority wasn’t due to insufficient proficiency but rather because her realm had a unique promotion method.
Had her realm level increased? Did this mean that the gemstone’s latent energy had been absorbed by herself?
Fiddling with the purple gem, Tillysha found no other changes except for its dimmed luster.
Its mass hadn’t decreased; it was still as heavy as before, revealing no visible differences.
“Ding-dong~” A pleasant doorbell rang. Glancing at the wall clock, Tillysha stood up.
It must be her.
The shattered wall had been hastily repaired last night. According to the agreement, she should be here.
After tidying herself up, Tillysha, holding the crown gemstone, stepped out into the courtyard.
“Your Highness Tillysha, good morning…” Litte hesitated, slightly shrinking back as she greeted Tillysha at the door.
“Good morning, Miss Litte.”
“So, as we agreed yesterday…” Tillysha handed the crown gem to Litte. “A masterpiece weapon is promised, isn’t it?”
“I understand. If the weapon is for you, Your Highness, it doesn’t matter…” Litte muttered, taking the gem.
“No, I don’t need it. I already said it’s not for me to use.”
“Show some sincerity in apologizing.”
“I understand.”
Litte’s father was an exceptionally skilled Elf craftsman, though Tillysha wasn’t clear about the extent of his abilities, information inadvertently revealed yesterday during Litte’s ‘repentance.’
The crown gem itself was a refined gem used for forging. Given its function, any competent craftsman could produce a decent outcome, and a highly skilled one could add even more flair.
Since it was an apology, take advantage when possible.
“So, what kind of weapon would you like forged, Your Highness?”
“Firearm.” Tillysha replied without hesitation.
A Divine Maiden capable of forging her own weapons, except for bows, didn’t need any other weapon. It was better to give this opportunity to someone without offensive capabilities.
“Firearm?? Are you sure you want to forge that, Your Highness?” Litte hesitated.
“What’s wrong? Impossible? Or perhaps Miss Litte’s father lacks experience in forging firearms?”
“Not at all. My father is a renowned craftsman of the Elf clan. There’s no weapon he hasn’t seen, and forging a firearm would definitely not be a problem. However, firearms might not be very practical, Your Highness. Are you sure you want to forge one?”
“Um, I’m sure.”
“Anything special you require?”
“Requirements? It should be both practical and aesthetically pleasing.” Tillysha considered.
“Eh? Is that too much to ask?”
“Not at all!” Litte shook her head vigorously. “On the contrary, this is the bare minimum requirement for an Elf craftsman.”
“Then stick to the minimum requirements.”
“Alright, I understand… Actually, even without the apology, Your Highness could come to me to forge weapons. Your Highness could make even more excessive demands.” Litte whispered, then left reluctantly with the crown gem.
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Tower of Sages
“Elder, I believe Princess Tillysha has no intention so far to replace the Divine Son. Let’s not delve further into this matter…” Litte held the crown gem, standing and gazing at the sky, her eyes slightly dazed, as if her soul had wandered elsewhere.
“Is that so.” Didelai stood up with his staff.
Elves are ultimately cautious of outsiders. But Tillysha’s reaction made him realize that being forceful in this matter would only backfire.
“Additionally, Princess Aistride also indicated yesterday that she intends to join Dillin’s team.”
“………..” Didelai shook his head. At this moment, he felt a spark of doubt.
Living for an extended period, he understood that everything in this world has premonitions, and fate is indeed a reality. Most of the time, ordinary people can only do their best and leave the rest to fate.
Having such a connection with so many esteemed members of the Elf Royalty, and even earning their favor, isn’t something that can be achieved merely by sweet-talking.
Perhaps, this human named Dillin, has something special?
Maybe, he has deep connections with the Elf Clan? After all, why would he attract two noble Elf Princesses?
This was merely Didelai’s speculation and could not be confirmed. Much like what Litte said, these matters he wouldn’t delve further into. Continuing to bother them would likely annoy Tillysha.
Let things happen as they may. Surely, the insight and vision of the Elf Holy Maid and Royalty far surpass him, an old man, and they wouldn’t be wrong.
As for Litte, she’s currently not thinking about anything else, her mind full of worry whether Tillysha would hate her. If Tillysha did hate her, what should she do next?
Suddenly, she feels as though the joy and hope of an Elf’s life have disappeared.
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Two days remained until the official start of school. By this point, most of the students had received the news.
Upon hearing that the Crown Team had already moved into the Crown Villa, instantly outside the villa was besieged by large crowds… Ah, no, it should be described as surrounded by a bustling and noisy crowd.
Out of all the people surrounding the place, only a few older students were spectating; the majority were new students, their purpose obvious.
Seeing this scene the first thing in the morning, Dillin couldn’t help but let out a cold sweat.
After a quick morning wash, he headed toward the door.
“Cough! Everyone, please be quiet!” Dillin shouted toward the crowd.
“Eh? Where’s Miss Tillysha?”
“Why is only a male voice heard? Where is Lady Tillysha?” However, it became apparent that a simple shout couldn’t pacify the restless crowd. On hearing a male voice from within the compound, the crowd grew even noisier.
“Alright, listen up! Were all here because you came to apply for the team, correct?”
“Unfortunately, everyone, our team’s roster is full! From this moment forward, we will not accept any further applications. Please, all of you, return. On behalf of Tillysha, she offers you all her best wishes, hoping you all find your new teammates and have a joyful bonding!”
“What?! Full already?”
“Aw, dang. I just missed it by a step…”
Not not not, it’s not that you came late; I wasn’t about to let you join anyway.
Dillin muttered to himself silently.
Of course, there were still some who doubted and refused to believe, insisting that Dillin didn’t have the authority to represent Tillysha. They demanded that Dillin open the door so they could speak directly to Tillysha.
The deafening noise of the crowd outside was almost bursting Dillin’s eardrums.
Dillin remained silent, silently retrieving his hair ornament and placing it on his side. The golden-haired Elf maiden opened her emerald eyes.
Silently retreating to her room, she took down the large bow hanging on her door, gazing at the noisy scene outside the window, her smile gradually fading.
“Indeed noisy and unruly.”
She spoke to the window, her luminous wings spreading, releasing the tensed string of her bow.
“Swoosh swoosh swoosh!”
“Ouch?!” A sharp whistling sound split through the sky, shattering the empty ground in front of the courtyard.
Instantly, the clamorous crowd fell silent.
Everyone recognized this as Tillysha’s light arrow, with a gray piece of paper tied at the end of it.
They all knew this was the master’s final expulsion order.
Even though they were reluctant to accept this fact, they had no choice but to slink away, disheartened.
However, Tillysha’s farewell arrow did have some positive impacts. Some of the disheartened newcomers, seeing that Tillysha’s team was full, immediately found like-minded individuals and formed their own teams right at her doorstep.
Within a short time, all the newcomers disappeared.
Outside the yard, it finally grew quiet. Tillysha massaged her temples, feeling a headache coming on.
That earlier clamor had truly been unbearable to her pointed ears.
Removing her hair ornament, she returned to her study. She looked at the two team application forms delivered a few days ago and the team registration form she had just received from the school staff.
This team must consist of four people. So far, there were no better choices, and neither Aistride nor Princess Filisia had any issues with their character, so it would be them.
Thus, Dillin, as the team captain, signed his name on Aistride’s and Princess Filisia’s application forms, filling out the required information for the team registration.
The team information included mostly the records of the members, establishment time, team slogan, team creed, and the name of the team, among other similar details.
These were the most frustrating things for Dillin, especially coming up with a team name. He was notoriously bad at naming things.
