Butler Morris handed over a burning tinder stick, and Russell lit the Frost Series Rain Dragon Cigar in his hand from it.
A faint haze spread through the elf room.
When the smoke formed by burning magic tobacco drifted close to Tobacco Elf Nicole, curled into a ball, it seemed to swirl around her.
This magic came from the earth, yet it carried Nicole's scent.
"Hang in there, little one." Russell puffed on his Frost Cigar and blew a mouthful of smoke toward Nicole. The smoke brushed across her face, and the pain on her little face seemed to ease for an instant before quickly returning.
The smoke carrying traces of magic could not help Nicole find relief.
Fluorite Mushroom Bird Rosie, nearby, clearly could not empathize with Nicole's pain. She merely found it interesting.
Wheat Sprite Whitt was the same.
But as Russell looked at Rosie, he thought of four years ago. Back then, Rosie had still been a Mushroom Bug when she suddenly began evolving. Lacking sufficient reserves, she had nearly died. In the end, Little Dream Dragon had breathed out two puffs of "secondhand smoke," helping her complete her evolution.
Now, Little Dream Dragon's source dragon flame had evolved from secondhand smoke into roaring fire, but she was asleep.
"Rosie lacked reserves back then. She was a 'malnourished' Mushroom Bug. But Nicole is thriving. Rain Dragon Cigars have spread throughout the Shadowflame Grand Duchy and have even entered the Scorching Torrent Kingdom. Her reserves are far deeper than we imagined!"
Flicking off the ash, Russell consoled himself. "So Nicole will definitely evolve successfully. Every puff of Frost Cigar and Cloud Mist Cigar is helping Nicole evolve!"
He finished the cigar.
Russell waved his hand. "Rosie, Whitt, go back to the shelf and sleep."
Then he placed Nicole,