The Ancient Elves had been born directly or indirectly from Gaia, the Creator God, so their language was closest to Creation God Language. Even the languages of the three original gods of earth, sky, and ocean, as well as those of their descendant gods, used the elves' language.
As life in the world grew ever more abundant, Gaia created the gods of death and rebirth. Together with the three original gods, they became the Five Creation Main Gods.
No one knew how many years later, Gaia fell asleep and no longer answered gods or believers. The main gods and their children ruled this land.
For reasons unknown, conflict arose among the main gods. The earth was torn apart, the sky divided, the ocean overturned, and the World Tree collapsed. Countless lives perished, while the authority of the Five Creation Main Gods was scattered and seized by their children.
This eventually formed the present situation: gods lived in the Heavenly God Kingdom, or ruled over the deaths of all living things in the underworld.
"As for the fate of the Ancient Elves, very little information has been unearthed through archaeology. Some say the elves of today are descendants of the Ancient Elves, while others say they were cultivated by the Ancient Elves using seeds from the World Tree. Perhaps not even the gods know, since that period of history is simply too distant. Even the ancient Fire God was only a third-generation god."
Noi spent several minutes giving Lu Xing a basic overview of ancient history.
"Teacher, are you a Half-Elf? Was either your father or mother an elf?"
Lu Xing asked curiously.
"No."
The tall, thin Mr. Noi smiled and shook his head. "My mother was a Half-Elf, and so was my maternal grandfather. By continental custom, as long as someone displays even a trace of elven characteristics, they can be called a Half-Elf. Anne, why do you ask?"
The one-drop rule.
That thought surfaced in Lu Xing's mind. He then smiled and shook his head. "I... please forgive me, Teacher. My memories are somewhat muddled."
The Half-Elf Noi continued, "In fact, like other ancient races, pure-blooded elves are rarely seen nowadays. Most live in the god kingdoms or in secluded corners of the continent, leaving as soon as they are disturbed. For example, the Angel Evil Dragon Lady Vizes killed had lived deep within the snow mountains of the northern border for over a thousand years... I've wandered off topic. Let's return to Ancient Elven Language."
He began today's lesson.
Lu Xing spent some time digesting the knowledge he had exchanged from the Life Exchange System and barely managed to keep up.
His performance made Catherine, seated behind him, feel puzzled. This mysterious fellow was unfamiliar with everything, yet he alone knew Ancient Elven Language?
"See you next lesson, Anne."
After organizing his lesson plans, Noi smiled at Lu Xing. "We have five lessons remaining. Afterward, I will give you a small test involving Ancient Elven Language magic. You can begin preparing early."
"Goodbye, Teacher. I will."
Maintaining the bearing of a Noble Lady, Lu Xing rose and gave a simple salute as he saw him off.
Only after Noi had left did Lu Xing slump gracelessly into his chair, tilt his head back, and stare blankly at the ceiling.
Like a Noble Lady who had been thoroughly played out.
The expressionless maid appeared. "As a noble young lady, you should not behave so rudely!"
Lu Xing waved her off, too lazy to speak with her. Seeing the pure white gloves on his hands, he took them off and tossed them to her. Flexing his five slender fingers, he said, "I'm hungry. Is there anything to eat or drink?"
Who the hell had thought it was a good idea to attend class in a little skirt and gloves? And he had to maintain dignified etiquette, too!
Just then, the system popped up with a notification:
As Miss Anne, you have completed an Ancient Elven Language lesson and received an evaluation of 80 points. You may choose the following reward: spend 50 experience points to upgrade your Ancient Elven Language knowledge to intermediate level. Anne will also receive the corresponding knowledge.
Lu Xing perked up. The system, which had been silent for so long, had actually responded?
There had been no such prompt during Jiang Xuannv's lesson last time. Was that because he hadn't kept up with the Future World knowledge?
Either way, spending fifty experience points for intermediate Ancient Elven Language knowledge was still a great deal, especially with a test coming up.
"Choose the reward."
Lu Xing silently gave the command. The system quickly delivered the reward and informed him that Anne would receive the corresponding knowledge once she returned.
Was that considered a benefit for exchanging lives with Lu Xing?
"Please wait a moment."
Despite her many complaints, Catherine would not let Anne go hungry. She quickly brought Lu Xing a small plate of pastries and a cup of black tea.
Lu Xing asked her, "Aren't you eating? You attended class with me too."
Catherine gave him an extra glance and said flatly, "I already ate some while bringing the pastries over."
Lu Xing nodded and picked up his knife and fork, beginning to enjoy the small pastries.
After he finished, Catherine reminded him, "It's time to change and attend alchemy class." She added, "Miss Anne likes alchemy class the most. Remember to look happy later, so the teacher doesn't notice."
"Like this?"
Lu Xing put on a smile. After receiving the earlier reward, he became even more invested in the task.
"No. Your smile looks fake. It doesn't have Miss Anne's cheerful young maiden's smile. Your expression isn't lively enough!"
Catherine instructed him.
Lu Xing sighed. "I've never even met Anne. How about you imitate her for me?"
He looked expectantly at the maid. The thought of the Cold-Faced Head Maid hopping about like Anne, acting cute and coquettish, was amusing just to imagine.
"..."
Catherine stared at him for a while before finally looking away.
The meaning was probably: You're making things difficult for me!
"Exactly."
Lu Xing spread his hands. "No one can imitate Anne, so stop making things difficult for me!"
"Who was it that shamelessly claimed he was Miss Anne?" Catherine retorted.
"Anne said it."
Lu Xing was not wrong. Anne had taught him to say that in her letter.
"Hehe, did you learn your shamelessness from Miss Anne too?" The maid stared at him.
"Are you calling Anne shameless?"
"No. When Miss Anne says those things, she is mischievous and adorable. You are shameless and despicable!"
"Thank you for the compliment, double-standard maid. But you should know that despicability is the passport of the despicable!"
Lu Xing ended the conversation with a line of poetry, stood up, and instructed the maid, "Take me to change clothes."
"Your despicability exceeds my imagination."
The tall maid with long legs said this coolly, then approached with Anne's white silk gloves. She bent slightly and carefully put the gloves back onto Lu Xing.
She served him with a cold face.
Lu Xing laughed so hard he could barely contain himself. Ignoring her murderous gaze, he calmly walked out of the classroom.
The other maids were already waiting. When he descended the steps—though there were only three of them—Catherine still held out her hand, guiding him down as a maid should.
The changing room was next door. After Lu Xing entered, the maids removed his golden dress and changed him into another outfit suitable for alchemy and convenient for movement: a shirt, vest, and trousers. They also placed a black hat on his head and tucked all his long golden hair inside to prevent accidents during alchemy.
Once he was dressed, Lu Xing stood before the mirror. After the beautiful and adorable Anne changed into this outfit, she looked a little more mischievous and dashing. Her snowy white neck was slender and graceful, and Lu Xing could imagine her riding a horse in this attire.
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