Misunderstanding

"As the royal family of the Elven Kingdom, we had always taken the initiative in shouldering wars against external enemies."

"Two thousand years ago, the elves split into three kingdoms, ruled respectively by the Silver Moon Elves, Wood Elves, and Dark Moon Elves."

"In fact, after the Elven Dynasty split into three Elven Kingdoms, our Silver Moon Elf Kingdom did not grow stronger. For nearly the next fifteen hundred years, we were constantly at war with the Naga Sea Clan of the Endless Sea."

"Eight hundred years ago, the previous Silver Moon Elf King formed an alliance with the humans of the Grimm Empire on the Roland Continent across the sea, and only then did we barely drive the Naga back into the deep sea."

"From that time onward, we signed a non-aggression treaty with the Naga Sea Clan concerning the coastal waters, and it has remained in effect to this day."

"So, the modern history we study mainly covers the period from the Elven Dynasty's split two thousand years ago to the end of the war with the Naga Sea Clan seven hundred years ago."

"During that period, our civilization not only failed to advance, but actually showed signs of decline."

"We study this history in the hope that one day, history will not repeat itself."

"I know that most of you students below are Silver Moon Elves, though there are also many Half-Elves. Today, as we sit here together to study this history, I hope you can understand why the Elven Dynasty ultimately headed toward ruin amid the changing tides of its era."

The beautiful elf teacher standing at the podium was a Silver Moon Elf noble. She wore an elegant, exquisitely tailored white gauze dress that drew the eyes of nearly every male student in the classroom.

In the first lesson, she gave an overview of what would be covered over the coming semester.

However, she did not introduce herself. She simply walked up and began lecturing, speaking nonstop until class ended, then tossed her long silver hair and strode away...

There was not even a chance for the students to ask questions afterward, making Roy feel that this History Teacher had quite the personality.

Roy left the large classroom through the side door with the crowd. The elf students chatted about the beautiful teacher from history class as they walked, but Roy did not join the Half-Elf groups and headed out alone.

Walking through the crowded corridor, Roy had to carefully avoid the young elves hurrying past.

The break between classes was short. Some students needed to cross the entire Teaching Building to reach classrooms on the other side, so everyone was in a rush.

Roy only needed to climb to the third floor and head to the geography classroom without chairs, so he was not in much of a hurry.

One side of the corridor was lined with arched pillars, while the other was covered with portraits of elves. Carrying his textbooks, Roy walked slowly and casually studied the portraits of the most famous Elf Kings in Silver Moon Elf history.

It was only when he saw a row of sheepskin boots blocking the path ahead that Roy belatedly raised his head.

Seeing Steve and several young elves blocking the way, Roy took the initiative to walk up.

Fighting in the academy meant immediate expulsion, so he was not worried that Steve would make a move.

"You got lucky and escaped yesterday. You won't be so fortunate today," Steve said, staring at Roy.

Even his threats had to be delivered with such pomp, leaving Roy speechless.

He wore a respectable noble outfit. This kind of elf noble attire was exceptionally refined, with hollowed-out patterns, fabric threaded with gold, and every button polished from gemstones. It was obvious that he came from a prominent family in Castleton City.

"Fine. Bring it on."

Roy raised his head and answered without the slightest hint of fear.

"We'll take good care of you."

Steve curled his lips into a smirk, his face carrying a trace of smugness.

Their standoff made the corridor even more crowded, and soon academy discipline inspectors hurried over.

"What are you doing? This is Elf Academy. Gathering to cause trouble is forbidden..."

Steve glared at Roy, then left with his elf companions.

Roy had not expected him to come over during the break just to make threats.

Thinking about the huge trouble Klayr had brought him, Roy helplessly patted his forehead.

At this point, there was no use complaining.

During geography class, Master Harper stood before an enormous sand table and spoke about several plateau cities within the Silver Moon Elf Kingdom...

Another class spent listening while standing.

When class ended, Roy bent down and tapped his sore legs, only to discover that some elves had actually brought their own little stools.

Roy quickly left the Teaching Building. He did not want Steve and his group blocking him at the academy gate.

After class, the academy corridors were packed with students heading outside, and Roy blended into the crowd.

As he neared the entrance of the Teaching Building, he saw Klayr standing on the steps and waving at him. Roy could only struggle to wave back through the crowd, then shouted loudly:

"If there's something, we'll talk another day. I'm in a hurry..."

He had no idea whether Klayr heard him clearly.

At a time like this, he could not worry about that. He could only follow everyone out.

Roy arrived at the academy gate.

Steve spotted Roy among the crowd with a group of young elf nobles and immediately pushed toward him.

Roy was speechless. Those guys really were sparing no effort to deal with him...

Without waiting for Steve to catch up, Roy smoothly squeezed onto a Long Carriage heading for the Lower District and even managed to claim a window seat.

The carriage was packed. Almost everyone boarding here was a student from Elf Academy.

Seeing Roy slip into the Long Carriage, the young elves were forced to stop again. They had no desire to squeeze into a Long Carriage used by commoners.

They could only stand amid the crowd, furiously shaking their fists at Roy inside the carriage.

Roy refused to be outdone, leaning against the window to look outside.

The Long Carriage had not gone far before it stopped again, and another group of elf students squeezed aboard.

Sabrina was unexpectedly among them. She held a stack of books in both arms and was jostled about by the crowd, forced to brace herself against a pillar. Fortunately, she had two companions beside her.

She was only two places away from Roy. He leaned forward and patted her arm, gesturing for her to sit over here.

Sabrina did not stand on ceremony. She said, "Thank you," and sat in the seat Roy had given up.

Men giving up their seats for women was common on Long Carriages and was even considered polite.

Of course, not everyone did so...

Roy consciously stood to one side, blocking several elf students who tried to squeeze over.

Sabrina's looks combined the traits of Wood Elves and Silver Moon Elves, bright and striking with a heroic air.

Because she practiced martial arts, she was tall but not delicate.

Most Silver Moon Elves preferred petite figures with well-proportioned builds, and tall female elves were not particularly popular among the students.

The Long Carriage slowly traveled along the long street and soon entered the Lower District.

After entering the Lower District, Sabrina's two female companions got off one after another...

"I heard you offended an elf noble as soon as you enrolled?" Sabrina asked softly.

Roy figured she had seen Steve's group chasing after him at the academy gate, so he said, "Sometimes that's just how it is. Trouble always comes looking for you!"

"Did you take Elementary Martial Arts Class?"

"I did."

After saying that, Roy subconsciously glanced at Sabrina.

Sabrina could only hold back her laughter. Thinking that Roy might have started learning martial arts because of her, she asked again:

"Is Instructor Nora teaching you Elementary Martial Arts?"

"Yes."

The Long Carriage stopped and started along the way. Sabrina and Roy casually talked about the female instructor who was very popular at the academy, and Roy even asked Sabrina how he could improve his agility and balance.

Sabrina realized that Roy was actually not so bad once one got to know him.

So she shared some of her own experience and insights with him.

When the Long Carriage stopped in front of the Potion Shop at the entrance to Brown Street, Sabrina and Roy got off one after the other.

Roy's and Sabrina's homes were east of Brown Street.

Ordinarily, after getting off the carriage on his way home from the academy, Roy should have walked east along Brown Street.

Yet Roy kept his head lowered and walked toward the Goddess of Freedom Temple.

Seeing Roy still following behind her, Sabrina frowned. The goodwill she had felt toward him on the Long Carriage instantly vanished without a trace...

When they reached the entrance of the temple, Sabrina stopped, turned around, and said to Roy, who was following not far behind her:

"Why are you still following me? I'm going in now. Stop following me."

"I..."

Sabrina did not give Roy any time to explain.

With a rapid clatter of footsteps, she passed through the gates and entered the front garden of the Goddess of Freedom Temple.